Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (6/23/25)

1. Hector Rodriguez, OF, Reds

• Team: Double-A Chattanooga (Southern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .567/.606/1.033 (17-for-30) 13 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: Rodriguez has always hit, and that’s once again true this season. Halfway through the season, he’s slashing .316/.378/.514. But there is one change that is extremely notable. Rodriguez has always been one of the most aggressive free-swingers in pro ball with the bat-to-ball skills to make it work. But this year, he’s walked 25 times in 65 games. He needs just three walks to equal his career high in walks, which he set in 2023 in 115 games. In 2023, he swung at 63% of all pitches he saw. Last year, he swung at 57%. This year, according to Synergy Sports data, he’s swinging just 52% of the time. That’s still aggressive, but it’s within the range of normalcy, something Rodriguez hasn’t shown in the past. (JJ)

2. Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees 

• Team: Double-A Somerset (Eastern)
• Age: 24 
• Why He’s Here: .476/.607/.952 (10-for-21), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 7 BB, 6 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: In Jones’ return trip to Double-A, he’s continued to do what he does: collect extra base hits, draw walks and strike out. His strikeout rate is down slightly in 2025, and his 184 wRC+ is tops in the Eastern League to begin the season. Last week, Jones had three consecutive multi-hit games to end the week while slugging homers on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Jones is one of the more divisive prospects in the game, as his loud tools and mammoth power are exciting, but the hit tool questions are very real. (GP) 

3. Sal Stewart, 2B, Reds

• Team: Double-A Chattanooga (Southern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .500/.567/.885 (13-for-26) 8 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 4 BB, 4 SO, 1 SB

The Scoop: This week, Stewart yanked three home runs over the left field fence. For most hitters, that would be nothing out of the normal. But for Stewart, it’s significant, as his hit-first approach rarely sees him pull the ball with authority. Only one of his previous four home runs this season were pulled to left, and he’s yanked only 9% of fly balls he’s hit this year to left field. He’s hit 9% to left center, 38% to center, 21% to right center and 23% to right field. If Stewart can learn to more consistently pull pitches with authority to go with his plus hit tool, it would significantly help him become a more well-rounded threat at the plate. This week was an encouraging sign. (JJ)

4. Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets

• Team: Double-A Binghamton (Eastern)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Each week, it feels like Tong has a top five performance in the minor leagues. This week he tossed 7.2 scoreless, striking out 11 while allowing two hits and a walk. Over 13 starts with Double-A Binghamton, Tong has a 1.75 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 67 total innings. The introduction of a new changeup grip significantly improved the quality of his offspeed, while he’s also showing incremental improvements with his slider. Tong is now loudly banging on the door of Triple-A, as his performance warrants a promotion at this point. The 22-year-old Canadian-born righthander looks like he could emerge as the Mets’ best starting pitching prospect by the end of the season. (GP)

5. Jakob Marsee, OF, Marlins

• Team: Triple-A Jacksonville (International)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .400/.464/.960 (10-for-25), 5 R,  2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 2 SO, 3 BB, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: There’s a growing sense of urgency for Marsee, who joined the Marlins last year in the Luis Arraez trade. The past two seasons have been tough sledding for the Central Michigan alum, marked by inconsistency and stalled development. Still, a recent hot stretch offers a glimmer of hope that he might be turning a corner. With the spotlight on him and opportunity knocking, this could be a pivotal moment in Marsee’s push to get back on track. Marsee’s upright stance and stiff swing make you wonder how much he’ll be able to adjust. He’s super patient at the plate, which leads to strikeouts but also a ton of walks. There’s some sneaky power in there, too. (JC)

6. Franyerber Montilla, SS, Tigers

• Team: Low-A Lakeland (Florida State)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .556/.579/1.056 (10-for-18), 6 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 SO, 6-for-6 SB

The Scoop: After opening eyes last summer in the Florida Complex League, Montilla is beginning to catch fire in full-season ball. The switch-hitting shortstop clubbed a pair of home runs—the second of which came as part of a four-hit effort to close his team’s series with Fort Myers—and swiped six bases in as many chances. After a moribund month of May, Montilla has been piping hot in June. Three weeks in, he’s slashed .292/.370/.446, the bulk of which was provided by his outburst this past week. (JN)

7. Carlos Lagrange, RHP, Yankees

• Team: Double-A Somerset (Eastern)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.69, 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: After getting hit around in his first two outings at Double-A, Lagrange found his groove in his third turn. The towering righthander sliced and diced New Hampshire over 5.1 innings and finished with 12 strikeouts, meaning that all but four of his outs that day came on strikes. His 20 whiffs were also the most in the classification. The big day brought Lagrange’s Double-A strikeout total to twenty and his overall season total to 74 over 57 innings between the South Atlantic and Eastern leagues. (JN)

8. Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners 

• Team: High-A Everett (Northwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .316/.435/.947 (6-for-19), 6 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 8 RBIs, 4 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: Montes had just six hits this past week. Normally, that’s not a Hot Sheet-worthy performance. But when four of those hits are home runs, the calculus changes quickly. Montes is one of the most fearsome sluggers in Seattle’s system, and his quartet of round trippers this past week brought his season total to 18 in 66 games with the Aquasox. He leads the Northwest League by three home runs, outpacing teammate Michael Arroyo for the top spot. (JN)

9. Nathan Church, OF, Cardinals 

• Team: Triple-A Memphis (International) 
• Age: 24 
• Why He’s Here: .429/.500/1.000 (9-for-21), 6 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 1 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: One of the best outfield defenders in the minors, Church had a massive week in Triple-A, collecting three extra base hits with a pair of doubles, triples and home runs. Since being promoted to Memphis on June 6, Church has continued his impressive performance, hitting .426/.493/.656 over his first 15 games. He tallied hits in all five games in which he played and ended the week with three straight multi-hit games. Church could be up with the Cardinals at some point this summer, as his 40-man roster addition is due this Fall. (GP) 

10. Chase Burns, RHP, Reds

• Team: Triple-A Louisville (International)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here:  1-0, 1.29 ERA, 1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 10 SO

The Scoop: Could this be the final time Burns lights up the Hot Sheet? The fireballing righty is reportedly set to make his MLB debut Tuesday for the Reds, less than a year after going No. 2 overall. Prospect diehards already know what’s coming. For everyone else, prepare to be dazzled. Burns pairs a lightning-fast heater with a filthy 70-grade changeup for one of the most lethal combos of any young arm. The true test now? Thriving with two elite pitches in a velocity-saturated era. (JC)

11. Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners

• Team: High-A Everett (Northwest) 
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .529/.600/1.118 (9-for-17), 3 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 BB, 1 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: Emerson opened the week scorching hot, going 7-for-10 over his first two games with 16 total bases. He would reach base in each of the next three games but was pulled from Saturday’s game with hamstring tightness and sat on Sunday. Emerson has been excellent in the month of June, hitting .328/.443/.594. He struggled over the first two months of the season and looks like he’s rounding into form at the halfway point. Hopefully his hamstring aliment is minor, and he returns to Everett’s lineup next week. (GP)

12. Jhonny Level, SS, Giants

• Team: ACL Giants (Arizona Complex)
• Age: 18
• Why He’s Here: .353/.435/.882 (6-for-17), 6 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 SO, 4 BB, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Level has been dubbed the top talent in the ACL by numerous scouts, and he’s proving them right every time he steps on the field. This week, he launched three more home runs, including a two-homer game, bringing him into a tie for the league lead with seven bombs. With loud tools and an even louder bat, Level is quickly turning hype into headline-worthy production. He is a powerful athlete with impressive quickness and strength for his frame. Scouts praised his advanced feel for the game and ability to impact the ball from both sides of the plate consistently. His swing is quick, efficient and built to spray line drives across the field. Defensively, he moves well at shortstop and has the arm strength to handle third base if needed. Level’s all-around tools and instincts stand out at his age, and they should translate at the next… level. (JC)

13. Tyler Locklear, 1B, Mariners

• Team: Triple-A Tacoma (Pacific)
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: .381/.462/.905 (8-for-21), 8 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 4 RBIs, 4 BB, 7 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: This week’s Hot Sheet is a veritable “Sea for All”. Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes and Locklear all made the list after having outstanding weeks. Locklear did his damage at the highest level, clubbing a trio of home runs among his eight hits. The long ball barrage was 60% of the total he carried at the beginning of the week. Locklear made his big league debut in 2024. A few more weeks like this and a return trip might be in the cards. (JN)

14. Esmerlyn Valdez, OF, Pirates

• Team: High-A Greensboro (South Atlantic)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .375/.400/.875 (9-for-24) 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 1 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: Say hello to the MiLB home run leader, as Valdez’s three home runs this week gives him 19 overall. While Greensboro is a very good home run park, Valdez has been just as good away from home. He’s hit .308/.386/.632 with 10 home runs in 32 games at home and .324/.405/.604 with nine home runs in 35 games on the road. Valdez’s 22 home runs led the Florida State League last year, but it came with a .226 batting average. This year, he’s hitting .316 while showing increased power. (JJ)

