Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet (7/22/19) — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Image credit: Michael Baumann (Photo by Tom DiPace)

Welcome back to the Hot Sheet, which ranks the 20 hottest prospects from the previous week. This installment of the Prospect Hot Sheet considers what minor league players did from July 15-21. Contributing this week were Josh Norris, J.J. Cooper, Kyle Glaser and Justin Coleman.

Remember, this simply recognizes what the hottest prospects in the minors did in the past week—it’s not a re-ranking of the Baseball America Top 100 Prospects.

1. Michael Baumann, RHP, Orioles
Team: Double-A Bowie (Eastern)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.90, 14.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 14 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Baumann came within one out of a no-hitter on April 30. He got another chance last week and, this time, completed the feat. Baumann threw a no-hitter with two walks and 10 strikeouts against Double-A Harrisburg in his first start last week, his most dominant start in a season full of them. The 2017 third-rounder is 3-5, 2.80 with 113 strikeouts and 33 walks in 86.2 innings this year between high Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, cementing himself as one of the Orioles’ most promising pitching prospects. (KG)

2. Jonathan Bowlan, RHP, Royals
Team: High Class A Wilmington (Carolina)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.57, 2 GS, 14 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 18 SO

The Scoop: When the Royals drafted five straight college pitchers to start their 2018 draft, Bowlan was the fifth of those five picks. But he’s the first of the five to throw a no-hitter. He threw a complete-game, nine inning no-hitter to beat Carolina, striking out nine. When Bowlan is on, he eats up hitters with his heavy, 92-97 mph fastball, but it’s his fastball command that has helped him earn a promotion to Wilmington. (JJ)

3. Gavin Lux, SS, Dodgers
Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .500/.581/1.154 (13-for-26), 11 R, 2 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBIs, 5 BB, 5 SO

The Scoop: What Lux has done over the past month is truly special. It’s almost incomprehensible. Over the past 30 days, Lux has hit .469. In the past month, Lux has three four-hit games and a five-hit game. He hit home runs in five straight games. And he’s showing that a Dodgers lineup that is already incredibly deep might need to figure out a way to find a spot for another potential impact bat. The Dodgers have given Lux time at second base ever since he reached full season ball in 2017, so it could be an option. (JN)

4. Trey Supak, RHP, Brewers
Team: Double-A Biloxi (Southern)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 SO

The Scoop: Supak has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the minors this year, but it’s his plus control that really stands out. Supak has worked six or more innings in 14 of his 19 starts because he’s extremely pitch efficient. This week’s start was his fifth of the season where he allowed just one hit while working five or more innings. (JJ)

5. Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers
Team: Double-A Erie (Eastern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 13 SO

The Scoop:   The Tigers’ No. 5 prospect has been lights out all season long and continued his dominance this week. The lefthander carved up Double-A Richmond’s lineup, fanning a season-high13 batters. He topped out at 97 mph with his fastball and his plus curveball had hitters fishing late in counts.   (JC)

6. Trent Grisham, OF, Brewers
Team: Triple-A San Antonio (Pacific Coast)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .536/.606/1.036 (15-for-28), 9 R, 5 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop: Grisham has always been a toolshed. He was drafted with the potential to be a center fielder who can hit, hit for power and run, though it might take time. This year seems to be his coming-out party. He performed at Double-A, then moved to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, where he’s gone off. He’s combined for 23 home runs in 338 at-bats this season after hitting 19 in his prior 1,220 ABs as a pro. (JN)

7. Will Stewart, LHP, Marlins
Team: High Class A Jupiter (Florida State)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.04, 8.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO 

The Scoop: Part of the package the Phillies sent to the Marlins for J.T. Realmuto this offseason, Stewart worked on to the map last year as part of a dynamite rotation in low Class A Lakewood that also included top Phillies pitching prospect Spencer Howard and breakout lefty Damon Jones. Stewart came an out away from a nine-inning no-hitter in his latest start, a bright spot in a bit of a rocky year at high Class A Jupiter. (JN)

8. Josh Lowe, OF, Rays
Team: Double-A Montgomery (Southern)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .400/.444/.720 (10-for-25), 4 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: On the surface, Lowe’s .247/.341/.423 stat line doesn’t jump off the page. But it actually is a sign of significant progress. The Southern League’s utter lack of offense (especially when compared to Triple-A baseball) makes it hard to realize that Lowe has actually been an above-average hitter this year. Lowe has been one of the most physically gifted players in the Rays’ organization ever since he was drafted. This year, he’s driving the ball more consistently. Lowe doesn’t have to be a dominating hitter to be a useful big leaguer tanks to his center field defense. (JJ)

9. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Marlins
Team: Double-A Jacksonville (Southern)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.42, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO  

The Scoop: Sanchez had a good night against Double-A Chattanooga, as the righthander needed 90 pitches to make his way through 6.1 innings. While he did face a good amount of traffic on the bases, Sanchez was able to get some timely strikeouts and ground balls to get out of jams. (JC)

10. Gilberto Celestino, OF, Twins
Team: Low Class A Cedar Rapids
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .423/.464/.769 (11-for-26), 4 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 SO 

The Scoop: Dealt from the Astros to the Twins last summer in the trade that sent reliever Ryan Pressly to Houston, Celestino has solid tools across the board and showed well this week in low Class A. After a quiet first half, Celestino has slashed .329/.405/.543 in 18 games in July, and he has an .883 OPS in the second half.

