Kiley McDaniel
@kileymcd.bsky.social
ESPN Baseball Insider. Trying to tell the future. Former: FanGraphs & four MLB teams.
Pinned
Kiley McDaniel
@kileymcd.bsky.social
· Aug 20
Updated top 100 MLB prospect rankings: There's a new No. 1
Which budding stars have surged up our list now that the draft and trade season are behind us?
www.espn.com
An updated Top 100 Prospects List with a new #1 overall prospect: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I'm sure Mets fans don't care much about this right now, but...
I'm finalizing the Top 100 and farm rankings and it works out that, by a tiny margin (i.e. subject to change), this trade takes the Mets farm system from #1 ranked to #6...and also moves the Brewers from #6 to #1.
I'm finalizing the Top 100 and farm rankings and it works out that, by a tiny margin (i.e. subject to change), this trade takes the Mets farm system from #1 ranked to #6...and also moves the Brewers from #6 to #1.
@JeffPassan tweeted
BREAKING: The New York Mets have acquired All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is done. Top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat are headed to Milwaukee. One more big league pitcher will head to the Mets.
BREAKING: The New York Mets have acquired All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is done. Top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat are headed to Milwaukee. One more big league pitcher will head to the Mets.
January 22, 2026 at 2:52 AM
I'm sure Mets fans don't care much about this right now, but...
I'm finalizing the Top 100 and farm rankings and it works out that, by a tiny margin (i.e. subject to change), this trade takes the Mets farm system from #1 ranked to #6...and also moves the Brewers from #6 to #1.
I'm finalizing the Top 100 and farm rankings and it works out that, by a tiny margin (i.e. subject to change), this trade takes the Mets farm system from #1 ranked to #6...and also moves the Brewers from #6 to #1.
The Rockies hired Chad MacDonald as Special Assistant/Senior Director of Player Personnel, per source.
He ran draft rooms that selected Trea Turner, Max Fried, Brandon Nimmo, Zach Eflin, Seth Lugo, Hunter Renfroe & Michael Fulmer and has worked with Paul DePodesta & Josh Byrnes.
He ran draft rooms that selected Trea Turner, Max Fried, Brandon Nimmo, Zach Eflin, Seth Lugo, Hunter Renfroe & Michael Fulmer and has worked with Paul DePodesta & Josh Byrnes.
January 16, 2026 at 10:45 PM
The Rockies hired Chad MacDonald as Special Assistant/Senior Director of Player Personnel, per source.
He ran draft rooms that selected Trea Turner, Max Fried, Brandon Nimmo, Zach Eflin, Seth Lugo, Hunter Renfroe & Michael Fulmer and has worked with Paul DePodesta & Josh Byrnes.
He ran draft rooms that selected Trea Turner, Max Fried, Brandon Nimmo, Zach Eflin, Seth Lugo, Hunter Renfroe & Michael Fulmer and has worked with Paul DePodesta & Josh Byrnes.
IF Andy Ibanez has agreed to terms on a one-year big league deal with the Dodgers pending physical, per source.
Ibanez, 32, was non-tendered by the Tigers in November.
Ibanez, 32, was non-tendered by the Tigers in November.
January 9, 2026 at 7:59 PM
IF Andy Ibanez has agreed to terms on a one-year big league deal with the Dodgers pending physical, per source.
Ibanez, 32, was non-tendered by the Tigers in November.
Ibanez, 32, was non-tendered by the Tigers in November.
One of my favorite articles of the year: ranking the top players by birth year!
Also a stealth preview of the upcoming draft (and the two after it) along with the upcoming int'l signing period (and next year's). www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Also a stealth preview of the upcoming draft (and the two after it) along with the upcoming int'l signing period (and next year's). www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Who are MLB's top young stars? Ranking baseball's best players at every age from 16 to 25
Julio Rodriguez or Bobby Witt Jr.? Roman Anthony or Jackson Chourio? We rank baseball's best by birth year.
www.espn.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:58 PM
One of my favorite articles of the year: ranking the top players by birth year!
