Team Outlook

The Diamondbacks have been in an interesting spot after making and, unfortunately for fans of snakes, losing the World Series against the Texas Rangers. They play in a tough division, but they constantly find interesting arms in the draft and via trade to stockpile in their system. Their system at the top is headlined by Ryan Waldschmidt, who will ultimately be a corner outfielder but will hit for more than enough power to profile there. They have done well with tooled-up outfield prospects, turning Corbin Carroll into one of the best players in baseball, as well as getting Alek Thomas into a spot where he can be a viable major leaguer. The next in line for these types is Slade Caldwell, who swings so little it almost feels like a bit. The 2025 draft resulted in a lot of the same up at the top of the draft, grabbing a toolsy Kayson Cunningham. They like high-carry fastballs, and very few pitchers in the 2025 draft had a better fastball than Patrick Forbes. The Diamondbacks no longer have a top 25 prospect headlining their system after the graduation of Jordan Lawlar; however, there is some close-to-the-majors depth and interesting low-level minor league prospects who could break out if all things go well. This is a middle-of-the-pack farm system with some upside.

About Our Top 20 Lists

Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.

We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.

In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.

Evaluators: Brandon Tew, Daniel Barrand, Grant Carver, Jacob Maxwell, Matt Seese, Nate Jones, Rhys White, Trevor Hooth

Find all the Top 20 Lists here:

2026 Team Prospect Lists - Prospects Live
Prospects LiveProspects Live Staff

Top 20 Prospects at a Glance

1. Ryan Waldschmidt, OF - 50 OFP
2. Slade Caldwell, OF - 50 OFP
3. Tommy Troy, SS - 50 OFP
4. Kayson Cunningham, SS - 50 OFP
5. LuJames Groover, 3B - 50 OFP
6. Daniel Eagen, RHP - 50 OFP
7. Demetrio Crisantes, 2B - 50 OFP
8. Kohl Drake, LHP - 50 OFP
9. Patrick Forbes, RHP - 45 OFP
10. Jansel Luis, SS - 45 OFP
11. JD Dix, SS - 45 OFP
12. Mitch Bratt, LHP - 45 OFP
13. David Hagaman, RHP - 45 OFP
14. Cristian Mena, RHP - 45 OFP
15. Yilber Díaz, RHP - 45 OFP
16. Cristofer Torin, 2B - 45 OFP
17. Christian Cerda, C - 45 OFP
18. Ashton Izzi, RHP - 40 OFP
19. Druw Jones, OF - 40 OFP
20. Andrew Hoffmann, RHP - 40 OFP

Scouting Reports

Find Scouting Reports, Tool Grades and Dynasty Outlooks in each toggle section

1. Ryan Waldschmidt, OF - 50 OFP

Scouting Report

HT: 6-2 WT: 205 H/T: R/R
Highest Level: AA
ETA: 2027

OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 50
Power: 55
Field: 45
Throw: 50
Run: 55

Scouting Report

The Diamondbacks are one of the more conservative organizations in the sport, and this showed in how they handled Ryan Waldscmidt. The rest of his draft class's collegiate hitters drafted in the first round seemed to be shot through the minors to play in the majors, while Ryan Waldscmidt only made it to Double-A. There was a lot to like about Waldscmidt; he was viewed as a data darling after his one year at Kentucky, and not much has really changed. He has a few interesting tools, and if he can become slightly less passive at the plate, he could really have everything play up. His swing is rather simple: there is a toe-tap, and he transitions his weight well as he brings the bat head out in front to hit batted balls hard. He has shown the ability to hit for power to all fields, which helps his cause. He hardly ever chases, even against quality breaking balls. Waldschmidt does have some issues with pitches in and slightly below the hands, but that looked to be cleaned up during the season. Waldscmidt cannot play center field; he is likely to be relegated to a corner-outfield spot where there will be a lot of pressure on the bat, which he might just clear the bar needed to be a viable everyday option there. He is an above-average runner, and that helps provide some value on the base paths. There is a chance Waldscmidt becomes a 20/20 threat in left or right field. If he becomes a touch more aggressive at the plate, he has a chance to unlock more offensive production. - Rhys White

2. Slade Caldwell, OF - 50 OFP