Prospects of the Week: July 23 – July 29

Each week we pick the hitting and pitching prospects from each level (AAA, AA, A+, A, Short Season-A and Rookie league) who, in our opinion, had the best week. We’re always on the lookout for candidates, so tweet us (@Prospects1500@PaulTheMartin and @Scotty_Ballgame) when you see a great performance.

Martin picks his POTW hitters and pitchers for each level, while Greene presents other names at each level that are just as deserving of POTW honors. Enjoy, and make sure you’re keeping an eye out for these prospects in your dynasty leagues.

AAA

Hitter: Ramon Laureano, OF (Oakland Athletics, #15)
Nashville Sounds (6 G, .560/.633/1.200, 14 H, 4 2B, 4 HR, 2 SB)

Laureano is breathing down the neck of Oakland Athletics outfielders with performances such as this one. Having a stand-out year at AAA, the 24-year-old exploded with a powerful bat over his past 6 games. It is always exciting to see a player, known for their hit tool, raising their ISO and putting together weeks with 8 extra base hits. This play is an example of what Laureano can provide at his ceiling. He also adds a bit of speed to the equation, which used to be a larger tool for him, added to a new-and-improved game power skill set.

Greene’s AAA Hitter: Adolis Garcia, OF (St. Louis Cardinals, #5)
Memphis Redbirds (6 G, .414/.433/1.241, 12 H, 4 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 14 RBI)

Pitcher: Josh James, RHP (Houston Astros, #33)
Fresno Grizzlies (1 GS, 1-0, 6 IP, 11:4 K:BB, 2 H, 0 ER, 15% SwStr%)

James finds his way to our list again after a dominant start against the Iowa Cubs. The big right-hander tossed 6 shutout innings with 11 strikeouts, giving him 11+ K in 5 of his last 8 starts. His swing-and-miss statistics are gaudy. James has a K% hovering around 40% in 86.2 IP at AA/AAA this season. This former 34th round pick is making a name for himself within the Astros system and is steadily working his way into the discussion for a major league promotion. He is even making himself more of a viable dynasty league option with his deadly strikeout numbers and proximity to the bigs.

Greene’s AAA Pitcher: Touki Toussaint, RHP (Atlanta Braves, #5)
Gwinnett Stripers (1 GS, 1-0, 8 IP, 8:4 K:BB, 2 H, 0 ER, 17% SwStr%)

AA

Hitter: Andy Young, 2B/Util (St. Louis Cardinals, #N/A)
Springfield Cardinals (7 G, .423/.531/1.000, 11 H, 5 HR, 12 RBI)

It was the first full week for Young in a Springfield Cardinals jersey, and it was impressive. The overlooked 24-year-old matched his home run total from 2017 over the weekend with his 2nd multi-HR effort in 5 games. Not a bad start for the 1126th overall selection of the 2016 draft. The Indiana State product will need a few more weeks like this to gain more prospect hype, but for now, it is a noteworthy performance that deserves recognition with our weekly award.

Greene’s AA Hitter: Brent Rooker, OF (Minnesota Twins, #4)
Chattanooga Lookouts (7 G, .500/.606/.923, 13 H, 2 2B, 3 HR)

Pitcher: Dylan Cease, RHP (Chicago White Sox, #4)
Birmingham Barons (1 GS, 1-0, 7 IP, 12:1 K:BB, H, 0 ER, 20% SwStr%)

Cease is pushing since his promotion to AA. He now has 42 K in his first 28.2 innings at the level. This start was remarkable for the lack of baserunners allowed by the fireballer. Cease is known for his big fastball, big breaking ball, and ability to generate swinging strikes, exemplified by the 20% rate this week. His achievements in 2018 include a trip to the Futures Game in Washington, D.C. and now, this highly coveted award. He possesses the upside of a front-line starter with the floor of a high-leverage reliever. It is a juicy profile for one of the top pitching prospects in the Chicago White Sox system.