Also a stealth preview of the upcoming draft (and the two after it) along with the upcoming int'l signing period (and next year's). www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Also a stealth preview of the upcoming draft (and the two after it) along with the upcoming int'l signing period (and next year's). www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Will we see the hot stove heat up this week? I ranked the top 10 moves from the week of Christmas since 1990. A great way to remember some guys, like Ryan Klesko! www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
A 12-player blockbuster? Cy Young signings? Ranking the biggest MLB Christmas week moves
Who says the baseball offseason slows down for the holidays? Let's remember some free agent signings and trades.
www.espn.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Will we see the hot stove heat up this week? I ranked the top 10 moves from the week of Christmas since 1990. A great way to remember some guys, like Ryan Klesko! www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Jesse Rogers covered the shifting top of the position player market; I weighed in with updated contract projections www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Updated contract projections for the top four free agent hitters
Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber got big bucks for their ability to hit big flies. Here's why it could bring bigger paydays to other available hitters.
www.espn.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Jesse Rogers covered the shifting top of the position player market; I weighed in with updated contract projections www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Forgot to post this: we did a roundtable in the wake of the Diaz/Alonso FA losses for the Mets. What is ahead? Why did this happen? www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
December 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Forgot to post this: we did a roundtable in the wake of the Diaz/Alonso FA losses for the Mets. What is ahead? Why did this happen? www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
A five pick mock for the 2026 MLB Draft right after the draft lottery ended! A strong draft that’s rich with position players at the top www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
White Sox win 2026 MLB draft lottery! Here's a mini-mock draft predicting the top 5 picks
With Chicago landing the No. 1 overall pick for next summer, let's see how the start of the first round could go down.
www.espn.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A five pick mock for the 2026 MLB Draft right after the draft lottery ended! A strong draft that’s rich with position players at the top www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Now for three years in a row, I have given you three free agents I'd sign and three I wouldn't, given what I projected their contracts to be. This year I gave you two bonus players! www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Three MLB free agents to invest in -- and three to avoid
A bargain starting pitcher? Steer clear of Eugenio Suarez? Here are this winter's players to target and to be wary of, given their projected contracts.
www.espn.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Now for three years in a row, I have given you three free agents I'd sign and three I wouldn't, given what I projected their contracts to be. This year I gave you two bonus players! www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Our writers each proposed a trade for one of the players in the top 25 trade candidates article, 12 trades in total. Mine was a 4-for-1 www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Our trade proposals that would rock MLB's winter meetings
Let's spice up the offseason with some blockbusters that we want to see in Orlando next week.
www.espn.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Our writers each proposed a trade for one of the players in the top 25 trade candidates article, 12 trades in total. Mine was a 4-for-1 www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Spend the holidays with your family and/or reading what I wrote about the best of this winter’s NPB imports www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
How good are this year's top Japanese free agents -- and who could sign them?
We break down what to expect from Tatsuya Imai, Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto in 2026 and where they might land.
www.espn.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Spend the holidays with your family and/or reading what I wrote about the best of this winter’s NPB imports www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I talked to 11 industry sources and used their insights to break down what Detroit could and should do with Tarik Skubal www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
$400 million extension, blockbuster trade or let it ride? MLB insiders break down Tigers' Tarik Skubal options
Will the best pitcher in baseball be on the move this offseason? Those in the game offer their advice.
www.espn.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I talked to 11 industry sources and used their insights to break down what Detroit could and should do with Tarik Skubal www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Top 50 Free Agent Rankings w/projected contracts!
Over 10,000 words chock full of industry intel and advanced analysis on the top free agents plus another 150 free agents organized by position.
Also: recapped last winter's total spending + projected this year's total www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Over 10,000 words chock full of industry intel and advanced analysis on the top free agents plus another 150 free agents organized by position.
