The NL East may be the deepest division as far as top-level minor league talent. In total, there are 12 prospects with 2026 ETAs on MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect List. This is extremely shocking when you consider that the Atlanta Braves have only one prospect in the group.
Something to Prove
Aidan Miller – SS (Philadelphia Phillies)
Aidan Miller has the potential to play for a long time on the left side of the Phillies’ infield. Miller has an above-average baseball IQ, displayed by his ability to steal 59 bases last season with average speed. Second to Miller’s baseball IQ is his arm. There is no doubt that with Miller’s instincts and arm strength, he will be a stalwart on the left side of the infield. Miller’s biggest question mark comes from his hitting ability. He has a violent swing and a high leg kick to time up pitches. In his first stint of pro ball, he had the tendency to fall behind in counts when facing breaking balls, but he has since shown adjustments. These adjustments have shown an increase in Miller’s ability to reach base via walks.
Aiden Miller might be the most blocked-hitting prospect in baseball. The left side of the Phillies’ infield is tied up in Trea Turner and Alec Bohm. Even with trade speculation around Alec Bohm, the Phillies have yet to get a deal done and open up a spot for Miller. He is even less likely to find playing time at DH thanks to the Phillies’ slugger Kyle Schwarber. Another thing holding Aiden Miller back from making the big league club is the fact that he has only played 8 games in Triple-A. Miller has raked during his time in Lehigh Valley, but would need to continue this torrential pace this Spring.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 15%
Andrew Painter – RHP (Philadelphia Phillies)
The Phillies plan last season was to ramp up top prospect Andrew Painter in hopes of him throwing crucial innings down the stretch for the team. This plan was derailed due to Painter’s struggle to return from injury. Painter’s struggles were a result of an inability, at times, to locate the fastball. While Painter’s fastball could be his best pitch at the next level, he also throws to potential plus off-speed options. This arsenal is one of the best all-around mixes in all of minor league baseball, and with improved control, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
Andrew Painter will come into the 2026 season at only 23 years old. With this in mind, Painter has missed two full seasons due to Tommy John surgery. However, with the inconsistency of Taijuan Walker and the departure of Mick Abel, Painter could compete for the 5th spot in the Philadelphia rotation. In Painter’s case, he will either win over the 5th spot in the rotation or be sent to Triple-A. The Phillies will not use him in relief in his first Major League stint. An opportunity to pitch more in Triple-A is the most likely occurrence for the 6 ‘7 righty.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 40%
Justin Crawford – OF (Philadelphia Phillies)
Justin Crawford is the son of former All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford. Similar to his father, Justin Crawford profiles to be a top-end hitter and base stealer. In each of his three full seasons in the minors, he’s stolen over 40 bags. Last season, Crawford additionally hit for a whopping .334 and walked more often than ever before. Crawford will hold his own in centerfield, thanks in large part to his plus speed. The speedster could be this year’s version of Jacob Wilson. Both players were touted for their bat-to-ball ability, but worry scouts due to their lack of elite exit velocity.
The Phillies outfield is looking extremely thin going into the start of Spring Training. After the release of Nick Castellanos, there is plenty of room in the outfield for Crawford. Crawford has hit at every level he’s played and dominated in a full season in Triple-A. He has nothing more to prove in the minors and looks to make an impact in Philadelphia this season. The only thing that could hold Crawford back is an extremely poor spring.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 90%
Carson Benge – OF (New York Mets)
The Mets have made a habit of drafting two-way players from Oklahoma State, and Carson Benge is the latest example. Benge and the Mets decided for him to pursue hitting only in 2025. In his first taste of pro ball, Benge hit .281 with 15 home runs across three levels. His ability to read fly balls and an above-average arm will allow Benge to be at least an average defensive centerfielder.
The Mets have done everything to clear the path for Benge. This offseason, the Mets traded away outfielders Brandon Nimmo and fellow prospect Jett Williams. The starting right field spot is now open for Benge. This move to a corner should allow Benge to focus exclusively on hitting. The Mets are in a win-now situation and have spent millions this offseason. With this in mind, Benge struggled at the plate once he reached Triple-A. If the Mets deem him not to be ready, Benge could see more time in Syracuse before making the big league roster.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 60%
Joe Mack – C (Miami Marlins)
Another rebuild is in process for the Miami Marlins, but Joe Mack and other top 100 prospects are on the way. Hitting from the left side, Mack is very upright in the box and takes violent swings. He consistently punished fastballs with a 1.074 OPS against last season. His innate ability to hit the fastball and take violent swings lends to plus power. Behind the plate, Mack has plenty of upside. He has a great arm and even better hands thanks to his athleticism. Last season alone, he threw out 33% of runners on stolen base attempts.
Joe Mack will be joining Agustín Ramírez behind the dish for the Marlins. Last season, Ramírez finished 6th in the NL Rookie of the Year award. However, from an offensive standpoint, Ramirez and Mack are similar players. Both catchers should hit for at least average power, may struggle with strikeouts, and don’t walk. The one thing going for Mack is his defense. Mack would be a vast improvement at catcher defensively since Ramírez was near league-worst behind the plate. Additionally, the Marlins are in a rebuild with multiple young, promising players that Mack could join.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 60%
Robbie Snelling – LHP (Miami Marlins)
Robbie Snelling came into the 2025 resurgence in his pitch arsenal. After coming off a 2024 season that saw his fastball dip nearly 5 mph, Snelling dominated with the fastball in 2025. This is in large part due to this control. He’s able to work his fastball against both lefties and righties and wherever needed in the zone. The lefty spent the 2025 season split between Double and Triple-A. Snelling in Triple-A Jacksonville improved on an already great start to his season. In 11 starts, he pitched to a 1.27 ERA and struck out 81 batters in 63.2 innings.
