Tuesday's top prospect performers

August 14th, 2019

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

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: Orelvis Martinez, SS (No. 8) -- 2-for-4, 2 2B (GCL Blue Jays)
Martinez, whom the Blue Jays signed last July, has become a doubles machine of late, belting four of them over the past two days. In fact, nearly half of Martinez's hits (14 of 30) have gone for extra bases as he's hitting .273 through 31 games to begin his professional career. The 17-year-old still needs to refine his swing, but he does have a solid set of tools and one of the higher offensive ceilings in the Blue Jays' farm system. Blue Jays prospects stats »

Orioles: Gunnar Henderson, SS (No. 7) -- 3-for-4, 2B, 3B (GCL Orioles)
Henderson, a second-round pick from June's Draft, turned in the first three-hit game of his career in a win over the GCL Red Sox on Tuesday. The 18-year-old is off to a solid start in his career as he has hits in eight of his past nine games and is hitting .282 through 19 games. The Orioles drafted Henderson 42nd overall and he was regarded as one of the better high school hitters in the Draft. Orioles prospects stats »

Rays: Josh Lowe, OF (No. 12) -- 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI (Double-A Montgomery)
Lowe did his damage in the second inning as he went deep to right for his 15th homer of the year, a three-run blast. The 21-year-old has nearly doubled his previous career high for homers (eight in 2017) and is hitting .238 through 107 games. Lowe has hits in eight of his past nine games and has the tools to become an impact hitter when all is said and done. Rays prospects stats »

Red Sox: Jarren Duran, OF (No. 4) -- 2-for-3, 2B (Double-A Portland)
Duran, who put together his first multihit game since Aug. 4, hasn't hit quite as well in Double-A since his promotion this season, but he is still putting together a solid campaign. The 22-year-old, a seventh-round pick from last year's Draft, got off to a blazing start this year and hit .387 through 50 games with Class A Advanced Portland. Duran continued his surge and hit .292 through his first 27 games with Portland, but has understandably cooled a bit since. Red Sox prospects stats »

Yankees: Luis Medina, RHP (No. 21) -- 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K (Class A Charleston)
Medina matched his season high for strikeouts as he threw 58 of his 91 pitches for strikes and carved his way through the Columbia lineup. The 20-year-old has had no problem racking up strikeouts this season -- he's fanned 115 over 93 innings -- but hasn't always been able to keep runs off the board and has an ERA of 6.00. When everything is working, Medina has electric stuff and the fact that he's now posted back-to-back scoreless outings is certainly an encouraging sign. Yankees prospects stats »

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Indians: Tyler Freeman, SS (No. 4) -- 1-for-4, RBI (Class A Advanced Lynchburg)
Freeman is batting .333 through 44 games with Lynchburg after beginning the year with Class A Lake County, where he hit .292 over 61 games. The 20-year-old, whom the Indians took 71st overall in the 2017 Draft, has elite bat-to-ball skills and makes plenty of line-drive contact. Indians prospects stats »

Royals: Nick Pratto, 1B (No. 10) -- 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI (Class A Advanced Wilmington)
Pratto entered the game in a 1-for-14 slump and while a single day doesn't necessarily break a slump, he did post his first multihit performance since July 21. The 20-year-old hasn't had much offensive success this season and is hitting .188 through 109 games after hitting .280 last year in his full-season debut. Royals prospects stats »

Tigers: Derek Hill, OF (No. 28) -- 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI (Double-A Erie)
Hill has put up back-to-back two-hit performances and is batting an even .300 through 11 games in August. Overall, the 23-year-old is hitting .238 through his first 100 games at the Double-A level. Hill hasn't hit much since the Tigers selected him in the first round of the 2014 Draft, but he's already a more-than-capable defender. With plus speed, Hill has the ability to track down balls all over the outfield and can also impact the game on the basepaths. Tigers prospects stats »

