Monday's top prospect performers

July 23rd, 2019

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

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: No Blue Jays prospects had noteworthy performances in the Minor Leagues on Monday.

Orioles: Cody Sedlock, RHP (No. 26) -- 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K (Double-A Bowie)
Sedlock, Baltimore's first-round pick from the 2016 Draft, was untouchable as he fired five no-hit frames in the backend of a doubleheader in his first Double-A start. The Baysox actually carried a combined no-hit bid into the seventh inning and were one out away from completing the feat until Richmond outfielder Jacob Heyward broke it up with a double to center field. After posting a 2.36 ERA with 66 strikeouts and a .181 BAA over 61 innings with Class A Advanced Frederick, Sedlock, 24, has given up just one hit while striking out 11 in eight scoreless frames since his promotion to Bowie. He's resuscitated both his career and his prospect stock this season after being plagued by injuries in both 2017 (strained flexor mass in his right elbow) and '18 (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome). And while he no longer features a deep, powerful arsenal like he did coming out of the Draft, Sedlock has learned to effectively mix and command a redesigned pitch mix while masking everything he throws with deception. Orioles prospects stats »

Rays: Ronaldo Hernandez, C (No. 7, MLB No. 79) -- 2-for-3 (Class A Adv Charlotte)
Hernandez extended his hitting streak to eight games with his second straight two-hit performance, going 2-for-3 from the three-spot in the lineup in the opener of Charlotte's double dip against Jupiter. He's improved his average from .257 to .281 during said streak, and sports a .362/.393/.534 line with 11 RBIs in 15 games this month. After hitting just .196 in April during a shaky start to his season, Hernandez has produced a .304 average while driving in 35 runs over his last 47 games. He's yet to show the same power he did in 2018, when he clubbed 21 home runs in his first full-season campaign, though some of that can be attributed to him now playing in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. Rays prospects stats »

Red Sox: Pedro Castellanos, 1B/OF (No. 25) -- 2-for-3, 2 R, 3B, RBI, BB (Class A Adv Salem)
Castellanos has now hit in seven straight games for Salem after Monday's two-hit performance, which featured his first triple of the season. Signed for just $5,000 out of Venezuela in 2015, the 21-year-old is hitting .273/.318/.349 in the Florida State League, where he's compiled 22 extra-base hits (2 HR), 51 RBIs and nine steals in 92 games. Red Sox prospects stats »

Yankees: Estevan Florial, OF (No. 1, MLB No. 46) -- 2-for-4, R, RBI, 2 SB (Class A Adv Tampa)
Florial has been inconsistent this season in his return to the Florida State League, hitting .231/.275/.353 for Tampa over 41 games. But the 21-year-old outfielder turned in a strong performance Monday, notching two hits, as well as a pair of steals, as the Tarpons rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth in a walk-off, 8-7 win against Daytona. While the multihit performance was his third in his past six games, he's gone 0-for-10 with five strikeouts in the other three contests. Yankees prospects stats »

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Indians: Ethan Hankins, RHP (No. 9) -- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K (Class A Short Season Mahoning Valley)
Hankins' five-inning start on Monday was the longest of his career and marked the fifth time in seven games this season that the 19-year-old right-hander has not allowed a run. He was highly efficient in the outing, throwing 42 of 61 pitches for strikes while issuing one walk, and he racked up six strikeouts for a third time in four games. While the Indians have managed Hankins' workload carefully this season by limiting him to roughly 60-75 pitches per start, it hasn't stopped the 2018 first-rounder (No. 35 overall pick) from dominating hitters in the New York-Penn League. The 6-foot-6 right-hander has pitched to a 0.88 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings, while limiting the opposition to a paltry .165 average. Indians prospects stats »

Royals: Brady Singer, RHP (No. 1, MLB No. 44) -- 6 IP, 2 H, 3 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 1 H HBP, 6 K (Double-A Northwest Arkansas)
Singer's outing was arguably his best in eight starts at the Double-A level, as he allowed just two hits and a walk while fanning six in six innings. However, a pair of infield errors in the fourth inning led to three unearned runs against the 22-year-old right-hander, who took his second loss in as many starts. After an impressive first half in which he posted a 1.87 ERA and 53/13 K/BB in 57 2/3 frames (10 starts) at Class A Advanced Wilmington, the 2018 first-rounder has registered a 4.97 ERA with 33/13 K/BB over his first 41 2/3 innings in the Texas League. Royals prospects stats »

Tigers: Jose Azocar, OF (No. 29) -- 2-for-4, 2B (Double-A Erie)
Azocar, 23, has shown across-the-board improvement this season in his first Double-A campaign -- especially in terms of his power. With a career-high six home runs, he's already tripled his output from 2018 and doubled his previous career-high total from 2017. His 16 doubles are one short of his career-best mark, and he'll surely blow well past that mark with more than a month remaining in the Minor League season. Overall, he's slashing .294/.332/.404 for the SeaWolves, with 24 extra-base hits in 90 games. Tigers prospects stats »

