Hot Sheet: Baseball’s 20 Hottest Prospects From The Past Week (8/22/23)

1. Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners
Team: Low-A Modesto (California)
Age: 18

Why He’s Here: .500/.571/1.083 (12-for-24), 8 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 13 RBIs, 3 BB, 4 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Montes has been on an absolute tear since being promoted to Modesto on Aug. 2. The touted Cuban signee has hit .361/.458/.771 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 15 games since joining the Nuts and had his best showing last week. Montes extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a scorching series against Fresno and homered in three straight games, highlighted by a grand slam on Aug. 17. (KG)

2. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers
Team: Double-A Biloxi (Southern)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Misiorowski has among the best stuff in the minor leagues. In his most recent start, he showed exactly what it can do when it’s all working in sync. The big righthander, who has ascended from Low-A to Double-A this season, established career highs for innings pitched and strikeouts, the latter of which tied the team mark for single-game strikeouts. For the season, Misiorowski has 110 strikeouts in 71.1 innings, and his 35% strikeout rate is sixth in the minor leagues among pitchers with 70 or more innings under their belt. (JN)

3. Jasson Dominguez, OF, Yankees
Team: Double-A Somerset (Eastern)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .464/.500/.857 (13-for-28), 8 R, 5 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 3 BB, 7 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: All season long when we solicited industry feedback for our rankings, scouts and executives would tell us not to lose faith in Dominguez despite stats that didn’t jump off the page. Lately, he’s rewarded that patience. The 20-year-old outfielder pummeled rival Reading for six games. The outburst was a continuation of a strong August for the switch-hitter. For the month, Dominguez is hitting .380/.438/.608 with three home runs and 14 RBIs. (JN)

4. Sterlin Thompson, 3B, Rockies
Team: Double-A Hartford (Eastern)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .423/.464/.885 (11-for-26), 5 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 7 SO, 2-for-3 SB

The Scoop: Only an injury could stop Thompson during his time in the High-A Northwest League. He earned a recent promotion to Double-A Hartford and hasn’t missed a beat. The Florida alum, whom Colorado drafted in the supplemental first round of the 2022 draft, has especially powered up after moving to the upper levels. Thompson has slammed five home runs—including four this past week—with Hartford, just two shy of the total he produced in 60 games with Spokane. (JN)

5. Graham Pauley, 3B, Padres
Team: High-A Fort Wayne (Midwest)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .435/.458/.913 (10-for-23), 4 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 BB, 6 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Pauley simply annihilated the Midwest League after his promotion to Fort Wayne, batting .300 with 16 home runs and 46 RBIs in 45 games with the TinCaps. He finished with a flourish last week, recording an extra-base hit in five straight games against Dayton to earn a callup to Double-A San Antonio—his second promotion in the last two months. (KG)

6. Thomas Saggese, 2B, Cardinals
Team: Double-A Springfield (Texas)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .375/.444/.875 (9-for-24), 4 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 BB, 8 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Saggese hit all season in the Rangers system and hasn’t stopped since joining the Cardinals organization in the Jordan Montgomery trade. Saggese reached base in all six games last week and hit for the cycle on Aug. 19, becoming just the second Springfield player in the last 12 years to hit for the cycle. Overall Saggese is batting .353/.438/.721 with six home runs and 13 RBIs in 18 games since joining the Cardinals’ system, continuing his emergent season. (KG)

7. Drew Thorpe, RHP, Yankees
Team: Double-A Somerset (Eastern)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.70, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 12 SO, 2 HR

The Scoop: All season long, Thorpe has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the minor leagues. His 159 strikeouts are the most in the minors, nine ahead of A’s prospect Joe Boyle. Most of Thorpe’s total came at High-A Hudson Valley, but he’s kept right on missing bats since moving to Double-A as well. His most recent turn, when he fanned a dozen against Reading, was his sixth game of the season with double-digit strikeouts and fell one shy of tying the career best he set on July 22. (JN)

8. Jordan Nwogu, OF, Cubs
Team: Double-A Tennessee (Southern)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: .529/.556/1.177 (9-for-17), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 5 RBIs, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Nwogu has struggled badly this season, but he had a week to remember in Tennessee’s series against Rocket City last week. The 2020 third-rounder recorded a hit in five straight games, had a two-homer day on Aug. 18 and added another home run in the series finale on Sunday. It was the highlight of what has been a recent improvement for Nwogu. After batting just .155/.246/.310 through the first three months of the season, he is batting .246/.317/.500 since the start of July. (KG)

