5 Under-the-Radar Prospects Who Could Steal the Show at 2026 MLB Futures Game

Every Futures Game has its headliners.

This year, fans will flock to see phenoms like Leo De Vries, Jesús Made and Charlie Condon, players whose names already occupy the top of prospect rankings across baseball. But history has shown that the Futures Game isn’t just about the sport’s biggest names—it’s also where tomorrow’s breakout stars often introduce themselves to the baseball world.

Several current major league standouts arrived at the Futures Game with far less fanfare than the game’s marquee prospects, only to leave scouts and fans buzzing after standout performances. This year’s roster is no different. Hidden among baseball’s elite prospects are a handful of players who may not dominate headlines today but possess the tools to become impact major leaguers.

Hidden Gems: 5 Under-the-Radar Prospects Who Could Steal the Show at the 2026 MLB Futures Game

Here are five under-the-radar prospects who could make the biggest impression in Philadelphia.

Carlos Lagrange, RHP, New York Yankees

Projected Tool Grades (20-80): Fastball 70 | Slider 60 | Changeup 50 | Control 45 | Overall 55

If there is one pitcher capable of walking off the mound with everyone asking, “Who was that?” it’s Carlos Lagrange.

The towering 6-foot-7 right-hander brings some of the loudest pure stuff in the minor leagues. His fastball routinely reaches the upper 90s and has touched triple digits, exploding on hitters with late life. Pair that with a hard, power slider that misses bats, and it’s easy to understand why scouts continue to dream on his upside.

The challenge has always been consistency. Lagrange’s delivery can occasionally get out of sync, leading to stretches where command escapes him. Yet that’s also what makes him so intriguing. Few pitchers in the Futures Game possess a wider gap between floor and ceiling. If he’s around the strike zone, his arsenal is good enough to dominate even baseball’s best prospects.

One clean inning under the national spotlight could dramatically elevate his profile.

Nathan Flewelling, C, Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Tool Grades (20-80): Hit 55 | Power 55 | Arm 55 | Field 50 | Overall 50

Catchers rarely receive much attention during prospect showcases, but Nathan Flewelling has quietly developed into one of the more complete backstops in the Rays’ system.

The left-handed hitter isn’t built around eye-popping home run totals. Instead, he wins with mature at-bats, a disciplined strike-zone approach, and the ability to consistently barrel baseballs. He controls counts well, forcing pitchers to work while rarely expanding the zone.

Defensively, his development has been equally encouraging. His receiving continues to improve, his throwing arm has become more consistent, and his ability to manage a pitching staff has earned praise throughout the organization.

Players like Flewelling often become invaluable big leaguers—not because they dominate highlight reels, but because they impact every game in subtle ways. He may not leave Philadelphia as the tournament’s biggest star, but don’t be surprised if scouts leave talking about how polished his overall game has become.

Joseph Dzierwa, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

Projected Tool Grades (20-80): Fastball 50 | Slider 55 | Changeup 55 | Control 60 | Overall 50

Velocity dominates today’s game, but Joseph Dzierwa is a reminder that command still matters.

The Orioles’ left-hander succeeds through precision rather than overpowering stuff. His fastball plays above its radar-gun reading thanks to deception and excellent location, while his slider and fading changeup allow him to attack hitters from both sides of the plate.

Perhaps his greatest strength is efficiency. Dzierwa works quickly, pounds the strike zone, and rarely gives hitters free passes. It’s a style that often flies under the radar until opposing lineups realize they’ve been carved apart without a single pitch reaching 98 mph.

Baltimore has become one of baseball’s premier organizations for developing pitchers, and Dzierwa fits that blueprint perfectly. He may never headline prospect lists, but his polish gives him an excellent chance to enjoy a long major league career.

Caden Scarborough, RHP, Texas Rangers

Projected Tool Grades (20-80): Fastball 65 | Slider 60 | Changeup 50 | Control 50 | Overall 55

Every year, there seems to be one pitcher whose stock rises simply because evaluators get another look at him.

Caden Scarborough could be that player.

The Rangers’ right-hander owns the kind of athletic frame scouts love, and his arsenal continues to trend upward. His fastball has climbed into the upper 90s, while his sharp breaking ball has developed into a legitimate swing-and-miss offering.

What separates Scarborough from many young power pitchers is how well he repeats his delivery. Despite generating premium velocity, he generally stays under control and attacks hitters with confidence. As his changeup continues to mature, many evaluators believe there’s another jump coming.

A dominant inning in the Futures Game would only reinforce what scouts have been seeing throughout the season.

Blake Mitchell, C, Kansas City Royals

Projected Tool Grades (20-80): Hit 50 | Power 60 | Arm 60 | Field 55 | Overall 55

Former first-round picks are rarely true sleepers, but Blake Mitchell has quietly developed while much of the national attention shifted elsewhere.

The switch-hitting catcher remains one of the more intriguing young backstops in professional baseball because of his rare combination of athleticism, defensive ability and offensive upside. His bat speed creates legitimate power from both sides of the plate, and many evaluators believe there’s still more production to come as he gains experience.

Behind the plate, Mitchell has taken noticeable steps forward. His receiving has improved, his arm strength consistently limits the running game, and he’s becoming increasingly comfortable handling professional pitching staffs.

Quality catchers are among the hardest players to find, making Mitchell’s development especially valuable. If his bat continues progressing, the Royals could have another cornerstone player behind the plate.

Keep an Eye on the Unexpected

The Futures Game has always been about more than prospect rankings.

Every summer, a handful of lesser-known players use the event to announce themselves on baseball’s biggest developmental stage. Sometimes it’s a pitcher who overpowers a lineup for one inning. Other times, it’s a hitter who launches a memorable home run or flashes elite defensive ability.

This year’s showcase is filled with elite talent, but don’t be surprised if one of these five under-the-radar prospects becomes the name everyone is talking about by the end of the weekend. After all, today’s hidden gem often becomes tomorrow’s All-Star.