Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (4/14/25)

1. Rodney Green Jr., OF, Athletics

• Team: High-A Lansing (Midwest)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .276/.364/.759 (8-for-29), 7 R, 0 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 7 SO, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Green Jr., whom the A’s chose in the fourth round last July, spent the week leading up to his 22nd birthday by beating the stitches off of more than a few baseballs. He notched at least one hit in all six of his team’s games with Great Lakes, including two-hit games on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The hot stretch countered an ice-cold opening three-game series that saw him go 0-for-12 against Fort Wayne. He swatted four home runs against the Loons, including a pair of long balls in the first game and single homers in each of the last two games. His home run on Sunday was a doozy. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Green connected on an 0-2 breaking ball for a game-tying grand slam. Three innings later, Lansing erased another two-run Great Lakes edge and took the series finale. (JN)

2. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

• Team: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .308/.345/.731 (8-for-26), 7 R, 2 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 2 BB, 8 SO

The Scoop: Kurtz in Las Vegas was always going to be a match made in heaven. Put one of the most well-rounded MiLB hitters in a park that helps average hitters put up big numbers? It’s no surprise that Kurtz leads all pro hitters with seven home runs. And they haven’t been cheap. His average home run has traveled 414 feet. At this time last year, Kurtz was still months away from being drafted. This year, the questions are already swirling around when Kurtz will be called up. Las Vegas returns home this week, and will have another home series in three weeks after a trip to Round Rock, followed by a trip to Reno, which is even a better hitter’s park than Las Vegas. A schedule that has five home series, plus series at Reno and El Paso to start the season is a perfect way for Kurtz to get to 15 home runs by the end of May. (JJ)

3. C.J. Kayfus, 1B, Guardians

• Team: Double-A Akron (Eastern)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .556/.652/1.000 (10-for-18), 6 R, 1 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 BB, 4 SO, 1 SB, 1 CS

The Scoop: Triples are one of the most exciting and rarest plays in baseball. There are 15 MiLB teams who have yet to hit a triple this season and another 38 who have hit just one. But here’s Kayfus, who has never been described as a speedster, sporting three triples in just eight games. Only 25 MiLB teams have hit more triples than Kayfus. The chances of Kayfus leading the minors in triples still seems pretty slim, but the chances he could lead the minors in batting average is higher. He’s a career .303 MiLB hitter and he’s off to a sensational start with a .516/.605/.871 line. (JJ)

4. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates

• Team: Triple-A Indianapolis (International)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 2.25, 2 GS, 8 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 14 SO

The Scoop: If you’re looking for the best pitch of the young MiLB season, you could argue it’s the meteor Chandler fired in the fourth inning on Sunday with a runner on third, one out and an 0-2 count to Louisville outfielder Will Benson. Chandler dotted the edge of the zone arm side with a 101.5 mph fastball for the strikeout. That’s the fastest pitch Chandler has thrown in an official MiLB game and is a big leap from the 97 mph he topped out at just two seasons ago. It’s also tied with Hunter Greene for the hardest pitch thrown by an MLB or Triple-A starter this season. Chandler sat at 95-96 mph in 2023. He sat at 96-97 last season. Now he’s sitting 97-99 so far this season with a fastball that is devastating. Chandler is holding hitters to a .118/.231/.206 line. He came into the season as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, and that was before he found another gear. (JJ)

5. Zyhir Hope, OF, Dodgers 

• Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest) 
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .385/.448/.692 (10-for-26), 5 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 3 BB, 10 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: One can argue no prospect had more helium this offseason than Hope. Acquired by the Dodgers in the Michael Busch trade, Hope has proved to be one of the most exciting hitters in the minors in the early part of 2025. Last week, Hope continually gave Lansing pitching fits as he reached base in all six games. He posted three multi-hit games, including a four-hit game on Sunday in which he finished a home run short of the cycle. The outfielder shows strong on-base skills with elite power posting excellent exit velocities as a professional. Hope has the upside of a top 10 prospect in the game. (GP) 

6. Alex Freeland, SS, Dodgers

• Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .407/.469/.667 (11-for-27), 5 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 3 BB, 7 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Freeland’s ascent through the Dodgers’ system started last year, when the Central Florida alum zoomed from High-A to Triple-A. Along the way, he racked up 53 extra-base hits, including 32 doubles and 18 home runs. He scuffled a bit once he reached the Pacific Coast League, but he hasn’t had that problem this year. This week’s outburst included his first long ball of the year and a quartet of doubles. He’s also shown enough on-base skills to finish the week with an 11% walk rate. (JN)

