https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/bridge-league-hayden-alvared-jared-grindlinger/

Hayden Alvarez Stands Out

It was an exciting outfield with Hayden Alvarez in center and Jared Grindlinger in right. Alvarez, No. 3 on Angels Top 30, looked like a Top 100 prospect. I love the body, the athleticism, and the hands. He is a well-proportioned quick-twitch mover who looks smooth at everything on a baseball field. It’s a special profile because he is likely to stick in center and also has big offensive upside. I didn’t get a run time, but it’s probably plus, and Alvarez gets out of the box well. A few balls were hit his way in center. One was back overhead, and he circled around to make a throw to the cutoff man with solid arm strength, an easy arm action and a quick release. Later in the game, he ranged into the right-center field gap, darting forward to make the play and set himself up for another quality throw. Alvarez reaches top gear quickly and has impressive closing speed in the outfield. 

On the offensive side, a couple of swings stood out. Naimer Rosario, a soft-tossing lefty from the Diamondbacks ACL squad, was working Alvarez away. Alvarez kept his hands inside and went with it. That swing resulted in a grounder to first, but it was good to see barrel control to work oppo with intent, rather than trying to pull it when attacked outer half. Later in the game, Modesto Vargas came in pumping 97-99 mph, and Alvarez dropped the barrel on a first-pitch fastball for a hard hit double. It’s an elastic-y, aesthetically pleasing righty swing. Alvarez has a medium leg kick for timing, and also uses it to close slightly, then uncorks with explosive hip rotation and quick hands. He gets his full kinetic chain behind swings and never looks like he’s selling out for power. I missed the 2025 ACL, so this was my first exposure to Alvarez; he lived up to prospect hype and then some. 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/5-late-season-rising-mlb-prospects-with-top-100-potential-in-2026/

5 Late-Season Rising MLB Prospects With Top 100 Potential In 2026

Talon Haley, LHP, Angels

• Current System Rank: No. 9

Haley didn’t have the typical amateur experience, as he had Tommy John surgery and was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2022, which he overcame later in the year after going through chemotherapy. In 2024, he injured his elbow again and had internal brace surgery, which meant he hardly pitched heading into his draft year. Still, he showed intriguing stuff that season and was seen as a potential top-three-round talent in the 2025 draft. He fell to the Angels in the 12th round, where he signed for a well-overslot bonus of $897,500. 

Haley didn’t pitch after signing and has spent all of 2026 with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, where he has a 4.68 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 82.2 innings with 112 strikeouts and 43 walks. Though his numbers outside of the strikeouts don’t jump off the page, evaluator feedback has been very strong.

Haley gets above-average extension in his delivery at just under 6.7 feet, and his fastball velocity has ticked up considerably in pro ball. He now averages just under 94 mph and tops out at 97.3 after sitting 90-94 as an amateur. The pitch jumps on hitters thanks to a combination of ride and run, and it has an above-average whiff rate. His 65% strike rate is solid, as well, especially given his delivery still needs some refinement. At times, he can get out of sync, and he’ll leave his arm out, causing him to miss up and to the arm side. When he’s in sync, however, he’s extremely difficult to hit. 

Haley’s secondaries are also impressive, with all flashing above-average potential and bat-missing ability. He uses a high-spin slider with slurvy break the most, and it has a whiff rate above 40%. Some evaluators, however, think Haley’s changeup has the most long-term potential even though he’s only using it around 11% of the time right now. He shows confidence in the pitch and throws it with similar arm speed to his fastball with considerable late fade. He has a solid feel for it and can locate it competitively, so hitters chase it at a high rate. Haley’s sweeper sits in the same velocity band as his slider, but it has considerably more horizontal break and less depth. He throws it less than 5% of the time, but it has a high whiff rate, and hitters have struggled to do any damage against it.

Haley’s frame is already filled out, but he’s an athletic lefthander with a quick arm and the potential for four above-average-to-plus offerings. He has midrotation potential, albeit with relief risk due to the effort in his delivery. Trending up in a rapidly improving Angels system, with a strong finish to the season, Haley could position himself to jump into the Top 100.