Prospects of the Week: July 31 – August 6

August 7, 2023 Jeremy Mahy General, MiLB, Prospects of the Week 0

Gavin Stone, Los Angeles Dodgers. Photo credit Gail Verderico, @1baseball_gail on Twitter and @baseball_gail on Instagram
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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: Xavier Edwards, 2B (Marlins #2)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (6 G, .692/.742/.962/1.704, 18 H, 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, SB)
International League Player of the Week!
Edwards, 38th overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, made his way to the Marlins via a 2022 trade with the Rays. Edwards wins Triple-A player of the week for his scorching start to Aug. He had 26 at-bats in 6 games hitting .692, not a typo! His OBP was even better at a .742. He blasted 2 home runs and had a SLG of .962. Talk about a hot streak and this maybe just the start as both home runs were hit in the last two games of the week. He is making a case to get promoted (again) and stay on the Marlins active roster. Marlins made the smart choice not to part with him at the MLB trade deadline and they are starting to reap the rewards. Lets see what next week has instore for the speedster (29 stolen bases on the season). (@stoffer81)

Honorable Mentions:
Luken Baker, 1B (Cardinals #21)
Memphis Redbirds (6 G, .417/.483/1.208/1.691, 10 H, 2B, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, 4 BB)
Baker leads all of Triple-A in homeruns (31), RBI (89), SLG (.721), OPS (1.163), and is fifth in average (.337). Keep in mind that all of this has been accomplished while missing almost three weeks worth of International League games during his call up to St. Louis.


Ceddanne Rafaela, 3B (Red Sox #3)
Worcester Red Sox (6 G, .375/.448/1.042/1.490, 9 H, 2B, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, SB)
Darell Hernaiz, MI (Athletics #7)
Las Vegas Aviators (6 G, .417/.481/.792/1.273, 10 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB)
Rylan Bannon, 2B (Astros NR)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (6 G, .348/.464/1.000/1.464, 8 H, 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, SB)

PITCHER: Gavin Stone, RHP (Dodgers #9)
Oklahoma City Dodgers (1 GS, 6IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K)
Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week!
To put things mildly, Gavin Stone’s initial introduction to ‘The Show’ was – trying. However, “trying” is but one of the many differences between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball, as Gavin Stone learned the hard way. Now he’s retooling. To assure his next stint in the Bigs isn’t nearly as trying as his last.
This week was highlighted by a 6-inning gem, which resulted in no runs (earned or not), no hits, two walks, 10 K’s, and an OKC win. That dominant start was the proverbial cherry atop a month in which Stone was 3-0, held a 2.67 ERA over 27 IP, shoved 31 strikeouts, all while accumulating a minuscule 0.89 WHIP. He’ll definitely be back. Perhaps in a short while. (@GQ_82)

Honorable Mentions:
Garrett Stallings, RHP (Orioles NR)
Norfolk Tides (1 GS, 8IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)
Chayce McDermott, RHP (Orioles #20)
Norfolk Tides (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)
International League Pitcher of the Week!
Robert Gasser, LHP (Brewers #7)
Nashville Sounds (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K)

Double-A

HITTER: Trey Lipscomb, 3B (Nationals #13)
Harrisburg Senators (6 G, .593/.593/.963/1.556, 16 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Could it have been anybody else? My 13th-ranked Nationals prospect is coming off his best week as a professional and is making a strong case for top-10 status within this system. Since his promotion to Double-A (46 games), Lipscomb is slashing .333/.353/.505 with only 1 error committed across all four infield positions. His defensive versatility paired with his high-floor bat has him looking like he’s in store for a solid career. (@UpNextMiLB)

Honorable Mentions:
Oliver Dunn, 2B (Phillies NR)
Reading Fightin Phils (6 G, .462/.500/1.038/1.538, 12 H, 3 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, SB)
Drew Lugbauer, 1B (Braves NR)
Mississippi Braves (7 G, .375/.464/1.042/1.506, 9 H, 2B, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)
Wes Clarke, 1B (Brewers NR)
Biloxi Shuckers (6 G, .304/.429/1.043/1.472, 7 H, 2 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)
Southern League Player of the Week!
Yusniel Diaz, OF (Dodgers #38)
Tulsa Drillers (6 G, .435/.517/1.043/1.560, 10 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, SB)
Texas League Player of the Week!
Yoyner Fajardo, OF (Twins NR)
Wichita Wind Surge (6 G, .522/.538/.957/1.495, 12 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 4 SB)

