The 2026 MiLB season is in full swing, and many prospects have already set the tone with brilliant performances in the first month. This edition of the Prospect Parade highlights 20 names excelling through the start of May: 10 hitters who can’t stop mashing and 10 arms carving up the minors.

How the Prospect Parade works

The Prospect Parade is a recurring series where I highlight the hottest MLB prospects. It’s a snapshot of who’s forcing my attention right now and the traits they are exhibiting that could indicate the best is yet to come. Every player gets an embedded TJStats card with season-long metrics, a rolling 14-day window covering the current heater, and my take on what’s actually driving the surge.

Hitters

Ethan Salas

Ethan Salas

C, Age: 19,
B/T: L/R,
6′ 1″/185 lbs

DOB: 2006-06-01,
Kissimmee, USA

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

22
87
161
0.976
0.267
5
6
24.1%
13.8%
17.5%
45.0%
55.6%

Last 14 Days: .378/.489/.865/1.354 (14-for-37), 45 PA, 8 XBH, 5 HR, 8 BB, 7 SO, 3 SB

There may not be a prospect who has suffered more prospect fatigue than Ethan Salas. As a reminder, he is still only 19 years old and this is his 3rd stint in AA, albeit both were cut short — the first due to a return to Hi-A in 2024 and the second following a lower back stress reaction last season. Now healthy, the teenage catcher is flexing power that may push him back to prospect superstardom. He has posted a 104.8 mph 90th% exit velocity (around MLB average) while posting one of the best contact rates in the Texas League. In his recent slugging outburst, he has 4 home runs and just 5 strikeouts.

Salas is lined up to be one of the biggest risers in my next Top 100 update thanks to these power improvements meshing with his polished hit tool. It is also important to note that he projects to be a stellar backstop with lightning quick reflexes.

Mike Sirota

Mike Sirota

CF, Age: 22,
B/T: R/R,
6′ 2″/188 lbs

DOB: 2003-06-16,
Mineola, USA

Drafted: 2024, Rd. 3, Pick: 13

School: Northeastern

2026 Season Stats
Levels: HI-A

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

24
106
193
1.136
0.354
6
4
19.8%
19.8%
24.3%
37.7%
59.0%

Last 14 Days: .417/.563/1.056/1.618 (15-for-36), 48 PA, 11 XBH, 6 HR, 11 BB, 7 SO, 2 SB

Mike Sirota has quickly made up for lost time after a right knee injury ended his pro debut early in 2025. Now healthy, the bulky Dodgers OF is picking up where he left off with 5 home runs in the past two week at Hi-A while walking more than striking out. His exit velocities indicate that his power has stayed steady, and he is making marginally more contact than last season.

Sirota solidified himself as a Top 75 prospect with his performance last season and has the qualities to launch himself further up the ranks as he glides through the Dodger pipeline.

Caleb Bonemer

Caleb Bonemer

SS, Age: 20,
B/T: R/R,
6′ 1″/195 lbs

DOB: 2005-10-05,
Lansing, USA

Drafted: 2024, Rd. 2, Pick: 4

School: Okemos HS

2026 Season Stats
Levels: HI-A

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

26
123
182
1.088
0.433
11
2
30.1%
13.8%
34.0%
44.9%
67.2%

Last 14 Days: .311/.475/.800/1.275 (14-for-45), 59 PA, 8 XBH, 7 HR, 10 BB, 18 SO, 1 SB

Caleb Bonemer makes another appearance on the Prospect Parade with his torrid start to his 2026 season. He currently leads all Hi-A hitters with 11 HR, with 7 HR coming in an power explosion in the last two weeks. He is consistently tapping into his power and utilizing his slick right-handed swing to deposit pulled fly balls over the left field wall.

Bonemer’s contact metrics have dipped compared to last season, but he is trending toward being a Top 10 prospect in my next update.

