Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (8/20/24)

1. Thayron Liranzo, C, Tigers

Team: High-A West Michigan (Midwest)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .611/.741/1.278 (11-for-18) 9 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SO.

The Scoop: Liranzo didn’t travel far when the Dodgers traded him to the Tigers in the Jack Flaherty trade. He was playing for Great Lakes in the Midwest League and moved to West Michigan in the same league. But the trade has transformed him at the plate. Liranzo was hitting .220 with just 22 extra-base hits in 74 games. With the Tigers, he has a .396 average and 10 extra-base hits in 15 games. He has had six games this year with six or more total bases. Three of those have come in the past two weeks. And one of his home runs this week was one of the better ones we’ll see all year. Liranzo cleared the batter’s eye in center field with a titanic shot. (JC)

2. Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners

Team: High-A Everett (Northwest)
Age: 19

Why He’s Here: .526/.615/.947 (10-for-19), 9 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 6 BB, 6 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: It took him a little while to find his footing in the Northwest League, but Montes has it all going now. The teenage thumper clobbered two more home runs this past week, bringing his season mark to 17, four of which have come since moving to High-A. In 15 August games, Montes is hitting an absurd .400/.493/.618 with three doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs. He still whiffs more than is ideal, but when he makes contact, he makes contact. Proof? His 90th percentile exit velocity this year is roughly 105 mph. (JN)

3. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

Team: Low-A Stockton
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .412/.600/1.000 (7-for-17), 9 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 8 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop: After watching him slam four home runs in his first 25 at-bats, the A’s decided that Nick Kurtz had tormented the California League plenty for one year and promoted him all the way to Double-A Midland. There, he’ll find a hospitable environment, albeit against far more advanced pitching than he saw over seven games in Stockton. The 2024 first-rounder and Wake Forest alum crushed a pair of doubles and four home runs—including three during the most recent Hot Sheet period—and finished his Low-A tenure with more walks (10) than strikeouts (7). Texas League pitchers, you’re officially on notice. (JN)

4. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates

Team: Triple-A Indianapolis (International)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Since moving to Triple-A, Chandler has kicked it into high gear. The righthander struck out 11 this past week, his third start of the season with double-digit punchouts. The outing was his second since moving to the International League, and so far he has K’d 17 against just three walks over 13 innings. Most importantly, he’s shown much better control this year: In 2023, he walked more than 4 hitters per nine innings. This season, that figure is just 2.8 per nine innings. (JN)

5. Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals

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

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: No matter how you slice it, Mathews’ season has been remarkable. The lefty from Stanford struck out 11 in his most recent turn, giving him six double-digit strikeout games this season. His 168 strikeouts are the most in the minors overall, ahead of Cleveland’s Matt Wilkinson by a dozen. His 0.88 WHIP is fourth in the full-season minors and his .169 opponent average is third. When Quinn the lefthander gets here, all the hitters gonna run from him. (JN)

6. Harry Ford, C/OF, Mariners

Team: Double-A Arkansas (Texas) 
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .375/.531/.750 (9-for-24), 12 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 6 BB, 10 SO, 3-for-3 SB

The Scoop: Ford did a little bit of everything last week, collecting a hit in all six games and reaching base at least twice in all of those contests. Ford stole three bases, slugged a pair of home runs and scored two or more runs in five of six games. All season long, Ford has shown his on-base skills and speed. His power, though, has been harder to come by. Ford has below-average exit velocities and his ball flight metrics are just average. If he can stick behind the plate and add a little more power, Ford has a chance to develop into an above-average regular. (GP) 

7. Jimmy Crooks, C, Cardinals 

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

Why He’s Here: .522/.556/.826 (12-for-23), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Jimmy Crooks cooked all last week, tallying multiple hits in all five games. It’s been a banner season for Crooks, who’s hitting .326/.415/.514 with Double-A Springfield and has been one of the top hitters in the Texas League. It’s a hit-first catcher profile, but Crooks has made advancements behind the plate and been good in the running game. The Cardinals have Willson Contreras under contract until 2027 but Crooks could force his way into their catching picture in 2025. (GP)  

