Prospects of the Week: June 20 – June 26

Micah Pries, Lynchburg Hillcats, May 23, 2021. Photo credit Gary Streiffer, @Catman110 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, Single-A, and 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: Travis Blankenhorn, 2B/OF (Mets #18)
Syracuse Mets (6 G, .600/.680/1.050/1.730, 12 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB, 3 SB)
International League Player of the Week!
Blankenhorn profiles as a guy that fits the bill as a “quad A” type player. He might be too good for Triple-A but is not quite a regular, productive major leaguer. The positives are that he hits from the left side, can play 3-4 positions adequately, and has hit pretty well in the highest level of the minors. The negative is that he hasn’t done any of those things at a good enough level to distinguish himself from his peers. Plus he is blocked from getting consistent AB on the current Mets MLB roster. Let’s just celebrate his strong week and hope he can eventually find a chance to get semi-regular AB as a bat-first utility-type guy.

Honorable Mentions:
Dalton Guthrie, IF (Phillies NR)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (6 G, .500/.583/1.050/1.633, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, 3 BB, SB)
Dermis Garcia, 3B (Athletics #27)
Las Vegas Aviators (5 G, .438/.550/1.125/1.675, 7 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)
Erick Mejia, IF (Mariners NR)
Tacoma Rainiers (5 G, .500/.545/.900/1.445, 10 H, 5 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, SB)
Ji-hwan Bae, 2B (Pirates #20)
Indianapolis Indians (6 G, .458/.480/.667/1.147, 11 H, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, BB, 3 SB)

PITCHER: Ethan Small, LHP (Brewers #6)
Nashville Sounds (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 10 K)
International League Pitcher of the Week!
Last Saturday in Nashville saw a matchup of MLB quality starting pitchers in Small and Gwinnett’s Kyle Muller. Small came out on top of this matchup outdueling Muller during his 7 strong innings. He allowed his one and only run in the first inning and then cruised through the next 6 innings before handing the game over to the bullpen. Small has had his major league debut already this year and he looks ready when the Brew Crew needs him again.

Honorable Mentions:
Matt Krook, LHP (Yankees #47)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Austin Cox, LHP (Royals #16)
Omaha Storm Chasers (1 GS, 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K)
Cole Ragans, LHP (Rangers #36)
Round Rock Express (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)
Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week!
Ryan Pepiot, RHP (Dodgers #6)
Oklahoma City (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 10 K)

Double-A

HITTER: Matt Wallner, OF (Twins #16)
Wichita Wins Surge (6 G, .429/.556/.952/1.508, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB)
Texas League Player of the Week!
Thanks to the lost 2020 season and a broken hamate bone in 2021, Wallner has less than 300 AB in 2 years. An outstanding Arizona Fall League last year seems to have carried over into this season. He is currently hitting .285/.422/.570 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI. Standing at 6’5″ there will likely always be an element of swing and miss to his game. If he can keep his K rate around the 30% mark that it is now, his 70-grade raw power could carry him. I got to see him live twice in mid-late April and his bat speed impressed me but the swing and miss were evident as well.

Honorable Mentions:
Domingo Leyba, 2B (Padres NR)
San Antonio Missions (6 G, .458/.519/.833/1.352, 11 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Another week, another Padres middle infielder makes the list.
Micah Pries, OF (Guardians NR)
Akron RubberDucks (6 G, .409/.464/.864/1.328, 9 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, SB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Matt Mervis, 1B (Cubs NR)
Tennessee Smokies (6 G, .333/.385/908/1.290, 7 H, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, SB)
Jakson Reetz, C (Brewers NR)
Biloxi Shuckers (6 G, .391/.481/.783/1.264, 9 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB)
Southern League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Logan Allen, LHP (Guardians #11)
Akron RubberDucks (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 11 K)
2 weeks in a row for Allen as AA Pitcher of the Week. In this 2 week run, he has produced a staggering stat line (2 GS, 13 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 22 K). His only real mistake was a solo home run in the 2nd inning this week. He now has 25 starts at the double-A level and in 133 innings he has 180 strikeouts with only 35 walks. You have to wonder if a promotion is coming soon. Opposing double-A teams have to face an Akron rotation right now that features Allen, Hunter Gaddis, Xzavion Curry, and Joey Cantillo. Good Luck!

