Welcome to the 23rd installment of our Weekly Hot Prospects Report ranking the top minor-league performances from the week of August 25-31. We’re back with this week’s top performers making waves across the minors—and this week’s trio at the top is stacked with thunderous bats and rising stars knocking on the MLB door.
Fantasy baseball owners, take note. CLICK HERE to check out the full list, with ETAs and updated statistics (subscription required).
A quick look at the Top Three
1. Gavin Cross, OF, Royals (AA, age 24)
Cross earned Texas League Player of the Week honors after going 11-for-29 (.379) with three homers, three doubles, a triple, seven RBIs, and eight runs scored. This performance extended an 11-game hitting streak and marks yet another proof of his second-half surge; over the past two months, he’s slashing .301 with eight homers, 27 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in Double-A.
Week stats: 1.331 OPS, 3 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, 11-for-29
2. Konnor Griffin (pictured above), OF/SS, Pirates (AA, age 19)
Griffin’s early Double-A performance continues to impress. In his second week with Altoona, he mashed three home runs and earned a multi-hit, seven-RBI game, pushing his slash line to an eye-popping .318/.385/.545. Reports say he’s building a case for a potential 2026 Opening Day roster spot—a rare trajectory for a 19-year-old.
Week stats: 1.206 OPS, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 1 SB, 8-for-23, 2 BB, 3 SO
3. Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF, Phillies (AAA, age 24)
Rincones Jr. turned heads with another power show in Triple-A, delivering a two-homer game that notably included his fourth round-tripper in just three games. This burst of power comes as he continues to regain his form post-injury and build trade value.
Week stats: 1.688 OPS, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB, 9-for-19, 4 BB, 2 SO
The Top 15 in the Weekly Hot Prospects Report
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, with ETAs and updated statistics (subscription required).
| Rank | Player | Pos | Team | B/T | Level | Age |
| 1 | Gavin Cross | OF | KC | L/L | AA | 24 |
| 2 | Konnor Griffin | OF | PIT | R/R | High-A | 19 |
| 3 | Gabriel Rincones Jr. | OF | PHI | L/R | AAA | 24 |
| 4 | Reed Trimble | OF | BAL | S/R | Single-A | 22 |
| 5 | Mitch Farris | SP | LAA | L/L | MLB | 24 |
| 6 | JR Ritchie | SP | ATL | R/R | AAA | 21 |
| 7 | Zach Cole | OF | HOU | L/R | AAA | 24 |
| 8 | Esmerlyn Valdez | OF | PIT | R/R | AA | 21 |
| 9 | Junior Perez | OF | ATH | R/R | AA | 23 |
| 10 | Konner Eaton | SP | COL | R/L | High-A | 22 |
| 11 | Nate Furman | 2B | SF | L/R | AA (IL) | 22 |
| 12 | Parks Harber | 3B | NYY | R/R | High-A | 23 |
| 13 | Fenwick Trimble | OF | MIA | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 14 | Austin Cates | SP | TOR | L/R | High-A | 22 |
| 15 | R.J. Gordon | SP | TOR | R/R | AA | 23 |