Twins: Trevor Larnach, OF (No. 5) -- 1-for-4, 2B, RBI (Double-A Pensacola)
Larnach is hitting .303 through nine games this month after his RBI double in Pensacola's loss to Chattanooga. The 22-year-old Oregon State product is hitting .272 through 22 games at the Double-A level and hit .316 over 84 games with Class A Advanced Fort Myers prior to that. Larnach, who has long shown an advanced approach at the plate hit .303 across 42 games last year in his professional debut. Twins prospects stats »

White Sox: Luis Robert, OF (No. 1, No. 5 in MLB) -- 4-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI (Triple-A Charlotte)
Simply put, Robert can do it all. The 22-year-old certainly has five-tool potential and he put all those tools on display Tuesday. Not only did he match his season high with four hits, he also showed off his speed as he legged out a triple and showed his defensive prowess with a nice leaping catch at the wall. Injuries limited Robert to just 50 games in 2018, but now that's he's healthy he's shown why he was so highly regarded on the international market. Robert is hitting .315 through 28 games with Charlotte after raking his way through Class A Advanced Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham earlier in the year. White Sox prospects stats »

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

A’s: Sheldon Neuse, 3B (No. 8) -- 3-for-4, HR, RBI (Triple-A Las Vegas)
After going 0-for-9 over the past two days, Neuse bounced back with his 23rd homer of the year as part of a three-hit performance. The 24-year-old, whom the A's acquired in a trade with the Nationals that also netted Jesus Luzardo, is putting together arguably his best season since he was selected in the second round of the 2016 Draft. Neuse has already set career highs for homers and RBIs (90) and if the season ended today, his slash line of .322/.391/.553 would represent career highs in all three categories, as well. What's more, Neuse has added to his defensive versatility this season and spent time at second base, third base, shortstop and left field. A's prospects stats »

Angels: Jared Walsh, 1B/OF/LHP (No. 23) -- 1-for-4, HR, RBI (Triple-A Salt Lake)
Walsh now has a career-high 30 homers after going deep again on Tuesday. The 26-year-old two-way player hit 29 homers a season ago so his power isn't exactly new, however the 30 homers are especially impressive considering Walsh is also batting .324 and hasn't been in Triple-A all year as he's spent time with the Angels, as well. Angels prospects stats »

Astros: Abraham Toro, 3B (No. 6) -- 3-for-5, 2B, RBI (Triple-A Round Rock)
After spending the bulk of the year with Double-A Corpus Christi, Toro was promoted to Round Rock at the beginning of the month, but so far the increased competition hasn't seemed to have an impact. The 22-year-old is mashing at a .439 clip through 10 games and already has six multihit performances. Prior to his bump to Triple-A, Toro posted a .306 average at the Double-A level. Astros prospects stats »

Mariners: Logan Gilbert, RHP (No. 3, No. 50 in MLB) -- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K (Double-A Arkansas); Julio Rodriguez, OF (No. 2, No. 54 in MLB) -- 3-for-6, 2B, HR, 6 RBI (Class A West Virginia)
Gilbert threw 53 of his 85 pitches for strikes and spun his best start since getting promoted to Arkansas in mid-July. The 2018 first-round pick pitched to a 1.73 ERA over 12 starts with Class A Advanced Modesto prior to his promotion. Gilbert got off to a fast start as he retired six of the first seven batters he faced and appears to be starting to figure out the adjustments needed to succeed at the Double-A level. The 22-year-old has a solid four pitch mix and a history of throwing strikes, which could ultimately turn into plus command. Rodriguez got off to a fast start with a grand slam in the second inning, but wasn't done there as he drove in two more with a double in the sixth. The six RBIs are a career high for the 18-year-old, who has 10 homers and is hitting .296 so far this season. Mariners prospects stats »

Rangers: Eli White, SS/OF (No. 29) -- 1-for-3, 2B (Triple-A Nashville)
White picked up his 18th double of the season and is now batting .254 through 110 games. The 25-year-old, whom the Rangers acquired via a three-team trade with the A's and Rays over the offseason, hit .306 last year in Double-A, but is generally thought of as a better defender than hitter. White profiles best at second base, but can play all over the diamond in both the infield and the outfield. Rangers prospects stats »

