Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (6/2/25)

1. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers

• Team: High-A West Michigan (Midwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .591/.679/.864 (13-for-22) 8 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 6 BB, 0 SO, 0-for-2 SB

The Scoop: About the only knock with McGonigle is that he’s missed more time than he, the Tigers or anyone other than opposing pitchers would like. McGonigle didn’t make it back to West Michigan until May 21 because of an ankle injury. Since then, he’s 16-for-31 (.516) with 11 walks and three strikeouts in nine games. It’s understandable that the Tigers want to knock the rust off, but McGonigle is just too good for the Midwest League. (JJ)

2. Shay Whitcomb, SS, Astros

• Team: Triple-A Sugar Land (Pacific Coast) 
• Age: 26 
• Why He’s Here: .600/.600/1.350 (12-for-20), 7 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 8 RBIs, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Whitcomb has been one of the premier power hitters in the minors over the last three seasons, slugging 78 homers since 2023. Last week, Whitcomb continued his slugging exploits by hitting five homers over three games. The biggest splash came in the form of a three-home run game on Wednesday, as Whitcomb went 4-for-5 with five RBIs. Whitcomb is 26 and has already seen some time in the big leagues. He’s likely to be an up-and-down player over the next several years. (GP) 

3. Ryan Ritter, SS, Rockies

• Team: Triple-A Albuquerque (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: .474/.542/1.211 (9-for-19), 5 R, 0 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 3 SO, 4 BB

The Scoop: Ritter was blazing hot in May—the type of heat to fry an egg on the Arizona sidewalk at high noon in June. He led the minors in home runs (12), total bases (89) and OPS (1.363) while slashing .381/.445/.918. He also slugged five homers over a two-game stretch. Everything has been working well for Ritter, as he chases less and hits the ball even harder than before (103.3 90th percentile exit velocity). With Ritter’s help, the Isotopes have won 26 games, while the Rockies haven’t even reached 10 victories. It might be time to let the hot young infielder contribute at the major league level. (JC)

4. Josue Briceño, C/1B, Tigers

• Team: High-A West Michigan (Midwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .375/.545/1.375 (6-for-16) 8 R, 1 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBIs, 6 BB, 4 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: It’s reasonable to wonder how long the West Michigan fans will continue to get to watch this terrific trio, but the combination of McGonigle, Briceño and Max Clark is one of the best prospect groupings in the minors. Briceño’s power is prodigious. In his three-homer game this week, he smashed a line drive opposite field over the left field fence, pulled two over the right field fence and added a double off the 402-foot sign in center field to complete the set. (JJ)

5. Eduardo Quintero, OF, Dodgers

• Team: Low-A Rancho Cucamonga (California)
• Age: 19
• Why He’s Here: .480/.533/.880 (12-for-25), 5 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 5 SO, 4-for-5 SB

The Scoop: All things—good or bad—must come to an end. Quintero’s 0-for-4 effort on Sunday reinforced that truism and brought to halt his 33-game on-base streak, which at the time was the longest in the minor leagues. The 19-year-old Quintero was the top prospect in the Arizona Complex League a summer ago and has only raised his stock by doing the same to the trajectory of his batted balls. Grounders have become line drives and flyballs, and in the process, contact has become impact. The result is a sublime start to the season and an addition to BA’s Top 100 Prospects. (JN)

6. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates

• Team: Triple-A Indianapolis (International)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 3.00, 1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 13 SO

The Scoop: Chandler’s four-seam fastball is one of the nastiest weapons in the International League. He touched 100 mph again this week, which is a pretty normal part of his outings, as he’s recorded 24 pitches of 100+ mph this year. The results are equally impressive. His 41.1% whiff rate on his four-seam fastball is easily the best among Triple-A starters. (JJ)

7. Alex Clemmey, LHP, Nationals

• Team: High-A Wilmington (South Atlantic)
• Age: 19
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 11 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 7 BB, 18 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: When Clemmey’s right, he’s unhittable. When he’s wrong, he’s also unhittable, but for different reasons. Both scenarios leave hitters flailing at high-velocity heaters and sidewinding sliders, but the latter also sees taking long looks at plenty of pitches out of the strike zone before strolling to first base. With 18 more strikeouts and seven more walks over two starts against Hudson Valley this past week, Clemmey now owns a preposterous 32.8% strikeout rate to go with an 18.6% walk rate that leaves plenty of room for improvement. With even moderate improvements to his control, he could be a dominant late-game reliever. If he can become an average strike-thrower, the sky’s the limit. (JN)

