Prospects of the Week: June 5 – June 11

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: Michael Busch, 2B (Dodgers #4)

Oklahoma City Dodgers (6 G, .500/.533/1.077/1.610, 13 H, 4 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB)
Pacific Coast League Player of the Week!

Michael Busch continues to make himself the “next man up” by slaying the ball, drawing great at bats, and putting in the extra work necessary for his next shot at The Show. Expect to see him shortly. (@GQ_82)

As the kids like to say these days, that ball had a family!

Michael Busch goes 444 feet to center field for a go-ahead homer in the 3rd inning! pic.twitter.com/U4LRSVLOsO

— Oklahoma City Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) June 12, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B (Reds #9)
Louisville Bats (5 G, .526/.640/1.108/1.745, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 7 BB, SB)
International League Player of the Week!

Jonathan Aranda, IF (Rays #7)
Durham Bulls (6 G, .556/.613/.741/1.354, 15 H, 5 2B, 6 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)

Luis Matos, OF (Giants #5)
Sacramento River Cats (5 G, .393/.433/.964/1.397, 11 H, 2B, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)

Davis Schneider, 2B (Blue Jays # 33)
Buffalo Bisons (5 G, .500/.640,/1.111/1.751, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 6 BB)

Dairon Blanco, CF (Royals #46)
Omaha Storm Chasers (5 G, .500/.538/.500/1.038, 11 H, 5 RBI, 6 R, BB, 10 SB)
The 30 year old Cuban speedster just capped a ten-steal week with a call to Kansas City. If you need a cheap source of steals in your fantasy leagues, this might be the place to get them.

PITCHER: Allan Winans, RHP (Braves NR)

Gwinnett Stripers (1 GS, 9 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 3 K)

A complete game is a complete game. Winans is nothing more than organizational depth, and it would be nice to see him get a call-up for the major league experience. He hails from Campbell University, where Zach Neto and Cedric Mullins played. Nonetheless, he’s had a great year and may see a few bullpen innings down the stretch in late summer. (@MKelley_ND)

Honorable Mentions:

Jeff Lindgren, RHP (Marlins NR)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 5 K)
International League Pitcher of the Week!

Jairo Solis, RHP (Astros NR)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 7 K)
Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week!

Joe Record, RHP (Astros NR)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3 G, 3 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 6 K, 3 SV)

Grant Holmes, RHP (Braves NR)
Gwinnett Stripers (2 G, 2.1 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 2 K, 2 SV)

Double-A

HITTER: Luke Ritter, 2B (Mets NR)

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (6 G, .375/.444/1.125/1.569, 9 H, 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 11 R, 3 BB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!

The former Wichita State Shocker has 11 homers in his last 15 games for the Rumble Ponies, including a three bomb performance on Sunday. The Mets have seen enough of the infielder at the Double-A level and are calling him up to Triple-A Syracuse.

Honorable Mentions:

Colt Keith, 3B (Tigers #5)
Erie SeaWolves (5 G, .429/.478/.905/1.383, 9 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, SB)

Jose Devers, SS (Marlins #34)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (6 G, .647/.684/1.176/1.860, 11 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB)
Southern League Player of the Week!

Austin Shenton, 3B (Rays #27)
Montgomery Biscuits (6 G, .391/.417/.913/1.330, 9 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, BB)

Jordan Lawlar, SS (Diamondbacks #3)
Amarillo Sod Poodles (6 G, .407/.429/.704/1.133, 11 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 11 R, BB, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Connor Phillips, RHP (Reds #15)

Chattanooga Lookouts (1 GS, 7 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Southern League Pitcher of the Week!

The Mariners selected Phillips with the 64th overall pick in the 2020 draft and sent him to Cincinnati as the “player to be named later” in the Jesse Winker trade. He is racking up the strikeouts in bunches so far this year (89 in 52IP), and last Wednesday night was no different. He allowed only two baserunners through his seven innings while adding ten Barons hitters to his 2023 K list.

