MLB Pipeline Breaks Down 28 Organizational Top-30 Prospects at WBC

Nolan McLean — Mets RHP Nolan McLean arrives in the WBC billed as an “electrifying” righty and MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 overall prospect, and he’ll wear the Stars and Stripes for the first time. That combination—top‑100 pedigree and a national spotlight—makes every inning he throws a live audition for the Mets and for clubs watching how elite minor‑league arms handle major‑league‑caliber hitters.

Travis Bazzana — Guardians No. 1 / MLB No. 20 Travis Bazzana is the 2024 No. 1 overall pick and MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 prospect; at 23 he already pushed to Triple‑A while battling an oblique strain. In 2025 he still produced 74 hits (9 homers), scored 71 runs and walked 66 times over 84 games—numbers that, coupled with “advanced strike‑zone awareness,” explain why Australia’s infield table‑setter is one of the tournament’s most intriguing prospects.

Joseph Contreras — Brazil prep RHP Joseph Contreras is an uncommon case: a prep righty listed as the 35th‑ranked prospect in draft coverage and now pitching for Brazil because of his mother Isabel’s Brazilian birth. Baseball America notes his prep home at Blessed Trinity Catholic HS (Roswell, Ga.), and ESPN highlights his lineage as the son of former big‑league righty Jose Contreras—an unusual international profile for a top high‑school arm.

Owen Caissie — Marlins No. 3 / MLB No. 42 Owen Caissie shows up as Miami’s No. 3 prospect and sits at MLB Pipeline’s No. 42 overall, a clear indicator he’s among the better power‑tool outfielders in Triple‑A circles. For scouts and front offices, Caissie represents a ready power option who can shift a lineup balance in short order if his WBC at‑bats translate against quality pitching.

Tyler Black — Brewers No. 26 (INF/OF) Tyler Black is framed as a multi‑tool INF/OF in Milwaukee’s system at No. 26, and Baseball America and ESPN both flagged him as a Canadian prospect to watch. His versatility—listed across the infield and outfield—gives the Brewers roster flexibility, and the WBC will stress his ability to handle premium at‑bats from multiple spots on the diamond.

Hao‑Yu Lee — Tigers No. 6 (INF / 2B) Hao‑Yu Lee appears on Detroit’s Top‑30 at No. 6 and is among the Taiwanese infielders rostered for the tournament. His inclusion signals a Tigers prospect who could be on the cusp of a big‑league role; national team reps like Lee’s function as extra spring training reps against advanced arms.

Jonathon Long — Cubs No. 6 (1B) Jonathon Long is Chicago’s No. 6 organizational prospect at first base and made the WBC lists as a Taiwanese representative. For organizational depth charts, a Top‑6 rank at a premium position like first base suggests he’s being groomed for a relatively fast track, and the WBC will be a stress test for his approach versus upper‑tier pitching.

Wei‑En Lin — Athletics No. 19 (LHP) Wei‑En Lin is listed at No. 19 in Oakland’s Top‑30 and brings left‑handed depth to the Taiwanese contingent. Lefty starters and relievers with organizational Top‑30 billing often see the WBC as an opportunity to validate their pitchability; Lin’s turn in the rotation or bullpen here will reveal comfort against pro hitters from multiple countries.

Yu‑Min Lin — Diamondbacks No. 20 (LHP) The Diamondbacks’ No. 20 prospect, Yu‑Min Lin, is another Taiwanese lefty on the global stage. Arizona’s investment in a Top‑20 lefty speaks to rotation depth concerns, and Lin’s performance will help teams gauge where he fits on conversion charts between minor‑league success and MLB readiness.

Chen Zhong‑Ao Zhuang — Athletics No. 28 (RHP) Chen Zhong‑Ao Zhuang appears on Oakland’s Top‑30 at No. 28 as a right‑handed option for Taiwan’s roster. A late Top‑30 slot like Zhuang’s often denotes upside that hasn’t yet fully translated to consistent results—WBC hitters and scouts will look for signs of a pitch or two that can play in pro ball.

Tzu‑Chen Sha — Athletics No. 29 (RHP) Tzu‑Chen Sha rounds out two Athletics pitching prospects on Taiwan’s list as Oakland’s No. 29. Being in the high‑20s of a team Top‑30 typically marks a developmental arm with intriguing traits, and international competition can accelerate evaluation curves for those pitchers if they show feel and command.

Adam Macko — Blue Jays No. 22 (LHP) Adam Macko shows up on Toronto’s Top‑30 at No. 22 as a lefty arm who earned attention from MLB Pipeline’s rollup. Left‑handed prospects who sit in the low‑20s are often viewed as mid‑term rotation candidates, and Macko’s outings at the WBC will factor into how quickly the Blue Jays consider him for big‑league service time windows.

Michael Arroyo — Mariners SS Michael Arroyo is listed by Baseball America as one of Colombia’s short‑stop prospects and is in Seattle’s player pool for the tournament. Shortstops on international stages become instant litmus tests for defensive metrics and hit tools, and Arroyo’s reps will influence how the Mariners prioritize him among infield options.

