2020 MLB Prospect Power Rankings for Top 50 Pitchers

At the start of the 2020 season, we released an updated top 100 MLB prospect list, with Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco and Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert leading the way.

Now it's time to dive even deeper.

Over the past few weeks, we've been counting down the top prospects at each position. We wrap that series up with a look at the best up-and-coming pitchers in the game.

There are currently 42 pitchers on our top 100 list, so there were only a few open spots to be filled with prospects on the outside looking in.

Let's kick things off with 15 players who finished just outside the top 50 before diving into our rankings.

Catch up on our Prospect Power Rankings series: catchers, corner infielders, middle infielders, outfielders

These 15 pitching prospects were part of our preliminary list, but they fell short of inclusion in the final 50:

• RHP Mick Abel, PHI
• LHP Kris Bubic, KC
• LHP Garrett Crochet, CWS
• RHP Alex Faedo, DET
• RHP Ethan Hankins, CLE
• RHP George Kirby, SEA
• RHP Bryan Mata, BOS
• LHP Adrian Morejon, SD
• RHP Yerry Rodriguez, TEX
• LHP Ryan Rolison, COL
• LHP Ethan Small, MIL
• RHP Tahnaj Thomas, PIT
• LHP Zack Thompson, STL
• LHP Blake Walston, ARI
• LHP Ryan Weathers, SD

50. RHP Matthew Allan, New York Mets (Age: 19)

One of the top prep pitchers in the 2019 draft class, Allan slipped to the third round due to a steep asking price. The Mets went above-slot to sign him to a $2.5 million bonus, and he immediately became the top pitching prospect in the system. A strong 6'3", 225-pound frame, three plus pitches and advanced command give him top-of-the-rotation upside.

49. LHP Tucker Davidson, Atlanta Braves (Age: 24)

A 19th-round pick in the 2016 draft, Davidson already looks like a steal after posting a 2.15 ERA with 134 strikeouts in 129.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He has a terrific three-pitch arsenal highlighted by a fastball that touches 97 mph, and his power stuff gives him a high floor as a reliever. With that said, he'll be given every chance to claim a long-term rotation spot.

48. LHP Seth Corry, San Francisco Giants (Age: 21)

One of the breakout pitching prospects of 2019, Corry went 9-3 with a 1.76 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and an eye-popping 172 strikeouts in 122.2 innings at Single-A. He trimmed his walk rate from 5.0 to 4.3 BB/9, but he still has work to do with regard to refining his overall command. The 6'2" left-hander is the top pitching prospect in a position-player heavy San Francisco farm system.

47. RHP Bryse Wilson, Atlanta Braves (Age: 22)

Often overshadowed by the other top arms in the Atlanta system, Wilson has significant upside in his own right. He throws a ton of strikes and goes right after hitters with a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball that touches 97 mph and an advanced slider-changeup pairing. He made his MLB debut at the age of 20 in 2018 and remains well ahead of the curve.

46. RHP Dane Dunning, Chicago White Sox (Age: 25)

Acquired in the same deal that brought Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the White Sox in exchange for Adam Eaton, Dunning missed most of 2018 and all of 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery. A well-regarded prospect prior to the injury, he made his MLB debut on Aug. 19 and he posted a 2.89 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 9.1 innings over his first two starts.

45. RHP Jared Kelley, Chicago White Sox (Age: 18)

One of the most physically advanced high school pitching prospects to come along in years, Kelley offers limited remaining projection in his 6'3", 215-pound frame. With that said, he already has premium stuff with a fastball that touches 98 mph, an excellent changeup and a good slider. The White Sox gave him a $3 million bonus after he slipped to the second round in the 2020 draft.

44. LHP Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 21)

With a knee-buckling curveball and a mid-90s fastball, Detmers struck out 284 batters in 191 innings during his time at Louisville. He was the fourth college pitcher off the board in the 2020 draft at No. 10 overall, and he's far and away the best pitching prospect in a thin Angels system. He should move quickly through the minors.

43. RHP Triston McKenzie, Cleveland Indians (Age: 23)

A lack of physical development and some injury issues had caused McKenzie's prospect stock to drop a bit heading into the 2020 season. However, he's thrown the ball extremely well through his first three MLB starts, going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 16 innings. Questions remain about his ability to hold up to a starter's workload with his 6'5", 165-pound frame, but his stuff is hard to ignore.

