Prospects of the Week: August 7 – August 13

August 14, 2023 Jeremy Mahy General, MiLB, Prospects of the Week 0

Wilyer Abreu, Worcester Red Sox, August 13, 2023. Photo credit Taylor Bolduc/WooSox.
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Each week during the Minor League Baseball season we pick the hitting and pitching prospects from each level (Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, Single-A, and the Rookie Leagues) 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: Wilyer Abreu, OF (Red Sox #12)
Worcester Red Sox (6 G, .591/.625/1.500/2.125, 13 H, 2 2B, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 7 R, BB)
International League Player of the Week!
There’s really no other way to say it. Abreu just absolutely crushed it this past week. He homered in four different games, including a 3 HR game on Sunday when he torched Buffalo with a solo job and two 2-run taters. If you forgot how Boston acquired him, go back to Trade Deadline 2022 and you’ll find he and Enmanuel Valdez came to Boston from the Astros for a Christian Vazquez rental. It has to be one of Chaim Bloom’s best deals to date. Look for Abreu to battle for an MLB roster spot in Spring Training next season. (@Scotty_Ballgame)

Honorable Mentions:
Dominic Fletcher, OF (Diamondbacks #11)
Reno Aces (6 G, .522/.613/1.087/1.700, 12 H, 7 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 13 R, 7 BB)
Pacific Coast League Player of the Week!
Austin Shenton, 3B (Rays #11)
Durham Bulls (6 G, .429/.520/.952/1.472, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 10 R, 4 BB)
Travis Blankenhorn, OF (Nationals NR)
Rochester Red Wings (6 G, .435/.536/1.087/1.623, 10 H, 3 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 11 R, 4 BB)
Pedro Leon, SS (Astros #6)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (5 G, .364/.400/1.091/1.491, 8 H, 2B, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB)

PITCHER: Ryan Pepiot, RHP (Dodgers #7)
Oklahoma City Dodgers (1 GS, 6.2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K)
Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week!
Upon returning from the oblique injury that’s kept him out all season long, Ryan Pepiot’s finally back to looking like Ryan Pepiot.

Proof of Pepiot’s recent ascension is no clearer than his last Triple-A start. In just his sixth start this year, he completely dominated the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate over 6.2 IP, giving up only a single base hit, zero walks, zero runs, and 11 strikeouts.

If that’s not proof of a return to form, I don’t know what is. (@GQ_82)

Honorable Mentions:
Anthony Veneziano, LHP (Royals #28)
Omaha Storm Chasers (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K)
Veneziano has made 11 starts for Omaha after dominating Double-A to begin the season, but similar to last year’s struggles at that level, there’s been inconsistency at this one. If he shows continued progress and a strong finish to the season, the almost 26-year-old could compete for a 5th starter spot or as a bulk reliever come spring. (@adamhalpin)
Jared Shuster, LHP (Braves #5)
Gwinnett Stripers (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K)

Double-A

HITTER: Ben Rice, C (Yankees NR)
Somerset Patriots (6 G, .522/.577/.957/1.534, 12 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Rice, the Yankees 12th round pick in 2021 out of Dartmouth, has quietly had a very strong season. This week against Binghamton he went 12-23 with 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 9 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Rice has been scorching hot the month of August hitting .348 with a OBP of .434 to go along with 3 home runs, 4 doubles, 1 triple and 4 stolen bases. On the season, in 158 at bats between Tampa, Hudson Valley, and Somerset he is hitting .329 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles, 45 RBI and 8 steals. Rice has been finding playing time at first, catcher, and DH so that the Patriots can find a spot to keep his hot bat in the lineup. (@PaulWoodin1)

Honorable Mentions:
Tristan Peters, OF (Rays NR)
Montgomery Biscuits (5 G, .529/.600/.941/1.541, 9 H, 4 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, SB)
Southern League Player of the Week!
Spencer Packard, OF (Mariners NR)
Arkansas Travelers (6 G, .538/.586/.885/1.471, 14 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB)
Texas League Player of the Week! Tied for most hits in all of Minor League Baseball last week with 14.
Miguel Hiraldo, 2B (Blue Jays #34)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6 G, .389/.522/1.000/1.522, 7 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, SB)
Bryan Ramos, 3B/2B (White Sox #4)
Birmingham Barons (6 G, .391/.440/.913/1.353, 9 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB)

