Welcome to the fifth installment of our Weekly Hot Prospects Report ranking the top minor-league performances from the week of April 21-April 27. We’re back with this week’s top performers making waves across the minors!
From dominant arms to scorching-hot bats, here are the Top 10 Prospects below who turned heads and boosted their stock. CLICK HERE to check out the full list of 57 players, with ETAs and updated statistics (subscription required).
Let’s dive into this week’s top 10 performers:
⚾ 1. Tim Elko – 1B, Chicago White Sox (AAA)
Elko exploded at the plate this week, cranking out 5 home runs and driving in 8 RBIs while posting a 1.495 OPS. The powerful first baseman went 7-for-21, drew 3 walks, and continues to push for a major league look later this summer.
⚾ 2. Jared Thomas – OF, Colorado Rockies (High-A)
Thomas showcased a loud, well-rounded skillset by going 13-for-25 with 3 homers, 11 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and a blistering 1.560 OPS. He also flashed a strong eye at the plate with 5 walks, cementing his status as one of Colorado’s most exciting young bats.
⚾ 3. Jacob Misiorowski – SP/RP, Milwaukee Brewers (AAA)
Misiorowski (pictured above) was nothing short of dominant, tossing 11 shutout innings with a 17-1 K-BB ratio, allowing just 4 hits across 2 starts. With a microscopic 0.00 ERA and 0.45 WHIP, he’s knocking loudly on Milwaukee’s door.
⚾ 4. Hunter Barco – SP, Pittsburgh Pirates (AA)
The Pirates’ lefty prospect showed pinpoint control and overpowering stuff, recording 16 strikeouts to just 2 walks over 7.2 innings. His 0.00 ERA and 0.65 WHIP over two starts suggest he’s fast-tracking toward Triple-A.
⚾ 5. Jonah Tong – SP/RP, New York Mets (AA)
Tong carved up hitters this week with 19 strikeouts in just 8.1 innings, maintaining a strong 1.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. His swing-and-miss arsenal is turning heads in the Mets’ system.
⚾ 6. Gage Jump – SP, Oakland Athletics (High-A)
Jump was untouchable over 6.2 innings, striking out 13 without issuing a single walk. His 0.00 ERA, 0.45 WHIP, and perfect command highlight just how lethal his left-handed arm can be.
⚾ 7. Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz – SP, New York Yankees (High-A)
Rodriguez-Cruz turned in a masterful performance, allowing just 1 hit over 6.1 scoreless innings while punching out 12. His 0.00 ERA and 0.32 WHIP make him one of the fastest risers in the Yankees’ deep farm system.
⚾ 8. Sean Linan – SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Single-A)
Linan dazzled in a five-inning outing, giving up only 2 hits and striking out 11. His 0.00 ERA and 0.60 WHIP hint at the big-time upside the Dodgers are so good at developing.
⚾ 9. Alex Pham – SP, Baltimore Orioles (AA)
Pham had a rock-solid week, posting a 1.80 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 10 innings while striking out 17. With two strong starts, he’s quietly building momentum toward a Triple-A promotion.
⚾ 10. Marcelo Mayer – SS, Boston Red Sox (AAA)
Mayer, one of baseball’s top shortstop prospects, absolutely raked this week: 9-for-20 with 3 home runs, 12 RBIs, and a 1.530 OPS. After a bumpy 2023, he’s now showing signs of being the franchise cornerstone Boston envisioned.
The Top 15 in the Weekly Hot Prospects Report
| Rank | Player | Pos | Team | B/T | Level | Age |
| 1 | Tim Elko | 1B | CHW | R/R | AAA | 26 |
| 2 | Jared Thomas | OF | COL | L/L | High-A | 22 |
| 3 | Jacob Misiorowski | SPRP | MIL | R/R | AAA | 23 |
| 4 | Hunter Barco | SP | PIT | L/L | AA | 24 |
| 5 | Jonah Tong | SPRP | NYM | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 6 | Gage Jump | SP | ATH | L/L | High-A | 21 |
| 7 | Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz | SP | NYY | L/R | High-A | 21 |
| 8 | Sean Linan | SP | LAD | R/R | Single-A | 20 |
| 9 | Alex Pham | SP | BAL | R/R | AA | 25 |
| 10 | Marcelo Mayer | SS | BOS | L/R | AAA | 22 |
| 11 | LuJames Groover | 3B | ARI | R/R | AA | 23 |
| 12 | Jacob Bresnahan | SP | SF | L/L | Single-A | 19 |
| 13 | Wilfred Veras | OF | CHW | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 14 | Garrett Martin | OF | NYY | R/R | AA | 25 |
| 15 | Cam Schlittler | SP | NYY | R/R | AA | 24 |
CLICK HERE to check out the full list of 57 players, with ETAs and updated statistics (subscription required).
Who’s next?
Stay tuned for the next Weekly Hot Prospects Report as we track the rising stars and their paths to the majors!