42. RHP Francisco Morales, Philadelphia Phillies (Age: 20)

Morales has had one of the highest ceilings in the Philadelphia system since signing for $900,000 as part of the 2016 international free-agent class. The projectable 6'4", 185-pound right-hander made his full-season debut in 2019 and posted a 3.82 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 96.2 innings. His command needs refinement, but his electric fastball-slider combination gives him huge upside.

41. RHP Max Meyer, Miami Marlins (Age: 21)

With a 70-grade fastball and a devastating 70-grade slider, Meyer had the best pure stuff in the 2020 draft, and the Marlins rolled the dice on him with the No. 3 overall pick. He struck out 46 batters in 27.2 innings this spring at Minnesota. He's a bit undersized, and his changeup needs further refinement as a third offering, but he has ace upside as a starter and an extremely high floor thanks to his closer potential.

40. RHP Cristian Javier, Houston Astros (Age: 23)

Javier had no trouble mowing down minor league hitters last year, racking up 170 strikeouts in 113.2 innings while posting a 1.74 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over three minor league levels. Spotty command (4.7 BB/9) led many to peg him as a future reliever, but he's been terrific pitching out of the Houston rotation this year with a 3.35 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 37.2 innings.

39. LHP Brailyn Marquez, Chicago Cubs (Age: 21)

Marquez has a chance to be the Cubs' best homegrown pitcher since Carlos Zambrano. He has premium velocity, and he made significant strides with his slider and changeup as complementary offerings last year. All told, he finished with a 3.13 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 103.2 innings while reaching High-A at the age of 20. He may be just scratching the surface of his potential as he continues to hone his command.

38. RHP Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins (Age: 22)

Signed for just $100,000 in 2015, Cabrera is one of the few top prospects in a deep Miami system who has been with the organization for his entire pro career. After three years of teasing his potential, he finally broke out last year, posting a 2.23 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 116 strikeouts in 96.2 innings between High-A and Double-A. With a 70-grade fastball and 60-grade slider, he could join Sixto Sanchez at the top of the Marlins' future rotation.

37. RHP Alek Manoah, Toronto Blue Jays (Age: 22)

A breakout junior season at West Virginia vaulted Manoah into the first-round conversation in 2019, and he ended up being the second pitcher off the board at No. 11 overall. He uses his 6'6", 260-pound frame well, and he gets a ton of ground balls with his heavy mid-90s fastball. He has middle-of-the-rotation upside with a chance for more given his late collegiate breakout.

36. RHP Jackson Kowar, Kansas City Royals (Age: 23)

It isn't out of the question to think Kowar could wind up being the best pitcher from the Royals' 2018 draft haul that also featured Brady Singer, Daniel Lynch and Kris Bubic. His fastball-changeup pairing would play in the majors right now, and he's made strides developing his curveball as a legitimate third pitch. He's a bit more boom-or-bust in terms of his starter upside than those other guys, but his upside could trump them all.

35. RHP Jhoan Duran, Minnesota Twins (Age: 22)

The Twins acquired Duran from the D-backs in exchange for Eduardo Escobar at the 2018 trade deadline. His fastball-splitter-curveball repertoire is a bit different than the prototypical starter, but he's made it work to this point, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 136 strikeouts in 115 innings between High-A and Double-A last year. A durable 6'5", 230-pound frame also gives him workhorse potential.

34. RHP Brady Singer, Kansas City Royals (Age: 24)

In the conversation to go No. 1 overall in the 2018 draft at the onset of his junior season, Singer ended up slipping to No. 18 overall, where the Royals happily scooped him up. He went 12-5 with a 2.85 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 148.1 innings in his pro debut last year, and he won a spot in the starting rotation to kick off the 2020 season. He's taking his lumps with a 5.19 ERA in seven starts, but he looks like a significant part of the long-term puzzle in Kansas City.

33. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson, Toronto Blue Jays (Age: 19)

MLB.com wrote: "Woods Richardson has an ideal foundation for development, possessing an ideal blend of size, stuff and pitchability at a young age." The Mets saw that when they signed him to an above-slot deal as a second-round pick in 2018, and the Blue Jays saw it as well when they acquired him as the key piece of the return package in the Marcus Stroman blockbuster. He struck out 126 batters in 106.2 innings last year and reached High-A before his 19th birthday.

32. RHP Joe Ryan, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 24)

Ryan might have been the most under-the-radar breakout prospect of 2019, posting a 1.96 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 183 strikeouts in 123.2 innings over three minor league levels. Not bad for a seventh-round pick in 2018. A dynamic five-pitch repertoire and good athleticism give him a high floor as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, and he could continue to exceed expectations.