A.J. Ewing

A.J. Ewing

SS, Age: 21,
B/T: L/R,
5′ 10″/160 lbs

DOB: 2004-08-10,
Kettering, USA

Drafted: 2023, Rd. 4C, Pick: 3

School: Springboro HS

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA, AAA

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

24
107
168
1.084
0.200
2
16
15.9%
18.7%
25.1%
41.0%
49.3%

Last 14 Days: .425/.529/.700/1.229 (17-for-40), 51 PA, 5 XBH, 2 HR, 10 BB, 7 SO, 8 SB

A.J. Ewing was a quick riser in the Mets system in 2025, blending an impressive suite of patience, speed, and defense. These same traits have rung true this season, which rewarded Ewing with a promotion to AAA this past week. He has not stopped hitting at the higher level, registering 10 hits in his first 15 ABs, including a pair of XBH and 4 SB. Ewing is hitting the ball harder more consistently this season, however he lacks both the power and air attack that typically lead to slug.

Ewing will be getting a notable bump in my next update thanks to his newly closer proximity to MLB and excellent production thus far, however, I still remain bearish on the Mets outfielder given his limited pop. Nonetheless, he projects to be an impactful MLB outfielder with the speed and glove to provide immediate help to the Mets.

Blake Mitchell

Blake Mitchell

C, Age: 21,
B/T: L/R,
6′ 0″/202 lbs

DOB: 2004-08-03,
Clear Lake, USA

Drafted: 2023, Rd. 1, Pick: 8

School: Sinton HS

2026 Season Stats
Levels: HI-A

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

23
99
158
0.965
0.281
6
5
30.3%
32.3%
44.4%
36.2%
65.7%

Last 14 Days: .250/.580/.571/1.151 (7-for-28), 50 PA, 3 XBH, 3 HR, 20 BB, 12 SO, 3 SB

Blake Mitchell’s line for this season feels fake. The Royals backstop is striking out over 30% of the time and walking in 1/3 of his plate appearances, all while smacking 6 HR in the first month of play. His plus-power (107.7 mph 90th% EV) makes him a fearsome slugger and his patience is currently unmatched, but it is more than apparent that there is a major hole in his swing. This is the most extreme three-true outcome case I have ever seen, and it makes me doubt the feasibility of this approach as Mitchell eventually moves into the upper minors.

Mitchell will be an interesting name to monitor throughout the season because he has the tools to be a plus defender at catcher with the pop to be a 20 HR hitter in the majors. Unfortunately, his hit tool

Caleb Cali

Caleb Cali

3B, Age: 25,
B/T: R/R,
6′ 3″/230 lbs

DOB: 2000-08-20,
Milwaukee, USA

Drafted: 2023, Rd. 16, Pick: 23

School: Arkansas

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

23
96
124
0.814
0.279
6
6
32.3%
9.4%
33.9%
45.3%
70.9%

Last 14 Days: .395/.447/.930/1.377 (17-for-43), 47 PA, 11 XBH, 6 HR, 4 BB, 11 SO, 5 SB

Caleb Cali has flown under the radar in the Mariners system since being selected in the 16th round of the 2023 draft. He has posted good, but not great, offensive results throughout his pro career. He is on a tear lately with 6 HR over the last two weeks including 5 2B. His stocky 6’3″ frame lends itself to above average power, but his poor contact rates and older age cast a shadow on the utility infielder.

If there is any inkling that he making more contact, he has both the pull-happy swing and raw strength to buoy his stock.

Ricardo Olivar

Ricardo Olivar

C, Age: 24,
B/T: R/R,
5′ 10″/176 lbs

DOB: 2001-08-10,
Barquisimeto, Venezuela

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

21
88
142
0.976
0.351
7
0
13.6%
11.4%
23.8%
48.1%
63.6%

Last 14 Days: .371/.463/1.029/1.492 (13-for-35), 41 PA, 9 XBH, 7 HR, 6 BB, 5 SO, 0 SB

Ricardo Olivar is off to a strong start this season, with most of his damage occurring in the past two weeks. He has launched 7 HR in that time frame while walking more than striking out. The Twins catching prospect features a balanced offensive profile, blending patience, contact, and power. While none are stand out tools, it is not a surprise how he has sustained effective results throughout his pro career.

