Prospects of the Week: May 29 – June 4

Jeremy De La Rosa, Fredericksburg Nationals, May 5, 2022. Photo credit Gary Streiffer, @cyclephoto110 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, and Single-A) 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: Matt Wallner, OF (Twins #9)
St. Paul Saints (6 G, .423/.483/1.000/1.483, 11 H, 4 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, BB)
International League Player of the Week!
Wallner is mashing in Triple-A right now. Over the past week, he amassed three home runs on eleven hits while striking out only five times. He’s big-league ready, and really just needs a chance. He likely would have gotten the call this week, but the Twins are facing an abundance of left-handed pitchers. Whenever he does come back up to Minnesota, he’s a powerful bat who can get on base. (@sportz_nutt51)

Honorable Mentions:
Jose Iglesias, SS (Padres NR)
El Paso Chihuahuas (5 G, .444/.464/.963/1.427, 12 H, 5 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 9 R, BB)
Pacific Coast League Player of the Week!
Luis Matos, OF (Giants #5)
Sacramento River Cats (6 G, .533/.548/.700/1.248, 16 H, 2 2B, HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, BB, 2 SB)
Moises Gomez, OF (Cardinals #8)
Memphis Redbirds (6 G, .301/.429/.957/1.386, 7 H, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB)
Gomez had an April to forget. Last year’s minor league home run king only hit a single home run the entire month while hitting just .221. Things got much better in May as he hit .294 with 12 home runs and has added 2 more just 4 days into this month. With the Cardinals falling further out of contention it might be time to see what Gomez can do in the majors.
Sandro Fabian, OF (Rangers NR)
Round Rock Express (6 G, .421/.429/1.105/1.534, 8 H, 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, BB, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Evan McKendry, RHP (Rays NR)
Durham Bulls (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
International League Pitcher of the Week!
McKendry capped off a sensational month of May by firing off a complete game, allowing only two hits while striking out six across seven shutout innings. In 5 games (4 starts) this month, McKendry has earned a 0.31 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and an elite .111 BAA across 29.1 IP, while giving up only one run total and not allowing more than 3 hits in any of his five appearances. He has displayed consistent results at the highest level of the minors and has certainly put himself into contention as one of the Rays next call-ups in case a spot open on the major league roster. (@GatorSosa)

Honorable Mentions:
Robert Gasser, LHP (Brewers #6)
Nashville Sounds (1 GS, 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Allan Winans, RHP (Braves NR)
Gwinnett Stripers (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Kenny Rosenberg, LHP (Angels NR)
Salt Lake Bees (1 GS, 6 IP, 6 H, R, 0 BB, 10 K)
Keaton Winn, RHP (Giants #23)
Sacramento River Cats (2 GS, 8 IP, 3 H, R, 3 BB, 10 K)

Double-A

HITTER: A.J. Vukovich, 3B (Diamondbacks #15)
Amarillo Sod Poodles (6 G, .348/.348/.913/1.261, 8 H, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, SB)
What a week for Diamondbacks prospect AJ “Nukeovich “ 3 home runs including a grand slam and 9 runs batted in. Keep an eye on Nuke as he may be leaving Slamarillo and heading up to Triple-A Reno very soon. (@blacksox96)

Honorable Mentions:
Jose Tena, SS (Guardians #12)
Akron RubberDucks (6 G, .440/.517/.720/1.237, 11 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Austin Shenton, 3B (Rays #27)
Montgomery Biscuits (5 G, .526/.583/.842/1.425, 10 H, 3 2B, HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB)
Imanol Vargas, OF (Dodgers NR)
Tulsa Drillers (6 G, .333/.462/.905/1.367, 7 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 5 R, 5 BB)
Texas League Player of the Week!
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF (Cubs #1)
Tennessee Smokies (6 G, .360/.448/.800/1.248, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, SB)

PITCHER: Spencer Arrighetti, RHP (Astros #16)
Corpus Christi Hooks (2 GS, 10 IP, 4 H, R, 3 BB, 19 K)
Arrighetti is a name that dynasty owners need to be paying more attention to. The former Horned Frog/Ragin’ Cajun has really settled in after a slow April. Since his start on May 2 (6 starts), he has only given up 2 runs and has struck out 44 in 32 IP. He has trimmed his walk rate this year and if that trend continues he is going to be really tough on hitters.