31. RHP Deivi Garcia, New York Yankees (Age: 21)

At 5'9" and 163 pounds, Garcia faces the inevitable questions of whether his undersized frame will ultimately land him in the bullpen. His 111.1 innings last season represented a career high, so those questions remain, but his 165 strikeouts and 13.3 K/9 speak for themselves. Whether it's as a starter, multi-inning reliever or late-inning stopper, Garcia has impact stuff.

30. LHP Kyle Muller, Atlanta Braves (Age: 22)

Part of the same 2016 draft class that saw the Braves select Ian Anderson (No. 3 overall) and Joey Wentz (No. 40 overall), Muller spent the entire 2019 season at Double-A, where he went 7-6 with a 3.14 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 111.2 innings. He has a ways to go with his command after walking 68 batters for a 5.5 BB/9, and his changeup remains a work in progress, but he has top-of-the-rotation upside if everything clicks.

29. RHP Shane Baz, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 21)

The Pittsburgh Pirates' ill-advised decision to trade Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow to Tampa Bay in exchange for Chris Archer has a chance to get even worse in the years to come. Baz was the third piece of that blockbuster deal, and his fastball-slider combination would play at the back of an MLB bullpen right now. If he can develop his curveball or changeup into a reliable third pitch and continue to make strides with his command, he has legitimate ace potential.

28. RHP Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners (Age: 21)

Hancock was dominant during the first half of his sophomore season at Georgia, but a lat injury slowed him down the stretch. He posted a 34-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 24 innings this spring, and the Mariners made him the third pitcher drafted at No. 6 overall. He doesn't have the same ceiling as Max Meyer, and he comes with a bit more risk than Asa Lacy, but he still could wind up being the best pitcher of the 2020 draft class.

27. RHP Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees (Age: 24)

Schmidt would have been a top-10 pick in 2017 had he not undergone Tommy John surgery a month before the draft. The Yankees took a chance at No. 16 overall, signing him for below slot, and their patience could soon pay off in a big way. He has three plus pitches, including a heavy fastball with good late life that touches 97 mph, and he throws his entire repertoire for strikes. Health and durability are the only question marks.

26. LHP Daniel Lynch, Kansas City Royals (Age: 23)

Lynch has seen an uptick in his fastball velocity since going No. 34 overall in the 2018 draft, and that has only made his 60-grade slider and other off-speed offerings that much more effective. The 6'6" left-hander has intriguing upside with a good present feel for pitching and enough remaining physical projection that his stuff could still tick up again before he reaches the majors. He has a middle-of-the-rotation floor with ace upside.

25. RHP Jordan Balazovic, Minnesota Twins (Age: 21)

After two seasons in rookie ball and a middling full-season debut in 2018, Balazovic finally started to show the potential that convinced the Twins to go above slot to sign him as a fifth-round pick in 2016. Splitting last season between Single-A and High-A, he posted a 2.69 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 129 strikeouts in 93.2 innings. His .193 opponents' batting average and 2.4 BB/9 speak to his plus stuff and willingness to attack hitters.

24. LHP Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 23)

While his stuff stacked up to any pitcher in the 2018 draft, McClanahan posted a 5.7 BB/9 rate that spring at South Florida, and questions about his command caused him to slip to No. 31 overall. He has made quick progress since joining the Tampa Bay organization, reaching Double-A this past season while posting a 3.36 ERA with 154 strikeouts in 120.2 innings and a manageable 3.4 BB/9. The Rays know what they're doing when it comes to pitcher development.

23. RHP Josiah Gray, Los Angeles Dodgers (Age: 22)

A second-round pick in 2018, the Reds traded Gray and Jeter Downs to the Dodgers that December, and the Dodgers later flipped the latter for Mookie Betts. The right-handed Gray went 11-2 with a 2.28 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 130 innings while reaching Double-A in his first full season. He has four playable pitches, plus command and the polish to reach the majors within the next year.

22. RHP Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds (Age: 21)

Greene still has the potential to be No. 1 on this list some day. With a true 80-grade fastball and elite athleticism that also made him a Day 1 talent as a shortstop in high school, he has a chance to be a generational prospect if all of the pieces fall into place. He has a 4.95 ERA in 72.2 professional innings, and he missed all of 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery, so he has a lot to prove before he moves back up these rankings. His ceiling is still as high as any young pitcher in baseball, though.

