Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. ranks sixth and Mets outfielder Carson Benge 10th in MLB Pipeline's assessment of the 2026 rookies with the most long-term career value.
Mets pitcher Nolan McLean placed 12th in Jim Callis' ranking for MLB Pipeline, which weighs age, track record and future potential along with this season's performance.
Lombard's defense and power-speed potential stand out
Lombard, 21 as of July 1, committed nine errors in 42 games after his August promotion. Callis nevertheless rated his defensive tools and baseball instincts highly, writing that he has the ability to become the Yankees' best defensive shortstop since Bucky Dent.
The assessment also points to Lombard's bat speed and running ability, projecting the potential for a season with 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases. That would make him the first Yankees shortstop to reach both marks, according to Callis.
Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones, 25, also made the 40-player list, placing 38th.
Three Mets make the top 20
Benge, 23, was one of five National League rookies to post a 20-homer, 20-steal season. The others were Chris Young in 2007, Corbin Carroll and Nolan Jones in 2023, and Jackson Chourio in 2024.
The Mets selected Benge in the first round of the 2024 draft as an outfielder after he played both ways at Oklahoma State. Callis wrote that Benge also showed pitching talent comparable to a third-round selection.
McLean, 24, was another two-way player at Oklahoma State before focusing on pitching. As a rookie, he led the majors in run value from his sinker at 27 and in average curveball spin rate at 3,371 revolutions per minute, according to the assessment.
Callis sees Cy Young Award potential if McLean improves his command. McLean also won the Mets' first Gold Glove in 12 years.
Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing, 21, ranked 18th, giving the club three players among the top 20.
Ranking projects careers beyond rookie seasons
Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin took the top spot, followed by Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle. Callis favored Griffin's potential combination of power, speed and defense, while crediting McGonigle with a higher floor and substantial upside.
The rankings consider players who have exceeded rookie or prospect eligibility limits of 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days of active major league service during their careers. Ages listed are as of July 1.
Callis also factors pitchers' injury risk into the career projections. Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt, Tigers outfielder Max Clark and Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge rounded out the top five.
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