Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (7/2/24)

1. Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics

Team: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .522/.577/.870 (12-for-23) 10 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 1 SO, 0-for-0 SB.

The Scoop: Because he missed time with a knee injury, Wilson’s absurdist masterpiece of a season might be flying a bit under the radar. Among full-season MiLB hitters with 150+ plate appearances, Wilson’s .463 batting average is almost 100 points better than anyone else. Chandler Simpson’s .369 batting average is next. Wilson’s 8.1% strikeout rate is also among the top 10 in the minors (150+ plate appearances). Normally the world of MiLB hitters who never strike out is filled with Nick Madrigal types who lack power but make tons of contact. Wilson is doing it while posting a .242 isolated power and twice as many extra-base hits (26) as strikeouts (13). Extra-base hits divided by strikeouts is an invented stat, but it is a quick and easy way to see how well a hitter is driving the ball without striking out. Wilson’s two extra-base hits per strikeout are by far the best among anyone with 150+ MiLB full-season plate appearances this year. Luis Matos’ 1.53 XBH/SO is second best and you can barely get to double digits of hitters with a 1.0 or better ratio. (JC)

2. Emiliano Teodo, RHP, Rangers 

Team: Double-A Frisco (Texas)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 10 SO

The Scoop: Teodo has been flat-out dominant all season long. His resurgence after shifting from a four-seamer to a two-seamer has continued to pay dividends, and he has spent his season blowing away hitters in the offense-friendly Texas League. His most recent turn featured 10 strikeouts and put the cap on an outstanding month of June. In the season’s third month, Teodo went 1-1, 1.50 and struck out 40 in 24 innings. (JN)

3. Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles

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

Why He’s Here: .409/.500/.864 (9-for-22), 4 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 3 BB, 4 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Mayo returned from the injury list a few weeks ago and it didn’t take him long to pick up where he left off. Mayo kicked off the series against Charlotte by homering in each of the first three games of the series. He did a majority of his damage over those three games amassing seven hits and driving in eight runs. Mayo collected hits in five out of six games and reached base in all six. Dating back to July 14 of last year, Mayo has played in 119 Triple-A games and has hit .293/.393/.595 with 32 home runs. Mayo will be the next big Orioles callup. You can read more about Mayo’s recent exploits here. (GP) 

4. Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians

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

Why He’s Here: .316/.458/.947 (6-for-19), 7 R, 4 HR, 8 RBIs, 5 BB, 6 SO, 0 SB

The Scoop: Thanks to Josh Naylor, the Guardians rank second in MLB in home runs hit by first basemen. Recent callup Jhonkensy Noel joined the barrage last week. Manzardo was doing his part at Triple-A to get back to Cleveland to join the party. The 23-year-old first baseman mashed four homers in a six-game set against Omaha last week, pushing his Columbus OPS to a team-leading 1.036. (ME)

5. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates 

Team: Double-A Altoona (Eastern)
Age: 21 

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.70, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Outside of one bad start on June 15, Chandler has turned a corner in June. He has shown improved command with a 35-to-3 K-BB last month. Last Thursday’s start was the cherry on top of a great month, as Chandler tossed 6.2 innings of two-run ball on three hits while striking out 11 and walking none. Chandler’s stuff is electric with an easy plus fastball, a nasty slider and a changeup with a 23.5% swinging strike rate in 2024. Chandler is blossoming into the next Pirates top pitching prospect before our eyes. (GP) 

6. Ty Madden, RHP, Tigers

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

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 1 G, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 8 SO.

The Scoop: Madden’s gem this week is a palate cleanser after he allowed 14 hits and 13 runs in just 5.2 innings over two starts at St. Paul the week before. His adjustment to Triple-A has generally been a rocky one so far, but this week’s dominance of Louisville offers some reassurance. Madden relies heavily on his slider. When it’s working, he has success, but his fastball is too often squared up, which means he needs to find either a little more velocity, or develop another fastball, as Triple-A hitters aren’t having problems handling elevated fastballs at the top of the zone. (JC)

7. Parker Messick, LHP, Guardians

Team: Double-A Akron (Eastern)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 1 G, 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 10 SO.

