2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso: Feb 26, 2024

Welcome to our first Weekly Prospect Hit Sheet! Each week of Spring Training AND the entire Minor League season, we will call out performances from the biggest prospects in baseball.

No need to jump the gun, as players are jumping into their first true game-play of the year; but let’s look at some prospects who stood out in the first weekend of 2024 baseball (both good and bad):

Young Nationals’ Make Early Splash

• James Wood, Nationals: 2 HR 5 RBI 1.714 OPS
• Robert Hassell III, Nationals: 3B, HR 2 RBI 2.200 OPS
• Big Questions Here:
• Can James Wood keep the K-rate down? If so, this upside is unworldly.
• Can “Bobby Barrel’s” return to the form that made him one of the highest upside picks in the 2020 MLB Draft?

Spencer Jones Putting Pressure on Yanks?

• Spencer Jones, Yankees (2TB Score: 77): 4-4 HR 4 RBI 2.600 OPS
• With a slew of competent outfielders for the Yankees (Judge, Soto, Verdugo, Grisham, Jones), Giancarlo Stanton’s leash may be a bit shorter than we think.

Strikeouts Already a Problem For Monster Diamondbacks Power Bat

• Ivan Melendez, Diamondbacks (2TB Score: 59): 0/4 4K
• The Power is real. But so are the misses. Prospects that strikeout at the rate Melendez does rarely make it long term in the bigs.

Stud Catchers Off To Slow Start

• Ethan Salas, Padres (2TB Score: 75): 0-3 4 K
• Daulton Rushing, Dodgers: 0-4 3 K
• It’s early both in the season, and in his life (17-years-old) for Salas. The fact he’s competing at a Major League camp is already impressive.
• Rushing should get plenty of at-bats this spring. Interesting to see what Dodgers do considering WIll Smith has the position locked up for the long term.

2020 Bowman Outfielders Start Redemption Campaign Seasons

• Andy Pages, Dodgers (2TB Score: 73): .400 2B 3 RBI
• Brennan Davis, Cubs: .333 3 RBI
• Pages has been crushed with injuries in a very successful minor league career. He should knock on the door of the Dodgers clubhouse with a hot early season start.
• Brennan Davis somewhat slid back the Cubs prospect list after a mediocre start to his career. Let’s see him step up and show the Cubs why that ceiling is still there.