PITCHER: Drew Thorpe, RHP (Yankees #11)
Somerset Patriots (1 GS, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Eastern League Pitcher of the Week!
On Friday, Thorpe made his Double-A debut and marveled. Against a very good Rumble Ponies line up he went 8 innings, giving up just 2 hits, 0 earned runs, 0 walks and had 9 strikeouts. After allowing a leadoff ground ball single on the second pitch of the game, Thorpe went on to retire 20 straight, including the 9 strikeouts. Two of the Mets’ top prospects, Luisangel Acuña and Drew Gilbert, went a combined 1-7 with one strike out. On the season Thorpe is 11-2 with a 2.62 ERA, 147 strikeouts and 33 walks between Hudson Valley and Somerset. His 147 strikeouts lead all of MiLB. He made his professional debut just over 4 months ago and if he keeps this up, he could be on many top 100 lists before very long. (@PaulWoodin1)

Honorable Mentions:
Blane Abeyta, RHP (Yankees NR)
Somerset Patriots (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Ty Madden, RHP (Tigers #6)
Erie SeaWolves (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)
Christian Scott, RHP (Mets #21)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K)
Kendall Williams, RHP (Dodgers #50)
Tulsa Drillers (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Lael Lockhart, LHP (Tigers NR)
Erie SeaWolves (2 GS, 11 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 16 K)

High-A

HITTER: Jakob Marsee, OF (Padres #18)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (6 G, .565/.630/.957/1.587, 13 H, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R, 3 BB, 5 SB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
Marsee, the Padres 2022 6th round pick out of Central Michigan, has been described as a “true-centerfielder”. Some of those offensive traits have been on full display in his first full season as a professional at High-A Fort Wayne. In 375 AB so far, the former Chippewa is walking more than he strikes out (84 BB/77 K), doesn’t swing and miss often (5.5% SwStr), has a little pop (28 XBH) and steals bases (41). Sounds like a starter kit for a top of the order hitter to me.

Honorable Mentions:
Jack Brannigan, 3B (Pirates NR)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (6 G, .370/.355/.963/1.318, 10 H, 2B, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 7 R, BB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
Matt Shaw, IF (Cubs #8)
South Bend Cubs (5 G, .435/.435/.870/1.305, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R)
Shaw is a guy without a true plus tool, but above average everywhere, except his arm which probably lands him at 2B long term. He is a guy who isn’t flashy, but will put in a decade plus of quality big league production. (@ShaunKernahan)
Shane Sasaki, OF (Rays #19)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (6 G, .455/.500/.864/1.364, 10 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, SB)
Damon Dues, MI (Giants NR)
Eugene Emeralds (6 G, .476/.522/.667/1.189, 10 H, 4 2B, HR, RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Andrew Alvarez, LHP (Nationals NR)
Wilmington Blue Rocks (1 GS, 8 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K)
South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week!
Alvarez was drafted out of Cal Poly in the 12th round of the 2021 draft after a decent 4-year college career. His 2022 season wasn’t anything impressive, as he finished the season with a 5.00 ERA while splitting time as a starter and reliever. However, he’s found something in his 2023 season at High-A Wilmington, pitching to a 2.61 ERA across 18 starts (lowest amongst all qualified High-A starters). He’s coming off the best start of his career after going 8 no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts against Bowling Green. I’m not sold on his ability to be a starter long-term, but his success this season has been undeniable. (@UpNextMiLB)

Honorable Mentions:
Jordany Ventura, RHP (Mets #27)
Brooklyn Cyclones (1 GS, 6.2 IP, 1 H, R, 2 BB, 10 K)
Max Rajcic, RHP (Cardinals #15)
Peoria Chiefs (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)
Joander Suarez, RHP (Mets NR)
Brooklyn Cyclones (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 11 K)
Devereaux Harrison, RHP (Blue Jays #32)
Vancouver Canadians (1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Ryan Cermak, OF (Rays #36)
Charleston RiverDogs (5 G, .476/.542/.952/1.494, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 SB)
Cermak continued his impressive first full season in the Rays organization last week, with hits collected in each appearance and multi-hit games over his last three games played. The dynamic outfielder possesses loud physical tools at the plate and on the basepaths and is starting to come into his own as a professional ballplayer. Cermak capped off the big week with a massive performance, going 4 for 5 with two home runs, six RBIs and a stolen base. He’s a name to monitor with high upside as he continues to develop in the Rays farm system. (@GatorSosa)

