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Coming off a start in which he whiffed a career high 12 batters, Brent Honeywell continued his scorching hot start last night. The righty went 7 innings, allowing 1 run, 1 hit, and striking out 8 in the process. Now at AA Montgomery, Honeywell looks to ride his varied arsenal, including his infamous screwball, to the show by the end of the year. The only real question with Honeywell at the moment is, just how aggressive the Rays get moving him along? His control has always been elite, leading to walk rates in the 4-6% range. And while the ability to generate swings and misses has always been there, it’s noticeably ticked up this season. The time to buy Honeywell might be now as he continues his assault on the AA Southern League. I’m never one to invest much in a pitching prospect, particularly one in the AL East, but Honeywell is the rare exception.

 

  • Big night for Yankees pitching prospects as Justus Sheffield, and Albert Abreu. Two starters were acquired in trades since last July’s deadline, had strong showings. Sheffield pitching for AA Trenton, went 5 2/3rds striking out 6, allowing 4 baserunners, and 1 unearned run. While his A ball counterpart, went 5 2/3rds himself striking out 11, while only surrendering 2 hits. Both Baby Bombers are worth monitoring. There’s a slight chance Sheffield touches the Bronx this year, but it’s remote.
  • Rough outing for my top pitching prospect Josh Hader, as he was taken deep 3 times by Memphis Tuesday night. Top catching prospect Carson Kelly went deep twice, with Harrison Bader also taking Hader to pound town. The lefty has struggled with homers in the past. Here’s to hoping he doesn’t fall victim to the PCLs ills.
  • Yoan Moncada looks like a man amongst boys. He collected another 2 hits and a run last night, as he bats .387. I’ve brought this up in multiple places, but I’d rather own Moncada than Buxton in redraft right now. Even if Moncada struggles while up, he’ll have his potentially elite on base ability to fall back on. So far in 2017, Moncada is showcasing everything we hoped he would. The one drawback is he’s still striking out a lot.
  • After not being able to get out of the first inning in his first start of the season, Rangers righty Connor Sadzeck followed it up with a very strong performance Tuesday. Going 5 scoreless innings, and striking out 9 in the process.
  • One of my favorite sleeper Red Sox prospects Tyler Hill, has got his power stroke going early for Class A Greenville. The 2016 NYPL all-star has homered in three consecutive contests.
  • The Cubs AAA affiliate Iowa has continued to mash. Jeimer Candelario added another 5 RBIs last night to his now minor league leading total. While teammate Ian Happ launched his 4th homer of 2017. The two young Cubs are in the precarious position of being blocked at the major league level, while loudly knocking on the door. The best owners can hope for at this point is injuries on the major league level, or a trade to an organization with an opportunity for PT.
  • Ian Happ just hit his 5th homer of the season in the first inning of today’s game. It came off of former MLB doormat/goggles model, Vance Worley. Somewhere, Chris Sabo weeps. “I slept with Marge Schott to be forgotten some day!”  That’s Sabo’s nightmarish screams.
  • On the number scouting side, Red Sox 2016 7th rounder Ryan Scott is off to a scorching start. Driving in 11 runs so far with 3 homers, the former University of Arkansas – Little Rock star is slugging .731 on the young season. His senior season at Arkansas – Little Rock was a serious breakout as he hit 12 homers with a slashline of .435/.516/.713. This could fade quick, but it’s worth watching.
  • Speaking of number scouting, Rangers 3rd base prospect Ti’Quan Forbes is all the rage. Off to a serious start at Class A Hickory with a .450/.542/.900 slashline through 6 games. The 20 year old was a second rounder in the 2014 draft he’s an athletic player with a quick bat, and some wheels.
  • A week after an excellent outing by Tigers 4th rounder Kyle Funkhouser, he got worked over last night for 7 runs. The former Louisville star received considerable first round buzz in 2015 even going to the Dodgers in the last pick of the first round. Funkhouser scorned their offer, and returned to Louisville, where the wheels came off. Much like fellow 2016 draft faller Alec Hansen (5 IP, 1 ER, 1 Bb, 9K’s Wednesday), he’s looking to regain his once heady prospect status. I wouldn’t be overly discouraged by last nights start. Keep him in your watch lists.
  • Yankees 2015 first rounder and former UCLA star James Kaprielian looks headed for elbow surgery. Once considered a potential fast riser, Kaprielian’s career has been considerably stalled by injury woes.
  • If you’re a Kaprielian owner looking to pivot to another young pitching prospect with upside, check out Forrest Whitley of the Astros. Not only did my tweet about his start Monday get a like from his Mom, he’s also getting Roger Clemens comparisons left and right. The 2016 first rounder allowed 3 base runners, and struck out 6 over 5 scoreless innings.
  • Victor Robles has continued to mash in 2017. He’s already managed a couple of three hit efforts this season with a homer and two steals. He’s more than a year away, but he’s one of the most exciting players in the minors for fantasy owners. He added another two hits last night, roping a triple off Orioles prospect Keegan Akin.
  • Are we watching Anthony Alford blossom before our eyes? The Blue Jays outfielder is one of the hottest hitters in the minors at the moment batting .625 through a handful of contests. There’s tools for days with Alford, as he’s one of the best pure athletes in baseball. We might be looking at one of the real risers of the 2017 season.

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