Also: recapped last winter's total spending + projected this year's total www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Your guide to MLB free agency: Rankings and contract projections for the top 50 free agents
How much will the biggest stars get paid this winter? Kiley McDaniel breaks down the 2025-26 free agent class.
www.espn.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Top 50 Free Agent Rankings w/projected contracts!
Over 10,000 words chock full of industry intel and advanced analysis on the top free agents plus another 150 free agents organized by position.
Also: recapped last winter's total spending + projected this year's total www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Over 10,000 words chock full of industry intel and advanced analysis on the top free agents plus another 150 free agents organized by position.
Also: recapped last winter's total spending + projected this year's total www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I ranked the top 20 players in the World Series and handed out some superlatives for best tools/skills www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Two Blue Jays in the top 3? Ranking the best players in the 2025 World Series
Here's how the Dodgers' and Blue Jays' rosters stack up and who is primed to do the most jaw-dropping things on the sport's biggest stage.
www.espn.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I ranked the top 20 players in the World Series and handed out some superlatives for best tools/skills www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Have you wondered how the Dodgers rotation is dominating in the postseason at a time when starting pitchers are less impactful?
I explain what each of them have done to find another gear when the stakes are the highest www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I explain what each of them have done to find another gear when the stakes are the highest www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
From the Game 1 guy to the six-pitch magician: Your complete guide to the Dodgers' unhittable, ace-filled rotation
Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow and Ohtani have carried L.A. this October. Here's how to appreciate them in the World Series.
www.espn.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Have you wondered how the Dodgers rotation is dominating in the postseason at a time when starting pitchers are less impactful?
I explain what each of them have done to find another gear when the stakes are the highest www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I explain what each of them have done to find another gear when the stakes are the highest www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I teamed up with 12 of our writers to publish our hot takes for the rest of the playoffs.
I wrote mine before yesterday's game and thankfully it's still possible: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I wrote mine before yesterday's game and thankfully it's still possible: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Our hottest early MLB playoff hot takes: From one pitch deciding October to the Jays averaging ... how many runs per game?!
What can we learn from a week of MLB postseason baseball? Enough to make our experts go all-in on their boldest predictions.
www.espn.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I teamed up with 12 of our writers to publish our hot takes for the rest of the playoffs.
I wrote mine before yesterday's game and thankfully it's still possible: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I wrote mine before yesterday's game and thankfully it's still possible: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Aaron Judge is hitting, but not hitting for power this postseason. Why?
He was 2nd-best in baseball against a certain type of pitch in the regular season.
He's seen that sort of pitch more often in the postseason and hasn't put one of them in play yet: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
He was 2nd-best in baseball against a certain type of pitch in the regular season.
He's seen that sort of pitch more often in the postseason and hasn't put one of them in play yet: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Breaking down Aaron Judge's early playoff performance: A productive start or another October disappointment?
Judge's stat line looks solid -- but his power has gone missing and the Yankees are on the brink of elimination. What gives?
www.espn.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Aaron Judge is hitting, but not hitting for power this postseason. Why?
He was 2nd-best in baseball against a certain type of pitch in the regular season.
He's seen that sort of pitch more often in the postseason and hasn't put one of them in play yet: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
He was 2nd-best in baseball against a certain type of pitch in the regular season.
He's seen that sort of pitch more often in the postseason and hasn't put one of them in play yet: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I joined 24 other experts and predicted the whole playoffs. Luckily we didn’t have any 25-0 results but there were two series at 24-1 www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
2025 MLB playoffs: Our predictions from the wild cards to the World Series
Which will be the last team standing in October? Our MLB experts predict which teams will win each series of the postseason.
www.espn.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I joined 24 other experts and predicted the whole playoffs. Luckily we didn’t have any 25-0 results but there were two series at 24-1 www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I ranked the 14 possible playoff teams by how good their projected playoff rotations are.
there was (obviously) lots of hair splitting, so be sure to ignore the intro and the blurbs and be mad online thanks www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
there was (obviously) lots of hair splitting, so be sure to ignore the intro and the blurbs and be mad online thanks www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
MLB playoff rotation tiers: Ranking every team's October starting pitching options
Aces matter in the postseason. Here are the contenders who are flush with them -- and which are lacking quality arms.
www.espn.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I ranked the 14 possible playoff teams by how good their projected playoff rotations are.
there was (obviously) lots of hair splitting, so be sure to ignore the intro and the blurbs and be mad online thanks www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
there was (obviously) lots of hair splitting, so be sure to ignore the intro and the blurbs and be mad online thanks www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Two of the more intriguing free agents this winter are named Kyle.
