Hot Sheet: Baseball’s 20 Hottest Prospects From The Past Week (6/20/23)
The Hot Sheet is back! Baseball America’s staff ranks the 20 hottest prospects from the previous week. This installment of the Prospect Hot Sheet considers how minor league players performed through June 19. Contributing this week were Josh Norris, Geoff Pontes, J.J. Cooper and Kyle Glaser.
This simply recognizes how the hottest prospects in the minors did in the past week—it’s not a re-ranking of the Baseball America Top 100 Prospects.
Geoff Pontes will be hosting a chat at 2 p.m. ET to discuss today’s Hot Sheet. You can submit your questions here.
1. Connor Phillips, RHP, Reds
Team: Double-A Chattanooga (Southern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.50, 12 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 1 BB, 20 SO
The Scoop: With Andrew Abbott now stringing together zeros in the big leagues, it’s given Phillips a chance to take over the minor league strikeout lead. Phillips now leads Abbott by 19 strikeouts for the minors’ lead, and he has a 21-strikeout lead over the next-best current minor leaguer (Ben Brown). But even more than his ability to pile up whiffs, it’s his improved control that stands out. He’s slashed his walk rate from 5.40 walks per nine last year to 3.38 per nine this year. Even better, he’s piled up a 38-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 23.2 innings this month. (JC)
2. Cade Povich, LHP, Orioles
Team: Double-A Bowie (Eastern)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 SO, 0 HR
The Scoop: It’s been an up-and-down season for Povich, who struggled over his previous three starts, allowing 14 earned runs over 11.1 innings. Things may have turned a corner on Thursday as Povich dominated against Richmond. Povich struck out 13 batters over seven scoreless innings, allowing one batter to reach among the 22 he faced. The lefthander generated 17 swinging strikes in the start, a season high for Povich. Ranked No. 10 in the Orioles system, Povich has a deep repertoire of pitches to keep hitters off balance. (GP)
3. Dominic Canzone, OF, D-backs
Team: Triple-A Reno (Pacific Coast)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here: .524/.542/1.286 (11-for-21), 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0-for-0 SB
The Scoop: At every level, Canzone just continues to hit. The Ohio State product continued his strong season with a banner performance at Las Vegas last week. Canzone opened the series with a four-hit game and finished it with three consecutive multi-hit games, including a two-homer night on June 17. He also homered in the series finale on Sunday for good measure. Canzone is now batting .351/.432/.668 on the year. He is making a compelling case for his first big league callup and should receive it this season. (KG)
4. Austin Shenton, 3B, Rays
Team: Double-A Montgomery (Southern)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here: .563/.682/1.125 (9-for-16) 8 R, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 SO.
The Scoop: Shenton ranked as the Rays’ No. 19 prospect coming into 2022, but an injury-plagued season knocked him out of the Rays ranking coming into this year. He’s making a comeback, as he’s been the best hitter in the Southern League so far this season. If Shenton sticks around the Southern League all season, he has a chance to pull off the two-fer of claiming both a Triple Crown and a sabermetric Triple Crown. He leads the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and home runs. He’s one RBI behind Pete Crow-Armstrong for the league lead. But it would be a shame to keep him in Double-A for the entire season. Shenton has shown he can hit Southern League pitching, so now it’s about time to see how he can fare in Triple-A. (JC)
5. D.J. Herz, LHP, Cubs
Team: Double-A Tennessee (Southern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.90, 10 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 14 SO, 0 HR
The Scoop: Herz has long struggled to throw strikes, but when he does, he’s difficult to hit. The 22-year old lefthander delivered back-to-back excellent starts against Birmingham last week. He pitched five scoreless innings with two walks allowed and nine strikeouts in the series opener and followed with five innings, one run allowed, one walk and five strikeouts in the finale. The five innings represented Herz’s season-high, and were a big step forward as he looks to improve his pitch efficiency to last deeper into games. (KG)
6. Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles
Team: Double-A Bowie (Eastern)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .417/.517/.958 (10-for-24), 5 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 4 BB, 8 SO, 1-for-1 SB
The Scoop: The 2020 fourth-rounder, who was added to the Top 100 Prospects list last week, has been impressive this season, hitting .295/.417/.562 with 11 home runs and a 163 wRC+ over 60 games with Double-A Bowie. Last week Mayo enjoyed one of the best weeks of his career as he collected a hit in all seven games, including three multi-hit efforts. He slugged a home run in three consecutive games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and collected six extra-base hits in total. A player who looks to be coming into his own, Mayo should continue to climb the Top 100. (GP)
7. Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees
Team: High-A Hudson Valley (South Atlantic)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .500/.556/.917 (12-for-24), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2-for-2 SB
The Scoop: There was never any question about the tools-monster Jones could become if everything clicked. For the majority of this season, the lefthanded slugger struggled with strikeouts. So far this month, that issue has become less magnified. Overall, Jones’ K rate is at 32.8%. This month, however, that rate has dropped to roughly 28%. Obviously the sample size is small, but the progress is notable. If this trend continues, Jones could earn his first upper-level test in fairly short order. (JN)
8. Rece Hinds, OF, Reds
Team: Double-A Chattanooga (Southern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .381/.500/1.238 (8-for-21), 8 R, 6 HR, 11 RBIs, 4 BB, 6 SO, 1 CS
The Scoop: Few players in the minors can hit a ball harder than Hinds, so it’s remarkable to realize that last week’s six-homer binge means he’s already equaled his career high with 12 home runs. Hinds is a hitter who should be flirting with 30 home runs, not 15. Injuries have played a role, as Hinds has yet to play 80 games in any pro season, but it’s the strikeouts that also derail him. He’s already struck out 94 times this year, but weeks like this and the fact that he’s no older than many of the college players in this year’s draft class continue to offer hope. (JC)
9. Justin Wrobleski, LHP, Dodgers
Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR
The Scoop: A popular breakout pick coming into the year, Wrobleski has lived up to hopes so far and gotten stronger this year for High-A Great Lakes. After pitching five scoreless innings with two hits allowed in his previous outing, the lanky lefthander delivered five scoreless innings with two hits allowed and a career-high 10 strikeouts against Wisconsin last week. Wrobleski struck out five of the first six batters to start the game—all swinging—and didn’t allow a runner past second base. He has now held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in each of his last eight starts. (KG)
10. Spencer Arrighetti, RHP, Astros
Team: Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR
The Scoop: The Astros No. 9 prospect has enjoyed a strong season with Double-A Corpus Christi this season, after a poor April gave way to a strong May and June. Arrighetti has allowed one earned run or fewer in six of his last seven appearances, striking out 37.6% of batters he’s faced, holding opposing batters to a .151 average. On Friday Arrighetti went five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out 10. He generated 19 swinging strikes, matching a season high, and it was his fifth appearance with 15 or more whiffs in 2023. Arrighetti looks to be clicking on all cylinders and he’s one of the hottest pitchers in the minor leagues. (GP)
11. Blaze Jordan, 3B, Red Sox
Team: High-A Greenville (South Atlantic)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .546/.607/1.136 (12-for-28), 7 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 5 BB, 2 SO, 0-for-0 SB
The Scoop: Jordan hit well in April and May but has taken things to another level in June. The 2020 third-round pick continued his scorching month with a dominant showing against Greensboro last week. He recorded multiple hits in five of six games, homered on back-to-back days and was so locked in that the Grasshoppers elected to intentionally walk him twice in the series finale rather than pitch to him. Jordan has a nine-game hit streak overall and is batting .362 with a 1.130 OPS this month. (KG)
12. Jonathan Aranda, 2B, Rays
Team: Triple-A Durham (International)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here: .545/.615/1.091 (12-for-22), 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 4 BB, 5 SO
The Scoop: Aranda is one of the better bat-first players in the minors. He has a discerning approach, makes impact on contact and has fairly manageable platoon and home-road splits. This past week, he showed the powerful parts of his game by swatting a trio each of doubles and home runs in Durham’s series against Charlotte. The six extra-base hits account for a quarter of his season total. (JN)
13. Ronny Mauricio, SS, Mets
Team: Triple-A Syracuse (International)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .381/.458/.810 (8-for-21), 4 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO, 2-for-2 SB
The Scoop: All season long, Mauricio has been one of the minors’ better breakout prospects. Most encouraging, however, has been the drastic drop in his strikeout rate. This year, he’s punched out at a 16.2% clip. Last year, at Double-A, that figure was 23%. The drop in swing-and-miss has not come with a corresponding power outage. His slugging percentage is up 74 points from last season and he’s among the minor league leaders in hits (88), extra-base hits (36) and total bases (148). There still isn’t an obvious defensive home in Queens for Mauricio, but his bat appears nearly ready for the big-time. (JN).
14. Chris Williams, C/1B, Twins
Team: Triple-A St. Paul (International)
Age: 26
Why He’s Here: .368/.500/1.316 (7-for-19) 8 R, 6 HR, 14 RBIs, 5 BB, 7 SO.
