Player evaluation · 2026
2026 Prospect Evaluation Board
A selected Top 100 from an original 160-player pool across all 30 MLB organizations, with organizational priority lists and an explicit evidence standard.
Working board · ranks 17–100 provisional
Emphasizes strike-zone control, contact ability, age-relative performance and pitcher strike-throwing. Ranks 1–16 reflect the most-developed evaluations; ranks 17–100 remain provisional. The pool later added Tyler Bremner, and affiliations reflect the original snapshot. This is not an exhaustive national ranking.
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BASEBALL OPERATIONS / INDEPENDENT RESEARCH 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD TOP 100 + ORGANIZATION PRIORITY LISTS An independent, selected-pool evaluation using age-relative performance, strike-zone decisions, contact indicators, pitch traits, and strike-throwing as primary considerations. 160 ORIGINAL PLAYER POOL 30 ORGANIZATIONS 100 RANKED SHORTLIST SCOPE NOTE This working Top 100 is drawn from an initial 160-player selection across 30 organizations, with Tyler Bremner added later. It is not an exhaustive national ranking; team affiliations reflect the original pool snapshot. NOAH HEMPEL ninefoldbaseball.com • linkedin.com/in/noah-hempel-b95b5437a OCTOBER 15, 2026 / APPLICATION EDITION
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Methodology & evidence standard 01 Ranking criteria, evidence hierarchy, and remaining uncertainty 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 02 EVALUATION PRINCIPLES 01 / OFFENSIVE FOUNDATION HITTERS / HIT BEFORE POWER The evaluation gives weight to early strike-zone judgment and bat-to-ball skill, with some willingness to project future power development. Projected impact and positional demands remain important. 02 / RUN PREVENTION PITCHERS / STRIKES + STUFF The evaluation prioritizes competitive strike-throwing combined with usable pitch quality. Velocity alone is insufficient. Control, command, arsenal depth, and starter-role probability are considered separately. UNCERTAINTY & EVIDENCE Fact vs. judgment Recorded statistical observations and public scouting grades are kept separate from individual projection and risk assessments. Translation risk A low minor-league strikeout rate is not proof of low chase; an ERA is not a pitch-quality measure. Opportunity cost Rankings balance ceiling, likelihood, position/role value, availability, and development distance. Update triggers A new level, changed arsenal, expanded sample, injury, or role change may lead to a revised evaluation. Status: ranks 1-16 reflect the most-developed evaluations. Ranks 17-100 remain provisional and have not received individual player-by-player confirmation. Adjacent ranks should not imply precise value differences.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Highest-priority evaluations 02 Top 16 based on the most developed ranking discussions 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 03 01 Walker Jenkins Twins 02 Colt Emerson Mariners 03 Liam Doyle Cardinals SP1 04 Leo De Vries Athletics 05 Josue De Paula Dodgers 06 Jesus Made Brewers 07 Aidan Miller Phillies 08 Thomas White Marlins UP 09 Eli Willits Nationals 10 Kade Anderson Mariners 11 Max Clark Tigers 12 Seth Hernandez Pirates 13 Cam Caminiti Braves 14 Travis Sykora Nationals 15 Ryan Sloan Mariners 16 Charlie Condon Rockies Lead rankings: Jenkins No. 1; Doyle No. 3 and top-ranked SP; White No. 8 following additional review.