With the new MLB Pipeline top 100 prospects update, many prospects were not only added, but have shot up the rankings. This update mostly consisted of incorporating the top draft prospects into the top 100, but there were many players added to this list. In today’s article, we’ll be covering this update, and some of my favorite under the radar prospects who were included in this update. For the sake of touching on as many new names as possible, I will not be discussing players I’ve previously talked about, or including any MLB Draft prospects in my list. This should help me to be able to touch on as many names as possible, without repeating the same guys I like over and over again.

Prospect #1: Colt Keith, Tigers 3B/2B

Pipeline Ranking: #26 Overall

Colt Keith, a former 5th round selection by the Detroit Tigers back in 2020, has really blossomed into one of the best late round gems of recent memory. Keith began the year at AA Erie, where he hit 14 homers, 9.1% BB%, 22.8% K%, .427 wOBA, and a 162 wRC+. After being selected for the 2023 MLB All-Star Futures Game in Seattle, Keith would be promoted to AAA Toledo. While the sweet swinging lefty has had his fair share of early struggles with the AAA affiliate, Keith has only played 29 games for the Mud Hens so far. Keith possesses really good power for a second baseman, as his power tool has gained him a 60 grade from MLB Pipeline. Keith has one of the smoothest swings in the MiLB, and with that a very balanced bat. With the Tigers farm system having it’s fair share of holes, Keith having the versatility of being a second baseman and third baseman should help him strongly as he looks to push towards the MLB level within the next few seasons. Keith is likely to make his MLB debut in 2024, and he’s someone fans should be keeping their eye on as his debut comes around. Keith is hands down one of the best infielders MiLB has to offer, and he will likely only get better as time goes on.

Prospect #2: Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Baltimore Orioles

Pipeline Ranking: #28 Overall

Coby Mayo, a former 4th round section back in 2020, is another example of how good the Baltimore Orioles are at finding under the radar talent in later rounds of the draft. Mayo, a strong right-handed bat, began his 2023 season with the AA affiliate Bowie Baysox. Similarly to Keith, Mayo began his season hammering the baseball, as he hit 17 homers, 14.7% BB%, 24.8% K%, .449 wOBA, and a 177 wRC+ for the Baysox. Again, similarly to Keith, Mayo would earn his call-up to the AAA affiliate Norfolk Tides in mid-July. Since joining the Tides, Mayo has also seen his fair share of struggles, but it’s nothing the righty can’t handle with time. Mayo’s main tool that has gotten many scouts attention is his elite power. Mayo currently has a power grade of 60 according to MLB Pipeline. Even with the Orioles having such a deep farm system, Mayo should be a huge addition to the Baltimore Orioles once he reaches the MLB level. Mayo is currently expected to make his MLB Debut in 2024, but it’s unclear if that will happen given his recent struggles. However, fans should be ecstatic for the young star. Mayo is a doubles machine, as he’s recorded 37 doubles in 101 games as of the time I’m writing this, which is a huge deal. Regardless of when he makes his impact, Mayo should be a huge part of the rising Orioles, and fans should begin to take notice of Mayo before it’s too late.

Prospect #3: Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox

Pipeline Ranking: #37 Overall

Roman Anthony, a 79th overall steal by the Boston Red Sox back in 2022 has molded himself into one of the most surprising players to become a star in 2023. Anthony, a lefty with one of the best swings in Minor League Baseball, has shown out so far this season. Anthony would begin his 2023 season back at A-, where he finished his 2022 season. After a solid 42 game stretch where he’d record a wRC+ of 110, Anthony would be headed to the A+ affiliate Greenville Drive. Since joining the drive, Anthony has become one of MiLB’s best lefties, and is the 13th highest outfield prospect in the top 100. So far, Roman has hit 11 homers, 19.8% BB%, 30.2% K%, .467 wOBA, and a 184 wRC+. Although he’s slightly struggled with his strikeout rates, Anthony has excelled in almost every other category. The main knock to Anthony’s game before reaching the A+ level was his power abilities, but after hitting his 11 homers in just 36 games, Roman has put these rumors to rest. As previously mentioned, Anthony has one of the easiest swings in the MiLB, and that should translate heavily to the MLB level. Roman Anthony is a name that needs to be known by baseball fans, especially because his ceiling is incredibly high.

Prospect #4: Cole Young, SS/2B, Seattle Mariners

Pipeline Ranking: #39 Overall

Cole Young, a former Seattle Mariners 1st round pick in 2022, has blossomed into one of the best pure hitters in all of Minor League Baseball. Young is part of a stacked group of middle infielders that MiLB has to offer, but he’s managed to stick out and shine bright amongst them all. Young began his 2023 season with the Seattle Mariners A- affiliate, where he’d fully start to put himself on the map. Young would hit 5 homers, 14.4% BB%, 13.8% K%, .390 wOBA, and a 128 wRC+ with the A- club. Young would gain some attention from the baseball prospecting community, and shortly after he would be promoted to the A+ affiliate Everett Aqua Sox. Since joining Everett, Young would somehow get even better. Young’s time with the A+ club has been limited so far as he’s played in just 23 games as of today, but in those 23 games he’s shined. Young has hit 4 homers, 17% BB%, 16.1% K%, .462 wOBA, and a 179 wRC+. While Young doesn’t have the most standout power tool, he’s certainly one of the best pure hitters in Minor League Baseball. To put it simply, Young does nothing but hit. Although he may not fully be a household name amongst the causal fans of baseball, he certainly should be. Young may be the next big thing at the shortstop position, and it’s time MLB fans begin to take notice of his talents.

