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Esteban Mejia, RHP, Orioles: The Orioles' revamped international program continues to bear fruit. Florida Complex League righthander Esteban Mejia delivered another strong start on June 26, striking out seven and walking one in 4.2 innings versus the Red Sox. The 18-year-old has racked up seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts with an electric repertoire. Mejia is a 6-foot-3 Dominican starter who ranks among the FCL leaders with a 2.51 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 32.1 innings. The second-year pro has 78 career strikeouts in 55.1 innings and has not allowed a home run. Baseball America subscribers know that Mejia had already surged up the Orioles update at the beginning of the month. His ascension may only be getting started.

Elian Peña, SS, Mets: The Mets made Dominican shortstop Elian Peña the focal point of their 2025 international signing class. Lauded as one of the top overall hitters available to sign this year, he opened the season as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League. Peña got off to a rough start by going hitless in his first nine games, but he has swung the bat better lately—and never better than he did on June 26. That's when he connected for three home runs and a double while driving in eight runs as part of a 4-for-5 day at the plate. Peña's DSL Mets Orange club won a wild seven-inning contest versus the DSL Yankees Bombers by a score of 20–19. The Mets entered the final frame leading 20–13 after scoring 13 runs in the sixth and seventh innings, only to allow the Yankees to rally within one run in the bottom of the seventh. Mets reliever Fidel Pinango struck out left fielder Eddinson Charles with the bases loaded to end the game.

Boston Bateman, LHP, Padres: At 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, the Padres’ 19-year-old lefty cuts quite an imposing figure on the mound, and he’s pitched like someone Low-A hitters should fear for the better part of the last month. Bateman struck out nine batters over five innings Thursday night, allowing six hits, two runs and just one walk. Bateman induced 18 swings and misses, the most of any Low-A pitcher. He has leaned on his mid-90s fastball pretty frequently this year, but Bateman also has two distinct breaking balls to go along with a developing changeup. He has completed five or more innings in each of his last five starts, where he owns a 2.45 ERA and 30 strikeouts to seven walks over 25.2 innings. He’s also throwing more strikes (66%) over that stretch compared to his previous seven starts (63%).

Travis Sykora, RHP, Nationals: Since returning from offseason hip surgery, Sykora has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the lower minors. Now, he'll get to see how his fiery arsenal fairs against upper-minors hitters, as the Nationals are promoting him to Double-A Harrisburg, according to MASN's Bobby Blanco. Sykora ranks No. 46 on our Top 100 and owns a sparkling 1.11 ERA in 40.2 innings this season to go along with 70 strikeouts. Among minor leaguers who have thrown at least 40 innings, Sykora's 48.6% strikeout rate leads all pitchers, as does his 41% strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox: Montgomery's struggles at the plate haven't been eradicated by his time at the club's Arizona complex, but it did help him get to his power again. Montgomery homered twice on Thursday as part of a 3-for-4 day. Montgomery has hit six home runs in 27 games since he returned to Triple-A and all six have come in two-homer games. He's hitting .220/.298/.520 this month and .198/.282/.373 overall.

Zac Veen, OF, Rockies: Veen went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a stolen base in a wild 14-11 loss to Triple-A Las Vegas. It was Veen's second-best day of the season as far as hits. He's only had seven two-hit games in 38 Triple-A games and no three-hit games, but he did go 5-for-5 on April 5. Veen is hitting an unspectacular .275/.342/.435 this season. For many teams that would be a solid season, but Albuquerque is an exceptional hitting environment, and the team is hitting .277/.356/.471 as a club.

Editor’s Picks

Schlittler, Morales Join Top 100: A pair of impressive arms in the upper minors jumped onto the Top 100 following graduations. Here’s why. 

June Data Standouts: Geoff Pontes’ monthly installment dives into 10 hitters who put together exemplary months at the plate. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Pedro Ramirez, 2B/3B, Cubs: Over the last few seasons, Ramirez has been one of the more underrated performers in the minor leagues. Signed out of Venezuela in January 2021, Ramirez has produced an above-average or better statistical line at each stop along his minor league journey. In 2025, Ramirez is getting his first taste of Double-A and has been impressive, hitting .306/.364/.442 over his first 69 games.

In the month of June, Ramirez took things up a notch. Over 20 games this month, he’s hit .341/.391/.622 with a 12.0% strikeout rate to a 8.7% walk rate. Not known for his power exploits, he’s posted a .224 isolated slugging while hitting four home runs, four doubles and a triple. Ramirez has split time between third and second base this year, where he’s an average to potentially above-average defender, providing some defensive versatility.

While versatility and improving power are elements to appreciate about Ramirez’s profile, his plate skills are his carrying tools. His 6% swinging strike rate as a 21-year-old in his first taste of Double-A is impressive, and he pairs it with a good balance of patience and approach, avoiding passive at-bats more often than not.

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Brewers 3B Brock Wilken is expected to miss at least two months with a patella injury.

• Jordan Lawlar is on the Triple-A IL with a hamstring injury.

• Mariners infielder Michael Arroyo went 2-for-4 with his first Double-A home run.

• Royals catcher Carter Jensen also hit his first homer at a new level, going to the opposite way for Triple-A Omaha.

• A’s two-way prospect Shotaro Morii went 3-for-4 with a triple. He hasn’t pitched yet while the team eased him into action after a delayed offseason throwing program, but he is now playing shortstop after beginning the year in a DH-only role. Morii is hitting .260/.421/.384 through 23 Arizona Complex League games.

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