Prospects of the Week: August 13 – August 19

Each week we pick the hitting and pitching prospects from each level (AAA, AA, A+, A, Short Season-A and Rookie league) who, in our opinion, had the best week. We’re always on the lookout for candidates, so tweet us (@Prospects1500@PaulTheMartin and @Scotty_Ballgame) when you see a great performance.

Martin picks his POTW hitters and pitchers for each level, while Greene presents other names at each level that are just as deserving of POTW honors. Enjoy, and make sure you’re keeping an eye out for these prospects in your dynasty leagues.

AAA

Hitter: Luis Urias, 2B (San Diego Padres, #4)
El Paso Chihuahuas (7 G, .593/.625/1.000, 16 H, 5 2B, 3 3B, 11:5 R:RBI)

The Padres studly 2B prospect continues to mash in AAA. He is still only 21-years-old, yet Urias has 124 hits in 114 games this season. Over the past week, he led the Minors in hits with 16 and also topped the OPS leaderboard despite not hitting any home runs. With 8 total bombs on the year, this prospects power is still in question amongst scouts. However, there are not many kids this young that can hang with the bat as he has at this level. Urias is an absolute monster who’s approach is mature beyond his years.

Scott Greene’s AAA Hitter: Peter O’Brien, OF (Miami Marlins, #N/A)
New Orleans Baby Cakes (7 G, .478/.567/1.261, 11 H, 3 2B, 5 HR, SB, 7:10 R:RBI)

Honorable Mention: J.D. Davis, 3B (Houston Astros, passed prospect threshold of 130 AB, but too good of a week to not list)
Fresno Grizzlies (7 G, .462/.533/1.192, 12 H, 2B, 6 HR, 7:15 R:RBI)


Pitcher: Kyle Wright, RHP (Atlanta Braves, #9)
Gwinnett Stripers (2 GS, 1-0, 14 IP, 14:3 K:BB, 6 H, 2 ER, 12% SwStr%)

The top draft pick of the Atlanta Braves from 2017 is putting on a display this season. Making it all the way up to AAA without many struggles, Wright cruised through the past week with 14 innings of 2 run baseball. He consistently posts strikeout numbers like the ones he displayed in these two starts. He navigated a lineup that includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and allowed 2 ER over 7 innings with 6 K. This Braves pitcher adds to their list of amazing arms waiting to be called up, including Scott’s pick for AAA this week, Bryse Wilson.

Greene’s AAA Pitcher: Bryse Wilson, RHP (Atlanta Braves, #10) – just promoted to majors today (8/20)
Gwinnett Stripers (1 GS, 1-0, 8 IP, 13:0 K:BB, H, 0 ER, 22% SwStr%)



AA

Hitter: Nick Solak, 2B (Tampa Bay Rays, #11)
Montgomery Biscuits (6 G, .350/.480/1.000, 7 H, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 5:5 R:RBI)

Solak seems to be popping up on this list quite often throughout the season, and for a good reason. This week, 6 of his 7 total hits went for extra bases with 3 of them reaching the seats. He is rapidly approaching a 20/20 season in AA with a .282/.384/.452 triple-slash. The prospect hype seems to be missing for this Rays 23-year-old after being dealt from a deep Yankees system to the Rays this offseason. However, as the saying goes, “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.” Solak is accumulating fascinating stats this season and should be high on everyone’s radar in dynasty start-up’s next year.

Greene’s AA Hitter: Carter Kieboom, SS (Washington Nationals, #2)
Harrisburg Senators (6 G, .391/.481/.826, 0 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 10:4 R:RBI)


Pitcher: Brock Burke, LHP (Tampa Bay Rays, #22)
Montgomery Biscuits (2 GS, 2-0 12.2 IP, 15:5 K:BB, 10 H, 2 ER, 11% SwStr)

Burke is dominating this promotion to AA by the Rays. The tall lefty led the Biscuits to 2 victories this week, along with fellow award winner Nick Solak. Posting more than a strikeout per inning is new to Burke’s game this year. Adding the strikeouts to a solid prior profile makes this 22-year-old stand out in an organization filled with young pitchers. This week he rolled through a couple of solid lineups, including the Chattanooga Lookouts squad that features Brent Rooker who went hitless against Burke. If the strikeouts continue to pile up, look for the 6’4″ LHP to move up off-season boards.

Greene’s AA Pitcher: Matt Swarmer, RHP (Chicago Cubs, #N/A)
Tennessee Smokies (2 GS, 1-0, 12 IP, 15:1 K:BB, 3 ER, 17% SwStr%)

Honorable Mention: Robert Dugger, RHP (Miami Marlins, #28)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (1 GS, 1-0, 7 IP, 9:3 K:BB, 5 H, 0 ER, 14% SwStr%)


A+

Hitter: Cristian Santana, 1B (Los Angeles Dodgers, #23)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (6 G, .429/.429/.821, 12 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 5:11 R:RBI)

Santana is mashing for the Quakes this season. This week he surpassed the century mark for RBI and raised his home run total to 23 on the year. The supremely athletic outfielder doesn’t do much other than hit for power, but he brings a ton of it to the table. If Santana can tame the approach, then there is an extremely high ceiling for this product from the Dominican Republic. He is an exciting prospect that people need to pay attention to, that lies deep within the Los Angeles Dodgers system.

