Edward Florentino, Latest Pirates Treasure?

Plus: 5 DSL prospects making noise & our July Dynasty 500 update.

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Edward Florentino, OF, Pirates: The Pirates are famous for their conveyor belt of pitching prospects. Now, things might be looking better on the hitting front as well. Konnor Griffin is days away from taking the mantle as the No. 1 overall prospect in the game. And now, a level below, at Low-A, another big bopper might be beginning to blossom.

A year ago at this time, Florentino preparing to play in the Dominican Summer League's all-star game. He crushed the competition in the Florida Complex League and earned a quick bump to full-season ball, where he hasn't skipped a beat. His torrid season continued on Tuesday, when he went 2-for-4 with a walk and his fourth Florida State League home run. The longball was a towering shot to right-center field. He also stole his seventh base since earning his promotion. Florentino is now hitting .302/.377/.642 with four homers in 15 games since arriving in Bradenton. We tabbed Florentino as a riser in our latest Top 30s update.

Eduardo Quintero, OF, Dodgers: It's no secret that the Dodgers' system hosts some of the game's better outfield prospects. One of those talented players is Eduardo Quintero, who on Tuesday added another impressive game to his ledger. He went 1-for-4 with a home run, his 14th of the year. In doing so, he became the only player with 14 or more home runs, 15 or more doubles and 30 or more stolen bases. His 158 wRC+ entering the day was the best in the California League.

Aroon Escobar, 2B, Phillies: Lakewood, N.J. is a funny place to stop on the way to Atlanta, but that's exactly the path Escobar is taking on his way to next week's Futures Game. The infielder was promoted from Low-A Clearwater after last week's games and made his debut in the South Atlantic League on Tuesday. He collected two hits—both singles—in Jersey Shore's demolition of Aberdeen. It was his second multi-hit game of the month.

Josh Bostick, Giants, RHP: During spring training, evaluators tabbed Bostick as a pitcher whose stock was on the rise. Although his season has been rocky, Tuesday's outing against Spokane showed the tip of his potential. Over seven strong innings, Bostick struck out a dozen while letting up just four hits and no walks. He got 17 swings and misses. The 12 strikeouts were a season high and his second game with 10 or more.

Robby Snelling, LHP, Marlins: After an outstanding half season at Double-A Pensacola, Snelling has earned a step up. The 2023 Baseball America Pitcher of the Year is now a level away from the big leagues. The move comes after Snelling went 3-5, 3.61 with 85 strikeouts in 72.1 innings. He issued 22 walks.

Editor’s Picks

5 DSL Prospects Making Noise: Baseball America’s Josh Norris tips off BA subscribers to five prospects scouts are buzzing about as he begins to build out our DSL prospect rankings. Read more…

Dynasty Top 500 Update: Geoff Pontes and Dylan White are back with their latest tweaks to our flagship dynasty ranking. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Kendry Chourio, RHP, Royals: Chourio turned pro less than six months ago, but he's already bullied his way out of the Dominican Summer League and into the Arizona Complex League. He made his first stateside start on Tuesday and did little to quell the hype humming around his right arm. The 17-year-old spun four one-run innings while allowing four hits, no walks and striking out eight. Chourio brought his heater up to 98 mph and complemented it with a hard-diving curveball in the high 70s and a mid-80s changeup. With his performances in both the DSL and now the ACL, Chourio's stock is on the rise.

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

  • Jacob Misiorowski struck out 12 Dodgers hitters over six innings in a win yesterday. He’s now 4-1, 2.81 with a 33.7% strikeout rate through his first 25.2 big league innings.

  • Twins outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez was activated from IL by Triple-A St. Paul after dealing with a hip injury.

  • Rockies lefthander Sean Sullivan struck out seven over seven innings of one-run ball for Double-A Hartford.

  • Yohandy Morales (Nationals), Owen Caissie (Cubs) and Ryan Clifford (Mets) all turned in two-homer games yesterday.

  • A’s prospect Shotaro Morii continues to hit well in the ACL. He went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a steal yesterday.

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