Six weeks into the Minor League season, we have witnessed plenty of pleasant prospect developments.
Athletics 2023 first-rounder Jacob Wilson is batting a sizzling .438 and already has reached Triple-A. Mets right-hander Jonah Tong has been a revelation with elite fastball characteristics and a Minors-best 0.33 ERA. As one Chourio brother (Jackson) graduated from the Top 100 Prospects list, another (Guardians Single-A outfielder Jaison) played his way onto it.
Blue Jays: Orelvis Martinez, 2B (No. 2/MLB No. 71)
While he’s always had plus power potential, Martinez has been defined by his inconsistency through parts of his Minor League career, so while he was a solid performer at Triple-A Buffalo during a 55-game stint last year, it was an open question how he’d handle the Minors’ top level upon his return. So far so good, especially in the power department. The 22-year-old second baseman has 10 homers in 36 games and is slugging .552 in that span.
Orioles: Cade Povich, LHP (No. 9)
For all of the (deserved) attention the hitting prospects have generated this year, Povich is doing his part as one of two pitchers in the Orioles’ top 10. The other, Chayce McDermott, has been solid in Triple-A, but Povich has been downright dominant, leading the Triple-A International League in ERA (2.16) and strikeouts (57), while sitting second in WHIP (1.10) and batting average against (.193), trailing only McDermott in that last category.
Rays: Santiago Suarez, RHP (No. 8)
Tampa Bay’s pitching development pipeline has generally been strong, but it was an open question which arm could seize the throne as the next big thing. Suarez looks ready to take the mantle. The 19-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.00 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 30 innings for Single-A Charleston. Most amazingly, his 1.8 percent walk rate tops Minor Leaguers with at least 30 innings pitched. His mid-90s fastball and promising curveball give him stuff beyond just control too, helping his status.
Red Sox: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP (No. 20)
After missing two months at the end of last season with elbow inflammation, Rodriguez-Cruz has returned with more velocity on his fastball (now sitting at 94-96 mph and touching 98) and slider (upper 80s with promising depth). The 2021 fourth-rounder from a Puerto Rican high school has posted a 2.96 ERA, .217 opponent average and 40 strikeouts in 24 1/3 Single-A innings.
