Pipeline Preview: Jimenez to make 2017 debut

Pipeline Preview: Jimenez to make 2017 debut

May 14th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Eloy Jimenez (Cubs' No. 1), Myrtle Beach vs. Lynchburg (3:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
The No. 10 overall prospect will make his 2017 debut against the Hillcats on Sunday. Jimenez was playing well in Spring Training, hitting .321 in 16 games before he was diagnosed with a bone bruise to his right throwing shoulder in late March and subsequently shut down. Jimenez was activated Saturday, but the Pelicans game was postponed. In 2016, Jimenez hit .329 with 14 homers and 81 RBIs in 112 games with Class A South Bend.

Pitcher to watch: Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 3), Mississippi vs. Biloxi (2:05 p.m. ET)
Allard, the No. 46 overall prospect, has been stellar in his first taste of the Double-A level. The 19-year-old lefty has posted a 1.38 ERA through his first seven starts and has struck out 31, compared to just nine walks, in 39 innings. Allard has given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his seven starts and has pitched a season-high six innings in each of his past three turns.

Duel of the day: (Astros' No. 1) vs Trevor Oaks (Dodgers' No. 17), Fresno vs. Oklahoma City (3:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Martes, the No. 17 overall prospect, was dominant in his first two starts, totaling 10 strikeouts in 9 1/3 scoreless innings. However, Martes also walked nine over those two starts and then struggled in each of his next two outings. The right-hander has given up four earned runs in each of his past two starts and has failed to complete four innings in either outing. After a pair of rough starts, Martes looks to get back on track on Mother's Day.

Oaks, like Martes, has run into some struggles recently. After starting the season with four strong starts, Oaks has given up nine runs in his last 10 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old threw a season high 5 2/3 innings in his last start and was on track for a quality start until he gave up a pair of runs and was unable to escape the sixth.

Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 13 overall (White Sox No. 3), Birmingham vs. Chattanooga (2:15 p.m. ET)
No. 33 overall (Brewers' No. 3), Colorado Springs vs. Sacramento (3:00 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
(Braves' No. 18), Gwinnett vs. Columbus (Triple-A)
(Yankees' No. 21), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Syracuse (Triple-A)
(Phillies' No. 25), Lehigh Valley vs. Buffalo (Triple-A)
Chris Lee (Orioles' No. 7), Norfolk vs. Indianapolis (Triple-A)
(Pirates' No. 20), Indianapolis vs. Norfolk (Triple-A)
(Athletics' No. 24), Nashville vs. Albuquerque (Triple-A)
Marco Gonzalez (Cardinals' No. 19), Memphis vs. El Paso (Triple-A)
Andrew Moore (Mariners' No. 4), Tacoma vs. Round Rock (Triple-A)
Brandon Waddell (Pirates' No. 17), Altoona vs. New Hampshire (Double-A)
Tyler Alexander (Tigers' No. 4), Erie vs. Hartford (Double-A)
Greg Harris (Rays' No. 28), Montgomery vs. Tennessee (Double-A)
Trevor Clifton (Cubs' No. 7), Tennessee vs. Montgomery (Double-A)
(Brewers' No. 13), Biloxi vs. Mississippi (Double-A)
Teddy Stankiewicz (Red Sox's No. 24), Portland vs. Reading (Double-A)
Jordan Johnson (Giants' No. 9), Richmond vs. Bowie (Double-A)
Connor Sadzack (Rangers' No. 10), Frisco vs. San Antonio (Double-A)
James Naile (Athletics' No. 27), Midland vs. Corpus Christi (Double-A)
Alex Young (Diamondbacks' No. 11), Jackson vs. Pensacola (Double-A)
Austin Gomber (Cardinals' No. 14), Springfield vs. Arkansas (Double-A)
Mitchell White (Dodgers' No. 10), Rancho Cucamonga vs. Visalia (Class A Advanced)
Jaime Barria (Angels' No. 10), Inland Empire vs. San Jose (Class A Advanced)
(White Sox No. 10), Winston-Salem vs. Carolina (Class A Advanced)
(Brewers' No. 11), Carolina vs. Winston-Salem (Class A Advanced)
Brett Martin (Rangers' No. 5), Down East vs. Buies Creek (Class A Advanced)
Foster Griffin (Royals' No. 21), Wilmington vs. Frederick (Class A Advanced)
Darwinzon Hernandez (Red Sox's No. 25), Greenville vs. Delmarva (Class A)
Luis Escobar (Pirates' No. 13), West Virginia vs. Charleston (Class A)
Joey Wentz (Braves' No. 13), Rome vs. Kannapolis (Class A)