MLB Pipeline will reveal its top 100 2024 prospects list during a one-hour show on MLB Network and MLB.com on Friday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Ahead of the release of the Top 100, we will examine baseball's top 10 prospects at each position.
This is as loaded an outfield group as ever.
There's a potential star who signed a record $82 million extension. There are four of the top five picks in last year's draft. There's plus-plus power, all-day speed, and elite defense. There's the No. 3 hitter on a World Series team screaming loudly.
To give you a little taste of the top 10, there will be a total of 26 outfielders ranked in the top 100 in 2024. That's the second-highest total for a single outfield group since MLB Pipeline began ranking overall prospects 20 years ago. The improved athleticism throughout the game only makes those running around the field stand out even more.
But here's something else: There could be a lot of turnover among this crew, too. Seven of our top 10 outfielders have 2024 ETAs and are expected to graduate this summer, and there's always the chance that one or two more will beat their expected timelines and reach The Show early – then it's time for the next big one Group of outfielders stepping forward.
1. Jackson Chourio, Brewers (2024)
2. Evan Carter, Rangers (2024)
3. Wyatt Langford, Rangers (2024)
4. Dylan Crews, Nationals (2024)
5. Walker Jenkins, Gemini (2026)
6. Max Clark, Tigers (2026)
7. James Wood, Nationals (2024)
8. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (2024)
9. Colton Cowser, Orioles (2024)
10. Roman Anthony, Red Sox (2025)
Complete list ”
Top 10 interested parties by position:
1/16: RHP
1/17: LHP
1/18: C
1/19: 1B
1/22: 2B
01/23: 3B
1/24: SS
1/25: OF
01/26: Top 100
Hits: Crews (70)
Last year's Golden Spikes Award winner did an excellent job refining the zone in his final spring at LSU, posting a 46/71 K/BB ratio in 71 games, resulting in a .426 average and OBP of 0.567. These numbers would show up anywhere, but especially not in a crowded conference like the SEC. After a long spring and summer, teams at Double-A suffered some setbacks on the pro side, but are expected to be back on the fast track toward Washington.
Power: Langford, Wood (70)
Langford launched 21 home runs and posted a .784 slugging percentage in 64 games during Florida's march to the College World Series. He added ten more and a .677 mark in 44 games on his way to Triple-A. He would definitely have plus-plus power, but his swing decisions help him utilize every ounce of it. Wood has a massive 6-foot-6 frame that was mostly leading edge until he broke out between High-A and Double-A in 2023 with 26 home runs of his own. He'll only be 21 on Opening Day and could push for 35-plus long balls no matter where he ends up in the summer.
Run: Chourio, Carter, Clark, Crow-Armstrong (70)
An electric group of speedsters dominate the grass. Chourio led the group in steals in the upper minors last season with 44, with Crow-Armstrong not far behind (37). Don't be surprised if Clark – the No. 3 overall pick last year – threatens or even surpasses those numbers in his first full season.
Poor: Clark (65)
The Tigers' newest top prospect was up to 97 mph off the mound during his time as a high school student in Indiana and recorded four outfield assists in a brief 23-game span in pro ball.
Field: Crow-Armstrong (80)
The Cubs centerfielder already covers a lot of ground with his superior speed, but he's even better than his wheels alone because of his incredible instincts, first step and willingness to track the ball anywhere. When asked about the wildest thing he's ever seen on a baseball field, future Nationals (and former Cubs) DJ Herz said, “Watching Pete make plays out there is unbelievable.”
Highest ceiling: Chourio
The Brewers phenom was the first 20-40 teenager in the minor leagues since Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2017 and just the fifth overall since 1958. His power-speed combination is nothing short of electric and fits well with the modern game, and if He continues to take steps forward with the bat, he has superstar potential.
Highest floor: Carter
Carter's career could end tomorrow and his major league resume would still say “World Series winner.” Even if that weren't true, the 21-year-old has already proven that he can play in the majors with his excellent approach and discipline, and that his outstanding speed would open up other opportunities for him to at least contribute as a big-league starter afford .
Candidate for Rookie of the Year: Carter
Chourio signed the eight-year, $82 million extension that should make him eligible to be Milwaukee's Opening Day center fielder, and Langford and Crews are so talented that they could push to open their first full season in the bigs. (The Prospect Promotion Incentive certainly helps.) But for now, the early favorite has to be the outfielder who has already hit .306/.413/.645 in the majors and has a .300 postseason average while entering the top stretch of the game promotion.
Highest climber: Anthony
The Florida native, taken 79th overall in 2022, climbed three levels in his first full season as Boston trusted the quality of his swing decisions and hard contact, even as he hit just .228 with an OPS of .228 at Single-A Salem reached .692. Anthony's approach certainly led to High-A and Double-A, and the 19-year-old has become a key part of Fenway Park's plans for the future.
Most humble beginning: Nobody
Everyone in this top 10 either entered professional sports through the first round of the draft or signed with a bonus of at least $1.8 million. Much was expected from this group and much was achieved.
Most to prove: Cowser
The Orioles are firmly in win-now mode and gave Cowser a look on their way to the AL East title, but the 2021 fifth overall pick went 7-for-61 (.115) with 22 strikeouts. However, as he showed in Triple-A, he still has a chance to be an above-average left-handed hitter and impact the game with his running and throwing abilities. But he'll need to take those tools to the highest level if he's going to join Adleyrutschman, Gunnar Henderson and even Jackson Holliday in pushing Baltimore over the edge.