21. LHP Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds (Age: 22)

Lodolo spurned the Pirates as the No. 41 overall pick in the 2016 draft and went on to star at TCU, pitching his way up to No. 7 overall in the 2019 draft, where he was the first pitcher off the board. He had a 2.45 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while striking out 30 batters without a walk in 18.1 innings after signing, and a 2021 debut is not out of the question with an advanced three-pitch arsenal and excellent pitchability and command.

20. RHP Brusdar Graterol, Los Angeles Dodgers (Age: 22)

The Dodgers acquired Graterol in exchange for Kenta Maeda during the offseason, and they have used his high-octane fastball out of the bullpen this year. He has a 2.57 ERA in 14 appearances and is averaging 99.2 mph with his sinking fastball. The development of his changeup will determine if he moves into the rotation, but his fastball-slider combo gives him elite closer upside.

19. RHP Jose Urquidy, Houston Astros (Age: 25)

Urquidy pitched his way onto Houston's postseason roster last year and wound up starting Game 4 of the World Series, allowing only two hits over five scoreless innings on baseball's biggest stage. He has been out of action this season following a positive COVID-19 test, but he's set to finally make his 2020 debut Saturday. With Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke both headed for free agency after 2021, he could be a big part of Houston's future.

18. LHP DL Hall, Baltimore Orioles (Age: 21)

Hall looked like a potential steal at No. 21 overall in the 2017 draft, and three years into his pro career, he has emerged as one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in baseball. He pitched all of last season as a 20-year-old at High-A, posting a 3.46 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 80.2 innings. His 6.0 BB/9 walk rate needs work, but smooth mechanics and a good feel for his three-pitch repertoire should allow him to make the necessary strides with his command.

17. LHP Asa Lacy, Kansas City Royals (Age: 21)

Lacy offered the best combination of current pitchability and future upside of any pitcher in the 2020 draft, with a higher floor than Max Meyer and a higher ceiling than Emerson Hancock. The Royals were undoubtedly surprised he was still on the board at No. 4 overall, and he jumps to the top of a long list of quality pitching prospects in the Kansas City system. A 2022 debut is not out of the question, and he could be the future ace of the staff.

16. LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (Age: 23)

The Tigers selected Skubal in the ninth round of the 2018 draft, and he promptly broke out in his first full season, posting a 2.42 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 179 strikeouts in 122.2 innings between High-A and Double-A. With only 145 minor league innings under his belt, he made his MLB debut on Aug. 18, and he has a chance to be an excellent No. 3 starter behind Casey Mize and Matt Manning.

15. RHP Spencer Howard, Philadelphia Phillies (Age: 24)

The Phillies used a second-round pick on Howard in 2017, and he became their top pitching prospect after they traded Sixto Sanchez to Miami and Adonis Medina took a step backward in his development. With a strong 6'3", 210-pound frame, four quality pitches and good command, he could join Aaron Nola at the top of the rotation in short order after making his MLB debut on Aug. 9.

14. RHP Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners (Age: 23)

Gilbert attended the same Stetson University program that produced Corey Kluber and Jacob deGrom. Those are big footsteps to follow, but he has a chance to be the future ace of a Mariners team with a rosy long-term outlook. The 6'6", 225-pound right-hander went 10-5 with a 2.13 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 165 strikeouts in 135 innings while reaching Double-A last year. He's polished enough that a 2021 debut is likely.

13. LHP Matthew Liberatore, St. Louis Cardinals (Age: 20)

The Rays' decision to trade Liberatore in an offseason deal for Randy Arozarena and Jose Martinez was a bit of a head-scratcher. The No. 16 overall pick in the 2018 draft has an extremely high floor for a prep pitcher his age, to go along with top-of-the-rotation upside thanks to his remaining physical projection. The Cardinals do a good job developing pitching, and he's the jewel of the system right now.

12. RHP Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles (Age: 20)

The No. 11 overall pick in 2018, Rodriguez could give Casey Mize a run for his money as the best pitcher in the draft class if he continues on his current trajectory. The 6'5", 220-pound right-hander has prototypical power stuff, and he went 10-4 with a 2.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 94 innings at Single-A. He could be Baltimore's best homegrown pitcher since Mike Mussina.