The Scoop: Coming out of Clemson, Williams would have been a top-five round pick if not for a shoulder injury and concerns about whether he could catch. He’s proven he can stay healthy as a pro, but he’s also proven he’s not going to be a regular catcher, although he’s offering plenty of reminders that he may hit enough to carve out an MLB role. Last week he nearly doubled his home run total in one week, as he now has 13. Williams doesn’t hit the ball exceptionally hard (his exit velocity has maxed out at 110), but he does hit it consistently hard (his 90th percentile exit velocity is 105 and his average is 90.3 mph). The Twins haven’t completely given up on Williams’ ability to catch, but as he’s moved up the ladder, his time behind the plate has diminished. He’s only caught three games this year and he’s committed six errors in nine games as a Triple-A catcher, with 16 steals and no caught stealing in those nine games. Williams’ ability to be a DH and first baseman who can plausibly be an emergency catcher is his likely path to an MLB role. (JC)
15. Yoeilin Cespedes, SS, Red Sox
Team: DSL Red Sox (Dominican Summer)
Age: 17
Why He’s Here: .474/.500/.789 (9-for-19), 5 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0-for-0 SB
The Scoop: One of the top players in the Dominican Summer League, Cespedes signed with the Red Sox in January out of the Dominican Republic for one of the bigger bonuses in the class. Last week Cespedes enjoyed his finest week as a professional, collecting a hit in all four games, including two multi-hit games. His best game came on Tuesday as Cespedes went 5-for-6 with a double, two RBIs and three runs. Cespedes has an aggressive approach, but with a strong combination of bat-to-ball skills and power that should allow his profile to flourish. (GP)
16. Dalton Rogers, LHP, Red Sox
Team: High-A Greenville (South Atlantic)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR
The Scoop: The 2022 third-round pick has been excellent across 10 combined starts between Low-A and High-A in 2023. Over seven of his 10 starts, Rogers has allowed one run or fewer while striking out 38% of the batters he’s faced. Rogers enjoyed his best start of the season on Tuesday, tossing six scoreless, no-hit innings, allowing one walk and striking out 11. Rogers pairs a low-to-mid-90s fastball with a flat vertical approach angle due to his low release height with a curveball, changeup and slider. He shows the ability to keep batters honest with a variety of pitch shapes. (GP)
17. Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays
Team: Low-A Charleston (Carolina)
Age: 19
Why He’s Here: .429/.429/.750 (12-for-28) 8 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 4 SO.
The Scoop: Learn to hit and the power will come. It’s an old adage but one that still has plenty of resonance. Isaac is showing he can hit, even if he’s not clearing the fence all that often. He’s just more comfortable lining balls to center field at this young point in his pro career. That’s not all that concerning, as it’s easier to learn to pull for power than it is to learn how to use the whole field. Isaac doesn’t strike out (17% K rate), walks a lot (17% walk rate), hits for average and gets on base. It’s a very encouraging skill set for a young hitter. (JC)
18. Alimber Santa, RHP, Astros
Team: Low-A Fayetteville (Carolina)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.23, 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 8 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR
The Scoop: The talented righthander has been a name buzzing for the last couple of springs on the Astros backfields, but injury and ineffectiveness have seen him fall off of the Astros Top 30 prospects list. Santa enjoyed the best week of his season last week as he made two appearances, struck out 12 and allowed only one run to cross the plate. As you can see by his eight walks, control is still very much a problem for Santa. That said, when he’s on his stuff is good enough to propel him to success. (GP)
19. Victor Bericoto, OF, Giants
Team: High-A Eugene (Northwest)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .381/.444/.762 (8-for-21), 6 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBIs, 4 BB, 3 SO
The Scoop: When he was signed in 2018, Bericoto was lauded for his power potential. After a season lost to the pandemic, a 2021 season lost mostly to injury and a middling year at Low-A San Jose in 2022, Bericoto is showing signs in High-A that he might be starting to fulfill his potential as a corner masher. The 21-year-old slammed a pair of home runs this past week, upping his season total to 13, which is one more than he hit in all of 2022. (JN)
20. Matt Gorski, OF, Pirates
Team: Double-A Altoona (Eastern)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here: .370/.370/.593 (10-for-27), 5 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 5 SO, 7-for-7 SB
The Scoop: Gorski was in the midst of a breakout season in 2022 before an injury occurred almost immediately after a promotion to Double-A. He’s returned to the level this year and is showing an intriguing set of tools. He has big-time raw power and plus speed and can be a solid defender on the days he plays outfield, especially thanks to a very strong throwing arm. There are holes to his game, including a susceptibility to spin and middling defense when he plays the infield. If he can turn his tools into skills, he could find his way into a nice utility role in Pittsburgh. (JN)
HELIUM
Jefferson Rojas, SS, Cubs
When Rojas signed with Chicago in 2022, he had the look of a hit-first infielder with excellent power potential depending on how his frame filled out. This spring, he had scouts buzzing during extended spring training, and the team itself showed its belief in Rojas by bumping him to Low-A after just one game in the Arizona Complex League. Now at Myrtle Beach, Rojas has caught fire. He’s 11-for-34 to start his tenure in Low-A, including four doubles and a home run. He also had a run of four straight two-hit games. It’s early, but the arrow is pointing up on Rojas. (JN)
