Josue De Paula finished the 2026 season as the top prospect within the organization and even made a brief appearance in the major league postseason following his September call-up. Consequently, it’s no surprise that De Paula is ranked as the number one prospect entering 2027, according to Baseball Prospectus.
De Paula isn’t the only outfielder leading the ranks; Mike Sirota is ranked second in the system, with Eduardo Quintero close behind at third. Charles Davalan, who won the Midwest League MVP and has been expanding his skill set by working on second base in the Arizona Fall League, ranks seventh among prospects.
Sirota had a strong 2026 season, starting in High-A with Great Lakes, moving up to Double-A Tulsa, and finishing in the Triple-A playoffs with Oklahoma City. Throughout these levels, he demonstrated elite on-base skills, hitting .307/.461/.526 over 108 games, while hitting 28 doubles, 17 home runs, and drawing 100 walks.
Jeffrey Paternostro of Baseball Prospectus notes that while Sirota’s exceptional batting averages may be tough to maintain at higher levels, his hit tool is likely to remain above average. Despite below-average contact rates, Sirota’s ability to start his swing late and generate damage means he can hit many different pitches hard, leading to plenty of hits finding open spaces. Though there’s some risk in his hit tool, his combination of power and plate discipline means that hitting .250 in the majors could make him a valuable starter, even at corner outfield positions.
Other top prospects include Emil Morales, a shortstop who, along with De Paula, Sirota, and Quintero, was ranked among the top 101 prospects in baseball by Baseball Prospectus before 2026 and now forms the top quartet in the system. Prior to last season, they were the top five prospects in the organization along with Zyhir Hope, who has since been traded.
Branch Rickey Awards were given to De Paula and Christian Zazueta as the minor league player and pitcher of the year, respectively. Zazueta, now ranked fifth in the system by Baseball Prospectus, climbed 11 spots since last offseason and earned his second consecutive Rickey Award.
High school shortstop Bo Lowrance, the ’ first-round pick in 2026, enters the top 10 prospects ranked eighth as he prepares to begin his professional career. Despite his 6’5” frame and a simple left-handed swing, Paternostro points out Lowrance’s unique skill combination doesn’t totally fit his physical profile, but the ’ strong player development system allows them time to maximize projects like his. Still, many of their top prospects struggle with consistent contact.
Right-handed pitcher Hyun-Seok Jang, who joined the out of South Korea in 2023, has jumped from the 21st spot in the system before 2026 to 10th entering 2027. Paternostro mentions that Jang’s main drawback is his difficulty staying healthy and pitching a full season.
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 prospects heading into 2027, including their positions, ages, highest level reached in 2026, and their Baseball Prospectus rankings from 2026 and 2027:
| Player | Position | Age in 2027 | Highest Level | 2026 BP Rank | 2027 BP Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josue De Paula | OF | 22 | MLB | 1 | 1 |
| Mike Sirota | OF | 24 | Triple-A | 4 | 2 |
| Eduardo Quintero | OF | 21 | Double-A | 3 | 3 |
| Emil Morales | SS | 20 | High-A | 5 | 4 |
| Christian Zazueta | SP | 22 | Double-A | 16 | 5 |
| Zach Root | SP | 23 | Double-A | 13 | 6 |
| Charles Davalan | OF/2B | 23 | Double-A | 7 | 7 |
| Chase Harlan | 3B | 22 | High-A | NR | 8 |
| Bo Lowrance | SS | 19 | DNP | n/a | 9 |
| Hyun-Seok Jang | RHP | 23 | High-A | 21 | 10 |
Fan Take: This list highlights the exciting depth of talent within the ’ farm system and suggests a bright future for the franchise’s roster. For baseball fans, tracking these rising stars offers a glimpse of the next generation shaping the sport and the potential shifts in the competitive landscape over the coming years.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
