Grand slams and high-octane mound work highlight Friday's top prospect performers

It was a day of grand ambitions for two of baseball's Top 100 prospects, while some of the game's up-and-coming hurlers showed why expectations for them are sky-high. All that and more from a busy Friday night around the Minors:

Marcelo Mayer, SS, Worcester (BOS No. 3/MLB No. 11)
One day after teammate and fellow Top 100 prospect Roman Anthony hit a grand slam as part of a two-homer game, it was Mayer's turn. The 22-year-old crushed his first salami as a pro as part of a career-high seven-RBI afternoon for Triple-A Worcester. Mayer plated a pair of runs with groundouts and added an RBI single to help him snap a 2-for-24 skid. Despite a slow start to the season, the California native has 17 RBIs in 15 games for the WooSox. Full story | Gameday

Andrew Painter, RHP, Clearwater (PHI No. 1/MLB No. 7)
Painter looked much more comfortable in his second start of the season as he continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery for Single-A Clearwater. The 22-year-old -- who didn't escape the second inning in his season debut -- scattered three hits over three scoreless frames and struck out four this time around, including the final two Palm Beach hitters he faced. Painter displayed pinpoint control, throwing just 15 of his 49 pitches out of the strike zone and retired seven of eight to end his outing. Gameday

Chase Burns, RHP, Dayton (CIN No. 1/MLB No. 24)
In a start where it appeared he might not make it through the opening frame, Burns found his footing and ended on a high note. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 Draft surrendered a pair of homers and three runs in the first inning but set down the final 11 batters he faced, including seven punchouts. Burns' ERA stands at 3.09 in three starts for High-A Dayton with 20 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old is holding opposing batters to a .125 average. Gameday

Zyhir Hope, OF, Great Lakes (LAD No. 6/MLB No. 71)
Hope hit the ground running in his first taste of High-A competition and hasn't slowed down. The 20-year-old launched a pair of homers -- the first coming off of Top 25 prospect Chase Burns -- and drove in three runs for High-A Great Lakes, giving him four roundtrippers and 17 RBIs in 13 games. Hope has reached base safely in every Loons game he has appeared so far and is slashing .353/.450/.706 with nine extra-base hits in 51 at-bats. Gameday

Brandon Sproat, RHP, Syracuse (NYM No. 1/MLB No. 43)
After an uneven season debut, Sproat looks to be hitting his stride and playing the part of a Top 100 prospect. The hard-throwing righty pitched to contact in the first game of Triple-A Syracuse's doubleheader and it paid off with six scoreless frames and his first win of the year. Although he managed just one strikeout, Sproat scattered four singles and a walk while throwing 52 of his 76 pitches for strikes. The 24-year-old has allowed two runs over his past three starts (14 1/3 innings) to lower his ERA to 3.31 and his WHIP to 1.10. Gameday

Brayden Taylor, INF, Montgomery (TB No. 3/MLB No. 63)
Taylor snapped out of an 0-for-11 skid in the biggest and grandest way possible. The 22-year-old entered Friday night's game batting .182 and although he managed just one hit, it proved vital. Taylor's first professional grand slam helped Double-A Montgomery overcome an early 6-0 deficit and gave the Rays' 2023 first-rounder three homers and nine RBIs in his first 10 games of the season. Gameday

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Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP, Hudson Valley (NYY No. 7)
Rodriguez-Cruz pitched into the seventh inning for the first time as a pro and came within an out of completing the frame in his most effective outing of 2025. The 21-year-old struck out nine, including four of five between the second and third innings, and allowed one run on three hits during his 88-pitch performance. Gameday