9. George Valera, OF, Guardians 
Team: Triple-A Columbus (International) 
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .333/.400/1.056 (6-for-18), 5 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: It’s been a season to forget for Valera in 2023 as he’s dealt with injuries and has hit .195/.335/.348 over 47 games with Triple-A Columbus. Last week Valera captured some of his former self, including a pair of multi-home run games on Thursday and Saturday. He did all of his damage over a three-game stretch, collecting multi-hit games in three consecutive starts. Valera’s underlying data is still above-average, with a chase rate in the 20% range and an average exit velocity of 90 mph. While there is swing-and-miss, Valera toes the line between fringe-average and average contact rates. (GP) 

10. Robert Gasser, LHP, Brewers
Team: Triple-A Nashville (International)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.50, 1 GS, 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 10 SO.

The Scoop: If the Brewers need starting pitching help, Gasser is ready and waiting. He’s more a mid-to-back-of-the-rotation starter than an ace, but unlike many young pitching prospects, Gasser is truly big league ready. He’s made 26 Triple-A starts. In his six scoreless innings last week, he was at his best, consistently finding a way to get in on the hands to righthanded hitters. He’s averaging 24 batters faced per game, and regularly logs six or seven innings an outing. His 3.81 ERA seems surprisingly high considering how effective his low-90s fastball/slider combo usually is. He gets swings and misses with both his fastball and slider and he locates them both well, which is a pretty solid combo. (JC)

11. Austin Wells, C, Yankees
Team: Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (International)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: .273/.333/.864 (6-for-22), 5 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBIs, 2 BB, 8 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Wells is among the cadre of offensively talented prospects clustered at the Yankees’ upper levels, including a trio of himself, Oswald Peraza and Everson Pereira at Triple-A. Wells was moved to Scranton on July 21 and has been rumored to be in the mix for his first big league callup. He spent the last week making the case for that to happen. Against Worcester, Wells clubbed four home runs—all of his Triple-A total—including three over the final two games of the series. The series finale also marked Wells’ first multi-homer game of the season. (JN)

12. Jett Williams, SS, Mets
Team: High-A Brooklyn (South Atlantic)
Age: 19

Why He’s Here: .391/.462/.826 (9-for-23) 3 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2 SB.

The Scoop: Williams has had an excellent first full pro season, even if the full quality of it may be a little clouded by how hard it is for hitters to deal with the Florida State League. Williams’ stint in the Florida State League was excellent, but if there was one nitpick, it was that his power was limited. He had just 24 extra-base hits in 79 games with six home runs. Since he’s come to Brooklyn, Williams has already added 10 more extra-base hits, including three home runs in just 18 games. Williams keeps sliding between shortstop and center field, and his on-base ability and speed should be valuable wherever he ends up making his defensive home. (JC)

13. DJ Herz, LHP, Nationals 
Team: Double-A Harrisburg (Eastern)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Acquired by the Nationals in the Jeimer Candelario trade, Herz enjoyed his best start yet in the Nationals organization. Herz tossed five innings of one-hit ball on Wednesday, striking out 10 and walking none against Richmond. While the lefthander can miss bats in bunches with his double-plus changeup, he struggles to consistently command and control the ball. When Herz is around the zone he can dominate, but he needs to become more consistent in doing so. (GP) 

14. Cole Carrigg, OF, Rockies
Team: ACL Rockies/Low-A Fresno (Arizona/California)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .593/.586/1.000 (16-for-27) 11 R, 4 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 SO, 6 SB.

The Scoop: If you haven’t heard of Carrigg yet, stop and revel at one of the coolest and craziest players in the minors. When we say that Carrigg is an up-the-middle defender, he takes it to a level few have ever done before. Last week, Carrigg began the week by playing three games in center field. He then slid to catcher for his fourth game of the week, and then moved over to shortstop for the final two games of the week. As you may gather, Carrigg is a freakishly versatile athlete. He also racked up four triples last week in six games, including three triples in one game. On the one triple we could time in that game, he went home to third in 11 seconds. In the majors this year, only Corbin Carroll and Elly De La Cruz have been faster. (JC)

