The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast · Just Baseball Media

470 | Upcoming Prospect Seasons We’re Most Intrigued By in 2026

·52 min·4 clips

Why Cooper Pratt's elite defense might not be enough if his bat doesn't take a major step forward this season.

This episode of The Call Up focuses on identifying the most intriguing MLB prospect seasons to follow in 2026, hosted by RM Leighton and Jack McMullen. The hosts aim to highlight players whose upcoming seasons carry significant narrative weight, not just those expected to perform well. They define these as prospects whose performances will answer key questions about their future roles and development paths. The hosts discuss Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt, noting his above-average defense but questioning if his bat can develop more impact beyond a projected league-average hitter. They mention his 107 wRC+ in Double-A and underlying metrics like a 33% hard-hit rate. For Yankees prospect Felnin Celesten, they point to his defensive struggles with 29 errors in 89 games and a drop in batted-ball quality despite previous high performance at the complex level. Padres catcher Ethan Salas is highlighted simply for the need to stay healthy and prove his bat can be average. Tigers catcher Tyron Lorenzo's season is framed as a test to see if his 2025 struggles were due to shoulder tendonitis and adjusting to Double-A. Cubs infielder/outfielder James Triantos is cited for his need to improve his approach and find a defensive home after a year of positional shuffling. A key insight is the pattern of volatile, high-upside hitters with alarming peripherals, starting with Reds prospect Tyson Lewis, who has elite raw power but a 38% chase rate and 63% contact rate in Low-A. The hosts express similar intrigue about Nationals prospect Dakota Jordan, who cut his strikeout rate from 29% to 23% upon entering pro ball but faces questions about how his approach will handle upper minors pitching. They also discuss the wide outcome ranges for 2025 draftees Xavier Nines of the Astros and Jace LaVallette of the Guardians, noting both have huge power potential but significant hit-tool concerns. Marlins first-round pick Ike Irish is mentioned as a player to watch for a power uptick after slugging just .323 in his pro debut. The hosts shift to prospects on the cusp of the majors, like Rays shortstop Carson Williams, whose first MLB stint featured a strikeout rate over 40% and surprisingly below-average defense. Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford is intriguing for possibly making a World Series contender's Opening Day roster despite a high ground-ball rate, having posted a wRC+ above 130 at every minor league level. Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcántara represents a final evaluation year after consistently being good but not great in the minors, with a clear platoon split. Orioles center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. faces a pivotal year to prove his bat-to-ball skills can support his elite defense, following a swing adjustment and hamstring issues. The tone is conversational and deeply analytical, blending surface stats with advanced metrics to build development narratives. This episode would appeal to hardcore prospect enthusiasts who enjoy predictive analysis and tracking player development arcs. Listeners seeking light entertainment or immediate major league news might find the deep dive on lower-level minors too niche.

As heard by us

A prospect conversation focused on the questions that matter in 2026.

The episode keeps coming back to a practical prospect question: which players in 2026 are worth following because they can answer something real, not just because they look loud on paper.

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Why you'd press play

You want the 2026 seasons that are most intriguing to follow.

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