Top MLB Prospects 2028: Projecting Each Team’s No. 1 Talent

This post breaks down MLB Pipeline’s projections for each club’s top prospect in the 2028 season. It spotlights a mix of high school draftees, international signees, and college players with big-time ceilings.

The rundown explains why each name matters and how they fit into their team’s plans. You’ll get a sense of what fans might expect from the pipeline era just a few years from now.

MLB Pipeline’s 2028 Top Prospect Projections: A Team-by-Team Preview

Let’s dig into the players MLB Pipeline calls the future faces of their clubs. The group includes college-ready talents, teenage prospects with wild upside, and international signees who could break through by 2028.

It’s a glimpse at where each team thinks its pipeline, depth, and star potential all come together. Some of these picks might surprise you.

Toronto Blue Jays — JoJo Parker Tops the System

JoJo Parker leads the way for Toronto. The 2024 eighth-overall pick is a 6-foot-2 shortstop who’s already showing sharp strike-zone awareness and flashes of power.

Pipeline sees him as a possible cornerstone in the middle infield if he keeps progressing.

• Height/position: 6’2″ shortstop
• Tools: refined plate discipline, developing power
• Outlook: potential middle-of-the-lineup star with room to grow into more power

Baltimore Orioles — Nate George Surprises with Early Breakout

The Orioles’ big surprise is late-round 2024 signee Nate George, an outfielder with a .337 average and 50 steals across levels. If his hit tool and speed hold up, he might push into the Top 100.

• Notable stat: .337 across levels with 50 steals
• Position: outfielder
• Outlook: could climb into the Top 100 if momentum keeps rolling

Tampa Bay Rays — Grady Emerson: A 2026 High Draft Pick Bet

The Rays are betting on prep shortstop Grady Emerson, a lefty with explosive bat speed and legit defensive tools. If he keeps developing, Emerson could lock down a key infield spot in Tampa Bay’s future lineup.

• Position: prep shortstop
• Tools: bat speed, defensive ceiling
• Outlook: big-time upside for a 2026 draft-class player

New York Yankees & Washington Nationals — Kilby & Willits

Dax Kilby (Yankees) and Eli Willits (Nationals) both stand out as advanced teenage shortstops with strong pro debuts. Scouts love their high floors and see a real shot at stardom if their development keeps pace.

• Dax Kilby: advanced teen shortstop; strong pro debut
• Eli Willits: advanced teen shortstop with real upside
• Outlook: high floors and a chance to be stars

Kansas City Royals — Kendry Chourio: Velocity and Vigor on the Mound

Kendry Chourio headlines the Royals’ pitching prospects. He’s a Venezuelan righty with mid-90s heat and a sharp breaking ball.

If he sharpens his command and secondary pitches, Chourio could become a rotation anchor for Kansas City.

• Tools: mid-90s velocity, strong breaking ball
• Projection: potential frontline starter with more refinement
• Outlook: cornerstone arm for the Royals’ future

Pittsburgh Pirates — Seth Hernandez: Size, Stuff, and Athleticism

Seth Hernandez stands out as a 6-foot-4 high school righty with four pitches and plenty of athleticism. His projectable frame and arsenal give him a path toward a durable starting role if he keeps developing.

• Height/position: 6’4″ right-hander
• Tools: four-pitch mix, athletic delivery
• Outlook: high-ceiling starter with real growth potential

Minnesota Twins — Eduardo Tait: Power with a Defensive Hurdle

Eduardo Tait brings left-handed power but still needs to clean up his defense. His bat might carry him, but he’ll have to prove he can stick in the field to really maximize his value.

• Profile: left-handed power hitter
• Defensive note: needs improvement
• Outlook: high-impact bat, but defensive questions remain

St. Louis Cardinals — Rainiel Rodriguez: The Power Backstop

Rainiel Rodriguez showed off big power with 20 homers across multiple levels. He profiles as a catcher with pop, and if his receiving and game-calling catch up, he could become a franchise cornerstone behind the plate.

• Home run upside: 20+ homers across levels
• Position: catcher with power profile
• Outlook: power-first catcher who needs to round out his defense

International Signings in Focus — Phillies’ Francisco Renteria & Dodgers’ Eduardo Quintero

Two international signings really pop: the Phillies’ Francisco Renteria (signed for $4 million) and the Dodgers’ Eduardo Quintero, who grabbed California League MVP honors. Both have five-tool upside and could move fast as they mature.

• Francisco Renteria: $4M investment, five-tool ceiling
• Eduardo Quintero: California League MVP, five-tool potential

Conclusion — A Blended Path to 2028

MLB Pipeline’s 2028 projections mix college-ready talent, high-upside teenagers, and international signees. The list feels like a blend of players who could really shake up their organizations in a few years.

It’s honestly fascinating to see which names might become the face of their systems by 2028. I can’t help but wonder—who’s going to surprise us the most?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Predicting each club’s No. 1 prospect in 2028