Friday's top prospect performers

July 13th, 2019

Here's a look at Friday's top Minor League performers from each team's Top 30 Prospects list:

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: Kevin Smith, SS/3B (No. 5) -- 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI (Double-A New Hampshire)
Smith put himself on the radar by slashing .302/.358/.528 with 25 homers, 31 doubles and 29 steals across two levels in his first full season, but he's struggled so far this year after moving up to Double-A, where he's batting .186/.247/.369 through 70 games. The 23-year-old went deep twice on Friday, though, hitting a two-run homer and a solo shot in his first two at-bats, respectively, to help power the Fisher Cats past Hartford, 4-2. The multi-homer performance was the first of Smith's career and gives him 10 homers on the year. Blue Jays prospects stats »

Orioles: DL Hall, LHP (No. 3, MLB No. 66) -- 4 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K (Class A Adv Frederick)
Hall was one of the more impressive pitchers in the SiriusXM Futures Games, during which he sat 96-97 mph with his fastball and flashed plus with both his curveball and changeup. On Friday the 20-year-old southpaw's stuff netted him seven strikeouts in 4 1/3 frames of one-hit ball, as he earned the win out of the bullpen in the Keys' win over Carolina in the first game of a double dip. While the former first-round pick (2017) has struggled with his control so far in his second full season, issuing 44 walks in 58 innings (6.8 BB/9), his 87 strikeouts (13.5 K/9), .200 BAA and one home run allowed (0.2 HR/9) all help to underscore the caliber of his stuff and overall high ceiling. Orioles prospects stats »

Rays: Jesus Sanchez, OF (No. 3, MLB No. 33) -- 1-for-3, HR, BB (Triple-A Durham)
After going 0-for-4 in his Triple-A debut, Sanchez made sure his second game was noteworthy. The 21-year-old, whom the Rays signed back in 2014, hit a homer, his ninth of the season, for his first hit with Triple-A Durham. Prior to his promotion, Sanchez was putting together a solid season with Double-A Montgomery, hitting .275 with eight homers through 78 games. Rays prospects stats »

Red Sox: Marcus Wilson, OF (No. 21) -- Game 1: 1-for-3, R; Game 2: 2-for-3, RBI (Class A Adv Salem)
Wilson's three-hit day was a bright spot for Salem, which dropped a doubleheader against Wilmington. Acquired from Arizona on April 19 in the Blake Swihart deal, Wilson batted .161 over 19 games at Double-A Portland following the trade before moving down to the Carolina League, where he's raked at a .340/.414/.610 clip with eight homers in 44 games. Red Sox prospects stats »

Yankees: Raimfer Salinas, OF (No. 30) -- 1-for-3, HR, BB (GCL Yankees West)
Salinas is off to a hot start in 2019, hitting .306/.346/.551 with seven extra-base hits (two homers) through his first 11 games in the Gulf Coast League. He's also hit safely in four straight games, during which he's tallied eight of his 15 hits. The Yankees signed Salinas in December 2017 for $1.85 million, which was the largest bonus New York gave to an international prospect during the 2017-18 period. If it all clicks, the 18-year-old outfielder could develop into a 20-20 player with his blend of plus raw power and plus speed. Yankees prospects stats »

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Indians: Aaron Bracho, 2B (No. 14) -- 3-for-5, 2 R, 3B, HR, 3 RBI (AZL Indians Blue)
Signed by Cleveland for $1.5 million in July 2017, Bracho had what was supposed to be his pro debut the following year wiped out by a fractured right forearm. Now fully healthy, the 18-year-old switch-hitter is crushing the ball in the Arizona League, where he's now hit four home runs in his past six games, giving him five on the season in his first 15 games. That offensive potential from the keystone makes Bracho a very interesting prospect. Indians prospects stats »

Royals: Kris Bubic, LHP (No. 8) -- 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K (Class A Adv Wilmington)
After representing the Royals in last Sunday's Futures Game, Bubic returned to Wilmington on Friday and turned in what was perhaps his best start of the season, facing one over the minimum over seven dominant frames. The 10-strikeout performance marked the fourth time in 17 starts this season that the 21-year-old lefty has racked up double-digit strikeouts, and, overall, he's now fanned 124 batters in 91 2/3 innings (12.2 K/9) this season while pitching to a 2.65 ERA across two levels. MJ Melendez, the Royals' No. 5 prospect, walked it off in extra innings with a two-run homer as Wilmington edged Salem, 2-1, in a doubleheader opener. Royals prospects stats »