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: Braden Shewmake, SS (No. 9) -- 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI (Class A Rome)
Make that three straight multihit performances for Shewmake, who is hitting .326 through the first 49 games of his professional career. The 2019 first-rounder was regarded as one of the best pure hitters among college shortstops and has certainly lived up to that billing thus far. Shewmake has only hit a trio of homers, but has shown extra-base pop with 18 doubles and a pair of triples. Braves prospects stats »

Marlins: Victor Mesa Jr., OF (No. 28) -- 3-for-5, 2B, RBI (GCL Marlins)
The 17-year-old has hit well throughout his professional debut, but has certainly turned it up a notch of late -- Mesa Jr. has posted back-to-back three-hit performances. Signed in October 2018 for $1 million, Mesa led Cuba's 18-and-under league in hitting before he defected. He's still just 17 and in the Gulf Coast League, but there's plenty to like about Mesa's offensive potential thanks to his advanced skills at the plate. Marlins prospects stats »

Mets: Kevin Smith, LHP (No. 11) -- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K (Double-A Binghamton)
Smith has now held the opposition scoreless in two of his past three starts and has won three of his five starts with Binghamton. The 22-year-old, a seventh-round pick from last year's Draft, has adjusted quite well to Double-A, pitching to a 1.98 ERA since his promotion from Class A Advanced St. Lucie. With St. Lucie, Smith made 17 starts and posted a 3.05 ERA. Overall he's utilized his three-pitch mix to amass 127 strikeouts over 113 innings. Mets prospects stats »

Phillies: Bryson Stott, SS (No. 3) -- 2-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI (Class A Short-Season Williamsport)
Stott has strung together a six-game hitting streak and has hits in 11 of his past 12 games, boosting his average up to .280 through 28 games with the Crosscutters. The 2019 first-round pick (14th overall) has the chance to develop into a plus hitter and showed strong plate discipline and pitch recognition during his time at UNLV, where he walked more than he struck out. Stott also flashes a plus arm and will be given the chance to stick at shortstop. Phillies prospects stats »

Nationals: Jeremy De La Rosa, OF (No. 9) -- 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI (GCL Nationals)
De La Rosa, a 2018 international signee, hit his first professional homer in a win over the GCL Cardinals. The 17-year-old is batting .217 through the first 19 games of his career, but has hits in five of his past six games and is batting .364 so far in August. De La Rosa has plus bat speed and runs well, but as he matures and adds strength he could move from center to either of the corner outfield sports. Nationals prospects stats »

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

Brewers: Tyrone Taylor, OF (No. 27) -- 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI (Triple-A San Antonio)
Taylor hit his ninth homer of the year and second of the month in San Antonio's loss to El Paso. The 25-year-old, a second-round pick from the 2012 Draft, had a breakout year in 2018 as he batted .278 with 20 homers and landed a spot on the 40-man roster. However, the 2019 season hasn't been nearly as kind to Taylor, who has seen his average dip to .242 and has played just 79 games because of a pair of stints on the injured list. Brewers prospects stats »

Cubs: Adbert Alzolay, RHP (No. 5) -- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K (Triple-A Iowa)
The zero walks may be the most encouraging sign from Alzolay's start as the 24-year-old issued four free passes in his last start and had walked 20 over his past 16 2/3 innings. Alzolay, whom the Cubs signed in 2012, threw 53 of his 69 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 4.61. The right-hander made his Major League debut earlier this season and appeared in three games for the Cubs. Cubs prospects stats »

Cardinals: Julio Rodriguez, C (No. 13) -- 2-for-4, 2B, RBI (Double-A Springfield)
Rodriguez stands out behind the plate, where he has strong catch-and-throw skills and a plus, accurate arm. However, the 22-year-old has also been making strides offensively. Rodriguez has played in just six games at the Double-A level, but prior to his promotion he was batting .276 through 71 games with Class A Advanced Palm Beach. Cardinals prospects stats »