11. RHP Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox (Age: 24)

With perhaps the best fastball of any pitching prospect and a lethal wipeout slider, Kopech remains an elite pitching prospect even after missing last season to recover from Tommy John surgery. He had 170 strikeouts in 126.1 innings at Triple-A in 2018, and he has the stuff to put up those kinds of numbers in the big leagues. If arm problems become an ongoing issue, he has a high floor as a closer.

10. RHP Forrest Whitley, Houston Astros (Age: 22)

The consensus top pitching prospect in baseball at the start of 2019, Whitley battled injuries and ineffectiveness to post a 7.99 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in 59.2 innings. He seemed to right the ship in the Arizona Fall League, pitching to a 2.88 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 25 innings. With an electric four-pitch mix that flashes plus across the board and an athletic 6'7", 238-pound frame, the Cy Young potential is still there if he can prove 2019 was just a bump in the road.

9. RHP Ian Anderson, Atlanta Braves (Age: 22)

The Braves selected Anderson with the No. 3 overall pick in 2016, and he has moved steadily through the system, posting a 3.38 ERA with 172 strikeouts in 135.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year. Injuries have forced him into the MLB rotation this season, and he's 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 innings through his first two starts.

8. LHP A.J. Puk, Oakland Athletics (Age: 25)

The last time Puk played a full season, he struck out 184 batters in 125 innings between High-A and Double-A in 2017. He missed all of 2018 and a good chunk of 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he finally made his MLB debut in 2019 with a 3.18 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 11.1 innings over 10 appearances. Shoulder issues have kept him on the sideline once again this year, but he's an MLB-ready impact arm once he gets healthy.

7. RHP Luis Patino, San Diego Padres (Age: 20)

The Padres spent only $130,000 to sign Patino in 2016, and he broke out with a stellar full-season debut in 2018. The 6'1" right-hander continued to impress last year with a 2.57 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 94.2 innings between High-A and Double-A, and now he's pitching out of the bullpen for a contending San Diego squad. Despite his undersized frame, he has the stuff and durability to be a top-of-the-rotation starter once he moves into the rotation.

6. RHP Sixto Sanchez, Miami Marlins (Age: 22)

The centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto trade and a hyped prospect for years now, Sanchez has delivered on the hype in his first three MLB starts, posting a 2.37 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a 19/1 K/BB ratio in 19 innings. With a fastball that touches triple digits, a 60-grade changeup and a wipeout slider, he might be the best pitcher on the Miami staff right now.

5. RHP Matt Manning, Detroit Tigers (Age: 22)

A two-sport star who was committed to play baseball and basketball at Loyola-Marymount before going No. 9 overall in the 2016 draft, Manning has delivered on his highly projectable upside. The 6'6" right-hander has three plus pitches, and he uses his plus athleticism well with remaining physical projection. He was 11-5 with a 2.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 148 strikeouts in 133.2 innings at Double-A last year.

4. LHP Brendan McKay, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 24)

McKay was a two-way star at Louisville, and he has dabbled in hitting as a pro, but his future is on the mound. The polished left-hander dominated the upper levels of the minors last year, posting a 1.10 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 73.2 innings before logging a 4.03 FIP and 56 strikeouts in 49 innings in the majors. He had season-ending shoulder surgery last month after missing time early following a positive COVID-19 test, so 2020 will be a lost year.

3. RHP Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays (Age: 24)

Despite the disappointing early returns (6.61 ERA, 14/12 K/BB in 16.1 IP) and a subsequent injury (elbow tightness), Pearson remains one of the game's elite pitching prospects. The combination of power stuff and plus command he showed in the minors, coupled with an imposing 6'6", 250-pound frame, make him a future Cy Young contender and the ace of the future in Toronto.

2. RHP Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers (Age: 23)

Armed with a splitter that might be the single most effective offering of any pitching prospect, to go along with a mid-90s fastball and a hard slider, Mize made short work of the minor leagues after going No. 1 overall in the 2018 draft. He's dealt with some arm issues in the past, including a sore shoulder last year that ended his season prematurely. If he can stay healthy, he's the safest bet among pitching prospects to be a frontline star.

1. LHP MacKenzie Gore, San Diego Padres (Age: 21)

As a 20-year-old last season, Gore completely overmatched High-A hitters, posting a 1.02 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 110 strikeouts in 79.1 innings before earning a midseason promotion to Double-A where he held his own. His entire four-pitch repertoire received 60-grade status from MLB.com, as did his command. He has a durable 6'2" frame, and there's some deception in his delivery with a high leg kick. He checks all the boxes physically; he just needs to prove himself against upper-level hitting.

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.