Welcome to the 13th installment of our Weekly Hot Prospects Report ranking the top minor-league performances from the week of June 16-22. 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 15 prospects below who turned heads and boosted their stock. CLICK HERE to check out the full list of 64 players, with ETAs and updated statistics (subscription required).
Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets (AA)
Tong (pictured above) turned in another lights-out performance, tossing 7.2 shutout innings with 11 strikeouts, just two hits allowed, and one walk. His command continues to shine—he’s walked just one over his last two outings—and his WHIP for the week was a minuscule 0.39. The 22-year-old is rapidly becoming one of the most electric arms in the Mets’ system.
Chase Burns, RHP, Reds (MLB)
He has been called up for his big league debut June 24 after stops with High-A Dayton, Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. He turned in a 1.77 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 89:13 K:BB in 66 innings across 13 starts. The 2023 first-rounder allowed just three hits over seven shutout innings last week, striking out seven without a walk. With a fastball in the upper-90s and a filthy slider, he finished the week with a 1.29 ERA and 0.43 WHIP, showing he’s ready to be a real weapon in the Reds’ rotation.
Franyerber Montilla, SS, Tigers (Single-A)
Montilla was an all-around force this week, going 10-for-18 with two home runs, eight RBIs, and a whopping six stolen bases. He added a walk and struck out just twice. The switch-hitting shortstop flashed his full skill set and wrapped the week with a staggering 1.635 OPS.
Joshua Baez, OF, Cardinals (AA)
Baez showed off his immense power and athleticism, slugging three home runs and driving in 10 runs while stealing two bases. He went 7-for-14 with four walks, boosting his OPS to a scorching 1.764. After an uneven start to the year, Baez’s tools are now producing real results.
Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees (AA)
Jones is finding his rhythm, blasting three homers and driving in eight while batting 10-for-21. He also drew seven walks, demonstrating vastly improved plate discipline. With a 1.559 OPS this week, the 6’6” outfielder is looking more and more like a key piece of the Yankees’ future.
Lucas Gordon, LHP, White Sox (AA)
The lefty dealt one of the week’s most dominant pitching performances: six scoreless innings, just one hit allowed, and nine strikeouts with no walks. His 0.00 ERA and 0.17 WHIP are as sharp as his command, and his fastball/changeup combo continues to miss barrels at an elite clip.
Jose Fermin, INF, Cardinals (AAA)
Fermin was one of the most productive hitters in the minors this week, going 11-for-20 with two homers, nine RBIs, and three stolen bases. His 1.633 OPS is evidence of the quality of contact he made, and his three walks to one strikeout show a refined approach.
Jakob Marsee, OF, Marlins (AAA)
Marsee continued to make his case for a call-up with a strong showing, collecting 10 hits in 25 at-bats, including four home runs. He also added a stolen base and drew three walks, finishing with a 1.424 OPS. The Marlins may not be able to keep him in Triple-A much longer.
Christian Zazueta, RHP, Dodgers (Single-A)
Zazueta was overpowering in his five-inning outing, striking out 10 batters without allowing a walk and giving up just one hit. His 0.00 ERA and 0.20 WHIP were both elite, and the 20-year-old continues to generate buzz as a fast-rising arm in a deep Dodgers system.
Hector Rodriguez, OF, Reds (AA)
Rodriguez had one of the most impressive contact weeks of any player in the minors, going 17-for-30 with three home runs and six RBIs. He also walked three times and struck out only three times, putting up an eye-popping 1.639 OPS.
Sal Stewart, 3B, Reds (AA)
Stewart matched Rodriguez in damage output, slugging three home runs, driving in nine, and going 13-for-26 at the plate. His 1.452 OPS reflects both his power and ability to square the ball consistently, and he’s starting to tap into his raw potential more regularly.
Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers (High-A)
Though his 4-for-17 line wasn’t gaudy, De Paula still homered twice, drove in five, and swiped four bases. He also drew six walks to just two strikeouts, giving him a strong 1.082 OPS and showing off his on-base ability and developing speed.
Henry Baez, RHP, Padres (AA)
Baez put together a sharp outing, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, just two hits allowed, and one walk. His WHIP on the week was a tidy 0.53, and he continues to prove he belongs at the Double-A level.
Carlos Lagrange, RHP, Yankees (AA)
Lagrange’s bullpen dominance continued this week with 5.1 innings, 12 strikeouts, two walks, and just three hits allowed. His ERA sits at 1.69, and his 0.94 WHIP is backed by electric stuff and elite strikeout rates.
Eric Yost, RHP, Padres (High-A)
Yost was sensational in his seven-inning outing, surrendering only one hit, striking out nine, and walking just one. With a 0.00 ERA and 0.29 WHIP, the former Wichita State standout has become one of the most effective pitchers in the Padres’ system this month.
The Top 15 in the Weekly Hot Prospects Report
| Rank | Player | Pos | Team | B/T | Level | Age |
| 1 | Jonah Tong | SPRP | NYM | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 2 | Chase Burns | SP | CIN | R/R | MLB | 22 |
| 3 | Franyerber Montilla | SS | DET | S/R | Single-A | 20 |
| 4 | Joshua Baez | OF | SL | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 5 | Spencer Jones | OF | NYY | L/L | AA | 24 |
| 6 | Lucas Gordon | SPRP | CHW | L/L | AA | 23 |
| 7 | Jose Fermin | 2B/3B | SL | R/R | AAA | 26 |
| 8 | Jakob Marsee | OF | MIA | L/L | AAA | 24 |
| 9 | Christian Zazueta | SP | LAD | R/R | Single-A | 20 |
| 10 | Hector Rodriguez | OF | CIN | L/R | AA | 21 |
| 11 | Sal Stewart | 3B | CIN | R/R | AA | 21 |
| 12 | Josue De Paula | OF | LAD | L/L | High-A | 20 |
| 13 | Henry Baez | SP | SD | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 14 | Carlos Lagrange | SPRP | NYY | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 15 | Eric Yost | SP | SD | R/R | High-A | 22 |