Prospects of the Week: July 3 – July 9

July 11, 2023 Jeremy Mahy General, MiLB, Prospects of the Week 0

Xavier Edwards. Photo credit Benjamin Rush. @BenRushPhoto on Instagram and Twitter.
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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 Complex 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: Xavier Edwards, 2B (Marlins #8)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (7 G, .618/.639/.824/1.463, 21 H, 4 2B, HR, 10 RBI, 13 R, 2 BB, 7 SB)
International League Player of the Week!
Edwards has been on a tear in July. Acquired in trade from the Rays, it seems as if he may be making his case to be up full time for the Marlins. In July he is hitting .538 with 10 runs batted in and a homer, this is in 39 ABs. While impressive as that is he also stole 7 bases!! He is one player to keep an eye on especially if your in need of steals, now having 20 on the season! (@stoffer81)

Honorable Mentions:
Micah Pries, 1B/OF (Guardians NR)
Columbus Clippers (6 G, .462/.481/1.154/1.635, 12 H, 3 2B, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, BB)
Heliot Ramos, OF (Giants #19)
Sacramento River Cats (7 G, .483/.500/1.103/1.603, 14 H, 4 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R)
Pacific Coast League Player of the Week!
Travis Blankenhorn, OF (Nationals NR)
Rochester Red Wings (8 G, .419/.486/.645/1.131, 13 H, 4 2B, HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)

PITCHER: Grayson Rodriguez, LHP (Orioles #2)
Norfolk Tides (2 GS, 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 15 K)
Rodriguez was more up and down than O’s fans hoped in his 10 major league starts in April and May, but he has been absolutely lights out since going back down to Norfolk to get straightened out. His dominance was fully on display in 2 separate starts against Durham this past week. In an Independence Day masterpiece, Rodriguez allowed just 3 baserunners through 6 innings, striking out 12 and racking up 27 swinging strikes. He followed that up with 3 more shutout innings again against Durham, only allowing 1 base hit in an abbreviated July 9 start. Here’s to hoping Rodriguez can show this level of dominance in Baltimore at some point in the second half. (@RyanJames5)

Honorable Mentions:
Gavin Stone, RHP (Dodgers #5)
Oklahoma City Dodgers (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week!


Will Warren, RHP (Yankees #12)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (1 GS, 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Allan Winans, RHP (Braves NR)
Gwinnett Stripers (2 GS, 11 IP, 2 H, R, 4 BB, 13 K)
International League Pitcher of the Week!

Double-A

HITTER: Troy Johnston, 1B (Marlins #27)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (7 G, .440/.563/1.040/1.603, 11 H, 3 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 3 SB)
Southern League Player of the Week!
Johnston the Marlins 17th round pick in 2019 is having himself a year for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. If you haven’t checked out his yearly stats do yourself a favor and check it out. As good as his year has been it seems as if he is only getting better. Johnston has been on an absolute heater in July. In 39 at-bats he has 5 home runs, 13 runs batted in, 9 runs scored, 3 steals, hitting .375 and getting on base an insane .500!! I know he is old for the competition level, but he could be just a late bloomer. (@stoffer81)

Honorable Mentions:
Will Robertson, OF (Blue Jays NR)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6 G, .423/.444/.731/1.175, 11 H, 5 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, BB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Johan Rojas, OF (Phillies #7)
Reading Fightin Phils (6 G, .346/.357/.808/1.165, 9 H, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, BB, 4 SB)
Nick Dunn, 2B (Cardinals NR)
Springfield Cardinals (7 G, .522/.593/.957/1.550, 12 H, 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)
Texas League Player of the Week!
Isiah Gilliam, OF (Mariners NR)
Arkansas Travelers (6 G, .429/.586/.952/1.538, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 8 BB, 4 SB)
Alex Binelas, 3B (Red Sox #32)
Portland Sea Dogs (7 G, .308/.357/.769/1.126, 8 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 2 BB, 3 SB)