Prospect #5: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Pipeline Ranking: #59 Overall

Jackson Jobe, a former top 5 selection back in the 2021 MLB Draft, has taken some time to blossom into the top pitcher he was expected to be when the Tigers drafted him. Jobe wouldn’t make his pro debut the same year he was drafted, instead he would pitch for the first time in 2022. Jobe would maintain his relatively high strikeout numbers, but he would get hit around slightly, as his ERA floated around 5 or higher. But, after an injury early on in 2023, Jobe would be off to the races. He would begin the year at the Tigers A- level, where he would pitch 6 games, and record a 11.25 K/9, 1.69 BB/9, 29.4% K%, 4.4% BB%, and a 2.25 ERA. After pitching well at A-, Jobe would be promoted to the A+ level. Since reaching A+, Jobe has pitched in 2 games, where he’s been fantastic. Jobe has recorded a 13.5 K/9, 3.60 ERA, 40.5% K%, and he has not walked a single batter thus far. Jobe has not only been incredible, but he’s showcased his slider, which is one of the best pitches in Minor League Baseball. Jobe’s slider can get over the 3,200 RPM mark, which is just ridiculous. Jobe’s high spin and two plus pitches will carry him heavily throughout his pro career, and I truly think he’s one of the best pitchers in the minors.

Prospect #6: Robby Snelling, LHP, San Diego Padres

Pipeline Ranking: #65 Overall

Robby Snelling, another product of the San Diego Padres player development lab, has truly been spectacular in his pro career thus far. Snelling was drafted 39th overall by the Padres in 2022, and he hasn’t looked back since. Being that he was another pitcher drafted after Dylan Lesko, it was going to be hard for Snelling to stand out in his own right. He’s not only done that, but more as he’s overtaken Lesko as the better pitching prospect in MLB Pipeline’s top 100. Snelling would make his pro debut this season at A-, where he was incredible. He would pitch in 11 games where he’d record a 10.28 K/9, 2.26 BB/9, 1.57 ERA, 29.6% K%, and a 6.5% BB%. As you can see, Snelling was incredible at A-. He was so good in fact, the Padres decided to call him up to their A+ affiliate this season. Since joining Fort Wayne, Snelling hasn’t looked back in his 6 games. In those games, he pitched to a 2.20 ERA, with a 28.2% K%, and a 6.8% BB%. While walks seem to be the main concern for Snelling, his strikeout breaking balls have been really impressive this season. All things considered, Robby Snelling may just be one of the best left-handed pitchers in Minor League Baseball, and fans should really learn his name.

Prospect #7: Owen Caissie, OF, Chicago Cubs

Pipeline Ranking: #69 Overall

Cassie, a trade acquisition by the Chicago Cubs for Yu Darvish, hasn’t looked back since joining the organization. Caissie has only played at AA this season, but he’s been incredible for the Smokies this season. In 92 games this season, Caissie has hit 21 homers, 13.8% BB%, 31.8% K%, .419 wOBA, and a 148 wRC+. As you can see, Caissie has been a really solid hitter this season for the Cubs. The Cubs have done a really good job at trading for good prospects over the last few seasons, as they’ve done the same with Pete Crow-Armstrong, and other players. Caissie has a really good swing, which allows him to drive the ball for extra base hits, while also maintaining the ability to hit hard singles all across the field. Caissie does raise some concern with his almost 32% K%, but it’s nothing to worry about long-term. With the Cubs potentially being in a new golden age of competitive nature beginning with 2023, Caissie could be a huge part of this for the next few years. Caissie is expected to make his MLB debut in 2024, and the sky is the limit for the 21-year-old.

Prospect #8: Jared Jones, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Pipeline Raking: #75 Overall

Jones, a second round pick by the Pirates in 2020, has made himself into one of the organization’s best pitchers since being drafted. Jones would however be at a disadvantage off of the bat, due to being drafted during the COVID season. But, this would serve to be no problem for Jones once he got into affiliated baseball. After pitching well in the lower minors, Jones really made a name for himself in AA Altoona this season. In AA, Jones pitched to a 2.23 ERA, 26.3% K%, and a 8.9% BB%, in 10 games before his promotion to AAA Indianapolis. While Jones had many concerned with his high walk rates, Pittsburgh took the chance by promoting him to AAA. So far in Indianapolis, Jones has pitched in 8 games, and recorded a 4.50 ERA, 28.4% K%, and again an 8.9% BB%. While Jones has gotten hit a little more in AAA than AA, he still has been very good. Jones possesses a very good slider, which has significantly helped him so far. If Jones can get his walks under control, he could be in the MLB by September this season, and he could be a lethal arm for the Pittsburgh Pirates.