Greene’s A+ Hitter: Drew Ellis, 3B (Arizona Diamondbacks, #6)
Visalia Rawhide (5 G, .474/.545/1.105, 9 H, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 7:7 R:RBI)

Honorable Mention: Colton Welker, 3B (Colorado Rockies, #3)
Lancaster JetHawks (5 G, .524/.522/.667, 11 H, 3 2B, 1:5 R/RBI)


Pitcher:
 Bailey Falter, LHP (Philadelphia Phillies, #22)
Clearwater Threshers (2 GS, 2-0, 12 IP, 14:1 K:BB, 11 H, ER, 12% SwStr)

Falter is one of my favorite prospects from earlier in the season that became hindered by injury mid-summer. He is back, and better than ever, winning the award this week on his 4th and 5th starts back from the DL. The tall left-hander posted 1 walk in the starts since returning and it came during this week in which he also racked up 14 strikeouts. Falter is only 21-years-old and finds himself in an interesting new Phillies organization that is developing pitchers like never before. Despite the TINSTAPP cliche, Falter seems to be a project to sink your teeth into as a prospector.

Greene’s A+ Pitcher: Zach Logue, LHP (Toronto Blue Jays, #N/A)
Dunedin Blue Jays (2 GS, 1-0, 12 IP, 17:3 K:BB, 11 H, 3 ER, 11 SwStr%)

Honorable Mention: Joe Palumbo, LHP (Texas Rangers, #10)
Down East Wood Ducks (1 GS, 1-0, 5.1 IP, 9:3 K:BB, 2 H, 0 ER, 27% SwStr%)

Honorable Mention: J.B. Bukauskas, RHP (Houston Astros, #6)
Buies Creek Astros (1 GS, 1-0, 7 IP, 5:1 K:BB, H, 0 ER, 13% SwStr%)


A

Hitter: Bubba Thompson, OF (Texas Rangers, #3)
Hickory Crawdads (6 G, .417/.481/.792, 10 H, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 3 SB, 5:6 R:RBI)

Thompson was a home-run pick for me in last year’s draft. The extremely athletic outfielder is within an organization that tames and tailors these types of players to maximize their potential. Their current roster is filled with young stars who were once, or still are, raw and exciting like Thompson. This week the numbers were ridiculous. Bubba accumulated a double, a triple, and 2 dingers out of his 10 total hits, with speed added in as a bonus. This stat-line is what makes Thompson such a fantastic prospect to get riled up about.

Greene’s A Hitter: Casey Golden, OF (Colorado Rockies, #43)
Ashville Tourists (6 G, .458/.480/.917, 11 H, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, SB, 6:8 R:RBI)

Honorable Mention: Jose Garcia, SS (Cincinnati Reds, #34)
Dayton Dragons (6 G, .448/.467/.690, 13 H, 2B, 2 HR, 2 SB)


Pitcher: 
Chad Donato, RHP (Houston Astros, #45)
Quad Cities River Bandits (2 GS, 2-0, 14 IP, 16:3 K:BB, 3 H, 0 ER, 12% SwStr)

Donato is yet to lose a game so far this season. Adding to that flawless record this week was an outstanding 14 innings of no run ball. He is a very intriguing prospect based on the numbers he is posting in 2018. He has allowed 2 HR in 66 innings with 77 K. Donato is also hard to hit given that he is allowing an opponent’s batting average of .172. This week put the prospect higher on my radar, and being on Brandon Lute’s midseason Astros Top 50 list is more reason to get excited.

Greene’s A Pitcher: Edwar Colina, RHP (Minnesota Twins, #45)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (2 GS, 1-1, 13.1 IP, 20:5 K:BB, 7 H, 2 ER, 20% SwStr)


A-

Hitter: Adam Hall, SS (Baltimore Orioles, #8)
Aberdeen IronBirds (4 G, .500/.588/.857, 7 H, 3B, HR, 5 SB, 5:6 R:RBI)

The Orioles system is desperate for talent, and Hall might be the answer. The Canadian, drafted in the 2nd round last year, is showing off a ton of speed in short-season ball. This week he put the hit tool on display as well with 7 hits in 4 games to go along with 5 swipes. Doubt the Baltimore system all you want, Hall could be a high upside guy in the middle infield if everything breaks right. His height on their prospect list is due to their lack of overall ceiling within the organization, but Hall is the classic, twitchy, projectable shortstop that you hope could turn into a stud with added power.