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Top 100 / ranks 01-25 03 Working prioritization from the selected pool; original team categories retained 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 04 RANK PLAYER ORGANIZATION TEAM LIST 01 Walker Jenkins Twins #1 02 Colt Emerson Mariners #1 03 Liam Doyle Cardinals #1 04 Leo De Vries Athletics #2 05 Josue De Paula Dodgers #1 06 Jesus Made Brewers #1 07 Aidan Miller Phillies #1 08 Thomas White Marlins #3 09 Eli Willits Nationals #1 10 Kade Anderson Mariners #2 11 Max Clark Tigers #2 12 Seth Hernandez Pirates #1 13 Cam Caminiti Braves #1 14 Travis Sykora Nationals #3 15 Ryan Sloan Mariners #4 16 Charlie Condon Rockies #1 17 Tyler Bremner Angels added 18 Gavin Fien Nationals #2 19 Cooper Pratt Brewers #2 20 Gage Jump Athletics #1 21 Zyhir Hope Dodgers #3 22 Gavin Kilen Giants #1 23 Mike Sirota Dodgers #2 24 Josh Hammond Royals #2 25 Jacob Reimer Mets #1 TABLE KEY "Team list" = original within-organization preference, not club consensus rank. "Added" = Tyler Bremner, researched after the initial selection. Ranks 17-100 are provisional editorial placements.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Top 100 / ranks 26-50 03 Working prioritization from the selected pool; original team categories retained 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 05 RANK PLAYER ORGANIZATION TEAM LIST 26 Kruz Schoolcraft Padres #1 27 Eduardo Quintero Dodgers #11 28 Cam Cannarella Marlins #1 29 Aiva Arquette Marlins #5 30 Braylen Doughty Guardians #2 31 Gage Wood Phillies #2 32 Ethan Holliday Rockies #6 33 JoJo Parker Blue Jays #1 34 Michael Arroyo Mariners #3 35 Caleb Bonemer White Sox #1 36 Billy Carlson White Sox #2 37 Kale Fountain Padres #2 38 Robby Snelling Marlins #2 39 Daniel Susac Giants #5 40 Mitch Voit Mets #3 41 Tink Hence Cardinals #3 42 Jackson Ferris Dodgers #9 43 Chase Shores Angels #2 44 Brody Brecht Rockies #10 45 Zach Root Dodgers #4 46 Kellon Lindsey Dodgers #6 47 Xavier Neyens Astros #2 48 Dax Kilby Yankees #1 49 Caden Bodine Rays #7 50 Dean Curley Guardians #5 TABLE KEY "Team list" = original within-organization preference, not club consensus rank. "Added" = Tyler Bremner, researched after the initial selection. Ranks 17-100 are provisional editorial placements.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Top 100 / ranks 51-75 03 Working prioritization from the selected pool; original team categories retained 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 06 RANK PLAYER ORGANIZATION TEAM LIST 51 Bryce Rainer Tigers #1 52 Theo Gillen Rays #1 53 Ike Irish Orioles #2 54 Trey Gibson Orioles #1 55 Khal Stephen Guardians #1 56 Ethan Hedges Rockies #7 57 Dakota Jordan Giants #2 58 Brady Ebel Brewers #5 59 Joe Mack Marlins #4 60 Jonny Farmelo Mariners #5 61 Andrew Fischer Brewers #3 62 Daniel Pierce Rays #2 63 Brendan Summerhill Rays #6 64 Aidan Smith Rays #8 65 Slade Caldwell Diamondbacks #3 66 Easton Carmichael Pirates #3 67 Kendall George Dodgers #10 68 Miguel Sime Jr Nationals #5 69 Seaver King Nationals #4 70 Devin Taylor Athletics #6 71 Steven Echavarria Athletics #5 72 Gage Stanifer Blue Jays #2 73 Ben Hess Yankees #3 74 Chase Hampton Yankees #4 75 Bryce Cunningham Yankees #2 TABLE KEY "Team list" = original within-organization preference, not club consensus rank. "Added" = Tyler Bremner, researched after the initial selection. Ranks 17-100 are provisional editorial placements.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Top 100 / ranks 76-100 03 Working prioritization from the selected pool; original team categories retained 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 07 RANK PLAYER ORGANIZATION TEAM LIST 76 AJ Russell Rangers #1 77 Mason Morris Reds #4 78 Tate Southisene Braves #2 79 Luke Stevenson Mariners #6 80 Marcelo Perez Mariners #7 81 Jordan Yost Tigers #3 82 Marek Houston Twins #3 83 Riley Quick Twins #4 84 Brandon Winokur Twins #2 85 Dillon Head Marlins #7 86 Leo Bernal Cardinals #2 87 Hector Rodriguez Reds #2 88 Edwin Arroyo Reds #3 89 Brock Wilken Brewers #7 90 Nate George Orioles #3 91 Wehiwa Aloy Orioles #4 92 Tyson Neighbors Orioles #5 93 Vance Honeycutt Orioles #9 94 Enrique Bradfield Jr Orioles #6 95 Griff O'Ferrall Orioles #8 96 Cobb Hightower Orioles #10 97 Cutter Coffey Blue Jays #3 98 Jared Spencer Blue Jays #4 99 Cole Carrigg Rockies #5 100 Levi Sterling Pirates #2 TABLE KEY "Team list" = original within-organization preference, not club consensus rank. "Added" = Tyler Bremner, researched after the initial selection. Ranks 17-100 are provisional editorial placements.