The Scoop: Messick’s introduction to the Eastern League couldn’t have gone any better. He has yet to allow a run in two starts for Akron. Messick struggled to find the zone to start the first against Altoona this week, hitting one batter, then throwing a wild pitch and then walking the next batter. But he then settled down to strike out eight straight batters. Messick worked up and down like a maestro in striking out 10 of the 17 batters he faced. He elevated his 91-93 mph fastball, picking up four whiffs for strike three and two called strike threes. He also got hitters to swing out of their shoes at a low-80s changeups that fell off a table, finishing off four hitters with the changeup. (JC)

8. Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees 

Team: Double-A Somerset (Eastern) 
Age: 23 

Why He’s Here: .333/.345/.815 (9-for-27), 5 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBIs, 1 BB, 14 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Jones ended a banner month of June in style last week. He collected hits in five out of six games and tallied six extra-base hits over the final four games of the series. It was classic Jones on multiple fronts, as he showed significant slugging ability and worrisome strikeouts. Despite 14 strikeouts last week, Jones drove in 12 RBIs and did damage when he did make contact. He’s one of the highest upside bats in the minors with a substantial risk-reward profile. (GP)  

9. Franklin Arias, SS, Red Sox 

Team: FCL Red Sox (Florida Complex) 
Age: 18

Why He’s Here: .467/.571/.867 (7-for-15), 4 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO, 5-for-5 SB

The Scoop: Portland’s Double-A lineup might get most of the headlines in the Red Sox system, but Boston’s FCL club has a pair of stars of its own. Arias, alongside teammate Yoeilin Cespedes, form a dynamic duo. Arias last week collected three multi-hits games over the five-game slate. He showed off his speed with a stolen base in four out of five games. He also showcased some power with four extra-base hits. Arias is a well-balanced player with advanced plate skills, surprising power and the ability to stick in the infield. (GP) 

10. Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets

Team: High-A Brooklyn (South Atlantic)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 1.50, 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Tong matched his season high with 11 strikeouts in a start at Aberdeen last week. Equally encouraging was his control of the strike zone. Tong walked only one of the 23 batters he faced, his lowest rate in any of his 10 starts for Brooklyn. His low-90s fastball is highly effective because it features a release point and riding life up in the zone that opposing hitters don’t often see.  (ME)

11. Austin Charles, SS, Royals

Team: Low-A Columbia (Carolina)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .444/.524/.722 (8-for-18) 5 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SO, 2-for-2 SB.

The Scoop: When things are going right for Charles, they can be explosive. He’s tall, lean and filled with powerful actions on both sides of the ball. There’s still plenty of polish to apply, but this past week gave Royals a hint at his upside. Against Kannapolis, Charles collected four extra-base hits and stole a pair of bags. If he can cut down on his swing-and-miss, he has a chance to be the latest in the line of physical shortstops who have come through the minors in recent years. (JN)

12. Colby Thomas, OF, Athletics

Team: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: .320/.393/.720 (8-for-25), 5 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 2 BB, 11 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Thomas took two Class A levels in 2023, his full-season debut. He has now has taken two more levels in 2024. The athletic Athletics outfielder joined Las Vegas on June 18 and has kept up the early pace he established at Double-A Midland. At the two levels, Thomas has hit 17 home runs and stolen 13 bases while compiling a .933 OPS. His power output and smooth outfield puts him in play to make his MLB debut in 2025, if not later this season. (ME)

13. Max Anderson, 2B, Tigers

Team: High-A West Michigan (Midwest)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .375/.444/.750 (9-for-24) 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 2 SO, 1-for-0 SB.

The Scoop: In the first game of the Whitecaps series with Lansing, Anderson yanked a home run to left field and ripped a double down the left field line as well. From there on, the Lugnuts stayed away from trying to bust Anderson in on the hands. So Anderson adjusted by driving the ball to center and right field the rest of the week. Anderson is actually more comfortable going to center and right field and racking up singles and doubles, but he does have enough ability to yank a ball to keep pitchers from getting complacent. Whether Anderson can stick at second is an open question, but there are many fewer concerns about his ability to hit. (JC)

14. Ben Kudrna, RHP, Royals

Team: High-A Quad Cities (Midwest)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 1 G, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 9 SO.

The Scoop: Kansas City’s system has undergone a bit of a revival over the past couple of seasons, and Kudrna is a large part. The 2021 second-rounder out of high school in Kansas returned to High-A Quad Cities this season after ending the prior year there and has gotten excellent results. His latest turn sealed a strong but abbreviated month of June, during which he struck out 17 in as many innings over the course of three starts. The nine strikeouts he racked up in his most recent start represented a high-water mark for the season and were one shy of the career-best he set in 2023. (JN)

15. George Wolkow, OF, White Sox

Team: Low-A Kannapolis (Carolina)
Age: 18

Why He’s Here: .400/.520/.700 (8-for-20) 3 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 6 SO, 0-for-0 SB.

