Pipeline Preview: Kingery aims to extend hit streak

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Scott Kingery (Phillies' No. 3), Lehigh Valley at Charlotte (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Kingery pushed his hitting streak to 15 games on Thursday, going 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI out of the leadoff spot in Triple-A Lehigh Valley's win over Norfolk. The 23-year-old second baseman, MLBPipeline.com's No. 56 overall prospect, is slashing .300/.332/.458 and has hits in 41 of his 45 games with the IronPigs. Overall, Kingery has produced a .308/.360/.547 batting line with 24 home runs, 24 doubles and 27 stolen bases between the Double- and Triple-A levels.

Pitcher to watch: No. 12 Michael Kopech (White Sox No. 3), Birmingham vs. Montgomery (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Kopech has been must-watch entertainment of late, with the No. 12 overall prospect turning in double-digit strikeout performances in three of his past four starts for Double-A Birmingham. The 21-year-old flame-thrower has been unstoppable since appearing in the Futures Game, as he enters Friday having posted a 0.66 ERA over his last six starts, during which he's allowed just 21 hits while tallying 54 strikeouts and seven walks in 41 innings. However, while Kopech was intially scheduled to start this game, it looks like he has already made his final start for Double-A Birmingham this year, as the White Sox announced Friday afternoon that he will be promoted to Triple-A Charlotte, and that he will make his Knights debut Monday night.

Duel of the day: Cole Ragans (Rangers' No. 6) vs. Nate Pearson (Blue Jays' No. 8), Spokane vs. Vancouver (9:30 p.m. ET)
Ragans will be looking to get back on track Friday after allowing a total of 11 earned runs on 20 hits over his last 12 innings (three starts) for Class A Short Season Spokane. Even with his recent struggles, the 19-year-old left-hander has put together a strong campaign in the Northwest League, posting a 3.80 ERA with 66 strikeouts and a .238 opponents' average in 45 innings (10 starts).

Pearson, the No. 28 overall Draft pick in 2017, dominated in his last start, firing three hitless innings with six strikeouts (both career highs) for Vancouver. The 20-year-old righty has begun his career with five straight scoreless outings during which he's yielded four hits while striking out 14 batters in 10 innings.

Friday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 43 Cal Quantrill (Padres' No. 2), San Antonio at Tulsa (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 46 Franklin Perez (Astros' No. 3), Corpus Christi at Springfield (8:10 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 51 Sixto Sanchez (Phillies' No. 2), Clearwater at Charlotte (6:35 p.m. ET)
No. 77 Adrian Morejon (Padres' No. 5), Fort Wayne vs. Great Lakes (7:05 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables
Steven Brault (Pirates' No. 7), Indianapolis at Syracuse (Triple-A)
Julian Merryweather (Indians' No. 13), Columbus vs. Pawtucket (Triple-A)
Myles Jaye (Tigers' No. 25), Toledo at Norfolk (Triple-A)
Rogelio Armenteros (Astros' No. 26), Fresno vs. Las Vegas (Triple-A)
Nick Neidert (Mariners' No. 2) vs. Casey Meisner (A's No. 26), Arkansas at Midland (Double-A)
Ryan Castellani (Rockies' No. 6), Hartford vs. Reading (Double-A)
Foster Griffin (Royals' No. 6), NW Arkansas at Frisco (Double-A)
Sean Reid-Foley (Blue Jays' No. 7), New Hampshire vs. Altoona (Double-A)
Felix Jorge (Twins' No. 7), Chattanooga at Tennessee (Double-A)
Marcos Molina (Mets' No. 8), Binghamton vs. Portland, Game 2 (Double-A)
Freddy Peralta (Brewers' No. 11), Biloxi at Jackson (Double-A)
Tyler Alexander (Tigers' No. 12) vs. John Means (Orioles' No. 30), Erie at Bowie (Double-A)
Dillon Tate (Yankees' No. 15), Trenton at Harrisburg (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 23), Mobile vs. Jacksonville (Double-A)
Jon Duplantier (D-backs' No. 2), Visalia at San Jose (Class A Advanced)
Peter Lambert (Rockies' No. 5), Lancaster at Inland Empire (Class A Advanced)
Aaron Civale (Indians' No. 11), Lynchburg vs. Salem (Class A Advanced)
Cody Sedlock (Orioles' No. 12), Frederick at Carolina (Class A Advanced)
Jake Woodford (Cardinals' No. 13), Palm Beach vs. Bradenton (Class A Advanced)
Sandy Baez (Tigers' No. 15), Lakeland vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
Caleb Ferguson (Dodgers' No. 21), Rancho Cucamonga at Lake Elsinore (Class A Advanced)
Colton Hock (Marlins' No. 12), Batavia vs. Mahoning Valley (Class A Short Season)
Nick Raquet (Nationals' No. 16) vs. Spencer Howard (Phillies' No. 23), Auburn vs. Williamsport (Class A Short Season)
Kyle Muller (Braves' No. 13), Danville vs. Kingsport (Rookie)