2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso: March 11th, 2026:

A few weeks ago, I dropped my Bowman Value Buys list. You may see a familiar name or two, but this one is different. These are prospects that fall outside of MLB.com’s top-100, that I think can jump into that list this year (assuming they do not graduate from prospect status). Let’s dive in…

Kevin Alvarez, OF (HOU)

Alvarez impressed early in his DSL debut, and is back doing the same at Astros minor league camp. A big 6’4’’ lefty outfielder who leans hit over power. That’s always my kind of prospect, but even more so for international kids. 19 K’s in 156 ABs at 17-years-old in DSL league, sign me up. A Cuban phenom who has time to build on his 185 lb physique and has a slight upper-cut to his swing, one that could bring on more power without hurting his great contact and hit tools.

Diego Tornes, OF (ATL)

An insanely young Cuban prospect (just turned 17 in July), Diego is a switch-hitting outfielder whose bat speed didn’t translate to much power in his first DSL stint. But I wouldn’t worry if I’m a Braves fan. His swing is designed for that power to come. He has the ability to drive 105 MPH+ exit velocities at his young age, which he has already displayed in his rookie ball debut.

Xavier Isaac, 1B (TB)

This is a bounce-back year for Isaac. After a life-changing season that involved time away from the game to get brain surgery, Isaac is showing that upside at the plate this spring (4/13, .308/.438).

Devin Taylor, OF (ATH)

One of my chases in Bowman Draft, Taylor is an extremely talented and mature hitter out if Indiana U. He is one of the highest floor bats in the entire draft, and shows upside in the power department as well. A lefty who can hit the ball to all parts of the field.

Tyson Lewis, SS (CIN)

I liked Tyson out of the 2024 draft. An all-around athlete who, like many on this list, started as a top-tier hit tool prospect, who has quietly generated some power.

Braylon Payne, OF (MIL)

Another ’24 draft favorite, but the opposite of Lewis. A young prep hitter who has 5-tool upside. Last year was his first full year in pro-ball. This year he should take that leap. Put your trust in the always-successful Brewers development team.

Xavier Neyens, SS (HOU)

Xavier is probably the highest risk/reward on this list. Generally not my profile (monster raw-power with questionable approach and swing), but he’s already showing some adjustments this spring by making more consistent, hard contact. If the Astros can figure that out, he’s got some of the highest-ceiling in-game power out there.

Brailer Guerrero, OF (TB)

Here’s what I wrote about him in 2024:

An 18-year-old at the rookie level for 2nd year after a torn labrum in ’23. He delivered a monster .909 OPS, along with an 18% walk rate. He dropped is swing rate 20% year-over-year, and is more patient than most on this list. He’ll start a month or two late in 2025 from another injury but it will be a big year for him to show his talent in A-ball. Guerrero has the tools to make a top 50 overall prospect jump, but that depends on his health and growth this year.

That dependency did not play out. Brailer had a rough, and injury-filled 2025. But I’m not calling it quits. He’s still very young (turning 20 this summer) for already debuting in A-ball. But he needs to get healthy, and make more consistent hard contact. He followed-up his tough 2025 with a just as challenging Arizona Fall League (26 AB, .077, 16 K).

Hendry Mendez, OF (MIN)

Hendry had a much different experience in the AFL. He slashed .300/.391/.500 across 23 PA with HR 3 RBI and only 2 K’s. Hendry is one of those young, teen, international-signees that have been able to develop a lengthy MiLB career (rarely happens). He just turned 21 and completed his fifth year in an MLB system…and it was his best. A near .300 AVG and .838 OPS were career highs, including a strong 33-game stint in AA where he had a .931 OPS with 16 RBI and 24 R.

Jaison Chourio, OF (CLE)

Another Bounce-Back candidate for 2 The Bigs. In 2025, he dealt with an injury that kept him out half the season, and even before that he wasn’t the same hitter. What didn’t change, however, was the ability to get on base. Even with a .235 average and increased K-rate, he still held an impressive .380 OBP. He does not swing and miss, at all. If anything, he needs to swing more, and work on getting some loft on his swing. He’ll be turning 21 this summer and now fully healthy. I’m betting on not only a return to form, but the power surge that I wanted to see last year.

Josh Adamczewski, 2B (MIL)

A true “out-of-nowhere” find for the Brewers. The 452^nd pick in the 2023 draft (15^th round), has showed that the playing field evens out once you hit professional baseball. Josh (I’ll refrain from continuing to type his last name) had a breakout campaign in A-ball this year, posting an OPS over 1.000 with 38 RBI and nearly a 1:1 BB:K ratio in 46 games at A-ball. The Brewers understand how to develop talent, and specifically did so with fellow 2^nd baseman Brice Turang. It’s hard to see value in a organization with Pena & Made, but Josh is going to impress.

Roldy Brito, 3B (COL)

A new cover for 2TB! I never buy too deep into DSL performance. Good thing for Brito is that I don’t need to. Although he slashed .368/.445/.555 for the season, his slash was almost identical once he was called-up to A-ball. More importantly, his K-rate actually dipped in A-ball. For an 18-year-old? That’s fantastic. I’m betting on even more growth when he get’s his first full season in A-levels.

Robert Calaz, OF (COL)

This kid had a .633 SLG % in A-ball in 2024 for the Rockies (12 HR in 62 Games). He’s going to strike-out, we know this, but he’s also going to hit for power. The 65% contact rates at lower levels were a concern that transitioned over to 2025. Although those rates increased 4 percentage points, 69% is still too low. He’s still only 20 years-old, and will spend a majority of the season in A+/AA. Like Neyens, the raw power is tremendous, and some minor adjustments to get that K-rate down will do wonders. Silver lining, in 2025 his Swinging Strike rate dropped and his contact rate increased.

Devin Fitz-Gerald, SS (WSH)

One of my Bowman Chrome favorites who was just dealt from the Rangers to the Nationals in the Mackenzie Gore deal. Fitz-Gerald was a 2024 draft pick right out of high school. Scouts are a bit down on his power potential, but he’s a smart, high-contact bat who can hit from both sides of the plate. 2026 is a big year to see how he builds-off his short 10-game-stint in Single-A to close out this year.

Khadim Diaw, C (MIN)

I have Diaw higher than most outlets. Can you guess why? You got it, he puts the bat on the ball. A .450 OBP across 170 plate appearances in 2025 (High-A), but he brings some sneaky bat speed (25% hard-hit and 25% line-drive rate). This is a unique kid who swings a lot (41% swing) but hits the ball a lot as well (80% contact rate). Diaw hasn’t had a lot of experience, but he’ll likely get a majority of his time in 2026 at AA. If he fares well, other outlets will catch up to my ranking.