Prospect Report: Rangers’ Cam Cauley Shows Off Power Stroke At High-A

Jonathan Aranda, 2B, Rays: Aranda is one of the purest hitters in the minors, and he’s proved it time and again over the last two-plus years. On Tuesday, Aranda led off and collected three singles in Durham’s comeback win over Charlotte. He has a knack for getting the barrel to the ball and making solid contact. His latest effort boosted his season average to .349, which is tied for fourth in the minor leagues.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs: The best defensive outfielder in the minor leagues can do damage at the plate as well. Chicago’s top prospect went 2-for-5 with a double and his 13th home run of the season on Tuesday night. He is now five home runs off the SL lead and just three behind teammate Owen Caissie for the top spot on Tennessee’s roster. The effort also bumped his season average to .284, which is tied for ninth in the SL.

Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles: Basallo entered the season as the third-youngest player in the Carolina League. For most of the year, he’s played like the big man on campus. The Orioles’ 18-year-old catching prospect smacked two doubles and a triple on Tuesday night, bringing his total to 35 extra-base hits for the season. He’s one of just two players 18 years old or younger at a full-season level with 10 or more home runs and 15 or more doubles (The other is Padres prospect Samuel Zavala). The effort pushed Basallo’s overall slash line to .301/.379/.512.

Cam Cauley, SS, Rangers: In 2022, Cauley showed flashes of his potential on both sides of the ball. This year, he’s taken even more strides and earned a promotion to High-A Hickory on July 18. In the Crawdads’ series opener against Hudson Valley, the 20-year-old (who shares a birthday with Babe Ruth and Adley Rutschman) achieved a career first. His two home runs marked the first multi-homer game of his career and in one night equaled the total he produced in all of 2022.

Termarr Johnson, 2B, Pirates: In July, Johnson has been on fire. The Pirates’ first-round pick from a season ago drew two walks and swatted his 13th home run of the season in the first game of Low-A Bradenton’s series with St. Lucie. For the month, Johnson is hitting .311/.482/.672 with six home runs and more walks (21) than strikeouts (13).

Ethan Salas, C, Padres: This guy might be good. Like, really good. San Diego’s latest wunderkind hit his seventh home run of the season on Tuesday night as part of a two-hit effort against Stockton. The game was Salas’ 13th with multiple hits. In case you forgot, Salas is 17 years old and did not play a game in either the DSL or the ACL. He is hitting .275/.374/.497.

Carlos Lagrange, RHP, Yankees: New York’s team in the Florida Complex League is brimming with talent, and Lagrange is one of its brightest pitching prospects. The 20-year-old flamethrower turned in his best start of the season on Tuesday, spinning five one-hit innings with eight strikeouts and no walks against the Blue Jays. He can bring his fastball up to 100 mph and buttresses it with a slider that flashes plus and a changeup that has average potential. If he can shore up his control and command, his upside is quite high.

Jaison Chourio, OF, Guardians: Years from now, games between the Brewers and the Guardians might come to be known as the Chourio Series. By this point, you’re well aware of Jackson Chourio’s exploits. If you’ve been paying attention to box scores in the Arizona Complex League, you’re surely starting to realize that this could become a Jackson and Ethan Holliday situation. On Monday, the younger Chourio slammed his first home run of the season. On Tuesday, he added four more hits and stole his 10th base of the season. It also marked his 10th multi-hit game of the season. He’s been held hitless just four times.

Yophery Rodriguez, OF, Brewers: Rodriguez received Milwaukee’s top bonus in the most recent international signing period thanks to a skill set that included a swing geared for contact and impact, athleticism and above-average speed. On Monday, he put together the finest game of his young career. The 17-year-old went 4-for-6 with a double and two home runs, marking career-bests in hits and homers.