Welcome to the #9 installment of our Weekly Hot Prospects Report ranking the top minor-league performances from the week ending May 24. 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. Abimelec Ortiz (1B, Washington Nationals)
The Verdict: Pure, unadulterated middle-of-the-order thump.
Ortiz took the minor leagues by storm this past week, turning opposing pitching into an absolute launching pad. The 24-year-old first baseman blasted 5 home runs and drove in a jaw-dropping 16 RBIs, carrying a magnificent 1.175 OPS. Ortiz is currently punishing Triple-A pitchers for any mistakes over the plate, showing the exact kind of high-impact raw power the Nationals will look to plug into their big-league lineup by mid-summer.
2. Jackson Lovich (SS, New York Yankees)
The Verdict: A heavy-hitting shortstop finding his groove.
Lovich handled Single-A pitching with absolute ease over the last seven days, logging a stellar 1.391 OPS. He flashed a highly coveted blend of power and speed, clearing the fences 4 times while chipping in 3 stolen bases and driving in 7. Lovich is checking every single box for the Yankees right now, showing a refined approach that hints at a rapid ascent through the lower levels of the system.
3. Gage Jump (SP/RP, Oakland Athletics)
The Verdict: The left-handed weapon is heading to The Show.
Jump (pictured above) is being called up to the majors after he was completely untouchable in his Triple-A outings this week, tossing 7 brilliant innings while allowing zero runs. He registered a pristine 0.57 WHIP and struck out 9 batters without giving up a single walk. His surgical command and deceptive shape have proven way too advanced for minor league bats.
The “Zero-ER” Club: Pitching Masterclasses
The bats generated plenty of noise this week, but these stellar pitching prospects completely locked down the opposition:
- Riley Eikhoff (CHW): Eikhoff was a literal workhorse in Single-A, eating up 13 scoreless innings across two appearances. He allowed just 5 hits while logging an 11-to-2 K-BB ratio and an elegant 0.54 WHIP.
- Rafe Schlesinger (CLE): The Guardians’ left-handed factory keeps rolling. Schlesinger dominated across two starts, pitching 11 innings of 1-run ball while missing bats to the tune of 14 strikeouts against just one lone walk.
- Braden Davis (STL): Davis delivered a highly efficient 5.2 scoreless frames for the Cardinals’ system, carving up hitters with 10 strikeouts and issuing zero walks to post a tiny 0.53 WHIP.
Notable risers & run producers
- The Teenage Spark: 19-year-old Jhonny Level (SF) put on a spectacular power display in Single-A, mashing 4 home runs with 13 RBIs to complete a 1.233 OPS week.
- The High-A Table Setter: Sam Petersen (WAS) generated offense out of thin air, matching a 1.522 OPS with 3 home runs and 3 stolen bases while showing phenomenal plate vision with 5 walks.
- On-Base Machines: Andrew Fischer (MIL) and Alfredo Duno (CIN) were absolute nightmares for opposing pitchers to track, with both high-upside prospects drawing 6 walks apiece while showcasing serious extra-base pop in High-A.
The Top 10 in the Weekly Hot Prospects Report
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, with ETAs and updated statistics (subscription required).
| Rank | Player | Pos | Team | B/T | Level | Age |
| 1 | Abimelec Ortiz | 1B | WAS | L/L | AAA | 24 |
| 2 | Jackson Lovich | SS | NYY | R/R | Single-A | 22 |
| 3 | Gage Jump | SPRP | ATH | L/L | MLB | 23 |
| 4 | Karson Milbrandt | SP | MIA | R/R | AA | 22 |
| 5 | Easton Shelton | 1B | LAD | R/R | Single-A | 20 |
| 6 | Jhonny Level | SS | SF | S/R | Single-A | 19 |
| 7 | Alex Clemmey | SP | WAS | L/L | AA | 20 |
| 8 | Braden Davis | SPRP | STL | L/L | AA | 23 |
| 9 | Hans Montero | SS | NYY | R/R | R (FCL) | 22 |
| 10 | Blake Wehunt | SP | BOS | R/R | AA | 25 |