The Scoop: At 18 years old, Wolkow is one of the youngest players in the Carolina League. He arrived there on June 3 after being promoted from the Arizona Complex League. Since then, he’s shown off the big-time power that led the White Sox to select him with their seventh-round pick a year ago. He crushed two home runs this past week and has six so far in just 23 games with Kannapolis. He also hit two in the ACL before moving up. (JN)

16. Chase Davis, OF, Cardinals 

Team: Low-A Palm Beach (Florida State) 
Age: 22 

Why He’s Here: .364/.464/.682 (8-for-22), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 4 BB, 3 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: After a treacherous beginning to the season, Davis has really turned a corner in June hitting .333/.464/.683 with 12 extra-base hits. Last week, Davis ended June on a high note, reaching base in all six games, and reaching base two or more times in five out of six. Davis brought his power bat to the the weekend games slugging a pair of home runs and a double, accounting for all of his extra-base hits in the series. Davis is likely to see promotion to High-A in the second half now that he’s put the early-season blues behind him. (GP) 

17. Ryan Webb, LHP, Guardians

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

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 3.60, 2 G, 10 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 16 SO.

The Scoop: Webb’s changeup was working especially well this week, and when that happens, he’ll have weeks like this one. Much like fellow Guardians’ lefty Parker Messick, who’s also on this week’s Hot Sheet, Webb served up a combo-platter of elevated fastballs and changeups lower in the zone. He also was effectively spinning a big downward-breaking curveball. With three pitches he’s commanding, Webb can be a very useful back-of-the-rotation starter. (JC)

18. Ronny Simon, SS, Rays

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

Why He’s Here: .500/.542/.864 (11-for-22) 3 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO, 1-for-1 SB.

The Scoop: The Rays have had plenty of infield depth over the past few years, which has meant at times Simon had to take a back seat to players like Xavier Edwards, Vidal Brujan, Junior Caminero, Curtis Mead, Greg Jones and Olsevis Basabe. But with Edwards, Jones and Brujan traded and Caminero and Basabe on the injured list, Simon has made the most of his opportunity in Durham. He’s been one of the Bulls’ most consistent and best hitters while playing second and third base and left field. It’s not clear how that will lead to a path to Tampa Bay right now for Simon, especially with Caminero and Basabe expected back before too long, but it has put him on the radar as a useful potential big leaguer for somebody in the not-too-distant future. (JC)

19. Aidan Smith, OF, Mariners

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

Why He’s Here: .360/.500/.720 (9-for-25) 5 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 BB, 9 SO, 4-for-5 SB.

The Scoop: Smith was the Mariners’ fourth-round pick in 2023 out of high school in Texas. This year, he’s part of a team that has been tabbed by scouts as one of the most talented in the minors, even if it has been a bit depleted by injuries (Colt Emerson, Jonny Farmelo) and promotions (Lazaro Montes). Smith’s presence still gives the Nuts’ lineup plenty of thump. The outfielder crushed a pair of home runs this past week, giving him eight for the year to go with 20 doubles. He has also shown plenty of speed and savvy on the bases, where he has swiped 22 bags (including four this past week) in 25 chances. (JN)

20. Kyle Karros, 3B, Rockies 

Team: High-A Spokane (Northwest) 
Age: 21 

Why He’s Here: .500/.536/.769 (13-for-26), 5 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Yes, Kyle is the son of former Dodgers star Eric Karros. Kyle looks to be following in his famous fathers footsteps as a slugging corner infielder and former UCLA star. Last week, Karros showed off his advanced hitting ability collecting hits in all six games, including four multi-hit showings. Karros’ banner night came on Friday when he went 4-for-5 with a home run and a walk. Karros shows strong plate discipline with fringe-average bat-to-ball skills and fringe-average raw power. (GP) 

Helium

Jeremy Pilon, LHP, Rays

Pilon is part of a hard-throwing and interesting FCL Rays rotation. He’s the surprise of that group, as the Quebec-native was an 18th-round pick last year who was coming off Tommy John surgery. He’s now sitting in the mid 90s with the makings of a quality changeup. Pilon is coming off his best start as a pro. He struck out 10 while allowing three hits and one run in five innings against the FCL Twins last week. (JC)