Tigers: Tarik Skubal, LHP (No. 17) -- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K (Double-A Erie)
Skubal recorded seven of his first nine outs via the strikeout en route to his second straight start with at least 10 strikeouts -- he struck out 11 over five one-hit frames in his Erie debut -- since his promotion to Double-A. The 22-year-old lefty has established himself as one of the better pitching prospects in Detroit's system behind an outstanding first full season that's seen him pitch to a 2.39 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 118/22 K/BB in 90 1/3 innings (17 starts) across two levels. Skubal been particularly good of late, too, posting a
0.68 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 10 walks over his last 40 innings (seven starts). With each performance the 2018 ninth-rounder out of Seattle University is furthering his case as one of the 2018 Draft's biggest steals. Tigers prospects stats »

Twins: Trevor Larnach, OF (No. 4, MLB No. 93) -- 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB; Jordan Balazovic, RHP (No. 5, MLB No. 99) -- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K (Class A Adv Fort Myers)
Larnach's sixth home run of the year was a game-tying two-run shot in the third inning, and he later padded Fort Myers' lead in the seventh with an RBI single en route to his second straight multihit performance. The 2018 first-rounder from Oregon State is putting together an impressive first full season in the Florida State League, with a .310/.377/.458 line, six homers and 26 doubles in 82 games for the Miracle. Balazovic, fresh off of tossing a scoreless frame in Sunday's Futures Game, entered out of the bullpen to allow just one baserunner over four scoreless frames to seal Fort Myers' 8-4 win against Bradenton. The 20-year-old righty recorded half of his outs via the strikeout while throwing 39 of 55 pitches for strikes. Twins prospects stats »

White Sox: Andrew Vaughn, 1B -- 2-for-4, R, 2B, 3 RBI, BB (Class A Kannapolis)
The No. 3 overall pick from this year's Draft followed up a three-hit game on Thursday with another multihit performance, his sixth in 10 games to open his career. Vaughn didn't enter the hit column on Friday until the sixth inning, when he extended the Intimidators' lead with a two-run single, and he tacked on an insurance run with a double to left field in his next trip to the plate. One of the more accomplished college hitters in recent history -- he won the prestigious Golden Spikes Award as a Cal sophomore in 2018 -- Vaughn, who projects as a plus hitter with plus power, has produced a .439/.510/.683 line with six extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in his first 10 games. White Sox prospects stats »

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

A’s: Sheldon Neuse, 3B (No. 9) -- 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI (Triple-A Las Vegas)
Making just his fourth start of the season at shortstop on Friday, Neuse collected a team-high three hits, including an RBI double in the third inning and a two-run single in the subsequent frame. The 24-year-old, acquired via a 2017 trade with the Nationals, is hitting .312 through 84 games this season after hitting .263 at the Triple-A level last year. Neuse has a plus arm and will likely play third, but the ability to slide over to shortstop on occasion is certainly beneficial. A's prospects stats »

Angels: Jo Adell, OF (No. 1, MLB No. 4) -- 3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI (Double-A Mobile)
Adell's bat was a difference-maker on Friday, as he connected on a pair of solo home runs and also plated a run with a single to lead Mobile over Tennessee, 5-3. The multi-homer performance was the third of his career and gives Adell eight home runs in 32 games this season between Mobile and Class A Advanced Inland Empire. The tooled-up, 20-year-old outfielder is absolutely crushing the ball in the Southern League, hitting .371/.435/.670 with six homers and 11 doubles through 26 games. Angels prospects stats »

Astros: J.B. Bukauskas, RHP (No. 5, MLB No. 97) -- 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 6 K (Double-A Corpus Christi)
After failing to make it out of the first inning in his last start, Bukauskas bounced back to toss six innings of one-run ball to earn his first win of the season for the Hooks. He didn't allow a run until the sixth, when a leadoff walk came around to score on a two-out single -- one of two hits allowed by the right-hander in the outing. Armed with a plus fastball and a devastating slider, Bukauskas can be unhittable when he's at his best, though such performances have been few and far between this season for the former first-round pick (2017). Astros prospects stats »

