14.SS Jackson Merrill: San Diego Padres
Baseball America 17 | MLB Pipeline 14
Padres’ fans got a good look at Merrill during spring training, while many regulars were absent because of the World Baseball Classic. Merrill made a strong impression against major league regulars, a performance he’s carried into his first season with High-A Fort Wayne. In May, he hit .329, posted an on-base percentage of .341 and a slugging percentage of .482. Recently, he’s had 11 hits in 22 at-bats.
According to MLB Pipeline, all the Padres’ top five prospects are under 21, with Merrill ranked first. A boon for San Diego indeed.
Three more hits for the top-ranked @Padres prospect Jackson Merrill.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 3, 2023
MLB's No. 5 SS prospect is 11-for-22 in his last 5 games for the @TinCaps: pic.twitter.com/J0E4qs6XXb
13. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong: Chicago Cubs
Baseball America 16 | MLB Pipeline 14
The growth of Crow-Armstrong’s offensive profile is paying off well for the Cubs. Crow-Armstrong, who was already known for his glove, continues to hit for power, with ISO numbers over .200 since his swing change last season.
After a slow start, Armstrong has been hitting the ball as of late, with three home runs over the last week to go along with an OPS of 1.000. (7-for-20) with most of the power coming off righties.
Here comes Pete Crow-Armstrong.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 4, 2023
The @Cubs' top prospect slugs his second homer in his past two games -- third in his past five and seventh dinger of the season -- for @smokiesbaseball. pic.twitter.com/S5pDzc1iti
12: Catcher Diego Cartaya: LA Dodgers
Baseball America: 14 | MLB Pipeline: 12
Cartaya was ranked 12th on our initial list and felt did not need to change much as he went up two spots on Baseball America’s list. The hitting for average still has not showed up for Cartaya but, that power has been present, hitting in four straight games to end the month of May. He also finished May strong, posting a wRC of 110+.
Diego Cartaya has homered for the FOURTH STRAIGHT GAME pic.twitter.com/rcNTuwbNKj
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 2, 2023
11: SS Jordan Lawlar: Diamondbacks
Baseball America:11 | MLB Pipeline: 8
Lawlar ended May on a high note, posting a .341 batting average since May 23 with a nine-game hitting streak. His ranking in our Top 15 hasn’t changed, but with a continued strong performance in June, he could climb higher.
Up to a nine-game hitting streak for top-ranked @Dbacks prospect Jordan Lawlar🔥
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 4, 2023
And it comes via the long ball for the @sodpoodles: pic.twitter.com/61MGL0l71E