Honorable Mentions:
Royber Salinas, RHP (Athletics #22)
Midland RockHounds (1 GS, 6 IP, H, R, 2 BB, 11 K)
Sawyer Gipson-Long, RHP (Tigers NR)
Erie SeaWolves (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Jack Leftwich, RHP (Guardians #39)
Akron RubberDucks (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)
Eastern League Pitcher of the Week!
Kyle Nicolas, RHP (Pirates #20)
Altoona Curve (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Joe Boyle, RHP (Reds #25)
Chattanooga Lookouts (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)

High-A

HITTER: Jace Jung, 2B (Tigers #1)
West Michigan Whitecaps (6 G, .565/.621/.957/1.578, 13 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
Coming off a May where Jung hit only .217, the series in Dayton saw Jung go 13 for 23, with 2 HR and 10 RBI. The preseason #1 Tigers Prospect has struggled to lay off chase pitches this season (48 K in 44 G), so the performance vs the Dragons is something to build off of. (@DET_Guru_Kurt)

Honorable Mentions:
Jeremy De La Rosa, OF (Nationals #9)
Wilmington Blue Rocks (6 G, .360/.448/.760/1.208, 9 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB)
Trey Lipscomb, 3B (Nationals #15)
Wilmington Blue Rocks (6 G, .429/.452/.714/1.166, 12 H, 5 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
Victor Scott, OF (Cardinals #16)
Peoria Chiefs (6 G, .350/.552/.600/1.152, 7 H, 2B, 2 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 8 BB, 8 SB)
Scott’s eight stolen bases last week catapulted him into the minor league lead. The strikeouts will be something to watch as he climbs the ladder, but he is getting on base at .376 clip and playing a very good centerfield.
Kala’i Rosario, OF (Twins #25)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (6 G, .320/.414/.880/1.294, 8 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB)

PITCHER: Drew Thorpe, RHP (Yankees #15)
Hudson Valley Renegades (1 GS, 8 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)
South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week!
The 2022 second round pick of the Yankees, Thorpe turned in his best professional outing last week against a very good IronBirds team that featured Jackson Holliday, Jud Fabian and Dylan Beavers. Thorpe threw 94 pitches (59 for strikes) and went eight strong innings giving up just one hit, a single to center off the bat of Creed Willems in the second inning. After some May struggles, Thorpe now sports a 3.31 ERA to go along with 59 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. It’s only a matter of time before he is promoted to Double-A Somerset. (@PaulWoodin1)

Honorable Mentions:
Yu-Min Lin, LHP (Diamondbacks #16)
Hillsboro Hops (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 13 K)
Northwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Isaac Coffey, RHP (Red Sox NR)
Greenville Drive (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Ryan Webb, LHP (Guardians NR)
Lake County Captains (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Carson Whisenhunt, LHP (Giants #14)
Richmond Flying Squirrels (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Justin Crawford, OF (Phillies #5)
Clearwater Threshers (4 G, .588/.588/1.000/1.588, 10 H, 3 2B, 2 3B, 4 RBI, 7 R, 4 SB)
Florida State League Player of the Week!
Crawford, the team’s 2022 first round pick, is having a spectacular year for the Clearwater Threshers hitting .341/.403/.442 with 23 runs. The power may or may not develop but even without hitting home runs, Crawford can be a solid contributor to your fantasy team with runs, steals, and batting average. He’ll even make an impact for those leagues with OBP as a category. Being only 19 years old, he’s still a couple of years away from the majors but if he keeps having weeks like this, he should see AA soon. (@tonybps1)

Honorable Mentions:
Gabriel Gonzalez, OF (Mariners #1)
Modesto Nuts (6 G, .333/.370/.708/1.078, 8 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 8 R, 2 BB)
Dom Johnson, OF (Tigers NR)
Lakeland Flying Tigers (6 G, .421/.500/.842/1.342, 8 H, 2 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB, SB)
Graham Pauley, 3B (Padres NR)
Lake Elsinore Storm (6 G, .407/.429/.741/1.170, 11 H, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, R, BB)
California League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Layonel Ovalles, RHP (Mets NR)
St. Lucie Mets (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)
The young 19-year-old Dominican righty had his best (and longest) outing of his young career in less than favorable weather conditions last Friday in Fort Myers. After allowing a Mighty Mussel lead-off double, he settled in and struck out 10 of the next 18 batters he faced in route to a two hit performance over six innings. Maybe this will be a nice game to build from.

Honorable Mentions:
Max Rajcic, RHP (Cardinals #25)
Palm Beach Cardinals (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K)
Florida State League Pitcher of the Week!
The Cardinals drafted the former UCLA Bruin in the sixth round of last years draft. He was assigned to Single-A to start his professional career, and in 45.2 IP he has 50 strikeouts to only 6 walks with a 1.77 ERA and 0.68 WHIP. A power-5 college pitcher should do well against Single-A hitters. His challenge will come when facing the more advanced hitters and that should come soon.
Aidan Curry, RHP (Rangers NR)
Down East Wood Ducks (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)
Michael Morales, RHP (Mariners #14)
Modesto Nuts (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K)
Wander Guante, RHP (Athletics NR)
Stockton Ports (1 GS, 7 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K)
California 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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