Dominant night on the bump for Connor Phillips:

🔴 7 IP
🔴 1 H
🔴 10 K@Phillip__Connor ╳ @ChattLookouts pic.twitter.com/GZC4if0yMn

— Reds On The Rise (@RedsOnTheRise) June 8, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Clayton Beeter, RHP (Yankees #10)
Somerset Patriots (2 GS, 11 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 17 K)
Eastern League Pitcher of the Week!

Owen White, RHP (Rangers #4)
Frisco RoughRiders (1 GS, 7 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K)
Texas League Pitcher of the Week!

Jackson Wolf, LHP (Brewers #24)
San Antonio Missions (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
A 6’7″ lefty with a WHIP below 1.00 in the Brewers system? You have my attention…

Griff McGarry, RHP (Phillies #6)
Reading Fightin Phils (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)

Travis MacGregor, RHP (Pirates NR)
Altoona Curve (2 G, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)

High-A

HITTER: Yanquiel Fernandez, OF (Rockies #8)

Spokane Indians (6 G, .393/.452/.893/1.345, 11 H, 3 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, SB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!

Our #8 Rockies prospect Yanquiel Fernandez continues to wreak havoc on Northwest League pitchers. The NWL Player of the month for May, rapped out 3 home runs, 11 hits, and collected 13 RBI’s for the week of June 5-11. Overall Fernandez slugged to a hefty OPS of 1.345 for the week vs. Hillsboro. The left-handed Cuban slugger leads the NWL in hits (71) and RBI’s (61) and is currently tied with teammate Jordan Beck for the league lead in home runs with 16. Look for this exciting outfielder to rise near the very top of Colorado’s top prospects. (@100percent3G)

Four straight games with a 💣 for Yanquiel Fernandez, including this absolute frozen rope in yesterday’s 10-4 win. #GoSpo pic.twitter.com/Jfw70Xd93i

— Spokane Indians (@spokaneindians) June 9, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Jud Fabian, OF (Orioles #16)
Aberdeen IronBirds (6 G, .579/.640/1.211/1.851, 11 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!

Nathan Church, OF (Cardinals NR)
Peoria Chiefs (5 G, .524/.565/.857/1.422, 11 H, 4 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, BB, 3 SB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!

Victor Bericoto, OF (Giants NR)
Eugene Emeralds (6 G, .455/.500/.955/1.455, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB)

Edwin Arroyo, SS (Reds #3)
Dayton Dragons (6 G, .417/.440/.833/1.273, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, BB, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Tommy Mace, RHP (Guardians #36)

Lake County Captains (1 GS, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K)
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week!

A slow start to 2023 culminated in an 8-inning, 2-hit, 11 K outing for the 2021 69th overall pick. The Guardians robust pitching factory in the minors makes it difficult to move up, but his most recent performance has his next start lined up in Double-A. (@Clancy1Sean)

Honorable Mentions:

Hunter Dobbins, RHP (Red Sox NR)
Greenville Drive (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

Thomas Harrington, RHP (Pirates #14)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week!

Drew Thorpe, RHP (Yankees #15)
Hudson Valley Renegades (1 GS, 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K)

Chase Hampton, RHP (Yankees NR)
Hudson Valley Renegades (1 GS, 5.2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)

Devereaux Harrison, RHP (Blue Jays NR)
Vancouver Canadians (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Northwest League Pitcher of the Week!

Alex Pham, RHP (Orioles NR)
Aberdeen IronBirds (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Christopher Familia, OF (Yankees NR)

Tampa Tarpons (6 G, .400/.483/1.000/1.483, 10 H, 3 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R, 2 BB)
Florida State League Player of the Week!

After a late start to the season, the young Dominican is putting up some really solid numbers. In 40 AB’s he is hitting .375 with 6 HR and 15 RBI with an OPS of 1.357. It is a small sample size for sure, but one worth paying attention to.

