Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (8/11/25)

1. Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates

• Team: High-A Greensboro (South Atlantic)
• Age: 19 
• Why He’s Here: .357/.424/.714 (10-for-28), 9 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 11 RBIs, 4 BB, 6 SO, 3-for-4 SB

The Scoop: The top prospect in baseball leads the Hot Sheet after a monster week for High-A Greensboro. Griffin took advantage of the friendly road environment of Asheville’s McCormick Field, slugging a trio of home runs and accounting for nine runs and 11 RBIs. He collected hits in all six games, including a pair of three-hit games. Griffin is a true five-tool player with a chance to have plus-or-better tools across the board. (GP) 

2. Thomas White, LHP, Marlins

• Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Even as one of the youngest pitchers in Double-A, White has not been fazed. The lightning-armed lefty was brilliant once again this past week, spinning six one-hit innings with nine strikeouts. It was his third outing of five or more shutout frames since moving to Double-A on June 20. Since he reached the level, White is one of six pitchers to strike out 49 or more hitters. The 30.2 innings in which he’s done it is the lowest total of the group. (JN) 

3. Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies

• Team: Double-A Reading (Eastern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .385/.469/.692 (10-for-26), 10 R, 5 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 BB, 6 SO, 6-for-6 SB

The Scoop: Miller, the Phillies’ top position player prospect, hasn’t had the loudest season. In the opening days of August, however, things are starting to look up. The 14 hits he’s collected this month are just one shy of the total he produced during 22 games in July and four more than the 11 he finished with in June. Though the month is in its early stages, his early production might be small steps toward a big finish. (JN)

4. Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP, Yankees

• Team: Double-A Somerset (Eastern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: 2-0, 0.00, 13 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 15 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Rodriguez-Cruz was outstanding during his time in High-A. Since moving to Double-A, he’s cranked it up another notch or two. This week, in particular, showed he can go toe-to-toe with the best of the best and come out on top. He faced Mets stud Jonah Tong on both Tuesday and Sunday and emerged victorious both times. In total, he struck out 15 and allowed just five hits over 13 shutout innings. He now has 30 strikeouts in 32 Double-A frames. (JN)

5. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians

• Team: High-A Lake County (Midwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .375/.483/.883 (9-for-24), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 2 SO

The Scoop: Velazquez already had an impressive week—and then he capped off Sunday by collecting his second two-homer game of the year. It’s a very encouraging sign from the young first baseman, considering he could not pick up much steam during the early part of the season. Velazquez possesses exceptional strength and explosive bat speed, consistently producing some of the highest exit velocities in the system. His raw power flashes plus-plus potential, with some scouts projecting it could reach a 70-grade ceiling as he continues to mature. (JC)

6. Abimelec Ortiz, OF, Rangers

• Team: Triple-A Round Rock (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .500/.600/1.250 (8-for-16), 8 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 13 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop: Welcome back to the Hot Sheet for the second consecutive week, Mr. Ortiz. Stringing together back-to-back strong performances is a significant step forward in his development, especially given the earlier hiccups in his progression. This recent consistency is exactly what evaluators—and, most importantly, the Rangers—have been hoping to see. Ortiz has smashed 20 home runs. While not reaching the 33 he slugged in 2023, it’s still good to see that his power remains steady.  (JC)

7. Robby Snelling, LHP, Marlins 

• Team: Triple-A Pensacola (International)
• Age: 21 
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Snelling has bounced back so much in 2025, he’s perhaps passed his 2023 season. Snelling is now on the cusp of the big leagues, dominating the minors’ highest level. Over five starts at Triple-A, he sports a 1.63 ERA while striking out 32.1% of batters and walking just 4.7%. This week, Snelling was excellent, striking out 11 over six innings and allowing five hits and one walk. He sat 93-95 mph, touching 97 mph at peak, and generating 11 whiffs against his fastball and 10 against his curveball. Snelling mixes four pitches with above-average command, and there’s a good chance he joins the Marlins’ rotation over the last month of the season. (GP) 

