Prospects of the Week: June 6 – June 12

June 13, 2022 Jeremy Mahy General, MiLB, Prospects of the Week 5

Nicholas Northcut, Salem Red Sox, June 5, 2021. Photo credit Gary Streiffer, @Catman110 on 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 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

CO-HITTERS:
Eguy Rosario, 2B (Padres #15)
El Paso Chihuahuas (6 G, .346/.414/.885/1.299, 9 H, 3 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)


Esteury Ruiz, OF/2B (Padres #23)
El Paso Chihuahuas (6 G, .440/.533/.880/1.413, 11 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 9 R, 4 BB, 4 SB)


This pair of Chihuahuas made life absolutely miserable for Albuquerque pitchers last week. They did a little bit of everything as they combined for 20 hits (12 XBH’s), drove in 13 runs, scored 17 runs, and stole 6 bases. Ruiz even chipped in some stellar defense in the outfield. Throw in C.J. Abrams and this is a fun lineup to watch if you are an El Paso fan.
I recommend reading Alex Sanchez’s profile piece on Ruiz if you want a more thorough breakdown of his breakout season.

Honorable Mentions:
Will Brennan, OF (Guardians #50)
Columbus Clippers (6 G, .640/.677/.720/1.397, 16 H, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB, SB)
International League Player of the Week!
Sean Bouchard, 1B/OF (Rockies #38)
Albuquerque Isotopes (6 G, .458/.536/1.000/1.536, 11 H, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 3 SB)
Marcus Wilson, OF (Mariners NR)
Tacoma Rainiers (6 G, .389/.542/1.167/1.709, 7 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB, SB)
Pacific Coast League Player of the Week!
Jordan Westburg, 3B/SS (Orioles #5)
Norfolk Tides (5 G, .455/.478/.909/1.387, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R, BB)

PITCHER: Tommy Henry, LHP (Diamondbacks #14)
Reno Aces (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Henry made the list last week as an honorable mention after a strong two start week. When combined with this week’s performance, he is on quite a two-week run. Over that span he has (3 GS, 19.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 22 K). The most important aspect of that stat line is that he only allowed two walks. As Douglas Otto pointed out in his pre-season ranking, Henry’s undoing last year was his lack of control at times leading to high walk totals. This year is much of the same story, when Henry keeps the walks under control he is a tough match-up. The past two weeks are a perfect illustration of that.

Honorable Mentions:
Adrian Martinez, RHP (Athletics, was Padres #31 preseason)
Las Vegas Aviators (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K)
Jhony Brito, RHP (Yankees NR)
Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K)
Josh Winckowski, RHP (Red Sox #13)
Worcester Red Sox (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
International League Pitcher of the Week!

Double-A

HITTER: Alexander Canario, OF (Cubs #17)
Tennessee Smokies (6 G, .400/.444/.840/1.284, 10 H, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, SB)
Canario was part of the Cubs return from the Giants in the Kris Bryant trade last summer. His power and ability to drive in runs has been on full display this year. He has 28 XBH’s (14 HR’s) and has driven in 45 runs across two levels. What will ultimately drive his overall profile is his hit tool. He is currently striking out at over a 30% clip which is keeping his average down.

Honorable Mentions:
Trey Hair, 3B (Rangers NR)
Frisco RoughRiders (6 G, .318/.400/1.045/1.445, 7 H, 2B, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB)
Texas League Player of the Week!


Spencer Horwitz, 1B (Blue Jays #20)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6 G, .450/.577/.900/1.477, 9 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 6 BB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Jake Slaughter, 3B (Cubs NR)
Tennessee Smokies (6 G, .435/.519/.870/1.389, 10 H, 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, SB)
Southern League Player of the Week!
Dustin Harris, 1B/OF (Rangers #9)
Frisco RoughRiders (5 G, .429/.455/.905/1.360, 9 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Carson Spiers, RHP (Reds NR)
Chattanooga Lookouts (1 GS, 5.2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
The former Clemson Tiger was signed by the Reds after being undrafted during the shortened 2020 draft. After a solid 2021 season which saw him pitch across tw0 lower levels, he was aggressively assigned to AA Chattanooga this season. Spiers does not have overpowering stuff but has been successful because he aggressively attacks the strike zone with a four-pitch mix that features a solid changeup that can keep hitters off-balance. In last week’s start against Montgomery, he struck out a season high eight, gave up no free passes, and used that 4 pitch mix to keep hitters off-balance.

