Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (6/11/24)

2. Joe Mack, C, Marlins

Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .455/.538/1.091 (10-for-22), 10 R, 2 2B, 4 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO.

The Scoop: There’s an old adage that catchers often require patience. The demands of the position physically and mentally can wear young catchers down. When they finally figure out how to handle the defensive aspects of the job and get strong enough to do so, their bats can eventually catch up. In his fourth pro season, Mack has already set a career-high with 10 home runs this year. His four home runs this week are just two below his season-high before 2024. A career .231 hitter, he’s hitting .273 this year between High-A and Double-A. There’s still plenty for Mack to work on, but there are a lot of positive signs for a young full-time catcher. Mack has never played a game at another defensive position. (JJ)

3. Ben Rice, C, Yankees 

Team: Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (International) 
Age: 25

Why He’s Here: .455/.571/1.045 (10-for-22), 9 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 6 BB, 6 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Rice started the week with Double-A Somerset but earned a promotion to Triple-A on Wednesday. The promotion didn’t slow Rice down. He collected three multi-hit games to begin his time with the RailRiders. Not only did Rice collect multiple hits over his first three Triple-A games he also homered in all three of those games. The Yankees have a strong group of young hitting catchers with Austin Wells, Rice and power-hitting phenom Agustin Ramirez. Rice is a bat-first catcher and former Ivy leaguer, who has developed rapidly after missing two years of college baseball during the pandemic. (GP) 

4. Alexander Canario, OF, Cubs

Team: Triple-A Iowa (International)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: .500/.556/1.125 (8-for-16), 6 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 2 BB, 5 SO

The Scoop: Canario’s career has already had enough twists and turns for a three-act play. A promising young Giants prospect who lit up the Arizona Complex League and Northwest League in 2017-2019, Canario struggled in Low-A, was traded to the Cubs and seemed to be stalling out because of struggles with contact issues and pitch selection. But a big jump in his power in 2022 saw him hit 37 home runs, more than double his previous high. Just when he seemed to be on the verge of a big league job, he broke his ankle and injured his shoulder in a winter ball game. It was a long and hard road back, but Canario made it back to make his MLB debut in 2023. This year he has shown signs that he’s ready to help the big league club. He has regained his pre-injury speed, flashing plus run times in addition to big-time power. (JJ)

5. Johnathan Rodriguez, RF, Guardians

Team: Triple-A Columbus (International)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: .483/.500/1.034 (14-for-29) 8 R, 4 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO.

The Scoop: Sent back to Columbus after a brief week and a half with the big league club, Rodriguez didn’t sulk. He went 4-for-6 in his first game back with Columbus, hit two doubles the next day and homered three times the following day. Rodriguez has already shown he can hit Triple-A pitchers, so his return to Cleveland is somewhat dependent on the success of Will Brennan and others, but his power is legitimate. (JJ)

6. Trevor Martin, RHP, Rays

Team: High-A Bowling Green (South Atlantic)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.54, 2 GS, 11.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 18 SO

The Scoop: Martin’s exceptional week deserves an extra bump because he did it in a pair of starts in Asheville. The Tourists’ ballpark has the dimensions of a high school field, with a 297-foot right field and a 373-foot center field wall. Asheville’s ERA is more than two runs higher at home and their opponents’ average is more than 50 points higher when they are at home. The Tourists have hit and allowed 97 home runs at home and 44 home runs on the road. You’re not going to give up many runs, however, if you don’t allow much contact. Martin’s 14 strikeouts in his first start of the week is the second most by any MiLB pitcher this year, trailing only Tugboat Wilkinson’s 15 against Myrtle Beach on April 25. (JJ)

7. Brice Matthews, SS, Astros 

Team: High-A Asheville (South Atlantic) 
Age: 22 

Why He’s Here: .462/.533/.962 (12-for-26), 9 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 8 SO, 5-for-5 SB

The Scoop: The Astros’ 2023 first-rounder missed a little over a month due to a back aliment. He returned from the injury list on June 1 and spent the last week in full assault mode on baseballs. Matthews had hits in five of six games in Asheville’s series against Bowling Green, including four multi-hit games. Matthews’ high-water mark came on Wednesday when he went 4-for-4 with two home runs, two walks and a stolen base. With four home runs and five stolen bases last week Matthews not only showed he’s back to full strength but showed off his power and speed combination. (GP) 

