Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (4/30/24)

2. Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals

Team: Low-A Palm Beach (Florida State)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Outside of Mariners righty Logan Evans, there may be no pitcher who has boosted his stock more than Mathews in the early part of the season. As Ben Badler covered last week, Mathews fastball velocity has taken a substantial jump while maintaining his above-average fastball shape. Last week he continued his dominance of Low-A hitters, striking out 13 and allowing just three hits. Mathews mixes a four-seam fastball at 94-95 mph with above-average ride with a mid-80s slider, a mid-70s curveball and a changeup. Mathews has a history of knowing how to pitch with the ability to rack up innings and high pitch counts. It looks like the Cardinals found a gem in round four of last year’s draft. (GP)

3. Brock Selvidge, LHP, Yankees

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

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Over the last two seasons, Selvidge has raised his stock considerably. In 2023, the lefthander reached full-season ball for the first time and whiffed 137 hitters over 127.2 innings between Low-A and High-A. He moved to the upper levels to begin 2024 and has picked up right where he left off. He struck out a career-best 11 hitters in his most recent start on April 27 against Reading. Selvidge got 21 swings and misses, the most by any Double-A pitcher that day. (JN)

4. Ryan Ward, OF, Dodgers 

Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast) 
Age: 26

Why He’s Here: .474/.524/1.326 (9-for-19), 8 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 11 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: There’s few places in affiliated baseball better to hit in than Albuquerque. Ward took full advantage last week. He had two multi-homer games against the Isotopes and a trio of multi-hit performances. Ward is up to 10 home runs on the season after the first month of play, nearly halfway to his 2023 home run total of 21. Ward is a late-blooming corner outfield profile that’s shown the ability to hit since entering pro ball in 2019. He has above-average power with fringy plate skills and the ability to consistently hit the ball hard in the air. Ward is likely a part-time player in the major leagues. (GP)

5. Blaze Jordan, 1B, Red Sox 

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

Why He’s Here: .444/.429/.815 (12-for-27), 5 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Being a famous player at a young age doesn’t always equate to success as a professional. Jordan was one of the most famous 14-year-old players ever, but he has taken some time to get his footing as a professional. His combination of above-average bat-to-ball skills and power were on display last week in Hartford. Jordan had five multi-hit games across the six-game series and hit his first two home runs of the season. In a matchup of two of the most talented teams in the minor leagues, Jordan was the MVP. He will likely move to first base long term where there will be added pressure on his bat to produce. He has above-average contact and power, but an extremely overzealous approach that leads Jordan to attack pitches out of the zone he shouldn’t swing at. (GP) 

6. Joey Loperfido, 1B/OF, Astros 

Team: Triple-A Sugar Land (Pacific Coast) 
Age: 24 

Why He’s Here: .375/.500/.792 (9-for-24), 10 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 3 RBIs, 5 BB, 6 SO, 3-for-3 SB

The Scoop: Loperfido, the minor league home run leader, celebrated another standout week with his first callup to the major leagues on Monday. In last week’s series at Reno, Loperfido had three multi-hit games and reached base in all six games of the series. His highlight games came on Wednesday and Sunday, as he slugged two home runs on Wednesday and scored three runs with a home run and stolen base on Sunday. Loperfido is a viable long-term replacement for Jose Abreu, as he provides plus power (106.6 mph 90th exit velocity) with average plate skills and athleticism. While Loperfido’s strikeout rate of 30.3% is high, his underlying metrics show solid plate skills. (GP)

7. Owen Murphy, RHP, Braves

Team: High-A Rome (South Atlantic)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: For now, Murphy presents an intriguing case of the production not matching the scouting reports. The Braves’ righthander has overpowered High-A hitters this season, with 37 strikeouts over his first 24 innings, including 10 in his most recent turn at Winston-Salem. Murphy doesn’t have knockout stuff—his fastball sits around 91 mph and his offspeed pitches are fringy—but he just keeps getting hitters out. The success can be attributed to interesting analytical properties across his pitch mix. He has a solid foundation but needs to keep building. (JN)

8. Andre Lipcius, 2B, Dodgers

Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast)
Age: 25

Why He’s Here: .414/.452/.897 (12-for-29), 8 R, 1 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBIs, 2 BB, 8 SO.