Honorable Mentions:
Kai-Wei Teng, RHP (Giants NR)
Richmond Flying Squirrels (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K)
Jimmy Endersby, RHP (Astros #24)
Corpus Christi Hooks (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)
Texas League Pitcher of the Week!
Drew Rom, LHP (Orioles #15)
Bowie Baysox (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Coleman Crow, RHP (Angels #13)
Rocket City Trash Pandas (1 GS, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K)
Southern League Pitcher of the Week!

High-A

HITTER: Evan Carter, CF (Rangers #11)
Hickory Crawdads (6 G, .455/.571/.909/1.480, 10 H, 2B, 3 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 6 BB, 4 SB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
This one was so close this week as any one of three guys could have taken home POTW honors. At the end of the day Carter’s three triples and four stolen bases tipped the scale for me. The 19-year-old is displaying a borderline elite hit tool with almost identical numbers in walks and strikeouts (68/70) and a SwStr rate of <8% so far in his career. Quite impressive for a guy listed at 6’4″/190. His profile will really take off once he adds a bit more strength to that frame and impacts the ball even more. I have Carter inside my top-100 prospects.

Honorable Mentions:
Kenedy Corona, OF (Astros #NR)
Asheville Tourists (6 G, .500/.625/1.000/1.625, 9 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 6 BB, SB)
This might be a name to start to get on your watch list in deeper leagues.
Jonny DeLuca, OF (Dodgers NR)
Great Lakes Loons (6 G, .455/.538/1.000/1.538, 10 H, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
Oscar Colas, OF (White Sox NR)
Winston-Salem Dash (6 G, .522/.577/.739/1.316, 12 H, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB)
Nasim Nunez, SS (Marlins #18)
Beloit Sky Carp (5 G, .474/.615/.947/1.562, 9 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 6BB, 2 SB)
Zac Veen, OF (Rockies #1)
Spokane Indians (6 G, .353/.500/.824/1.324, 6 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 3 SB)

PITCHER: Robinson Pina, RHP (Angels #36)
Tri-City Dust Devils (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 K)
Northwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Robinson Pina has had some struggles with command in previous seasons, those seem to have dissipated this year while also maintaining his strikeouts giving him a sterling 29.7 K-BB%. Last week’s outing was the highlight of his season when he shoved against the Eugene Emeralds last week like Anthony Rendon shoved Jesse Winker (or if that doesn’t fly, then when he was unhittable against the Eugene Emerald with a 59% CSW). (@A_Rhodes77)

Honorable Mentions:
Zach King, LHP (Marlins NR)
Beloit Sky Carp (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 11 K)
Nick Swiney, LHP (Giants #25)
Eugene Emeralds (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K)
Ty Madden, RHP (Tigers #6)
West Michigan Whitecaps (2 GS, 10 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Mason Montgomery, LHP (Rays NR)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (2 GS, 8 IP, 4 H, R, 4 BB, 17 K)
Mr. Montgomery officially has my attention and 105 K’s in 59.2 innings should get yours too. That slider is just nasty.

Single-A

HITTER: Carter Williams, OF (Giants NR)
San Jose Giants (6 G, .652/.710/1.174/1.884, 15 H, 6 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB, SB)
California League Player of the Week!
Full disclosure I knew nothing about Williams prior to seeing his stat line for this week. So, let’s get to know him. He was undrafted during the shortened 2020 draft out of North Carolina Central University when the Giants offered him a contract. He is a left handed hitting outfielder listed at 6’3″/210. In his short career (325 AB) he has put up decent numbers (14 HR, 68 RBI, and 10 SB with 26 BB to 77 K). He had a good week for sure, but from a dynasty standpoint, I need to see more before getting too excited.

Honorable Mentions:
Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B (Diamondbacks #8)
Visalia Rawhide (6 G, .577/.607/.885/1.492, 15 H, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB)
How does this guy celebrate a birthday? He goes yard.