PITCHER: Carson Seymour, RHP (Giants NR)
Richmond Flying Squirrels (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Eastern League Pitcher of the Week!
The former K-State Wildcat was acquired last August in the Darin Ruf/J.D. Davis deal with the Mets. Pitching in his first season both at the Double-A level and in the Giants organization, he has gone 2-2 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.20 WHIP this season in 21 games (16 starts). In last weeks start against Altoona, Seymour held the Curve lineup to one hit over five scoreless innings with no walks and nine strikeouts. The five innings tied a season high and the nine strikeouts were two more than his previous high.

Honorable Mentions:
Richard Fitts, RHP (Yankees #15)
Somerset Patriots (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K)
Tyler Stuart, RHP (Mets NR)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K)
Dominic Hamel, RHP (Mets #8)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K)
Mason Montgomery, LHP (Rays #7)
Montgomery Biscuits (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Joe Boyle, RHP (Athletics #32, Reds)
Midland Rockhounds (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)
Andrew Hoffmann, RHP (Royals #30)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)

High-A

HITTER: Graham Pauley, 3B (Padres #33)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (6 G, .417/.440/.917/1.357, 10 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, BB, SB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
Pauley was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Duke. After finishing 2022 at Single-A Lake Elsinore, he started this season back with the Storm and tore the cover off the ball. His High-A debut has been more of the same. Since his debut on June 29, in 33 games, Pauley has led the Midwest League in home runs (12), RBIs (33), and SLG (.631). A trip to Double-A San Antonio to finish the year is not out of the question at this rate.

Honorable Mentions:
Tyler Miller, 3B (Red Sox NR)
Greenville Drive (5 G, .500/.529/1.188/1.717, 8 H, 2 2B, 3 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 4 R)
Harry Ford, C (Mariners #5)
Everett AquaSox (5 G, .412/.583/.882/1.465, 7 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB, SB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!
Dru Baker, OF (Rays #22)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (5 G, .421/.476/1.053/1.529, 8 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 2 BB, 4 SB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
Jake Vogel, OF (Dodgers NR)
Great Lakes Loons (6 G, .444/.478/.722/1.200, 8 H, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 6 SB)
Wyatt Langford, OF (Rangers #2)
Hickory Crawdads (4 G, .375/.524/.688/1.212, 6 H, 2B, 2 3B, 2 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, 2 SB)
On the draft special episode of the Futures Focus podcast @Alex_W_Sanchez, @GQ__82, and our draft guru @ShaunKernahan discussed Langford in depth. Spoiler alert, the kid is a special talent.

PITCHER: Sammy Natera Jr., LHP (Angels #49)
Tri-City Dust Devils (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K)
Natera Jr. has been effectively wild this season with a 29.8% K rate and a 12.3% BB rate. In last weeks start he had his best one of the year with 7 IP and 11Ks allowing only 4 hits and no ER. Sammy has effectively used his low to mid 90s heaters with a decent curve to keep hitters off balance. (@A_Rhodes77)

Honorable Mentions:
Bubba Chandler, RHP (Pirates #12)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week!
Carlos Pena, LHP (Tigers NR)
Western Michigan Whitecaps (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Michael Darrell-Hicks, RHP (Angels NR)
Tri-City Dust Devils (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K)
Valente Bellozo, RHP (Astros NR)
Asheville Tourists (2 G/1 GS, 9 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 10 K, SV)
Keyshawn Askew, LHP (Rays NR)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (2 G, 6 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 12 K, SV)
Luis Devers, RHP (Cubs NR)
South Bend Cubs (2 GS, 10 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 14 K)
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Joelvis Del Rosario, RHP (Athletics #43)
Lansing Lugnuts (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Lonnie White Jr., OF (Pirates #20)
Bradenton Marauders (6 G, .304/.407/.913/1.320, 7 H, 3 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, SB)
After being drafted 64th overall in 2021 and dealing with injuries all of last year, White is attempting to make up for lost time. He has only 181 professional at bats under his belt, 143 of which coming this season. He looks like he is starting to get on track. Since July 28 he is 10-34 with 8 extra base hits, 12 RBI, and more importantly 6BB/5K. If he is unowned in your dynasty league this could be a time to consider buying.

