OF Max Clark – Detroit Tigers
At 19 years old, Clark finished last season slashing .279/.372/.421 with nine home runs, 75 RBI, and 29 stolen bases. This season, at A+ West Michigan, the Detroit prospect is on pace to set new career-highs as he’s slashing .265/.415/.407 with six home runs, 40 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. Detroit has yet to promote Clark to AA, but a promotion can happen in a matter of weeks. The outfielder’s hitting instincts are prevalent, given his modest 21% strikeout rate and 24% walk rate. Following this year’s All-Star game, Max Clark could start the fast track to MLB, where his combination of outstanding hitting ability and speed will play a crucial role for the Detroit Tigers.
SS/3B Sebastian Walcott – Texas Rangers
Walcott is coming off his best minor league season as he slashed .265/.344/.452 with 11 home runs, 56 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. This season, at AA Frisco, the 19-year-old is slashing .249/.348/.402 with eight home runs, 33 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. At 6’4” 190lbs, Walcott possesses natural abilities for contact, power, and speed. The Rangers have Corey Seager on a long-term deal, and Josh Jung is arbitration-eligible. Walcott will undoubtedly make a move to the outfield should he reach the Majors in 2026 at 20 years old. The one adjustment needed is cutting down on his strikeouts, as he owns a 25% strikeout rate at AA.
LHP Hagen Smith – Chicago White Sox
Last year’s 5th overall pick is off to a torrid start this season with a 2.10 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts in 25.2 innings at AA Birmingham. Like fellow left-handed prospect Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith is another elite-level arm that sits in the mid-90s and reaches 100 MPH. Smith’s slider is already a plus secondary pitch, and the development of his splitter would make him Major League-ready early into the 2026 season. The White Sox have two left-handed elite starting pitcher prospects in Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith.
LHP Hunter Barco – Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates’ left-handed prospect finished 2024 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts in 66 innings. This season, between AA and AAA, Barco has a 2.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 67 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. The glaring issue is nearly half a walk per inning. The lefty has managed to pound the strike zone using his mid-90s fastball while finishing batters with his slider and splitter. Fellow pitching prospect Bubba Chandler will reach the Pirates first, but cutting down on free passes will get Barco to Pittsburgh at the end of this season or early in 2026. Pittsburgh’s offensive production has been stale, but they have pitching prospects nearly ready to join ace Paul Skenes in the starting rotation.