Greene’s AA Pitcher: Brock Burke, LHP (Tampa Bay Rays, #22)
Montgomery Biscuits (1 GS, 1-0, 6 IP, 10:1 K:BB, 4 H, 0 ER, 21% SwStr%)


A+

Jose Pujols, OF (Philadelphia Phillies, #15)
Clearwater Threshers (6 G, .417/.462/1.083, 10 H, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI)

This performance is what one is looking for out of Pujols. Huge power, a few walks, a bunch of hits, and too many strikeouts are all part of the game with this Phillies prospect. The latter part of that profile is the most troubling aspect of an otherwise outstanding profile. Since being signed in 2012, Pujols has had weeks like this plenty of times. However, this year his .299/.364/.516 slash-line is a career-best. He is showing the same raw ability with a bit more polish in the results. Pujols should be on every dynasty league radar for the power upside, but it is about time we see a taming of the approach.

Greene’s A+ Hitter: Alex Kirilloff, OF (Minnesota Twins, #5)
Fort Myers Miracle (7 G, .556/.581/.889, 15 H, 6 2B, HR, 8 RBI)

Pitcher: Tanner Houck, RHP (Boston Red Sox, #5)
Salem Red Sox (2 GS, 1-0, 12 IP, 12:1 K:BB, 7 H, ER, 16% SwStr%)

The Boston Red Sox 1st round pick of the 2017 draft is struggling in his first full professional season. This week Houck was able to gain a little momentum by shutting down the Potomac Nationals and Winston-Salem Dash in two straight starts. He is looking better as of late, posting a 2.78 ERA in July with over 1 strikeout per inning. Most recently he posted a week deserving of #POTW here on Prospects 1500, dazzling with a 12:1 K:BB over 12 innings of work against 2 solid squads.

Greene’s A+ Pitcher: Joan Martinez, RHP (Boston Red Sox, #22)
Salem Red Sox (2 G, 5 IP, 10:0 K:BB, ER, 2 H, 29% SwStr%)


A

Hitter: Tristan Pompey, OF (Miami Marlins, #N/A)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (6 G, .524/.630/.905, 11 H, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 SB)

The name “Pompey” is a bit of a legacy in dynasty leagues. Dreams of Dalton being a power/speed combo guy for the Blue Jays never fully manifested. However, we now get to restart the clock with his brother Tristan Pompey, who was a 3rd round selection of the Miami Marlins in 2018. Bringing the same deadly combo as his brother, Tristan put together a spectacular 6 games for the short-season Grasshoppers. The polish of his college bat displayed itself, along with the power and speed we’re looking for in the Pompey name. Overall this is a gaudy fantasy baseball profile and an exciting piece to pay attention to in a thriving Miami system.

Greene’s A Hitter: Seuly Matias, OF (Kansas City Royals, #2)
Lexington Legends (7 G, .365/.429/.769, 10 H, 2B, 3 HR (2018: 30 HR), 8 RBI)

Pitcher: Trevor Rogers, LHP (Miami Marlins, #3)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (2 GS, 13.2 IP, 19:6 K:BB, 4 H, 2 ER, 13% SwStr%)

After an injury and a hurricane, Rogers finally made his debut this season for the Miami Marlins. He is yet to perform up to the level of a 13th overall pick, spent on him in 2017. However, this week was a different story for the young lefty. Rogers picked up 19 K in 13.2 innings of work, allowing only 2 runs to the Lakewood BlueClaws. The Hickory Crawdads got the nasty stuff; Rogers allowed 3 baserunners in that start with 12 strikeouts. An impressive overall week for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, winning both of our A-ball awards.

Greene’s A Pitcher: Alex Fagalde, RHP (St. Louis Cardinals, #N/A)
Peoria Chiefs (2 GS, 1-0, 12 IP, 15:2 K:BB, 2 H, 0 ER, 16% SwStr%)

A-

Hitter: Mc Gregory Contreras, OF (Toronto Blue Jays, #SUPER SLEEPER)
Vancouver Canadians (5 G, .450/.450/1.200, 9 H, 4 2B, 3B, 3 HR, SB)

No, the space in his first name is not a typo. “”Mc Gregory” put on a display this week in the lower levels of the Blue Jays system. This young, Venezuelan outfielder showed some power, some speed, and an overall feel for the barrel that results in a positive line drive rate in the minors. He is off-the-radar within their system and producing decently for a teenager in the Northwest League. The strikeouts are a concern for dynasty leagues, but this week was extremely impressive all-around.

