ESPN’s 2026 prospect rankings included a surprise Brewers prospect

Another Top 100 prospect ranking, another top-five placement for Jesús Made.

That's not actually the biggest takeaway from Kiley McDaniel's newest list at ESPN, but it is worth pointing out just how revered the 18-year-old has become in the scouting world. If it weren't for all-universe talent Konnor Griffin (of the Pittsburgh Pirates) or the slick-fielding Kevin McGonigle (of the Detroit Tigers), there's a real chance that the Milwaukee Brewers' farmhand would be the consensus No. 1 prospect in all of baseball.

Other notable Brewers placements include shortstop Luis Pena (No. 26 overall), Freddy Peralta trade prizes Jett Williams (No. 32) and Brandon Sproat (No. 73), starting pitcher Logan Henderson (No. 64), shortstop Cooper Pratt (No. 70), and catcher Jeferson Quero (No. 75).

So, is the main takeaway that the Crew have FOUR shortstops on ESPN's Top 100 prospect list? Well, maybe, but it's not the focus of this article.

Instead, that distinction goes to right-hander Bishop Letson, who landed at No. 91 on McDaniel's ranking, giving the team eight total prospects on the list.

Bishop Letson's stock on the rise after first Top 100 placement

McDaniel's love for Letson isn't anything new; the ESPN pundit placed the 21-year-old on his top-10 Brewers prospects last summer.

"He is within an inch or two of the best extension in all of pro baseball, which helps him get lower on the mound to improve his fastball shape," McDaniel wrote in defense of the Top 100 placement. "Letson's 92-96 mph fastball has average big league velocity but plays as above average because of the shape and command; if his velocity jumps another tick or two, he'll shoot up this list."

Now, it's not all sunshine and rainbows for the 2023 11th-round pick who pitched just 41 1/3 innings last year while nursing a shoulder issue. He did pitch well in that limited run, racking up a 30.8% strikeout rate and 2.40 ERA (2.70 FIP), but he got knocked around in his lone Double-A appearance and still has a ways to go before he's ready to face major-league competition.

Handling a starter's workload will be his biggest test in 2026; if Letson can remain healthy and effective through 100+ innings, he could be fast-tracked through the top levels of the minors.

Even if command and health concerns keep him from rising quickly, though, Letson has a very bright future ahead of him within Milwaukee's system. By mid-season, expect McDaniel's ranking to be the expectation, rather than the outlier.