PLIVE+ Update 7/7/25: Scaled Change Leaders

We're about the midpoint of the season and it's been a ton of fun covering PLIVE+ standouts once again this season. Today we're going to look at the top hitting risers over the past month by a new calculation method detailed below.

You can find PLIVE+ in the App Suite with all our other tools here:

NEW Change Calculation Option

Under the "Data Options" dropdown you can now toggle how the "Change" columns are calculated between Raw Total and Scaled.

Previously it was just the Raw Total, which it still defaults to, but now you have the option to adjust it to be Scaled by a player's projection reliability. This scaled version helps us identify how impactful the last month/week/day has truly been to a player's profile, given the reliability of their projection.

As is the nature of PLIVE+ and any projection system, the less data it has to make the projection, the more change will be from day to day, week to week, and month to month. The scaled version simply multiplies the raw change by the reliability.

For example, Edward Florentino has the greatest positive raw change over the last month, increasing his PLIVE+ 37.4 pts. However, given he's only had 144 career PA above DSL, the reliability of his projection is low at 40%. So his scaled change is 14.9, the 3rd highest among hitters.

Conversely, you have Will Robertson who had the 11th highest monthly raw change at 21.5, but with 1,734 career PA and an 80% reliability. Robertson's scaled change is 17.2, the 2nd highest among hitters.

Anyway, it's a simple way to filter out the noise of the lower minors when looking at the PLIVE+ change metrics.

Hitters

Below is the table of the top 20 PLIVE+ risers (from 6 days ago) by the new scaled monthly change. Let's dive into some players that I haven't previously covered in a PLIVE+ article. If you're not a subscriber, this is everything the tool includes outside of a multitude of filter options, including uploading your free agent pool to see who is available in your league.

1. Konnor Griffin, SS/OF PIT (High-A)

You may have thought that no one has boosted their profile or been hotter over the last month than Konnor Griffin, and here is a leaderboard that backs up that claim.

What PLIVE+ Likes

Not only was he promoted to High-A, and level jumps do increase PLIVE+, but he's been incredible since getting there. Over 17 games and 81 PA he's hit 3 HR with 11 SB and a 187 wRC+. Most notably though, the 11% BB and 17% K are significant improvements compared to his numbers at Single-A. PLIVE+ loves all of this and projects him as the 7th best fantasy hitting prospect with a peak projection of 21 HR and 38 SB.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Griffin's pedigree. It's why he's 7th on this list and not 1st. It's the spot he'll likely claim on traditional top 100 lists entering 2026. However, if Griffin continues to mash at High-A and outweighs the Single-A plate discipline negatives from early in the season, he could easily rise to the top PLIVE+ spot by end of season.

Thoughts?

I think he's the top fantasy and real life prospect in baseball right now and if it were not for the lack of proximity I'd like him over Roman Anthony.

3. Edward Florentino, 1B/OF PIT (Single-A)

Florentino has been another popular name or late and one of three Pirates on this list.

What PLIVE+ Likes

PLIVE+ jumps all over great age-to-level power hitters and that's exactly what Florentino brings to the table. He posted a .295 ISO over his 113 PA on the complex with above average BB & K%. Add in a move to Single-A as an 18 year old and PLIVE+ is enamored.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

It's a 6'4" 200 lb frame. Will he be unable to stick in the OF and end up at 1B? Are the SB numbers he's putting up now unrealistic in a few seasons? On the positive side, is PLIVE+ underrating the power potential? He's got 150+ PA stateside, so we've all just got to wait and see.

Thoughts?

I'm glad to have a couple shares of Florentino because we're always looking for the next Caminero-esque rise. After a 2 HR game yesterday, he's showing off the power at his new level. A cup of coffee at High-A as an 18 year old isn't out of the question either.

4. Deniel Ortiz, 1B/3B STL (Single-A)

Outside of a single Daily Sheet, we haven't written up Ortiz yet. But that's somewhat understandable given he's the 246th ranked hitter by PLIVE+ and a recent 16th rounder out of JUCO.

