On September 4, 2025, MLB Pipeline analysts Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra, and Jonathan Mayo released their projections for who will be each Major League Baseball club’s top prospect at the start of the 2027 season. The analysis highlights changes in prospect rankings since February due to player development, graduations to higher levels, draft results, and trades.
Eighteen out of thirty projected top prospects are different from those identified seven months earlier. Nine players drafted in July have already risen to the top spot within their organizations’ farm systems. Of note is that shortstops account for half of the names on this list.
For the New York Yankees, George Lombard Jr., a shortstop currently ranked No. 1 in their system and No. 24 overall by MLB Pipeline, is expected to retain his position as the organization’s leading prospect in 2027. According to the analysts: “One of the better defenders in the Minors, Lombard has the potential for solid or better tools across the board and has a high baseball IQ as well. A 2023 first-rounder from a Florida high school, he has batted .234/.369/.376 with 31 steals in 121 games between High-A and Double-A at age 20. His father, George Sr., played in the big leagues and is the Tigers’ bench coach, while his younger brother Jacob is as talented as any player in the 2026 high school class.”
The report also notes that several prospects across other teams have quickly moved up their respective organizations’ rankings after recent drafts or through strong performances at lower levels of professional baseball.
Shortstops such as Leo De Vries (No. 3 overall) and Jesús Made (No. 5) headline MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list. Twenty players projected as future No.1 organizational prospects are already included among these Top 100 Prospects.
The full breakdown covers all six divisions—AL East, AL Central, AL West, NL East, NL Central, NL West—and includes updates on notable draftees like JoJo Parker (Blue Jays), Slater de Brun (Orioles), Theo Gillen (Rays), Franklin Arias (Red Sox), Bryce Rainer (Tigers), Eduardo Tait (Twins), Billy Carlson (White Sox), Xavier Neyens (Astros), Gavin Fien (Rangers), Cam Caminiti (Braves), Aiva Arquette (Marlins), A.J. Ewing (Mets), Eli Willits (Nationals), Aroon Escobar (Phillies), Rainiel Rodriguez (Cardinals) and others.
Several organizations have seen rapid movement among young talent following signings or trades; for example, Josuar Gonzalez was named Giants’ top prospect after signing out of the Dominican Republic earlier this year.
The analysts suggest that fans should expect further changes before Opening Day 2027 due to ongoing player development and possible additional transactions.
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