PITCHER: Jimmy Robbins, LHP (Blue Jays #46)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (1 GS, 7.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Eastern League Pitcher of the Week!
Robbins tossed a career-high 7.1 innings last Friday and did not allow a run in a win over the Hartford Yard Goats. He allowed just two hits, walked one batter, and struck out seven. The 25-year-old lefty was a 20th round pick in the 2019 draft out of little known Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Honorable Mentions:
Jackson Wolf, LHP (Padres #24)
San Antonio Missions (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 11 K)
Chih-Jung Liu, RHP (Red Sox NR)
Portland Sea Dogs (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 10 K)
Alex Troop, LHP (Nationals #44)
Harrisburg Senators (1 GS, 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Dominic Hamel, RHP (Mets #8)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 11 K)
Ryan Gusto, RHP (Astros NR)
Corpus Christi Hooks (2 GS, 8 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Texas League Pitcher of the Week!

High-A

HITTER: Marcos Castanon, SS/3B (Padres #18)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (7 G, .464/.531/1.000/1.531, 13 H, 6 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
Castanon has taken over as the primary third baseman this season for the TinCaps and has put up really solid numbers to date. He leads the Midwest League in slugging (.491) and total bases (142). He also ranks second in homers (13), RBIs (58) and hits (83), while ranking third in OPS (.843), and fifth in average (.287). His hot hitting has paced the TinCaps to an 11-4 record to start the second half.

Honorable Mentions:
Carson Williams, SS (Rays #5)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (7 G, .370/.485/.926/1.411, 10 H, 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
Ignacio Alvarez, 3B (Braves #24)
Rome Braves (7 G, .393/.433/.714/1.147, 11 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Logan Cerny, OF (Astros #29)
Asheville Tourists (5 G, .458/.480/.833/1.313, 11 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, BB, 2 SB)
Alex Hall, C (Brewers NR)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (4 G, .533/.632/1.333/1.965, 8 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)
Chase DeLauter, OF (Guardians #9)
Lake County Captains (5 G, .591/.591/1.000/1.591, 13 H, 6 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, SB)
J.J. D’Orazio, C (Diamondbacks NR)
Hillsboro Hops (6 G, .458/.481/1.000/1.481, 11 H, 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!
Gustavo Campero, C (Angels NR)
Tri-City Dust Devils (6 G, .455/.480/1.000/1.480, 10 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB)

PITCHER: Caden Dana, RHP (Angels #20)
Tri-City Dust Devils (1 GS, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 9 K)
Dana is another fast moving pitcher in the Angels system as he is 19 years old in High A. Dana had a fantastic start for the Dust Devils scattering 3 hits over 6.2 innings striking out 9. Dana is a righty with mid 90s fastball, a plus slider, and a decent Curve. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the Arizona Fall League and AA next season. (@A_Rhodes77)

Honorable Mentions:
Jorge Marcheco, RHP (Angels #18)
Tri-City Dust Devils (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Northwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Ian Bedell, RHP (Cardinals #33)
Peoria Chiefs (2 GS, 11 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 10 K)
Duncan Davitt, RHP (Rays NR)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week!
Drew Thorpe, RHP (Yankees #15)
Hudson Valley Renegades (2 GS, 12 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 15 K)
Connor McCullough, RHP (White Sox NR)
Winston-Salem Dash (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)
Dylan Ray, RHP (Diamondbacks #30)
Hillsboro Hops (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Ethan Salas, C (Padres #10)
Lake Elsinore Storm (5 G, .368/.500/1.105/1.605, 7 H, 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 2 SB)
California League Player of the Week!
Salas is just 17-years-old and is already showing that he more than belongs in A-ball. He endured his first professional slump in the month of June and is now absolutely crushing the ball to start July. In 6 games he is hitting .391 with a 1.043 SLG and has even chipped in 2 SB. Remember he is 17 years old, he should be starting his Junior year of high school. The kid is a special talent.