His ceiling is limited given the concern around the efficacy of his glove, but the offensive foundation feels stable.

Xavier Isaac

Xavier Isaac

1B, Age: 22,
B/T: L/L,
6′ 3″/240 lbs

DOB: 2003-12-17,
Fayetteville, USA

Drafted: 2022, Rd. 1, Pick: 29

School: East Forsyth HS

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

21
86
162
1.055
0.391
7
3
39.5%
25.6%
51.0%
37.2%
70.0%

Last 14 Days: .321/.525/.964/1.489 (9-for-28), 40 PA, 6 XBH, 6 HR, 12 BB, 13 SO, 1 SB

Xavier Isaac is not far removed from being considered one of the best hitting prospects in MLB. His 2025 season was unfortunately cut short following brain surgery. Thankfully, he has fully recovered and is flexing the same tools that made him such a polarizing young hitter. The Rays’ first baseman is known for his undeniable power with freighting contact concerns. This has rang true this season as he has hit 7 HR in 21 games while striking out nearly 40% of the time with a whiff rate north of 50%.

Those contact rates have not lightened up on his recent heater, making Isaac one of the most volatile hitters in MiLB. I am rooting for his success, but without any improvements to his 20 grade hit tool, his outlook is capped.

Arturo Disla

Arturo Disla

1B, Age: 25,
B/T: R/R,
6′ 2″/240 lbs

DOB: 2000-10-08,
La Vega, Dominican Republic

2026 Season Stats
Levels: HI-A

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

24
103
197
1.081
0.268
5
2
23.3%
15.5%
31.0%
44.6%
60.0%

Last 14 Days: .412/.563/.794/1.357 (14-for-34), 48 PA, 5 XBH, 4 HR, 10 BB, 8 SO, 2 SB

Arturo Disla deserves some love after dominating Hi-A for the entirety of the month of April. The 25-year-old slugger is posting a 1.110 OPS on the year accompanied by 5 HR and a sweet 15.5 BB%. While much older for the level, Disla is lifting the ball more and flashing elite power (109.9 mph 90th% EV) without the swing and miss that typically plague big-time sluggers. I would expect the strikeouts to tick back up once he works his way up to the upper minors, but you cannot fake this level of power.

Disla is purely a bat-only prospect who needs to have his pop carry his otherwise limited profile.

Jonah Cox

Jonah Cox

CF, Age: 24,
B/T: R/R,
6′ 2″/204 lbs

DOB: 2001-08-04,
Louisville, USA

Drafted: 2023, Rd. 6, Pick: 2

School: Oral Roberts

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA

GP
PA
tjBat+
OPS
ISO
HR
SB
K%
BB%
Whiff%
Swing%
Air%

23
92
206
1.173
0.282
3
16
14.1%
10.9%
23.7%
45.5%
54.4%

Last 14 Days: .417/.488/.806/1.293 (15-for-36), 42 PA, 7 XBH, 2 HR, 4 BB, 4 SO, 7 SB

Jonah Cox arguably had the best April of any player in MiLB. Through May 3, he has posted a 1.199 OPS, fuelled by 13 XBH and an impressive 13.6 K%. The 2023 6th round pick has also been a menace on the basepaths, stealing 16 bases in 18 attempts. Interestingly, his underlying metrics are not too striking as he is exhibiting below average exit velocities. His blistering speed is carrying a good chunk of the leg work currently displayed by his impressive slugging rate.

Cox profiles more as a backup outfielder thanks to his great speed and defensive instinct and this offensive outburst may indicate that there is more offensive utility in the tank.

