1. OF Lazaro Montes | 20 | A+ | 2026

At 6’4” 256 lbs with a picturesque swing from the left side, Montes invites visual comps to Yordan Alvarez and embraces them, incorporating regular video study and modeling his own game after the Houston slugger’s. In 116 games across two levels, he slashed .288/.397/.484 with 21 home runs, five stolen bases and 105 RBIs. I don’t mention RBIs much around here, but that’s almost a ribbie per game, which you don’t see a lot these days in the minors, especially among guys who take their walks (14.4 percent for Montes in 2024). All in all, I’ve been among the high rankers on Montes throughout his pro career, ranking him first on this list last season. He’s still ranked after Cole Young and Colt Emerson by a lot of outlets despite both of those guys having down seasons in 2024. That’s understandable given they were young for their levels, and Young had to hit in tough park at Double-A Arkansas, but if Montes produces power at 20 years old in that setting, he should earn the prospect shine elsewhere that he’s been getting here.