He’s young for the 2024 prep class, so a Low-A assignment is a good challenge, but the uptick in power has been plenty evident, especially to the pull side. Its rare for a player of his archetype to already be launching 111 MPH home runs with the patience to draw free passes in his age 18 season, giving Payne exciting upside.
Aroon Escobar – 2B – Phillies
Affiliate: Clearwater Threshers – Low-A
Signed for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2022, Escobar struggled through his first two pro seasons in the Dominican before what looked to be the beginning of a breakout in the Arizona Complex League, posting a .966 OPS through 24 games, limited by shin splints in both legs.
Though a small sample, the shift in batted ball data was undeniable, and surprisingly, the underlying numbers weren’t even too bad in his two disappointing DSL seasons.
Escobar hasn’t just picked up where he left off from 2024, he’s kicked it up another notch in his age 20 season. Through nearly 100 plate appearances, Escobar is running a hard hit rate around 56% along with plus contact rates. The barrel accuracy is particularly impressive because he doesn’t get cheated on his swings.
Escobar is a fringy runner and is likely limited to an average-at-best second base, though now that he is flashing above average hit and power potential, an everyday second base role now seems like a possibility.
George Lombard Jr. – SS – Yankees
Affiliate: Somerset Patriots – Double-A (Just Promoted)
Just 18 years old at the start of last season, Lombard was understandably challenged at Low-A, posting roughly league-average numbers (.693 OPS), but when you watched him play, you still came away impressed with how he went about his business with the frame and athleticism providing plenty to dream on.
