The 2026 Major League Baseball season is nearing its halfway point, and it has proven to be a remarkable year for emerging talents. Many highly-touted young players from MLB.com’s top 100 rankings have already transitioned to the major leagues, making significant contributions to fantasy baseball rosters. Prospects such as Konnor Griffin, Bubba Chandler, JJ Wetherholt, and Kevin McGonigle have established themselves as MLB regulars, leading to their removal from the top 100 prospect list and creating opportunities for new talents to shine.
In the following sections, we will delve into some of the prospects who have recently made their ascent to the big leagues, as well as those who are anticipated to contend for major league spots later this summer.
Jesús Made, Shortstop, Brewers
MLB.com ranking: First overall
With Griffin’s departure from the prospect rankings, we now see Made as the new top-ranked overall prospect. This is one primary reason for highlighting the shortstop first. Another factor is that, despite the Brewers’ strong performance in the National League Central, they exhibit a vulnerability at the shortstop position. The current duo of David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz has been adequate, offering some speed, and Ortiz provides strong defensive capabilities, but neither contributes substantially on offense.
Signed internationally by Milwaukee from the Dominican Republic, the switch-hitting Made possesses potential as a five-tool player, showcasing an impressive blend of power, quickness, and plate discipline. This season in Double-A, he has only recorded 26 strikeouts across 239 plate appearances. At just 19 years old, Milwaukee is likely to exercise patience with their leading prospect. It’s expected that Made will either earn a promotion to Triple-A this season or begin the 2027 season there. While an MLB debut this year would be unexpected, stranger developments have occurred. Made is certainly worth tracking in long-term dynasty and keeper fantasy leagues.
Colt Emerson, Shortstop, Mariners
MLB.com ranking: Fifth overall
Seattle’s leading prospect, Emerson, received his call-up in mid-May when Brendan Donovan was sidelined due to injury. The 20-year-old made his major league debut on May 17 and has appeared comfortable in the big leagues. Although Emerson is currently dealing with a back issue, he was previously batting .242 with 4 home runs and 10 runs batted in over 19 contests. Despite holding an .867 OPS during that period, Emerson’s Baseball Savant profile suggests he might not be fully prepared for a permanent MLB role. Emerson’s fantasy value is primarily limited to dynasty formats, and he is expected to return to the minors once Donovan and fellow shortstop J.P. Crawford recover their health.
Braden Montgomery, Outfielder, White Sox
MLB.com ranking: Twenty-first overall
Montgomery is a player who should be on the radar for fantasy baseball managers in more extensive leagues. He was recalled on Tuesday and wasted no time making an impression during his debut against the Braves. Batting sixth in the order, Montgomery went 2-for-5, with one of his hits being a two-run, walk-off home run in extra innings. He was already a worthy waiver claim even before his dramatic game-winning blast.
Montgomery had been enjoying an outstanding season across two minor league levels. Combining his performances in Double-A and Triple-A, he posted a slash line of .314/.422/.548, accumulating 10 home runs and 41 runs batted in over 56 games. This White Sox lineup has been unexpectedly engaging, and Montgomery adds another dimension if he can maintain his big-league status. For those with an available roster spot, Monty presents a high-reward offensive option.
A.J. Ewing, Second Baseman/Outfielder, Mets
MLB.com ranking: Thirty-first overall
Despite a challenging season for the Mets and their substantial payroll, the organization continues to excel at drafting and player development. Ewing is the latest prospect to be promoted and has made an immediate impact this season. He projects as a future leadoff hitter and run producer, potentially pairing with Carson Benge at the top of the batting order.
Ewing may not possess the same raw power as Benge, but he consistently gets on base and exhibits good speed. Across 26 games, Ewing has recorded a hit or a walk in 20 of his appearances. He has batted in various positions, from third to eighth in the lineup, but has recently settled into the fifth spot. Ewing is a reasonable waiver-wire addition in deeper fantasy leagues if you’re seeking batting average, runs, and hits, with the occasional stolen base mixed in.
Kaelen Culpepper, Shortstop, Twins
MLB.com ranking: Thirty-sixth overall
While numerous shortstops have been discussed in this article, it is a crucial position, and Culpepper is a prospect worth monitoring closely. The 23-year-old was a first-round draft selection in 2024 after completing three seasons at Kansas State. He has rapidly ascended through the minor league system, largely due to his impressive power statistics. Last season, across High-A and Double-A, Culpepper hit 20 home runs and posted an .844 OPS in 113 games. So far this season in Triple-A, he has tallied 14 home runs in roughly half the number of games, alongside 40 RBIs and an .869 OPS.
Given that the Twins are unlikely to contend for a playoff spot in the coming months, it would be logical for them to give Culpepper an opportunity once September arrives (or even sooner). Should that occur, he could become an intriguing late-season pickup from the waiver wire and a potential long-term asset in dynasty and keeper league formats.
Gage Jump, Starting Pitcher, Athletics
MLB.com ranking: Thirty-eighth overall
Fans of starting pitchers would be disappointed if I failed to mention at least one hurler in this feature. Jump received his call-up in late May and made his Major League debut against the Mariners, where he surrendered four runs on nine hits, recording five strikeouts and one walk over 5.0 innings. Following that initial shaky outing, Jump has performed admirably, allowing just one run over 13.1 innings in subsequent starts against the Cubs and Astros, both on the road. The left-hander demonstrates decent control (only five walks in three starts) and features a solid five-pitch repertoire complemented by good fastball velocity.
Jump has a chance to secure a spot in the rotation but might be optioned back to the minors once Aaron Civale and Luis Severino return to full health. For now, Jump serves as a reasonable streaming option on a weekly basis, though caution is advised regarding his starting locations. The Athletics are playing selected games in Las Vegas, a venue that has yielded a high volume of offense this season. Sutter Health Park in Sacramento also tends to be an unforgiving environment for pitchers.
