The 2026 baseball season is in full swing, and with the implementation of the 2022 collective bargaining agreement, the middle of August marks a pivotal time for top prospects to make their MLB debuts. This year's rookie cutoff date, August 45th, presents an opportunity for teams to bring up players who have shown promise in the minors while also considering the implications of the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI). The PPI provides teams with an extra draft pick if they carry a rookie-eligible top prospect on their MLB roster for an entire season and the player performs well in award voting.
In this article, we'll delve into the prospects who could be making their way to the big leagues soon, focusing on those who appear on at least one of Baseball America's or MLB Pipeline's current Top 100 lists. We'll explore the unique considerations and challenges that come with promoting these young talents, including roster management, the impact of the upcoming lockout, and the potential benefits of leveraging the PPI.
Franklin Arias, Red Sox (Rule 5 eligible after '27)
Arias, a 20-year-old shortstop, is one of the three best prospects in the sport. He dominated Double-A pitching at a .318/.407/.587 clip with 19 homers and earned a promotion to Triple-A shortly before the trade deadline. Arias is hitting .288/.362/.492 with three homers and a solid strikeout and walk profile in his first 14 Triple-A contests. The Red Sox, however, are relying on other players in the middle infield while awaiting returns from key players. The decision to promote Arias hinges on whether he has anything to gain from facing bad Triple-A pitching for another six weeks and whether the team wants to risk putting him on the roster before the lockout.
Gage Wood, Phillies RHP (Rule 5 eligible after '28)
Wood, Philadelphia's top pitching prospect, is inside the top 50 prospects at BA and Pipeline. The 2025 first-rounder has split this season between Low-A and Double-A. He's technically working as a starter but is rarely going beyond four innings. Wood has tossed 71 frames of 4.31 ERA ball. He's striking out a massive 35.5% of opponents against an 8% walk rate. The Phillies are considering promoting Wood to provide relief in a rotation that has been depleted by injuries and trades. The decision weighs the need for immediate impact against the potential for long-term development.
Walker Jenkins, Twins OF (Rule 5 eligible after '27)
Jenkins, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft, is one of the likelier players on this list to be called up. The 20-year-old has been slowed by injuries but has played 59 games and tallied 260 plate appearances at the Triple-A level, hitting .284/.381/.467 with excellent strike zone judgment. Minnesota is considering Jenkins for center field, but his path to playing time is clouded by the presence of Byron Buxton and other players. The decision to promote Jenkins hinges on whether the team feels he has something to gain from facing Triple-A pitching and whether they want to risk putting him on the roster before the lockout.
Charlie Condon, Rockies 1B/OF (Rule 5 eligible after '27)
Condon, the third overall pick in 2024, has had a rebound showing this season, batting .279/.395/.538 with 22 home runs across 453 Triple-A plate appearances. The Rockies, with a strong first baseman in TJ Rumfield, can slot Condon into an everyday right field spot. The decision to promote Condon is straightforward, as there's no real reason for him not to get a late-season look unless the team is worried about the lockout.
Joshua Báez, Cardinals OF (already on 40-man roster)
Báez, added to the 40-man last winter, is a potential candidate for promotion. The Cardinals, focused on 2027 and beyond, are considering when to expose Báez to big league competition. The decision is influenced by the team's playoff position and the need to balance the roster with young talent. The promotion could come any time now that the rookie date has arrived, but the exact timing remains uncertain.
Ralphy Velazquez, Guardians 1B/LF (Rule 5 eligible after '27)
Velazquez, a first-round pick in the 2023 draft, has split the season between the top two minor league levels. He's had a strong showing in Double-A and has continued to produce in Triple-A. The Guardians, facing a lack of production from first base and the outfield, are considering promoting Velazquez to address these issues. The decision weighs the need for immediate impact against the potential for long-term development.
Michael Arroyo, Mariners LF/2B (Rule 5 eligible after '26)
Arroyo, a right-handed hitter, is a potential option for the Mariners to address their offensive woes against left-handed pitching. He's batting .296/.371/.489 with 16 homers and 15 stolen bases between the top two levels. The decision to promote Arroyo is influenced by the need to address the team's offensive struggles and the potential for him to play multiple positions. The Mariners are considering bringing him up as a multi-positional bat.
Kade Anderson, Mariners LHP (Rule 5 eligible after '28)
Anderson, the third overall pick in 2025, is widely viewed as the game's best pitching prospect. He's dominating Double-A with a 1.13 ERA and a 41% strikeout rate in 17 starts. The Mariners are considering promoting Anderson, but the decision is complex due to the need to balance the roster and the potential for an injury in the rotation. The team's recent struggles and the need to get into the playoffs could influence the timing of the promotion.
Jamie Arnold, Athletics LHP (Rule 5 eligible after '28)
Arnold, selected with the 11th overall pick in 2025, has spent the entire season in Double-A. He's pitched well since an ugly May, with a 3.88 ERA and a 16:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last two appearances. The Athletics are considering promoting Arnold to see if he should be in the mix for an Opening Day spot. The decision weighs the need for immediate impact against the potential for long-term development.
Josue De Paula, Dodgers OF (Rule 5 eligible after '26)
De Paula, a 21-year-old corner outfielder, has destroyed Double-A competition with a .314/.415/.552 line across 484 plate appearances. The Dodgers are considering promoting him, but the decision is complex due to the need to find him a defensive home. The team's focus on 2027 and beyond and the potential for Teoscar Hernández to be benched could influence the timing of the promotion.
Sebastian Walcott, Rangers SS (Rule 5 eligible after '27)
Walcott, a 20-year-old shortstop, is a bold promotion candidate. He's been limited by injuries but has smoked minor league pitching whenever he's been healthy. The Rangers, with an aging starting lineup, are considering rushing Walcott to the big leagues if they're still a game or two out in September. The decision weighs the need for immediate impact against the potential for long-term development.