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Selected hitter evaluations 04 Public observations and individual assessment distinguished 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 08 CASE 01 WALKER JENKINS • MINNESOTA No. 1 / contact foundation and impact potential PUBLIC EVIDENCE [2] MLB Pipeline reported a 15.9% strikeout rate, 13.4% walk rate and 18% miss rate in its August 2026 pre-debut report. Its scouting grades included 60 hit, 60 power and 60 arm. The same coverage documented repeated injury interruptions and an August MLB debut. EVALUATION Jenkins ranks first because of his hit-and-impact combination. Injuries and interrupted development are meaningful counterweights. Continued MLB exposure will provide additional evidence of how the profile translates. CASE 02 JESUS MADE • MILWAUKEE No. 6 / strong early evidence; longer projection horizon PUBLIC EVIDENCE [5] MLB reported an 81% in-zone contact rate in 2025, plus a 15.8% career walk rate and 15.5% career strikeout rate as of April 2026. At 18, he was competing against substantially older Double-A players. EVALUATION Made's age-relative performance is a meaningful positive indicator. His No. 6 placement reflects the remaining development horizon, future role questions, and uncertainty against major-league pitching rather than age alone. FOLLOW-UP ANALYSIS: Compare age-adjusted walk and strikeout rates, contact quality where available, and upper-level performance. Avoid treating raw minor-league totals as equivalent across levels.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Selected pitcher evaluations 05 Comparing pitch quality, strike-throwing, and starter probability 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 09 DIRECT PUBLIC-GRADE COMPARISON LIAM DOYLE FB 70 • SPLITTER 55 • CONTROL 50 THOMAS WHITE FB 60 • SLIDER 70 • CONTROL 45 DOYLE / TOP-RANKED STARTING PITCHER [3] Doyle's public grades include a 70 fastball, 55 splitter and 50 control. His attack-oriented mound presence is a qualitative observation; it does not establish command consistency or project future performance on its own. What could change the ranking: professional workload, fuller secondary-pitch usage, hard contact in the zone and whether his delivery supports efficient strikes over six or seven innings. WHITE / FRONTLINE UPSIDE [4] Public 2026 grades list a 70 slider, 60 changeup and 45 control. The pitch mix supports a high-ceiling projection, contingent on improved strike-throwing. Average future command remains an assumption, not an established outcome. What could change the ranking: consistent early-count strikes, right-handed hitter results, pitch deployment and workload resilience. The comparison with Doyle centers on starter-role probability and aggregate pitch quality. CAUTION: Source grades are ordinal scouting opinions, not measured probabilities. A 50 control grade versus 45 suggests a difference in evaluator assessment; it does not quantify MLB walk rates or guarantee which pitcher is better.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Evaluation differences & follow-up 06 Areas for additional evidence and potential ranking changes 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 10 HIGHER-PRIORITY FOLLOW-UPS Gavin Kilen Hit tool and contact translation [8] Eli Willits Young shortstop hit/defense blend [6] Zach Root Strike throwing, secondaries, starter viability Dax Kilby Hit/zone profile vs future impact Gavin Fien Age-relative production and contact Daniel Susac Catcher offensive translation and defensive role Mike Sirota Approach upside, injury and sample scrutiny Xavier Neyens Projection vs contact risk Sean Gamble Nonconsensus player to track Ching-Hsien Ko Early-stage development watch PLAYERS WITH GREATER EVALUATION UNCERTAINTY Max Clark, Kruz Schoolcraft, Ethan Holliday, JoJo Parker, Cam Cannarella, Aiva Arquette, Brody Brecht, Tink Hence, Chase Shores and Gage Wood. These placements reflect qualitative evaluation preferences, not measured differences from a fixed, dated consensus list. ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT WATCHLIST 01 Sterling Patick LHP, Dodgers / org list #7 02 Cam Leiter Dodgers 03 Fenwick Trimble Marlins 04 Mitch Bratt Diamondbacks 05 Patrick Forbes Diamondbacks Players outside the selected Top 100 are retained for follow-up because their development traits warrant continued evaluation.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Organization priority lists 07 Original pool organization grouping; selection rank shown where applicable 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 11 DODGERS 11 01 Josue De Paula #5 02 Mike Sirota #23 03 Zyhir Hope #21 04 Zach Root #45 05 Ching-Hsien Ko — 06 Kellon Lindsey #46 07 Sterling Patick — 08 Cam Leiter — 09 Jackson Ferris #42 10 Kendall George #67 11 Eduardo Quintero #27 DIAMONDBACKS 6 01 Brian Curley — 02 Mitch Bratt — 03 Slade Caldwell #65 04 Tommy Troy — 05 JD Dix — 06 Patrick Forbes — PADRES 2 01 Kruz Schoolcraft #26 02 Kale Fountain #37 GIANTS 5 01 Gavin Kilen #22 02 Dakota Jordan #57 03 Bo Davidson — 04 Jacob Bresnahan — 05 Daniel Susac #39 ROCKIES 10 01 Charlie Condon #16 02 JB Middleton — 03 Jared Thomas — 04 Jackson Cox — 05 Cole Carrigg #99 06 Ethan Holliday #32 07 Ethan Hedges #56 08 Zac Veen — 09 Roc Riggio — 10 Brody Brecht #44 CARDINALS 3 01 Liam Doyle #3 02 Leo Bernal #86 03 Tink Hence #41 REDS 4 01 Steele Hall — 02 Hector Rodriguez #87 03 Edwin Arroyo #88 04 Mason Morris #77 PIRATES 4 01 Seth Hernandez #12 02 Levi Sterling #100 03 Easton Carmichael #66 04 Wyatt Sanford — APPENDIX NOTE Team-list order reflects the original selection, not an official club ranking. Affiliations may have changed (e.g., Zyhir Hope was traded to Detroit in 2026). A dash indicates not included in the selected Top 100.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Organization priority lists 07 Original pool organization grouping; selection rank shown where applicable 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 12 CUBS 3 01 Kane Kepley — 02 Ethan Conrad — 03 Josiah Hartshorn — BREWERS 7 01 Jesus Made #6 02 Cooper Pratt #19 03 Andrew Fischer #61 04 Bishop Letson — 05 Brady Ebel #58 06 Luke Adams — 07 Brock Wilken #89 NATIONALS 5 01 Eli Willits #9 02 Gavin Fien #18 03 Travis Sykora #14 04 Seaver King #69 05 Miguel Sime Jr #68 PHILLIES 5 01 Aidan Miller #7 02 Gage Wood #31 03 Matthew Fisher — 04 Alex McFarlane — 05 Carson DeMartini — METS 4 01 Jacob Reimer #25 02 AJ Ewing — 03 Mitch Voit #40 04 Eli Serrano III — MARLINS 7 01 Cam Cannarella #28 02 Robby Snelling #38 03 Thomas White #8 04 Joe Mack #59 05 Aiva Arquette #29 06 Fenwick Trimble — 07 Dillon Head #85 BRAVES 4 01 Cam Caminiti #13 02 Tate Southisene #78 03 Lucas Braun — 04 Eric Hartman — ANGELS 3 01 Johnny Slawinski — 02 Chase Shores #43 03 Talon Haley — ASTROS 3 01 Ethan Frey — 02 Xavier Neyens #47 03 Ryan Forcucci — APPENDIX NOTE Team-list order reflects the original selection, not an official club ranking. Affiliations may have changed (e.g., Zyhir Hope was traded to Detroit in 2026). A dash indicates not included in the selected Top 100.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Organization priority lists 07 Original pool organization grouping; selection rank shown where applicable 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 13 ATHLETICS 6 01 Gage Jump #20 02 Leo De Vries #4 03 Jamie Arnold — 04 Gavin Turley — 05 Steven Echavarria #71 06 Devin Taylor #70 RANGERS 2 01 AJ Russell #76 02 Seong-Joon Kim — MARINERS 9 01 Colt Emerson #2 02 Kade Anderson #10 03 Michael Arroyo #34 04 Ryan Sloan #15 05 Jonny Farmelo #60 06 Luke Stevenson #79 07 Marcelo Perez #80 08 Charlie Beilenson — 09 Aidan Taurek — GUARDIANS 8 01 Khal Stephen #55 02 Braylen Doughty #30 03 Joey Oakie — 04 Cooper Ingle — 05 Dean Curley #50 06 Daniel Espino — 07 Andrew Walters — 08 Luke Hill — WHITE SOX 3 01 Caleb Bonemer #35 02 Billy Carlson #36 03 Jacob Gonzalez — TWINS 6 01 Walker Jenkins #1 02 Brandon Winokur #84 03 Marek Houston #82 04 Riley Quick #83 05 Dasan Hill — 06 James Ellwanger — TIGERS 4 01 Bryce Rainer #51 02 Max Clark #11 03 Jordan Yost #81 04 Grayson Ginsell — APPENDIX NOTE Team-list order reflects the original selection, not an official club ranking. Affiliations may have changed (e.g., Zyhir Hope was traded to Detroit in 2026). A dash indicates not included in the selected Top 100.