Prospects of the Week: June 12 – June 18

Each week during the Minor League Baseball season we pick the hitting and pitching prospects from each level (Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, and Single-A) who, in our opinion, had the best week. The team awards the Prospects of the Week hitters and pitchers for each level, while also presenting other names at each level that are just as deserving of POTW honors. Feel free to reply in the comments with any player who deserves to be mentioned that may not have made our cut.

Any issues with this week’s POTW? Did we miss anyone deserving? Hit us up and set us straight! As always, tweet us @Prospects1500 when you see a great performance that warrants consideration for Prospect of the Week. Enjoy, and make sure you’re keeping an eye out for these prospects in your dynasty leagues.

Triple-A

HITTER: Chris Williams, C/1B (Twins #38)

St. Paul Saints (5 G, .368/.500/1.316/1.816, 7 H, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 8 R, 5 BB)

Williams came into the season as your typical Quad-A player: mid 20’s (he’s 26), productive at the plate but unable to take that next step forward. This year, he’s seen his power spike up a bit, as he’s already hit thirteen home runs. This past week he managed seven hits in five games….but with six home runs.

While all of that is impressive, he still did strikeout seven times, which has always been a problem over his career. Until he learns to limit them, he’s undoubtedly destined to be best known for his Triple-A career. All that being said, his week is surely one to be celebrated. Perhaps there’s more power there than we originally thought. (@sportz_nutt51)

In the least surprising announcement of the day, congrats to @chrisw316 who was named the #MNTwins Minor League Player of the Week after hitting .467 (7-15) with 6 home runs, 14 RBI, .600 OBP, 1.667 slugging % & 2.267 OPS. Had an impressive month in a week. pic.twitter.com/eXauvvQoCX

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) June 18, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Dominic Canzone, OF (Diamondbacks #18)
Reno Aces (5 G, .527/.542/1.286/1.828, 11 H, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, BB)
Trey Cabbage, OF (Angels NR)
Salt Lake Bees (5 G, .435/.480/.913/1.393, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 3 SB)
Jonathan Aranda, 2B (Rays #7)
Durham Bulls (6 G, .545/.615/1.091/1.706, 12 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB)

PITCHER: Ben Brown, RHP (Cubs #13)

Iowa Cubs (1 GS, 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K)

The 23-year-old righty turned in an eleven K performance last week against Indianapolis, including twice striking out one of my personal favorite prospects Endy Rodriguez. Brown is now up to 88 K’s in just 58.1 IP this season. A 13.7% BB rate on the year could haunt him at the next level, but the good news is walks have not been a consistent problem in his career.

Honorable Mentions:

Jacob Lopez, LHP (Rays #37)
Durham Bulls (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K)
Chase Lee, RHP (Rangers #40)
Round Rock Express (2 G, 4 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, W, SV)
Robert Gasser, LHP (Brewers #6)
Nashville Sounds (2 GS, 12 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 11 K)

On the surface the stat line for the week doesn’t appear to be POTW worthy. What earned Gasser an honorable mention for last week was his Father’s Day outing against Gwinnett (6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 6 K). You have to figure that Gasser’s name is near the top of the list for a call up next time there is a need in Milwaukee.

Double-A

HITTER: Rece Hinds, OF (Reds #14)

Chattanooga Lookouts (6 G, .381/.500/1.238/1.738, 8 H, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB)

Hinds has been working through a change to his position in the batter’s box that allows him to cover the outside half of the plate better. I would say it is working.

Sunday ended a streak of six straight games with a homerun (7 in total) dating back to June 11th. Hinds missed significant chunks of the last two seasons to injury so a healthy 2023 would be a huge step in his development. A productive Hinds would further add to what is already an embarrassment of riches in the Cincinnati system.

No. 16 @Reds prospect Rece Hinds has crushed 7 homers in the past 6 games for the @ChattLookouts.

The power surge is thanks to an adjustment he made at the dish: https://t.co/4Rvd9RnRXk pic.twitter.com/AxA8otHlKh

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 18, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Coby Mayo, 3B (Orioles #6)
Bowie Baysox (7 G, .417/.517/.958/1.475, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB, SB)
Luke Waddell, 3B (Braves #29)
Mississippi Braves (6 G, .500/.613/.958/1.571, 12 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 5 BB, 3 SB)
Tirso Ornelas, OF (Padres #33)
San Antonio Missions (6 G, .520/.600/1.120/1.720, 13 H, 3 2B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 9 R, 5 BB)
Johan Rojas, OF (Phillies #7)
Reading Fightin Phils (6 G, .423/.500/.769/1.269, 11 H, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 3 SB)
Matt Gorski, OF (Pirates #15)
Altoona Curve (6 G, .370/.370/.593/.963, 10 H, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 5 R, 7 SB)

PITCHER: Cade Povich, LHP (Orioles #18)

Bowie Baysox (1 GS, 7 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 13 K)

Povich baffled the Flying Squirrels last Thursday right out of the gate and set the tone early for a truly dominant performance. He set the first six hitters he faced down via strikeout (four looking) and was perfect until a leadoff single in the seventh inning. The 6’3″ lefty has struggled with his command at times this year, but games like this give us a glimpse of what can be when he puts it all together.