7. Tommy Troy, 2B, Diamondbacks

• Team: Double-A Amarillo (Texas)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .524/.688/.810 (11-for-21), 10 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 10 BB, 5 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Troy’s 2024 didn’t live up to his first-round potential, so bouncing back this season is mandatory. If his performance this past week is a preview of what’s to come in 2025, then there is plenty to be excited about. The Stanford product collected 11 hits over the past week, but even more impressively, logged 10 walks and struck out just four times, displaying incredible plate discipline. He had the same amount of multi-hit games as he had multi-walk performances (three). This is a crucial season for Troy, who was drafted No. 12 overall in 2023, as he missed two months at High-A Hillsboro with a hamstring strain last season and, when healthy, struggled on both sides of the ball. (JC)

8. Cristian Hernandez, SS, Cubs

• Team: High-A South Bend (Midwest)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .455/.538/.783 (10-for-22), 4 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2-for-3 SB

The Scoop: Years ago, Hernandez was one of the top prospects in Chicago’s system. Now, he’s beginning to turn his potential into production. He struggled a bit in 2024 upon reaching High-A for the first time. The early days of this season have seen Hernandez flip his fortunes. Five of his first 13 hits this season have gone for extra bases, including his first home run of the season. After hitting just five homers in 2024, going deep in the first week could be the first hint of a sizable breakout to come. (JN)

9. Anderson Brito, RHP, Astros

• Team: High-A Asheville (South Atlantic)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Brito was one of the fastest rising pop-up prospects in the complex leagues in 2024, reaching Low-A last year before August. After seven appearances and 27.1 innings, the Astros felt comfortable assigning him to High-A Asheville to start 2025. He made two starts this week at home against Greenville and didn’t allow a run across 7.2 innings. Brito struck out six in each outing while navigating the tricky run environment of his home park. Brito is an undersized righthander with plus fastball velocity and excellent release traits that create a unique approach angle to the plate. Brito has serious relief risk, but his upside due to the quality of his fastball is undeniable. (GP)

10. Alex Clemmey, LHP, Nationals

• Team: High-A Wilmington (South Atlantic)
• Age: 19
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 5IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: There’s little question that Clemmey has the stuff to dominate. Whether he can put it in the strike zone often enough, however, remains uncertain. In his second start of the season, he produced strikes in great quality and quantity. His strike rate for the day was 61.4%, about 1.4% higher than the clip he produced in 2024. The 10 strikeouts he racked up was a career high, besting his previous high-water mark of eight, which he reached twice in 2024. (JN)

11. Cameron Cauley, SS, Rangers

• Team: Double-A Frisco (Texas)
• Age: 25
• Why He’s Here: .409/..533/..773 (9-for-22), 6 R,  1 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 7 BB, 2 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: After going hitless in his first two games, Cameron Cauley ended the week by recording four consecutive multi-hit games. Even in two games games he didn’t record a hit, he tabbed four walks and produced two runs. His most impressive performance came when the 22-year-old went 3-for-4 with a triple and drove in four runs and walked twice. It is a minuscule sample size, but Cauley’s seven walks to two punch outs were encouraging considering he’s struck out 254 times in the past two seasons. His key will be whiffing less, as he had a 40% chase rate in 2024. (JC)

12. Logan Wagner, SS, Dodgers

• Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .333/.448/.708 (8-for-24), 4 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: Wagner’s career has been riddled with injuries, as he’s played in only 57 games because of a broken hamate bone in his right hand in 2023 and another in his left one in 2024. The 21-year-old’s scouting report coming out of high school noted he could have some strong pop, which was backed up by his 18 extra base hits in 38 games at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. This week, he logged five, which included a pair of home runs. The Dodgers have a track record of developing a strong farm system, so it’ll be interesting to see how polished up he’ll be if the switch-hitter can play a healthy season. (JC)

13. A.J. Ewing, OF, Mets 

• Team: Low-A St. Lucie (Florida State) 
• Age: 20 
• Why He’s Here: .500/.500/.727 (11-for-22), 7 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 9 RBIs, 1 BB, 3 SO, 3-for-4 SB

The Scoop: After a solid showing over 71 games with Low-A St. Lucie in 2024, it was a bit of a surprise to see Ewing return to the level to begin 2025. So far, he looks like he’s ready for a move to Brooklyn, as he’s been stinging the ball consistently while playing a very good center field. Ewing had outstanding games on Wednesday and Saturday, collecting seven hits across the two games and registering six batted ball events of 100+ mph. Ewing was drafted in the supplemental fourth round in 2023 out of the Ohio prep ranks. The outfielder shows strong tools, and this surge in power early could be a sign of a step forward in 2025. (GP) 