Edwin Arroyo, IF (Mariners #14)
Modesto Nuts (5 G, .474/.545/1.000/1.545, 9 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, SB)
Blaze Jordan, 3B/1B (Red Sox #5)
Salem Red Sox (6 G, .500/.556/.833/1.389, 12 H, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB)
Carolina League Player of the Week!
Geraldo Quintero, IF (Braves NR)
Augusta GreenJackets (6 G, .455/.586/.818/1.404, 10 H, 4 2B, 2 3B, 6 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, 3 SB)

PITCHER: Mitch Bratt, LHP (Rangers NR)
Down East Wood Ducks (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Carolina League Pitcher of the Week!
Bratt was the Rangers 5th round pick in the 2021 draft out of the Georgia prep ranks. This season is his introduction to professional ball and it is going quite well for the soon-to-be 19-year-old. In 24 innings, he has struck out 42 and has a 2.38 ERA. He is keeping the walks in check as well (2.9 BB/9). Last Saturday he threw 5 no-hit innings against a really solid Carolina lineup featuring three of the Brewers top prospects in Jeferson Quero, Hendry Mendez, and Hedbert Perez. He struck out the latter both times he faced him. Bratt is an interesting pitcher for me as he throws four pitches, including two different breaking balls, that all grade out at 50-55 and so far he is displaying pretty good control. He is one to watch.

Honorable Mentions:
Richard Fitts, RHP (Yankees NR)
Tampa Tarpons (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Florida State League Pitcher of the Week!
Jack Leftwich, RHP (Guardians NR)
Lynchburg Hillcats (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 9 K)
Landen Roupp, RHP (Giants NR)
San Jose Giants (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Josh Stephan, RHP (Rangers NR)
Down East Wood Ducks (1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)

Rookie Leagues

HITTER: Axiel Plaz, C (Pirates NR)
DSL Pirates Gold (5 G, .500/.625/1.417/2.042, 6 H, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB)
Dominican Summer League Player of the Week!
Plaz was one of the most recent international signings by the Pirates out of Venezuela. The 16-year-old is extremely athletic and is a highly regarded defender with a plus arm. The youngster has plus offensive upside as well. He’s shown an ability to drive the ball to all fields and has the potential to grow into even more pop. As he won’t turn 17 years old until August, he is still very far away from seeing any MLB action, however, he gives Pirates fans someone to dream on.

Honorable Mentions:
Christopher Familia, (Yankees, NR)
FCL Yankees (4 G, .571/.647/1.000/1.647, 8 H, 3 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB)
Florida Complex League Player of the Week!
Reylin Perez, IF (Tigers NR)
DSL Tigers 2 (5 G, .500/.611/1.071/1.682, 7 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)
Juan Matheus, IF (Yankees NR)
DSL NYY Yankees (5 G, .438/.571/.938/1.509, 7 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB)
Gabriel Gonzalez, OF (Mariners #9)
ACL Mariners (5 G, .421/.450/.789/1.239, 8 H, 4 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, BB, SB)
*Spoiler Alert* – This guy is really good. Our Mariners contributor Malaki Branham (@DGentleman9288) feels that “he should be owned in any dynasty league where 150+ prospects are rostered as he is a fringe top-100 overall prospect.”

PITCHER: Jose Fleury, RHP (Astros NR)
DSL Astros Orange (1 G, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)
Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Week!
The 20-year-old Dominican righty threw a perfect 5 innings in his lone appearance this week. He entered in the top of the 3rd inning with his team trailing 4-0. He proceeded to complete the next 5 innings allowing only one ball out of the infield (flyout to center) while striking out 10 and picking up the win after his squad came from behind. In three appearances this season he has thrown 14 innings, allowed eight hits, three earned runs, allowing only one walk, while striking out eighteen. I would not rush out to acquire him in dynasty leagues just yet, but with Houston’s track recent success with Latin American pitchers, I would plant him firmly on your watch list.

Honorable Mentions:
Wander Guante, RHP (Athletics NR)
ACL Athletics (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Arizona Complex League Pitcher of the Week!
Hancel Rincon, RHP (Cardinals NR)
FCL Cardinals (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Jefferson Lopez, RHP (Reds NR)
ACL Reds (1 G, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Layonel Ovalles, RHP (Mets NR)
FCL Mets (2 G, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K, SV)
Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Week!

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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