Welcome to the 17th installment of our Weekly Hot Prospects Report ranking the top minor-league performances from the week of July 14-20. 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. Luis Cova, OF, Marlins (DSL)
Cova continued to shine in the DSL with a 1.846 OPS, notching 3 home runs and 8 steals while going 7-for-14 with 3 walks. He has already doubled his 2024 home run total. Just this week, Cova has been showcasing early power the Marlins clearly valued enough to invest $1.4 million for his signing. He’s an advanced hitter for his level with plus speed—definitely a centerfield prospect to monitor as he transitions to U.S. ball.
2. Luis Leon, OF, Cubs (DSL)
Leon was a force in DSL competition, blasting out a 2.303 OPS with 2 homers, 6 RBIs, and 4 steals in just 11 at-bats. Cubs forum buzz on NorthSideBaseball praised his .897 OPS after going 2-for-3, walking, and hitting a home run—especially notable for a 17-year-old facing older competition. His plate discipline (6-for-11, 2 walks, zero strikeouts) and all-around performance this week suggest the Cubs unearthed a raw but high-upside international gem.
3. Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees (Triple-A)
Jones has reached another level since his promotion to Triple-A, registering a 2.718 OPS this week with 3 HR, 5 RBI, and an astounding 8-for-10 stat line. He’s crushed 10 homers in just 16 Triple-A games, hitting .426 with a .941 slugging percentage, and he launched a 445-foot moonshot this past weekend. His tear has forced the Yankees into a tough trade-deadline decision—some outlets suggest he’s now considered “untouchable,” while others are debating his value in potential deals for impact big-league talent. His combination of power, speed, and improved strike-zone control (thanks in part to swing tweaks) has dramatically altered his prospect narrative.
Other noteworthy performances
Ben Cowles (Cubs, AAA) continued raking with a 2.192 OPS, 3 HR, and 9 RBI in limited action.
Dauri Fernandez (Guardians, ACL, age 18) scanned an impressive 2.101 OPS, adding 2 HR and 4 steals.
Jostin Florentino (Cubs, Single-A) remained unscored upon—0.00 ERA, 9 K and only a .17 WHIP across 6 IP North Side Bound.
TJ Nichols (Rays, High‑A) and Jackson Ferris (Dodgers, AA) both delivered scoreless outings with excellent strikeout-to-walk ratios.
The Top Ten in the Weekly Hot Prospects Report
From dominant arms to scorching-hot bats, here are the Top Ten 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 | Luis Cova | OF | MIA | R/R | R (DSL) | 18 |
| 2 | Luis Leon | OF | CHC | R/R | D (DSL) | 17 |
| 3 | Spencer Jones | OF | NYY | L/L | AAA | 24 |
| 4 | Ben Cowles | SS | CHC | R/R | AAA | 25 |
| 5 | Dauri Fernandez | SS | CLE | S/R | R (ACL) | 18 |
| 6 | Jostin Florentino | SP | CHC | R/R | Single-A | 20 |
| 7 | TJ Nichols | SP | TB | R/R | High-A | 23 |
| 8 | Jackson Ferris | SP | LAD | L/L | AA | 21 |
| 9 | Yhoangel Aponte | OF | TOR | R/R | Single-A | 20 |
| 10 | Charlie Condon | OF | COL | R/R | AA | 22 |