Prospects of the Week: June 19 – June 25

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: Jorge Barrosa, OF (Diamondbacks #13)

Reno Aces (6 G, .524/.565/.952/1.517, 11 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, BB, 2 SB)
Hip Hip Jorge, as in Reno outfielder Jorge Barrosa. Five runs on eleven hits with five extra base hits to go along with two steals, talk about a player that can light up a boxscore! (@blacksox96)

Honorable Mentions:

Jared Triolo, 3B (Pirates #18)
Indianapolis Indians (7 G, .391/.517/.696/1.213, 9 H, 3 2B, 2 3B, 4 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, 4 SB)

Pedro Leon, OF/SS (Astros #5)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (5 G, .474/.565/1.000/1.565, 9 H, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 11 R, 3 BB)

Cade Marlowe, OF (Mariners #20)
Tacoma Rainiers (6 G, .357/.438/.786/1.224, 10 H, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 4 SB)

Oscar Colas, OF (White Sox #2)
Charlotte Knights (5 G, .421/.450/.895/1.345, 8 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, BB)

Sandro Fabian, OF (Rangers NR)
Round Rock Express (5 G, .500/.500/1.050/1.550, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R)

PITCHER: Quinn Priester, RHP (Pirates #5)

Indianapolis Indians (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K)
In one of the best of his professional career, Priester struck out 11 batters while pitching 6 scoreless innings against Columbus last week. Priester allowed just three hits, walked two, throwing 61 of 96 pitches for strikes, and inducing seven ground ball outs. You have to figure that the Pirates give him a shot against MLB hitters at some point this season.

Honorable Mentions:

Robert Gasser, LHP (Brewers #6)
Nashville Sounds (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 5 H, R, 0 BB, 9 K)

Caleb Kilian, RHP (Cubs #16)
Iowa Cubs (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)

Brandon Pfaadt, RHP (Diamondbacks #4)
Reno Aces (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Double-A

HITTER: Coby Mayo, 3B (Orioles #6)

Bowie Baysox (7 G, .462/.563/1.000/1.563, 12 H, 5 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB)
Eastern League Player of the Week!
Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle were in town on rehab assignments but Mayo stole the show. After a six walk and eight extra base hit week, Mayo’s OPS is now up to 1.041 on the year. Mayo is one of my personal favorites in this system and is crushing the ball to start the year.

Coby Mayo just loves hitting against Altoona! pic.twitter.com/cgsG1JBY6l

— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) June 24, 2023

Honorable Mentions:

Ivan Johnson, SS (Reds #44)
Chattanooga Lookouts (5 G, .533/.588/1.200/1.788, 8 H, 2B, 3 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)

Jeremiah Jackson, SS (Angels #9)
Rocket City Trash Pandas (5 G, .421/.421/1.158/1.579, 8 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R)
Southern League Player of the Week!

JEREMIAH JACKSON WITH AN ABSOLUTE MOONSHOT AT 465 FEET! pic.twitter.com/LXG6H718fg

— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) June 24, 2023

Thomas Saggese, IF (Rangers #15)
Frisco RoughRiders (6 G, .591/.654/.955/1.609, 13 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, SB)
Texas League Player of the Week!

Isiah Gilliam, OF (Mariners NR)
Arkansas Travelers (5 G, .381/.458/.952/1.410, 8 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 2 SB)

PITCHER: Ryan Cusick, RHP (Athletics #14)

Midland RockHounds (1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
After coming to Oakland in the return for Matt Olson last season, Cusick left much to be desired in his debut campaign, battling injury and inconsistencies with command. This season has been a mixed bag, but the big right hander turned in his best start yet on Saturday against San Antonio. The 23-year-old mowed through the Mission’s line up, throwing 7 shutout innings and striking out 7, yielding only 2 hits and one walk along the way. (@Leobaseball3)

Honorable Mentions:

Luis Moreno, RHP (Mets NR)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (2 GS, 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K)
Eastern League Pitcher of the Week!

Victor Munoz, RHP (Rays NR)
Montgomery Biscuits (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)
Southern League Pitcher of the Week!