What PLIVE+ Likes

Ortiz presents a power/speed threat in combination with a patient approach that PLIVE+ typically ranks strongly. The problem here is the 28.7% K over his 244 PA. However, if you isolate to June numbers only, you see the reason for Ortiz being the 4th highest riser. Over the last month: .333/.449/.556 slash with 4 HR, 8 SB and most importantly, a 21.4% K.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Well, it doesn't know about his lack of pedigree or that he's spending half his time at 1B. But on the flip side, it doesn't know that Ortiz is a unit a 6'1" 230 lbs. The raw power potential is certainly higher than his 17 HR peak projection, but the frame also points to a lower SB total than his 20 SB peak projection.

Thoughts?

I think PLIVE+ is actually being somewhat slow to respond to his improved K% and is unknowingly underestimating the power. It's time for a promotion to High-A and his PLIVE+ will soar when that happens. Ortiz is 0% rostered on Fantrax and I'd add in leagues with 400 prospects rostered. His stock is about to soar (relatively), get in now.

7. Jhonny Level, SS SF (Complex)

Level has been all over our Daily Sheets, mentioned 13 times, which might be the most among any prospect. Alex Jensen has hyped him at every turn.

What PLIVE+ Likes

There isn't really an aspect of Level's game that PLIVE+ doesn't like at this point. He's 18 at the complex and has displayed power, speed and good plate discipline. He's one of only 14 players in all of MiLB that PLIVE+ projects for 20/20 at peak, and one of only 7 players with a wRC+ projection over 100.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Level isn't the biggest guy on the field and the GB% is at 50% so far at the Complex. Also, it's just a high variance projection when he's only gotten 185 PA above the DSL. However, PLIVE+ doesn't know that Level also excelled at the DSL which would theoretically reinforce his performance, even if it came with a really low weight to the overall projection.

Thoughts?

I really like the well-rounded profile and want to see Level called up to Single-A like Florentino. I'm not quite as bullish as Alex Jensen who has labeled him a top 100 prospect already, but do think he's a top 200, possibly top 150 guy in fantasy right now.

8. Will Bush, C/1B HOU (High-A)

Aside from a single Daily Sheet we haven't covered Bush at Prospects Live. Likely because he was a 16th rounder in 2023 out of JUCO who had a 108 wRC+ while playing mostly at Single-A in 2024.

What PLIVE+ Likes

Since 6/1 Bush has slashed .262/.416/.541, good for 160 wRC+ and while the Ks were elevated at 28.6% he also walked at a 19.5% clip. To be clear, PLIVE+ doesn't love Bush, but he's had a solid improvement over the last month compared to his prior career numbers, which were poor. PLIVE+ does think there's some power in the bat with a 19 HR peak projection per 600 PA, but also a 96 wRC+.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

It doesn't know that Bush splits equal time between 1B and C and his large 6'4" 235 frame. I'm unsure about the defense at catcher but if Bush can stick there and develop there is a path to the big leagues with the current profile. But at 1B it's hard to see him making it.

Thoughts?

Bush is the 243rd ranked hitter by PLIVE+ and that's bullish IMO. He's got an extremely passive approach with a 38.6% Swing and I'm not all that interested in rostering a future backup catcher at best. If he gets more aggressive at AA, reduces the K and starts hitting for even more power, then we can reassess.

9. Chase Harlan, 3B LAD (Complex)

Harlan was just covered by Taylor in his mid-week pickups article and the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast. There are some great thoughts on him in both and suggest you take a look/listen.

What PLIVE+ Likes

The 6 HR in 131 PA as an 18 year old at the Complex points to a future power bat and the peak projections already give him 23 over 600 PA. Additionally the 18.3% K is above average which is the main driver for the positive 103 wRC+ peak projection at such a low level.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

The fact that Harlan had some hit tool concerns out of the draft and that his aggressive approach (52% swing) may lead to some troubles down the road.

Thoughts?

I'm with the Dynasty Pickups boys in wanting to add Harlan. When a power bat with hit tool concerns displays positive K% in his first taste, I take it as a big positive. Add that he's a Dodgers prospect and he's got "riser" written all over him.

10. Elijah Hainline, 2B/SS LAD (Single-A)

Another Dodgers prospect, Hainline was taken out of the 7th round last year from Oregon State.