Honorable Mentions:
Coleman Crow, RHP (Angels #13)
Rocket City Trash Pandas (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Southern League Pitcher of the Week!
Louie Varland, RHP (Twins #29)
Wichita Wind Surge (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Cole Ragans, LHP (Rangers #39)
Frisco RoughRiders (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)
Travis MacGregor, RHP (Pirates NR)
Altoona Curve (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

High-A

HITTER: Mike Antico, OF (Cardinals NR)
Peoria Chiefs (6 G, .435/.500/1.000/1.500, 10 H, 4 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, SB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
Last week Antico showed up on this list as an Honorable Mention largely because of 6 SB. This week he comes in strong with 7 XBH’s earning our POTW. His strong 2 week run has really turned his season around. On the year he is hitting .254/.363/.421/.784 with 21 XBH’s & 27 SB. If this hot streak continues we may need to pay attention.

Honorable Mentions:
Davis Schneider, 2B (Blue Jays NR)
Vancouver Canadians (6 G, .478/.500/.957/1.1457, 11 H, 5 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, BB, 2 SB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!
Nicholas Northcut, 3B (Red Sox NR preseason, which will change in midseason update!)
Greenville Drive (6 G, .318/.400/.955/1.355, 7 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
Duke Ellis, OF (White Sox NR)
Winston-Salem Dash (6 G, .381/.435/.810/1.245, 8 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, SB)

PITCHER: Doug Nikhazy, LHP (Guardians #27)
Lake County Captains (1 GS, 6.2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
Last Saturday night the 2021 second-round pick lasted a season high 6.2 innings, struck out ten TinCaps, allowed just one hit, and only walked one. The lefty threw 93 pitches, 62 of them for strikes. Seven of his ten K’s were swings and misses. Nikhazy is sporting a solid 12.2 K/9 but also 7.2 BB/9. No doubt the walk rate needs to improve for him to be successful as he progresses through the system but he is in his first full season as a professional so he has time.

Honorable Mentions:
Tanner Bibee, RHP (Guardians #46)
Lake County Captains (1 GS, 7.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Landon Marceaux, RHP (Angels #24)
Tri-City Dust Devils (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Northwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Matthew Thompson, RHP (White Sox #8)
Winston-Salem Dash (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Evan Shawver, LHP (Rockies NR)
Spokane Indians (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Ben Brown, RHP (Phillies NR)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, R, 0 BB, 11 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Kevin Alcantara, OF (Cubs #3)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (6 G, .417/.481/.958/1.439, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB)
The 19-year-old Alcantara came over to the Cubs in last years Anthony Rizzo deal with the Yankees. He has a tantalizing power/speed combo that will likely see even more improvement in the power department as he fills out his 6’6″ 188 pound frame. The only knock on him currently is a tendency to swing and miss a bit too much (27% K rate). However at 19-years-old he is bound to be a touch overaggressive and with a 6’6″ frame strikeouts will likely always be a factor. How he limits them going forward will be the key. So far Single-A has not been much of a challenge for him (.285/.371/.528/.899, 55 H, 12 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 45 RBI, 25 BB, 6 SB), and a promotion is likely not far off. Cubs fans, get excited about this one!