8. Cole Young, SS, Mariners 

Team: Double-A Arkansas (Texas) 
Age: 21 

Why He’s Here: .458/.581/.625 (11-for-24), 4 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBIs, 7 BB, 4 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Young’s combination of bat-to-ball skills and approach puts him into elite company among his peers. He balances contact with strong swing decisions while avoiding passivity at the plate. Despite a lack of raw power, Young has good ball flight metrics and knows how to pull the ball in the air. Last week, Young had hits in all six games and reached base at least twice in each game. He showed his signature plate approach walking nearly twice as many times as he struck out. Young is likely to move off shortstop for second base long term, but could be a good defender at second base. Young’s profile is based around his advanced plate skills and barrel control. (GP) 

9. Noah Cameron, LHP, Royals 

Team: Triple-A Omaha (International) 
Age: 25 

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.71, 12.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 13 SO, 1 HR

The Scoop: The 2021 seventh-rounder out of Central Arkansas has been a find for the Royals. Cameron pitched his way up to Triple-A this season after a strong start with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Last week, Cameron turned in two gems against Louisville, going six-plus innings each time out, limiting hard contact and generating whiffs. Cameron mixes a low-90s four-seamer with cut, a low-80s changeup and a low-80s curveball with good depth. It’s a good changeup from a higher arm slot that creates deception from the left side. Cameron could fit a variety of roles as a spot starter or a lefthanded reliever for the Royals in September. His upside is limitedm but he has enough deception and feel to pitch to fill a role. (GP) 

10. Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, Rangers

Team: Double-A Frisco (Texas)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .500/.607/.636 (11-for-22), 6 R, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 SO, 1 HBP

The Scoop: This has been a trying season for Ortiz, punctuated by weeks like the last one, in which he reached base in 17 of 28 trips to the plate versus Springfield. Overall, Ortiz has hit .225/.303/.364 with nine home runs in his first season at Double-A. As a first base-only player, he must recover the bat speed and power that enabled him to hit 33 bombs at two Class A levels in 2023. (ME)

11. Brady House, 3B, Nationals

Team: Triple-A Rochester (International) 
Age: 21 

Why He’s Here: .333/.407/.833 (8-for-24), 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 1 BB, 7 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: There’s been some good and some bad so far in Triple-A for House, but he’s been around a league-average producer over his first 27 games. Last week, House had some standout games to start the series against Syracuse collecting two hits in each of the first three games. His best game came on Thursday when he slugged a pair of home runs. Despite a fairly aggressive approach, House is showing strong in-zone contact rates, solid exit velocities and good expected outcomes. House could potentially see a cup of coffee in the majors late this season, joining James Wood and CJ Abrams as the Nationals’ young core in 2025 and beyond. (GP) 

12. James Tibbs III, OF, Giants

Team: Low-A San Jose (California)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .522/.542/.652 (12-for-23), 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBIs, 1 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: After an outstanding season at Florida State, Tibbs has found the California League to his liking. The 13th overall pick in this past year’s draft, Tibbs has collected 17 hits in his first 41 trips and this past week struck out just three times in 23 at-bats. Tibbs earned a reputation as a pure hitter throughout his amateur career—both at Florida State and in the Cape Cod League—and could produce above-average output for both hittability and power if he reaches his ceiling. So far, so good in his first pro test. (JN)

13. Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians

Team: Double-A Akron (Eastern)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .438/.500/1.000 (7-for-16) 5 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO.

The Scoop: DeLauter’s last week in Akron before his promotion to Triple-A was an excellent one. DeLauter’s overall numbers are solid but unspectacular, but that’s because injuries have once again derailed his season. This is only the second time he’s played for three straight weeks this season. Now that he’s shaken the rust off, he’s driving the ball for power while demonstrating above-average contact skills as well. The promotion to Triple-A means he still has a chance to show that he could be worth a late-season callup if he keeps swinging the bat like this. (JC)

14. Charles McAdoo, OF, Blue Jays 

Team: Double-A New Hampshire (Eastern) 
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .412/.524/.765 (7-for-17), 4 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 BB, 4 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Acquired by the Blue Jays from the Pirates in exchange for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, McAdoo took a few weeks to settle into his new surroundings. But he did just that last week against Reading. McAdoo opened the week with home runs in consecutive games, before putting together two- and three-hit efforts the next two games. McAdoo has above-average bat speed with enough contact, approach and barrel control to make it all work. One of the breakout prospects of 2024, McAdoo has a chance to see time with the Blue Jays in 2025. (GP) 

15. Max Anderson, 2B, Tigers

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

Why He’s Here: .440/.481/.640 (11-for-25) 6 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 SO.

