Pirates OF Jhostynxon Garcia (23) has earned his promotion by slugging a slew of home runs during his rehab stint, popping three homers while going 5-for-5 in one game on May 12. He batted .375 over the five-game stretch in Triple-A and should get his fair share of playing time while Ryan O’Hearn recovers with a right quadricep strain. If he hits well enough, I suspect he’ll stick even without a crystal clear place to put him.
Marlins LHP Braxton Garrett’s return to the majors has not gone well, leading to speculation that LHP Thomas White (21, AAA) would be recalled to take his place in the rotation. White was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday, and Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reported that Garrett will be optioned to the minors today. One wrinkle here is that White hasn’t looked quite right this season. His longest outing lasted 4.2 innings. He allowed four runs in four innings during his most recent start, bringing his ERA to 4.01 and his WHIP to 1.46. He does have 35 strikeouts in 25.2 innings, but there’s obviously no guarantee he fares any better than Garrett in his first couple turns.
Cubs SS Pedro Ramirez (22, AAA) is racing toward a red light in an organization that’s committed to someone else everywhere he plays. Even so, Ramirez is racing up the prospects lists in the process and generating fiscal value for his own future, slashing .312/.395/.547 with nine home runs, 19 stolen bases and a 16.3 percent strikeout rate. Now there’s not much he can do but keep the engine revved and ready for an injury or perhaps a trade to clear the way. The Cubs still need pitching. Justin Steele had a setback in his return from elbow surgery. You could make a case that they’ve only got one legitimate post-season starter in Shota Imanaga.
The Angels took a risk in jumping OF Raudi Rodriguez (22, AA) over High-A to open the 2026 season, but it’s paying off for all involved. He’s slashing .308/.440/.481 with five home runs and 16 stolen bases in a league where he’s 2.1 years younger than the average age. He’s also got an 18-to-19.2 percent walk-to-strikeout rate, and he’s been locked in over the last seven games, hitting .483 with two home runs and three steals. Perhaps another promotion is in order.
Rays OF Theo Gillen (20, A+) has been on fire all season (.333/.430/.675), but it’s gotten silly over the last eight games. He’s hitting .483 with three home runs and three stolen bases, pushing for a quick promotion to Double-A. He won’t turn 21 until September.
Red Sox OF Justin Gonzales (19, A+) is having a breakout season. At 6’5” 215 pounds from the right side, he cuts the figure of an an-or-nothing slugger type, but that couldn’t be further from the on-field reality so far in his career. Through 33 games this year, he’s striking out just 15.3 percent of the time with a 9.8 percent walk rate and slash line of .319/.411/.532. I think the six home runs and lack of speed are keeping his ascent a little under the dynasty radar. Pretty much everything about him is screaming BUY where you can if you can.
Giants SS Josuar Gonzalez (18, CPX) doesn’t seem long for the complex. Through nine games, he’s slashing .414/.541/.655 with one home run and two stolen bases. I suppose you could pick at the 24.3 percent strikeout rate, but today’s game rewards the organizations that wave guys onto the next level when they look ready for a new challenge. If he hits well in full-season ball, he’ll climb the lists in a hurry.
Pirates SS Johan De Los Santos (17, CPX), younger brother of Itch-fave Pirates SS Yordany De Los Santos (21, A+), signed for $2.2 million during January of 2025 and played well during his debut season, slashing .353/.451/.460 with zero home runs and 34 stolen bases during his 44 games in the Dominican Summer League. He muscled up a little over the off-season and already has two home runs in ten games this year, with two of those games happening in Low-A, where it’s rare to see a 17-year-old. Pittsburgh shuffled him back to the complex after the two-game cameo, but the fact that they’ve already sent him to full-season ball once suggests they’ll do it again sooner than later if he keeps hitting.
Thanks for reading!
Great job again Itch.
Hey Itch, I recall you mentioned you like Cole Carrigg, what’s your comp for him? Seems like he’s got a nice blend of power and speed with hit tool
You mention Gillen’s age, but I think right now we’re all spoiled. He’s a 20 year old in A+. But, there’s two top 10 prospects from pre-season in the majors now who are still 20 and two others who are 21. It’s amazing how so many very young players are moving through their systems fast. All 4 happen to be on long-term contracts right now too.