Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: There's a new No. 1 overall — will he get a shot to make an impact this season?
We’re almost to the mid-way point of the 2026 MLB season and it’s been an exciting year for prospects. We’ve seen plenty off big-name youngsters from MLB.com’s top-100 graduate into the big leagues and make fantasy baseball contributions. With players like Konnor Griffin, Bubba Chandler, JJ Wetherholt and Kevin McGonigle all MLB regulars, they’ve been removed from the top 100 prospect list. That’s made way for new players to emerge.
Below, we’re going to go over some prospects who have recently made the jump and ones who we can expect to push for the majors at some point this summer.
Jesús Made, SS, Brewers
MLB.com rank: No. 1 overall
With Griffin being removed from the list, we have a new No. 1 overall prospect in Made. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to start things off with the shortstop. The other is that, while the Brewers are rolling in the NL Central, they do have a hole at SS. The platoon of David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz has been serviceable and provides some speed. Ortiz is a plus-defender but neither offers much offensive upside.
An international signing by Milwaukee out of the Dominican Republic, the switch-hitting Made has 5-tool potential with a nice mix of power, speed and plate discipline. He’s only struck out 26 times in 239 plate appearances so far in Double-A this season. Made is still just 19 years old and chances are Milwaukee will be patient with the top prospect. Expect Made to eye a promotion to Triple-A this season or start 2027 there. It would be surprising to see him make his MLB debut this season but more surprising things have happened. Made is worth monitoring in dynasty and keeper formats.
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Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners
MLB.com rank: No. 5 overall
Seattle’s top prospect, Emerson, was called up back in the middle of May when Brendan Donovan was placed on the injured list. The 20-year-old made his MLB debut on May 17 and hasn’t looked out of place. While Emerson is currently dealing with a back injury, prior to that he was hitting .242 with 4 HRs and 10 RBI over 19 games. While he has an .867 OPS in that span, Emerson’s Baseball Savant page suggests he may not be ready for a full-time MLB gig. Emerson doesn’t offer much fantasy value outside of dynasty leagues and should be sent back down once Donovan and SS J.P. Crawford are healthy.
Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox
MLB.com rank: No. 21 overall
Montgomery is someone who should be on the radar of fantasy managers in deeper formats. He was recalled on Tuesday and wasted no time getting his name out there in his debut against the Braves. Slotting in at 6th in the order, Montgomery went 2-for-5, one of those hits a two-run walk-off HR in extra innings. He was worth a waiver consideration even before the walk-off.
Montgomery was having a stellar season in the minors at two levels. Combined in Double-A and Triple-A, he had a slash line of .314/.422/.548 with 10 HRs and 41 RBI over 56 games. This White Sox lineup has already been surprisingly fun and Montgomery adds another wrinkle if he can stick. If you have the roster spot, Monty is a hitter who could pay off big.
A.J. Ewing, 2B/OF, Mets
MLB.com rank: No. 31 overall
It’s been a rough season for the Mets and their lofty payroll but at least the franchise continues to draft well and develop players. Ewing is the latest prospect to be called up and make an impact this season. He feels like a future leadoff/run producer at the top of the order along with Carson Benge.
Ewing doesn’t have as much pop as Benge but has gotten on base plenty and has solid speed. Through 26 games, Ewing has gotten a hit or walk in 20 appearances. He’s batted everywhere from the 3-hole to the 8-spot in the lineup but has settled in around 5th of late. Ewing isn’t a bad waiver-wire add in deeper formats if you’re looking for average, runs and hits with a few stolen bags sprinkled in there.
Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Twins
MLB.com rank: No. 36 overall
I know we’ve talked about a lot of shortstops in this piece but it’s a premium position and Culpepper is a prospect you’re going to want to be ahead on. The 23-year-old was a first-round pick back in 2024 after three seasons at Kansas State. He’s made quick work of the minor-league system thanks to very impressive power numbers. Culpepper had 20 homers and an .844 OPS in 113 games last season in High-A and Double-A. So far this season in Triple-A, he has 14 homers in about half the games with 40 RBI and an .869 OPS.
The Twins likely won’t be competing for a playoff spot in a few months so it makes sense for them to give Culpepper a look once September rolls around (if not earlier). When that happens, he could make for an intriguing late-season add off the wire and a potential stash in dynasty and keeper leagues.
Gage Jump, SP, Athletics
MLB.com rank: No. 38 overall
The starting pitcher hive would be upset if I didn’t at least mention one hurler in this story. Jump was called up in late May and made his MLB debut against the Mariners, allowing four runs on nine hits with five Ks and one walk over 5.0 innings. Since that shaky debut, Jump has been solid, allowing just one run over 13.1 innings against the Cubs and Astros, both on the road. The lefty has decent command (just five BBs in the three starts) and has a solid five-pitch mix with good fastball velocity.
Jump has a chance to stick in the rotation but could get sent back down once Aaron Civale and Luis Severino are healthy. For now, Jump is a decent streaming option week-to-week, but be wary of where he’s starting. The A’s are playing select games in Las Vegas, a ballpark that has produced a ton of offense so far. Sutter Health Park in Sacramento is also not very pitcher-friendly.
