Okay so who watched the fight? Anyone? Anyone? Let me begin today’s post by thanking all the little people that delayed my progress on this post. First and foremost all the MVPs, heroes, saints, etc that walk amongst us, live streaming expensive pay per view fights. Thank you, this is for you. I hope you play dynasty baseball.
Sincerely,
Ralph
P.S. So how about that Brandon Marsh guy? Don’t remember where you might have heard about him before (shameless self promotion)? Doesn’t matter, moving along. Marsh is riding high on a 10 game hitting streak, slashing .420/.442/.580 with 2 homers, and 3 steals. I discussed Marsh on the recent episode of the Prospect Podcast, listing him as one of my favorite sleepers outside my Top 10 Outfield Ranks. He’s an athletic specimen, with a sweet lefty swing, and bag full of tools. The Angels farmhand ranked 62nd on my mid-season Top 100, and I believe he should be owned in every dynasty format where 5 or more minor leaguers can be stashed per team.
- The Tigers Matt Manning is another name to keep in eye on among a really nice crop from the 2016 Draft. Manning went 6 scoreless innings allowing 5 baserunners (3 hits, 2 walks), while striking out 6. This was a rebound performance after a handful rough outings since his promotion to the Midwest League. At just 19 in full season ball bumps in the road are expected.
- My numero uno pitching prospect in the minors Michael Kopech had another strong performance at AAA on Saturday. He tossed 5 innings of 1 run ball, striking out 6, allowing 5 baserunners (2 hits, 3 walks). The 21 year old righthander looks ready to face major league hitters, but most likely won’t until 2018.
- Another Sunday update, another Eloy Jimenez performance with a homer. The White Sox top prospect went 3 for 4 with a 2 run homer yesterday. The 20 year old Eloy is hitting .318/.348/.523 through his first 12 games at AA. He ranks second on my list of outfield (and all)prospects behind only Ronald Acuna.
- The Nationals 2016 first round pick Carter Kieboom is having a strong run in full season ball for Hagerstown, hitting .296/.375/.513 with 8 homers and a couple of steals. The slugging middle infielder isn’t just hitting for power but also showing approach, striking out less than 20%, and walking 10% of the time.
- Big shouts to Barry Baker for the tip on the Brewers Troy Stokes Jr. An under the radar power and speed threat approaching a 20/20 season. At the moment he has 18 homers and 26 steals, but has struggled to keep his batting average above .250 between high A and AA. He’s a lot like Keon Broxton, just a few years younger.
- What do you know another White Sox prospect, this time it’s first rounder Jake Burger. The third baseman went 5 for 5 on Thursday hitting for the cycle and driving in 3 runs. He’s now hitting .291/.354/.430 in full season ball just a few months out of the draft. I ranked Burger 116th on my Top 200, nd think he can be a nice source of power from a corner infield spot in the future.
- It seems like almost my entire list of Top 10 Starters pitched the past three days. This time it was my 5th ranked starter Triston McKenzie going 6 strong, allowing 2 to reach base while striking out 11. He’s rail thin, but his mechanics are clean and he throws strikes + misses bats.
- Yes another White Sox Prospect! When will it end? This time it’s 2016 second rounder Alec Hansen getting the call to Birmingham after striking out 174 over 131 innings. He has a nice fastball-slider combo, that he mixes with an above average curveball, and fringey change. He’s missing bats and throwing strikes, and has front of the rotation upside.
- One of my favorite prep hitters in recent memory Jo Adell continues to hit in pro-ball. After being promoted to Orem of the short-season Pioneer league 7 games ago the powerful righty bat has produced a .343/.361/.571 slashline. He’s a top 10 target in first year player drafts and has as much upside as someone like Luis Robert.
- The Diamondbacks don’t have a ton of prospects at the moment but 2016 2nd rounder Andy Yerzy looks to have a legitimate bat. Over his last 10 he’s slashing .333/.404/.595 with 3 homers and 6 strikeouts to 5 walks. He’s emerging as one of the few intriguing bats at the catcher position, showing power and advanced pitch recognition skills.
- I have a feeling I’m going to own a lot of shares of Tristen Lutz coming out of first year player drafts next season. He went 2 for 3 last night with a homer, his second in three games. The 19 year old power hitter already has 8 professional homers across 2 levels.
- The Cardinals teenage phenom Jonathan Machado is in the midst of a 11 game hitting steak that’s seen him hit .422 over that stretch. Machado is a contact and speed guy, who’s swing has been compared to Ichiro Suzuki.
- There may be no hotter hitter in the minors than the Twins Wander Javier. The 18 year old shortstop is slashing .422/.500/.651 with a couple of homers over his last 10 games. He’s flashing more of his raw power this season and less of his once rated 60 grade speed.
**Going to a minor league game? Get in on our crowdsourced scouting video project! Use your phone to shoot at bats, pitches, etc of some of the top prospects, and email them to me at [email protected].**
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