Honorable Mentions:
Ruben Ibarra, 1B (Reds #29)
Daytona Tortugas (5 G, .600/.600/1.200/1.800, 12 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R)
Florida State League Player of the Week!
Logan Cerny, OF (Astros NR)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (5 G, .476/.500/1.000/1.500, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 7 R, BB, 3 SB)
Carolina League Player of the Week!
Stanley Consuegra, OF (Mets #37)
St. Lucie Mets (6 G, .435/.519/.957/1.476, 10 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 2 SB)
Yanquiel Fernandez, OF (Rockies #18)
Fresno Grizzlies (5 G, .333/.407/.792/1.199, 8 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB)
California League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Emiliano Teodo, RHP (Rangers #44)
Down East Wood Ducks (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K)
The 2021 international signee from the Dominican Republic is equipped with a 70 grade fastball and a 60 grade curveball. Thanks to those two plus pitches, he runs high strikeout totals but he is also walking greater than 5 per 9. The walk rate and lack of a third pitch points to a backend bullpen role if nothing changes. He is still young and has plenty of room for improvement to his control/command and also to develop a third pitch which could keep him in the rotation longer. In this weeks start, he faced a good Kannapolis lineup with a couple of top White Sox prospects in the mix. He walked only one in the outing and it was erased three pitches later on a double play ball.

Honorable Mentions:
Inohan Paniagua, RHP (Cardinals #40)
Palm Beach Cardinals (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, R, 0 BB, 14 K)
Brayan Castillo, RHP (Rockies NR)
Fresno Grizzlies (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
California League Pitcher of the Week!
Jack Leftwich, RHP (Guardians NR)
Lynchburg Hillcats (1 GS, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Carolina League Pitcher of the Week!
Victor Juarez, RHP (Rockies NR)
Fresno Grizzlies (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)

Rookie Leagues

HITTER: Echedry Vargas, 3B/SS (Rangers NR)
DSL TEX Blue (6 G, .440/.500/.800/1.300, 11 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 9 R, BB, SB)
Dominican Summer League Player of the Week!
Vargas was a 2022 international signing out of the Dominican Republic as a 17-year-old. Signing for only $10,000 he was not a big name prospect and came with little fan fare. With this debut that might be $10,000 very well spent.

Honorable Mentions:
Alexander Pena, 3B/SS (Twins NR)
FCL Twins (4 G, .750/.714/1.417/2.131, 9 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 R)
Florida Complex League Player of the Week!
Luis Castillo, OF (Brewers NR)
ACL Brewers Gold (5 G, .500/.550/1.000/1.550, 9 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB)
Arizona Complex League Player of the Week!
Bryant Betancourt, C (Rockies NR)
DSL Colorado (6 G, .333/.450/.944/1.424, 6 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB)
Yeison Perez, OF (Brewers NR)
DSL Brewers 2 (4 G, .333/.444/1.000/1.444, 5 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB)

PITCHER: Wilber Dotel, RHP (Pirates NR)
FCL Pirates (1 GS, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Dotel was a late riser in the 2019-2020 international class and the Pirates signed him just after his 18th birthday. Dotel is listed at 6’3″, 178 and has a fastball that touches 95 MPH, a 74-78 MPH breaking ball, and a 78-81 MPH change-up. The organization feels that due to a good feel for pitching he could remain a starter long term.

Honorable Mentions:
Joe Kemlage, LHP (Giants NR)
ACL Giants Black (2 G, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 13 K)
Arizona Complex League Pitcher of the Week!
Jose Cabrera, RHP (Diamondbacks NR)
ACL D-Backs Black (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)
Kyle Mora, RHP (Diamondbacks NR)
ACL D-Backs Red (2 G, 6 IP, 3 H, R, 0 BB, 10 K)
Austin Aldeano, RHP (Guardians NR)
DSL CLE Blue (2 GS, 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 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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5 Comments

  2. Hey Bubba! Right now I think I need to see a larger sample size on Jake before I buy into anything. He had good exit velocities coming out of LSU but has shown really no power as a professional until this year. Is it possible that at age 25 things are starting to click? Maybe, but I don’t know. If he is still performing at this level in July/August then we might need to reassess.

    Reply

    • RE: Alcantara
      The only thing I would keep an eye on is his K rate as he moves up through the higher levels of the minors. More advanced pitchers will try and take advantage of his longer arms. The theory is long arms make for long swings. The longer a swing, the more holes in it. Right now it doesn’t concern me enough to scare me at all. I would be buying him in dynasty right now because I think his price is going to be too expensive very soon.

      Reply

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