Prospects to Watch in 2026 Texas League

Amarillo’s roster includes, arguably, the top pitching prospect in the Northwest League from last season: Daniel Eagen. As we noted in our league recap from that circuit, Eagen had a Whiff% over 37% in High-A last season, and it’s not hard to see why.

Eagen has one of the more unique curveballs in the circuit, a low-80s offering that’s more of a “death-ball”-like pitch. The right-hander’s arsenal also includes a 92-95 MPH fastball with ride.

Additionally, Ashton Izzi and Josh Grosz, two pitchers acquired in separate trades, are also with Amarillo.

The Sod Poodles’ offense includes 2022 first-round pick Druw Jones and talented infield prospect Demetrio Cristantes, the latter of whom started 2026 on the injured list.

Arkansas Travelers

Despite an ERA of 6.00 in big league Spring Training, Kade Anderson shone in the exhibition slate. Nine strikeouts over seven innings, which gave Mariners fans a glimpse of someone who could be the next great homegrown pitcher to join the team.

Cutty four-seamer, good shape on the slider, and two other secondary offerings on Anderson. And so far, the early returns have been good.

Anderson is one of two top-tier pitching prospects on the Travelers. Ryan Sloan, who made three starts in High-A last season, moved to Double-A. Charlie Beilenson, himself a good swing-and-miss pitcher, and funky submarine pitcher Tyler Cleveland are among other notable pitchers, alongside Michael Morales.

Michael Arroyo, Lazaro Montes, and Charlie Pagliarini are among the notable bats. Arroyo did well in Spring Training, as he hit .300 with the M’s. Montes, meanwhile, will look to cut down the swing-and-miss.

Corpus Christi Hooks

A lot of potential future pitchers with Corpus Christi.

Jackson Nezuh and Bryce Mayer both racked up the strikeouts in lower levels, while James Hicks was, statistically, the best pitcher in the Arizona Fall League. Hicks only operates in the low-90s but he’s effective.

Joseph Sullivan and Luis Baez, alongside catchers Will Bush and Walker Janek, headline the hitters. Sullivan has a premier blend of pop, speed, and plate discipline.

Frisco Roughriders

Frisco’s pitching staff includes David Davalillo, the 23-year-old who had a loud year in the Minors last season and rose considerably in their organization. Winston Santos, a loud arm who can touch the upper-90s, will look for better in 2026 after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign.

The numbers, on paper, were not there for former second-round pick Dylan Dreiling. However, some of the advanced numbers indicated that last year wasn’t too bad for the 22-year-old.

Midland RockHounds

Two of the Athletics’ best pitching prospects are in Midland.

One is Jamie Arnold, the 2025 first-round pick who elicited flashbacks of Chris Sale from the Minors. While the pitch profiles are not completely the same, both Arnold and Sale have that low arm slot, a two-seamer to run in on lefties, and a vicious slider when needed.

Wei-En Lin is coming off a breakout year in A-ball. There’s also A.J. Causey and Kenya Huggins, the latter of whom is a quality arm who was acquired from the Reds for Miguel Andujar last summer.

As for the offense, perhaps no hitter in the league will suck up more oxygen than Leo De Vries.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Drew Beam and Dennis Colleran are among the notable pitchers with the Naturals.

Beam was a key piece of Tennessee’s 2024 championship team. Won’t miss a lot of bats but will fill the zone and get ground balls. Colleran, meanwhile, is a big thrower who could be a piece for the Royals’ future bullpen.

Power-hitting outfielder Carson Roccaforte and infielder Daniel Vazquez are hitters to watch.

San Antonio Missions

Jagger Haynes and Miguel Mendez are among the notable pitching prospects for the Missions.

The two couldn’t be more different. Haynes has a low-90s fastball, while Mendez is a high-effort flamethrower who could be a quality starter at the MLB level or a potential reliever. The clock started to tick on Mendez this past November when San Diego added him to the 40-man roster.

Ethan Salas, meanwhile, will look to have his breakthrough year in Double-A.

Springfield Cardinals

Springfield is loaded with high-intrigue pitchers.

Mason Molina, Chen-Wei Lin, Braden Davis, and Liam Doyle are among the pitchers to watch. Davis, an undersized pitcher by MLB standards, had a great year in A-ball last year, while Doyle will embark on his first full season as a pro after the Cardinals selected him in the first round last July.

Former first-round pick Chase Davis and oft-injured outfielder Travis Honeyman are among the hitters to watch.

Tulsa Drillers

The Dodgers have had a knack for scooping up under-the-radar talent. Adam Serwinowski may be the next player on that lengthy list.

Serwinowski, as we noted earlier in the year, had a big year in A-ball last season in the Reds and Dodgers’ organizations. He’s also one of the funkiest pitchers one might find in the Minors presently.

However, the real draw for the Drillers is a star-studded outfield that includes Zyhir Hope, Kendall George, and Josue De Paula.

Wichita Wind Surge

Wichita’s roster includes a hefty group of talent. Hendry Mendez is back in Double-A, as is Kala’i Rosario, the latter of whom was the Texas League home run leader last season.

Billy Amick and Kyle DeBarge, both of whom were high picks two years ago, are also with the Surge.

The Wind Surge’s pitching staff includes Ryan Gallagher, who also returned to Wichita. Gallagher was acquired from the Cubs last season.