8. Alex Clemmey, LHP, Nationals

• Team: High-A Wilmington (South Atlantic)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: There’s no question that Clemmey has the stuff to drive plenty of swings and misses. There is plenty of doubt, however, about whether he’ll get enough called strikes to stick as a rotation piece. This past week was a point in his favor in that regard. He walked just three over six hitless frames in his most recent turn, but has just eight in a dozen innings this month and 60 in 87.1 innings for the season. Still, he’s plenty young, and his stuff is too wicked to push him onto the reliever track just yet. (JN)

9. Devin Saltiban, 2B, Phillies

• Team: High-A Jersey Shore (South Atlantic) 
• Age: 20 
• Why He’s Here: .435/.519/.870 (10-for-23), 7 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 BB, 4 SO, 4-for-7 SB

The Scoop: A painful lower body injury earlier this season kept Saltiban off the field for two months. He returned in the middle of July, and after a slow start caught, fire last week. Saltiban was excellent against High-A Hub City, tallying a hit in all six games. The Hawaiian native had three multi-hit games, topping it off with a three-hit game on Sunday. Saltiban likely deserves a mulligan for how the injury impacted his season, he has a chance to bounce back over the final month of the season. (GP)  

10. Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles

• Team: Triple-A Norfolk (International)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .389/.421/.889  (7-for-18), 4 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 SO

The Scoop: Basallo is among the most powerful catching prospects in the minor leagues. This month, he’s proved it over and over and over again. The 20-year-old has bashed baseballs all summer long, including two more home runs this past week. Since June 1, he’s been on another planet: .315/.410/.678 with 15 doubles, 11 home runs and just 20 strikeouts over 171 plate appearances. (JN)

11. Daniel Eagen, RHP, Diamondbacks

• Team: High-A Hillsboro (Northwest)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop:  The D-backs’ 2024 third-round pick out of Presbyterian has enjoyed a phenomenal professional debut season. Over 18 starts with High-A Hillsboro, Eagen has pitched to a 2.68 ERA while striking out 33.3% of batters faced. Eagen impressed this week in his start at Vancouver, tossing six scoreless, no-hit innings and striking out 10 in the process. He generated 10 swinging strikes and 16 strikes looking. Eagen generates a lot of ride on his four-seam fastball while also mixing in a curveball, slider and changeup. (GP) 

12. Brycen Mautz, LHP, Cardinals

• Team: Double-A Springfield (Texas)
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: It’s been a banner year for Mautz, who has been one of the best pitchers in the Double-A Texas League this season. Over 19 starts, Mautz has pitched to a 2.99 ERA with a 21.1% K-BB% and showing swing-and-miss stuff with command. Mautz had one of his best starts of the season last week, as he tossed six scoreless innings, struck out 10 and allowed one hit and two walks. A 2022 second-rounder out of San Diego, Mautz has long relied on his above-average slider to keep hitters off balance. He faces his 40-man roster decision this offseason. (GP) 

13. Maxton Martin, OF, Rangers

• Team: Low-A Hickory (Carolina)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .400/.526/1.000 (6-for-15), 6 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 4 BB, 2 SO

The Scoop: Martin is generating plenty of internal buzz within the Rangers organization and has been performing like a potential top 30 organizational prospect. His standout tool is his raw power, already evident in the 12 home runs he’s launched this season. That power does come with some swing-and-miss concerns, but he’s shown enough impact potential to keep evaluators intrigued. As Martin advances through the system, there will be increased pressure for the power to hold—especially with a likely future defensive home in a corner outfield spot or at first base, where offensive production is essential. (JC)

14. Cristian Hernandez, SS, Cubs 

• Team: High-A South Bend (Midwest) 
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .429/.500/.714 (9-for-21), 6 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 4 BB, 1 SO, 3-for-3 SB

The Scoop: After two underwhelming seasons after coming stateside, Hernandez bounced back in a big way in 2024. It’s been more middling in 2025, as he’s provided league average production over 94 games in the High-A Midwest League. After a slow start to the week, Hernandez caught fire over the weekend, racking up 13 total bases over the final three games of the series against Fort Wayne. Hernandez has some feel-to-hit, fringe-average game power and the ability to stick at shortstop. (GP) 