14. Noah Cameron, LHP, Royals

• Team: Triple-A Omaha (International)
• Age: 25
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.59 ERA, 11.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Cameron’s fastball has averaged 92 mph, but the deceptive life on the pitch and its good vertical carry offset the low velocity. However, the lefthander reached 94-95 mph 29 times in his two starts this past week while generating a combined 28 swings and misses. Cameron had a strong 2024, accumulating a 3.08 ERA and 149 strikeouts across Double-A and Triple-A and demonstrating the ability to take charge of the zone by just allowing 36 walks. His changeup and curveball allow him to generate whiffs, and with a faster four-seamer, expect that production to increase a bit more in 2025. (JC)

15. Sam Aldegheri, LHP, Angels

• Team: Double-A Rocket City (Southern)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 3.12, 8.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 12 SO

The Scoop: After making his MLB debut late last season, Aldegheri started the year with Rocket City on a good note. He generated 12 strikeouts over his first two starts and led all of Double-A with 16 swings and misses in his April 8 start. The lefthander has a low-90s fastball that can reach 95, but his biggest improvement over the offseason has come from his changeup, which already had an established track record of effectiveness. Acquired in the Carlos Estévez trade at the trade deadline last year, Aldegheri has improved his ceiling from back-end starter to high-floor No. 4, especially if he can be consistent in the strike zone.

16. Chase Davis, OF, Cardinals

• Team: Double-A Springfield (Texas) 
• Age: 23 
• Why He’s Here: .348/.515/.696 (8-for-23), 8 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 7 BB, 7 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: The Cardinals’ 2023 first-round pick has put a rough start to his professional career behind him. It took time for some changes to Davis’ setup and swing to gel, but since June 1 of last year, Davis has hit .297/.400/.500 with a 20.6% strikeout rate and 13.2% walk rate. He has continued his hot hitting to begin 2025, as he reached base seventeen times last week against Amarillo. He posted three multi-hit games to begin the week including a two-home run game on Tuesday in which he drove in five runs. Davis’ improvements at the plate have resulted in rejuvenated prospect status. (GP) 

17. Gino Groover, 3B, Diamondbacks

• Team: Double-A Amarillo (Texas)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .375/.423/.667 (9-for-24), 4 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: Groover couldn’t have gotten off to a much better start. He started the year with an eight-game hit streak, and he showed a bit of pop with four doubles, as well. And then Groover’s hitting streak ended on Sunday in unfortunate fashion. In the first inning, he struck out and didn’t get out of the batter’s box before bending over with an apparent left hand injury. Groover was lifted from the game immediately. Groover has joined Tommy Troy and Christian Cerda in getting off to excellent starts for Amarillo. (JJ)

18. Joe Mack, C, Marlins

• Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .438/.571/.938 (7-for-16), 6 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 4 BB, 3 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Fresh off joining the Top 100, Mack also found a spot on the Hot Sheet. That tends to happen when four of your seven hits on the week produce extra bases, including a pair of home runs. One of those long balls came off of high-end Rays prospect Brody Hopkins, who allowed just three homers in all of 2024. Reports from this spring featured improved defense. Couple the uptick in defense with one of the more up-arrow bats from a catcher in the minor leagues and you’ve got one of the sport’s more intriguing young talents and a player who has a leg up in the race to be Miami’s catcher of the future. (JN)

19. Kemp Alderman, OF, Marlins

• Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .350/.440/.750 (7-for-20), 3 R, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: Alderman was an impressive power hitter in college, but in his first two pro seasons, he struggled to bring that pop to the next level. He finished 2023 with one home run in 34 games, and he hit just eight homers in 77 games in 2024. So far in 2025, he’s made a nice step forward with three home runs in just nine games. Alderman’s four-hit, two-home run game on Saturday was his first multi-homer game as a pro, and it was also his first four-hit game. (JJ)

20. Ben Kudrna, RHP, Royals

• Team: Double-A Northwest Arkansas (Texas)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 0-1, 3.86, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Kurdna only pitched 4.2 innings in his lone start this week, but the 22-year-old made his presence known. The righthander tied a career high with 10 strikeouts, getting batters to whiff 18 times. He threw 89 pitches and landed 54 of them for strikes. He allowed seven hits, but it was still a very impressive outing. Kudrna’s four-seam fastball sits between 91-95 mph and can reach 97, but has limited deception. He’s added a two-seam fastball that has some sinking action. (JC)

Helium

Christian Oppor, LHP, White Sox

The White Sox drafted Oppor out of Gulf Coast State (Fla.) JC in the fifth round in 2023. The lefthander spent parts of two seasons on the complex before being assigned to Low-A Kannapolis to begin 2025. In his debut on Wednesday, Oppor tossed 4.2 innings, allowing no hits and no runs, walking three, striking out 10 and hitting a batter. While Oppor’s command bordered on effectively wild, he kept Lynchburg off balance throughout the start. His fastball sat 94-95 mph, touching 98 mph at peak, while also mixing a upper-70s sweeper and an upper-70s changeup with good vertical separation off his fastball. It was a loud full-season debut for Oppor. (GP)