Prospects of the Week: September 4 – September 10

September 11, 2023 Jeremy Mahy General, MiLB, Prospects of the Week 0

Billy Cook, Bowie Baysox, August 5, 2023. Photo credit Patrick Cavey, @PatrickCavey on X, and Breaking Down the Future on Facebook
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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 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: Jared Young, 1B (Cubs NR)
Iowa Cubs (6 G, .458/.552/1.208/1.760, 11 H, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, SB)
International League Player of the Week!
Originally from Prince George, British Columbia, Young was drafted by the Cubs back in 2017 out of Old Dominion. The MiLB veteran parlayed a hot start to the season into a cup of coffee with the big league squad. As evidenced by his performance this week, he has nothing left to prove in the minors. The utilityman just needs the opportunity to prove that he can be a viable asset off a big league bench.

Honorable Mentions:
Tyler Black, 2B (Brewers #4)
Nashville Sounds (6 G, .471/.630/.882/1.512, 8 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 9 BB, 3 SB)
Estevan Florial, OF (Yankees #21)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (6 G, .385/.448/.923/1.371, 10 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, 2 SB)
Justin Foscue, 2B (Rangers #7)
Round Rock Express (6 G, .308/.438/.692/1.130, 8 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 6 BB)
Ruben Cardenas, OF (Rays #39)
Durham Bulls (5 G, .429/.500/.810/1.310, 9 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB)

PITCHER: Will Warren, RHP (Yankees #16)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K)
Warren went 7 innings vs the Columbus Friday, giving up just 3 hits and 2 walks while fanning 9. The hard throwing right hander is armed with a mid-to-high 90s two-seam fastball with a lot of movement, a filthy sweeping slider, a decent changeup, and a new cutter against lefties. On the season between Double-A and Triple-A, Warren is 9-4 with 128 strikeouts, and a 3.65 ERA. He might not have ace potential, but Warren is getting close to a promotion and is a quality pitching prospect. (@PaulWoodin1)

Honorable Mentions:
Jared Jones, RHP (Pirates #9)
Indianapolis Indians (1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)
Kyle Hurt, RHP (Dodgers #32)
Oklahoma City Dodgers (1 G, 5 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week!
Garrett Stallings, RHP (Orioles NR)
Norfolk Tides (1 GS, 6 IP, H, R, 2 BB, 10 K)

Double-A

HITTER: Ben Rice, C (Yankees NR)
Somerset Patriots (5 G, .500/.577/.773/1.350, 11 H, 3 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, SB)
A 12th round pick out of Dartmouth in 2021, Rice went 11 for 22 over 5 games this past week against Erie. After being a part-time player last year, Rice has absolutely raked this year, despite missing two months with a back injury. He’s hitting .335 with 19 home runs, 65 RBI and 11 steals in just 68 games. With his compact left handed swing and good strike zone management, Rice has improved greatly this summer with his contact. He could get a long look in Spring Training at both 1st base and catcher as he has played both positions this season. His left handed swing could come in handy at Yankee Stadium. (@PaulWoodin1)

Honorable Mentions:
Billy Cook, OF (Orioles NR)
Bowie Baysox (6 G, .348/.500/1.000/1.500, 8 H, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 9 R, 5 BB, 2 SB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Jacob Melton, OF (Astros #2)
Corpus Christi Hooks (4 G, .333/.375/1.000/1.375, 5 H, 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, BB, SB)
Trevor Schwecke, SS (Blue Jays NR)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6 G, .571/.609/.857/1.466, 12 H, 3 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 3 SB)
Victor Scott, OF (Cardinals #12)
Springfield Cardinals (6 G, .360/.414/.560/.974, 9 H, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 7 SB)
With three stolen bases Sunday, Scott now has 93 on the season (43 in Double-A).

PITCHER: Joander Suarez, RHP (Mets NR)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1 GS, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)
Eastern League Pitcher of the Week!
Suarez, in only his second start in Double-A, threw a no-hitter in a seven-inning game. He was limited to just 16 games in 2021 & 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, and after a rough start to the season in Brooklyn, he has thrown 13 no-hit frames to start his Double-A career.