Mariners: Justin Dunn, RHP (No. 2, MLB No. 67) -- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K; Kyle Lewis (No. 7) -- 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB (Double-A Arkansas)
Dunn was tagged for a season-high five runs in his last start, but he got back on track Friday with a quality start for the Travelers. Throwing 88 pitches (59 strikes) over six innings, the 23-year-old scattered five hits, walked one and racked up at least six strikeouts for the seventh time in his past eight starts. Lewis put Arkansas on the board in the first inning with his second homer in as many games -- his 7th home run this season -- and he later added an RBI double as part of a three-run 11th. The Travelers' bullpen was unable to hold the lead, though, as a pair of relievers coughed up six runs in the bottom of the frame to give Springfield a walk-off win. Mariners prospects stats »

Rangers: Hans Crouse, RHP (No. 1, MLB No. 63) -- 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K (Class A Hickory)
Crouse opened July by allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in what was the worst start of his young career. The 20-year-old right-hander and former second-round pick (2017) was significantly better on Friday, striking out seven and allowing just three hits in four scoreless innings. Crouse's scoreless outing was his third in his past four turns, though his overall ERA sits at an inflated 3.71 due to the aforementioned seven-run start. If not for that outing, Crouse would have a 2.59 ERA. Rangers prospects stats »

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: No Braves prospects had noteworthy performances in the Minor Leagues on Friday.

Marlins: Connor Scott, OF (No. 5) -- 2-for-4, 2 2B (Class A Clinton)
Make that four straight multihit performances for Scott, the Marlins' first-round pick from the 2018 Draft. The 19-year-old is 8-for-15 over the past four games and has raised his average from .223 to .238 in the process. Scott has a high ceiling and the potential to become a five-tool player, but right now he doesn't make enough contact. Marlins prospects stats »

Mets: Mark Vientos, 3B (No. 4) -- 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI (Class A Columbia)
The 2017 second-round pick has below-average speed, but he managed to get the most out of his wheels, as he hit an inside-the-park homer against Charleston. Vientos, 19, matched his season high with three hits and is hitting .262 through 78 games. The Mets have been impressed with Vientos' ability to impact the baseball, and the results are starting to come, as he's hit .361 with two homers over his last 10 games. Mets prospects stats »

Phillies: Bryson Stott, SS -- 3-for-4, R, 3B, 2 RBI (GCL Phillies East)
Stott, the 14th overall pick from this year's Draft, is off to an incredibly fast start to his professional career. The 21-year-old UNLV product is 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs over his first two games. Stott not only has the chance to be a plus hitter, he grades out as a solid defender with a plus arm and good instincts. Phillies prospects stats »

Nationals: Raudy Read, C (No. 18) -- 3-for-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI (Triple-A Fresno)
Read flirted with a cycle in Fresno's win over Sacramento, as he hit a triple followed by a two-run double and a three-run homer in his first three trips to the plate through five innings. Needing only a single to complete the feat, the 25-year-old backstop grounded out to the pitcher in the seventh inning and flied out to center in the ninth. The multihit performance was Read's first since June 12, and his five RBIs matched his season high. He's batting .243 with 12 home runs through 52 games in 2019. Nationals prospects stats »

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

Brewers: Antoine Kelly, LHP -- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (AZL Brewers Blue)
The Brewers have a knack for identifying and developing seemingly undervalued college arms (e.g., Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes), and the early returns on Kelly, the club's second-round pick from this year's Draft, suggest he might be the organization's next success story. After Friday's outing, the 6-foot-6 lefty has now tossed seven scoreless innings across three Arizona League starts, during which he's allowed just two baserunners (1 BB, 1 H) while racking up eight strikeouts. Kelly, who is only 19, repeats his delivery well despite his size and already features a plus fastball in the mid-90s, though both his slider and changeup need some work. He could be a monster, either as a starter or reliever, if it all comes together. Brewers prospects stats »

Cubs: No Cubs prospects had noteworthy performances in the Minor Leagues on Friday.

