Pipeline Preview: Lugo looks to continue power parade
Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch:Dawel Lugo (D-backs' No. 4), Jackson at Mobile (8:05 p.m. ET)
All Lugo has done recently is knock four home runs in his last four games for Double-A Jackson. HIs latest blast was a solo homer in the top of the ninth to give the Generals a tight 1-0 win against Mobile. Lugo is batting .382 through his first seven games.
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Pitcher to watch:Luis Ortiz (Brewers' No. 4), Biloxi vs. Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Ortiz, the No. 58 prospect in baseball, is looking to rebound from a tough 2017 debut after allowing five earned runs and two homers in just four innings of work against Montgomery on April 9. The Shuckers' right-hander posted a 3.08 ERA across three levels last season that was much better than his 6-8 record suggested.
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Duel of the day:Max Fried (Braves' No. 8) at Duane Underwood Jr. (Cubs' No. 15), Mississippi at Tennessee (5 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Fried went just 1 2/3 innings in his first start of 2017, allowing two runs and taking the loss for Double-A Mississippi. That's a tough way to kick off a year, but the Braves organization certainly expects more this season from a pitcher who posted a 3.93 ERA and struck out 112 batters over 103 innings for Rome last year.
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Fried will be opposed by Underwood, who put up a solid five innings while allowing two runs and striking out eight in his '17 debut for Tennessee. That's a step in the right direction for the righty, who struggled to an 0-6 record across four different clubs in the Cubs organization last year.
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Saturday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 69 Germán Márquez (Rockies' No. 4), Albuquerque at Tacoma (Triple-A)
No. 89 Walker Buehler (Dodgers' No. 5), Rancho Cucamonga vs. Lake Elsinore (Class A Advanced)
More top prospect probables
Joan Gregorio (Giants' No. 8), Sacramento at Las Vegas (Triple-A)
Nick Pivetta (Phillies' No. 12), Lehigh Valley at Pawtucket (Game 2) (Triple-A)
Mark Appel (Phillies' No. 20), Lehigh Valley at Pawtucket (Game 1) (Triple-A)
Frank Duncan (D-backs' No. 24), Reno vs. El Paso (Triple-A)
Luke Jackson (Braves' No. 26), Gwinnett at Durham (Triple-A)
Paul Blackburn (Athletics' No. 26), Nashville vs. Colorado Springs (Triple-A)
Brad Keller (D-backs' No. 7), Jackson at Mobile (Double-A)
Felix Jorge (Twins' No. 9), Chattanooga at Jacksonville (Double-A)
Dakota Hudson (Cardinals' No. 9), Springfield vs. Frisco (Double-A)
Tanner Scott (Orioles' No. 11), Bowie vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
Cory Taylor (Giants' No. 22), Richmond at Reading (Double-A)
Greg Harris (Rays' No. 28), Montgomery at Birmingham (Double-A)
T.J. Zeuch (Blue Jays' No. 7), Dunedin at Jupiter (Class A Advanced)
Touki Touissant (Braves' No. 11), Florida at St. Lucie (Class A Advanced)
Gage Hinsz (Pirates' No. 11) at Zack Littell (Yankees' No. 23), Bradenton at Tampa (Class A Advanced)
A.J. Puckett (Royals' No. 11) at Joan Baez (Nationals' No. 24), Wilmington at Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Juan Hillman (Indians' No. 12) at Ostman Gutierrez (Blue Jays' No. 26), Lake County at Lansing (Class A Advanced)
Joey Wentz (Braves' No. 13), Rome vs. Charleston (Class A Advanced)
Merandy Gonzalez (Mets' No. 15) at Melvin Adon (Giants' No. 26), Columbia at Augusta (Class A Advanced)
Adonis Medina (Phillies' No. 16), Lakewood vs. Greensboro (Game 1) (Class A Advanced)
Jordan Holloway (Marlins' No. 17), Greensboro at Lakewood (Game 2) (Class A Advanced)
Matt Hall (Tigers' No. 19), Lakeland at Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
Freddy Peralta (Brewers' No. 19), Carolina vs. Frederick (Class A Advanced)
Joe Gatto (Angels' No. 25) vs. Nick Wells (Mariners' No. 29), Birmingham vs. Clinton (Class A Advanced)
A.J. Alexy (Dodgers' No. 29), Great Lakes vs. Dayton (Class A Advanced)
Alex Wells (Orioles' No. 17), Delmarva vs. Hagerstown (Class A)