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Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles: Basallo is the top catching prospect in the game, though until Tuesday he'd been limited to first base and DH duties because of elbow soreness that flared up during spring training. He got back behind the plate in Triple-A Norfolk's series-opening tilt with Jacksonville and continued to show off one of the most potent bats in the minor leagues. He finished the day with two long home runs—both of which produced identical exit velocities of 106.9 mph—and a double in the Tides' loss. Basallo has six home runs this year.

Anderson Brito, RHP, Astros: Brito has plenty of stuff. Now, the question is: Can he harness it enough to be effective. On Tuesday, the answer was a resounding yes. The 20-year-old righthander punched out a dozen hitters and finished his outing with 15 swings and misses in five two-run innings against High-A Bowling Green. The total doubled his previous season-high for strikeouts in a game, which he accomplished in each of the first two starts of the year. It also tied a career-high, established on July 11, 2024 in the Dominican Summer League.

Jefferson Rojas, SS, Cubs: Although he is repeating the level, Rojas still ranks as one of the youngest players in the High-A Midwest League. He was as chilly as the region's weather in the first month but has been molten since the calendar flipped to May. He racked up three hits on Tuesday and now has hit in all but one game this month. The effort also continued an on-base streak that stretches back to April 24. In May, Rojas is hitting .436/.489/.744 with three home runs and 12 RBIs.

Roki Sasaki, RHP, Dodgers: The Dodgers' stable of starting pitchers is deep and talented. The former quality is coming in handy early in the season, with veterans Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell already on the injured list, joining Michael Kopech, Gavin Stone and Emmet Sheehan. Now, Sasaki joins that group. The No. 1 pitching prospect in the sport was placed on the IL on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement. The injury comes after an underwhelming start for Sasaki which has included 22 walks in his first 34.1 innings.

Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates: In BA's latest Top 100 update, Chandler ranked No. 4 overall and the second-best pitching prospect in the sport. He sits behind only Roki Sasaki, who landed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement. With each passing outing, he gets closer to his big league debut. He took another step on Tuesday, when he struck eight hitters over five shutout innings against Louisville. His 14 whiffs were the second-most in Triple-A behind only Giants lefty Carson Whisenhunt. With the outing, Chandler now has 49 strikeouts and sits at fourth in the International League.

Yairo Padilla, SS, Cardinals: Last year, Padilla established himself in the Dominican Summer League as a prospect with immense upside. Then, in his first spring stateside, it looked like his path to the big leagues might be a slower burn. He began the Florida Complex League with two hits in his first 19 at-bats. On Tuesday alone, he racked up five hits. The output included two triples, his first two extra-base hits of the year. He drove in four runs as well and also worked a walk. All told, Padilla's big day raised his batting average from .105 to .269.

NOTABLE PROMOTIONS

Luke Dickerson, SS, Nationals: After a solid start to his season in the Florida Complex League, Dickerson has earned his first taste of full-season ball. The Nationals signaled their confidence in Dickerson by drafting him in the second round and then going $1.68 million over slot to sign him away from a commitment to Virginia. He came out of the gate scorching in the Florida Complex League, where he went 6-for-22 to start the season before being promoted to the Carolina League. The output included his first professional home run.

Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics: After he spent the early portion of the season overwhelming hitters in High-A Lansing, Jump is moving on. The Louisiana State product struck out 45 and walked just five over 31 innings before the Athletics decided he was ready to test himself in the hitter-friendly environs of the Texas League. Jump's signature performance with the Lugnuts was a 13-strikeout masterwork against Fort Wayne on April 25. The lefty has the potential for three pitches that grade as 55s or better, as well as a changeup that is just a touch behind the other three pieces of his mix.

David Shields, LHP, Royals: After just one start in the Arizona Complex League, the Royals have sent Shields to Low-A Columbia. Kansas City popped Shields in the second round of last summer's draft, out of high school in Pittsburgh. He made his official pro debut on May 7 and struck out five while allowing four runs against the Dodgers' club in the Arizona Complex League. The lefty has the chance for four average or better pitches and could get to above-average with his fastball, slider and curveball. Now, he'll get to test that arsenal under the lights in the Carolina League.

Editor’s Picks

Elite Shortstop Trio Takes Minors By Storm: The electric shortstop trio of Sebastian Walcott, Leo De Vries and Jesús Made is taking the minors by storm, and each could be MLB’s No. 1 prospect this time next year. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

Each day, we’ll pick a prospect that has our attention.

Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants: Succeeding as a pitcher in the Pacific Coast League is no small accomplishment, and the outing Whisenhunt turned in on Tuesday was made doubly impressive because of the environment where he was pitching. Facing Salt Lake, the lefthander spun seven shutout innings, allowed three hits—all singles—walked nobody and struck out nine. He also got 17 swings and misses, the most in Triple-A for the day. The nine strikeouts tied a season high and the outing was the third in which he'd lasted six or more innings without allowing a run. He now sits alone atop the PCL leaderboard with 47 strikeouts.

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Nick Kurtz hit his first big league homer in a win over the Dodgers.

• Astros prospects Shay Whitcomb and Zach Cole each had two-homer nights.

• Mariners catcher Harry Ford went 4-for-4 with Triple-A Tacoma including a homer and two doubles.

• A’s outfielder Henry Bolte was a home run away from the cycle for Double-A Midland.

• Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage struck out a dozen Low-A batters, although he also gave up a homer to Konnor Griffin.

• Brewers catcher Jeferson Quero made his long-anticipated return earlier this week, per MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.

• Guardians outfield prospet Jaison Chourio is on the IL with a shoulder injury.

• Blue Jays RHP Jake Bloss needs Tommy John surgery. 

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