Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects

1. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks

• Team: Triple-A Reno (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .409/.480/1.000 (9-for-22), 6 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 3 BB, 4 SO, 4 SB

The Scoop: Whether you are a D-backs fan or not, it’s a reasonable desire to hope Lawlar can get 400+ healthy plate appearances this year. Amazingly, he’s already just six plate appearances short of matching his entire 2024 season’s work after injuries ravaged what was expected to be his MLB rookie season. When Ketel Marte went onto the injured list, the D’backs turned to veteran Garrett Hampson instead of bringing Lawlar up. Marte’s timetable to return from a hamstring injury is still a little cloudy, but if it takes much longer, it’s reasonable to wonder if Arizona will give Lawlar a chance to provide an offensive boost. Lawlar had never played second base before this season, but he’s already gotten 12 games at the spot this month. (JJ)

 2. Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants

• Team: Triple-A Sacramento (Giants)
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: The book on Whisenhunt has long read the same: His fastball and changeup will play at the highest level. Now, he needs a breaking ball to tie the whole mix together. In his most recent start, he threw his slider 13 times, just less than 15% of his output that day. The 83 mph offering coaxed whiffs on three of six swings, accounting for 20% of his 15 swings and misses over six shutout innings. The outing also served as a fine rebound from Whisenhunt’s previous outing—when he allowed four earned runs in 3.1 innings—and helped him tie his season-high water mark with nine strikeouts. (JN)

3. Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox 

• Team: Low-A Kannapolis (Carolina)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .353/.500/.765 (6-for-17), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 BB, 1 SO, 3-for-4 SB

The Scoop: Montgomery has had quite the ride to start his professional career. A fractured right ankle suffered on June 8 with Texas A&M prevented him from making his debut with the Red Sox, the team that picked him in the first round of last year’s draft. Later, he was one of four players traded for Garrett Crochet. After getting his feet wet with the White Sox this spring, Montgomery has gotten off to a strong start. The switch-hitting outfielder hits the ball hard, logging exit velocities of 110 mph or better, including a reading of 115 mph, while playing for the Aggies last year. Montgomery homered on Tuesday and then went deep again on Saturday while recorded a season-high 4 RBIs that night, too. (JC)

4. Kelvin Hidalgo, SS, Rockies

• Team: Low-A Fresno (California) 
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .417/.517/.750 (10-for-24), 10 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBIs, 5 BB, 7 SO, 9-for-9 SB

The Scoop: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, Hidalgo had the best performance of his professional career last week against Lake Elsinore. Hidalgo opened the week with a home run on Tuesday and another on Thursday. He collected hits in all six games and went wild on the base paths. He had four steals in Wednesday’s game, two in Friday’s game and another three on Sunday to go a perfect 9-for-9 on the base paths during the series. With some power, speed and feel to hit, Hidalgo could rise this season with continued strong performance. (GP) 

5. Bryce Cunningham, RHP, Yankees

• Team: High-A Hudson Valley (South Atlantic)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: The Yankees went heavy on college pitchers in the most recent draft, selecting Cunningham out of Vanderbilt with their second-round choice. On Saturday, he turned in the best start of his career. Facing Wilmington, the righthander struck out nine over seven innings of four-hit shutout ball. He got 13 swings and misses over the course of the outing, one shy of the most in all of High-A for the day. For the season, he’s struck out 22 and walked just two over 18 innings. (JN)

6. Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox 

• Team: Triple-A Worcester (International) 
• Age: 20 
• Why He’s Here: .304/.448/.609 (7-for-23), 7 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 6 BB, 4 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: The top positional prospect in the game was nursing an injury last week, so he was limited to designated hitting duties. It didn’t phase Anthony, however, as he continued to rake. His signature game of the week came in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday when he hit two home runs and drove in five. It’s only a matter of time until Anthony is patrolling the outfield at Fenway Park and showing off his elite power. He had multi-hit games three times last week and has five in his last seven games. It’s an elite blend of bat-to-ball ability, on-base ability and power. (GP) 

7. Moises Ballesteros, C, Cubs

• Team: Triple-A Iowa (International)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .526/.583/.947 (10-for-19), 6 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 4 BB, 1 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Ballesteros can hit. The sport’s No. 57 prospect has proven his offensive bona fides at every level, and he’s begun the 2025 season on a high note. With his 10 hits this week, he’s now 26-for-67 with just 10 strikeouts in 76 plate appearances and just three hits behind Gustavo Campero for the overall minor league lead. Both of his 2025 home runs came on April 16 as part of a 4-for-5 effort that also included a double. One of those homers came against a 64 mph eephus pitch and left the bat at 103.1 mph. (JN)