15. Denzer Guzman, SS, Angels

• Team: Triple-A Salt Lake (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .400/.444/.760 (10-for-25), 8 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 11 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Guzman’s performance during his time with Angels has fluctuated, but this year he has found his stride, especially since arriving in Triple-A. He is a defense-first shortstop with smooth actions, reliable hands and a plus arm that profiles well on the left side of the infield. At the plate, he features a simple righthanded swing with line-drive tendencies and developing pullside power. The Angels are hopeful that added reps will sharpen Guzman’s approach and unlock more of his average raw power. As shown by his 11 strikeouts this week, being disciplined at the plate will also require some adjustments. (JC)

16. Elian Peña, SS, Mets

• Team: DSL Mets Orange (Dominican Summer)
• Age: 17
• Why He’s Here: .563/.650/.875 (9-for-16), 8 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 4 BB, 3 SO, 3-for-3 SB

The Scoop: The Mets clearly saw something in Peña, who signed with the club for $5 million. Through his first season, Peña is showing those results. At 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, he ranks among the most polished hitters in the 2025 class. A lefthanded bat with exceptional bat speed, he projects to grow into 25-30 home run power as he continues to mature physically. His swing is smooth, compact and explosive, staying on plane through the zone with advanced barrel control and consistent impact. (JC)

17. David Shields, LHP, Royals

• Team: Low-A Columbia (Carolina)
• Age: 18
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: The Royals showed their confidence in Shields when they promoted him out of the Arizona Complex League after just one start. His performance this year has proved that they made the right choice. Shields punched out eight batters over five one-hit innings in his most recent start, though the turn was just the latest chapter in more than a month of dominance. Since July 1, Shields has produced sparkling statistics: 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA and just 16 hits and four walks over 20 innings. He’s racked up 28 strikeouts in that time, as well. Those numbers have boosted him toward the top of the Royals’ pitching pecking order. (JN) 

18. Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets

• Team: Double-A Binghamton (Eastern)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 0-1, 0.90 ERA, 2 GS, 10 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 16 SO

The Scoop: After his latest outing, Tong earned a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse. He did so by checking nearly every box at the Double-A level and continuing to dominate with poise and consistency. His latest outing was yet another example of his polish and pitchability, as he cruised through lineups with ease and minimal stress. Tong’s command, execution and ability to miss bats have all been on display week after week, and his performance made it easy to pull the trigger on a trip to Triple-A. (JC)

19. Homer Bush Jr., OF, Rays

• Team: Double-A Montgomery (Southern)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .522/.520/.522 (12-for-23), 6 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 SO, 10-for-10 SB

The Scoop: Yes, you read that right—Bush Jr. stole 10 bases in a single week. While that number might raise eyebrows, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise. Coming out of the draft, he was widely praised for his top-of-the-scale speed, and now he’s putting it on full display in game action. With elite burst, sharp instincts and an aggressive mindset on the base paths, Bush Jr. has become a nightmare for opposing batteries. He’s now sitting at 47 stolen bases on the season—just 18 shy of his father, Homer Sr.’s, entire major league career total of 65. At the rate he’s going, that family milestone could fall within weeks. More importantly, his ability to create havoc on the bases is becoming a legitimate separator in his profile, giving him a game-changing impact even when he’s not swinging the bat. (JC)

20. Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies

• Team: Triple-A Lehigh Valley (International)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .391/.481/.609 (9-for-23), 10 R, 0 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 4 BB, 5 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Crawford’s season has been excellent. He’s hit for average, gotten on base and thrown in hints of power every now and then. This past week was more of the same. Two of his nine hits went for extra bases—including his fourth home run of the year—and he sprinkled four walks and a pair of stolen bases onto his ledger, as well. His .330 average ranks sixth in the minors, and his 120 hits check in at 10th on the leaderboard. He has a chance to make his major league debut once the Phillies clinch a playoff seed. (JN)

Helium

Angel Salio, 3B, Reds 

A 2025 international signing out of the Dominican Republic, Salio is gaining serious buzz in the DSL. Over 36 games, Salio is hitting .336/.416/.539 with 19 walks to 14 strikeouts. Salio was signed for $500,000 in January, and despite an elbow injury as an amateur, he’s been playing on the left side of the infield. Salio has size, athleticism, feel-to-hit and remaining projection to dream on. He’ll be a name to follow as he comes stateside in 2026. (GP)