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We’re just about halfway into the MiLB season with prospects shining at every level and within every organization!

As we head into July where we’ll be heavily focused on the draft and then the trade deadline, let’s check on top prospects showing out this season, particularly in the past month.

Prospects Heat Sheet

With three full months of games in the books, it’s time to take a dive into some prospects who have shined lately, elevating their stock in prospect rankings.

We’ll focus primarily on top performers from June with a few season-long standouts featured as we provide insight on the prospects thriving lately!

SS Kevin McGonigle (JB #4)

Fresh off of being named to the 2025 Futures Game, Kevin McGonigle solidified what was arguably the best month of a Minor League player in all of baseball. Since the start of June, McGonigle has hit .340/.400/.649 with six home runs, 11 doubles, and a 187 wRC+.

The Tigers are in the midst of what should turn into a deep postseason run. If they continue on this trajectory, they should also be one of the more active teams at the coming trade deadline. While McGonigle’s name has been mentioned in occasional rumors, the front office has quickly shut down that notion. We shouldn’t expect for him to make an impact in the big leagues this year, but crazier things have happened.

C Samuel Basallo (JB #9)

We are reaching a tipping point in the Orioles’ season, as their continued poor performance could be pushing them towards a sell-off at the deadline. Their fans aren’t happy, but the debut of Samuel Basallo could ease some of the pain they’ve been going through. With Adley Rutschman currently on the IL, it is hard to justify not promoting Basallo and his 1.119 OPS in June. While Basallo has been recently quoted as not being anxious to be promoted, you would have to think he has done enough to prove himself to this point to force the hand of the O’s and their timid front office.

SS Carson Williams (JB #29)

After a real tough first two months of the season, Williams has figured out Triple-A over the past month. He posted a .999 OPS in the month with seven home runs and a 158 wRC+ while playing his typical great defense at short.

With the Rays seemingly emerging as legit playoff contenders, Williams could be another piece in the fold. He could surpass Jose Caballero or Taylor Walls for regular at-bats, providing more pop in the lineup.

RHP Travis Sykora (JB #34)

Dating back to last season, Travis Sykora was one of the most talked-about pitchers in the Minor League Players of the Week article that we released on the website. After undergoing a minor hip surgery in the offseason that led to a delay to the start of his season, Sykora has picked up right where he left off.

In 10 games started this year, he has pitched to a 1.11 ERA with 70 strikeouts across 40.2 innings. The recently promoted right-hander looks to continue to establish himself as one of the better pitching prospects in all of baseball.

RHP Joe Boyle

The Tampa Bay Rays always have a ridiculous amount of starting pitching at the big league level, and that’s no different this year. Flamethrowing right-hander Joe Boyle is just one of many casualties of these circumstances in the high minors who are blocked from the big leagues.

Though he pitched incredibly well in his team debut earlier in the year, it came as he was serving as the 27th man during a double header. However, he did not let that deter him and has been dominant in the minor leagues essentially all year.

Boyle is shaping up to be the next organizational success story for the Rays. He was originally acquired from the Athletics after the struggles he had for them last year. He currently has a 1.85 ERA across 73 innings pitched with a 12.6 K%.

Just Baseball Trivia of the Week

Our newsletter will have a trivia question every week to test and expand the baseball knowledge of our subscribers! The answer to the weekly trivia question will be at the bottom of the newsletter each week.

Which Just Baseball Top 100 Prospect leads Single-A in wRC+ this season?

A) Konnor Griffin

B) Slade Caldwell

C) Theo Gillen

D) Eduardo Quintero

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2024 Draft Class Check In

Last week on The Call Up, Aram Leighton and Elijah Evans did a full check in on the 2024 MLB Draft Class with nearly a year passed since that draft.

We’ll highlight some of the top performers lately from that class and you can check out the episode for much more.

Top Draft Picks in MLB

Five players from this draft class are already with their big league club right now and have shown their promise at the highest level.

Cam Smith broke camp at a new position with Houston after being traded there for Kyle Tucker in the offseason. Since the start of May, Smith has a 135 wRC+ while posting a hard-hit rate north of 50% while playing strong defense in right field.

After a brief IL stint, Nick Kurtz is really putting it together for the Athletics. Since returning three weeks ago, Kurtz has a .926 OPS with seven home runs to his name.

Chase Burns impressed in his debut but got hit hard in his second career outing while Jac Caglianone has yet to find his groove but has shown his immense power upside in spurts.

Rounding out this group is Christian Moore, who has come up clutch for the Angels in his first few weeks in the league.

JJ Wetherholt (JB #27)

Early into the 2024 draft process, JJ Wetherholt was considered one of the favorites to be selected number one overall. A couple of injury setbacks prevented that, but his hit tool has never been questioned. One of the more polished hitters of the class, he has continued to carry that over into the Cardinals system. His knowledge of the strike zone, combined with the above-average hit tool, is going to make him a quick riser for the Cardinals organization. The question then becomes: where does he slot in?

Kaelen Culpepper (JB Just Missed)

Similarly to McGonigle, Kaelen Culpepper was just named to the Futures Game roster. His game power has become must watch with the tape measure shots he has been putting on display. Culpepper is also a recipient of a recent promotion to Double-A after the tear he on in in High-A. The current shortstop has ascended quickly since being drafted last summer. While the hit tool in general could use a little bit of polishing, there is no denying that he has made tangible improvements. This is the exact reason why he could find his way in Triple-A by season’s end.

Cam Caminiti

As soon as he was selected, it was essentially screamed from the rooftops that Atlanta got a steal in Cam Caminiti at 24th overall in the MLB Draft. After a delayed start because of some arm discomfort he was feeling back in the spring, the high school left-hander has settled in nicely in the month of June with 22 strikeouts across 15.1 innings pitched at the Single-A level.

Charlie Condon (JB #65)

Charlie Condon is on his way to Double-A Hartford after the scorching hot stretch he was on. After struggling through an injury he sustained in spring, Condon was having trouble finding his footing at the beginning of the season. He has quickly put any concerns to rest while posting a 129 wRC+ prior to his promotion. While those selected around him have seen a lot of success recently, Condon looks to be right back on track to proving he is deserving of still being mentioned amongst those guys.

Theo Gillen (JB #97)

It has been an extremely impressive true start to a professional career for Theo Gillen after he played in just eight games upon being drafted last year. He has a 163 wRC+ this season while walking over 20% of the time, leading to a .454 OBP through 46 Single-A games.

Gillen is elevating the ball at an excellent clip for his age with a line drive rate over 25% this season. The 19-year-old looks to be the next stud high school prospect drafted by the Rays organization and should continue to climb up prospect ranks.

Marlins Director of Amateur Scouting

We were joined by Frankie Piliere on The Call Up this week! He broke down life as the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Miami Marlins with a ton of great intel.

From running a draft to the difference between evaluating high school and college talents, he provides insight on the realm of professional scouting from an organizational perspective.

Just Baseball Discord

We launched a Just Baseball community on Discord!

Our Discord channel is the ultimate baseball group chat while also providing exclusive access to Peter’s MLB best bets, Aram’s prospect content, giveaways, and direct connection to the entire Just Baseball staff.

Read all the details about our Discord community here.

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Trivia Answer: D) Eduardo Quintero

The Dodgers’ 19-year-old prospect leads all qualified Single-A hitters with a 167 wRC+ on the year.

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