We’re happy to partner with Jimmy’s Famous Meals this season to highlight the top play from each game!

Cade Povich’s career-high 13th strikeout was yesterday’s play of the game! pic.twitter.com/yR6xESIPxi

— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) June 16, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Tyler Phillips, RHP (Phillies NR)
Reading Fightin Phils (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)
Mitchell Parker, LHP (Nationals #27)
Harrisburg Senators (1 GS, 7 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K)
Wilmer Flores, RHP (Tigers #2)
Erie SeaWolves (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Aaron Rozek, LHP (Twins NR)
Wichita Wind Surge (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 5 K)
Connor Phillips, RHP (Reds #15)
Chattanooga Lookouts (2 GS, 12 IP, 10 H, 2 R, BB, 20 K)

High-A

HITTER: Blaze Jordan, 3B (Red Sox #12)

Greenville Drive (6 G, .545/.607/1.136/1.743, 12 H, 4 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB)

In their preseason top-50, Red Sox, correspondents @TBDubbs11 & @Scotty_Ballgame mentioned that it would be nice to see Jordan in Double-A this season. Looks like the mashing corner infielder is well on his way. He is hitting .323/.379/.546 with 19 doubles, 10 HR, 47 RBI, with an impressive 14% K rate. The Red Sox are going to have to figure out where he fits in the field because the bat looks special.

BLAZE JORDAN. TIE. GAME.
His 10th of the year and third of the series!

Drive 4, ‘Hoppers 4 pic.twitter.com/QPQenb0tUr

— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) June 18, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Alex De Jesus, SS (Blue Jays #19)
Vancouver Canadians (5 G, .389/.500/.889/1.389, 7 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, SB)
Spencer Jones, OF (Yankees #6)
Hudson Valley Renegades (6 G, .500/.556/.917/1.473, 12 H, 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 2 SB)
Brady Allen, OF (Tigers NR)
West Michigan Whitecaps (6 G, .381/.458/.857/1.315, 8 H, 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB)
Ghordy Santos, SS (Giants NR)
Eugene Emeralds (6 G, .435/.579/.783/1.302, 10 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, SB)

PITCHER: Dalton Rogers, LHP (Red Sox NR)

Greenville Drive (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 11 K)

Much like Jordan above, Rogers might not be long for Greenville himself. The 2022 third round pick from Southern Mississippi sports a 2.61 ERA through 41.1 IP with 65 K’s so far on the year. In this start against Greensboro he struck out a career high eleven and was perfect outside of a fourth inning walk and another runner reaching via error in the sixth. If he keeps this up against more advanced hitters, he will become very interesting.

No. 23 @RedSox prospect Dalton Rogers’ stat line tonight for the @GreenvilleDrive 😱

6 IP
0 H
0 R
1 BB
11 K pic.twitter.com/2zpEt55CUf

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 15, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Blade Tidwell, RHP (Mets #7)
Brooklyn Cyclones (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K)
Jerming Rosario, RHP (Dodgers NR)
Great Lakes Loons (1 G, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Gabe Bierman, RHP (Marlins NR)
Beloit Sky Carp (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K)
Justin Wrobleski, LHP (Dodgers #32)
Great Lakes Loons (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Drew Thorpe, RHP (Yankees #15)
Hudson Valley Renegades (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Zachary Cole, OF (Astros NR)

Fayetteville Woodpeckers (6 G, .455/.586/1.000/1.586, 10 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 7 BB, 4 SB)

A 2022 10th Rounder, Zachary Cole went unranked in the Astros Pre-season Top 50 prospect list. Since then, he’s won a Carolina League Player of the Week award, and leads his team in home runs, triples, doubles and runs. Last week he went 10-for-22 including hitting two triples in a single game. On top of that he stole four bases, putting him at 18 for the season. Cole has a way to go before he enters conversations about the Astros top outfield prospects, but he is heading in the right direction and will likely be promoted before the end of the season. (@USKillian)

That’s 10! The Woodpeckers home run leader Zach Cole hits double figures!