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH Organization priority lists 07 Original pool organization grouping; selection rank shown where applicable 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 14 ROYALS 4 01 Sean Gamble — 02 Josh Hammond #24 03 Justin Lamkin — 04 Cameron Millar — YANKEES 6 01 Dax Kilby #48 02 Bryce Cunningham #75 03 Ben Hess #73 04 Chase Hampton #74 05 Rory Fox — 06 Jack Cebert — RED SOX 3 01 Jake Bennett — 02 Kyson Witherspoon — 03 Justin Gonzales — ORIOLES 10 01 Trey Gibson #54 02 Ike Irish #53 03 Nate George #90 04 Wehiwa Aloy #91 05 Tyson Neighbors #92 06 Enrique Bradfield Jr #94 07 Creed Willems — 08 Griff O'Ferrall #95 09 Vance Honeycutt #93 10 Cobb Hightower #96 BLUE JAYS 4 01 JoJo Parker #33 02 Gage Stanifer #72 03 Cutter Coffey #97 04 Jared Spencer #98 RAYS 9 01 Theo Gillen #52 02 Daniel Pierce #62 03 TJ Nichols — 04 Dean Moss — 05 Slater de Brun — 06 Brendan Summerhill #63 07 Caden Bodine #49 08 Aidan Smith #64 09 Gary Gill Hill — APPENDIX NOTE Team-list order reflects the original selection, not an official club ranking. Affiliations may have changed (e.g., Zyhir Hope was traded to Detroit in 2026). A dash indicates not included in the selected Top 100.
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NOAH HEMPEL / INDEPENDENT BASEBALL RESEARCH References, scope & limitations 08 Public sources for selected examples, plus data-quality limitations 2026 PROSPECT EVALUATION BOARD • SELECTED POOL 15 DOCUMENT STATUS Independent working snapshot prepared in October 2026. The overall board is a selected-pool ranking, not a validated projection system or complete eligibility screen. Original organization categories are preserved for traceability and do not always reflect current affiliations; some players have debuted in MLB. PUBLIC REFERENCES / SELECTED PLAYER PROFILES [1] MLB Pipeline, 2026 prospects index https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2026/top100/ [2] Walker Jenkins - MLB Pipeline pre-debut scouting report https://www.mlb.com/pirates/news/what-to-expect-twins-prospect-walker-jenkins-mlb [3] Liam Doyle - scouting grades and report https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2026/top100/liam-doyle-824604/ [4] Thomas White - 2026 scouting report https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/thomas-white-806258 [5] Jesus Made - 2026 Double-A performance https://www.mlb.com/news/brewers-jesus-made-three-hit-game-at-double-a [6] Eli Willits - 2026 player profile https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/top100/eli-willits-816113 [7] Tyler Bremner - 2026 player profile https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2026/top100/tyler-bremner-803285/ [8] Gavin Kilen - 2026 Baseball America report https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/20127-gavin-kilen/ [9] Sterling Patick - 2026 player profile https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/sterling-patick-814507 [10] Colt Emerson / Seattle skill grades - 2026 Pipeline https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/mariners-top-30-prospects-list-2026-preseason [11] Baseball America - prospect ranking methodology https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2025-top-100-prospects/ [12] MLB Pipeline - Dodgers midseason affiliation update https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-top-30-prospects-2026-midseason-update RESEARCH REPRODUCIBILITY Next validation step: confirm each player's current affiliation, level and eligibility; record source dates; then compare players by age, position and level rather than raw totals alone.