Prospects of the Week: August 29 – September 4

Blaine Crim, Hickory Crawdads, July 16, 2021. Photo credit Ashley Salinas, Hickory Crawdads, Ashley with the Crawdads on Flickr, @flash_of_ash on Twitter

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: Matt Wallner, OF (Twins #12)
St. Paul Saints (6 G, .435/.552/.913/1.465, 10 H, 6 2B, 3B, HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB)
Wallner is almost at the point of no return in his minor league career. At age 24, he’s been crushing Double-A pitching for twenty-one home runs in 2022, prompting a promotion. Since arriving with the St. Paul Saints, he has made an impact at his new level, which was emphasized by his past week’s output. Over his past seven games, Wallner has a .444/.559/.963 triple slash line with two home runs, and seven additional extra-base hits. Compared to other seasons, his speed and patience at the plate seem out of place, but if things keep going the way they are right now, we could be seeing a breakout 2023 Twins player in the making. His Triple-A progress will be monitored. (@sportz_nutt51)

Honorable Mentions:
Enmanuel Valdez, 3B (currently Red Sox, previously Astros #2)
Worcester Red Sox (6 G, .417/.481/.917/1.398, 10 H, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 6 BB)
International League Player of the Week!
Joey Ortiz, SS (Orioles #16)
Norfolk Tides (6 G, .400/.444/.680/1.124, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, 3 SB)
Brayan Rocchio, SS (Guardians #5)
Columbus Clippers (6 G, .364/.440/.864/1.304, 8 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB)
James Outman, OF (Dodgers #11)
Oklahoma City Dodgers (6 G, .429/.520/.762/1.282, 9 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB)
Apparently, Outman is going to hit for the cycle once a week now. His latest feat came just 4 days after his previous one. He is on another level right now.

PITCHER: Connor Seabold, RHP (Red Sox #23)
Worcester Red Sox (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
The curious case of Seabold. As non-effective as he’s been in a couple of short stints in the majors, he’s been very effective for the most part in Triple-A (except for one very tough outing I witnessed in person last month in Worcester where he didn’t get out of the first inning). Is it possible that he still needs more seasoning in the minors? Possibly. We probably won’t know if he can be successful in the majors until 2023, but this week continued his steps in the right direction. (@Scotty_Ballgame)

Honorable Mentions:
Davis Daniel, RHP (Angels #16)
Salt Lake Bees (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week!
Osvaldo Bido, RHP (Pirates NR)
Indianapolis Indians (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Mike Baumann, RHP (Orioles #26)
Norfolk Tides (1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 13 K)
Bobby Miller, RHP (Dodgers #2)
Oklahoma City Dodgers (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 14 K)

Double-A

HITTER: Blaine Crim, 1B (Rangers #21)
Frisco RoughRiders (6 G, .500/.533/1.214/1.747, 14 H, 2 2B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 10 R, 2 BB)
Texas League Player of the Week!
Drafted in the 19th round of the 2019 draft, the Mississippi native hit 6 home runs in his recent series with Amarillo raising his season total to 22 while hitting a robust .291. At age 25, Crim was recently ranked 21st on the Rangers’ midseason Top 50 list with a chance to climb even higher going into next year. (@byrontx)

Honorable Mentions:
Cade Marlowe, OF (Mariners #17)
Arkansas Travelers (6 G, .667/.714/1.042/1.756, 16 H, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 2 SB)
Wilson Garcia, 1B (Nationals NR)
Harrisburg Senators (6 G, .370/.393/.889/1.282, 10 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, BB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Justin Foscue, 2B (Rangers #12)
Frisco RoughRiders (6 G, .385/.467/.885/1.352, 10 H, 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R, 3 BB)
Osleivis Basabe, SS (Rays #19)
Montgomery Biscuits (4 G, .643/.722/1.071/1.793, 9 H, 4 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 SB)
Southern League Player of the Week!
Casey Schmitt, 3B (Giants #5)
Richmond Flying Squirrels (5 G, .444/.500/.944/1.444, 8 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB)

PITCHER: Chase Silseth, RHP (Angels #6)
Rocket City Trash Pandas (1 GS, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Southern League Pitcher of the Week!
Silseth started out this year excelling with the Trash Pandas and got the call-up. He wowed some with his good fastball, slider, split mix but it was clear he needed to work on some things to be more prepared for the MLB level and got sent down. He’s had some decent outings since, but his last 2 starts have really stood out. He’s struck out 21 over 13 innings between the two starts, including 7 no-hit innings this past Saturday! By the way, his K-BB% between the two starts is 43%, a third similar start will be a trend of good things. (@A_Rhodes77)

Honorable Mentions:
Dax Fulton, LHP (Marlins #19)
Arkansas Travelers (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Jack Cushing, RHP (Athletics #23)
Midland RockHounds (1 GS, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K)
Texas League Pitcher of the Week!
Noah Davis, RHP (Rockies #38)
Hartford Yard Goats (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 8 K)
Ty Madden, RHP (Tigers #4)
Erie SeaWolves (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 10 K)