8. Aroon Escobar, 2B, Phillies

• Team: Low-A Clearwater (Florida State)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .478/.500/.826 (11-for-23), 6 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Escobar was one of the brightest prospects in the Florida Complex League in 2024, stopped only by a pair of shin splints that ended his season. Fully healed, Escobar has picked up where he left off in his first taste of full-season ball. His 11-hit outburst this past week solidified his standing as one of the best hitters in the season’s early days. He’s one of three hitters in the FSL batting better than .400, and his on-base percentage (.456) and slugging percentage (.673) each rank among the league’s top 10. His 21 hits are tied with St. Lucie’s A.J. Ewing for the top spot. (JN)

9. Braxton Bragg, RHP, Orioles

• Team: High-A Aberdeen (South Atlantic)
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Bragg caught evaluators’ attention during spring training, and he’s backed up that optimism with several strong performances to open the season at High-A. Despite allowing a season-high three hits, Bragg’s latest outing was his best. He spun seven shutout frames with seven strikeouts and no walks. The eighth-rounder from 2023 out of Dallas Baptist also set a new career-high by going seven full frames. The outing helped his IronBirds outlast Brooklyn and withstand a similarly-strong performance from their starter. (JN)

10. Luis Morales, RHP, Athletics

• Team: Double-A Midland (Texas)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: The A’s have struggled to develop their top international signings for a very long time, but Morales has the chance to change that narrative. The 22-year-old had one of his best outingsto date by tying a career-high in strikeouts (eight) over six scoreless innings in his lone start of the week. Morales’ four-seamer was the fastest in the Athletics’ minor league system last year, and he has continued to make strides with the slider this offseason to help complement his high-octane stuff. Unlike in previous seasons, the Athletics’ big league rotation has an established cast, with plenty more seasoned minor league talent waiting in the wings. Morales has the chance to finish in Triple-A this year. (JC)

11. Dylan Campbell, OF, Phillies

• Team: High-A Jersey Shore (South Atlantic)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .375/.423/.875 (9-for-24), 5 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 2 BB, 4 SO. 2-for-4 SB

The Scoop: Campbell started off the week recording the second multi-homer game of his career by going deep in back-to-back innings. He also drove in five runs that night, setting a new career high. On Friday night, he had another five-RBI game, which included slugging his third homer of the week. Acquired in a trade from the Dodgers for international pool money, Campbell flashed his power and speed skillset last year by being just one just eight minor leaguers to finish the year with 20 or doubles, 10 or more homers and 40 or more stolen bases. (JC)

12. Jace Bohrofen, OF, Blue Jays

• Team: Double-A New Hampshire (Eastern)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .346/.393/.808 (9-for-26), 6 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop: Bohrofen made up for his quiet start to the season with an explosive performance this past week. The 23-year-old hit a solo shot in his first at-bat of the week and then smashed a two-run shot the following game. Bohrofen also had a two-homer game on Friday and collected three RBIs. The outfielder went deep 14 times last year and has the potential to develop 20-homer power, especially if he can become more disciplined at the plate. Hitting fastballs isn’t a problem for Bohrofen, but he struggles against spin and offspeed pitches and struck out 110 times last year. (JC)

13. Caden Dana, RHP, Angels

• Team: Triple-A Salt Lake (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 SO

The Scoop: It was a fascinating subplot this spring to see where the Angels would send Dana, because the team has generally been extremely reluctant to send young pitchers to Salt Lake. So far, Dana has passed that test with no issues at all. Though he has been helped by making two of his three Triple-A starts on the road (El Paso and Sacramento), he’s still been excellent. His changeup was quite effective against Sacramento this week, and he commanded his curveball quite well. (JJ)

14. Caleb Bonemer, SS, White Sox 

• Team: Low-A Kannapolis (Carolina) 
• Age: 19 
• Why He’s Here: .471/.615/.765 (8-for-17), 5 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBIs, 7 BB, 4 SO, 3-for-5 SB

The Scoop: One of the top hitters on the summer showcase circuit in 2023, Bonemer has hit the ground running as a professional. Last week was the best week of his young professional career, as he reached base in more than half of his at-bats. On Wednesday, Bonemer collected four hits and reached base five times. He has thus far has shown advanced feel to hit and a discerning eye at the plate. Drafted in the second round last July, Bonemer is part of a core of good hitting prospects coming up in the White Sox system. (GP) 

