With the major league season heading into its second full month and injuries continuing to mount, it’s important to have your finger on the pulse of the minor leagues to see who is coming next. This is a small look into the hitting prospects that are currently standing out in Low-A and could be pushing for a promotion to High-A or better by year’s end.
When you finish here you should also check out the top hitting and pitching prospects in High-A.
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Hitting Prospects in Low-A
Florida State League
Michael Curialle, 3B/OF STL
Taken in the 12th round by the Cardinals in the 2022 draft, Michael Curialle put together three solid years at UCLA before being drafted. In 123 games played for the Bruins, Curialle slashed .306/.380/.455 with 33 doubles, six triples, eight home runs, 86 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. Looking back now it might be a steal for the Red Birds nabbing a seasoned college hitter in the 12th round. So far the returns have been solid. Currently in A- Palm Beach. Curialle is slashing .373/.495/.560 with one home run, 19 runs scored, 14 RBIs, and three stolen bases in 22 games.
STL 3B/OF Michael Curialle has started his season 💪. Currently in A- Palm Beach Curialle is slashing .373/.495/.560 with 1HR, 19 R, 14 RBI and 3 SB in 22 GP. Rounded out by a 14.7% BB and a 22.1% K%. #STLcards @baseballmjc @GoPBCardinals @Cardinals @UCLABaseball @Fantrax https://t.co/BD0HsGvOge
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 4, 2023
With a solid 14.7% walk rate and a 22.1% strikeout rate, Curialle seems to be getting the best of the younger competition, though I don’t think this should be held against the 22-year-old Curialle. If anything this hot start has shown us a polished college hitter that looks ready to make the jump to A+ and beyond in 2023. I suspect we could see that move happen soon for Michael Curialle.
Carolina League
Creed Willems, C BAL
First off shout out to fellow prospect writer Ed Fingerhut for bringing to my attention Creed Willems. Willems was drafted out of high school by the Orioles in the eighth round of the 2021 draft. The 20-year-old Willems has been crushing the ball in his second stint at Low-A Delmarva. In only 17 games, Willems is slashing .379/.486/.759 with 17 runs, 19 RBIs, and one stolen base, and is tied for the Carolina League in home runs with six. Willems has shown better plate discipline this season as we have seen his walk rate rise to 12.9% with his strikeout rate decreasing to 20%. With a .421 BABIP, there is a strong chance Willems will come back down to earth but the hot start has been a step in the right direction and could set Willems up to make the jump to A+ Aberdeen.
BAL C Creed Willems has had a great start to the season. .379/.486/.759 with 19 RBIs 1 SB and is tied for first in the Carolina League in HR with 6 in 17 GP. 12% BB and 20% K rate for the 20 year old Willems #Birdland @CreedWillems11 @shorebirds @Orioles @TWS_Irish https://t.co/7yBHR2D06O
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 4, 2023
California League
Gabriel Gonzalez, OF SEA
No doubt about it, I have been a big fan of Gabriel Gonzalez, an outfield prospect of the Seattle Mariners. Currently ranked 57th on Fantrax HQ’s top 400 prospects, Gonzalez has just continued to push his stock through the roof. In 2022, Gabriel Gonzalez came stateside and played 67 total games between complex and in A- Modesto. Gonzalez slashed .321/.410/.468 with 14 doubles, seven home runs, 34 RBIs, and nine stolen bases in 67 combined games. His performances in 2022 and 2021 saw Gonzalez skyrocket up rankings and brought to light an extremely exciting prospect.
📈🚀Keep your 👀 on Gabriel Gonzalez OF for Seattle. Currently 57th overall on FantraxHQ top 400 prospects. Gonzalez is slashing .373/.419/.507 with 10 RBI & 2SB in 16 GP. With a 12.2% K rate how can you not get excited? #SeaUsRise @ModestoNuts @Mariners @MiLBMariners @Fantrax https://t.co/oO1FiBl6J8
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 4, 2023
The 19-year-old Gonzalez is currently repeating Low-A where he is slashing .373/.419/.507 with two stolen bases, 10 runs, and 10 RBIs in 16 games. Gonzalez has continued to show solid pitch recognition as he has continued to lower his strikeout rate to 12.2% and has a 6.8% walk rate in his 74 plate appearances. With this hot start to the season, we should see the Mariners promote Gonzalez by the All-Star break, making him a major prospect to watch in the stacked Mariners farm system.