Baseball Prospects Who Just Missed the Top 100 Ranking

The following profiles detail baseball prospects who narrowly missed inclusion in a top 100 ranking, presented in alphabetical order. Dax Kilby of the New York Yankees was the final player cut, ranked at No. 101. Ages are as of July 1, 2026, and scouting grades utilize the traditional 20-80 scale.

Dylan Beavers, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Dylan Beavers, 24, has refined his swing since being drafted in 2022. His swing still features a slight hitch, though it is reduced.

In the past year, he posted a .304/.420/.515 batting line in Triple-A, leading to his first major league call-up.

Beavers possesses significant strength, contributing to high exit velocities despite average bat speed, and is projected to hit 20 home runs annually in the majors.

Initially considered for center field, Beavers has transitioned to a corner outfield position, where he is expected to be an above-average defender. He is considered ready for an everyday role due to his ability to get on base against left-handed pitchers. Concerns exist regarding his ability to simultaneously achieve high batting average and power, which is crucial for an above-average corner outfielder.

Roldy Brito, IF/OF, Colorado Rockies

Roldy Brito, 19, led the Arizona Complex League in batting average and finished second in OBP and third in slugging.

Following this, he hit .375/.442/.463 in 33 Low-A games.

His high batting average is partly attributed to his 70-grade running speed and tendency to bunt for hits.

Brito is a switch-hitter with slightly more bat speed from the right side. He has significantly increased in strength, potentially allowing him to develop average power. He played mostly second base and some shortstop in 2024, then split time between center field and second base in 2025. Defensive reviews are mixed.

Further strong performance in Low-A, coupled with average defense at either position, could lead to a top 100 ranking next year.

Slade Caldwell, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Slade Caldwell, 20, is projected as a traditional leadoff hitter, focusing on pitch recognition, on-base percentage, and speed rather than significant power.

He finished eighth in minor league walks last year with 91, ranking third among teenagers, with an on-base percentage exceeding 15% at both A-ball levels.

Caldwell's approach involves a low swing rate (34% overall, 15% chase rate), which results in a high number of walks but also a low zone-swing rate (56%) and numerous called third strikes. He is a plus defender in center field with good instincts and has shown improvement since being drafted in 2024.

Despite his smaller stature (5-foot-7), he is strong and capable of hitting for average with some gap power.

Scouts have expressed concerns about his passivity and limited home run potential. He was promoted to High-A after hitting .294/.460/.454 in 48 Low-A games, where he then hit .238/.370/.311 as a 19-year-old.

Nathan Flewelling, C, Tampa Bay Rays

Nathan Flewelling, 19, posted a .229 batting average and .336 slugging percentage in 102 Low-A games. Despite these offensive numbers, he is considered a prospect due to his defensive prowess.

His plus defensive skills as a catcher, throwing out 28% of runners and demonstrating strong game-calling and framing abilities, highlight his first professional season.

Drafted from high school in 2024, Flewelling is young for his class and has less baseball experience than typical prospects. He exhibits high exit velocities for his age, despite limited extra-base power production, and a .393 on-base percentage, placing him second in minor league walks with 94 due to a 14% chase rate.

His potential is supported by a high defensive floor and extreme patience at the plate, despite a tendency to swing and miss.

Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Jhostynxon Garcia, 23, was previously considered a top-100 prospect but is now in a tier below, though still a good prospect. In 2025, he spent most of his time in Triple-A, hitting .271/.334/.498 with significant power but also a 29.1% strikeout rate. He excels at hitting pitches in the zone but has a high chase rate (39% overall, 32% on pitches well out of the zone), which limits his on-base percentage.

Garcia is projected as a 55-grade defender in right field.

His value is primarily derived from his power, with a floor of 20 home runs and a sub-.300 OBP.

He possesses the hard-contact skills for an All-Star ceiling, but requires significant adjustments to his swing decisions to reach that potential.

Trevor Harrison, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Trevor Harrison, 20, did not advance as expected in the past year. His stuff remained consistent from 2024 but his results declined after a promotion to High-A, reflected by a 28% whiff rate. His four-seamer sits at 93-96 mph with some ride. He also features an average slider and an above-average changeup, which is currently his best pitch and could be utilized more to complement his fastball.

Harrison struggles with inducing ground balls and has an elevated walk rate, exceeding 11% in both Low-A and High-A, despite having strong stuff for those levels. He has an easy, repeatable delivery and a good build for a starter.

Despite his competitiveness, his control issues persist. As a young pitcher, there is time for him to improve his control and develop his arsenal further, though he did not have the anticipated breakout season.