8. David Sandlin, RHP, Red Sox

• Team: Double-A Portland (Eastern)
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Sandlin came to the Red Sox from the Royals in the deal that sent John Schrieber to Kansas City. After a middling first month of the season, Sandlin has turned it on in May. The righthander and Oklahoma alum punched out eight more hitters in his final turn of the season’s second month, leaving him with a total of 29 strikeouts against five walks over 25.2 innings. If he can continue sharpening his control and command, he has an outside chance of making his big league debut by season’s end. (JN)

9. Cole Young, SS, Mariners

• Team: Triple-A Tacoma (Pacific Coast) 
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .500/.632/.714 (7-for-14), 4 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: It’s not often that a player hits .500 on any given week and it ends up not being the most memorable thing about the week. But that’s what happened for Young, who earned the callup to the major leagues this week and preceded to walk it off in his first career start. Prior to that, Young racked up seven hits over four games, spearheaded by a five-hit game on Wednesday. Young has shown improved power in 2025, though, whether or not that translates to the major leagues is up for some debate. He does show advanced bat-to-ball skills, approach and defensive ability in the middle infield. (GP) 

10. Alfredo Duno, C, Reds

• Team: Low-A Daytona (Florida State)
• Age: 19
• Why He’s Here: .450/.607/.850 (9-for-20) 7 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 8 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop: Duno has been one of the best hitters in the Florida State League this year, as you have to remember to mentally adjust for just how hard this league is for hitters. Only three hitters are slugging above .500 in the league. As good as Duno’s power has been, the most important development this year is that he’s has stayed healthy. He has been limited in each of his first two pro seasons, so Duno will set a career high in games played sometime next week. (JJ)

11. Brice Matthews, 2B, Astros 

• Team: Triple-A Sugar Land (Pacific Coast) 
• Age: 23 
• Why He’s Here: .563/.632/1.125 (9-for-16), 4 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBIs, 3 BB, 2 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: The Space Cowboys took flight this week in Albuquerque as Matthews joins teammate Shay Whitcomb on the list. Matthews collected hits in all five games in which he played, including three consecutive multi-hit games. His biggest game of the week came on Friday when he went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and seven total bases. Matthews enters the first full week of June hitting .272/.401/.450 with six home runs and 16 stolen bases. He provides the Astros a player who can play multiple positions in the infield while showing above-average on-base skills, power and speed. (GP) 

12. Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers

• Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .421/.607/.632 (8-for-19), 7 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 9 BB, 6 SO, 3-for-3 SB

The Scoop: De Paula is part of the outfield of dreams the Dodgers have in place at High-A Great Lakes, where he and Zyhir Hope, Kendall George and now Mike Sirota have combined to wreck shop on Midwest League competition all season long. De Paula’s hallmarks are power and patience, and he’s shown both in spades in the early going. He’s one of five players 20 years old or younger in full-season ball with more walks than strikeouts, and his eight home runs are double the second-highest total among that group. (JN)

13. Gabriel Gonzalez, OF, Twins

• Team: Double-A Wichita (Texas)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .455/.520/.773 (10-for-22) 5 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 BB, 2 SO

The Scoop: A back injury derailed Gonzalez’s 2024 season and led to concerns about whether he could get back to his early-career form at the plate. This year, Gonzalez is healthy and mashing. He’s equaled last year’s five home runs in a little more than half as many games. Gonzalez is a corner outfielder who has to really hit to pave a path to the majors, and that’s exactly what he’s doing this year. (JJ)

14. Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics

• Team: Double-A Midland (Texas) 
• Age: 22 
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Over the first two months of the season, Jump has been arguably the hottest pitcher on the planet. He takes his now weekly spot on Hot Sheet after tossing six more scoreless innings this week. Jump struck out seven and allowed just four hits while not walking a batter. He has flashed plus fastball command over the first two months, as he’s dominated with his heater. The former LSU lefty has been excellent this season, and the move to Double-A hasn’t slowed him at all. (GP) 

 15. Brooks Brannon, C, Red Sox

• Team: High-A Greenville (South Atlantic)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .524/.524/1.048 (11-for-21), 9 R, 3 2B, 1 3B,  2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SO, 0 BB