8. Jasson Dominguez, OF, Yankees

Team: Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (International)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .500/.500/.950 (10-for-20), 5 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 2 RBIs, 0 BB, 3 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Last season, Dominguez started his big league career with a bang. Then, he suffered an injury and required Tommy John surgery. He’s back now, and he’s dominating the minor leagues. The Yankees’ top prospect crushed two more home runs this past week after moving to Triple-A Scranton, and so far has six longballs over 19 minor league rehab games. New York has a glut of outfielders in the big leagues, so it might be difficult to find room at the inn when Dominguez’s rehab clock expires, but he would be a potentially high-end solution if a spot opens up. (JN)

9. Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox 

Team: Double-A Portland (Eastern) 
Age: 20 

Why He’s Here: .421/.500/.947 (8-for-19), 7 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: After missing 10 days of action with rib cage irritation, Anthony returned to the lineup this week and looked no worse for the wear. Anthony collected hits in all five games he played, reaching base two or more times in four out of five games. Anthony’s power showed up as well as he had six extra-base hits over the week, including one in each of the five games. Anthony hit .225/.343/.348 over the first month of the season but has hit .308/.421/.577 over his last 22 games. At just 20 years old, Anthony is settling into the level of competition at Double-A. (GP)

10. Joe Rock, LHP, Rays

Team: Triple-A Durham (International)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.70, 10 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 13 SO, 2 HR

The Scoop: The player Rock was traded for—utilityman Greg Jones—made his big league debut this past week, but the big lefthander continued to roll for his new club in Triple-A. The command-heavy southpaw racked up 13 more punchouts over two starts, bringing his season total to 60 in 57 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is an even 5-to-1, and his 3.32 ERA is the fifth-best in the International League, and his 1.27 WHIP is seventh on the circuit. He could be an option for Tampa Bay later in the summer. (JN)

11. Seth Johnson, RHP, Orioles

Team: Double-A Bowie (Eastern)
Age: 25

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 2 GS, 7.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 12 SO

The Scoop: Good things come to those who wait. The Orioles acquired Johnson and Chayce McDermott in the three-team Trey Mancini deal with the Astros that also shipped Jose Siri from Houston to the Rays. The O’s were lambasted at the time for the trade, But Mancini hit .176/.258/.364 after the deal and soon ceased to be a regular. The Orioles knew Johnson was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. This year, they’re finally seeing what they acquired. Johnson’s mid-90s fastball and quality cutter and slider should at least fit in the Orioles bullpen, with a shot still to start. As much as they were slammed at the time, the Orioles likely acquired two big league pitchers, and maybe even two big league starters, in a trade where they didn’t miss the player they dealt. (JJ)

12. Chris Newell, OF, Dodgers 

Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest) 
Age: 23 

Why He’s Here: .381/.519/.905 (8-for-21), 10 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 6 BB, 5 SO, 5-for-5 SB

The Scoop: In the not too distant past, Newell was a standout freshman at Virginia with early first-round buzz. Newell then struggled his sophomore and junior seasons dropping to the Dodgers in the 13th round two years ago. Newell has significant swing-and-miss issues but his quality of contact is among the best in the minors leagues. Last week, Newell hit three more home runs pushing his minor league leading total to 18 on the season. Newell notched hits in all six games last week and reached base twice in five out of six games. Newell kept the strikeouts in check as he walked more than he struck out while barreling up Cedar Rapids pitching. (GP) 

13. Jhonkensy Noel, 1B, Guardians

Team: Triple-A Columbus (International)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .522/.593/.783 (12-for-23), 5 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 7 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: Noel’s power was on display this week in a slightly smaller-than-normal form. He piled up the doubles and hit a triple that was really helped by some less-than-ideal defense. If the Guardians need a power boost, Noel is ready to help, but there’s also a concern that he won’t hit for enough average or get on base enough to be a productive everyday first baseman. (JJ)

14. Rhett Lowder, RHP, Reds 

Team: Double-A Chattanooga (Southern)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 2.45, 11 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 12 SO, 1 HR

The Scoop: The Reds’ 2023 first-round has turned a corner after three bumpy starts to begin his time in Double-A. Last week, Lowder had the two-step against the Trash Pandas and made two solid starts. Lowder’s two performances were a stark contrast in the different ways the righthander can get outs. In Tuesday’s start, Lowder opened the series with 11 strikeouts and no walks, but did allow six hits, three earned runs and a home run. On Sunday, Lowder struck out just one, but allowed just four baserunners across five scoreless innings. Lowder has swing-and-miss stuff, but it won’t overpower you. Lowder mixes both a four-seam and two-seam fastball sitting 93-95 mph with a mid-80s cut slider and a changeup. (GP) 

15. Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays

Team: High-A Bowling Green (South Atlantic)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .440/.517/.840 (11-for-25), 5 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 8 SO, 3-for-4 SB

The Scoop: Derek Guy and Taylor Swift agree: Lefthanded power never goes out of style. Isaac has it to spare. He clubbed three more home runs this week, bringing his season total to 12, just seven fewer than he hit in 2023. The outburst boosted him to the South Atlantic League lead, one better than Hudson Valley (Yankees) infielder Jared Serna. Isaac also leads the SAL in RBIs (51), slugging percentage (.583) and total bases (109). Isaac hits balls hard, often. A whopping 62% of his batted ball events this season have produced exit velocities of 95 mph or harder. (JN)

16. Mac Horvath, 2B/3B, Orioles

Team: High-A Aberdeen (South Atlantic)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .409/.480/.818 (9-for-22), 8 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 BB, 4 SO, 6-for-6 SB

The Scoop: Horvath is the type of athletic position player the Orioles can’t resist in the draft. Selected in the second round last year out of North Carolina, he turned in a loud pro debut that has given way to a more muted followup. Horvath hit just .199 in April and May but has gotten back into the swing in June, showing power, speed and discipline while playing second base, third base and right field. (ME)

17. Andrew Pintar, OF, D-backs

Team: High-A Hillsboro (Northwest)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: .458/.500/.759 (11-for-24), 7 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB

The Scoop: Pintar’s last few seasons have been marked by poor injury luck, including two shoulder surgeries and a broken foot. But he is healthy and hitting in the Northwest League this season, with league-leading totals of eight home runs and a .498 slugging percentage. The former second baseman is also making strides in center field in his third pro season after Arizona drafted him out of Brigham Young in the fifth round in 2022. (ME)

18. Zebby Matthews, RHP, Twins

Team: Double-A Wichita (Texas)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Matthews’ season has been nothing short of spectacular. After carving in the Midwest League, the righthander moved to the offensive oasis that is the Texas League and just kept slicing and dicing. He’s issued just two walks this season—never more than one in a start—and has 63 strikeouts in that time as well. His latest outing featured eight more punchouts over seven walk-free, shutout innings. The seven innings he spun tied for his highest total of the season and the strikeout total fell one shy of tying a season high. His 1.38 ERA is the fourth-lowest in the minor leagues, and his 0.69 WHIP is the lowest in the sport. (JN)

19. Michael Arroyo, SS, Mariners

Team: Low-A Modesto (California) 
Age: 19

Why He’s Here: .333/.484/.708 (8-for-24), 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 5 BB, 6 SO, 2-for-3 SB

The Scoop: The Modesto Nuts are so loaded with talent it feels as if the teams star prospects are on a Hot Sheet rotator over the season’s first 10 weeks. This week it was Arroyo’s turn to play star, as he reached base in all six games he played in and reached base two or more times on four out of six. Arroyo’s standout game came on Friday when he went 3-for-4 with a home run and reached base five times. Arroyo is one of the top prospects to hail from Colombia in years, and is considered one of the most talented players in a deep Mariners farm system. (GP) 

20. Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles

Team: Double-A Bowie (Eastern)
Age: 19

Why He’s Here: .348/.400/.739 (8-for-23), 3 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB

The Scoop: Basallo has been on an absolute tear for the past few weeks. He has a 1.099 OPS in his last 20 games, with five of his 10 home runs. Basallo started slowly this season after recovering from an offseason elbow injury—and simply making his way at Double-A as a 19-year-old. The giant, 6-foot-4 catcher is seeing occasional starts at first base and DH. (ME)

Helium

Trevor Harrison, RHP, Rays

The Rays selected Harrison, a prep righthander from Florida, in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. So far, he has been one of the best pitchers in the Florida Complex League. Although his latest turn was a bit clunkier than usual, the 18-year-old has still rung up 27 strikeouts in 22 innings, the sixth-highest total in the league. Harrison is a physical pitcher with a fastball that has touched 97 at the front of a three-pitch mix that includes a slider and changeup as well. The former high school teammate of Phillies prospect Aidan Miller looks like another Rays pitching success story in the making. (JN)