Cardinals: Nolan Gorman, 3B (No. 1, MLB No. 30) -- 1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI (Class A Adv Palm Beach)
Gorman's power certainly isn't a secret, but just in case anyone forgot, the 2018 first-rounder showed it off in Palm Beach's win over Jupiter. Gorman hit his second homer with the Cardinals and his 12th of the year, a three-run blast in the fourth inning. The 19-year-old hadn't homered since June 25, but has gone deep 29 times over the first 148 games of his professional career. Cardinals prospects stats »

Pirates: Mason Martin, 1B (No. 28) -- 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI (Class A Adv Bradenton)
Martin needed just one at-bat to make an impact for Bradenton as he hit his 24th homer of the year, a three-run blast, in the first inning on Friday. The 20-year-old, a 17th-round pick from the 2017 Draft, has shown impressive power this season and is slugging .565 after hitting 14 homers over 104 games a season ago. While Martin's power is impressive, he also has some swing and miss to his game and has struck out 107 times this season (87 games) after fanning 149 times last year. Pirates prospects stats »

Reds: No Reds prospects had noteworthy performances in the Minor Leagues on Friday.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

D-backs: Kristian Robinson, OF (No. 5) -- 4-for-4, 2 R, 2B, 4 RBI (Class A Short Season Hillsboro)
Robinson made the step up to the Class A Short Season level this year, and he's proving to be more than capable of facing tougher competition. The 18-year-old, whom the D-backs signed out of the Bahamas in 2017, is now batting .337 with an OPS just shy of 1.000 in his second pro season. The four hits are a career high, and the four RBIs are a season high and match a career high set last season. There will be more career milestones to come for Robinson, who grades out well in every area and could grow into a true five-tool talent in center field for the D-backs. D-backs prospects stats »

Dodgers: Will Smith, C/3B (No. 4, No. 100 in MLB) -- 2-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI (Triple-A Oklahoma City)
Smith is making his bid for a chance to get back in the Majors. The 24-year-old boosted his season home run total to 16 with his second two-homer game of the year. Smith, who is hitting .286 with Oklahoma City, hit a solo homer in the first inning and then capped his night off with a two-run shot in the ninth. The 2016 first-round pick made his Major League debut earlier this season and is 7-for-26 (.269) with three homers over nine Major League games. Dodgers prospects stats »

Giants: Alexander Canario, OF (No. 9) -- 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI (Class A Short Season Salem-Keizer)
After raking in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Canario was bumped up to Salem-Keizer and although he got off to a bit of a slow start, he's quickly gotten back on track. The 19-year-old, whom the Giants signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, is hitting .225 through nine games, but has hits in five of his past six games. Prior to his promotion, Canario hit .395 with seven honers in 10 AZL games. Giants prospects stats »

Padres: CJ Abrams, SS -- 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI (AZL Padres)
Abrams has a hit in every professional game he's ever played. The 2019 draftee out of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Georgia went to the Padres' with the No. 6 pick, and he was ready to hit the ground running once they called his name. Abrams received top marks in the pre-Draft process for his speed, which graded out as a 70, but his hit tool of 55 was also considered above average. Abrams now has 15 extra-base hits in 19 games, and he's batting .443 while leading all 2019 Draftees in runs, hits, total bases and multihit games entering play Saturday, leads he will almost certainly keep or extend heading into Sunday's games. Padres prospects stats »

Rockies: Sam Hilliard, OF (No. 9) -- 3-for-6, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB (Triple-A Albuquerque)
Hilliard ranks second in the Pacific Coast League with 26 home runs in the wake of his fourth career multi-homer game, which also gives him six dingers in his past eight games for the 'Topes. The 25-year-old slugger hit a grand slam as part of a seven-run first inning and then launched a two-run shot in the eighth to finish with a career-high six RBIs. Hilliard has also swiped 16 bags this season to go along with his 26 home runs and 20 doubles, and with four more steals he'll record his second career 20-20 campaign. He previously accomplished the feat back in 2017, when he hit 21 homers and stole 37 bases over 133 games in the California League. Rockies prospects stats »