The Scoop: This recent stretch is closer to what Anderson needs to be. He’s a fringy defender at second base, so if he’s going to get to the majors, it’s going to be because he can really hit. Anderson is an aggressive hitter who will chase out of the zone pretty regularly, so he needs to hit plenty of stinging line drives. He also needs to figure out how to lift the ball more consistently with a wood bat. Anderson hit 21 home runs in his final year at Nebraska. He has 10 this year and three in his past 40 games. (JC)

16. Matt Shaw, 2B/3B, Cubs 

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

Why He’s Here: .421/.500/.789 (8-for-19), 4 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 SO, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: A tough first week in Triple-A looks to be completely in the rear view mirror for Shaw. The Cubs’ top positional prospect had three multi-hit games throughout last week and hit his first two Triple-A home runs. Shaw has a well-rounded plate profile with average bat-to-ball skills, strong swing decisions and above-average power and angles on contact. With a strong spring in 2025, Shaw should compete for a job in the Cubs’ starting infield. (GP) 

17. Dalton Rushing, OF, Dodgers

Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: .350/.480/.750 (7-for-20) 7 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 5 SO, 0 SB, 0 CS.

The Scoop: Rushing has made a very speedy adjustment to Triple-A. In the Texas League, Rushing slugged .512. In the Pacific Coast League, Rushing is now slugging .512, so there’s a pretty perfect symmetry. He struck out four times with no walks in his first four games and he’s walked nine and struck out seven times since. As far as left field, Rushing hasn’t been particularly challenged yet, but he’s generally passed the test. He’s had one sinking liner that got past him for a double, and he’s also made a nice diving catch. Overall, he’s looked competent. It seems more of a backup plan than anything else at this point considering Teoscar Hernandez is one of the best left fielders in baseball (and Rushing hasn’t played anywhere else in the outfield yet). (JC)

18. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers

Team: Double-A Erie (Eastern)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.59, 11.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO, 1 HR

The Scoop: As a trio of rookie Jacksons shine in MLB—Merrill for the Padres, Chourio for the Brewers and Holliday for the Orioles—a fourth is making quick work of Double-A competition. In two starts versus Akron last week, Jobe threw 75 and 100 pitches as he continued ramping up his workload and putting batters away with his fastball, slider and cutter. In eight starts for Erie since returning from the injured list, he has a 2.13 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 42.1 innings. (ME)

19. Jack Leiter, RHP, Rangers

Team: Triple-A Round Rock (Pacific Coast)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 2.45, 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO, 1 WP.

The Scoop: It’s hard for a starting pitcher to make the Hot Sheet when they throw 3.2 innings in a start, but we will make an exception when the pitcher strikes out 11 of the 14 batters he faced. As Eli Ben-Porat laid out for us yesterday in his Statcast Standouts, Leiter at his best, when he’s getting above-average life on his four-seam fastball, is really good. This was Leiter at his best. But when his command or the life on his fastball dips, he has yet to figure out another way to dominate. (JC)

20. Ryan Bergert, RHP, Padres

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

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 SO.

The Scoop: Bergert was perfect this week, as he threw the first six innings of a Sod Poodles no-hitter. Berget’s biggest challenge came from A.J. Vukovich, who battled Bergert for 11 pitches in the second inning including five two-strike foul balls before he lined out to right field. Bergert relied more heavily on his cutter than normal, which seemed to pay off. Bergert’s season has struggled to match his very effective work in 2023, but he’s finishing strong. (JC)

HELIUM

Bryan Torres, 2B, Cardinals

If you don’t know about Torres’ excellent work in the partner league American Association, Torres’ career seems extremely odd. He spent five years in pro ball without ever reaching a full-season league. He was then a MiLB Rule 5 pick in 2019 but didn’t get to play for his new team (the Giants) until 2021 because of the pandemic. When he reached MiLB free agency, he didn’t find a new team and ended up starring for the Milwaukee Milkmen in 2022 and 2023.

The 2023 Baseball America Independent/Partner Leagues Player of the Year has had a very solid return to affiliated ball. The former catcher is now a speedy center fielder who has been one of the best hitters in the Texas League. He’s two points behind teammate Jimmy Crooks for both the batting title and on-base percentage lead. As a 27-year-old, this likely is more of an excellent stint for an org player, but do remember what Jose Martinez did with the Cardinals a decade ago. Martinez was an org player bouncing around, but he led the Pacific Coast League in batting as a 26-year-old and made his MLB debut as a 27-year-old with the Cardinals. He would go on to play 432 games in the majors. (JC)