Twins: Griffin Jax, RHP (No. 22) -- 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 8 K (Double-A Pensacola)
Jax was tagged for five earned runs and nine hits in his last start -- both season-worst totals -- but bounced back to toss seven innings with a season-high eight strikeouts in a no-decision for Pensacola. Selected by the Twins out of the Air Force in the third round of the 2016 Draft, Jax, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander, has been among the more consistent hurlers this season in Southern League, where he ranks fifth among qualified hurlers in both ERA (2.44) and WHIP (1.07). Twins prospects stats »

White Sox: No White Sox prospects had noteworthy performances in the Minor Leagues on Monday.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

A’s: Jeremy Eierman, SS (No. 10) -- 2-for-5, 2 R, BB (Class A Adv Stockton)
A trio of Stockton hurlers combined to throw a no-hitter Monday in a 10-0 win over Rancho Cucamonga, and Eierman was one of five Ports players to tally at least two hits and runs apiece in the game. Strikeouts have been an issue for the 22-year-old shortstop, who's fanned 134 times in 94 games in his first full season, but there's a lot to like in his right-handed power potential. But with below-average plate discipline and underwhelming natural hitting ability, some evaluators question whether he will ever get to display his power in games consistently. A's prospects stats »

Angels: Jeremiah Jackson, SS (No. 7) -- 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI (Rookie Orem)
The Pioneer League home run leader extended his lead over the field when he connected on a two-run shot in the third inning of Orem's loss against Rocky Mountain. The homer was Jackson's third in his last six games and gives him 12 on the season -- a total he's reached in just 33 games. Although the 2018 second-round pick from the Alabama prep ranks has struggled to make consistent contact this season, batting .251 while averaging roughly 1.6 strikeouts-per-game, he's managed to produce an impressive .937 OPS thanks to his solid on-base skills and blossoming right-handed power. Angels prospects stats »

Astros: Jeremy Pena, SS (No. 23) -- 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI (Class A Adv Fayetteville)
Pena's father, Geronimo, played parts of seven seasons in the Major Leagues (1990-96), the majority of which he spent with the Cardinals. His son Jeremy, a 21-year-old shortstop whom the Astros took in the third round of the 2018 Draft, is already moving quickly through the Minor Leagues, as the Astros promoted him to Fayetteville in late June after he batted .293/.389/.421 with 17 extra-base hits and 17 steals in 66 games with Class A Quad Cities. He hasn't skipped a beat against older competition in the Carolina League, producing a .325/.361/.519 line and 10 extra-base hits across his first 20 games with the Woodpeckers. Astros prospects stats »

Mariners: Noelvi Marte, SS (No. 10) -- 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI (DSL Mariners)
Marte's power-speed combination earned him a $1.55 million bonus from the Mariners at the outset of the international signing period, and the 17-year-old shortstop has had both of his impact tools on full display this season in the Dominican Summer League. His home run on Monday, a two-run shot in the ninth inning, was his second in as many games and fourth this season in 38 games. He's racked up 16 extra-base hits and 11 steals overall, while slashing .273/.335/.448 in his first taste of pro ball. Mariners prospects stats »

Rangers: No Rangers prospects had noteworthy performances in the Minor Leagues on Monday.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

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

Marlins: JJ Bleday, OF -- 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI (Class A Adv Jupiter)
It took Bleday all of three games to hit his pro home run, which he did on Monday when he connected on a two-run shot in the fourth inning of Jupiter's win over Charlotte. It should be the first of many career dingers for the 21-year-old outfielder, who led all NCAA Division I hitters with 27 home runs this spring as a Vanderbilt junior before the Marlins selected him with the No. 4 pick in the Draft and signed him for $6.67 million. More than just a slugger, Bleday, a 6-foot-3, left-handed hitter, also stands out for his pure hitting ability, which is why evaluators are so bullish on his power translating to the pro ranks. Marlins prospects stats »

Mets: Thomas Szapucki, LHP (No. 8) -- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K (Class A Adv St. Lucie)
Szapucki turned in a milestone performance as he racked up nine strikeouts over five scoreless frames to record his first win since June 10, 2017. Originally a fifth-round pick by the Mets in the 2015 Draft, Szapucki quickly emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in New York's system behind a dominant start to his career, only to have his progress derailed by a back issue (2016), a left shoulder impingement ('17) and, most recently, Tommy John surgery that wiped out his entire '18 campaign. Now fully healthy, the 23-year-old southpaw is showing that he can still miss plenty of bats with his fastball-curveball combo, as Monday's outing gives him 45 strikeouts in 35 innings on the season to go along with a 2.06 ERA. Mets prospects stats »

Phillies: JoJo Romero, LHP (No. 7) -- _6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (Double-A Reading)_Romero threw 61 of his 91 pitches for strikes and came within one strikeout of matching his season high. The 22-year-old, a fourth-round pick from the 2016 Draft, began the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but gave up 33 runs (30 earned) over 28 innings before he was sent to Reading. Romero, who spent all of 2018 with Reading, has fared better -- although not great -- in his return to Double-A, having pitched to a 4.84 ERA through 11 starts. Phillies prospects stats »

