Scouting Every AL Central No. 1 Prospect For 2026

On this week's episode of the Baseball America fantasy podcast we dive into the final division preview on the American League side. We dive into the AL West as hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White review some of the top 2026 contributors, highest upside and sleepers in the AL West divison.Seattle Mariners(2:00) Colt Emerson(7:30) Ryan Sloan(10:00) Kade Anderson(12:00) Michael Arroyo(14:00) Nick BeckerHouston Astros(16:00) Zach Cole (18:00) AJ Blubaugh(20:00) Xavier Neyens(22:00) Kevin Alvarez(24:00) Lucas Spence(26:00) Anthony HuezoAthletics(28:00) Gage Jump(30:00) Braden Nett(31:00) Leo De Vries(33:00) Wei-En LinTexas Rangers(35:00) David Davalillo(38:00) Caden Scarborough(40:00) AJ RussellLos Angeles Angels(43:00) Nelson Rada(45:00) Tyler Bremner(46:00) George Klassen(48:00) Trey Gregory Alford(49:00) Denzer GuzmanOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the new Draft Podcast, Carlos Collazo and JJ Cooper try to figure out what to make of UCLA outfielder Will Gasparino's amazing start to the season. Carlos also shares his reporting and in-person insights from seeing Justin Lebron and Roch Cholowsky this past weekend plus Carlos has a rising prep pitcher to watch.(0:00) Texas has been good to Carlos(5:15) Will Gasparino is on fire(12:00) Players who Gasparino reminds(21:00) Roch Cholowsky & Justin Lebron how they compare and contrast(26:00) Defensive reliability could be a separator between the two(31:00) Cooper Harris is going to climb in our next draft rankings updateOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Taylor Blake Ward and Geoff Pontes are taking an in-depth look at the Angels farm system on the latest and final Prospect Podcast Deep Dive of the 2026 preseason.(00:00) Yes, the Angels wrap up this series, but there's no meaning behind it.(02:00) Why Tyler Bremner was the clear choice at No. 1. Who else could have been considered(09:15) How is the system better or worse than last year?(12:40) Why there are arms now to get excited about(16:00) Who could be next year's No. 1 prospect?(17:00) Why the position players face bigger questions(19:15) Why using Tri-City is back in fashionPODCAST ONLY(21:00) Other prospects to keep an eye onOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes and Ian Cundall preview the World Baseball Classic with a look at top teams and prospects to know for this year's tournament. Plus, what's the status of Nolan McLean for Team USA?We also discuss the potential MLB outcomes for top prospects who could skip over Triple-A like Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle.The Hot Sheet Show airs live on the BA YouTube channel every week on Tuesday at 3 p.m. Give us a sub, and we'll see you then!Time Stamps(0:00) Introduction(1:45) Non-MLB players we're excited to see in the WBC(6:00) Top four teams in the WBC field(8:20) Teams to watch out for below the top tier(12:20) Outlook for prospects who skip Triple-A(21:30) Nolan McLean dealing with vertigoOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and prospect writer Geoff Pontes look back at the standout moments from Week 3 of the college baseball season, including UCLA's three ranked wins at Globe Life Field. Rudner and Pontes also take a closer look at the Florida Gators' rise into the top 15, Southern Miss' early season dominance, and more.(3:24) UCLA is a wagon(13:00) Pay attention to Southern Miss(18:05) Florida makes a nine-spot jump in the rankings(24:06) USC’s historic pitching(34:35) College umpiring (41:01) Matchups to look forward toOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Matt Eddy and JJ Cooper take a look at a very different Nationals farm system in the latest Prospect Podcast Deep Dive. There's a new head of baseball operations in Paul Toboni and a very different approach to 2026 and beyond.(00:00) Rebuilt, Part II?(04:00) Breaking down No. 1 prospect SS Eli Willits(06:30) How much could Jarlin Susana factor into the top prospect ranking if fully healthy?