Ranking The 20 Hottest MLB Prospects | Hot Sheet (6/16/25)

1. Brice Matthews, SS, Astros

• Team: Triple-A Sugar Land (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .429/.500/.929 (12-for-28), 11 R, 1 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 SO, 4 BB, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: No one in the minors had a hotter week than Matthews. The Astros’ 23-year-old shortstop recorded multi-hit performances in four of six games, including back-to-back three-hit outings in which he homered in both contests. Matthews also showed discipline at the plate, drawing four walks. His dynamic mix of power, speed and plate awareness is making noise in the Pacific Coast League and strengthening his case for a potential big-league callup this season. (JC)

2. Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates

• Team: High-A Greensboro (South Atlantic) 
• Age: 19 
• Why He’s Here: .407/.469/.778 (11-for-27), 10 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 3 BB, 2 SO, 6-for-7 SB

The Scoop: In his first week in High-A, Griffin made waves, as he strung together three multi-hit games. Griffin tallied three hits on Saturday, reaching base four times with a home run and a stolen base. The all-around production his first week at a new level is impressive, and Griffin only struck out twice while reaching base 14 times over his first six games. The 19-year-old is making a case as one of the top prospects in baseball with true star upside. (GP) 

3. Jett Williams, SS, Mets

• Team: Double-A Binghamton (Eastern)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .385/.467/.962 (10-for-26) 8 R, 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 4 BB, 7 SO, 1 SB

The Scoop: This is exactly what Williams does when he’s healthy and hitting like he can: He’s a near-perfect top-of-the-lineup spark plug. Williams is playing three positions (center field, shortstop and second base) while getting on base nearly half of the time (.464 on-base percentage this month) and putting plenty of balls in the gaps. He is a very logical candidate for a promotion before too long. (JJ)

4. Blake Wehunt, RHP, Red Sox

• Team: Double-A Portland (Eastern)
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here:  1-0, 0.00, 0 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 13 SO

The Scoop: In the only game he pitched out of the bullpen this season, Wehunt had one of the finest outings of his career, as the righthander struck out a career-high 13 batters across seven innings. Standing on the rubber with a towering 6-foot-7, 240-pound frame, Wehunt uses a 93-96 mph fastball featuring armside run and a splitter that generates plenty of whiff. His sweeper flashes potential but needs refinement, while his hard curveball shows promise vs. lefties. With added strength, the oversized righty could unlock a starter’s arsenal. (JC)

5. Michael Arroyo, 2B, Mariners

• Team: High-A Everett (Northwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .563/.667/1.438 (9-for-16), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 9 RBIs, 2 BB, 1 SO

The Scoop: It took a little while, but Arroyo’s bat has warmed back to the levels he showed last summer in his first go-round at Everett. He homered in three straight games this past week, including a two-dinger day on June 12. The scorching stretch brings him to 14 long balls for the season and into a tie atop the Northwest League leaderboard. His equal? None other than teammate Lazaro Montes. Arroyo is also among the top two in the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage and leads the way with a .969 OPS. (JN)

6. Jack Perkins, RHP, Athletics 

• Team: Triple-A LAs Vegas (Pacific Coast)
• Age: 25 
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.42, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Despite being limited by injuries over the last few seasons, Perkins flashes serious upside. This week, he struck out 12 batters in 6.1 innings of one-run ball to go with two hits and two walks. In his start against Salt Lake on Thursday, Perkins generated 20 swinging strikes on 90 total pitches. With his performance in Triple-A, he could see promotion to the major leagues sometime in the coming weeks. (GP) 

7. Travis Sykora, RHP, Nationals

• Team: High-A Wilmington (South Atlantic)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Sykora has a case as the most dominant pitching prospect this season. After a couple of rehab starts in the Florida Complex and Carolina leagues, he advanced to High-A. There, he’s cut through the opposition with ruthless efficiency. His 10-strikeout effort this past week was a season-high and his second straight outing of five innings. Both of those outings were walk-free, as well. All told, Sykora has racked up 55 strikeouts and allowed just five walks over 29 innings. (JN)

8. Bob Seymour, 1B, Rays

• Team: Triple-A Durham (International)
• Age: 26
• Why He’s Here: .381/.480/.952 (8-for-21) 6 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 4 BB, 1 SO

The Scoop: Seymour has weeks like this all the time. He’s responsible for three of the 12 hardest-hit balls in Triple-A this year and has seven 110+ mph home runs, including a 110-mph blast this past week. But for now, it is going to remain a challenge for him to carve out a regular role in the big leagues, as his defensive limitations work against him. Seymour has now hit 35 home runs in just 124 Triple-A games. That should get him to the majors eventually, but the path will be a tough one. (JJ)

9. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers

• Team: High-A West Michigan (Midwest)
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .500/.577/.864 (11-for-22) 10 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 4 BB, 1 SO

The Scoop: McGonigle is ready for Double-A. The 20-year-old only just recently made it back to West Michigan after a stint on the IL, but his .415 batting average, 15 doubles and 21 runs in just 20 games are clear reminders that McGonigle, one of the best hitters in the minors, is too advanced for Midwest League pitchers. This weekend, he had a stretch in which he logged nine hits in 10 at-bats while also walking twice in the process. (JJ)

10. Esmerlyn Valdez, OF, Pirates

• Team: High-A Greensboro (South Atlantic)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: .542/.633/.833 (13-for-24), 5 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SO, 5 BB, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Valdez is beginning to see the payoff from his offseason swing adjustments—which lowered his attack angle and kept his barrel in the zone longer—and it’s led to a noticeably improved contact rate. Look no further than his performance this past week to back it up. While swing-and-miss remains part of his game, the upward trend is encouraging. Valdez boasts elite raw power and exceptional exit velocities. His one defect is his limited defensive value, as he profiles best as a bat-first corner outfielder or first baseman. (JC)

11. Nestor German, RHP, Orioles

• Team:  Double-A Chesapeake (Eastern)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: 1-1, 0.00, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: The Orioles’ 2023 11th-round pick out of Seattle University enjoyed a breakout in 2024, and so far he’s followed it up nicely in 2025, reaching Double-A early this season. Last week, German dominated in his single start against Harrisburg, as he tossed six scoreless innings and allowed three baserunners to reach while striking out six on 14 swinging strikes. German mixes a kitchen sink of secondaries with a high-ride four-seam fastball that plays above its low-to-mid-90s velocity. (GP)

12. Zach Ehrhard, OF, Red Sox 

• Team: Double-A Portland (Eastern) 
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .385/.448/.731 (10-for-26), 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO, 5-for-5 SB

The Scoop: The Red Sox fourth-round pick has been on fire in June, hitting .311/.404/.689 over the first 13 games of the month. Last week, Ehrhard not only showed off his above-average hit tool but flashed some power and speed, as well, collecting five extra base hits and five steals. Ehrhard fits the Red Sox archetype to a tee—he’s an advanced contact hitter with a discerning eye and room to add impact. (GP) 

13. Brock Wilken, 3B, Brewers

• Team: Double-A Biloxi (Southern)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .364/.481/.864 (8-for-22), 6 R, 5 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 SO, 5 BB

The Scoop: Wilken’s game revolves around his impressive power. He’s physically imposing and has the strength to crush balls with plus raw pop, as evidenced by two home runs this week. He also brings a disciplined approach, showing the ability to work counts and draw walks. While lingering effects from a HBP facial injury may have impacted his confidence and consistency, he’s been working back from that, too. Swing holes persist, and while he owns a plus arm, limited mobility and range suggest a future move to first base could be in the cards. (JC)

14. Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, Cubs

• Team: Double-A Knoxville (Southern)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.59, 5.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Wiggins has been excellent over 12 starts split between High-A South Bend and Double-A Knoxville. In 56.1 innings, he has pitched to a 1.92 ERA, striking out 31.3% of batters he’s faced. This week, Wiggins continued his inspired performance, striking out nine batters in 5.2 innings of one-run ball. Wiggins didn’t allow a hit in the outing but did walk three with a wild pitch. Command can still be a bugaboo for Wiggins at times, but his swing-and-miss stuff could succeed in a variety of roles. Wiggins is answering questions about his viability as a starter with each passing start. (GP)

15. C.J. Kayfus, 1B/OF, Guardians

• Team: Triple-A Columbus (International)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .429/.480/.952 (9-for-21) 6 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: Kayfus tripled this week, and he now has eight triples this season, which is a crazy number for a hitter with average speed. What’s much less crazy is just how well he hits. Kayfus doesn’t have exceptional power, but he is a .303 career MiLB hitter who collects plenty of doubles and triples. He’s been playing plenty of right and left field recently, which may be a useful skill considering the Guardians are deeper at first base (Carlos Santana and Kyle Manzardo) than in right field. (JJ)

16. George Wolkow, OF, White Sox

• Team: Low-A Kannapolis (Carolina)
• Age: 19
• Why He’s Here: .421/.522/.895 (8-for-19), 6 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO, 1-for-3 SB

The Scoop: There’s little question about Wolkow’s impact potential. There is, however, plenty of reason to wonder if he’ll make enough contact. This past week, he provided a taste of what his ceiling might look like if he can sand off the rough edges. This marks the second straight week in which Wolkow has provided early-summer fireworks. Overall in June, he’s hitting .405/.490/.690 with four home runs and—more importantly—just six strikeouts in 49 plate appearances. It’s a glimmer, but it’s progress, especially considering he had punched out 53 times in his previous 183 plate appearances. (JN)

17. Eriq Swan, RHP, Dodgers

• Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.50, 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: When he’s right, Swan produces stuff that can ruin a hitter’s day. That doesn’t matter as much when he can’t find the strike zone, but in his last two starts, he’s shown better control while racking up plenty of whiffs. His last turn was an eight-strikeout, one-run effort, building on the strong showing he’d put forth in his prior turn. In two starts this month, the righty has allowed just one run over a dozen innings while punching out 14 and issuing only two walks. (JN)

18. Owen Caissie, OF, Cubs

• Team: Triple-A Iowa (International)
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .350/.458/.850 (7-for-20), 5 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 SO, 3 BB, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Caissie combines rare power with a mature approach, and he’s now starting to connect more consistently thanks to a sharpened, more aggressive mindset at the plate. He crushes fastballs and drives the ball with authority to all fields, consistently producing loud, airborne contact. Though breaking stuff can still trip him up, he’s shown signs of adjusting. With sneaky speed, a strong arm and steady defense in the corners, Caissie is emerging as a potential middle-of-the-order threat with well-rounded upside, especially at the pace he’s progressing. (JC)

19. Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP, Yankees

• Team: High-A Hudson Valley (South Atlantic)
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Given Carlos Narvaez’s performance this season in Boston and Rodriguez-Cruz’s first season in pinstripes, the trade between the two rivals might turn out to be a win-win. Rodriguez-Cruz’s deep pitch mix has helped him dominate the competition in the South Atlantic League. He’s had a couple of hiccups this season, but his last two turns have been masterworks. In total in June, Rodriguez-Cruz has spun 12 innings and allowed six hits and three walks. He’s struck out 17 hitters. (JN)

20. Max Anderson, 2B, Tigers

• Team: Double-A Erie (Eastern)
• Age: 23
• Why He’s Here: .381/.458/.810 (8-for-21) 5 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO

The Scoop: This is what the Tigers were drafting when they picked Anderson out of Nebraska in the second round in 2023. Anderson was a big-hitting middle infielder with a questionable glove. In 2023 and 2024, the glove concerns were shown to be warranted, but the bat didn’t match the expectations. This year, Anderson is hitting .339/.380/.578. He is still limited to second base and isn’t a plus defender there, but if Anderson keeps hitting like this, he’ll force his way to the major leagues, because hitting is the game’s most important tool. (JJ)

Helium

Juneiker Caceres, OF, Guardians

Signed for $300,000 out of Venezuela in January 2024, Caceres has been on fire since coming stateside in 2025. Over 25 games in the Arizona Complex League, Caceres has hit .312/.444/.545 with three home runs and a 19.2% walk rate to a 13.1% strikeout rate. Last week, his power broke out, as he slugged his first three home runs of the season. The outfielder shows strong bat-to-ball skills with promising underlying exit velocity data, hinting at more unrealized power in his profile. One of the top complex league players to begin 2025, Caceres should see a full-season affiliate before long. (GP)