Honourable Mentions

Cesar Quintas – SEA

Last 14 Days: .463/.532/.805/1.337 (19-for-41), 47 PA, 9 XBH, 2 HR, 5 BB, 12 SO, 1 SB

Cole Carrigg – COL

Last 14 Days: .525/.578/.700/1.278 (21-for-40), 46 PA, 4 XBH, 1 HR, 5 BB, 4 SO, 8 SB

Bryan Rincon – PHI

Last 14 Days: .342/.469/.763/1.233 (13-for-38), 49 PA, 8 XBH, 4 HR, 10 BB, 6 SO, 3 SB

Brady Day – PHI

Last 14 Days: .385/.484/.846/1.330 (10-for-26), 31 PA, 4 XBH, 4 HR, 5 BB, 3 SO, 5 SB

Brett Bateman – CHC

Last 14 Days: .400/.583/.640/1.223 (10-for-25), 36 PA, 4 XBH, 1 HR, 11 BB, 6 SO, 1 SB

Pitchers

Anthony Eyanson

Anthony Eyanson

Age: 21,
RHP,
6′ 2″/208 lbs

DOB: 2004-10-09,
Long Beach, USA

Drafted: 2025, Rd. 3, Pick: 12

School: LSU

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A+

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
20.1
0.44
0.99
0.49
47.9%
4.2%
43.7%
47.2%
63.9%
60.6%

Last 14 Days: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 16 SO, 0 HR

I sound like a broken record every time I mention Anthony Eyanson. The Red Sox 2025 3rd round selection has lapped nearly every arm that was drafted ahead of him thanks to a substantial bump in velocity and a stellar results through his first month of play. While this stance may be very bullish, there is little to suggest the Eyanson is not one of the best pitching prospects in MLB right now.

Eyanson recently cracked into my Top 100 and he is among the biggest risers in my next update. His stock is going to the moon and he just received a promotion to AA.

Seth Hernandez

Seth Hernandez

Age: 19,
RHP,
6′ 4″/190 lbs

DOB: 2006-06-28,
Pomona, USA

Drafted: 2025, Rd. 1, Pick: 6

School: Corona HS

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
22.0
1.23
1.51
0.73
50.0%
7.3%
42.7%
51.7%
66.9%
52.9%

Last 14 Days: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 10.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 18 SO, 2 HR

Seth Hernandez continues to dominate Lo-A and now owns a 1.23 ERA and 0.73 WHIP across his first 22.0 innings of pro ball. He is currently striking out half the batters he faces and his command continues to be the most impressive aspect of his profile thus far. At just 19 years old, Hernandez has a polished 4-pitch mix and has all the tools to be the best pitching prospect in baseball (if he already isn’t considered that at the moment).

Hernandez took a giant leap in my Top 100 in my April update and is not stopping anytime soon. He is currently a Top 10 prospect.

Kade Anderson

Kade Anderson

Age: 21,
LHP,
6′ 2″/179 lbs

DOB: 2004-07-06,
Slidell, USA

Drafted: 2025, Rd. 1, Pick: 3

School: LSU

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
24.1
0.37
0.59
0.70
43.2%
4.5%
38.6%
38.9%
70.6%
46.7%

Last 14 Days: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 16 SO, 0 HR

Kade Anderson is making a joke of AA. The 3rd overall pick from the 2025 draft currently holds a 0.48 ERA and 44.1 K% over his first 18.2 innings in professional baseball, flexing his polished 4-pitch mix and solid command. I will admit, I was not impressed by Anderson’s stuff in Spring Training, but he has quieted those immediately. His fastball has looked sharper in AA (perhaps with the aid of the MiLB ball) and batters cannot touch his secondaries.

Even if Anderson’s raw arsenal metrics paint him more as a #2 starter than a frontline ace, he looks ready to face tougher competition because AA looks too easy for him.

