Pipeline Preview: Perez ready for next gem

May 28th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: (Yankees' No. 9), Trenton vs. Portland (1 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Andujar has picked it up offensively lately, bumping his average from .248 to .273 over the past 10 games, during which he's 13-for-35 (.371) at the plate. The 22-year-old has been especially hot over the past six games, recording at least one hit in each contest and two hits in each of the past two. During his six-game streak, Andujar is batting an even .500 (10-for-20) with seven RBIs and three doubles.

Pitcher to watch: Cionel Perez (Astros' No. 16), Quad Cities vs. Beloit (6:15 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Perez, 21, is coming off his best start as a professional as he threw seven no-hit innings in his last outing. The lefty also set a career high with 10 strikeouts in the performance, needing just 78 pitches (54 strikes) to carve his way through the Peoria lineup. Perez has held opponents scoreless in two of his five starts, and although his ERA sits at 6.43, his most recent outing is certainly an encouraging sign of what's possible when he puts it all together.

Duel of the Day: Franklyn Kilome (Phillies' No. 5) vs. (Mets' No. 13), Clearwater vs. St. Lucie (1 p.m. ET)
Although it was a short outing, just three innings, Kilome did post his first scoreless start of the year in his last trip to the mound. The right-hander threw 19 of his 36 pitches for strikes, giving up three hits and striking out one. Kilome, 21, has a 3.63 ERA through eight starts and has surrendered one earned run or fewer in half of those starts.

Molina will look to continue what has been a promising start to his season. After missing 2016 because of Tommy John surgery, Molina suffered a lat strain in Spring Training, which further delayed his 2017 debut. The right-hander finally got back on the mound on May 16 and has made a pair of starts, giving up three runs across nine innings.

Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 25 overall Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2), Durham vs. Pawtucket (1:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 43 overall Yadier Alvarez (Dodgers' No. 2), Rancho Cucamonga vs. Stockton (5:05 p.m. ET)
No. 57 overall Sean Reid-Foley (Blue Jays' No. 2), New Hampshire vs. Reading (4:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 64 overall (White Sox No. 6), Charlotte vs. Buffalo (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 71 overall (Yankees' No. 6), Trenton vs. Portland (1:00 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 72 overall (Braves' No. 5), Gwinnett vs. Syracuse (1:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 79 overall Tyler Beede (Giants' No. 1), Sacramento vs. Reno (9:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Brandon Woodruff (Brewers' No. 8), Colorado Springs vs. Nashville (Triple-A)
(Phillies' No. 12), Lehigh Valley vs. Louisville (Triple-A)
Eric Skoglund (Royals' No. 3), Omaha vs. Round Rock (Triple-A)
Corey Ray (Royals' No. 25), Northwest Arkansas vs. Midland (Double-A)
Dean Deetz (Astros' No. 30), Corpus Christi vs. Tulsa (Double-A)
Ryan Castellani (Rockies' No. 5), Hartford vs. Binghamton (Double-A)
Tanner Scott (Orioles' No. 10), Bowie vs. Akron (Double-A)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 10), Richmond vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
(Twins' No. 9), Chattanooga vs. Montgomery (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 26), Mobile vs. Birmingham (Double-A)
(Reds' No. 18), Pensacola vs. Mississippi (Double-A)
Duane Underwood (Cubs' No. 15), Tennessee vs. Biloxi (Double-A)
Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 12), Altoona vs. Erie (Double-A)
Teddy Stankiewicz (Red Sox's No. 24), Portland vs. Trenton (Double-A)
(Blue Jays' No. 16), Dunedin vs. Lakeland (Class A Advanced)
Matt Hall (Tigers' No. 17), Lakeland vs. Dunedin (Class A Advanced)
Zach Thompson (White Sox No. 30), Winston-Salem vs. Down East (Class A Advanced)
Nick Neidert (Mariners' No. 3), Modesto vs. San Jose (Class A Advanced)
Junior Fernandez (Cardinals' No. 10), Palm Beach vs. Florida (Class A Advanced)
Drew Harrington (Braves' No. 25), Florida vs. Palm Beach (Class A Advanced)
Thomas Hatch (Cubs' No. 11), Myrtle Beach vs. Carolina (Class A Advanced)
A.J. Puckett (Royals' No. 10), Wilmington vs. Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Taylor Widener (Yankees' No. 27), Tampa vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
Merandy Gonzalez (Mets' No. 14), Columbia vs. Lexington (Class A)
Jonathan Hernandez (Rangers' No. 18), Hickory vs. Asheville (Class A)
Jhonathan Diaz (Red Sox's No. 26), Greenville vs. Charleston (Class A)
Logan Allen (Padres' No. 17), Fort Wayne vs. South Bend (Class A)
Curtis Taylor (D-backs' No. 12), Kane County vs. Cedar Rapids (Class A)