(07:00) A lot of trades have bolstered the system, but it's also not a great sign(09:00) The big change that has to happen in Nationals player development(14:00) Looking at 2024 first-round pick Seaver King(15:20) What is the organization good at developing?(19:45) Who other than Willits could factor into next year's No. 1 prospect race?(22:30) Looking at prospects outside the Top 10Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We're going deep on each of the top prospects in the AL Central. We explain how each respective player climbed to No. 1 in their system, run through their scouting reports and lay out what you should expect in 2026.Time Stamps(0:00) — Travis Bazzana, Guardians (9:20) — Noah Schultz, White Sox (17:50) — Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (28:00) — Carter Jensen, Royals (36:05) — Walker Jenkins, TwinsOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Matt Eddy and JJ Cooper are taking a look at a New York Mets farm system that is loaded in big league ready prospects for the latest Prospect Podcast Deep DIve.(00:00) It's been an interesting offseason(01:45) Breaking down Nolan McLean(05:45) Why the Brewers trade dealt players with tough fits(07:00) How good is Jonah Tong?(09:30) This system is at its peak right now(11:00) The Mets built prospects to the point where they could be traded(13:00) Who is next year's No. 1 prospect?(15:45) Where does Wandy Asigen fit in?(18:00) What is the system good at developing?(22:00) Looking at prospects outside the Top 10Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our champion Dylan White makes his triumphant return to the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast this week. To celebrate we roll into the second episode of our division by division prospect breakdown. This week we dive into the AL Central and some absolutely loaded systems.(3:30) Cleveland Guardians(4:00) Chase DeLauter 2026 Contributor.(6:00) Parker Messick 2026 Contributor.(9:00) Ralphy Velazquez Highest Upside(11:00) Jace Laviolette Highest Upside(13:00) Kahlil Watson Most Underrated(15:00) Yorman Gomez Most Underrated(19:00) Detroit Tigers(20:00) Kevin McGonigle 2026 Contributor.(21:00) Trei Cruz 2026 Contributor(23:00) Josue Briceno Highest Upside(25:00) Bryce Rainer Highest Upside(26:00) Hao-Yu Lee Most Underrated(27:00) Andrew Sears Most Underrated(29:00) Jack Penny Most Underrated(32:00) Kansas City Royals(32:30) Carter Jensen 2026 Contributor(33:00) Kendry Chourio Highest Upside(35:00) Josh Hammond Highest Upside(36:00) Luinder Avila Most Underrated(37:00) Carson Roccaforte Most Underrated(39:00) Chicago White Sox(40:00) Hagen Smith 2026 Contributor.(41:00) Braden Montgomery 2026 Contributor.(43:00) Caleb Bonemer Highest Upside(45:00) Billy Carlson Highest Upside(46:00) Javier Mogollon Most Underrated(48:00) Jeral Perez Most Underrated(50:00) Minnesota Twins(51:00) Emmanuel Rodriguez 2026 Contributor(53:00) Walker Jenkins 2026 Contributor.(54:00) Kendry Rojas Highest Upside(55:00) Quentin Young Highest Upside(57:00) Hendry Mendez Most Underrated(59:00) Gabriel Gonzalez Most UnderratedOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jon Meoli and JJ Cooper take an in-depth look at the Baltimore Orioles farm system for the lastest Prospect Podcast Deep Dive. This is an Orioles system that still has an elite prospect at the top, but thanks to trades and a massive 2025 draft haul, it also has more depth than before.(00:00) This has been a fascinating offseason.(03:50) Why Samuel Basallo is special(12:10) How is this system better or worse than last year?(16:30) The top prospects are no longer just high draft picks(19:10) Why Nate George stands out(22:15) If it clicks for Esteban Mejia, watch out(24:30) Where does Enrique Bradfield fit?(28:45) Looking at prospects outside the Top 10Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/BA2022Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy