Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (8/18/25)

1. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians

• Team: Double-A Akron (Eastern)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .545/.615/1.364 (12-for-22), 9 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: The rise of Velazquez shows no signs of slowing down for the Guardians’ first baseman, even in his promotion to Double-A Akron. After stumbling out of the gate with an abysmal start, he’s charging into the dog days of summer with a wave of momentum and growing confidence at the plate. Nine of his recent hits have gone for extra bases, including four long balls that showcased the raw power scouts raved about in his draft profile. While swing-and-miss concerns loomed early in the season, Velazquez has tightened his approach and found a rhythm. His improved timing and discipline are turning potential into production—and the results are flying off the bat. (JC)

2. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers

• Team: Double-A Erie (Eastern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .316/.416/.947 (6-for-19), 7 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 8 RBIs, 4 BB, 1 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: McGonigle rings in his 21st birthday with yet another spot on the Hot Sheet. Even with an injury early in the year, the talented Tiger has hit his way into a level beyond elite, and he now sits just one spot away from being the best prospect in the game. He homered four times in Erie’s series against Chesapeake, tripling the Double-A long ball total he entered the series with on Tuesday. McGonigle has contact, power and the kind of savvy that will likely entrench himself in Detroit’s lineup for the long haul. (JN)

3. Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Diamondbacks

• Team: Double-A Amarillo (Texas)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .524/.643/1.286 (11-for-21), 10 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 11 RBIs, 7 BB, 3 SO, 2-for-3 SB

The Scoop: After crushing the competition in the Northwest League, Waldschmidt moved to the Texas League and kept on hitting. He showed hints of his power this past week by bashing two home runs in a game against Corpus Christi. Then he homered again the next day. A day later, he put two more balls over the fence. That kind of surge is a surefire way to move up the prospect ranks. (JN) 

4. Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets

• Team: Triple-A Syracuse (International)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 1 HR

The Scoop: New level, no problem. Tong, owner of perhaps the finest season of any pitcher in the minor leagues in 2025, moved one step closer to the big leagues this past week and found that he could thrive even in the hitter-friendly environment of the International League. In his first start with Syracuse, Tong punched out nine hitters over 5.2 shutout frames. The outing brought his MiLB-best strikeout total to 171 and stood as his seventh game with nine or more Ks. (JN)

5. Jeferson Quero, C, Brewers

• Team: Triple-A Nashville (International)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .471/.524/1.059 (8-for-17), 3 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBIs, 2 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: The past two seasons of Quero’s career have been marred by untimely injuries, each setback chipping away at the momentum of one of the game’s more promising young catchers. Now healthy and back in action, Quero is beginning to reassert himself. He’s wasted little time reminding everyone of his offensive potential in his first two weeks off the injured list. The bat speed is still there, and the plate discipline hasn’t wavered.  (JC)

6. Mick Abel, RHP, Twins

• Team: Triple-A St. Paul (International)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 3.00, 1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 11 SO

The Scoop: Everyone wants to make a good impression in their first exposure to a new employer, and Abel has aced that test. He set the St. Paul record with 11 strikeouts in his most recent start, and he’s sporting a 1.76 ERA in three starts since being acquired from the Phillies at the trade deadline. Strike-throwing has been a problem at times for Abel, but he was locating his fastballs, curve, changeup and sweeper last week while touching 98 mph. He got 20 whiffs in 87 pitches last week’s start with nine whiffs on his curve. (JJ)

7. Jesús Made, SS, Brewers

• Team: High-A Wisconsin (Midwest)
• Age: 18
• Why He’s Here: .458/.519/.708 (11-for-24), 6 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 5 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: New level, same Made. The 18-year-old phenom is wasting no time proving he belongs, tearing through his first two weeks in High-A with the same poise and power that turned heads at the lower levels. While many prospects his age are still finding their footing in Low-A, Made is already making an impact against more advanced competition. He’s flashing elite bat speed, driving the ball to all fields and showing a mature approach at the plate. Scouts were already intrigued by his ceiling—now, he’s turning that potential into production. (JC)

8. Luis De Leon, LHP, Orioles

• Team: High-A Aberdeen (South Atlantic)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO

The Scoop: It’s a small sample, but it appears De Leon pitches best when he faces Yankees prospects. He was outstanding in a quick inning during the teams’ Spring Breakout game back in March, and this past week, he took it up a notch by spinning the first five innings of Aberdeen’s no-hitter against Hudson Valley. The outing was his second against the Renegades this year. Combined, he’s allowed just one run in 10 innings while striking out a dozen and allowing just four hits and four walks. (JN)

9. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics

• Team: High-A Lansing (Midwest)
• Age: 18
• Why He’s Here: .381/.435/.905 (8-for-21), 5 R, 1 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 2 BB, 1 SO

The Scoop: First impressions matter, but for a talent like De Vries, expectations have already been sky-high for the past two seasons. As one of baseball’s most prominent prospects, he came into the spotlight with the tools and pedigree to make a smooth transition to the next level. Since being dealt from the Padres to the A’s at the trade deadline, he’s been electric, showing off the same elite bat-to-ball skills and advanced approach that made him such a coveted asset. (JC)

10. Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox

• Team: Double–A Birmingham (Southern) 
• Age: 22 
• Why He’s Here: .500/.621/.864 (11-for-22), 7 R, 8 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBIs, 5 BB, 6 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Over his first 12 games with Double-A Birmingham, Montgomery hit just .239/.286/.326. However, this week against Pensacola, he turned things around in a big way. He collected hits in all six games, including four multi-hit efforts. He reached base in more than half his plate appearances, limited his strikeouts and looks like he might be turning a corner. Despite above-average production at every level, Montgomery’s season has been at times uneven, as he’s shown less game power than expected. (GP) 

11. Termarr Johnson, 2B, Pirates

• Team: Double-A Altoona (Eastern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .647/.684/.765 (11-for-17), 2 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Statistically speaking, Johnson is in the midst of the best season of his professional career—a reflection of both growth and a more balanced approach at the plate. The lefthanded hitter continues to whip the bat through the zone with lightning-quick hands and is capable of launching majestic pullside home runs. His strike-zone discipline remains advanced for his age, but the pure hitting ability many projected hasn’t consistently shown up. It may be now. (JC)

12. Jarlin Susana, RHP, Nationals

• Team: Double-A Harrisburg (Eastern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 1.80, 1 GS, 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO

The Scoop: It’s unusual to say that a pitcher who allowed just one hit and one run “deserved better,” but Susana did. Susana’s start last week was a shutout that was blown, not by Susana, but by his defense. The one run he allowed is the most unearned “earned” run you will ever see. With Dyan Jorge standing on second base, Delino DeShields lost track of either the number of outs or the fact that there was a baserunner, so he turned his back to the infield after making the catch. Jorge scored from second on an easy fly out to center field. Susana struck out the next batter—touching 102 mph in the process—to end the inning. If not for the DeShields mistake, Susana would have walked off without allowing a run. Susana has allowed two runs in his past three starts, but it should be one. (JJ)

13. Sal Stewart, 3B, Reds

• Team: Triple-A Louisville (International)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .364/.481/.773 (8-for-22) 5 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 4 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: After dominating Double-A, Stewart was asked to show he can handle Triple-A as one of the league’s youngest hitters. So far, he’s looking more than capable of mashing against more experienced pitchers. Stewart is actually doing everything better in Triple-A than Double-A, as he’s upped his walk rate, cut his strikeout rate and hitting for a higher average and more power. Yes, the International League is a much more offensive league than the Southern League, but what Stewart is doing makes it appear that he’s ready to help the Reds in Cincinnati at some point in 2026. (JJ)

14. Cooper Pratt, SS, Brewers

• Team: Double-A Biloxi (Southern)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .421/.500/.895 (8-for-19) 7 R, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 2 BB, 5 SO, 1 SB, 1 CS

The Scoop: This was a much-needed power surge for Pratt, as he hit as many home runs this week as he had in his previous 68 games. Pratt has long said he’s focused on hitting first and letting the power come. He’s walked almost as much as he’s struck out this year, and other than his power, he’s actually been an above-average hitter in the offense-suppressed Southern League. His .242 batting average is 13 points higher than the league average, and his .345 on-base percentage is 24 points better. (JJ)

15. Thomas White, LHP, Marlins

• Team: Double-A Pensacola  (Southern)
• Age: 20 
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 1.80, 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 1 HR

