2026 TCNs Top 50 Prospect Countdown

This picture must indicate that Brian and Kyle are selecting Raniel as their number 50 . . . No other reasonable explanation.

We should have a prediction contest in reverse. I predict the 50 best prospect is Chase Heath.
It should be noted I have no list and am simply tapping into my powers of cosmic intuition. He came to mind immediately and I am pretty sure he is the big 50.

It’s really none of my business. But I would like to see three people buy those last three copies of TCN 2025 Prospect Guide. It just feels like a loose end to me. There were 4 copies left, but I bought a second copy to give to my one of my sons. It’s interesting to have a record of the changes in the system from year to year.

I’m guessing #50 will be one of the AFL guys.

Church going to AFL last year, and breaking out this year, is what I had in mind when I suggested an AFL guy would be Brian’s #50 this year.

No problem staying tuned.

I’m also very interested to see what you guys did with Quinn Matthews this year. After the year he had in 2024, you had him ranked at #2 in the system, and I was right along with you on that. But this year he just didn’t put up the kind of stats that generate excitement. Still, the community gave him a #3 ranking. I do not understand the optimism. Reportedly, his fastball picked up 3-4 MPH over his college years at Stanford in 2024 and that was thought to be a big part of the reason for his success. Then, in 2025 the speed of his fastball dropped back down and his stats were not impressive. I checked my 2025 prospect guide again and both Brian and Blake were both very high on Matthews. I’m looking forward to what you and Kyle have to say about Matthews going into 2026.

Mason Christopher Burns. You guys may not believe this, but “Burnsy” is my #50 too. You know what they say about great minds. He must have felt right at home in Peoria for a good part of this past summer, having been born and raised in Peoria.

In looking over my last seven TCN Prospect Guides, here are the last seven #50 ranked prospects:

2025 – Dakota Harris
2024 – Guillermo Zuniga
2023 – Nelfy Infante
2022 – Thomas Francisco
2021 – Brendan Donovan
2020 – Bryan Dobzanski
2019 – Derian Gonzales
2918 – Breyvic Valera

1. Obviously Brendan Donovan is the standard for hope for all ranked prospects.
2. Zuniga didn’t last long.
3. Cardinals have not given up on Nelfy Infante. He’s only 20 years old, but walked 8.3/9IP in 2025. I can’t vote to rank a pitcher that walks 8.3/9IP. But who knows? There could be something less obvious going on with Nelfy Ynfante.
4. It kind of looks like the ship has sailed for Thomas Francisco, Bryan Dobzanski, Derian Gonzales, and Bryvic Valera.

I’d say the take away from this is that if Brendan Donovan can become a coveted player by several MLB organizations, so can every other last ranked prospect.

Matthew Miura? Could this kid be the next Michael Siani? Kind of sounds like he could be. Speaking of center field, Victor Scott III’s batting line was .216/.305/.601 with 5 HR in 2025. Siani’s batting line for 2024, his one full season with the Cardinals was .228/.285/.570 with 2 HR. He was injured for part of that season and only had 298 AB. Unfortunately for Siani, he got beat out for the CF job by Scott at spring training, 2025.

I wanted to put both Miura and Campos in my personal list but both were the final cuts so I could fit a couple DSL guys in. Miura in particular would be “51” on my list. I like him quite a bit still. Hopefully he hits a ton even if it’s without power. Campos is so small that he almost looks funny standing next to other players. I think that size issue may be his undoing, but hopefully he finds ways to use it to his advantage.