As different national baseball publications have unveiled their 2022 top prospect lists, three names have stood at the top of nearly every major list: Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. While different outlets conflict about which is the top overall prospect, the consensus is clear that the majority of the industry views these three players sitting above the rest of the game’s prospects right now.
What’s interesting about this particular trio of players—aside from their ability to impact their teams, their fanbases, and the game of baseball itself positively for years to come—is that each player represents one of the three major paths into baseball stardom.