The Scoop: Back injuries are no joke—tough to deal with, even tougher to come back from. Brannon strained his in 2023, and it lingered into the next season. But this year, he’s clearly found his rhythm again. Most importantly, he’s back to doing what he does best: hitting the ball hard. That raw power was one of his calling cards coming out of the 2022 draft, and it’s showing up loud and clear now. His top exit velocity this season? A scorching 119.8 mph. Average? A solid 92.2 mph. (JC)

16. Tirso Ornelas, OF, Padres

• Team: Triple-A El Paso (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 25
• Why He’s Here: .435/.480/.957 (10-for-23), 4 R, 6 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 4 SO, 2 BB

The Scoop: Ornelas has been a familiar name in the Padres’ farm system since signing out of Mexico back in 2017. After years of putting in the work, he finally got his shot in San Diego, making his debut earlier this season. He’s consistently been one of the more reliable performers in the organization, using his 6-3, 200-pound frame to his advantage and leaning on the strength that’s been a big part of his game. Although, this season, his over-the-fence power hasn’t been up to the level it was last year. He has three homers this season, two of which were hit in back-to-back games this week. (JC)

17. Carter Jensen, C, Royals 

• Team: Double-A Northwest Arkansas (Texas)
• Age: 21 
• Why He’s Here: .480/.480/.760 (12-for-25), 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 6 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: After a difficult April in which he hit .222/.300/.311, Jensen got himself right in May, hitting .312/.379/.450. Last week, Jensen strung together five multi-hit games as he caught fire against Springfield. His high point of the week came on Saturday, as he went 3-for-6 with a triple and home run. Jensen shows above-average game power with on-base skills. Always been considered a bat-first catcher, he’s also been successful throwing out runners in 2025, as he currently has a 28.6% success rate. (GP) 

18. Brady House, SS, Nationals

• Team: Triple-A Rochester (International)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .375/.464/.667 (9-for-24), 6 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 SO, 4 BB

The Scoop: Whose house? Looks like it’s Brady’s. House cracked double-digit homers this week and just keeps hammering the ball—something he’s done consistently since the day he joined the Nationals organization. The power is real, and the approach keeps getting sharper with every at-bat. He’s putting together quality plate appearances and doing damage. Cutting down his chase rate should help him get ahead in counts and be in a better position to do damage before he reaches the majors. (JC)

19. Trey Gibson, RHP, Orioles

• Team: High-A Delmarva (South Atlantic)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 3.00, 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, HR, 0 BB, 13 SO

The Scoop: Gibson’s season has been better than it appears. He needs to reign in the home runs, as he seems to give up one blast a game and has held opponents’ homerless just three times in nine outings. But when he’s not giving up homers, he’s striking everyone else out. This week, Gibson gave up a two-run home run, but those two hits (and homer) in a three-batter stretch were the only baserunners he allowed. His slider and curveball are filthy at their best, and his 67 strikeouts are tied with Alex Clemmey for second most among High-A pitchers. (JJ)

20. Cedric De Grandpre, RHP, Braves

• Team: High-A Rome (South Atlantic)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 10 SO

The Scoop: De Grandpre is a true grinder. A native of Saint-Simon-de-Bagot, Quebec, the righty moved to the U.S. to pitch at Chipola Junior College in Florida. It was a bold move that paid off when the Braves selected him in the 13th round of the 2022 draft and signed him for $237,500. De Grandpre was placed on the full-season injured list in 2024, and his recovery crept into this year. After making two rehab appearances in the Florida Complex League, De Grandpre struck out a career-high 10 batters in his return over six scoreless innings. (JC)

Helium

Dillon Lewis, OF, Yankees

When the Yankees called Lewis’ name last summer, they made him just the second player to be drafted out of Queens College of Charlotte. They did so on the strength of a very loud tool set that has shown up in spades in pro ball. Scouts go as high as double-plus on Lewis’ raw power and give him plus grades for his speed, as well. That combination alone is enough to raise eyebrows, but there’s plenty of room for improvement as he moves up the ladder. The Yankees are working with Lewis to raise the trajectories of his batted balls, and in doing so, his miss rates are elevated. His nine home runs and 13 stolen bases are each among the top 10 in his organization, and he’s one of just five minor leaguers to reach both of those plateaus this season. (JN)