Prospects of the Week: September 18 – September 24

September 26, 2023 Jeremy Mahy Prospects of the Week 0

Dalton Rushing, Los Angeles Dodgers. Photo credit Gail Verderico, @1baseball_gail on Twitter and @baseball_gail 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 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: Connor Norby, 2B (Orioles #7)
Norfolk Tides (6 G, .320/.452/.800/1.252, 8 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, SB)

A second round pick in 2021, Norby was expected to move quickly and stick at second base. Those thoughts could not have been more true. Norby flew through the minors in 2022, starting the season at High-A Aberdeen and ending in Triple-A Norfolk. In 2023, he spent the entire season at AAA and proved that the big numbers he put up in 2022 were not fluke. Putting up nearly identical or better stats, Norby has nothing left to prove in the minors which was only further proved last week. Norby owned the Buffalo Bisons through the 6-game series. He smashed 6 extra base hits, scored 7 runs and knocked in 11, helping Norfolk keep its slim lead over Durham. Norby is ready for majors and I imagine it won’t be too long before he’s raking in the bigs. (@RyanJames5)

Honorable Mentions:

Nick Gonzales, 2B (Pirates #7)
Indianapolis Indians (6 G, .393/.414/.821/1.235, 11 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, BB)

Tyler Black, 2B (Brewers #4)
Nashville Sounds (5 G, .556/.619/.889/1.508, 10 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 RBI, 6 R, BB, 2 SB)


Will Wagner, 2B (Astros #5)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (6 G, .517/.607/.692/1.299, 15 H, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SB)
Pacific Coast League Player of the Week!

Ryan Vilade, OF (Pirates #35)
Indianapolis Indians (6 G, .538/.571/.769/1.340, 14 H, 3 2B, HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB)
International League Player of the Week!

PITCHER: Tanner Gordon, RHP (Rockies, Braves #24)
Albuquerque Isotopes  (1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)

The 6-5 Gordon was acquired from the Braves in July as part of the trade for Pierce Johnson. On Friday September 22 vs. Oklahoma City, the former Indiana Hoosier hurled 7 shutout innings, striking out 8, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks. Gordon landed at #24 in our Midseason Top 50 Prospects. (@100percent3G)

Honorable Mentions:

Bryan Sammons, LHP (Tigers NR)
Toledo Mud Hens (1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
Anthony Molina, RHP (Rays NR)
Durham Bulls (1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K)

Double-A Divisional Playoff Round

Southern League
Binghamton Rumble Ponies defeated Somerset Patriots 2 games to 0
Erie SeaWolves defeated Richmond Flying Squirrels 2 games to 0

Eastern League
Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated Montgomery Biscuits 2 games to 0
Tennessee Smokies defeated Chattanooga Lookouts 2 games to 0

Texas League
Arkansas Travelers defeated Springfield Cardinals 2 games to 1
Amarillo Sod Poodles defeated San Antonio Missions 2 games to 1

HITTER: Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B (Diamondbacks #15)
Amarillo Dos Poodles (3 G, .538/.538/1.077/1.615, 7 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R)

Amarillo 3B Deyvsion De Los Santos powered his team over a three-game playoff series vs. San Antonio. In three games and just thirteen at-bats, he he had seven hits with a double, triple, and a home run. Good luck in the championship to De Los Santos and his Sod Poodles! (@blacksox96)

Honorable Mentions:

Graham Pauley, 3B (Padres #33)
San Antonio Missions (3 G, .462/.533/.615/1.148, 6 H, 2 2B, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB)

Bennett Hostetler, C (Marlins NR)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (2  G, .500/.556/1.375/1.931, 4 H, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, BB)

Chris Meyers, 1B (Tigers NR)
Erie SeaWolves (2 G, .375/.375/1.375/1.750, 3 H, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R)

PITCHER: Dominic Hamel, RHP (Mets #8)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1 GS, 7.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K)

Dominic was absolutely outstanding Thursday night for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, leading them to the Eastern League Championship. He pitched 7.2 shutout innings and struck out 8. He was visibly fired up after only allowing 3 hits and now through 21 innings this September (4 games pitched), he has not given up a run. (@PhilipFrank18)

Honorable Mentions:

Brant Hurter, LHP (Tigers #23)
Erie SeaWolves (1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K)

Brandon Komar, RHP (Cardinals NR)
Springfield Cardinals (1 GS, 6.2 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 9 K)

Patrick Monteverde, LHP (Marlins #3)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (1 GS, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K)

Cade Horton, RHP (Cubs #2)
Tennessee Smokies (1 GS, 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K)

A-Ball Championship Series

Midwest League (High-A)
Cedar Rapid Kernels defeated Great Lakes Loons 2 games to 1

South Atlantic League (High-A)
Greenville Drive defeated Hudson Valley Renegades 2 games to 0

California League (Single-A)
Modesto Nuts defeated Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2 games to 0

Florida State League (Single-A)
Jupiter Hammerheads defeated Clearwater Threshers 2 games to 1

Carolina League (Single-A)
Charleston RiverDogs defeated Down East Wood Dicks 2 games to 0

HITTER: Dalton Rushing, C (Dodgers #4)
Great Lakes Loons (3 G, .500/.615/1.500/2.115, 5 H, 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB)

The 2022 2nd round pick almost single handedly kept the Loons championship hopes alive last week. In the deciding game of the series, he got on base in all four of his plate appearances going 2-2 with a home run, a double, and two walks while driving in three runs. There is little doubt that Rushing will continue to hit as he climbs the ladder. If the Dodgers decide to keep him behind the plate, he could be dynasty league gold.

Honorable Mentions:

Jake Gelof, IF (Dodgers #34)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (2 G, .333/.333/1.222/1.555, 3 H, 3B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R)

Michael Arroyo, SS (Mariners #6)
Modesto Nuts (2 G, .500/.600/.875/1.475, 4 H, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB)

Jordan Viars, OF (Phillies #18)
Clearwater Threshers (2 G, .571/.571/1.000/1.571, 4 H, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI)

JoJo Blackmon, OF (Rangers NR)
Down East Wood Ducks (2 G, .500/.556/1.000/1.556, 4 H, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)

PITCHER: Luis Perales, RHP (Red Sox #8)
Greenville Drive (1 GS, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K)

The Red Sox top pitching prospect dazzled in his final playoff start en route to Greenville’s South Atlantic League championship. In the 6-inning, Game 1 start of the series, Perales limited the Yankee’s High-A affiliate to three baserunners, allowing only one hit (a single) and two walks. Over six shutout frames, Perales racked up four strikeouts, while amassing 7 ground outs and 5 flyouts over an efficient 69 pitches (64% strikes) in the close-knit contest. It was his longest outing and the fewest hits allowed in a game since his promotion to High-A at the end of July. Perales took enormous strides forward in his development this season, both in health and experience, and showcased his substantial upside through every pitch of the championship season. (@TBDubbs11)

Honorable Mentions:

Andrew Morris, RHP (Twins #32)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (1 GS, 5 IP, 3 H, R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Jean Cabrera, RHP (Phillies #41)
Clearwater Threshers (1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, R, BB, 6 K)

Justin Wrobleski, LHP (Dodgers #29)
Great Lakes Loons (1 GS, 4 IP, 3 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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