Throughout the season, we’ve reviewed the top 10 hitting prospects from each month. Now, with just a few weeks remaining in the season, players are looking to end their seasons on a high note.
For many players, August is the last real chance to right the ship after a disappointing first half, and we’ve seen multiple prospects in this month’s edition do just that. August also brings a talent injection into the lower minors as complex level players and recent draftees make their full-season debuts.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 10 standout hitters from the final full month of the minor league season.
Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Diamondbacks
The D-backs’ 2024 supplemental first-round pick has enjoyed a strong first season, hitting .281/.416/.470 between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. After a slow start to his Double-A career, Waldschmidt leveled up in August and hit .386/.505/.687 with five doubles, a triple and six home runs.
Waldschmidt’s performance was the best of any hitter in the minors for August and showed how the 22-year-old can do a little bit of everything. He reached base in more than half his plate appearances, slugged his way to the top of the monthly leaderboard and also stole 10 bases during the month.
Based on underlying data, Waldschmidt displays above-average contact skills, swing decisions and power, making for a very well-rounded profile. He could debut with the D-backs in 2026.
Kala’i Rosario, OF, Twins
A 2020 fifth-round pick and native of Hawaii, Rosario was held to just 68 games with Double-A Wichita in 2024 before returning to the level to begin 2025. He’s spent the entirety of the season with the Wind Surge, hitting .257/.364/.486 with 21 home runs and 25 stolen bases—both career highs. He is one of seven players in the minor leagues to already hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases.
Rosario’s strong August helped the tooled-up outfielder reach those career-high totals, as he hit .310/.444/.701 with eight home runs and four stolen bases. His ability to hit for power in games is his carrying tool, as he totaled 16 extra-base hits for the month.
Rosario was left unprotected for the Rule 5 draft last season and will likely give the Twins a tougher decision this offseason.
Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians
After hitting .206/.282/.411 over the first 64 games of the season, Velazquez locked in during July and has dominated since. The 20-year-old slashed .313/.374/.554 last…