MLB Prospects: Hottest Hitters at Every Minor League Level

With Major League Baseball’s trade deadline set to expire on Tuesday, July 31, there will undoubtedly be several high-profile prospects on the move. At the same time, with the trade deadline always comes a flurry of promotions—tonight is a prime example, as both Starling Marte and Matt Harvey are slated to make their big league debut.

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

Since most of the top Triple-A prospects have been recalled—hang in there, Wil Myers—I ultimately decided not to include those prospects in this article. Don’t worry; I’ve compensated with extended focus on Class-A Short Season and Rookie-level players.

Double-A

Mason Williams, OF, New York Yankees

.277/.302/.422, 6 XBH, 7 RBI, 14 K/3 BB (22 G)

After slow start at Double-A, he has 14 hits (two home runs) in his last 10 games.

Nick Castellanos, RF/3B, Detroit Tigers

.316/.333/.485, 16 XBH (6 HR), 37 K/5 BB (43 G)

Transition to right field has been smoother than expected; .371 batting average over last 10 games.

Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

.330/.388/.593, 52 XBH (19 HR), 75 RBI, 48 K/36 BB (93 G)

Taveras just never stops hitting and has done so in eight of his last 10 games.

Kent Matthes, OF, Colorado Rockies

.217/.276/.433, 36 XBH (16 HR), 77 K/21 BB (90 G)

Hit only eight home runs over first three months of season; has hit eight in July.

*Michael Choice, OF, Oakland Athletics

.287/.356/.423, 27 XBH (10 HR), 58 RBI, 88 K/33 BB (91 G)

Was batting .435/.493/.710 through 16 games in July until broken hand prematurely ended his season last week.

High-A

Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

.303/.426/.513, 15 XBH (4 HR), 25 RBI, 27 K/26 BB (32 G)

Has gone from raw prospect to the team’s top position prospect; plate discipline since promotion extremely impressive.

Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota Twins

.284/.379/.456, 31 XBH (10 HR), 22 SB, 86 K/53 BB (93 G)

One of the best rebound seasons of all prospects; enjoyed best game of the season on Wednesday: 5-for-6, 5 R, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI

Kyle Parker, OF, Colorado Rockies

.326/.431/.527, 28 XBH (12 HR), 57 K/44 BB (68 G)

Former Clemson quarterback putting up big power numbers in hitter-friendly California League.

Derek Dietrich, SS, Tampa Bay Rays

.285/.345/.472, 40 XBH (10 HR), 58 RBI, 77 K/25 BB (97 G)

Left-handed hitter with good pop and knack for driving in runs.

Michael Taylor, OF, Washington Nationals

.251/.333/.379, 35 XBH (30 2B), 17 SB, 97 K/39 BB (97 G)

Baseball skills lag behind outstanding athleticism, but last 10 games have been a revelation: .475/.512/.825, 15 R, 19 H, 8 XBH (3 HR), 2 SB

Low-A

Chris Duffy, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies

.380/.466/.605, 25 XBH (10 HR), 52 RBI, 51 K/30 BB (56 G)

Big-time masher but old for the league; batting .453/.512/.813 with 15 XBH in 75 at-bats against left-handers.

Jorge Bonifacio, OF, Kansas City Royals

.293/.350/.456, 33 XBH (10 HR), 56 RBI, 72 K/28 BB (92 G)

19-year-old has been hitting for more power over the last two months.

Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs

.328/.381/.589, 22 XBH (10 HR), 19 SB, 40 K/7 BB (48 G)

Has a chance to go 20/20 in his first professional season.

Delino DeShields, 2B, Houston Astros

.300/.403/.437, 33 XBH (8 HR), 45 RBI, 71 SB, 94 K/62 BB (97 G)

Second tour of Low-A has led to breakout season; batting .407/.490/.616 in July; second-most stolen bases in minors after Billy Hamilton.

Gregory Polanco, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

.323/.386/.518, 40 XBH (13 HR), 70 RBI, 39 SB, 58 K/37 BB (96 G)

Batting .423/.489/.654, 12 XBH, 25 RBI, 14 SB through 22 games in July.

Class-A Short Season

Saxon Butler, 1B/DH, New York Yankees

.315/.386/.669, 24 XBH (10 HR), 36 RBI, 27 K/13 BB (32 G)

Late-round senior sign showing tons of power.

Mike Zunino, C, Seattle Mariners

.349/.462/.721, 8 XBH (15 H), 9 K/6 BB (12 G)

Expect a promotion to either Low- or High-A in the near future.

Andrew Aplin, OF, Houston Astros

.351/.461/.553, 13 XBH (3 HR), 16 RBI, 15 SB, 15 K/20 BB (32 G)

Toolsy outfielder turning in strong professional debut.

Deven Marrero, SS, Boston Red Sox

.286/.375/.395, 10 XBH, 8 SB, 17 K/17 BB (30 G)

Still not driving the ball, but bat has been consistent overall.

Barrett Barnes, OF, Houston Astros

.283/.390/.425, 8 XBH, 21 RBI, 10 SB, 18 K/14 BB (33 G)

Flashing intriguing mix of power and speed and has kept strikeouts under control.

Rookie

David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies

.366/.423/.585, 16 XBH (8 2B), 24 RBI, 7 SB, 18 K/12 BB (31 G)

Professional debut has been highly impressive and increased his estimated time of arrival.

Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers

.309/.457/.784, 21 XBH (12 HR), 31 RBI, 32 K/26 BB (28 G)

Has a chance to break the Arizona League home record.

Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros

.212/.255/.365, 12 XBH (10 2B), 4 SB, 21 K/5 BB (26 G)

Finally warming up, batting .282/.317/.513 with five extra-base hits in last 10 games.

Seth Mejias-Brean, 3B, Cincinnati Reds

.406/.473/.719, 11 XBH (4 HR), 18 RBI, 7 K/9 BB (17 G)

Crushing the ball in pros since winning College World Series; due for a possible aggressive promotion.

Max Kepler, OF, Minnesota Twins

.291/.420/.513, 13 XBH (5 HR), 28 RBI, 15 K/20 BB (31 G)

German-born outfielder showing an impressive approach with power from the left side.