Dodgers and Brewers Top 2026 MLB Core Talent Rankings

The Los Angeles Dodgers retained the top spot in the 2026 MLB core rankings, featuring elite talents Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Los Angeles Dodgers earned the No. 1 spot in Kiley McDaniel's 2026 MLB core rankings, marking the third consecutive year the franchise has held the top position. The rankings evaluate organizations based on players under contract through the 2028 season, categorizing talent into elite, plus, and solid tiers. The Dodgers' core is led by elite designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani and right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, supported by plus-tier contributors Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Will Smith, and Andy Pages.

Milwaukee rose to the No. 2 spot, jumping from 13th in 2025. The Brewers' system features right-hander Jacob Misiorowski in the elite tier, while Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio, and Garrett Mitchell are classified as plus-tier talents. The organization maintains the deepest list of controlled players, including minor league home run leader Andrew Fischer, who hit 46 homers.

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees follow at third and fourth, respectively. Boston lacks an elite-tier player but features six plus-tier talents, including Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet. The Yankees' ranking is anchored by elite outfielder Aaron Judge and pitcher Cam Schlittler, alongside plus-tier players Cody Bellinger, Max Fried, and Ben Rice. The Atlanta Braves rounded out the top five, led by elite left-hander Chris Sale, though the team saw regressions or injuries to previous core members like Spencer Strider and Austin Riley.

Other notable rankings include the Chicago Cubs at No. 6, led by elite center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who posted a 5.4 WAR in 2025. The Arizona Diamondbacks rank seventh with elite duo Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo. Rounding out the top ten are the San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets, the latter of whom are led by elite outfielder Juan Soto.