Every MLB team has a new rising star to celebrate—and some of these names might surprise you. Now that the Minor League season has wrapped up, MLB Pipeline has rolled out its annual awards, recognizing the top hitting and pitching prospects in every organization. Some choices were expected; others may spark passionate debates among fans. Let’s dive into each system’s standout performers, starting with the American League East—and trust us, there are plenty of storylines you won’t want to miss.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays
RJ Schreck (OF, No. 10) – After being traded from Seattle for Justin Turner last year, Schreck made a powerful statement in his first full season with Toronto. Splitting time between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .249 with an impressive .395 OBP and .459 SLG over 105 games. His 18 homers placed second in the system, while his 143 wRC+ and .854 OPS were tops among Blue Jays prospects.
Trey Yesavage (RHP, TOR No. 1 / MLB No. 26) – Before shining under MLB playoff lights, the 2024 first-rounder was nearly unhittable across the minors. With a 3.12 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 98 innings, Yesavage showed why many already consider him the ace of Toronto’s future. His 41.1% strikeout rate led all qualified minor leaguers—a jaw-dropping stat for his debut year.
Orioles
Dylan Beavers (OF, BAL No. 2 / MLB No. 83) – After a rocky 2024, Beavers stormed back with a .304/.420/.515 line, earning his first call-up to the Orioles. He fine-tuned his approach at Triple-A, walking more, striking out less, and producing elite numbers that translated to a remarkable 153 wRC+.
Michael Forret (RHP, No. 11) – Injuries limited him to 74 innings, but the 14th-rounder showed ace-level performance when healthy. Sporting a 1.58 ERA and holding batters to a .157 average, Forret dominated between High-A and Double-A and put the league on notice as one of Baltimore’s best-kept secrets.
Rays
Theo Gillen (OF, TB No. 2 / MLB No. 65) – Tampa’s 2024 first-rounder burst onto the scene with exceptional plate discipline, recording a .433 OBP and walking in almost 20% of his plate appearances before a finger injury ended his season. Add in 36 steals and you’ve got a dynamic, high-IQ player who could soon patrol the Tropicana outfield.
Ty Johnson (RHP, No. 19) – At 6'6", Johnson relies heavily on a fastball-slider combo that overmatches hitters. He finished his Double-A campaign with 149 strikeouts and a 2.61 ERA, while his strikeout-to-walk numbers placed him among the best pitchers across all of MiLB.
Red Sox
Roman Anthony (OF, graduated) – The former No. 1 prospect in baseball made the leap to Boston midway through the season after tearing up Triple-A pitching (.288/.423/.491). He was just 21, yet displayed the polish of a seasoned power hitter.
Payton Tolle (LHP, BOS No. 2 / MLB No. 28) – Tolle's pro debut was everything Boston could have hoped for. He spun a 3.04 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 91 innings, combining pinpoint command with nasty swing-and-miss stuff that overwhelmed hitters at three different levels.
Yankees
Spencer Jones (OF, NYY No. 4 / MLB No. 99) – Jones launched 35 homers, stole 29 bases, and nearly led the minors in slugging. His mix of power and athleticism has Yankees fans dreaming of the next big Bronx star.
Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (RHP, NYY No. 3 / MLB No. 97) – After joining New York from Boston, Rodriguez-Cruz wasted no time dominating hitters, piling up 176 strikeouts in 150 innings and finishing with a stellar 2.58 ERA. Could he be the long-term rotation anchor the Yankees have been seeking?
Even die-hard baseball followers might debate these picks. Do you agree with MLB Pipeline’s assessment—or do you think another prospect was snubbed? Which breakout do you believe will shape the 2026 season? Let’s hear your take in the comments!
