We update our fantasy baseball Top 700 Prospect Rankings weekly, and we keep track of the prospects who are rising the quickest to let fantasy baseball owners know about some prospects who are gaining momentum before you even hear about them elsewhere. This list comes out in tandem with the updated Top 700 fantasy baseball prospects list.
A power ranking of the fastest risers
Here’s our Power Rankings of the Top 10 fastest risers in this week’s update of the Top 700 Prospect Rankings. The entire list of the fastest risers, which includes the player’s major-league ETA, number of spots moved up and current new position in the Top 700, can be found HERE (subscription required).
1. Jackson Ferris, SP, Dodgers — AAA, Age 22
Ferris has been nearly unhittable down the stretch, capped by a career night this week: 7 2/3 innings, 13 strikeouts, and only one hit allowed in a 12-0 win that clinched the Pacific Coast League’s second-half title. His fastball has ticked back up to 94-95 mph and his slider is generating elite whiff rates. After a rough 2025 and a mixed start to this year, the former Cubs first-round talent looks like he’s rediscovering his top prospect form at the best possible time.
2. Hagen Smith, SP, White Sox — MLB, Age 22
Smith (pictured above) has been about as good as a rookie pitcher can be since debuting on August 9. Working almost exclusively in relief, he’s 3-1 with a 0.50 ERA and 26 strikeouts through his first month, holding hitters to a sub-.100 batting average. The White Sox handed him his first career start this week to see if the dominance translates.
3. Braylon Payne, OF, Brewers — AAA, Age 19
Payne continues to move quickly for a teenager, now holding down a spot at Triple-A. The tools have never been in question for the switch-hitting outfielder, and his climb this week reflects continued strong performance at the level.
4. Max Williams, OF, Marlins — AA, Age 22
A 2025 third-round pick who signed for just under $900,000, Williams brings raw power and defensive versatility to Miami’s outfield picture. He’s been working his way back from injury this year, and this week’s jump reflects real progress in that return.
5. Robert Calaz, OF, Rockies — High-A, Age 20
A $1.7 million international signee, Calaz remains one of the more toolsy outfielders in a talented Rockies system. He can really run and has shown above-average raw power, and he continues to climb at High-A despite lingering contact-rate questions.
6. Arjun Nimmala, SS, Angels — AA, Age 20
Nimmala continues an encouraging season at Double-A, building on a strong developmental track since signing as a well-regarded prep shortstop. The bat-to-ball skills and defensive tools remain a solid foundation for his continued climb.
7. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins — MLB, Age 23
Rodriguez has established himself in the majors this year, most recently drawing attention for a disputed home run off the right-field foul pole that led to his manager’s ejection. The power has always been the carrying tool, and he’s now showing it on the game’s biggest stage.
8. Caden Bodine, C, Rays — AAA, Age 22
A Buster Posey Award winner at Coastal Carolina before being drafted 30th overall by the Orioles and later moved to Tampa Bay, the switch-hitting Bodine is now knocking on the door of the majors at Triple-A. His polished, all-around catching profile continues to gain helium.
9. Jesus Baez, SS/3B, Cardinals — AA, Age 21
Baez keeps climbing after a monster season that’s seen him tie for the second-most home runs in all of Minor League Baseball. Acquired from the Mets in last year’s Ryan Helsley trade, he’s on a 55-homer full-season pace and remains one of the most productive under-the-radar bats in the minors.
10. Davis Polo, SP, Braves — AAA, Age 21
Polo rounds out this week’s list on the strength of continued strong performance at Triple-A. Specific detailed statistics remain limited on him publicly at this stage, but the helium is real enough to land him among this week’s top movers.
This week’s Top 10 Power Risers at a glance
| No. | Name | Pos | Team | B/T | Level | Age |
| 1 | Jackson Ferris | SPRP | LAD | L/L | AAA | 22 |
| 2 | Hagen Smith | SPRP | CHW | L/L | MLB | 22 |
| 3 | Braylon Payne | OF | MIL | L/L | AAA | 19 |
| 4 | Max Williams | OF | MIA | L/L | AA | 22 |
| 5 | Robert Calaz | OF | COL | R/R | High-A | 20 |
| 6 | Arjun Nimmala | SS | LAA | R/R | AA | 20 |
| 7 | Emmanuel Rodriguez | OF | MIN | L/L | MLB | 23 |
| 8 | Caden Bodine | C | TB | S/R | AAA | 22 |
| 9 | Jesus Baez | SS/3B | STL | R/R | AA | 21 |
| 10 | Davis Polo | SP | ATL | R/R | AAA | 21 |