11. Justus Sheffield, LHP, Mariners
Team: Double-A Arkansas (Texas)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.45, 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO  

The Scoop: While Sheffield did see plenty of traffic on the bases against Double-A Frisco, the lefty allowed just two earned runs while racking up eight strikeouts. He was able to generate a double play and pick a runner off base to help his cause, while also striking out batters in key situations. As the game went on, Sheffield was able to pitch to contact and let his defense convert some outs.    (JC)

12. Nick Pratto, 1B, Royals
Team: High Class A Wilmington (Carolina)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .429/.500/.857 (9-for-21), 6 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO, 2-for-3 SB

The Scoop: It’s been a mostly miserable season for Pratto, but the 2017 first-rounder finally showed signs of life last week. Pratto delivered four multi-hit performances in six games and raised his season average 17 points from .170 to .187. While there’s a lot of room for improvement, the young first baseman at least made a move in the right direction. (KG)

13. Trevor Rogers, LHP, Marlins
Team: High Class A Jupiter (Florida State)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.20, 14 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 12 SO, 1 HR

The Scoop: Rogers showed flashes of excellence in his pro debut last year but often couldn’t sustain it. This year, the 2017 first-rounder is finding ways to maintain his dominance. Rogers delivered back-to-back seven-inning starts last week, lowering his season ERA to 2.53 and continuing his recent excellence. He has allowed two earned runs or less in six of his last seven starts, including four outings of zero earned runs allowed, and he has pitched into the seventh inning in each of his last five starts. (KG)

14. Ryan Vilade, SS, Rockies
Team: High Class A Lancaster (California)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .407/.393/.778 (11-for-27), 5 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs

The Scoop: Vilade has yet to truly break out as a hitter, but he has a knack for making hard, loud contact that shows in flashes that he could be an offensive force. Since June 1, he’s shown more thump—he’s slugged over .500 each of the past two months. There are fewer expectations that Vilade will be able to stay at shortstop, so that bat is going to have to continue to be better. (JJ)

15.   Keury Mella, RHP, Reds 
Team: Triple-A Louisville (International)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here: 1-1, 3.00, 12 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 7 SO  

The Scoop: Mella made two fine starts for Triple-A Louisville this past week. The righthander worked six innings each outing but lacked control in his second start, allowing batters to reach base via walk. Although he doesn’t consistently miss bats, Mella was able to keep runs to a minimum. (JC)

16. Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants
Team: High Class A San Jose (Calfornia)
Age: 19
Why He’s Here: .435/.552/.652 (10-for-23), 6 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 BB, 6 SO , 1 SB

The Scoop: After missing time this year, Ramos has taken off at high Class A San Jose. He opened the season as the fifth-youngest player (and youngest non-Padres prospect) in the California League and has thrived in the hitter-friendly environment. He’s shown on-base and power potential all season, and earned himself a berth in this year’s Futures Game as well.

17. Spencer Howard, RHP, Phillies
Team: High Class A Clearwater (Florida State)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop:  After returning from a shoulder injury that kept him out for two months, Howard has picked up right where he left off. His last three starts have been magnificent. In that time he’s gone 15 innings, allowed three hits, walked one and struck out 18 hitters. He’s the highest-upside pitcher in the Phillies’ system, and he has spent this season living up to that billing. (JN)

18. Josh Fuentes, 3B, Rockies
Team: Triple-A Albuquerque
Age: 26
Why He’s Here: .409/.500/1.000 (9-for-22), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 9 RBIs, 4 BB, 4 SO  

The Scoop: The Rockies’ No. 16 prospect showed off the power this week, blasting a homer in three consecutive games against Triple-A Fresno. Fuentes’ defensive profile has never been a question, and the bat is starting to come around in the power department this year.   (JC)

19. Tucker Davidson, LHP, Braves
Team: Double-A Mississippi (Southern)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.04, 1 GS, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 SO.

The Scoop: On Mississippi team with a nearly full rotation of pitching prospects, Davidson is one who leads the Southern League with a 2.04 ERA. Davidson’s fastball has life and finish to go with its 92-96 mph velocity. He may end up as a power reliever in the majors, but there’s little doubt at this point that he has a big league future. (JJ)

20. Edward Olivares, OF, Padres
Team: Double-A Amarillo (Texas)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: .429/.556/1.048 (9-for-21), 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 4 BB, 2 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Olivares drew mixed reviews from scouts last year in the high Class A California League despite putting up solid numbers. He’s taken another step this year, making the successful jump to Double-A and continuing to perform as the season goes on. Olivares is batting .300 with 22 doubles, 16 home runs, 23 stolen bases and an .878 OPS after his latest big week. After being added to the Padres’ 40-man roster in the offseason, the athletic outfielder is making the case to be a part of the club’s future. (KG)

Helium

Gregory Guerrero, 2B, Mets 

After missing all of 2018 with a shoulder surgery, Guerrero is off to a good start for short-season Kingsport. The second baseman is hitting .253/.372/.453 with 11 extra-base hits in 95 at-bats. He has built up a nine-game hitting streak with four multi-hit games during that span. Guerrero’s hit tool is starting to come around and may eventually meet its above-average ceiling down the road. 