What PLIVE+ Likes

The majority of Hainline's jump in PLIVE+ comes from a move up to Triple-A straight from Single-A for 5 games, likely in an emergency roster situation. Hainline's highest level is now Triple-A and that makes PLIVE+ think that he's got a higher percentage chance of reaching the majors than he did previously. He's since been sent back down to Single-A. However, while at Triple-A he did have two straight games with 2 SB, which is helping to push up that peak projection to 22 SB per 600 PA.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

The "why" behind the promotion to Triple-A. For our purposes we should still view Hainline as a 22 year old middle infielder at Single-A. His 110 PLIVE+ isn't great as it is, so to know it's only getting bumped up further due to the promotion is really concerning.

Thoughts?

Aside from the promotion talk, the Single-A 144 wRC+ is good, but buoyed by a passive approach leading to a 15% BB and 25% K. There's not much pop in the bat and I'm taking the SB with a grain of salt at this level. Before he even becomes deep league relevant I need to see success and sustained or better contact rates at higher MiLB levels.

11. Eduardo Quintero, OF LAD (Single-A)

Surprisingly I haven't talked Quintero at all this season, but at the time of writing this, he's the 8th best bat by PLIVE+.

What PLIVE+ Likes

What doesn't it like? The power switch has been turned on and he's now got 13 HR across 341 PA at Single-A, after just 3 HR over 345 PA in 2024. Quintero also shows patient approach, but without the major strikeout concerns. Lastly, he runs, across the last two years he's nabbed 65 bases over 153 games.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

What PLIVE+ doesn't know are actually positives. He primarily plays CF and he's also blocked at High-A with Zyhir Hope, Josue De Paula, Mike Sirota and Kendall George currently playing for the Loons. Frankly, in any other system Quintero would have been promoted by now.

Thoughts?

In our June update the dynasty team ranked Quintero as the 27th fantasy prospect. Frankly, that's going to increase in the next update and it's likely he's a future top 5 fantasy prospect at some point before graduating.

15. Will Taylor, OF PIT (High-A)

A 5th round pick out of Clemson last season, Taylor missed nearly a month early in the season, but did rack up 76 PA at Single-A after being drafted.

What PLIVE+ Likes

Taylor did his job at Single-A after getting healthy and ran a 174 wRC+ over 118 PA with 4 HR and 8 SB. He earned a promotion to High-A which gets him more in line with his 22 year old cohort. That said, Taylor's 106 PLIVE+ isn't all that inspiring and is somewhat lowered by the 99 wRC+ and higher K% at Single-A from 2024.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Will Taylor played football at Clemson until focusing on baseball full time in 2023. He also has had a host of injuries, including an undisclosed IL stint this season, a knee injury in 2021 and he missed half his 2024 season with a broken wrist.

Thoughts?

The route Taylor's taken to professional baseball is a unique one that could end up with him blossoming with more reps and instruction. However, he currently lacks the plate skills to be rostered in most leagues. If the contact rates start to show more life, I'll have some more interest.

17. Kevin McGonigle, SS DET (Double-A)

If you don't know McGonigle, you've been living under a rock. He's in the mix for the top prospect in the league and PLIVE+ backs that claim, ranking him as the 5th best hitter. This is also prior to his promotion to Double-A yesterday.

What PLIVE+ Likes

PLIVE+ is always going to adore young for level bats who walk more than they strike out, especially when it's around a 10% K. Add in the fact that McGonigle has started to see the power appear with 5 HR over the last month and you've got the formula for stardom.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

One positive, that McGonigle plays up the middle at SS. That only increases his value and lowers his floor to be a successful major leaguer (although it's looking like the bat would carry him anyway). One negative, the SB are down this season with just 3 in 42 games after 22 over 74 games in 2024. PLIVE+ knows it, but it regresses them and projects 14 SB per 600 PA at peak right now. That could end up a bit bullish based on what we're seeing this season after an ankle injury that sidelined him for a month to start the season.

Thoughts?

