jmc

By the formula for the total number of positive divisors, only natural numbers in the form $p^2$ for some prime $p$ have exactly three positive factors. Thus, $x=p_1^2$, $y=p_2^2$, and $z=p_3^2$ for distinct primes $p_1$, $p_2$, $p_3$. Then $x^2{y}^3{z}^4=p_1^4\cdot p_2^6\cdot p_3^8$, which has $(4+1)(6+1)(8+1)=\boxed{315}$ positive factors.