Junior Sanchez

Junior Sanchez

Age: 20,
RHP,
5′ 10″/175 lbs

DOB: 2005-09-16,
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A+

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

4
18.1
1.96
1.52
0.82
42.9%
7.1%
35.7%
43.8%
65.8%
44.1%

Last 14 Days: 1-1, 3.60 ERA, 10.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 18 SO, 1 HR

Junior Sanchez is off to a strong start to his 2026 season, striking out 43% of batters across his first 4 games. He currently holds a 1.96 ERA across 18.1 IP, which includes a recent stretch where he has struck out 18 batters with 0 walks in the past two weeks. The 20-year-old righty is readily generating whiffs with his entire arsenal, leaning on a 93-94 cut-ride fastball and mid-80s sweeping slider to manage most of the load. His cutter and changeup have been stable inclusions as well. His shorter arm action creates a deceptive image for batters which they need to decipher in addition to a 4-pitch mix.

These impressive results follow a solid stateside debut in 2025 where Sanchez reached Hi-A as a 19-year-old. I struggled to find much info about the DBacks righty, but he feels like a pitching prospect on the rise.

Franklin Gómez

Franklin Gómez

Franklin Gómez

Age: 20,
LHP,
6′ 0″/220 lbs

DOB: 2005-07-06,
Maracay, Venezuela

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A+

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
23.0
0.78
1.62
0.91
29.2%
6.7%
22.5%
25.7%
65.3%
56.1%

Last 14 Days: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

Franklin Gómez was acquired by the Guardians from the Mets for IFA money this past winter. This trade seems to be a positive for Cleveland thus far as Gómez has made Hi-A look easy thus far with a 0.78 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 23.0 innings. Although not a striking arsenal on the surface, Gómez leverages a 4-pitch mix and with solid command and deceptive arm action from the left side to stifle lower level hitters. His changeup is both his best offering and his primary pitch, tailing away from RHH and generating plenty of whiffs.

Franklin Gómez is auditioning for a spot on the 40-Man roster this upcoming winter due to his Rule 5 eligibility, which could prompt the Guardians to move him quickly if his positive results hold.

Yeiber Cartaya

Yeiber Cartaya

Age: 23,
RHP,
6′ 5″/165 lbs

DOB: 2003-01-20,
Caracas, Venezuela

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A+

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
21.2
0.83
2.87
0.88
34.1%
11.4%
22.7%
37.3%
63.2%
38.6%

Last 14 Days: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 13.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 20 SO, 0 HR

Yeiber Cartaya is off to a strong start this season, posting a 0.83 ERA across 21.2 innings, including a stretch of three games where he struck out 20 batters without surrendering an earned run. The Venezuelan native has found great success with his mid-90s heater which can hit 97 mph. The traits of the pitch are not very encouraging given its deadzone shape, but it may have enough juice from his 6’5″ frame to sustain its plus whiff rates. He supplements his polarizing heater with a trio of secondaries: a harder two-plane curveball, a tight gyro-slider, and an underdeveloped changeup.

Cartaya has had mixed results in his pro career due to his shaky control, however, his ability to rack up strikeouts has always remained consistent.

Channing Austin

Channing Austin

Age: 24,
RHP,
6′ 3″/200 lbs

DOB: 2001-12-21,
New York, USA

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A+

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
22.1
1.21
3.46
1.16
26.6%
16.0%
10.6%
33.5%
60.6%
37.7%

Last 14 Days: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 15.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 18 SO, 0 HR

Channing Austin was my Mets breakout pitching prospect pick entering this season thanks to his strong fastball and wide array of secondaries. While the same command issues are still present, he is enjoying a productive stretch where he has pitch 15 consecutive scoreless innings with 18 K and just 6 BB. His fastball continues to exhibit the extreme movement that caught my eye last season and his slider has been an effective whiff generating weapon.

Austin projects to be a reliever long-term given his control issues, but it is nice to see him produce well after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Mets in 2024.

