You've heard it said that pitchers are often ahead of hitters during this early portion of the season. Someone must have forgotten to tell these guys. Top prospects again had their heavy lumber out Saturday, mashing their way to top performer honors. And you can't forget the speed guys, either.

SATURDAY'S TOP PERFORMERS:

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Las Vegas (ATH No. 2/MLB No. 38)
Kurtz has torn through the Minors since being drafted in the first round last July, and in a small sample size, Triple-A has been no different. After making his Vegas debut on Friday and collecting his first hit, the 6-foot-5 first baseman tallied his first home run at the level en route to a three-hit performance on Saturday. This all comes on the heels of Kurtz’s time at big league camp, where he turned heads. Gameday | Full story >>

Kyle Teel, C, Charlotte (CWS No. 2/MLB No. 32)
Teel went deep for a second straight game and drove in a career-high six runs while falling a triple shy of the cycle for Triple-A Charlotte. He opened the scoring with a double in the first, added a game-tying two-run single in the seventh and capped his career-best performance with a 110.9 mph homer to right-center field in the eighth. It was the second time in his career Chicago's No. 2 prospect has gone deep in consecutive games -- the first time coming last May 31-June 1 for Double-A Portland -- and his six RBIs bested his previous high of four, done four times last year. Gameday | Full story >>

Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Norfolk (BAL No. 1/MLB No.13)
Basallo may have gone hitless on Opening Day, but he made his first hit of the season count on Saturday. He connected for a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to put Triple-A Norfolk on the board. The 20-year-old clubbed three home runs at Triple-A last season after his Aug. 27 promotion, but he and his plus power grade look to settle in as he starts the season as the youngest regular at the Minors' highest level. Gameday

Chandler Simpson, OF, Durham (TB No. 7)
While Simpson started the season with a three-hit night Friday, he took advantage of two walks on Saturday to showcase his outstanding speed. He logged his first two stolen bases of 2025, which were also his first two at the Triple-A level. Speed is the name of the outfielder's game: in his first full pro season in '23, he tied for the MiLB lead with 94 steals; last season, he claimed the crown for himself by swiping 104 bags. Gameday

Seth Johnson, RHP, Lehigh Valley (PHI No. 12)
One Tommy John surgery and three organizations into his professional career, Johnson found a home with the Phillies in mid-2024 after he was dealt by the Orioles in the Gregory Soto trade. Johnson was quickly promoted from Double-A to Triple-A and posted a 2.74 ERA after a brief five-start stint with the IronPigs. The 26-year-old impressed in his 2025 debut, striking out five in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Gameday

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WHAT TO WATCH SUNDAY:

Bubba Chandler makes his season debut
Indianapolis Indians (PIT) vs. St. Paul Saints (MIN) -- 3:07 p.m ET
Snow in St. Paul postponed Indianapolis’ game against the Saints on Saturday, but Chandler -- Pittsburgh’s No. 1 prospect and MLB’s No. 15 overall -- toeing the mound for the first time this season should provide plenty of heat on Sunday. The precocious right-hander will face a lineup anchored by Luke Keaschall (MIN No. 3/MLB No. 60)in what could again be chilly weather conditions.

More future aces making debuts
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) vs. El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) -- 2:05 p.m. ET
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) vs. Sacramento River Cats (SF) -- 4:05 p.m. ET
Two games out west, two Top 100 prospect hurlers making their 2025 debuts. First, it’s right-hander Caden Dana (LAA No. 2/MLB No. 77)who will be making his Triple-A debut, even though he debuted in the Majors in 2024. Later in the afternoon, Rockies top prospect Chase Dollander (COL No. 1/MLB No. 25) makes his Triple-A debut away from Albuquerque’s thin air environment.

Free Game of the Day
Round Rock Express (TEX) vs. Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) -- 4:35 p.m. ET
The Mariners have seven Top 100 prospects, and two of those talented youngsters -- shortstop Cole Young (MLB No. 49) and catcher Harry Ford (MLB No. 64) -- are linchpins of Tacoma’s rock-solid roster. They line up Sunday against a Round Rock team full of Major League experience, including starter Adrian Houser and outfielder Evan Carter.