Here’s the best prospect at each slot over the past 21 years
Jim Callis
MLB.com started ranking prospects with annual Top 50s in 2004, then expanded to Top 100s and included midseason updates beginning in 2012. Our latest effort just went live last night, with Orioles middle infielder Jackson Holliday holding onto the No. 1 spot for the third straight time.
We’ve now produced 34 lists over 21 years, which got me to wondering about who are the best players ever from each of the first 10 rankings slots. Only considering guys at their peak rankings, here’s what I came up with:
No. 1: Mike Trout, OF, Angels (pre-2011)
No. 2: Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (pre-2012)
No. 3: Manny Machado, SS, Orioles (mid-2012)
No. 4: Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers (pre-2008)
No. 5: Justin Verlander, RHP, Tigers (pre-2006)
No. 6: Cole Hamels, LHP, Phillies (pre-2004)
No. 7: Zack Wheeler, RHP, Mets (mid-2012)
No. 8: Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pirates (mid-2012)
No. 9: Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies (pre-2007)
No. 10: Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins (mid-2013)
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That’s a formidable list, with the first five players destined for the Hall of Fame. I’m surprised that pitchers claimed five of the top eight spots.
Let’s take a look at 11-20 as well:
No. 11: Trea Turner, SS, Nationals (pre-2016, mid-2016)
No. 12: Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels (pre-2006)
No. 13: Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Dodgers (pre-2017)
No. 14: Mookie Betts, 2B, Red Sox (mid-2014)
No. 15: Dexter Fowler, OF, Rockies (pre-2009)
No. 16: Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles (mid-2013)
No. 17: Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves (pre-2017)
No. 18: Jon Lester, LHP, Red Sox (pre-2006)
No. 19: Hanley Ramirez, SS, Red Sox (pre-2005)
No. 20: Jake McGee, LHP, Rays (pre-2008)
There are true stars who ranked 15th (Rafael Devers, Andrew McCutchen) and 20th (Xander Bogaerts), but Fowler and McGee were the best prospects in those spots who never climbed any higher. This is still a pretty strong group, led by Cooperstown shoo-ins Betts and Freeman.