Honorable Mentions:
Wuilfredo Antunez, OF (Guardians #45)
Lynchburg Hillcats (5 G, .458/.458/.792/1.250, 11 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, SB)
Wilman Diaz, MI (Dodgers #41)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (5 G, .571/.571/1.238/1.809, 11 H, 3B, 4 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R)
California League Player of the Week!
P.J. Hilson, OF (Giants NR)
San Jose Giants (5 G, .409/.409/1.000/1.409, 9 H, 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R)
Omar Martinez, C (Yankees NR)
Tampa Tarpons (5 G, .435/.500/.957/1.457, 10 H, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB)
Florida State League Player of the Week!
Chris Lanzilli, OF (White Sox NR)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (6 G, .478/.520/.870/1.390, 11 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB)

PITCHER: Benjamin Arias, RHP (Cardinals NR)
Palm Beach Cardinals (1 GS, 7 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Florida State League Pitcher of the Week!
The 6’5″ right hander was signed out of the Dominican Republic back in 2019. After spending three years in the DSL, all of 2022 and the start of this season in the FCL, he made just his sixth affiliated ball appearance (fourth start) last week. The 21-year-old allowed a hit and a walk in the first inning and then set down nineteen straight Hammerhead hitters to finish his day. He has a 2.84 ERA/1.18 WHIP in 25.1 Single-A innings with 24 K’s and 11 BB’s.

Honorable Mentions:
Yoscar Pimentel, RHP (Diamondbacks NR)
Visalia Rawhide (1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 14 K)


Austin Peterson, RHP (Guardians NR)
Lynchburg Hillcats (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Carolina League Pitcher of the Week!
Michael Prosecky, LHP (Rockies #49)
Fresno Grizzlies (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K)
California League Pitcher of the Week!
Ricardo Yan, RHP (Diamondbacks #47)
Visalia Rawhide (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)

Rookie Leagues

HITTER: Kelvin Hldalgo, MI (Rockies NR)
DSL Rockies (4 G, .533/.600/1.400/2.000, 8 H, 2B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 3 SB)
Dominican Summer League Player of the Week!
Two time POTW alert! Hldalgo is on his second stint in the DSL and has seen marked improvement across the board. His average is up 60 points, SLG almost 200 points, he is walking more, and striking out less. All things you like to see in a young player’s progression.

Honorable Mentions:
Hector Osorio, OF (Rangers NR)
DSL Rangers Blue (5 G, .524/.577/.762/1.339, 11 H, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 3 SB)
Mike Boeve, 3B (Brewers #28)
ACL Brewers (5 G, .563/.650/1.063/1.713, 9 H, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB)
Arizona Complex League Player of the Week!
Guillermo Williamson, OF (Giants NR)
ACL Giants Black (6 G, .476/.607/.810/1.417, 10 H, 4 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 7 BB)
Yoeilin Cespedes, MI (Red Sox #19)
DSL Red Sox Blue (4 G, .563/.588/1.000/1.588, 9 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 9 R)
Roinny Aguiar, MI (Pirates NR)
DSL Pirates Gold (4 G, .643/.667/1.143/1.810, 9 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB)

PITCHER: Carlos Meza, RHP (Blue Jays NR)
DSL Blue Jays (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
After last weeks seven shutout innings against the Diamondbacks Red squad, Meza picked up his fourth win of the year. In the process the 18-year-old lowered his ERA (3.19) and WHIP (1.12).

Honorable Mentions:
Braden Nett, RHP (Padres NR)
ACL Padres (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Arizona Complex League Pitcher of the Week!
Joshua Quezada, RHP (Yankees NR)
DSL NYY Yankees (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)
Sandy Mejia, RHP (Astros NR)
FCL Astros (1 G, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)
Jordarlin Mendoza, RHP (Yankees #49)
FCL Yankees (1 G, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Week!
Irving Cota, RHP (Mets NR)
DSL Mets Orange (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Week!
Darlin Saladin, RHP (Cardinals NR)
FCL Cardinals (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 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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