Pirates: Oneil Cruz, SS (No. 3, No. 61 in MLB) -- 4-for-4, 3B, RBI (Double-A Altoona)
Cruz set a season high for hits and is 6-for-9 over the past two games after Tuesday's performance. The 20-year-old, whom the Pirates acquired in a 2017 trade with the Dodgers, has hit everywhere he's been this season. Cruz began the year with Class A Advanced Bradenton, where he hit .301 over 35 games and is now batting .294 through 15 games with Altoona. Of course, that shouldn't come as a total surprise, considering Cruz has a career .276 average and has as much raw power as anyone in the Pirates' farm system. Pirates prospects stats »

Reds: Jose Siri, OF (No. 15) -- 2-for-4, 2 2B (Triple-A Louisville)
Siri has struggled in Triple-A, but does have a four-game hitting streak after posting his first two-hit game since his promotion. The sample size is small -- just 10 games, so Siri can certainly turn things around -- but he has hit just .147 since he was bumped up a level. Prior to his stint with Louisville, Siri spent the bulk of the year with Double-A Chattanooga, where he hit .251 over 101 games. Siri's biggest offensive flaw is that he gets too aggressive at times, but he does have plenty of power. Defensively, Siri is ready to play in the Majors as he has a cannon-arm and the speed to track down balls in the gaps. Reds prospects stats »

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

D-backs: Kevin Cron, 1B/3B (No. 26) -- 3-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI (Triple-A Reno)
Cron certainly doesn't lack for power and he proved it once again on Tuesday. The slugger went deep three times in Reno's loss to Oklahoma City, his second three-homer game of the year and the fourth of his career. What's more, Cron, who has now homered 37 times this season, leads the Minors in homers, has hit the most in the Minors since 2016 (Dylan Cozens, 40) and also holds the Aces' franchise record with 58 career homers. D-backs prospects stats »

Dodgers: Gavin Lux, SS/2B (No. 1, No. 10 in MLB) -- 2-for-4, 2B (Triple-A Oklahoma City)
There isn't much left for Lux to prove in the Minors as he continues to fill up box scores and dominate opposing pitching staffs. The 21-year-old prospect has now reached base in 49 straight games -- yes, 49 straight games -- and is batting .434 through 36 games at the Triple-A level. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend the Lux will be around the team in some capacity in September, although it had yet to be determined whether he'd be added to the active roster. Dodgers prospects stats »

Giants: Ricardo Genoves, C (No. 22) -- 4-for-4, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI (Class A Augusta)
Genoves finished a single shy of the cycle, but did set a career high for RBIs in Augusta's win over Greenville. The 20-year-old, whom the Giants signed in 2015, did just about everything offensively for the GreenJackets. Genoves hit his second homer since his promotion (eight games) in the third and drove in five more via doubles in the fourth and fifth innings. The four-hit game also matched a season high for Genoves and pushed his average to .321 with Augusta. Prior to his promotion to Augusta, the catcher hit .252 over 32 games with Class A Short-Season Salem-Keizer. Giants prospects stats »

Padres: Luis Patino, RHP (No. 3, No. 32 in MLB) -- 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K (Double-A Amarillo)
Patino's Double-A debut didn't go as smoothly as he would have hoped and although the unearned runs aren't necessarily his fault, he didn't do himself any favors issuing four walks. Patino, who operates with four pitches including a mid-90s fastball, pitched to a 2.69 ERA over 87 innings with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore prior to his promotion. Padres prospects stats »

Rockies: Ryan Vilade, SS/3B (No. 6) -- 4-for-4, 3 RBI (Class A Advanced Lancaster)
Vilade matched his season high with four hits and also has multiple hits in three of his past four games. The 20-year-old, a 2017 Draft pick (second round), has hit well his entire career. After batting .308 during his professional debut, Vilade posted a .274 average last year and has bumped that up to .302 through 110 games so far this season. Most evaluators believe in Vilade's ability to hit -- and for good reason -- but there are some questions about where he'll play defensively. Rockies prospects stats »