Zac Veen, OF, Rockies (No. 93): .593 slugging percentage
A previous Top 100 mainstay, Veen dropped off after a rough 2023 in which he slashed just .209/.303/.308 in 46 games for Double-A Hartford. He was hampered by left wrist issues during that stay and eventually underwent season-ending surgery last June. Healthy again for 2024, Veen is proving that the wrist may have been the primary thing holding him back. His SLG is up almost 300 points through 26 games back in the Eastern League, and his 11 total extra-base hits (including five homers) already equal his 2023 total in 95 fewer plate appearances. With nine steals in the bag, too, Veen looks back on track as an impact outfielder with a standout power-speed combo made for the modern game.
Moises Ballesteros, C/1B, Cubs (No. 94): 160 wRC+
There are only five qualified hitters aged 20 or younger at Double-A entering Monday, and the four besides Ballesteros are names you know: Roman Anthony, Samuel Basallo, Nelson Rada, Cole Young. The Cubs' backstop leads the group with his 160 wRC+, and it’s not particularly close. Anthony is second in the group at 109. Ballesteros’ .293/.371/.489 slash line through 105 plate appearances is strong across the board as he continues to marry an above-average hit tool with decent power, and even if the 5-foot-7 prospect needs to move off catcher, it’s looking more and more like his bat would play anywhere.
Cam Collier, 3B, Reds (No. 95): 41.9 percent ground-ball rate
The 2022 first-rounder played all of 2023 as an 18-year-old, and he looked like it with a .246/.349/.356 slash line and six homers through 111 games for Single-A Daytona. He’s already up to seven homers through 30 games for High-A Dayton this season, and his slugging percentage has jumped 140 points to .496, in part because he’s doing a better job of elevating the ball. Last year, 53 percent of Collier’s batted balls were on the ground. This season, the plurality are line drives or fly balls, and that’s allowed his power to play much better in-game.
Jaison Chourio, OF, Guardians (No. 96): 25 walks, 18 strikeouts
One Chourio came off the list, and another joined. But they have different profiles. The younger version is more fueled by his hit tool, specifically his discipline at the plate, and that’s playing exceptionally well during his age-19 season at Single-A Lynchburg. Chourio’s 1.4 BB/K ratio is the fourth best among Single-A qualifiers, and the three ahead of him are all at least four years older. The Cleveland outfielder brings above-average run, arm and fielding tools to the table too.
Edgar Quero, C, White Sox (No. 97): Six homers
Quero was famously pushed from Single-A to Double-A last season in the Angels' system before being dealt to the White Sox in the Lucas Giolito/Reynaldo López swap, and his power suffered with only six homers through 101 Southern League games. He’s back with Double-A Birmingham and has already matched that total in 72 fewer contests. The switch-hitter may not show more than average pop at full maturation, but he’s certainly well back on track in that department at a premium position.