The Scoop: At some point, this gets absurd. Lipcius has always been a solid hitter, but he’s never been much of a slugger. In 2021 he hit 12 home runs. In 2022, 12 home runs. 2023, 12 home runs. But this offseason, Lipcius was designated for assignment by the Tigers and claimed by the Dodgers, who then managed to get him through waivers themselves later in the offseason. And now, after hitting 12 home runs in each of the past three seasons, the Dodgers’ hitting development system has helped Lipcius hit nine home runs in his first month as a Dodger. We’ve seen the Dodgers do this time after time, but the second/third baseman is a much better prospect if he has above-average rather than fringe-average power. (JC)

9. Harry Ford, C, Mariners

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

Why He’s Here: .316/.519/.790 (6-for-19), 8 R, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 7 BB, 3 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Ford plays home games in one of the most severe pitcher’s parks in the minors, so he made the most of a road trip to Springfield last week. He launched his first three homers of the season as part of a 6-for-19 week. Ford stands out for his strong strike-zone command and has 17 walks to 20 strikeouts on the season. (ME)

10. James Triantos, 2B, Cubs

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

Why He’s Here: .348/.333/.733 (8-for-23), 4 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 0 BB, 1 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Over the course of his career, Triantos has hit, hit and hit some more. That trend has continued this spring in Double-A, where he opened as one of the Southern League’s youngest players. So far, that hasn’t hindered his production. The righty swinger makes plenty of contact, doesn’t chase but also might hit the ball on the ground more than one would like. Still, the results are showing up in spades. He powered up in a big way this week, with five of his eight hits going for extra bases, including his second and third home runs of the season. (JN)

11. Alex Mooney, SS, Guardians 

Team: High-A Lake County (Midwest League) 
Age: 21 

Why He’s Here: .381/.458/.810 (8-for-21), 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 BB, 4 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Mooney lasted until the seventh round in last July’s draft as an eligible sophomore and signed with the Guardians for a well above-slot bonus of $1,000,000. Mooney has hit the ground running this season hitting .339/.379/.661 over his first 16 games. Last week against West Michigan, Mooney was a man possessed as he collected hits in four of the five games he played including a five hit effort on Saturday. Mooney is showing an improved ability to get the ball in the air with consistency and it’s manifesting in solid production. He’s a sum-of-his-parts player with excellent instincts for the game and the ability to handle shortstop defensively. If Mooney can tighten up his plate skills and add more impact he has a shot to make it as a second-division regular. (GP)

12. Ky Bush, LHP, White Sox

Team: Double-A Birmingham (Southern)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: 2-0, 0.00, 2 GS, 11 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 7 BB, 14 SO.

The Scoop: When the White Sox acquired Bush along with Edgar Quero in last July’s Reynaldo Lopez/Lucas Giolito trade, he didn’t make a great first impression. Bush gave up 12 hits and seven runs in just 3.1 innings in his White Sox debut. It did get better from there, but Bush went 3-4, 6.70 in nine starts for Birmingham after the trade. Bush has been way better in his return to Birmingham. He threw back-to-back scoreless starts this week and has allowed only three earned runs in four starts. He allowed three or more runs in seven of his nine starts for Birmingham last year. Bush’s 94 mph fastball, 83-85 mph slider and high-80s changeup aren’t overpowering, but when he’s locating like this, they’re effective. (JC)

13. Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners

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

Why He’s Here: .296/.345/.630 (8-for-27) 4 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBIs, 2 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: A mountain of a young man, Montes has continued to show an ability to hit for average to go with massive power potential. This week he had his third and fourth three-hit games of the season in addition to those two home runs. What’s also encouraging is Montes’ solid defense in right field. He’s not going to win a Gold Glove, but he’s been a reliable right fielder. (JC)

14. Samuel Aldegheri, LHP, Phillies

Team: High-A Jersey Shore (South Atlantic)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Aldegheri is one of the sneakier arms in the Phillies’ system. He was an up-arrow prospect in 2023 and has maintained that momentum in 2024 aside from a brief stint on the injured list. The lefty doesn’t have knockout stuff but he knows how to pitch and has carved the opposition with a four-pitch mix that leans heavily on his fastball and slider while sprinkling in his changeup and curveball. His last start featured 10 strikeouts, establishing a new career high. (JN)

15. Jordan Beck, OF, Rockies 

Team: Triple-A Albuquerque (Pacific Coast) 
Age: 23 

Why He’s Here: .407/.500/.556 (11-for-27), 7 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 8 RBIs, 5 BB, 7 SO, 4-for-4 SB

