Prospects of the Week: May 17 – May 23

May 24, 2021 Jake Berry General, MiLB, Prospects of the Week 0

Michael Beltre, Somerset Patriots, May 23, 2021 at Dunkin' Donuts Park, Hartford, CT. Photo credit Tiffany Greene, @greeneimages 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, and Low-A) who, in our opinion, had the best week. Jake Berry and Scott Greene award their 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.

As always, tweet us (@Prospects1500, @BerrysBraves, and @Scotty_Ballgame) 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: Cornelius Randolph, OF (Philadelphia Phillies NR)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (6 G, .591/.609/1.182, 13 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 4 2B, SB)
The former first round pick showcased some of that talent that had the Phillies interested way back in 2015 as he led all of Triple-A in hits last week. He had seven total extra base hits, which tied him for the Triple-A lead, along with three long balls and a stolen base. Randolph’s prospect status may have fallen off over the last few years, but an impressive week could be a sign the 24-year-old has the potential to hang around the upper levels for a few more years.


Honorable Mentions:
Jo Adell, OF (Los Angeles Angels *)
Salt Lake Bees (6 G, .333/.379/.926, 9 H, 5 HR, 8 RBI)
*Adell wasn’t included on the Angels Top 50 as he was expected to quickly surpass the prospect threshold this season. 130 MLB at bats is what I am using as the threshold for POTW, so Adell finds himself on this list after a very good week at the dish.

PITCHER: Jackson Kowar, RHP (Kansas City Royals #5)
Omaha Storm Chasers (W, 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K)
Kowar has looked really good this season, but he had his best outing of 2021 last week in six innings against Iowa. He posted a 10/1 K/BB, filled up the strike zone, and limited hard contact.

Honorable Mentions:
Alek Manoah, RHP (Toronto Blue Jays #6)
Buffalo Bisons (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K)


Tucker Davidson, LHP (Atlanta Braves #9)
Gwinnett Stripers (6 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)

Double-A

HITTER: Dermis Garcia, 1B (New York Yankees #43)
Somerset Patriots (6 G, .385/.429/.885, 10 H, 4 HR, 1 2B, 10 RBI)
Yes, you have seen a lot of Somerset Patriots make POTW in the early going, and for good reason. The Patriots have a +43 run differential to start the season and Garcia keeps the POTW accolades coming after his four homer week. The power-hitting prospect lived up to the hype last week.

Dermis Garcia, Somerset Patriots, May 23, 2021. Photo credit Tiffany Greene, @greeneimages on Instagram

Honorable Mentions:
Michael Beltre, OF (New York Yankees NR)
Somerset Patriots (6 G, .433/.452/.733, 13 H, 2 3B, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Glenn Otto, RHP (New York Yankees #45)
Somerset Patriots (W, 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 14 K)
No, this is not a Yankees and/or Somerset Patriots appreciation article, it was just one of those weeks. The Yankees number 45 prospect looked like a future ace with an outstanding start against Hartford. The big righty will try and shake the bad luck that former Rice pitchers have had in the professional ranks and this outing was a step in the right direction.


Honorable Mentions:
Nick Lodolo, LHP (Cincinnati Reds #2)
Chattanooga Lookouts (7.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K)

High-A

HITTER: Rey Rivera, 1B (Detroit Tigers NR)
West Michigan Whitecaps (5 G, .500/.571/1.333, 9 H, 4 HR, 3 2B, 5 RBI)
Rivera’s 1.905 OPS was nearly 400 points better than the next hitter in High-A and he also tied for the level lead in dingers. Rivera may not show up on many prospect lists, but the 6’6, 250 pound lefty swinger can mash.

Honorable Mentions:
Nelson Velazquez, OF (Chicago Cubs NR)
South Bend Cubs (6 G, .600/.619/.650, 12 H, 2B, 6 RBI, SB)

Andy Pages, OF (Los Angeles Dodgers #7)
Great Lakes Loons (6 G, .417/.462/.750, 10 H, 2 HR, 2 2B, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Drew Parrish, LHP (Kansas City Royals NR)
Quad Cities River Bandits (SV, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 K)
For the second week in a row, High-A pitcher was the toughest selection to make because of so many outstanding performances. Parrish set himself apart from the group by picking up a save in relief early in the week then tossing four perfect innings in a start later in the week that combined with 9 K’s.

Honorable Mentions:
Matt Canterino, RHP (Minnesota Twins #15)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (W, 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K)

Ryan Feltner, RHP (Colorado Rockes #22)
Spokane Indians (W, 6.2IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K)

Low-A

HITTER: Gage Workman, 3B (Detroit Tigers #21)
Lakeland Flying Tigers (6 G, .385/.515/.808, 10 H, 2 HR, 3 2B, 1 3B, 7 BB, 2 SB)
Workman did a little bit of everything last week. He racked up the extra base hits, swiped a couple bags, hit a couple dingers, he even walked seven times in six games. Oh, and he hit for the cycle!


Honorable Mentions:
Sauryn Lao, INF (Los Angeles Dodgers NR)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (6 G, .440/.517/.800, 11 H, 1 HR, 1 3B, 4 2B, SB)

PITCHER: Brayan De Paula, LHP (Houston Astros NR)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (2 W, 9 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 15 K)
I just love guys that come in from the bullpen and shut an opponent down only to come out as a starter a few days later and also proceed to shut people down. That is what De Paula did last week as he combined for nine innings, four as a reliever and five as a starter, and had the Augusta GreenJackets thankful that he left town yesterday.

Honorable Mentions:
Xzavion Curry, RHP (Cleveland Indians NR)
Lynchburg Hillcats (6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K)

James Proctor, RHP (Cincinnati Reds NR)
Daytona Tortugas (5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K)

Spencer Strider, RHP (Atlanta Braves #30 )
Augusta GreenJackets (3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K)

Angel Macuare, RHP (Houston Astros NR)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K – no hits in last 9 IP with 14K)

Jake Berry

I reside in Carrollton, Georgia and love everything baseball. I graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management. I have a passion for the minor leagues and have high hopes of visiting as many minor league parks as I can. I enjoy the statistical side of the game, especially sabermetrics. I am also an avid baseball card collector and fantasy baseball player.

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