Karson Milbrandt

Karson Milbrandt

Age: 22,
RHP,
6′ 2″/230 lbs

DOB: 2004-04-21,
Liberty, USA

Drafted: 2022, Rd. 3, Pick: 5

School: Liberty Senior HS

2026 Season Stats
Levels: AA

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
24.1
1.85
3.51
1.07
32.0%
10.3%
21.6%
40.5%
62.0%
58.2%

Last 14 Days: 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 12.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 14 SO, 1 HR

Karson Milbrandt was a popular prospect breakout pick entering this season, and he quickly displayed why that was the case in April. The Marlins righty boasts a dynamic fastball-slider combo which he further supplements with a hard curveball and a developing changeup. Strikeouts should be aplenty for Milbrandt, with inconsistent strike throwing being the main limiter in his profile.

Milbrandt has the shutdown stuff to be an effective major leaguer, with his command dictating whether that will ultimately lead him to a rotation or bullpen role.

Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs

Age: 21,
LHP,
6′ 1″/195 lbs

DOB: 2004-06-11,
Fountain Valley, USA

Drafted: 2025, Rd. 3, Pick: 23

School: Arizona State

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A, A+

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

5
21.2
1.66
1.35
0.88
37.3%
9.6%
27.7%
42.0%
64.5%
36.4%

Last 14 Days: 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 10.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR

Ben Jacobs was a buzzy name around draft time despite his seemingly lacklustre results in Arizona State. While the walks and damage against were not encouraging, Jacobs caught the eyes of evaluators thanks to his deceptive fastball and pair of secondaries which yielded elite whiff rates throughout his college career. These same traits have allowed him to carve up Lo-A in April. This performance was promptly rewarded with a promotion to Hi-A and indicates that Jacobs could be a quick mover in the Tigers system.

Jacobs is rapidly trending up at the moment and is making a strong case to crack into my Top 100 update later this month.

Max Banks

Max Banks

Age: 22,
RHP,
6′ 4″/225 lbs

DOB: 2003-05-07,
San Francisco, USA

Drafted: 2025, Rd. 14, Pick: 1

School: Washington

2026 Season Stats
Levels: A

GP
IP
ERA
FIP
WHIP
K%
BB%
K-BB%
Whiff%
Strike%
GB%

6
26.0
1.73
2.52
1.19
27.7%
4.0%
23.8%
28.6%
67.7%
50.0%

Last 14 Days: 0-0, 0.60 ERA, 15.0 IP, 16 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 14 SO, 0 HR

Max Banks was the White Sox 14th round selection from the 2025 draft and he has started his pro career on the right foot in Lo-A. It is not uncommon for college arms to excel in the lower minors right off the bat, but the way Banks is succeeding has caught my eye. He isn’t blowing batters away with hellacious stuff or blazing fastballs. Instead, he is showcasing a 6-pitch mix, all of which he is throwing for strikes while limiting damage against. In his last three starts he has allowed just 1 ER while striking out 14 with 2 BB.

Banks was never lauded for his control at Washington State which makes his efficient strike throwing to start his pro career as a pleasant surprise. He seems like an arm that would greatly benefit from a promotion in the near future.

Honourable Mentions

Wei-En Lin – ATH

Last 14 Days: 0-0, 0.75 ERA, 12.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR

Matt Wilkinson – CLE

Last 14 Days: 0-0, 0.87 ERA, 10.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 13 SO, 0 HR

Nestor Lorant – CIN

Last 14 Days: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 15 SO, 0 HR

Trace Bright – BAL

Last 14 Days: 0-1, 2.53 ERA, 10.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 10 BB, 19 SO, 0 HR

Jonah Tong – NYM

Last 14 Days: 1-1, 2.25 ERA, 16.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 21 SO, 1 HR

Check out last week’s Prospect Parade for more of the hottest prospects in the minors, and my updated Top 100 Prospects list. Follow along with each player’s data all season on their individual player pages.