James Tibbs III, OF, Dodgers: There may not be a hotter bat in the minors right now than Tibbs. The Dodgers prospect stayed scorching on Thursday night, launching his fourth home run for Triple-A Oklahoma City. It was yet another loud swing in a stretch where everything off his bat seems to come with authority. Tibbs is now hitting .500/.552/1.192 through his first six Triple-A games, consistently showing all-fields impact. Tibbs has enjoyed a renaissance since joining the Dodgers and we explained why earlier this week, when Josh Norris identified him as one of 50 players scouts are buzzing about entering 2026.

Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians: Velazquez entered the season as one of the top first base prospects in the minors, and the Guardians prospect showed why in his first game of the season. The 20-year-old pounced on the first pitch he saw in his at-bat against Phillies lefthander Adam Seminaris, and smoked the ball to center field over the batter's eye for Double-A Akron. Velazquez is coming off an impressive season after hitting 22 homers with 85 RBIs in 2025.

Alfredo Duno, C, Reds: Duno showed strides last year as his bat remained consistent and he stayed healthy, even through a stint in the Arizona Fall League. Now in High-A, he started the season off strong by collecting two doubles and driving in three runs for Dayton on Thursday. The 20-year-old catcher played a career-high 113 games, with 18 home runs and 81 RBIs and a 1.000 OPS in Low-A Daytona in 2025.

Dylan Jordan, RHP, Angels: It was a special night in Rancho Cucamonga, as it was the first time since 2010 that the Angels returned to affiliation with the Quakes. Jordan set the tone for what to expect from the Angels organization, as he struck out eight across five scoreless innings. Dating back to last season, Jordan now has a 0.80 ERA over 33.2 Low-A innings. He was also a key component of the Angels' championship-winning Arizona Complex League team in 2025.

Brendan Tunink, OF, Dodgers: On any other night, Tunink's solo home run in Thursday night's California League opener wouldn't draw as much buzz. That is, until you realize that his shot to right center field was the first homer for the new Dodgers Low-A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers. Tunink, an eighth-round selection in the 2025 draft, wasn't done there, as he went deep again later in the game. He hit .300 with five home runs and 17 RBIs during the Arizona Complex League season and was one of the better players in the circuit.

Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara: UC Santa Barbara is starting to become a pitching factory. Last year, Tyler Bremner pitched his way into the No. 2 overall selection by the Angels in 2025. Now, Flora is showcasing why he's considered arguably the top arm in the 2026 draft. Pitching on the road against Cal Poly, the righthander struck out nine, allowing four hits and two walks in 118 pitches for the Gauchos. He now owns a 0.69 ERA over 52.1 innings.

Editor’s Picks

Konnor Griffin’s Debut: Baseball’s top-ranked prospect is expected to make his big league debut Friday for the Pirates, and he soon could sign the richest extension ever given to a prospect after ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the sides are close on a nine-year, $140 million deal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Griffin’s debut:

Minor League Opening Day: Full-season ball has returned across the minors and we couldn’t be happier. Here’s what stood out to us from initial rosters across all levels of the minors.

• The most intriguing assignment for all 30 clubs

• 10 most talented MiLB teams

• 10 notable prospects on long-term IL

• These MiLB teams win, lose the most

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

John Gil, SS, Braves: Two seasons ago, Gil was a solid but not spectacular prospect in the Florida Complex League. In 2025, he showed a little bit more during a season spent mostly at the Class A levels. During Grapefruit League play, he appeared stronger and produced more authoritative contact. He still has work to do against breaking pitches, and his game will probably feature a fair amount of swings and misses, but if he can stick up the middle, he’ll at least have value as a second-division regular or backup on a playoff-caliber club. Gil homered and stole two bases on Thursday for High-A Rome.

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Carter Jensen, the No. 9 prospect in baseball, was scratched from the Royals’ lineup on Thursday after he overslept and arrived late to the ballpark.

• James Triantos had a huge day for Triple-A Iowa, going 4-for-5 with four runs and a homer. He ranks 10th in Chicago’s system.

• Giants catcher Daniel Susac went 3-for-3 in his big league debut Thursday. A Rule 5 pick by the Twins, the Giants subsequently acquired him in a trade this offseason.

• A’s outfielder Breyson Guedez rode the momentum from a strong spring into a 2-for-4 debut with Low-A Stockton, including a double.

• Guardians outfielder Jace LaViolette went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his pro debut.

• No Top 30 prospect had more strikeouts last night than Pirates RHP Khristian Curtis, who punched out nine batters for Double-A Altoona over five innings of one-run ball. Curtis ranks 15th in the Pirates’ system.

• Marlins LHP Thomas White is on the rehab trail after dealing with an oblique strain. He pitched 2.1 innings for Low-A Jupiter on Thursday, striking out four and allowing two runs.

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