The Scoop: Beck earned his first callup to the Major Leagues on Monday as he’ll join the Rockies in Miami for their series with the Marlins. Last week against Oklahoma City, Beck put tougher another strong week, but did it in unusual fashion. While Beck is known for his plus power-hitting ability, he managed to have an excellent week despite not hitting a home run across the six-game set. Instead, he showed off his improved plate skills, tallying four multi-hit games, while stealing bases in four of the six games in the series. Beck reached base five times on Saturday, scoring a pair of runs and marking the second game in the series where he reached base four or more times. Beck has a strong combination of plus power, average plate skills and plus athleticism. He should be a viable replacement for Nolan Jones while the latter is on the IL. (GP)

16. Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics

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

Why He’s Here: .524/.524/.762 (11-for-21) 5 2B, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 1 SO.

The Scoop: Wilson isn’t showing a ton of power, but if you never swing and miss, that can work. Wilson struck out five times in his first four games, but he’s only struck out four times in 14 games since. He doesn’t chase out of the zone very much. It’s even rarer for him to swing and miss at a pitch in the zone. Wilson has multi-hit games in eight of his 18 games. But there are plenty of items left to work on. His bat-to-ball skills combined with his aggressiveness means he’s not walking (once so far in 64 plate appearances) and his extremely modest power could come back to bite him eventually. Wilson’s five doubles this week are more than half of his extra-base hit total this season. (JC)

17. Christian Scott, RHP, Mets

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

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.45, 11 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 10 SO, 2 HR

The Scoop: In two home starts versus Columbus, Scott kept rolling with 10 strikeouts and three walks in 11 innings. On the season, his 31.9 K-BB% trails only Paul Skenes and Jack Leiter among Triple-A starters. While Scott has been difficult to hit, he has given up at least one home run in each of his five starts, for a total of seven on the year. That is worth monitoring as Scott’s callup nears. (ME)

18. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers

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

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 1.13, 8 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 13 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Misiorowski is one of the sport’s foremost kings of swings and misses, a title he’s come by thanks to an array of knockout pitches fronted by a fastball that regularly finds the upper 90s and a slider that can bring hitters to their knees. Now, the question is whether he can improve the quantity and quality of his strikes to the point that he can be a starter. In that regard, his last two starts were promising. Facing Pensacola, the righty punched out 13 and issued two free passes. In his previous three turns—a span of 10.1 innings—he walked 11 hitters. (JN)

19. Mike Boeve, 3B, Brewers

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

Why He’s Here: .417/.482/.792 (10-for-24), 1 R, 3 2B, 3 3B, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 5 SO

The Scoop: Drafted in the second round last year out of Nebraska-Omaha, Boeve stood out for his bat-to-ball ability and low strikeout rate in college. Those traits have carried over to pro ball, where he hit .553 in 13 games for High-A Wisconsin to earn a rapid promotion to Double-A. The hits have kept falling for Boeve in Biloxi—he’s hitting .323 with five walks and seven strikeouts through eight games.  (ME)

20. Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays

Team: Triple-A Durham (International)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .389/.421/.833 (7-for-18), 2 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: Most of Caminero’s damage this past week came in a final flourish in the series finale of Durham’s series against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In a Sunday matinee, Caminero swatted a pair of home runs in the first three innings as part of a four-hit day that also included a double. The outburst accounted for three of his four extra-base hits for the week. He appears to be back on track after missing roughly two weeks with a quad injury. He should skate his way to Tampa Bay in short order. (JN)

HELIUM

Matt Wilkinson, LHP, Guardians

Wilkinson is arguably the most fascinating prospect in the game right now and his public persona borders on the stuff of folk hero. Affectionately known as Tugboat, Wilkinson has a baseball journey that dates back to his time as a standout on a Canadian Little League World Series team where he pitched a standout performance in losing effort against Mexico. He ended up at Central Arizona JC where the Guardians selected him in the 10th round of last July’s draft.

Wilkinson had arguably the start of the season on Thursday as he struck out 15 batters allowing only one batter to reach via walk over six hitless frames. Wilkinson sits 89-91 mph on his fastball but the pitch plays up due to Wilkinson’s outlier extension (6-foot-6 from a 6-foot-1 frame). His ability to get down the mound creates a lower release height and subsequently a difficult plane for hitters to square up. He mixes a low-80s baby sweeper with a mid-80s changeup with heavy armside run. Whether or not Wilkinson’s dominance will continue at higher levels remains to be seen, but he does have some outlier traits. (GP)