The annual MLB Pipeline top 100 prospect rankings were released on Friday, January 24. Their big ranking is usually around the same time as all other websites releasing their lists as well. Of course, Andrew Painter is still the Phillies top prospect. The club has had to wait almost two years to see the exciting right-hander pitch against true competition. The names fans have become familiar with are still there, but there may be a surprise for some. Let’s take a look at who made the cut, and a further look at some other names to watch based on other rankings.
MLB Pipeline Top 100
#1 overall on the rankings was no surprise – the Dodgers Roki Sasaki. Sasaki was the most hyped international signing since his new teammate Shohei Ohtani. Yes, fellow Dodger Yoshinobu Yamamoto was a huge name coming from Japan more recently, but Saski’s age and experience made him affordable for all 30 clubs – similar to Ohtani. Knowing he could only be signed using international pool money, no one could pay him drastically more than others – so every General Manager across the league was foaming at the mouth for an opportunity. Still, he ended up with the Dodgers like the aforementioned Japanese stars before him.
From there, it doesn’t take long to get through the top 3 rated pitchers, and there is where we find the first member of the Phillies organization. Despite not pitching competitively the last 2 seasons – 21-year-old Andrew Painter comes in at No. 8 in the rankings.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 and the club taking their time with their prized prospect, he still finds himself jumping up 24 spots after an impressive showing in this past year’s Arizona Fall League. He will pitch in spring training, but the front office has confirmed he won’t be in the opening day rotation. The Phillies plan to manage Painter’s workload and have him ready for the Majors sometime during the 2025 season.
Philadelphia’s next highest-rated prospect is shortstop Aidan Miller, who comes in at No. 27 overall. Miller has shot up through the minor leagues, hitting .261/.366/.446/.812 with 11 home runs and 60 RBI in 102 games across three different affiliates last year. He played in the MLB Futures game, which paved the way for him to earn the promotion to Double-A Reading. With Trea Turner ensconced at shortstop for another 9 years, Miller will have to find a new position if he wants a regular place in Philadelphia’s lineup. The team will try him across the infield this year to solidify his ability to play across the infield. Miller stayed steady, as he was No. 26 last season.
Next up is another name fans may have heard either doing research or in trade rumors – outfielder Justin Crawford, coming in at No. 64. Crawford was No. 53 last season, and fell off the top 100 on Baseball America’s top 100. That stark difference is part of why prospects are so tough to predict. Crawford also took part in the MLB Futures game last year, and at just 20 years old, he has plenty of time to climb the rankings and develop into a regular at the major league level.
Fangraphs ranks him as the No. 8 best prospect in Philly, and they predict him not making his MLB debut until 2027. However, if he climbs quickly again this season, he could put pressure on an unsure outfield group at the major league level. Don’t be surprised to hear his name leading up to this year’s trade deadline.
The name that hadn’t been thrown around as much, is catching prospect Eduardo Tait, who just cut No. 93 in the rankings. Tait was signed as a free agent out of Panama and was an under-the-radar signing at the time. However, the left-handed hitting catcher quickly caught the eye of other organizations and has been asked about in trade talks quite often.
In July of last year, he was named Phillies Player of the Month after being called up to the Clearwater Threshers. Still just 18 years old, Tait came in at No. 5 on Fangraphs organizational rankings. He looks to be a solid defender and shows promise offensively – a combo always coveted at the major league level for catchers.
Other rankings
Unsurprisingly, Painter is the belle of the ball when it comes to Phillies prospects. He was No. 8 on MLB.com and No. 9 on Baseball America. Fangraphs puts him atop Philadelphia’s top 30 list, as well. Fangraphs also uses a catch-all number called Future Value to predict how effective a prospect will be in the majors, and they have him rated as a 60 – meaning he has the potential to be a regular All-Star, so one of the better pitchers in the league.
Fangraphs has Miller as No. 2 in Philly’s system, and gave him an FV of 55 – this means he projects to be an above-average regular at the major league level. Their ETA for the young infielder in 2026 – is not just due to his age, but the fact that they have a starting infielder for all 4 positions. 3 are All-Stars, and the fourth was once a top prospect himself. Two are signed long-term, Turner and Bryce Harper, and the other two – Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott – are the last generation of top prospects who have one and two years left of team control, respectively.
Crawford has a ’40+’ Future Value, estimating he will be a bench/platoon player, but the 40-55 range is common on the website, especially for younger players or players who may not be considered ‘sure things’, but still show promise. Tait comes in with a 45 FV, which means he is likely to be a platoon or average everyday player. This is a common ranking for extremely young players who have shown promise
Final Phillies Note
If tracking former Phillies prospects is your thing, keep an eye on MLB.com’s No. 81 ranked prospect, Staryln Caba. Caba was moved to the Miami Marlins in a trade to acquire Jesús Luzardo. Luzardo ranked No. 12 in the top 100 back in 2020 (the last time he appeared on the list), and solidified the fifth spot in the Phillies rotation. Philadelphia should have the best rotation in the majors if he returns to form. If that move pays off with a World Series Championship, then it doesn’t matter how high Caba is ever ranked – it was worth it.
Photo Credit: Alec Kostival