Greene’s A- Hitter: Joey Bart, C (San Francisco Giants, #1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (5 G, .444/.522/1.000, 8 H, 4 2B, 2 HR)

Pitcher: Mac Sceroler, RHP (Cincinnati Reds, #N/A)
Billings Mustangs/Dayton Dragons (2 GS, 2-0, 12 IP, 14:4 K:BB, 6 H, 0 ER, 14% SwStr%)

The 23-year-old is finally making it out of Rookie ball. Drafted by the Reds in 2017, this college arm out of Southeastern Louisiana is not giving them much confidence with his debut. However, after a rough start to the year in Dayton, he arrives back with a vengeance going 6 innings and striking out 6 Lansing Lugnuts. Sceroler is one to pull for as he needs to start showing some stuff with his 2nd attempt on the Dragons. Let’s hope we see more weeks like like this for the kid!

Greene’s A- Pitcher: Jaison Vilera, RHP (New York Mets, #N/A)
Brooklyn Cyclones (1 GS, 1-0, 7 IP, 8:2 K:BB, 2 H, 0 ER, 10% SwStr%)

Honorable Mention: Hans Crouse, RHP (Texas Rangers, #4)
Spokane Indians (1 GS, 1-0, 7 IP, 12:0 K:BB, 6 H, ER, 6% SwStr%)

RK

Hitter: Edgardo Rodriguez, DH/C (Tampa Bay Rays, #N/A)
DSL Rays 2 (4 G, .737/.750/1.211, 14 H, 6 2B, HR, SB)

This 17-year-old has one of the best size profiles I have ever seen in a teenager born post-2000. He currently lists at 6’0″, 207 lbs. and carries a .370/.417/.551 slash-line in his first DSL experience. It’s no doubt this kid deserves to be state-side with numbers like that, especially seeing what he did this week. Rodriguez tallied 14 hits in only 4 games with 7 extra base hits and a steal. One of the most intriguing parts of this profile is the 12:9 K:BB he has in his first 32 games. Wander Franco may be stealing some of the shine from this other advanced youth at their rookie level.

Greene’s RK Hitter: Rylan Thomas, 1B (Cincinnati Reds, #N/A)
Greenville Reds (6 G, .526/.654/1.316, 10 H, 3 2B, 4 HR)

Honorable Mention: Eddy Diaz, SS (Colorado Rockies, #N/A)
DSL Colorado (6 G, .522/.542/.739, 12 H, 2B, 2 3B, 6 SB (2018: 53 SB))


Pitcher: Ben Brown, RHP (Philadelphia Phillies, #N/A)
Phillies West (1 GS, 1-0, 6 IP, 16:1 K:BB, 2 H, 0 ER)

Brown went ballistic during his last Gulf Coast League start. The 18-year-old, 2017 draft pick posted a monstrous 16 strikeouts in 6 innings with only 3 baserunners allowed. This remarkable start is an outlier within the season statistics. However, Brown continues to thrive in his 2nd year of rookie ball, posting a 2.00 ERA with 49 K in 36 innings. Phillies have a ton of interesting young arms within their system, and Brown is definitely one to pay attention to with the upside he is showing.

Greene’s RK Pitcher: Jefferson Escorcha, LHP (New York Mets, #N/A)
DSL Mets 2 (2 G, 1-0, Save, 5 IP, 11:0 K:BB, 0 H, 0 ER)

 

Featured image of Jose Pujols – photo credit Scott Greene

Paul Martin graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in Political Science and American Studies. After college the drive to become a baseball writer became real when Lenny Melnick asked for a podcast substitute. Ever since late-2017, Paul has been providing content for LennyMelnickFantasySports.com, Razzball, Pitcher List, and now Prospects1500. Living in the Connecticut area there are plenty of options for minor league coverage with the closest team being the Hartford Yard Goats. This die-hard Yankees fan has transitioned into a well-rounded cover of all things fantasy baseball and prospects.




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