15. Christian Zazueta, RHP, Dodgers

• Team: Low-A Rancho Cucamonga (California)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here:  0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 10 SO

The Scoop: Zazueta is a tall, projectable arm with the kind of frame teams dream on. He pairs a lively fastball with a promising changeup and a developing sweeper, and he’s added a cutter that shows flashes. With potentially above-average control and improved ability to maintain his stuff deep into outings, Zazueta is starting to put the pieces together. (JC)

16. Ryan Johnson, RHP, Angels

• Team: High-A Tri-City (Northwest)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: The Angels’ 2024 second-round supplemental pick had one of the stranger introductions to professional baseball. The Angels broke camp with Johnson before he had thrown a pitch in a professional game. After spending the first six weeks of the season in the major leagues, Johnson was optioned to High-A. As he’s been stretched back out as a starter, Johnson has hit his stride, pitching to a 1.80 ERA over his last six starts with 35 strikeouts to six walks across 30 innings. This week, Johnson tossed seven scoreless innings against Hillsboro, allowing two hits and no walks as he struck out seven. He primarily mixes a cutter, sinker and slider, boasting high stuff grades on his cutter and slider. After a successful college career at Dallas Baptist, Johnson looks like he’s finding his footing in the minors. (GP) 

17. Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers

• Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest)
• Age: 20 
• Why He’s Here: .235/.435/.647 (4-for-17), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 6 BB, 2 SO, 4-for-4 SB

The Scoop: De Paula might not always rack up hits, but he’s usually able to find a way on base. The 20-year-old slugger collected just four knocks this past week—two of them left the park—but his weekly on-base percentage was a full 200 points higher than his batting average thanks to six walks. He wasn’t stationary on the basepaths, either, stealing four bags without being caught. In doing so, he became one of just six minor leaguers with 10 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases, joining fellow Top 100 Prospects Konnor Griffin and Eduardo Quintero—also a Dodgers outfielder—in the club. (JN)

18. George Lombard Jr., SS, Yankees

• Team: Double-A Somerset (Eastern)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .292/.414/.500 (7-for-24), 8 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 SO, 4 BB, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Lombard entered the year with plenty of buzz, and while his Double-A transition has come with growing pains, the talent is clear. The 20-year-old continues to show poise beyond his years, delivering mature at-bats and steady leadership. Early struggles with a long stride led to whiffs—particularly on fastballs—but he’s made key adjustments. When locked in, he drives crisp line drives with flashes of power that should grow. (JC)

19. Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians

• Team: Triple-A Columbus (International)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .412/.476/.824 (7-for-17) 4 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 BB, 1 SO

The Scoop: As has often been the case for DeLauter, injuries have interrupted his 2025 season. But as he often does, he has gotten right back to hitting now that he’s off the injured list. DeLauter is hitting .340 this month with more than twice as many walks (11) as strikeouts (5). What hasn’t come back yet is his power. He did hit two homers this week, but he’s yet to hit a ball 110 mph this year. DeLauter has been back in Triple-A for a month now, and if he can stay healthy for another month, he may be making a pitch to get his first MLB callup. (JJ)

20. Tyson Lewis, SS, Reds

• Team: ACL Reds (Arizona Complex)
• Age: 19
• Why He’s Here: .318/.348/.727 (7-for-22), 3 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 SO, 1 BB, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Lewis is one of the desert’s hardest hitters, turning early swing struggles into a slick, adaptable style that’s primed for pro ball. He’s got solid power and, with his quick feet and plus speed, can hold down shortstop or even slide over to center if needed. Of course, he’s still young and working through some stuff—namely, chasing strikes when fastballs blow by him. But with his tools, Lewis is definitely one to watch. (JC)

Helium

Jorge Rodriguez, C, Red Sox

Rodriguez signed with Boston on Jan. 15, 2024 and put together a nondescript professional debut in the Dominican Summer League. He moved stateside this year and has opened a few eyes on the backfields in Fort Myers. The Venezuelan backstop has a strong, accurate arm capable of producing pop times quicker than 1.9 seconds. He went homerless in the DSL last year but has already clubbed a pair of long balls in just 15 games in the FCL, where scouts have noted a player adept at finding the barrel. In fact, the three extra-base hits he’s racked up are one more than he finished with last summer. (JN)