The Good
Oscar Gonzalez, OF, Indians (Low-A Kane County): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.
The 20-year-old raised his slash line to .275/.296/.441 last night with 11 2B and 10 HRs. He’s a fine defender in a corner outfield spot and has plus raw power. The swing and miss and aggressive approach may always hold him back from being an every day regular.
Yasel Antuna, SS, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 3-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Antuna was signed during the 2016 J2 period. He could handle either middle infield position and is an above average runner. He could feature an average hit, average power skill set once he fills out a little more.
Alex Kiriloff, OF/1B, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 4-6, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
The 2016 15th overall pick has hit well this year slashing .329/.386/.608 with 18 2Bs and 13 HRs. He’s an average defender and his running ability will never be part of his game but he could end up an above average hitter with plus power st the highest level.
Royce Lewis, SS, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 2-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB.
Kiriloff’s teammate and former #1 overall pick in 2017, has hit pretty well himself slashing .291/.336/.437. Lewis is a 70 runner and average defender at short but he’ll be known for his bat. He could potentially be a plus hitter with plus power when it’s all said and done.
Keegan Thompson, RHP, Cubs (High-A Myrtle Beach): 7 IP, 0 H/ER/R/BB, 8 K.
Thompson was selected by the Cubs in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft. He’s similar to their first round pick Alex Lange in both have a fastball in the low-90s and a plus curveball. Thompson also has an average changeup and if can command at an average level, he should make the bigs as a backend of the rotation starter.
Mickey Moniak, OF, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 3-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI.
It’s been a very up and down career so far for the former #1 overall pick. Moniak is still a plus runner and fine defender in centerfield but he hasn’t hit and hasn’t shown much power at all. Last night, was a good night and hopefully was a sign of things to come.
Kyle Lewis, OF, Mariners (High-A Modesto): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Lewis featured some of the best power in all of the 2016 draft. In a corner outfield spot, he’s an average defender and runner and features a plus arm. He has double-plus raw and if he hits at an average level, his game power could play plus as well.
Cal Quantrill, RHP, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER/R, 1 BB, 7 K.
Quantrill was one of the more polarizing prospects in the 2016 draft since he didn’t pitch much during his draft year. He was still selected by the Padres 8th overall. Cal features a plus fastball, plus changeup and slider and average curveball with average command. If he stays healthy, he could pitch in the middle of a rotation for years to come.
Dane Dunning, RHP, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham): 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER/R/BB, 10 K.
Dunning has found himself on the MLU many times this year. With his plus fastball, plus slider and above average changeup, Dunning has struck out 96 batters in 82.1 innings so far this year. He should see Chicago by year’s end.
TJ Zeuch, RHP, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER/R, BB, 3 K.
Zeuch was the 21st overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Pittsburgh. He features a plus fastball, average changeup, above average curveball and average slider to go along with potentially average command. He should see some big league time as early as next year.
Taylor Hearn, LHP, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER/R/BB, 10 K.
Hearn came from the Nationals in the Mark Melancon deal after being drafted by them in the 2015 5th round. He features an above average changeup and fastball that will reach the mid-90s and a slider that will flash average. Hearn has the stuff to be a starter but we’ll see if his command is ever enough.
Francisco Mejia, C, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.
One of the top catching prospects in all of MiLB, Mejia got off to a slow start at the plate this year. He hasn’t hit for power or walked much this year but he’s still young and is near MLB ready. Mejia should see big league time soon.
Nick Kingham, RHP, Pirates (Triple-A Indy): 7 IP, H, 0 ER/R/BB, 5 K.
The 2010 4th round draft pick has had his fair share of years in the minors and injuries. He’s spent some time in the majors this year and should get back there soon. He has a fastball in the low-90s, an above average changeup and average changeup. If his command can be average, he’ll be a fine backend of the rotation piece.
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