Ronny Cruz, 2B/3B, Nationals: After an extreme makeover both in the front office and on the field, the Nationals are now bursting with talented infield prospects. One such player is Cruz, who came over from the Cubs in the deal that sent righthander Michael Soroka to the Cubs. He caught evaluators' eyes on the backfields before the 2025 season and is starting to blossom this year. On Tuesday, Cruz helped Fredericksburg by providing three hits—a double, a triple and a home run—and four RBIs in the team's win over Hill City. The blast was Cruz's second of the season, matching the total he'd produced in his 176 career at-bats entering the year.

Angel Genao, SS, Guardians: For years, Genao has teased at his potential. He was the darling of the Arizona Complex League at the outset of his career, but injuries have muted his skills in the following seasons. He's started strong this season, and he opened his first full series of 2026 with a banner output. In a rough-and-tumble affair between Harrisburg and Akron, Genao went 2-for-4 with a home run (his second of the season), two walks and three runs. He is 6-for-15 to start the season.

Andrew Salas, SS, Marlins: To begin his career, Salas jumped over both the Dominican Summer League and Florida Complex League. Instead, after signing in January 2025, the youngest of the three Salas brothers in pro ball opened up in the Florida State League, to middling results. He returned to the level this year after a spring training when scouts saw a noticeably stronger player, and early on he's showing a bit more thump. On Tuesday, Salas went 4-for-5 with two singles, a double and his first longball of the year. His home run came off a 94 mph fastball and produced an exit velocity of 101.4 mph.

Chase Petty, RHP, Reds: In the Reds' Spring Breakout game with the Giants, Petty was dazzling. In his first start of the regular season, he was anything but. In his second turn, he rebounded nicely and showed the form that helped get him to the big leagues last year. This time out, facing Indianapolis, Petty went six strong with just a hit and a walk on his ledger. He struck out nine, ran his fastball up to 98 mph and racked up 15 misses on 40 swings.

Editor’s Picks

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Marlon Nieves, RHP, Dodgers: After getting strong reports on the backfields, Nieves opened his season with a sparkler. The righthander was one of the team's best lower-level pitching prospects in the earlygoing in 2025 but needed to throw a higher volume of strikes in order to maximize his excellent stuff. Facing Inland Empire, he accomplished that goal. Over six one-hit innings, Nieves threw 47 of his 66 pitches for strikes, issued just one walk and struck out a half dozen. His sweeper appeared much tighter, his changeup had plenty of bottom and his fastball had vicious life through the zone. The six innings marked a career-long outing.

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Rangers RHP Caden Scarborough had surgery in February to remove a melanoma and is expected to return to High-A by early May, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis. He ranks No. 81 on our Top 100.

• Braves righty JR Ritchie was superb Tuesday for Triple-A Gwinnett, striking out seven over seven innings of one-run ball.

• D-backs 2025 first-rounder Kayson Cunningham went 3-for-3 with a triple for Low-A Visalia on Tuesday. He is 8-for-14 through his first four games.

• Eli Willits walked three times and stole three bases for Low-A Fredericksburg.

• Nats outfielder Sam Petersen had a big day for Double-A Harrisburg, going 2-for-5 with a homer, double and steal. BA’s Matt Eddy tabbed him as a breakout to watch entering 2026. 

• A recent Top 100 addition, Cubs shortstop Jefferson Rojas celebrated by going 2-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs yesterday.

• Royals RHP Michael Lombardi, the team’s second-round pick in 2025, made his pro debut for Low-A Columbia on Tuesday, striking out five batters over 2.1 innings while eliciting 12 whiffs. He allowed a pair of runs.

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