Welcome back to The Game Haus’s MLB Farm System Watch series. Today, we will look at who is standing out among the AL Central prospects.
Farm System Watch will look at players who are top-30 prospects for their given team and have yet to make their major league debut.
Chicago White Sox
Next Up: Tanner McDougal (RHP)
Current Level: AAA Charlotte
2026 Stat Line: 24IP/3.00ERA/1.04WHIP
McDougal has a great combination of fastball and curve, with a heater that can reach 101 and a curveball with a very high spin rate. His issue, like many with high velocity, has been command.
Top Prospect: Caleb Bonemer (3B/SS) [MLB #13]
Current Level: AA Birmingham
2026 Stat Line: 247AB/.239AVG/.909OPS
Bonemer has mashed fastballs during his time in the minor leagues, though he has struggled a bit with off-speed offerings. He has tinkered with his swing to be more consistent over the past year. He is a decent defensive shortstop, though Chicago’s depth at the position may mean he plays more third.
Cleveland Guardians
Next Up: Cooper Ingle (C) [MLB #69]
Current Level: AAA Columbus
2026 Stat Line: 173AB/.289AVG/.978OPS
Ingle has top-tier plate discipline and bat control. He walks a ton and doesn’t strike out much. He has recently modified his stance to generate more power, but his 5-foot-8-inch frame is a concern both at the plate and defensively.
Top Prospect: Angel Genao (SS) [MLB #43]
Current Level: AAA Columbus
2026 Stat Line: 228AB/.268AVG/.804OPS
Genao is one of a few switch-hitting infielders for Cleveland. He has a knack for contact, even if it does mean not a lot of elevation in his hits. Genao has improved his speed after returning from a lingering knee injury and looks for more consistency in the field.
Detroit Tigers
Next Up: Max Anderson (2B/3B)
Current Level: AAA Toledo
2026 Stat Line: 172AB/.279AVG/.811OPS
Anderson is seen as a bat-first prospect in Detroit’s system, but he can really swing it. His power numbers have been fantastic over the last couple of seasons, and he especially shines against left-handed pitching. He is also one of the most aggressive hitters in the minor leagues.
Top Prospect: Max Clark (OF) [MLB #7]
Current Level: AAA Toledo
2026 Stat Line: 268AB/.261AVG/.742OPS
Clark shines for his high ceiling in terms of a centerfield prospect. He can run with the best of them, making him great on the basepaths and in the field. Some swing modifications have improved his offense and given him a little more pop in his plate-discipline-centered approach.
Kansas City Royals
Next Up: Shane Panzini
Current Level: AAA Omaha
2026 Stat Line: 24.2IP/10.22ERA/2.11WHIP
Panzini has been a starter most of his career, but will likely slot into a long-reliever type role in the long term. He is just recently returning from a significant oblique injury and has been trying to find his consistency. Panzini is still developing secondary pitches to pair with his flashy fastball.
Top Prospect: Blake Mitchell (C) [MLB #51]
Current Level: A+ Quad Cities
2026 Stat Line: 197AB/.213AVG/.850OPS
Mitchell has a very good eye at the plate and doesn’t expand, leading to an OBP that is way above his batting average. A hand injury sapped some of his raw power, and his swing seems to be still recovering from the injury and the missed time.
Minnesota Twins
Next Up: Kaelen Culpepper (SS) [MLB #36]
Current Level: AAA St. Paul
2026 Stat Line: 245AB/.273AVG/.875OPS
Culpepper is a solid contact hitter who flashes power at times due to his high bat speed. He has shone in college and at events such as the MLB Futures Game. Questions have arisen about Culpepper’s defense, and a move from short to third may be likely.
Top Prospect: Walker Jenkins (OF) [MLB #11]
Current Level: AAA St. Paul
2026 Stat Line: 109AB/.303AVG/.919OPS
Jenkins was a top-five pick in the 2023 draft, and when he has been on the field, he has shown the skill set worthy of that pick. He has missed significant time over his time in the minors with different lower-body injuries. Jenkins has power to all parts of the park, and the ability to mash balls to the pull side.
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