Pipeline Preview: Acuna looks to homer in third straight game
Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Ronald Acuna (Braves' No. 7), Mississippi vs. Mobile (8 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Acuna, MLB Pipeline's No. 92 overall prospect, made headlines on Tuesday by homering in his first at-bat and going 3-for-4 with three RBIs for Double-A Mississippi. The 19-year-old outfielder, the youngest player in the Southern League, did it all over again on Wednesday, homering in his first at-bat and collecting three hits for a second straight game. Acuna was promoted to Mississippi after he batted .287/.336/.478 with 11 extra-base hits and 14 steals in 28 games for Class A Advanced Florida.
Pitcher to watch: Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 8), Springfield at Arkansas (8:10 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Flaherty was brilliant in his most recent start for Double-A Springfield, as he matched his career high with 12 strikeouts in seven dominant innings. He threw 99 pitches (73 strikes) in the outing, allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk. After six starts, Flaherty leads all Texas League hurlers in wins (5-0), ERA (0.69) and WHIP (0.74).
Duel of the day: Erick Fedde (Nationals' No. 2) vs. Justus Sheffield (Yankees' No. 6), Harrisburg at Trenton (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Fedde, the No. 52 overall prospect, is in search of his first win for Double-A Harrisburg since Opening Day. The 24-year-old righty is 0-3 in his past four starts, though he did complete seven innings in three of those outings. Dating back to last season, Fedde has pitched to a 3.60 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 65 Double-A innings (11 starts).
Sheffield (No. 71 overall) got off to a strong start, but has struggled of late, posting a 5.54 ERA across his last three turns for Trenton, during which he's allowed 20 hits including four home runs in just 13 innings. Overall, the 20-year-old southpaw is 1-1 with a 3.28 ERA in five starts totaling 24 2/3 frames.
Thursday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 26 Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2), Durham vs. Columbus (10:35 a.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 39 Reynaldo Lopez (White Sox No. 4), Charlotte at Louisville (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 44 Riley Pint (Rockies' No. 3), Asheville vs. West Virginia (7:05 p.m. ET)
No. 54 Luis Ortiz (Brewers' No. 4), Biloxi at Jacksonville (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 72 Sean Newcomb (Braves' No. 5), Gwinnett vs. Toledo (10:35 a.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 76 Forrest Whitley (Astros' No. 5), Quad Cities at Dayton (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 96 Max Fried (Braves' No. 8), Mississippi vs. Mobile (8 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Anthony Banda (D-backs' No. 1), Reno vs. New Orleans (Triple-A)
Josh Staumont (Royals' No. 2), Omaha at Las Vegas (Triple-A)
Steven Brault (Pirates' No. 8), Indianapolis vs. Norfolk (Triple-A)
Adalberto Mejia (Twins' No. 8), Rochester at Pawtucket (Triple-A)
Ricardo Pinto (Phillies' No. 17), Lehigh Valley vs. Buffalo (Triple-A)
Conner Greene (Blue Jays' No. 6), New Hampshire at Altoona (Double-A)
Ryan Castellani (Rockies' No. 7), Hartford vs. Erie (Double-A)
Spencer Adams (White Sox No. 11) vs. Keury Mella (Reds' No. 18), Birmingham at Pensacola (Double-A)
Heath Fillmyer (A's No. 14), Midland at Corpus Christi (Double-A)
Enyel De Los Santos (Padres' No. 15), San Antonio vs. Frisco (Double-A)
Josh Sborz (Dodgers' No. 16), Tulsa at NW Arkansas (Double-A)
Jalen Beeks (Red Sox's No. 27), Portland at Reading (Double-A)
David Hess (Orioles' No. 28), Bowie vs. Richmond (Double-A)
Joe Gunkel (Marlins' No. 29), Jacksonville vs. Biloxi (Double-A)
Justin Dunn (Mets' No. 3), St. Lucie at Jupiter (Class A Advanced)
T.J. Zeuch (Blue Jays' No. 7), Dunedin vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
A.J. Puckett (Royals' No. 10), Wilmington vs. Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Thomas Hatch (Cubs' No. 11), Myrtle Beach at Winston-Salem (Class A Advanced)
Matt Hall (Tigers' No. 17) vs Ricardo Sanchez (Braves' No. 19), Lakeland vs. Florida (Class A Advanced)
Lachlan Wells (Twins' No. 26), Fort Myers at Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
Taylor Widener (Yankees' No. 29), Tampa at Clearwater (Class A Advanced)
Alec Hansen (White Sox No. 9), Kannapolis at Augusta (Class A)
Merandy Gonzalez (Mets' No. 14), Columbia at Delmarva, Game 2 (Class A)
Jordon Holloway (Marlins' No. 16), Greensboro at Lexington (Class A)
Patrick Murphy (Blue Jays' No. 17), Lansing at Kane County (Class A)
Shaun Anderson (Red Sox's No. 17), Greenville at Lakewood (Class A)
Bryse Wilson (Braves' No. 24), Rome vs. Hagerstown (Class A)