Honorable Mentions:
Daylen Lile, OF (Nationals #18)
Fredericksburg Nationals (6 G, .429/.552/.810/1.362, 9 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, 3 SB)
Carolina League Player of the Week!
Chandler Simpson, OF (Rays #26)
Charleston RiverDogs (6 G, .360/.429/.360/.789, 9 H, 2 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, 11 SB)
Josiah Sightler, 1B (Pirates NR)
Bradenton Marauders (6 G, .522/.519/.783/1.302, 12 H, 3 2B, HR, 9 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, SB)
Florida State League Player of the Week!
Skyler Messinger, 3B (Rockies NR)
Fresno Grizzlies (6 G, .400/.423/1.000/1.423, 10 H, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R, BB)

PITCHER: Mason Albright, LHP (Angels #26)
Inland Empire 66ers (1 GS, 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 11 K)
California League Pitcher of the Week!
Albright had his best start as a pro this past Friday going 6.2 innings and striking out 11. Albright has done a great job at striking batters out and not walking anyone but is being hit too often. Being only 20 Albright has plenty of time to learn how to better use his arsenal of a low 90s fastball, a complementary changeup and a knee buckling curve. (@A_Rhodes77)

Honorable Mentions:
Moises Chace, RHP (Orioles NR)
Delmarva Shorebirds (2 G/1 GS, 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 16 K, SV)
Yoniel Curet, RHP (Rays NR)
Charleston RiverDogs (2 GS, 8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 15 K)
Pat Gallagher, RHP (Blue Jays NR)
Dunedin Blue Jays (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K)
Florida State League Pitcher of the Week!
Jack Noble, RHP (Twins NR)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K)

Rookie Leagues

HITTER: Erick Bautista, OF (Rockies NR)
DSL Rockies (4 G, .563/.619/1.188/1.807, 9 H, 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)
Dominican Summer League Player of the Week!
Rockies outfield prospect Erick Bautista put together a tremendous 4-game stretch the week of July 3, pounding his way to a DSL leading 1.807 OPS. The 18-year-old from the Dominican Republic collected 9 hits and 8 RBIs, including three home runs. Additionally, the 6-2 Bautista drew 4 walks, and stole 2 bases. (@100percent3G)

Honorable Mentions:
Luis Suisbel, IF (Mariners NR)
ACL Mariners (6 G, .471/.609/1.176/1.785, 8 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 10 R, 4 BB, SB)
Arizona Complex League Player of the Week!
Juan Aparicio, MI (Diamondbacks NR)
ACL Diamondbacks Red (4 G, .667/.714/.833/1.547, 12 H, HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB)
Roderick Arias, SS (Yankees #8)
FCL Yankees (4 G, .400/.500/1.067/1.567, 6 H, 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)
Florida Complex League Player of the Week!
Eduardo Quintero, C (Dodgers NR)
DSL LAD Bautista (4 G, .533/.632/1.000/1.632, 8 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 SB)

PITCHER: Jesus Palacios, RHP (Orioles NR)
DSL Orioles Black (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Signing for just $87,500 in the 2022 J2 signing period, Palacios came to the Orioles without a lot of fanfare. His first trip through the Dominican Summer League produced average results, but staying in the Dominican for a second year has allowed Palacios to prove himself. Having allowed only 3 earned runs through his first 26.2 innings, while striking out 28 and only walking 5, the lanky righty has shown some serious potential. He showed every bit of that potential this week in his start against the Astros Orange DSL team. Palacios tossed 6 shutout innings, giving up 2 base hits, while walking 1 and striking out 10. Palacios could prove to be a nice J2 signing if he’s able to keep this up. (@RyanJames5)

Honorable Mentions:
Alix Hernandez, RHP (Giants NR)
ACL Giants Orange (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)
Juan Mercedes, RHP (Twins NR)
FCL Twins (1 G, 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Redinson Gomez, RHP (Rockies NR)
DSL Rockies (1 G, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)
Rayner Urbaez, RHP (Rangers NR)
DSL Rangers Blue (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Sadiel Baro, LHP (Angels NR)
DSL Angels (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K)
Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Week!

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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