Greene’s A- Hitter: D.J. Artis, OF (Chicago Cubs, #N/A)
Eugene Emeralds (6 G, .391/.423/.696, 9 H, 2B, 2 HR, 3 SB, 5:6 R:RBI)

Honorable Mention: Davis Bradshaw, OF (Miami Marlins, #45)
Batavia Muckdogs (6 GS, .500/.520/.500, 12 H, 4 SB)

Honorable Mention: Andy Yerzy, C (Arizona Diamondbacks, #5)
Hillsboro Hops (6 G, .318/.423/.727, 7 H, 2 HR, 4:8 R:RBI)


Pitcher: Josh Winckowski, RHP (Toronto Blue Jays, #N/A)
Vancouver Canadians (2 GS, 13.1 IP, 15:2 K:BB, 10 H, 2 ER, 11% SwStr%)

Winckowski is a young arm that is finally gaining traction in professional ball. This season is by far his best since being drafted and signed in 2016, and it continues to get better. His past three starts have been completely scoreless. Taking it back further, he has not allowed more than 3 runs since June, despite a couple of short outings in July. It takes these projects some time to get their feet underneath them if they ever do at all. Winckowski seems to be making the jump necessary to stay relevant in the league and this week keeps him in the back of my mind.

Greene’s A- Pitcher: Jacob Schlesener, LHP (St. Louis Cardinals, #N/A)
State College Spikes (1 GS, 4 IP, 10:1 K:BB, 2 H, 0 ER)


Rookie

Hitter: Grant Witherspoon, OF (Tampa Bay Rays, #N/A)
Princeton Rays (8 G, .387/.424/.806, 12 H, 2B, 4 HR, 2 SB, 6:6 R:RBI)

The 2018 4th round pick out of Tulane chose this week to blast onto the scene for the Rays. His 4 homers this week brings his season total to 5, which makes the speed even more of a treat for prospectors. Witherspoon is a big, left-handed outfielder who should garner a ton of attention for the bat. His last season at Tulane showcased the power, speed, approach, and negated some of the disappointing numbers he posted in the 2017 Cape Cod League. Tampa bought into the final year of college more so than the Cape, and they may have stolen a very nice prospect.

Greene’s RK Hitter: Jonah Davis, OF (Pittsburgh Pirates, #48)
Bristol Pirates (6 G, .375/.464/1.250, 9 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 9:8 R:RBI)

Honorable Mention: Connor Hollis, 2B (Tampa Bay Rays, #N/A)
Princeton Rays (8 G, .448/.529/.759, 13 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 9:9 R:RBI)


Pitcher: Rito Lugo, LHP (Kansas City Royals, #N/A)
Idaho Falls Chukars (2 GS, 1-0, 12 IP, 16:0 K:BB, 9 H, ER, 17% SwStr%)

All you have to do is read the stat-line above to see why Lugo is our pitcher for the week in rookie ball. 16 strikeouts, no walks, 1 run, 17% SwStr% are all studly numbers for a small, left-handed Venezuelan in his first taste of pro-ball. Despite being 22-years-old, this is the first sample for Lugo, and he has already moved between three different locations. The Royals are doing everything they can to knock him off his game with the transfers. However, he is yet to give up more than 1 run in a start this season and is old enough to cruise through the levels if he continues to push as he has in his brief debut.

Greene’s RK Pitcher: Eric Pardinho, RHP (Toronto Blue Jays, #10)
Bluefield Blue Jays (1 GS, 1-0, 7 IP, 6:0 K:BB, 1 H, 0 ER, 14% SwStr%)

Honorable Mention: Tommy Parsons, RHP (St. Louis Cardinals, #N/A)
Johnson City Cardinals (2 GS, 2-0, 13 IP, 13:1 K:BB, 9 H, ER, 15% SwStr%)

Honorable Mention: Angel De Jesus, RHP (Detroit Tigers, #N/A)
GCL Tigers East (1 GS, 1-0, 6 IP, 8:1 K:BB, 0 H, 0 ER)

Honorable Mention: Deivi Diaz, LHP (New York Yankees, #N/A)
GCL Yankees West (1 GS, 1-0, 5 IP, 8:1 K:BB, 0 H, 0 ER)

 

Featured image of Brock Burke – via Bryan Green on Flickr

Paul Martin graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in Political Science and American Studies. After college the drive to become a baseball writer became real when Lenny Melnick asked for a podcast substitute. Ever since late-2017, Paul has been providing content for LennyMelnickFantasySports.com, Razzball, Pitcher List, and now Prospects1500. Living in the Connecticut area there are plenty of options for minor league coverage with the closest team being the Hartford Yard Goats. This die-hard Yankees fan has transitioned into a well-rounded cover of all things fantasy baseball and prospects.




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