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Chase Burns, RHP, Reds: The Reds signed Burns to a record $9.25 million bonus as the second overall pick last year. So far, he looks like he's worth every penny. In his second Triple-A start, Burns allowed one run on three hits, no walks, while striking out seven to earn the win on Wednesday afternoon. Burns threw six fastballs clocked at 100 mph or harder and had another eight fastballs between 99.5 and 99.9 mph. He generated 17 whiffs during the outing including a whopping 12 against his slider alone. Throughout the outing, Burns’ slider sat on the low 90s while he threw a healthy amount of changeups. So far, Burns has passed every test in the minors and looks like he's ready whenever the Reds call him up to the major leagues.

Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins: Jenkins has struggled with injuries throughout his professional career, most recently missing most of the first two months of the season with a left ankle sprain. Jenkins returned to Double-A Wichita's lineup on Wednesday and while he registered only one hit, he walked twice and stole a pair of bases. Jenkins' ability isn't questioned, but his availability is. Jenkins has played just 120 minor league games since the Twins drafted him in 2023.

Wilber Dotel, RHP, Pirates: Dotel has been one of the top pitchers in the Double-A Eastern League this season. He spun a gem Wednesday night, needing just 93 pitches to get through six scoreless innings. Dotel allowed two hits and a walk while striking out eight. On the night, Dotel generated 11 swings and misses and four groundouts as the Richmond lineup did very little damage against him. He's now tied with Red Sox LHP Connelly Early for third in the Eastern League with 74 strikeouts. Fronted by his sinker-changeup combination, Dotel's three-pitch mix has gotten results this year and he looks like another Pirates pitching development success story.

Colby Thomas, OF, Athletics: Thomas is quietly authoring one of the best power seasons in the minors this year. He hit his 17th home run on Wednesday, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs, a walk and a stolen base for Triple-A Las Vegas. Thomas' excellent night at the plate got off to an auspicious start as he hit a three-run home run on the eighth pitch of his first at-bat against Sugar Land's A.J. Blubaugh. Thomas finished a triple shy of the cycle. Facing a 40-man roster decision this winter, the A's will likely add him at some point this summer before he debuts. Thomas' swing happy—and at times overzealous—approach is the one sticking point in an otherwise well-rounded profile.

Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals: Mathews was Baseball America's 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, but he missed most of April and May with left shoulder soreness and produced up-and-down results in his three Triple-A starts since returning from the injured list. Mathews seemed to turn a corner on Wednesday. He went five scoreless innings allowing one hit and two walks while striking out six. Mathews generated 13 whiffs total including five apiece against his fastball and slider. Mathews will need a few more starts of this quality before he's in a position to force the Cardinals' hand, but the lefthander is likely to debut this summer.

Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners: Emerson has been a man possessed in June, as he's hit .333/.435/.614 over the first 15 games of the month. He had his best game to date on Wednesday night, going 4-for-5 with his seventh home run of the season, a double and a great defensive play in the field as he looks to recover from a slow first two months of the season. Emerson has proven to own one of the more polished hit tools in the minors, and he's learning to develop more of the raw power that he's had since he entered pro ball.

Editor’s Picks

Breakout Pitchers: Geoff Pontes takes a closer look at five MLB pitching prospects whose breakout performances thus far in 2025 suggest they might be the real deal. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Cam Schlittler, RHP, Yankees: Schlittler has been excellent this season. Over 63.1 innings this season, Schlittler owns a 2.27 ERA, 2.54 FIP and 2.71 xFIP, leading to belief that his dominance this year is in line with his true talent. The giant righthander’s ability to generate outs in a variety of manners has been his selling point. He has a 13.6% swinging-strike rate this season across both levels of the upper minors while also getting ground balls at a rate of 48.3%. He’s one of the five arms Geoff Pontes focused on above, and you can read the full scouting report here.

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Nick Kurtz’s homer barrage continued on Wednesday. He’s now up to eight through 36 games. He is three at-bats away from graduating prospect status.

• Mariners outfielder Jonny Farmelo is dealing with a stress reaction in his rib.

• Red Sox SS Mikey Romero has been out with an injury since June 4. His Double-A teammate, Yordanny Monegro, needs Tommy John surgery.

• Christian Zazueta (Dodgers), Braden Nett (Padres) and Tanner McDougal (White Sox) all had 10-strikeout dats on the mound.

• Guardians 2B Kahlil Watson blasted a pair of homers for Double-A Akron.

• Tigers Low-A infielder Franyerber Montilla had a monster day, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and four steals.

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