MLB Prospects: Hottest Hitting Prospects at Every Minor League Level

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Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

As the minor league season winds down and we edge closer to roster expansions on September 1, countless prospects continue to receive promotions as a reward for their impressive seasons.

At the same time, a considerable number of lower-level prospects are flying under the radar and enjoying breakout seasons. Many of these prospects have made a case for a spot on Prospect Pipeline’s final 2012 rankings.

So, as the week winds down, it's time to once again highlight some of the hottest hitters from each minor league level.

Triple-A

Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Leonys Martin, OF, Texas Rangers: .374/.437/.636, 74 H, 28 XBH (11 HR), 40 RBI, 7 SB (9 CS), 33 K/21 BB (47 G)

Blistering hot over last 10 games: .458/.480/.896, 22 H, 16 R, 10 XBH, 14 RBI.

Adam Eaton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: .375/.454/.522, 193 H, 57 XBH (45 2B), 43 SB, 68 K/51 BB (126 G)

His excellent (and consistent) season could culminate in a September call-up.

L.J. Hoes, OF, Baltimore Orioles: .297/.382/.396, 32 XBH (21 2B), 20 SB, 70 K/63 BB (124 G)

He may not have a lot of power, but his on-base skills could make him a valuable fourth outfielder.

Jedd Gyorko, 2B, San Diego Padres: .319/.380/.556, 54 XBH (27 HR), 90 RBI, 80 K/45 BB (115 G)

Last three games: 5-for-10, 4 R, 5 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI; he’s homered in three-straight games.

Andrew Romine, SS, Los Angeles Angels: .291/.339/.388, 19 XBH (11 2B), 20 SB (10 CS), 43 K/21 BB (79 G)

Should spend all of September with the Angels as a reserve infielder.

Double-A

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Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers: .285/.366/.463, 47 XBH (14 HR), 15 SB, 76 K/59 BB (118 G)

Fresh off his best game of the season on Wednesday night: 5-for-6, 2 R, 2B.

Carlos Sanchez, 3B, Chicago White Sox: .329/.386/.411, 159 H, 31 XBH (23 2B), 26 SB, 86 K/41 BB (122 G)

Younger player with excellent contact and on-base skills was just promoted to Triple-A Charlotte.

Mike Zunino, C, Seattle Mariners: .380/.481/.752, 24 XBH (12 HR), 38 RBI, 29 K/22 BB (35 G)

Since promotion to Double-A: .421/.522/.842, 2 2B and 2 HR in 6 games.

Trayce Thompson, OF, Chicago White Sox: .263/.336/.499, 59 XBH (24 HR), 95 RBI, 20 SB, 151 K/51 BB (125 G)

Since promotion to Double-A: .400/.500/.700, 4 XBH, 7 K/6 BB (9 G).

Bryce Brentz, OF, Boston Red Sox: .290/.352/.480, 46 XBH (17 HR), 69 RBI, 6 SB, 123 K/39 BB (115 G)

After a dismal start to the season—he batted .216 in April—Brentz has been almost impossible to get out in August: .400/.446/.700, 24 H, 10 XBH, 17 RBI, 16 K/4 BB (15 G).

High-A

Courtesy of MiLB.com

Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: .319/.400/.525, 44 XBH (17 HR), 65 RBI, 23 SB (13 CS), 71 K/47 BB (100 G)

Dodgers top position prospect is as hot as any minor-league hitter. Last 10 games: .442/.455/.860, 19 H, 10 XBH, 16 RBI, 6 K/1 BB.

Steven Proscia, 3B, Seattle Mariners: .311/.348/.528, 51 XBH (24 HR), 93 RBI, 12 SB, 103 K/26 BB (117 G)

He’s been absolutely on fire over last 10 games: .436/.455/.692, 7 XBH, 11 RBI, 4 SB.

Leon Landry, OF, Seattle Mariners: .340/.367/.586, 147 H, 64 XBH (18 3B), 74 RBI, 26 SB, 63 K/16 BB (100 G)

Has been crushing the ball since trade to Mariners: .391/.407/.690, 34 H, 15 XBH, 23 RBI, 6 SB, 11 K/2 BB (20 G).

C.J. Cron, 1B, Los Angeles Angels: .296/.331/.522, 60 XBH (26 HR), 122 RBI, 69 K/17 BB (124 G)

One of the premier run producers in the minor leagues is enjoying his best month of the season: .354/.391/.720, 9 2B, 7 HR, 21 RBI.

Low-A

Courtesy of MLBProspectPortal.com

Drew Vettleson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays: .294/.357/.459, 43 XBH (14 HR), 68 RBI, 19 SB (10 CS), 101 K/47 BB (121 G)

Rays’ minor league player of the year?

Gabriel Lino, C, Philadelphia Phillies: .224/.297/.353, 28 XBH (22 2B), 91 K/28 BB (86 G)

19-year-old is finally starting to heat up at the plate, as he’s now batting .381/.435/.667 though 12 games in August.

Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres: .275/.332/.456, 36 XBH (10 HR), 13 SB, 60 K/22 BB (88 G)

Breakout season at the plate for arguably the top defensive catcher in the minor leagues; prospect stock going way up.

Alen Hanson, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates: .315/.385/.537, 60 XBH (16 HR), 61 RBI, 32 SB, 99 K/51 BB (117 G)

Has been one of the more consistent hitters in the minor leagues this season, and has recorded multiple hits in five of his last seven games.

Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies: .267/.327/.430, 44 XBH (14 HR), 78 RBI, 76 K/37 BB (122 G)

August: .365/.422/.608, 27 H, 11 XBH, 15 RBI, 11 K/7 BB (19 G).

Class A Short-Season

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Roman Quinn, OF/SS, Philadelphia Phillies: .285/.375/.397, 15 XBH (9 3B), 27 SB, 49 K/23 BB (53 G)

Baseball skills aren’t as raw as expected, which is always good.

Dorssys Paulino, SS, Cleveland Indians: .352/.400/.603, 27 XBH (6 HR), 9 SB, 33 K/15 BB (43 G)

Paulino, 17 years old, was promoted to Class A Short-Season after posting an 1.015 OPS over 41 games in the Arizona League (Rookie). Early return on the highly coveted international signee is extremely promising.

Preston Tucker, OF, Houston Astros: .345/.406/.575, 12 XBH (7 HR), 32 RBI, 7 K/11 BB (29 G)

Florida alumnus makes lots of hard contact and is a tough out.

Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers: .288/.422/.718, 33 XBH (21 HR), 51 RBI, 6 SB, 68 K/40 BB (50 G)

Since recent promotion to Class A Short-Season, the slugger is batting .259/.333/.630 with 3 HR, 8 RBI and 16 K/3. The strikeouts are gradually catching up with him.

Gioskar Amaya, 3B, Chicago Cubs: .313/.394/.517, 75 H, 24 XBH (7 HR), 27 RBI, 12 SB, 54 K/28 BB (62 G)

19-year-old enjoying strong professional debut on talented Boise squad.