I polled 20 industry insiders on what they think Schwarber and Tucker will get, broke down the comps, and the rumored landing spots: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I polled 20 industry insiders on what they think Schwarber and Tucker will get, broke down the comps, and the rumored landing spots: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
How much will Kyle Tucker and Kyle Schwarber get paid this winter? MLB insiders predict their free agency
Industry insiders break down the two top hitters in the free agent class as they complete very different regular seasons.
www.espn.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Two of the more intriguing free agents this winter are named Kyle.
I polled 20 industry insiders on what they think Schwarber and Tucker will get, broke down the comps, and the rumored landing spots: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
I polled 20 industry insiders on what they think Schwarber and Tucker will get, broke down the comps, and the rumored landing spots: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
My annual ranking of the best core of talent for every team in baseball, ranked 1-30: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Ranking all 30 MLB cores: Which teams have the most talent locked in?
Dodgers or Mariners? Mets or Phillies? We rank the clubs with the most star power under control through 2027.
www.espn.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:15 PM
My annual ranking of the best core of talent for every team in baseball, ranked 1-30: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Dylan Moore’s contract has been selected by the Rangers, per source.
Moore was released by the Mariners and signed a minor league deal with the Rangers a few days ago. Corey Seager is having an appendectomy.
Moore was released by the Mariners and signed a minor league deal with the Rangers a few days ago. Corey Seager is having an appendectomy.
August 28, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Dylan Moore’s contract has been selected by the Rangers, per source.
Moore was released by the Mariners and signed a minor league deal with the Rangers a few days ago. Corey Seager is having an appendectomy.
Moore was released by the Mariners and signed a minor league deal with the Rangers a few days ago. Corey Seager is having an appendectomy.
After updating the top 100 and team top 10's, I wrapped up the refresh with fresh farm system rankings.
Every farm rankings I've done at ESPN has had either the Orioles, Rays, or Dodgers at #1. A new team takes the top spot today: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Every farm rankings I've done at ESPN has had either the Orioles, Rays, or Dodgers at #1. A new team takes the top spot today: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Reranking every MLB farm system from 1 to 30
The busiest time of the year for adding prospects has passed. Here's how every organization stacks up now.
www.espn.com
August 26, 2025 at 3:11 PM
After updating the top 100 and team top 10's, I wrapped up the refresh with fresh farm system rankings.
Every farm rankings I've done at ESPN has had either the Orioles, Rays, or Dodgers at #1. A new team takes the top spot today: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Every farm rankings I've done at ESPN has had either the Orioles, Rays, or Dodgers at #1. A new team takes the top spot today: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
An updated Top 100 Prospects List with a new #1 overall prospect: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Updated top 100 MLB prospect rankings: There's a new No. 1
Which budding stars have surged up our list now that the draft and trade season are behind us?
www.espn.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
An updated Top 100 Prospects List with a new #1 overall prospect: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Just published a final update to the team top ten prospects lists.
(whispers) updated Top 100 and farm rankings coming soon www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
(whispers) updated Top 100 and farm rankings coming soon www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Final 2025 update! Top 10 prospects and next to debut for all 30 MLB teams
Who is rising and falling in every major league farm system after the trade deadline? Kiley McDaniel digs in.
www.espn.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Just published a final update to the team top ten prospects lists.
(whispers) updated Top 100 and farm rankings coming soon www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
(whispers) updated Top 100 and farm rankings coming soon www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...