Drew Parrish, LHP (Royals #35)

Northwest Arkansas Naturals (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)
Parrish cruised through his most recent start, striking out 7 batters, while throwing only 77 pitches through 6 shutout innings. Caveat alert: This was his first start after being sent down to NWA after 13 AAA outings where he struggled with walks (5.80 BB/9) and hits allowed (9.77 per 9). Parrish was the odd man out in the Omaha rotation after some promotions. Not sure if this is just to keep Parrish on schedule and on track to start, or what, but it’s something to monitor moving forward. Keeping him stretched out is good for org depth anyway. (@adamhalpin)

River Ryan, RHP (Dodgers #31)
Tulsa Drillers (1 GS, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)
Texas League Pitcher of the Week!

High-A

HITTER: Abimelec Ortiz, OF (Rangers NR)

Hickory Crawdads (5 G, .571/.600/1.143/1.743, 12 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week!

Ortiz, a former graduate of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, appears to be making a giant leap at the plate in his third professional season. Slashing .307/.392/.604 in 29 games at Single A Down East earned the 21 year-old 1B/OF a promotion to High A Hickory. He hasn’t slowed down. After 23 games, he has raised those numbers to .341/.396/.682. He’s someone to keep an eye on as the hit tool seems to be dramatically improving. (@byrontx)

Honorable Mentions:

Mike Jarvis, OF (Pirates NR)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (6 G, .417/.462/.875/1.337, 10 H, 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 11 R, BB, 5 SB)

Kenny Piper, C (Rays NR)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (5 G, .533/.632/1.400/2.032, 8 H, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 8 R, 2 BB, SB)

Tanner Schobel, IF (Twins NR)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (5 G, .421/.500/1.158/1.658, 8 H, 3B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 3 BB, SB)
Midwest League Player of the Week!

Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF (Twins #3)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (6 G, .429/.556/1.000/1.556, 9 H, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, 2 SB)

Jacob Berry, 3B (Marlins #3)
Beloit Sky Carp (6 G, .417/.444/.750/1.194, 10 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB)

Ivan Melendez, 1B (Diamondbacks #8)
Hillsboro Hops (6 G, .393/.393/.821/1.214, 11 H, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, BB)
Northwest League Player of the Week!

Saturday morning cycle! (sorta)

After a stat correction changed a double-and-error to a triple in the fifth inning of last night’s game, @Dbacks No. 7 prospect Ivan Melendez can now lay claim to the first cycle at Ron Tonkin Field by a @HillsboroHops player. pic.twitter.com/9UDSZ5yL5B

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 24, 2023

PITCHER: Tyrone Yulie, RHP (Yankees NR)

Hudson Valley Renegades (1 GS, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K)
South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week!

In the best performance of his young career, the 21-year-old Dominican righthander threw seven no-hit innings with seven strikeouts. In three June starts, he has posted a 2-1 record with a 1.53 ERA while allowing just nine hits in 17.2 innings.  He has struck out 18 batters with a 0.91 WHIP. Has he figured something out or is this just a hot stretch?

Honorable Mentions:

Kyle Virbitsky, RHP (Orioles NR)
Aberdeen IronBirds (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

Tyler Stuart, RHP (Mets NR)
Brooklyn Cyclones (1 GS, 7.2 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 11 K)

Juan Zapata, RHP (Guardians NR)
Lake County Captains (1 GS, 6.2 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K)
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week!

Jairo Iriarte, RHP (Padres #21)
Fort Wayne TinCaps ( 1GS, 6 IP, 3 H, R, 0 BB, 10 K)

Yilber Diaz, RHP (Diamondbacks #49)
Hillsboro Hops (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)

Single-A

HITTER: Christopher Familia, OF (Yankees NR)

Tampa Tarpons (5 G, .474/.524/1.053/1.577, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, BB)
Florida State League Player of the Week!

In 83 at-bats, Familia is hitting .398/.474/.928 with 11 homeruns and 31 RBI. Numbers like that will absolutely jump off the page at you. Our resident Yankees guru Paul (@PaulWoodin1) points out that while the numbers look great, it is a small sample size and Familia is a 23-year-old in Single-A. Definitely something to keep in mind when comparing him to his peers.

Honorable Mentions:

Chandler Simpson, MI (Rays #26)
Charleston RiverDogs (6 G, .364/.417/.455/.872, 8 H, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 SB)

Samuel Basallo, C/1B (Orioles NR)
Delmarva Shorebirds (5 G, .444/.565/.778/1.343, 8 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 2 SB)
Carolina League Player of the Week!