15. A.J. Ewing, OF, Mets

• Team: Low-A Port St. Lucie (Florida)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .400/.520/.550 (8-for-20), 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: Signed for an above-slot $675,000 as a fourth-rounder in 2023, Ewing held his own after being promoted from the Florida Complex League to Low-A last year and has carried that momentum into 2025. The 20-year-old recorded a hit in four of five games last week, including two three-hit performances. Ewing boasts excellent pitch recognition, which makes him a strong contact hitter, and he hit the ball with above-average strength last year. A shortstop coming out of high school, Ewing has focused on the outfield since joining the Mets, although he did get the start at second base in Saturday’s game. (JC)

16. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox

• Team: Triple-A Worcester (International)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .286/.333/.536 (8-for-28) 3 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 13 RBIs, 2 BB, 5 SO

The Scoop: Mayer hasn’t set the world on fire this month in Worcester, but he is providing some big hits. His four home runs is tied for eighth among International League leaders, and he’s working on his versatility, having started games at second and third base in addition to shortstop. But as long as everyone stays healthy, Mayer should get plenty of time to refine his craft in Triple-A. Trevor Story has started out this season with some of his best work since coming to Boston, while Kristian Campbell and Alex Bregman have also been among the team’s best hitters. (JJ)

17. Daniel Eagen, RHP, Diamondbacks 

• Team: High-A Hillsboro (Northwest)
• Age: 22 
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Drafted in the third round out of Presbyterian, Eagen is impressing in his professional debut. After recording 10 strikeouts in his second start, Eagen upped the ante this week by striking out a career-high 12 batters over six innings. Eagen mixes a low-90s fastball featuring elite ride with a gyro slider, downer curveball and splitter. He lacks MLB-level velocity at present but has a variety of good pitch shapes and a feel for the zone. Eagen is a name to follow from the most recent draft class. (GP)  

18. Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets 

• Team: Double-A Binghamton (Eastern)
• Age: 23 
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Through three starts this season, McLean has allowed just one earned run while holding opposing hitters to a .173 average. He kept rolling this week with his best start of the season on Saturday: six scoreless innings with two hits, four walks and eight strikeouts. McLean’s command still comes and goes, but he boasts excellent stuff. He mixed three different breaking ball shapes in his start Saturday, showing a low-90s gyro slider, a mid-80s sweeper and a high-70s curveball with two-plane break. Though his fastball shape isn’t great, he boasts excellent velocity. McLean could position himself as the best of Mets’ pitching prospects within the next month. (GP) 

19. Andy Garriola, OF, Cubs 

• Team: High-A South Bend (Midwest) 
• Age: 25 
• Why He’s Here: .333/.333/.917 (8-for-24), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 8 RBIs, 0 BB, 4 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: A low-dollar signing in the 17th round of the 2022 draft out of Old Dominion, Garriola has struggled out the gate this season but had a huge week last week. He homered in four out of the final five game of the series, including homers in three consecutive games to end the week. Garriola has power, but swing-and-miss issues have kept him from getting to it with greater frequency. (GP) 

20. Rosman Verdugo, SS, Padres

• Team: High-A Fort Wayne (Midwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .292/.308/.917 (7-for-24), 7 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 1 BB, 9 SO

The Scoop: Signed for $700,000 in 2022, Verdugo’s stat line may not be as pretty as some of the others on this list, but he made sure each one of his hits caused damage. Six of his seven hits this past week resulted in extra-base hits, and he homered in three consecutive games. It’s an encouraging sign considering Verdugo struggled to end 2024 due to contact woes. Despite facing performance challenges at times, Verdugo continues to make steps in the right direction with his development. (JC)

HELIUM

David Davalillo, RHP, Rangers

The only reason Davalillo didn’t leave with a perfect game on Friday night was because one of his strikeout pitches skittered to the backstop for a wild pitch. It was a great outing from a pitcher who seems to string them together week after week. In 145 pro innings, Davaillo has a 2.17 career ERA. In full-season ball, it’s below 1.80. Davalillo has enough of a fastball (93-94 mph) because he spots it well, and he has a slider, curve and split-change that he commands with precision, too. Davalillo doesn’t seem to make mistakes up in the strike zone. If you see him put a pitch in the top third of the zone, it’s almost assuredly a late-count fastball that plays up because hitters are so worried about him pounding the bottom of the zone. (JJ)