Pipeline Preview: Puk looks to turn things around

Pipeline Preview: Puk looks to turn things around

July 2nd, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Austin Hays (Orioles' No. 7), Bowie vs. Akron (2:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Hays extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a three-run homer in the first inning of Bowie's win over Akron on Saturday. Hays, who finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBIs, has been on quite a tear lately. He has seven multi-hit efforts during the streak and is 6-for-10 with seven RBIs over his past two games.

Pitcher to watch: A.J. Puk (Athletics' No. 2), Midland vs. Tulsa (5 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Puk, the No. 57 overall prospect, is looking to find his rhythm at the Double-A level. The 22-year-old threw well with Class A Advanced Stockton, posting a 3.69 ERA through 14 appearances (11 starts), but he is 0-2 with an 8.59 ERA through two starts since he was promoted to Midland. Puk only recorded one out in his last start as he struggled to find the strike zone, issuing three walks and throwing just 19 of his 36 pitches for strikes.

Duel of the Day: (Rangers' No. 2) vs. Sandy Alcantara (Cardinals' No. 7), Frisco vs. Springfield (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Mendez, the No. 46 overall prospect, has struggled with consistency of late. The 22-year-old has held opponents to one earned run or fewer in three of his past six starts, but he's also given up five earned runs or more in two of those starts. Mendez walked four in his last start, which at five innings was tied for his shortest outing of the season.

Alcantara has recently put together his best stretch of the season, going 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA through four starts in June. The 21-year-old has given up one earned run or fewer in three of his past four starts and has gone at least five innings in each of those outings as well. Alcantara has struggled with command recently, walking eight in his past 12 innings, but has done well to avoid major damage.

Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 28 overall (White Sox No. 4), Charlotte vs. Gwinnett (2:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 43 overall Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 3), Mississippi vs. Chattanooga (6 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 94 overall Chance Adams (Yankees' No. 7), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Pawtucket (6:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
(Pirates' No. 7), Indianapolis vs. Louisville (Triple-A)
(Orioles' No. 11), Norfolk vs. Durham (Triple-A)
(Indians' No. 15), Columbus vs. Toledo (Triple-A)
(Royals' No. 15), Omaha vs. Colorado Springs (Triple-A)
Corey Oswalt (Mets' No. 30), Binghamton vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
David Hess (Orioles' No. 27), Bowie vs. Akron (Double-A)
Tanner Scott (Orioles' No. 10), Bowie vs. Akron (Double-A)
(Brewers No. 4), Biloxi vs. Birmingham (Double-A)
Jordan Stephens (White Sox No. 14), Birmingham vs. Biloxi (Double-A)
Andrew Sokpo (Dodgers' No. 27), Tulsa vs. Midland (Double-A)
Eric Lauer (Padres' No. 8), San Antonio vs. Northwest Arkansas (Double-A)
Taylor Clarke (D-backs' No. 5), Jackson vs. Tennessee (Double-A)
Francisco Rios (Blue Jays' No. 18), New Hampshire vs. Trenton (Double-A)
Domingo Acevedo (Yankees' No. 12), Trenton vs. New Hampshire (Double-A)
(Yankees' No. 20), Trenton vs. New Hampshire (Double-A)
Trey Ball (Red Sox's No. 29), Portland vs. Hartford (Double-A)
Ryan Castellani (Rockies' No. 4), Hartford vs. Portland (Double-A)
Sam Coonrod (Giants' No. 11), Richmond vs. Reading (Double-A)
(Phillies No. 20), Reading vs. Richmond (Double-A)
Connor Jones (Cardinals' No. 21), Palm Beach vs. Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
Drew Harrington (Braves' No. 25), Florida vs. Bradenton (Class A Advanced)
Taylor Hearn (Pirates' No. 11), Bradenton vs. Florida (Class A Advanced)
Adbert Alzolay (Cubs' No. 21), Myrtle Beach vs. Down East (Class A Advanced)
Jonathan Hernandez (Rangers' No. 18), Down East vs. Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)
Jorge Alcala (Astros' No. 29), Buies Creek vs. Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Vladimir Gutierrez (Reds' No. 10), Daytona vs. Dunedin (Class A Advanced)
(Blue Jays' No. 16), Dunedin vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
Shane Bieber (Indians' No. 14), Lynchburg vs. Frederick (Class A Advanced)
Keegan Akin (Orioles' No. 5), Frederick vs. Lynchburg (Class A Advanced)
Roniel Raudes (Red Sox's No. 5), Salem vs. Wilmington (Class A Advanced)
Scott Blewett (Royals' No. 4), Wilmington vs. Salem (Class A Advanced)
Pablo Lopez (Mariners' No. 23), Modesto vs. San Jose (Class A Advanced)
(D-backs' No. 19), Kane County vs. Stockton (Class A Advanced)
(Yankees' No. 13), Tampa vs. Clearwater (Class A Advanced)
Imani Abdullah (Dodgers' No. 14), Great Lakes vs. West Michigan (Class A)
Griffin Jax (Twins' No. 30), Cedar Rapids vs. Clinton (Class A)
Cionel Perez (Astros' No. 16), Quad Cities vs. Burlington (Class A)
Jose Suarez (Angels' No. 27), Burlington vs. Quad Cities (Class A)
Micah Miniard (Indians' No. 26), Lake County vs. Bowling Green (Class A)
Bryan Mata (Red Sox's No. 27), Greenville vs. Lexington (Class A)
Joey Wentz (Braves' No. 13), Rome vs. Columbia (Class A)
Jhoan Duran (D-backs' No. 22), Hillsboro vs. Everett (Class A Short Season)