Hector Rodriguez, OF (Reds #20)
Daytona Tortugas (5 G, .450/.476/.850/1.326, 9 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, BB, 2 SB)

Rubel Cespedes, IF (Twins NR)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (6 G, .409/.500/.864/1.364, 9 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB)

Michael Arroyo, SS (Mariners #7)
Modesto Nuts (6 G, .417/.517/.667/1.184, 10 H, 4 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB)
California League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: C.J. Culpepper, RHP (Twins NR)

Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K)
Florida State League Pitcher of the Week!

Culpepper was drafted in the later rounds of the 2022 MLB Draft, and he’s already paying dividends for the Twins. Over eleven starts, he’s posted a 29.4% k-rate and an 8.3% bb-rate, which are both nice to look at. This past week, he threw a six-inning masterpiece, where he gave up just one hit while striking out five. It was by far his best performance (and his longest), leaving him to be someone to watch as he works his way through the Twins’ Minor League system. (@sportz_nutt51)

Honorable Mentions:

Yoniel Curet, RHP (Rays NR)
Charleston RiverDogs (1 GS, 5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K)
Carolina League Pitcher of the Week!

Trey Dombroski, LHP (Astros #31)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (1 GS, 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Owen Murphy, RHP (Braves #1)
Augusta GreenJackets (1 GS, 5.2 IP, 3 H, R, 0 BB, 12 K)

Yordanny Monegro, RHP (Red Sox NR)
Salem Red Sox (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K)

Robby Snelling, LHP (Padres #6)
Lake Elsinore Storm (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K)

Rookie Leagues

HITTER: Dyan Jorge, SS (Rockies #21)

ACL Rockies (5 G, .625/.750/1.125/1.875, 10 H, 2B, 2 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 9 R, 8 BB, 3 SB)
Arizona Complex League Player of the Week!

As Brian (@100percent3G) pointed out in his preseason Top-50 write-up, Jorge a 2020 draftee, lost the 2021 season to Covid and just made his rookie league debut last year. He is off to a blistering start to 2023 and it is highly likely that he will see A-ball soon. If he continues to rake there, his stock could take off.

Honorable Mentions:

Johanfran Garcia, C (Red Sox NR)
FCL Red Sox (4 G, .533/.611/1.133/1.749, 8 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB)
Florida Complex League Player of the Week!

Mike Rothenberg, C (Tigers NR)
FCL Tigers (4 G, .545/.688/1.909/2.597, 6 H, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB)

Yeremi Cabrera, OF (Rangers NR)
DSL Rangers Blue (5 G, .500/.630/.950/1.580, 10 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 11 R, 6 BB)
Dominican Summer League Player of the Week!

Eduardo Guerrero, SS (Dodgers NR)
DSL LAD Mega (4 G, .474/.500/.895/1.395, 9 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, BB, SB)

PITCHER: Wilkin Paredes, LHP (Diamondbacks NR)
DSL Arizona Black (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K)
Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Week!

Diamondbacks rookie Wilkin Parades had an outstanding week: six innings pitched with no runs and no walks and 9 strikeouts. Keep an eye on this 19-year-old as he should make his pro debut in Visalia very soon! (@blacksox96)

Honorable Mentions:

Alejandro Manzano, RHP (Athletics NR)
ACL Athletics (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 5 K)
Arizona Complex League Pitcher of the Week!

Eduardo Soriano, RHP (Twins NR)
DSL Twins (1 GS, 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K)

Haminton Mendez, RHP (Angels NR)
DSL Angels (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K)

Ervin Torres, LHP (Rockies NR)
DSL Rockies (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)

Junior Sanchez, RHP (Royals NR)
DSL Royals Gold (1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K)
Sanchez, one of 28 players signed by the Royals during the J15 class of 2022, was but a passing name to me before the season began. This week the 6’2” 18-year-old stood out by throwing the first 6 innings of a combined no-hitter for the DSL Gold squad. Congrats on making the list, Junior. It’s nice to know you now. (@adamhalpin)

Cesar Ayala, RHP (Blue Jays NR)
DSL Blue Jays (1 GS, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)
Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Week!