High-A

HITTER: Tyler Callihan, 2B (Reds #12)
Dayton Dragons (6 G, .458/.500/.917/1.417, 11 H, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
The Covid canceled 2020 season didn’t do Reds 2019 3rd round pick Callihan any favors. The results haven’t been exactly what Reds fans envisioned, but as Callihan has gotten more at bats, he’s at least given some glimpses of a promising future. This past week’s excellent performance is a perfect example of his potential. Expect him to advance and become a mainstay in AA Chattanooga in 2023. (@DGentleman9288)

Honorable Mentions:
Mason Auer, OF (Rays #34)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (6 G, .417/.464/.583/1.047, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 4 SB)
Jose Mena, C (Mets NR)
Brooklyn Cyclones (6 G, .455/.478/.773/1.251, 10 H, 4 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, BB)
Jeferson Quero, C (Brewers #7)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (5 G, .455/0478/.818/1.296, 10 H, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 2 R)
Colin Simpson, C (Rockies NR)
Spokane Indians (7 G, .400/.464/.760/1.244, 10 H, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, SB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Beck Way, RHP (Royals currently, previously Yankees #24)
Quad Cities River Bandits (1 GS, 8 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 9 K)
Way was one of the players the Royals acquired in the Andrew Benintendi deal. The 6’4″ righthander throws hard, touching 100 mph late last season, but the walks have been a problem. He walked 5.4 per nine innings last season but has seen some improvement this year (3.6 per nine). Way’s Jekyll and Hyde nature was on display in last week’s outing. The only Beloit hitters to reach base did so via free pass as he was untouchable otherwise (no hits/10 strikeouts). If he keeps the walks in check there could be something here.

Honorable Mentions:
Carlos Rodriguez, RHP (Brewers #36)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 10K)
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week!


Carson Seymour, RHP (Giants NR)
Eugene Emeralds (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 13 K)
Luis Moreno, RHP (Mets NR)
Brooklyn Cyclones (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Rodney Boone, LHP (Guardians #43)
Lake County Captains (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Dominic Hamel, RHP (Mets #6)
Brooklyn Cyclones (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)

Single-A

HITTER: David Calabrese, OF (Angels #32)
Inland Empire 66ers (6 G, .542/.571/.917/1.488, 13 H, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, 4 SB)
California League Player of the Week!
It took some time for Calabrese to adjust to the pro game, his first action saw some uninspiring play with the ACL squad. Then this year he started off similarly with the 66ers, but since the start of August oh boy has he been hot!! Hitting .345/.419/.954 which is good for a 144 wRC+! Despite being a guy known for not much power he’s hit 13 xBHs in that time frame while also maintaining his contact approach and striking out only 17% of the time! (@A_Rhodes77)

Honorable Mentions:
Tyler Locklear, 3B (Mariners NR)
Modesto Nuts (6 G, .360/.429/.920/1.349, 9 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, BB)
Will Frizzell, 1N (Nationals NR)
Fredericksburg Nationals (6 G, .478/.517/.870/1.387, 11 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB)
Eddinson Paulino, SS (Red Sox #20)
Salem Red Sox (5 G, .400/.500/.950/1.450, 8 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)
Carolina League Player of the Week!
Benny Montgomery, OF (Rockies #6)
Fresno Grizzlies (6 G, .462/.533/.808/1.341, 12 H, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 10 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Jonah Scolaro, LHP (White Sox NR)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Scolaro is a recent addition to the White Sox system from the Indy Leagues where he had been pitching for the High Point Rockers. The 5′ 10″ left-hander used his slider and changeup with great effect this week. He baffled hitters from both the Carolina Mudcats and Lynchburg Hillcats en route to posting a 2-0 record with a 0.82 ERA and .132 opposing batting average against. (@slydanno70)

Honorable Mentions:
Peyton Williams, RHP (Braves NR)
Augusta GreenJackets (2 G, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Jonatan Bernal, RHP (Royals, Blue Jays #48)
Columbia Fireflies (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3K)
Carolina League Pitcher of the Week!
Alonzo Richardson, RHP (Guardians NR)
Lynchburg Hillcats (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Gavin Collyer, RHP (Rangers  NR)
Down East Wood Ducks (1 GS, 6 IP, H, R, BB, 5 K)

Rookie Leagues

Dominican Summer League Championship Series
DSL Phillies White defeated DSL Rockies (2-1)
Semi-finals
DSL Rockies defeated DSL Red Sox Blue, DSL Phillies White defeated DSL Pirates Gold

HITTERS:
Raylin Heredia, OF (Phillies NR)
DSL Phillies White (5 G, .500/.565/.800/1.365, 10 H, 4 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, 6 R, BB, SB)
Dyan Jorge, SS (Rockies #21)
DSL Rockies (5 G, .421/.577/.421/.998, 8 H, 2 RBI, 2 R, 6 BB, 2 SB)

PITCHERS:
Ismael Luciano, RHP (Rockies NR)
DSL Rockies (2 S, 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Javier Fuenmayor, RHP (Phillies NR)
DSL Phillies White (2 G, 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 9 K, 2 W)
Angel Jimenez, RHP (Rockies NR)
DSL Rockies (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)

Honorable Mentions:
Wandy Abreu, RHP (Red Sox NR)
DSL Red Sox Blue (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 K)
2022 season line (8-0, 37 IP, 1.22 ERA, .097 WHIP, 11 BB, 45 K)

Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra




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