Dax Kilby, SS, New York Yankees

Dax Kilby, 19, significantly boosted his prospect standing since being drafted by the Yankees in 2025. He made his professional debut in Low-A, hitting .353/.457/.441 in 18 games, with more walks than strikeouts. Kilby demonstrated hard contact, averaging 91.9 mph exit velocity and peaking at 108.9 mph. His chase rate was 11.1%, significantly lower than many major league hitters.

His swing is short and direct, indicating more present power than previously observed. Kilby is a fringe-average runner with an arm that likely projects him to second base rather than shortstop.

His early professional performance suggests he could be an above-average major leaguer.

Kilby was ranked as prospect No. 101.

Johnny King, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

Johnny King, 19, a 2024 third-round pick, excelled in seven short outings in the Florida Complex League, striking out 41 batters in 24 innings while walking seven.

However, he struggled with control after a promotion to Low-A, posting a 17.8% walk rate over 37 2/3 innings, which prevented his inclusion in the top 100.

His arsenal includes a 92-94 mph four-seam and two-seam fastball, a two-plane curveball with a 61.5% whiff rate in Low-A, an above-average slider, and a developing changeup.

King's delivery is inconsistent, leading to control issues, including early and high ball release, and a stiff landing. While his arm swing is satisfactory, lower-half mechanics are a focus for improvement.

If the Blue Jays can refine his delivery to improve strike-zone consistency and reduce pitches missed high, he is projected to enter the top 100 next year.

Ching-Hsien Ko, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Ching-Hsien Ko, 20, possesses the tools for a top 100 ranking, but scouts seek consistent production beyond his Arizona Complex League performance (ACHL: .367/.487/.539). He concluded last season in Low-A, where he hit .219/.355/.281 in 32 games, primarily due to an overly passive approach at the plate.

Ko is expected to develop power, given his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, quick hands, and good swing rhythm.

He maintains an upright stance and exhibits average running speed. He is projected to be a corner outfielder with the potential for 25+ home runs and good on-base ability. His 2025 season showed promise, but his Low-A stint indicated he is further from the majors than some of his system peers.

JR Ritchie, RHP, Atlanta

JR Ritchie, 23, was drafted in 2022 and returned with an arsenal of mostly average to above-average pitches following Tommy John surgery. While he can reach 98 mph with his four-seamer, he favors a mid-90s sinker, which generated ground-ball rates over 50% after his promotion from High-A.

Over the season, Ritchie expanded his arsenal to include a four-seamer, two-seamer, slider, curveball, and changeup. His curveball had the highest whiff rate at 35%, which is solid but indicates a lack of a clear plus out-pitch. His path to becoming more than a No. 4 starter involves developing elite command and control, facilitated by his easy, repeatable delivery.

However, his walk rates (10.4% in Double-A, 11.1% in Triple-A) are currently too high for this pitching style, preventing his inclusion in the top 100 despite being a definite major league player.

Caden Scarborough, RHP, Texas Rangers

Caden Scarborough, 21, would have made the top 100 if he possessed a clear third pitch, as he already features two plus pitches and demonstrates excellent control, with a walk rate of 6.7% in Low-A and brief High-A appearances. Drafted in 2023, Scarborough now throws 94-96 mph with a plus slider that has late downward break, enhanced by a lower arm slot and strong hip rotation.

He utilizes a changeup primarily against left-handed batters, rarely against righties, which shows good tumble but limited deception. After a promotion to High-A in August, he recorded three consecutive scoreless outings, striking out 19 and walking two over 13 innings before a less successful final start.

He is considered a starter with mid-rotation upside, potentially a No. 2 starter, provided he develops a reliable third pitch to maintain effectiveness against left-handed hitters.

Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians

Ralphy Velazquez, 21, had a moderate 2025 season in High-A, hitting .245/.323/.469. He exhibits plus bat speed, evidenced by 22 home runs across two minor league levels, and excels against fastballs but needs improvement in breaking-ball recognition. His wide stance with a toe-tap may limit swing flexibility and adjustment to pitches outside his expected path. He prefers pitches inside and struggles with pitches middle-away.

Despite a 9% walk rate at each level, indicating good ball/strike recognition, his offensive production is critical.

His offensive production is critical as he is a first base-only player and an average defender at the position.

Following a promotion to Double-A, he had a strong initial performance but then settled into a .278/.350/.400 line.

For him to be considered among top prospects, his bat production needs to increase significantly.