The Scoop: Each week, it seems as though White makes another excellent start, racks up a bunch of strikeouts and makes the Hot Sheet. This week against Birmingham was no different, as the 20-year-old struck out nine and allowed just one run over five innings. White continues to dominate Southern League competition and could debut with Triple-A Jacksonville before the end of the season. (GP) 

16. Owen Murphy, RHP, Braves 

• Team: High-A Rome (South Atlantic)
• Age: 21 
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: After 14 long months away following Tommy John surgery, Murphy returned this summer for High-A Rome. In just his third start for the Emperors, Murphy tossed five or more scoreless innings for the second consecutive start. Not known for his velocity, he instead dominates with good pitch shapes and command. Murphy could quickly recover his prospect status heading into the offseason with a few more quality starts. (GP) 

17. Tim Elko, 1B, White Sox

• Team: Triple-A Charlotte (International)
• Age: 26
• Why He’s Here: .391/.462/1.087 (9-for-23) 6 R, 1 2B, 5 HR, 10 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop: Elko showed he could hit for power but didn’t hit for average or get on base in a brief 20-game stint with the White Sox. But in Triple-A, he’s been a terror for International League pitchers. Elko moved into second place in the IL in home runs this week with 24—one more than Samuel Basallo and Jose Rojas, and six behind Bob Seymour. (JJ)

18. Kyle DeBarge, SS/2B, Twins

• Team: High-A Cedar Rapids (Midwest)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .435/.500/.609 (10-for-23) 5 R, 0 HR, 4 2B, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 3 SB

The Scoop: DeBarge is the kind of well-rounded middle infielder who will likely be a big leaguer, but unless he learns how to hit the ball harder, he’s unlikely to be a regular. This week was an excellent one for him, but it also added to his now 57-game homerless streak. While he’s not much of a power threat, DeBarge does grind out at-bats, and once he’s on the base paths, he’s often off and running. He’s 62 of 66 on stolen bases this year, and his 94% stolen base percentage is best in the minors among hitters with 50+ steals. (JJ)

19. David McCabe, 1B, Braves

• Team: Double-A Columbus (Southern) 
• Age: 25 
• Why He’s Here: .409/.519/1.091 (9-for-22), 8 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 15 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: After missing most of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, McCabe is back healthy and productive in 2025. This season he’s hit .286/.379/.434 over 105 games for Double-A Columbus and is likely primed for a bump up to Triple-A Gwinnett. Over six games this week, McCabe drove in a whopping 15 RBIs. In Wednesday night’s game, he hit two home runs and drove in seven, producing a large chunk of that RBI total. McCabe drove in another four the following night, connecting for his fourth home run of the week for his third consecutive game with a homer. McCabe is an older first base-only prospect, but he has the bat to make a case for MLB at-bats in the coming years. (GP) 

20. Robby Snelling, LHP, Marlins 

• Team: Triple-A Jacksonville (International)
• Age: 21 
• Why He’s Here: 0-1, 0.00, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: It’s been a truly remarkable bounce-back season for Snelling, who has returned to the form that won him BA’s 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Snelling has been electric in Triple-A across six starts, pitching to a 1.34 ERA while striking out 33.3% of batters faced. This week, he was a hard-luck loser despite not allowing an earned run over six innings. It was his fourth consecutive game with at least seven strikeouts. In fact over, Snelling’s last four starts, he’s struck out 38 batters to three walks. (GP)

Helium

Jackson Cox, RHP, Rockies

Colorado’s minor league pitching corps has seen more than its fair share of Tommy John surgeries in recent years. On one July day in 2023, the team announced that three of its best prospects—Gabriel Hughes, Jordy Vargas and Jackson Cox—all needed ligament reconstruction surgeries on their pitching elbows. All three righthanders have now returned, with mixed results. On Aug. 17, in Low-A Fresno’s series finale against Stockton, Cox, was tremendous. The 2022 second-rounder disassembled the Ports over five shutout innings, striking out seven while throwing just 59 pitches. He brought his fastball up to 98 mph and backed it with a nasty curveball he could land for strikes or bury for chases. He, at times, also mixed in a high-80s changeup that slid away from lefties at the last moment. If he can carry that kind of momentum into next year, the months he was away from the mound might be well worth the wait. (JN)