Woodpeckers 6 – Fireflies 1 pic.twitter.com/kY6CVZTmOb

— Fayetteville Woodpeckers (@WoodpeckersNC) June 18, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Ethan Workinger, OF (Braves NR)
Augusta GreenJackets (6 G, .478/.556/.957/1.513, 11 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB, SB)
Christopher Familia, OF (Yankees NR)
Tampa Tarpons (6 G, .375/.464/.875/1.339, 9 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB)
Gregory Barrios, SS (Brewers NR)
Carolina Mudcats (6 G, .433/.433/.667/1.100, 13 H, 5 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, 6 R, 5 SB)
Shalin Polanco, OF (Pirates #23)
Bradenton Marauders (6 G, .455/.538/.909/1.447, 10 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 3 SB)
Gabriel Gonzalez, OF (Mariners #1)
Modesto Nuts (6 G, .448/.433/.621/1.054, 13 H, 2 2B, HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Luis Perales, RHP (Red Sox #17)

Salem Red Sox (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)

The Red Sox have some very interesting arms in the lower levels of their system and Perales might be the head of that group. This now makes back-to-back weeks that his name has appeared in our POTW articles (honorable mention last week). In his last two outings (eleven innings), he has allowed only two hits, no runs, walked one, and struck out fourteen. He looks to be getting things on track after an uneven start to the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Michael Arias, RHP (Cubs NR)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Yoniel Curet, RHP (Rays NR)
Charleston RiverDogs (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Wander Guante, RHP (Athletics NR)
Stockton Ports (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K)
Jorge Marcheco, RHP (Angels #18)
Inland Empire 66ers (1 GS, 9 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Rookie Leagues

CO-HITTERS:

John Cruz, OF (Yankees NR)

FCL Yankees (5 G, .455/.550/1.000/1.520, 10 H, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, SB)

Signed from the Dominican Republic for $75 K in 2022, the 6’3″ 170 pound left hander got off to a tough start to the season. The 17-year-old Cruz went hitless with seven strikeouts in his first 15 at-bats then he turned it on this week going 10-22 with 3 home runs (including a grand slam) and 19 RBI in 5 games. This included a 4 for 6 game with a double and triple and 8 RBI vs the FCL Phillies and a 2 for 5 game with 2 home runs and 6 RBI the next day vs the FCL Phillies again. He managed to have a RBI or more every game this last week. Hitting behind Keiner Delgado, Roderick Arias, and Willy Montero in the FCL lineup will surely help Cruz’s production and makes for an exciting FCL Yankees team.

There is plenty of athleticism and hitting ability to be developed here and Cruz has a great frame to grow into. Cruz is definitely a name to follow through the summer and beyond. (@PaulWoodin1)

Kelvin Hldalgo, SS (Rockies NR)

DSL Rockies (5 G, .526/.667/.1.158/1.825, 10 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 14 R, 7 BB, 5 SB)

The 18-year-old Hldalgo signed with the Rockies in 2022 for $500,000–the 3rd highest player from his class of international signings behind Dyan Jorge (2.8 million) and Cesar Vargas ($750,000). The 6’2″ slender shortstop scored 14 runs, while collecting 10 hits and walking 7 times. Hldalgo, from the Dominican Republic, additionally flashed power and speed, clubbing 3 home runs and swiping 5 bases in 5 attempts. His impressive slash for the week: .526/.667/1.158 resulted in a stellar 1.825 OPS. (@100percent3G)

Honorable Mentions:

Luis Torres, 1B/OF (Angels #46)
ACL Angels (6 G, .565/.600/.826/1.426, 13 H, 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB)
Jose Dilone, 1B (Braves NR)
FCL Braves (4 G, .538/.647/1.308/1.955, 7 H, 2 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB, SB)
Raylin Heredia, OF (Phillies NR)
FCL Phillies (4 G, .563/.579/1.063/1.642, 9 H, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Roni Cabrera, OF (Rangers NR)
DSL Rangers Red (5 G, .611/.667/1.167/1.834, 11 H, 6 2B, 2 3B, 3 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB)
Gabriel Terrero, 2B (Yankees NR)
DSL NYY Bombers (3 G, .538/.538/1.538/2.076, 7 H, 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, SB)

PITCHER: Jeter Martinez, RHP (Mariners #44)

DSL Mariners (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

The 6’4″ 17-year-old righthander out of Mexico has prototypical projectable starting pitcher’s body. He is obviously a LONG ways from the majors, but scouts are very excited about his potential. His start to this year is showing a glimpse of that as he has not allowed a run in his 1o innings with 13 K’s. I am not patient enough to wait on the uber talented yet raw international pitchers in dynasty, but if you are, Martinez might be one to jump on.

Honorable Mentions:

Wilkelma Castillo, RHP (Giants NR)
ACL Giants Black (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)
Luis De Leon, LHP (Orioles NR)
FCL Orioles (2 GS, 9 IP, 4 H, R, 5 BB, 15 K)
Luis Rodriguez, RHP (Mets #27)
FCL Mets (2 G, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K, 2 SV)
Manuel Perez, RHP (Athletics NR)
DSL Athletics (1 G, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Cesar Espinal, RHP (Orioles NR)
DSL Orioles (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Christian Zazueta, RHP (Yankees NR)
DSL NYY Yankees (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)