Dayan Frias — Guardians prospect (Colombia) Dayan Frias appears in ESPN’s country breakdown as a Guardians prospect of note for Colombia; such shout‑outs typically map to the organization’s developmental priority lists. Frias’ presence underlines Cleveland’s scouting reach and gives him a platform to demonstrate how he handled Double‑A/Triple‑A pitching in recent seasons.

Harry Ford — Nationals C / Top 100 No. 82 Harry Ford is the headline Great Britain return and sits at No. 82 on MLB Pipeline’s Top‑100, with ESPN calling out above‑average on‑base skills and raw power. ESPN also flagged defensive questions—framing and the running game—so Ford’s WBC workload will be monitored for both offensive production and defensive polish that could determine whether he opens the season as Washington’s starter.

Cole Carrigg — Rockies 1B Cole Carrigg is listed by Baseball America and ESPN on Israel’s roster as a Rockies first‑baseman prospect. Carrigg’s WBC plate appearances give Colorado a chance to compare his bat in high‑leverage national competition against the league context of their early‑season plans.

R.J. Schreck — Blue Jays OF R.J. Schreck is another Baseball America/ESPN name in the Israel group and represents Toronto’s outfield depth on the international stage. Organizations value prospects who can handle pressure‑packed environments, and Schreck’s showings will feed into roster and depth conversations for the Blue Jays.

Jake Gelof — Dodgers prospect Jake Gelof is listed as a Dodgers prospect on Israel’s team and arrives with the family pedigree note as the brother of Athletics’ second baseman Zack Gelof. Gelof’s placement in a major‑league system and international reps allow evaluators to parse how his plate approach projects relative to his brother’s path.

Dean Kremer — Orioles starter (Israel) Dean Kremer is the veteran anchor returning to Israel’s rotation; FoxSports notes he “returns to Israel’s rotation after throwing four shutout innings against Nicaragua his last time out.” Kremer’s WBC outings are a known quantity—front offices will be watching whether his veteran experience can stabilize innings for a roster that wants at least one signature win.

Vinnie Pasquantino — Italy power bat Vinnie Pasquantino is referenced by FoxSports as the lineup’s most accomplished hitter, having “slugged 32 homers last year.” Italy’s collection of promising bats leans on Pasquantino for run production and team tempo, and his power spike creates mismatch problems for tournament starters.

Jac Caglianone — Italy / No. 6 overall pick in 2024 Jac Caglianone is a top power prospect—FoxSports reminds readers he was the No. 6 overall pick in 2024 and “hit 20 home runs in 66 minor‑league games before the call‑up,” though he “struggled in his first taste of the majors last year.” The WBC gives Caglianone a controlled, high‑leverage environment to show if his minor‑league power carries when facing more advanced arms.

Jakob Marsee — Marlins OF Jakob Marsee is a Marlins outfielder FoxSports flagged for his offense; at 24, he “hit better than 20% above league average last season.” For Miami and scouts, Marsee’s plate performance in the WBC will be a direct data point on whether that production is repeatable against international pitching.

Kyle Teel — White Sox catcher Kyle Teel, a White Sox catching prospect mentioned by FoxSports, “hit better than 20% above league average last season” and is listed at age 24 in those notes. Catchers who can handle production and game‑calling duties gain immediate big‑league value; Teel’s tournament reps will be viewed through that two‑way lens.

Dominic Canzone — Mariners OF Dominic Canzone (listed as 28 years old by FoxSports) also “hit better than 20% above league average last season,” making him one of Italy’s experienced bats. Canzone’s presence signals a veteran‑adjacent bat slotted into a youth‑forward lineup that wants both power and situational hitting.

Leonardo (Leo) Bernal — Cardinals C Leonardo Bernal shows up on Panama’s roster in Baseball America and ESPN writeups as a Cardinals catching prospect. Catching depth is always valuable, and Bernal’s international exposure will accelerate evaluations on his framing and run‑prevention tools.

Enrique Bradfield Jr. — Orioles OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. is on Panama’s list as Baltimore’s outfield prospect, and his WBC performance gives the Orioles a fresh comparison point for how his defense and bat stack up against premium competition. Bradfield’s reps could influence how quickly Baltimore leans on his speed and glove in the majors.

Elmer Rodriguez — Yankees RHP Elmer Rodriguez appears on Baseball America’s WBC prospect lists as a Yankee pitching arm, adding to New York’s system depth. Young pitchers in the WBC can either raise their profiles or expose development needs; Rodriguez’s innings will tell evaluators whether his tools play beyond the minor‑league box scores.

Druw Jones — Diamondbacks OF Druw Jones is listed as a Netherlands outfielder in Baseball America and ESPN coverage and remains one of the tournament’s most recognizable names due to pedigree and upside. For Arizona, Jones’ international at‑bats will be assessed with an eye toward tools translation—can his hit and defensive profile match the overall scouting expectations?

Final note MLB Pipeline framed the breakdown as a list of organizational Top‑30 prospects heading into a March 5–17 global tournament, and while sources vary on whether that rollup totals 28 or 30 names, the group assembled here highlights the practical stakes: a handful of top‑100 talents (like Nolan McLean and Travis Bazzana), several high‑leverage power bats and a roster of multi‑role prospects who can shorten service‑time timelines with eye‑opening WBC showings. The WBC won’t just be a medal chase for these players—it’s a condensed showcase that could change depth charts and promotion timelines before Opening Day.