Monday's top Spring Training prospect performers

Here's a look at Monday’s top performers at Spring Training from each team's Top 30 Prospects list.

Reds: Hunter Greene, RHP (MLB No. 22)
Greene struck out two and reached 101 mph with his fastball in a scoreless inning of relief work on Monday, making his 2022 Spring Training debut. The triple-digit fastball has been Greene’s calling card since he was selected second overall in the 2017 Draft and after not pitching in a game for two seasons, the 22-year-old put together a productive season in 2021. Greene struck out 139 batters over 106.1 innings with a 3.30 ERA at Double-A and Triple-A and is expected to make his long-awaited Major League debut this season.

Pirates: Oneil Cruz, SS (MLB No. 26)
Cruz crushed his second home run in three days, golfing a breaking ball at his ankles way over the right-field fence. The 6-foot-7 shortstop has been one of the most talked about prospects in Spring Training so far after showcasing his impressive power and ability to hammer pitches below the zone. After ending last season by making his Major League debut and cranking his first career long ball, Cruz’s hot start to the year has generated some National League Rookie of the Year buzz.

Marlins: Max Meyer, RHP (MLB No. 35)
Meyer was perfect in his Spring Training debut, setting down all 12 batters he faced while fanning five, all on his wipeout slider that sat between 87-91 mph. It was a great start to the year for the third overall pick in the 2020 Draft after dominating Double-A and reaching Triple-A last season. Meyer posted a 2.27 ERA in 111 innings and 22 starts, striking out 130 batters while walking 42. The Marlins boast an impressive pool of pitching talent in their farm system, but Meyer’s immense talent and ace potential shines through when he takes the mound.

Guardians: Gabriel Arias, INF (MLB No. 73)
Arias went 2-for-3 as the Guardians’ leadoff hitter and shortstop on Monday, driving in a run on his third-inning double and scoring on a single four batters later. The 22-year-old is off to another impressive start after going 8-for-13 last Spring Training. Arias excelled for Triple-A Columbus in his first year in Cleveland’s organization, racking up a career-high 45 extra base hits with a .284/.348/.454 slash line and an .802 OPS. Acquired from the Padres in the 2020 trade that sent Mike Clevinger to San Diego, Arias is expected to make his Major League debut this season.

Red Sox: Jarren Duran, OF (MLB No. 85)
Duran continued his stellar start to the spring by going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and a run scored out of the eight spot in Boston’s order on Monday afternoon. The outfielder started the game in left and also saw time in center before departing. Duran is eyeing a job on the Opening Day big league roster after reaching the Majors for 33 games last year, where he hit .215/.241/.336. In 60 contests with Triple-A Worcester, Duran hit .258/.357/.516 with 16 homers and 36 RBIs.

Rangers: Josh Smith, SS
Davis Wendzel, 3B
Bubba Thompson, OF
In the Rangers’ monster afternoon at the plate, three prospects played a big role. Smith -- manning shortstop -- homered on a 2-for-3 day, driving in three runs, scoring three times and also working a walk. Wendzel got the start at second base and had a similarly productive day, going 2-for-4 with a homer and walk of his own, likewise driving in three runs and scoring three. Thompson entered the offensive fray as a pinch runner for starting center fielder Adolis García and proceeded to go 3-for-4 with a homer and two doubles, scoring three times and driving in a pair of runs. Texas compiled 25 runs on 27 hits in their win over Cleveland.

Rockies: Ezequiel Tovar, SS
Tovar was the lone Rockies player to register multiple hits for his team, going 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning. The 20-year-old split last season between Low-A Fresno and High-A Spokane, posting an impressive .287/.322/.475 slash line with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs. Tovar was successful on 24 of 30 steal attempts last year and his all-around talent gives Colorado an exciting middle infield prospect to develop.

White Sox: Micker Adolfo, OF
Adolfo launched a three-run home run -- his second of the spring -- and drove in another run on a sac fly before being lifted in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old showcased his improved power with a career-high 25 homers in 2021, driving in 69 runs with a .520 slugging percentage and .831 OPS. Adolfo strikes out a lot -- he whiffed 138 times with a K-rate of 34.1 percent last season -- but his big power and 70-grade arm as a corner outfielder are expected to land him a role on Chicago’s roster as they look to repeat as American League Central champions.