Snelling has now spent three full seasons in the minor leagues. He has also seen his fair share of successes and failures during this time. Due to stuff regression, his 2024 season was a disappointment. However, Snelling returned to form in 2025 and dominated the upper levels. Unfortunately for Snelling, he is not on the 40-man roster. With the departure of Ryan Weathers in an offseason trade, there is at least one open spot in the Marlins rotation. Even with this, the fact that Snelling is not on the 40-man roster and the Marlins may want to see continued success in the minors, it is unlikely that Snelling to make the big league roster.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 10%
Thomas White – LHP (Miami Marlins)
The Marlins add their second left-handed starting pitcher to the list in top 20 prospect Thomas White. Thomas White is more power-driven than the aforementioned Snelling. White works with an upper-90s fastball and a frisbee for a slider while adding a plus change. The lefty has the ability for all three of his pitches to be plus pitches at worst. He has struggled with control at times. Even in a spectacular 2025 season, he walked over 13% of batters. This was a spike from his previous season. White’s potential could be similar to Blake Snell’s. Both are left-handed starters who struggle with control but are elite.
White is coming off a strong second full season of pro ball, where he threw 89.2 innings and a 2.31 ERA. While his stuff is more top-end than that of Snelling, White has a better chance of making the opening day roster. White has only thrown 9.1 innings in Triple-A. Additionally, White is not on the 40-man roster either. With this in mind, there should be no expectation to see him in Miami come March.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 5%
JR Ritchie – RHP (Atlanta Braves)
Sports Recap 2022 Ritchie 02
JR Ritchie is a former prep right-handed starter from Washington. The Braves prospect missed his first full pro season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. In two seasons after rehabbing the UCL injury, Ritchie has dominated. Ritchie works in 5 separate pitches, albeit none of them grade out as plus. However, Ritchie is able to use all 5 to get strikeouts and be effective on the mound. He uses all of these pitches to strike out one batter per inning.
Atlanta has plenty of rotation depth with 7 starters currently on the roster. However, some of these players saw limited success last season and are potentially on the decline. Ritchie will be going into camp with only 59.2 innings under his belt in Triple-A. While Ritchie has pitched in Truist Park previously, don’t expect him to do so this March.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 10%
Players who debuted in 2025
Owen Caissie – OF (Miami Marlins)
Owen Caissie was recently acquired by the Marlins from the Cubs. Caissie made his debut late in the 2025 season and struggled. He hit just .192 with 1 homerun in 12 games. However, Caissie comes over with plenty of polish from the minor leagues. He spent all of 2024 and most of the 2025 season in Triple-A. During those stints, he hit .278 and .286, respectively, with 19 and 22 home runs. Caissie profiles as a power over hit corner outfielder. He is likely to play right field long-term thanks to his above-average arm and average speed. The left-handed bat should solidify a young outfield core for years to come.
Owen Caissie currently slots in as the everyday right fielder for the Marlins. He will compete for time with Griffin Conine, who has battled injuries to start his career. Caissie has also already spent nearly two full seasons in Triple-A and isn’t likely to gain anything by being sent down. With 12 MLB games under his belt, if he can cut down on his strikeouts, there’s no reason he shouldn’t start for Miami Opening Day.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 85%
Harry Ford – C (Washington Nationals)
Harry Ford is the second of the top prospects to be traded to the NL East this season. Ford is known more for his bat than his glove. While he has an above-average arm, Ford’s receiving needs to improve. The former Seattle farm hand has the potential to be a 20-20 guy behind the dish, though. His stocky frame and natural athleticism lends for him to even improve defensively.
Harry Ford was previously blocked by platinum glove winner and MVP finalist Cal Raleigh in Seattle. In Washington, Ford will have to compete with Keibert Ruiz for time behind the plate. Ruiz missed plenty of time due to injury in 2025 and didn’t impress when he did play. Additionally, Ford has the capability to play a corner outfield spot and could see playing time there. Between splitting catching duty, sneaking in some time in the outfield, and the potential to DH, Ford is likely to see a lot of time in a Nationals uniform.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 75%
Jonah Tong – RHP (New York Mets)
Jonah Tong led all of minor league baseball in strikeouts before being called up for the Mets’ playoff push. Tong struggled down this stretch but displayed why he’s one of the top prospects in baseball. He has one of the best fastballs in baseball and adds an equally filthy changeup to his arsenal. He has a very unorthodox delivery with a high arm angle that worries scouts. Long-term, there’s certainly a risk and a concern about how long he’ll be able to throw at such an angle.
When it comes to Jonah Tong, there’s always been a need for him to prove himself due to his delivery. Last season, he certainly did this in the minors, but struggled in New York. He also made his pro debut after only 2 games in Triple-A. With a congested rotation in New York and the lack of experience in Triple-A, Tong could start his season in Syracuse. However, the Mets have shown confidence in him by calling him up last season and could allow him the opportunity to start in Citi Field.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 35%
Nolan McLean – RHP (New York Mets)
Nolan McLean is the second former Oklahoma State two-way player in the Mets system. McLean went down the pitching route, unlike Carson Benge. The right-handed starter looks to be the early favorite for NL Rookie of the Year and for good reason. McLean boasts some of the best off-speed pitches in all of baseball. Both his slider and curveball grade out as at least plus-plus pitches. He also adds a plus fastball and a plus cutter. In 48 innings in the big leagues, McLean pitched to a 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts.
Nolan McLean is the only lock on the list. There should be no doubt that he is in a New York Mets uniform next season. McLean is set to have a Paul Skenes-like rookie season and should dominate. Even a disastrous spring should result in McLean making the big league roster. The former OSU Cowboy will wrangle in offenses this season in New York.
Likelihood to Make Opening Day Roster: 100%
(Top Image Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images)