Honorable Mentions:
Quincy Scott, OF (Rangers NR)
Down East Wood Ducks (5 G, .636/.652/.727/1.379, 14 H, 3B, 5 RBI, 5 R, BB)
Tied for most hits in all of Minor League Baseball last week with 14.
Luis Suisbel, CI (Mariners #32)
Modesto Nuts (5 G, .435/.458/.913/1.371, 8 H, 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, BB)
Brett Squires, 3B (Royals NR)
Columbia Fireflies (6 G, .429/.435/1.048/1.483, 9 H, 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, BB)
Charles McAdoo, OF/2B (Pirates NR)
Bradenton Marauders (4 G, .625/.714/1.000/1.714, 10 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI,  R, 5 BB, 2 SB)
Florida State League Player of the Week!
Love me some McAdoo. Big hacks, but real power. Likely an OF, but I think he has a shot to play 2B. There is a lot of inconsistency in his game, so he can be streaky. (@ShaunKernahan)
Danny De Andrade, SS (Twins #21)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (5 G, .500/.583/.833/1.416, 9 H, 3 2B, HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)
P.J. Hilson, OF (Giants NR)
San Jose Giants (5 G, .500/.526/1.063/1.589, 8 H, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, BB, 2 SB)
California League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Owen Murphy, RHP (Braves #2)
Augusta GreenJackets (1 GS, 6.1 IP, H, R, BB, 8 K)
Carolina League Pitcher of the Week!
Murphy, the Braves ‘22 1st round selection, is still a frontline rotation candidate. He’ll need to cut down on his hits allowed per inning to do so, however. That aspect was no problem for him in his latest start against Salem last week. He allowed 1 run on 1 hit in 6.1 innings, striking out 8. (@MKelley_ND)

Honorable Mentions:
Walbert Urena, RHP (Angels NR)
Inland Empire 66ers (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K)
Tyler Cleveland, RHP (Mariners #33)
Modesto Nuts (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Jose Davila, RHP (Cardinals NR)
Palm Beach Cardinals (1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 12 K)
Pete Hansen, LHP (Cardinals #19)
Palm Beach Cardinals (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Florida State League Pitcher of the Week!
Yordanny Monegro, RHP (Red Sox #34)
Salem Red Sox (1 GS, 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 11 K)
Henry Baez, RHP (Padres NR)
Lake Elsinore Storm (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)

Rookie Leagues

HITTER: Derlin Figueroa, OF (Royals NR)
ACL Royals (4 G, .750/.800/1.417/2.217, 9 H, 5 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, SB)
Arizona Complex League Player of the Week!
Have a week, noob! From Dodger Blue to Royal Blue, Figueroa was paired alongside Devin Mann in the LA deal for Ryan Yarborough and has immediately made a splash with the Surprise lineup. The former shortstop, now playing first base/outfield, will have to continue to hit well since he’s already slid down the defensive spectrum as a 19 year old. KC has a lot of young hitters who can take a walk, and Figueroa adds to that group. Had he been traded sooner, Figueroa wouldn’t have made my midseason list, but he’s a lower level name to monitor going forward. (@adamhalpin)

Honorable Mentions:
Pedro Ibarguen, MI (Brewers NR)
DSL Brewers 2 (5 G, .438/.571/.875/1.446, 7 H, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, SB)
Braylin Morel, OF (Rangers NR)
DSL Rangers Red (5 G, .444/.444/.944/1.388, H, 2B, HR, RBI, R, BB, SB)
Angelo DiSpigna, 1B (Marlins NR)
FCL Marlins (5 G, .444/.542/.833/1.375, 8 H, 3 2B, 2 3B, 9 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB)
Florida Complex League Player of the Week!
Bryce Eldridge, RHP/OF (Giants #6)
ACL Giants Orange (8 G, .381/.409/.762/1.171, 8 H, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, BB)

PITCHER: Fernando Perez, RHP (Blue Jays NR)
FCL Blue Jays (1 GS, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Week!
Perez was the starter in last weeks combined no-hitter against the Phillies FCL squad. The young right hander from Nicaragua only allowed one baserunner on the day while striking out six in seven strong frames. The victory improved his record to 2-1 on the year with a 2.53 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 49 K/9 BB in 42.2 IP.

Honorable Mentions:
Franklin Gomez, LHP (Mets NR)
DSL Mets Blue (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Angel Jimenez, RHP (Rockies NR)
ACL Rockies (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K)
Arizona Complex League Pitcher of the Week!
Anthony Flores, LHP (Brewers NR)
DSL Brewers 1 (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Jeter Martinez, RHP (Mariners #27)
DSL Mariners (1 G, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)
Joe Adametz, LHP (Tigers NR)
FCL Tigers (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K)

Jeremy Mahy

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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