Nationals: Gage Canning, OF (No. 9) -- 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB (Class A Adv Potomac)
Canning, a 2018 Draft pick (5th round), has hits in three of his past four games after his latest multihit performance. The 22-year-old is hitting just .236 through 82 games this season after hitting .253 over 45 games last year in his professional debut. Canning has below average power and swin-and-miss tendencies, but does have a line-drive approach and solid intangibles. Nationals prospects stats »

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

Brewers: Eduarqui Fernandez, OF (No. 22) -- 3-for-7, RBI (DSL Brewers)
Fernandez extended his hitting streak to a modest four games with the second three-hit performance of his career. Fernandez, whom the Brewers signed last July, is hitting .224 through the first 43 games of his career. The 17-year-old is an aggressive hitter with power to all fields and scouts believe he'll only increase his power as he continues to mature. Brewers prospects stats »

Cubs: Luis Verdugo, SS/3B (No. 28) -- 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI (AZL Cubs)
Verdugo is hitting just .232 through 27 games this season, but may be on the verge of a hot streak as he's 5-for-8 with four RBIs over the past two games. The 18-year-old, whom the Cubs purchased from the Mexican League's Mexico City Red Devils in 2017, shows power to all fields, but he can get overly aggressive at times and his swing gets lengthy at times as well. Defensively, Verdugo has the skills to stick at shortstop, but could also play a utility role. Cubs prospects stats »

Cardinals: Nolan Gorman, 1B (No. 1, No. 29 in MLB) -- 2-for-4, RBI (Class A Advanced Palm Beach)
After his promotion from Peoria, Gorman got off to a slow start with Palm Beach, but has picked things up of late and is hitting .299 over 19 games this month. The 19-year-old, a first-round pick from last year's Draft, is hitting .249 overall with 13 homers. Gorman, known for his power, hit 17 homers over 63 games last year in his professional debut. Cardinals prospects stats »

Pirates: Cal Mitchell, OF (No. 6) -- 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI (Class A Adv Bradenton)
Make that back-to-back three-hit performances for Mitchell, who hit his 14th homer of the year and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. The 20-year-old has been red-hot at the plate lately, hitting .317 through 17 games this month. What's more, Mitchell, a second-round pick from the 2017 Draft, has homered in four of the past six games, including a pair of grand slams. Pirates prospects stats »

Reds: Taylor Trammell, OF (No. 1, MLB No. 26) -- 2-for-4, HR (Double-A Chattanooga)
The 2019 season has been a bit rough for Trammell, who hit his sixth homer of the year on Monday night. The 21-year-old is hitting just .240 this season, but is 5-for-9 over the past two games. While the results haven't quite shown up this year, Trammell is a natural athlete with power from the left side of the plate. The 2016 draftee (35th overall) also has solid speed that allows him to impact the game on the bases and in the outfield. Reds prospects stats »

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

D-backs: Geraldo Perdomo, SS (No. 6) -- 3-for-5, 2B, RBI (Class A Kane County)
Make that four straight multihit performances for Perdomo, who has boosted his average from .255 to .273 during his current hot streak. The 19-year-old, a Dominican Republic native whom the D-backs signed in 2016, is hitting .350 in the month of July, showing off his quick bat and feel for the barrel. While Perdomo can hit from both sides of the plate, his real value lies on the other side of the ball, where the shortstop may be the best defender in the D-backs' farm system. D-backs prospects stats »

Dodgers: No Dodgers prospects had noteworthy performances in the Minor Leagues on Monday.

Giants: Alexander Canario, OF (No. 9) -- 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI (Class A Short Season Salem-Keizer)
Canario, a 19-year-old whom the Giants signed in 2016, is 6-for-9 over the past two games and hitting .321 on the year. Canario began the season in the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he raked and hit .395 with seven homers over 10 games. While his numbers have dipped a bit with Salem-Keizer -- almost an inevitability considering how hot he was, Canario has still impressed and is hitting .273 through 18 games. Giants prospects stats »

Padres: Joey Cantillo, LHP (No. 28) -- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 K (Class A Fort Wayne)
Cantillo, whom the Padres grabbed in the 16th round of the 2017 Draft, impressed with a 2.76 ERA over 49 innings last year in his professional debut and has continued to throw well in the current campaign. The 19-year-old has a quirky delivery, but repeats it well and has utilized his fastball-changeup combination to rack up 115 strikeouts over 86 innings this season. Cantillo has also pitched to a 2.09 ERA through 17 starts and has held opponents to two earned runs or less in 15 of those starts. Padres prospects stats »

Rockies: Casey Golden, OF (No. 30) -- 3-for-5, HR, RBI (Class A Advanced Lancaster)
Golden hit his 15th homer of the season, his second over the past three games, as part of his fifth three-hit game of the year. The 24-year-old, a 20th-round pick from the 2017 Draft, has plenty of power as he blasted 34 homers in 2018 and hit 20 in just 54 games in his 2017 professional debut. While Golden's power is impressive, it comes with a good amount of swing-and-miss. The 24-year-old is also a decent fielder and has played all three outfield spots, but will likely spent the bulk of his career in left. Rockies prospects stats »