Pipeline Preview: Whitley looks to build off stellar debut

July 9th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Blake Rutherford (Yankees' No. 3), Charleston vs. Columbia (5:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Rutherford, the No. 30 overall prospect, matched his season high with three RBIs as part of a 2-for-5 performance on Saturday. The 20-year-old drove in two runs with a base hit in the third and added another RBI via a groundout in the fourth. Overall, Rutherford is hitting .273 with 63 RBIs this season.

Pitcher to watch: Forrest Whitley (Astros No. 5), Buies Creek vs. Down East (2 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Whitley, the No. 71 overall prospect, is making his second start with Buies Creek after a stellar debut in which he threw five no-hit innings. Whitley posted a 2.91 ERA through 12 games (10 starts) before he was promoted from Class A Quad Cities. The 19-year-old showed that same level of dominance in his Class A Advanced debut as he threw 48 of his 70 pitches for strikes and struck out nine, a season high.

Duel of the Day: Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 2) vs Ian Clarkin (Yankees' No. 19), Bradenton vs. Tampa (1 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Keller, the No. 38 overall prospect, has posted a 2.58 ERA across 12 stars this season and been especially dominant lately, giving up two earned runs or less in each of his past eight starts. Keller has held his opponents scoreless in six of those outings and has given up just three earned runs over 32 2/2 innings during that span.

Despite a 3-4 record, Clarkin has thrown the ball well this season. The 22-year-old lefty has a 2.54 ERA across 60 1/3 innings and has held opponents to one earned run or less in eight of his 12 appearances. Clarkin, who hasn't picked up a win since May 3, was stuck with a no-decision in his last outing despite giving up just four hits across seven scoreless frames.
Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 41 overall Riley Pint (Rockies' No. 2), Asheville vs. Augusta (5:05 p.m. ET)
No. 53 Sean Reid-Foley (Blue Jays' No. 2), New Hampshire vs. Trenton (1 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 88 overall Adrian Morejob (Padres' No. 3), Tri-City vs. Eugene (4:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Tyler Eppler (Pirates' No. 23), Indianapolis vs. Gwinnett (Triple-A)
(Indians' No. 21), Columbus vs. Norfolk (Triple-A)
(Royals' No. 5), Omaha vs. Iowa (Triple-A)
Sam Howard (Rockies' No. 13), Albuquerque vs. Las Vegas (Triple-A)
(Mets' No. 12), Binghamton vs. Hartford (Double-A)
Cory Taylor (Giants' No. 20), Richmond vs. Bowie (Double-A)
(Orioles' No. 14), Bowie vs. Richmond (Double-A)
Brad Keller (D-backs' No. 7), Jackson vs. Mississippi (Double-A)
Corbin Burnes (Brewers' No. 20), Biloxi vs. Jacksonville (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 25), Mobile vs. Birmingham (Double-A)
Joey Lucchesi (Padres' No. 20), San Antonio vs. Northwest Arkansas (Double-A)
Pedro Payano (Rangers' No. 27), Frisco vs. Springfield (Double-A)
Austin Gomber (Cardinals' No. 14), Springfield vs. Frisco (Double-A)
Heath Fillmyer (Athletics' No. 12), Midland vs. Tulsa (Double-A)
Josh Sborz (Dodgers' No. 15), Tulsa vs. Midland (Double-A)
Trey Supak (Brewers' No. 29), Carolina vs. Winston-Salem (Class A Advanced)
Bernardo Flores (White Sox No. 19), Winston-Salem vs. Carolina (Class A Advanced)
Spencer Turnbull (Tigers' No. 14), Lakeland vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
Justin Donatella (D-backs' No. 26), Visalia vs. Lake Elsinore (Class A Advanced)
Juan Hillman (Indians' No. 10), Lake County vs. West Michigan (Class A)
Bryan Hudson (Cubs' No. 24), South Bend vs. Dayton (Class A)
Darwinzon Hernandez (Red Sox's No. 24), Greenville vs. Lexington (Class A)
Mason Thompson (Padres' No. 21), Fort Wayne vs. Lansing (Class A)
Osman Gutierrez (Blue Jays' No. 26), Lansing vs. Fort Wayne (Class A)
Framber Valdez (Astros' No. 30), Quad Cities vs. Clinton (Class A)
Drew Finley (Yankees' No. 21), Staten Island vs. Brooklyn (Class A Short Season)
Jose Albertos (Cubs' No. 7), Eugene vs. Tri-City (Class A Short Season)
Kyle Muller (Braves' No. 16), Danville vs. Burlington (Rookie)