PLIVE+ has been on McGonigle for a while now. In June of last season I wrote this in a quick PLIVE+ update:

Kevin McGonigle has continued his torrid pace at A-ball and is now the 3rd ranked hitter at the level behind Lazaro Montes and Colt Emerson. The difference between him and Emerson may not be as large as our Top 500 prospects has led you to believe. I'd be buying as the perceived deficit in power is overblown in his overall rank.

While Montes and Emerson are both still good prospects, it's funny how quickly things can change.

18. Hector Osorio, OF TEX (Single-A)

Osorio is a new name for me, and it looks like to the site as well. He's a 20 year old lefty OF who was signed out of Venezuela in January 2022. After getting just 9 games at the DSL in 2022, he played there again in 2023 then came stateside as a 19 year old playing in 31 games on the complex. This season he's spent the whole season at Single-A.

What PLIVE+ Likes

Osorio walks more than the strikes out and has at each stop in his career. That's about it, as the power hasn't really shown up, with 4 stateside homers over 313 PA. He's also stolen a few bases but it doesn't seem to be a standout skill. The reason for the rise is that pre-June he slashed .178/.353/.233 and post-June 1st he's slashed .347/.457/.528 with all 3 of his HR.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Where does the BABIP end up and what does the EV look like? The ultimate destination depends on the impact, and while there isn't much over the fence power, it's unclear if he could develop some.

Thoughts?

The fantasy upside feels capped for Osorio. Definitely want to see the power develop more, but if it does I'll quickly change my tune.

19. Eddie Micheletti Jr., OF TOR (High-A)

An 8th round senior sign out of Virginia Tech, Micheletti got 20 games out of the draft in Single-A last year and has spent all of 2025 at High-A as a 23 year old.

What PLIVE+ Likes

Power, combined with near equal BB & K rates at 15.5% and 16.5% respectively. Micheletti has 14 HR on the season, including two different Double Dong days, with the lastest yesterday. He gets dinged significantly by PLIVE+ for his age.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

He's got an extreme pull and FB profile (46.4% for each). We'll see how that plays he moves up levels. He's also a corner OF only, so the pressure is fully on the bat.

Thoughts?

The power is legit and the contact rates at High-A are really strong. The age to level is holding him back. Toronto has a great track record with getting these old-for-level bats to the big leagues and targeting them in trades. Spencer Horwitz, Will Robertson, Will Wagner, Joey Loperfiedo, Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, Alan Roden, and soon to be RJ Schreck. Micheletti needs the promotion to Double-A and he's definitely earned it. Still just 0% rostered on Fantrax, I'd like to add him in 600+ prospect leagues now to get ahead of the promotion. But with all those names mentioned it's becoming a crowded OF group.

20. Jeremiah Jackson, SS BAL (Triple-A)

Now with his 3rd organization at the age of 25, Jeremiah Jackson has finally reached Triple-A for the first time in his career.

What PLIVE+ Likes

With a 109 PLIVE+ score, we need to clarify what the system actually likes about Jackson in the frame of thinking he's not a great prospect. Jackson has always had power and some speed. He had a 22 HR, 27 SB season in 2023, but the SB totals have started to dip since then. At peak, if Jackson were given a chance to get 600 PA, it projects him for 21 HR and 12 SB. The flipside to that is a projected 79 wRC+. The reason he made this list is because of that jump to Triple-A and the fact he's posted a 186 wRC+ over 113 PA since getting there. In June alone, Jackson had a trio of Double Dong days and on the season he's striking out just 14% of the time.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

PLIVE+ doesn't know what we don't know, is this a real change? Jackson has always swung the bat a lot with a >50% Swing at nearly every stop across his 7 year career. This year he's leaned into it even more at 58.4%. The difference is that he's started to produce decent contact rates for the first time in his career at 76% with previous seasonal highs at 69%.

Thoughts?

Jeremiah Jackson is 2% rostered in Fantrax and that's likely due to being on dead rosters. His highest prospect rank came in October of 2020 at 159 back when he had that power/speed upside with the Angels. He hasn't appeared on a prospect list for us since February 2023. Given the new approach, I would not be surprised if he ends up as a back up utility infielder on a major league roster. But I wouldn't hold my breath for much more.