Money Talks: Which Top Prospects Are In Line For a Payday?

The future is now. MLB’s top prospects are now getting paid in the minor leagues. Managements are betting on promise and potential. That brings its own set of risks – the hope of the prospect eventually developing into a player worth his paystub, but the development risk seemingly outweighs the financial risk of waiting. Paying prospects early has helped keep playoff teams financially intact and helped morph rebuilding squads into contenders with extra salary relief. The “rather safe than sorry” mantra applies. In this era of baseball, organizations have a plethora of next-gen stats and tools to predict MLB success. That guess, that chance, can end up saving organizations tens or even hundreds of millions compared to the “contract year” number that perennial All-Stars command.

2026 has already seen Seattle’s Colt Emerson agree to an eight-year $95 million deal, Milwaukee’s Cooper Pratt earn an eight-year $50.75 million extension, and Pittsburgh’s Konnor Griffin ink a nine-year $140 million contract before taking a swing in the major leagues. These early deals are the continuation of a trend. Since 2020, seven players have signed extensions with 50 days or less of MLB service time. These players are notable names: budding young stars such as Corbin Carroll and Jackson Chourio would certainly acquire more money in free agency than their current AAV (Average Annual Value). The young players gain financial security early, taking out some of the risks pertaining to injury in the marathon that is the MLB season. While these deals may be seen as a discount compared to projected future value, its undoubtedly hard for ballplayers to pass up the opportunity to gain generational wealth.

But who is next? Which top prospect will secure his payday and push himself into an immediate franchise cornerstone spotlight? Here are five players I’ve chosen to highlight and speculate could be landing extensions sooner than later.

1. JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals
The 23-year-old Wetherholt began his MLB career in dynamic fashion: a .280 batting average, a home run, and a walk-off in Week 1 is a perfect way to get St. Louis fans on your side. According to New York Post insider Jon Heyman, it seems the Cardinals brass has been pleased enough to warrant an extension and are reportedly already in talks. St. Louis doesn’t have a single positional player with arbitration years bought out beyond 2026 and would love to shore up its middle infield by pairing the West Virginia product with Gold Glove winner Masyn Winn. That want comes at a cost, as a Tier 1 prospect like Wetherholt will likely ask for a Griffin-like contract with over $100 million in financial commitment.

2. Joe Mack, C, Marlins
Mack was assigned to Triple-A from Spring Training but is knocking on the door of his MLB debut. His selection to the Futures Game during last season’s All-Star break quickly made him a household name as a prospect. Mack is a consensus top three catcher in minor league baseball with his trusty defense leading the charge. Miami and general manager Gabe Kapler risk losing the 23-year-old if he speeds up his major league learning curve. Marlin franchise cornerstones such as Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Jesus Luzardo, and others have moved onto big markets who are already in playoff contention. Miami must secure its backstop.

No free bases from Joe Mack and Jesús Bastidas 🚫 pic.twitter.com/QGZ4grxmgS

— Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (@JaxShrimp) April 8, 2026

3. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics
The A’s will soon begin their new era. This new era brings a refresh: new uniforms, a brand-new ballpark complete with a shopping center, and a new tourist-heavy fanbase to come along with the Las Vegas move. The perfect way to start the new Athletics era is to lock up one of the most hyped prospects in the last five years with a lengthy contract. Las Vegas may not be in the thick of the playoffs come 2029, but a De Vries extension will ensure consistent fan turnout. The 19-year-old has adjusted well from the Padres to the Athletics farm system and could play his way to the majors later this season.

4. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies
Philadelphia needs to save all the money it can. The Phillies are a juggernaut, but in order to keep their superstar squad together they need to cut corners and invest early on the 22-year-old. Two of Philadelphia’s top pitchers, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, are both over 30 and have displayed their age with recent injury battles. The Phillies have six players earning over $15 million annually. Painter has already gone through Tommy John surgery in 2023, making an early team-friendly deal more likely. The prospect deals aren’t usually given to pitchers, but Philly’s quest for a World Series brings unprecedented circumstances.

Andrew Painter MLB debut:

5.1 IP
1 ER
8 K
4 H
1 BB
84 Pitches

Topped out at 98.7 MPH.pic.twitter.com/s7y2p5Sw52

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) April 1, 2026

5. Jesús Made, SS, Brewers
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is probably the phrase Milwaukee General Manager Pat Arnold thinks on a potential Made extension. The 2023 Chourio gave the Brewers their jumpstart to playoff contention. There are plans for similar figures with the 18-year-old. Made’s length and glove skill alone makes it a smart move. The Brewers are a small market franchise who’s payroll places 20th in baseball, needing some team-friendly deals like Chourio to have flexibility for high-level trade pieces and free agents. Milwaukee has completed its hard work of drafting and developing MLB’s top farm system. Now it’s time to keep those guys around.

Risk vs. reward comes around at every point in baseball, whether it be paying high prices at July’s trade deadline or dicey arbitration hearings. The teams fortunate enough to have top-tier prospects in their system can save themselves the stress (and cost) years down the road by inking extensions now. The early bird gets the worm in all phases of franchise management.