Gatewood ready to extend hitting streak for Mudcats

May 1st, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Jake Gatewood (Brewers' No. 25), Carolina vs. Buies Creek (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Gatewood struck a home run in each of the Mudcats' doubleheader games against Frederick on Saturday to extend his hit streak to nine games, but he wasn't done yet. The infielder came back Sunday and put together a 2-for-6 performance, including a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the 12th that broke an 8-8 tie. Gatewood's average is now up to a team-high .329 with an OPS over 1.000, and he'll be worth keeping an eye on Monday in Zebulon.

Pitcher to watch: Justin Dunn (Mets' No. 3), St. Lucie at Bradenton (6:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Dunn, the 19th overall pick of last June's draft, hasn't found his stride yet in his first full season as a professional. The right-hander sports a 1.75 WHIP and has struck out only nine batters through his first 20 innings for Class A St. Lucie, but his arsenal -- which includes a fastball that can routinely touch 95 mph -- suggest better numbers could be ahead. If Dunn can put things together, like he did when he posted a 1.50 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 30 innings in the New York-Penn League least season, then good luck to opposing batters.

Duel of the day: Roniel Raudes (Red Sox's No. 5) at A.J. Puckett (Royals' No. 10), Salem at Wilmington (6:35 p.m. ET)
Raudes has assumed the mantle of the Red Sox' top right-handed pitching prospect after the departure of , and he is coming off winning the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award in 2016. But Raudes has had a rocky introduction to the Carolina League to this point. The native of Nicaragua owns a 5.82 ERA through his first four starts while allowing a career-high .262 batting average against. The promising righty is coming off a solid two-run performance over five innings his last time out, however, and will look at Monday's start as a chance to build momentum.

Puckett has enjoyed a smoother transition to the Carolina League, posting a 2-2 record and a 3.43 ERA. The righty is preaching "mentality over stuff" when he takes the mound, and it's working; Puckett has struck out 20 batters over his first 21 innings while coughing up just one home run.

Monday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 98 (Braves' No. 8), Mississippi vs. Tennessee (11:35 a.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
(Royals' No. 5), Omaha vs. Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
Daniel Gossett (A's No. 6), Nashville vs. New Orleans (Triple-A)
(Giants' No. 8) at (Mariners' No. 12), Sacramento at Tacoma (Triple-A)
Dinelson Lamet (Padres' No. 10), El Paso at Salt Like (Triple-A)
(Indians' No. 17), Columbus at Louisville (Triple-A)
Frank Duncan (D-backs' No. 24), Reno vs. Fresno (Triple-A)
Harrison Musgrave (Rockies' No. 26), Albuquerque at Las Vegas (Triple-A)
Tyler Alexander (Tigers' No. 4) at David Hess (Orioles' No. 28), Erie at Bowie (Double-A)
Sandy Alcantara (Cardinals' No. 6), Springfield vs. Arkansas (Double-A)
Chance Adams (Yankees' No. 7), Trenton vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
Ryan Castellani (Rockies' No. 7) vs. Trey Ball (Red Sox's No. 28), Hartford vs. Portland (Double-A)
(Royals' No. 16), NW Arkansas at Tulsa (Double-A)
Francisco Rios (Blue Jays' No. 18), New Hampshire at Reading (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 27), Mobile at Jacksonville (Double-A)
(Yankees' No. 10), Tampa at Dunedin (Class A Advanced)
Touki Toussaint (Braves' No. 11) at Jake Woodford (Cardinals' No. 17), Florida at Palm Beach (Class A Advanced)
Cody Ponce (Brewers' No. 15), Carolina vs. Buies Creek (Class A Advanced)
Matt Hall (Tigers' No. 18), Lakeland vs. Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
Brian Gonzalez (Orioles' No. 20), Frederick vs. Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)