15. Jesus Galiz, C, Dodgers
Team: Low-A Rancho Cucamonga (California) 
Age: 19

Why He’s Here: .435/.435/.783 (10-for-23), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBIs, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: The teenage catcher lit up Visalia all week, racking up four multi-hit games. While power hasn’t been a major part of Galiz’s game this season, he hit two home runs last week and mixed in a pair of doubles. Galiz has advanced bat-to-ball skills, with an in-zone whiff rate below 15% on the season. At 19 he’s held his own in the California League, hitting .271/.318/.412 over 69 games. If he can add power as he matures and clean up some of his aggressive, swing-happy tendencies Galiz could grow into a catcher with average offensive output. (GP)

16. Yohandy Morales, 3B, Nationals
Team: Low-A Fredericksburg (Carolina)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .462/.483/.692 (12-for-26) 7 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 9 RBIs, 1 BB, 6 SO.

The Scoop: Dylan Crews isn’t the only Nationals draftee who’s proving that Low-A may not be enough of a challenge. Morales, the Nats’ second-round pick this year out of Miami, has more three-hit games (three) than hitless games (two) since he was promoted to Fredericksburg. He’s currently working on a five-game multi-hit streak. Wilmington seems to be beckoning. (JC)

17. Nick Nastrini, RHP, White Sox
Team: Double-A Birmingham (Southern)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.50, 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Nastrini’s starts since joining the White Sox’s organization keep getting progressively better. The trade deadline acquisition pitched six innings with one run allowed, one walk and 10 strikeouts against Chattanooga last week, his best start since coming over from the Dodgers in the Lance Lynn deal. He got stronger as the game went on, striking out six of the seven batters he faced in a dominant effort. (KG)

18. Jadiel Sanchez, OF, Angels
Team: Low-A Inland Empire (California) 
Age: 22 

Why He’s Here: .368/.400/.947 (7-for-19), 2 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: The switch-hitting Sanchez is on his third season in Low-A but 2023 is his first season with 60 or more games played. He’s been productive for the 66ers, hitting .307/.380/.495 over 88 games this season. Last week Sanchez crushed the ball over the first three games of the series against Lake Elsinore. Over those three games, Sanchez hit six extra-base hits, collecting a pair of homers, three doubles and a triple. Sanchez shows plus bat-to-ball skills, average power and fairly aggressive swing decisions, but has a solid overall offensive profile. (GP) 

19. Harry Ford, C, Mariners
Team: High-A Everett (Northwest)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .364/.500/.773 (8-for-22) 4 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBIs, 6 BB, 5 SO, 3 SB.

The Scoop: Ford is in the middle of his best stretch of the season. He hammered a ninth-inning walkoff home run off the left field foul pole to win one game last week, and also cleared the right-center field fence for his fourth home run this month. That’s the most he’s had in any month this season, and is a promising sign for a prospect whose biggest question is his power. Ford’s patience and ability to get on base isn’t much of a concern. He’s walking as much as he’s struck out this month, but that’s not unusual. He’s done so in all but one month this year. (JC)

20. Miguel Hiraldo, 2B, Blue Jays 
Team: Double-A New Hampshire (Eastern) 
Age: 22 

Why He’s Here: .423/.500/.654 (11-for-26), 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 4 BB, 11 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Not too long ago Hiraldo was considered part of a new wave of talented international signings entering the Blue Jays system. After a below-average season in 2022, Hiraldo has rebounded in 2023, particularly in the second half. Since July 1 Hiraldo is hitting .316/.397/.553 with six home runs and five stolen bases. Last week in New Hampshire’s series with Hartford, Hiraldo tallied four multi-hit games and recorded a hit in six out of seven games. Hiraldo has aggressive swing tendencies with fringe-average contact and power, and a limited defensive profile. He’s likely an up-and-down option long term. (GP)

HELIUM

Eduardo Quintero, OF, Dodgers

Despite having one of the smallest bonus pools to work with this year, the Dodgers’ international signing class is off to a strong start. One of the arrow-up players from that group is 17-year-old Eduardo Quintero, who signed for $287,500. As an amateur, Quintero showed a sound righthanded swing and a knack for barreling balls with high frequency against live pitching. He’s also an excellent athlete who trained as a catcher before signing and has a plus arm, but he’s also a plus runner with the speed for center field. The Dodgers have been developing Quintero as a center fielder in the Dominican Summer League, where his performance has been terrific. He’s second in the DSL in OPS, hitting .359/.472/.618 in 212 plate appearances with near equal walks (32) and strikeouts (34), five home runs and 22 steals in 26 attempts. (BB)