Honorable Mentions:
Luis Palacios, LHP (Marlins NR)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (1 GS, 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Luis De Avila, LHP (Braves NR)
Mississippi Braves (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 11 K)
Southern League Pitcher of the Week!
Mick Abel, RHP (Phillies #3)
Reading Fightin Phils (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)
Ryan Murphy, RHP (Giants #50)
Richmond Flying Squirrels (2 GS, 10 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K)
Bubba Chandler, RHP (Pirates #12)
Altoona Curve (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

High-A

HITTER: Samuel Basallo, C/1B (Orioles #6)
Aberdeen IronBirds (5 G, .474/.545/1.105/1.650, 9 H, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, SB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!
After a very solid stateside debut in 2022, Basallo was generating a little bit of buzz heading into 2023. That buzz has become deafening at this point, as Basallo has now earned a promotion to AA Bowie. The young catcher slashed .299/.384/.503 in his first full season with 35 extra base hits and an 11.6% walk rate in 352 at bats, earning him a promotion to High-A on August 1st. Basallo didn’t cool down in Aberdeen, racking up 16 extra base hits and a 19/20 BB/K in his first 115 plate appearances. Turning 19 just 29 days ago, Basallo becomes one of the youngest players in Double-A. (@RyanJames5)

Honorable Mentions:
Shawn Ross, SS (Pirates NR)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (4 G, .375/.449/1.063/1.507, 6 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB)
Kevin Alcantara, OF (Cubs #3)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (5 G, .556/.591/.944/1.535, 10 H, 4 2B, HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, SB)
Kervin Pichardo, SS (Padres NR)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (6 G, .526/.609/1.053/1.662, 10 H, 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB)
Luis Verdugo, 3B (Cubs NR)
South Bend Cubs (6 G, .552/.593/1.000/1.593, 12 H, 5 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, SB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!
Manuel Pena, SS (Diamondbacks #40)
Hillsboro Hops (5 G, .471/.526/1.000/1.526, 8 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP (Braves #6)
Rome Braves (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week!
Recently promoted to High-A Rome, Schwellenbach delivered an outing of 6 innings of no hits and no walks, to go along with 6 strikeouts. The 2023 Futures Game participant should have his sights set for Double-A Mississippi, and a possible call-up, next season. (@MKelley_ND)

Honorable Mentions:
Alexander Cornielle, RHP (Brewers NR)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Kyle Virbitsky, RHP (Orioles NR)
Aberdeen IronBirds (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)
Adam Macko, LHP (Blue Jays #20)
Vancouver Canadians (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)
Northwest League Pitcher of the Week!
Carlos Pena, LHP (Tigers NR)
West Michigan Whitecaps (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Jake Gelof, IF (Dodgers #34)
Rancho Cucamonga (5 G, .360/.407/.920/1.327, 9 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB)
California League Player of the Week!
Jake’s best comp…his brother Zack, only Jake had a better college career (and both happened to be selected 60th overall). Plus power, plus arm, and good contact. (@ShaunKernahan)

Honorable Mentions:
Kristian Robinson, OF (Diamondbacks #23)
Visalia Rawhide (5 G, .400/.478/1.050/1.528, 8 H, 2B, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Raylin Heredia, OF (Phillies #50)
Clearwater Threshers (4 G, .588/.611/1.000/1.611, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, BB, 2 SB)
Florida State League Player of the Week!
Brian Kalmer, 3B (Cubs NR)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (6 G, .435/.458/.913/1.371, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, BB)
Carolina League Player of the Week!
Won-Bin Cho, OF (Cardinals #10)
Palm Beach Cardinals (5 G, .500/.565/.833/1.398, 9 H, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 4 SB)

PITCHER: Luis Carrasco, RHP (Athletics NR)
Stockton Ports (1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
The Ports’ right hander Carrasco is our Single-A pitching prospect of the week after throwing 6 shutout innings in San Jose on Thursday, striking out nine without allowing a walk. After throwing just over 13 innings across two stints at the level in 2021 and 2022, Carrasco has now amassed four quality starts on the season. He has a 4.81 ERA over 78 innings, striking out over 8 batters per nine while walking 2.63. The 21-year-old was a 2018 signee out of Venezuela. He is the cousin of Carlos Carrasco. (@Leobaseball3)

Honorable Mentions:
Collin Lowe, RHP (Marlins NR)
Jupiter Hammerheads (1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)
Yorman Galindez, RHP (Brewers NR)
Carolina Mudcats (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K)
Jackson Ferris, LHP (Cubs #9)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Christian Romero, RHP (Dodgers NR)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 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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