Honorable Mentions:

Felix Stevens, OF (Cubs NR)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (6 G, .375/.400/.958/1.358, 9 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, BB, SB)

Narbe Cruz, SS (Astros NR)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (7 G, .448/.467/.690/1.157, 13 H, 4 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, BB)

Ryan McCarty, SS (Blue Jays NR)
Dunedin Blue Jays (6 G, .360/.385/.960/1.345, 9 H, 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, BB)

Jamari Baylor, SS (Rockies NR)
Fresno Grizzlies (6 G, .571/.667/1.286/1.953, 8 H, 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 6 R, 6 BB, 3 SB)
California League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: David Sandlin, RHP (Royals #30)

Columbia Fireflies (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)
Carolina League Pitcher of the Week!

The 11th rounder from last year’s draft, Sandlin has been dominating low-A hitters through 11 starts, posting a 3.01 FIP with a 15.4 SwSt% and a 29.3 K-BB%. I had Sandlin 30th on my preseason top-50 list, and he was one of the Royals I’d hoped would make that ranking seem ungenerous in short order. I anticipate that ranking being cut in about half for my midseason update. Sandlin has nothing more to prove in Columbia. (@adamhalpin)

OH, and here are a few Sandman strikeouts to get your week started off the right way! #LetsGlow pic.twitter.com/0veOrAQTav

— Columbia Fireflies (@ColaFireflies) June 12, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Luis Perales, RHP (Red Sox #17)
Salem Red Sox (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)

Douglas Orellana, RHP (Mets NR)
St. Lucie Mets (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)

Marcelo Perez, RHP (Mariners #30)
Modesto Nuts (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
California League Pitcher of the Week!

Michael Prosecky, LHP (Rockies NR)
Fresno Grizzlies (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K)

Rookie Leagues

HITTER: Oswaldo Linares, C (Padres NR)

ACL Padres (4 G, .571/.700/1.286/1.986, 8 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB)
Arizona Complex League Player of the Week!

The 20-year-old backstop was signed all the way back in 2019 and likely lost some valuable development time in 2020. He is still young so to see him come out of the gate hot to start this season has to be an encouraging sign.

Honorable Mentions:

Luis Baez, OF (Astros #20)
FCL Astros (5 G, .450/.542/1.050/1.592, 9 H, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB)
Florida Complex League Player of the Week!

Fabian Lopez, SS (Marlins NR)
DSL Miami (5 G, .458/.458/.917/1.375, 11 H, 4 2B, 2 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 6 R)
Dominican Summer League Player of the Week!

Cuba Bess, OF (Rockies NR)
ACL Rockies (5 G, .500/.600/1.00/1.600, 9 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 8 R, 5 BB)

Luis Torres, OF (Angels #46)
ACL Angels (4 G, .615/.737/1.00/1.737, 8 H, 3 2B, 3B, 5 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)

Welbyn Francisca, SS (Guardians NR)
DSL Guardians Blue (4 G, .500/.565/.900/1.465, 10 H, 2B, 2 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Yordanny Monegro, RHP (Red Sox NR)

FCL Red Sox (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Week!

After a rough season last year in the FCL, the 20-year-old righthander is looking much better in the early going this time around. He is running his fastball up to 96 mph and has flashed a nice changeup, reports are that he has cleaned up his mechanics which is allowing for more consistency in his delivery.

Honorable Mentions:

Jun-Seok Shim, RHP (Pirates #35)
FCL Pirates (1 GS, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

Anthony Flores, LHP (Brewers NR)
DSL Brewers 1 (1 GS, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

Zack Showalter, RHP (Orioles NR)
FCL Orioles (2 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 13 K)

Kristian Cardozo, RHP (Mariners NR)
ACL Mariners (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)

Jogly Garcia, RHP (Guardians NR)
ACL Guardians (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Arizona Complex League Pitcher of the Week!