Pipeline Preview: Clarke takes the hill for Double-A Jackson

July 3rd, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Andrew Stevenson (Nationals' No. 5), Syracuse vs. Buffalo (6:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
After struggling to find a rhythm in May and batting just .178, Steveson got back on track in June, hitting .327 in 30 games. After going 1-for-3 on Sunday, Stevenson has a hit in both games in July and in 13 of his past 14. The 22-year-old has taken his batting average from .222 to .256 during that stretch and will look to stay hot as the summer wears on.

Pitcher to watch: Taylor Clarke (D-backs' No. 5), Jackson at Tennessee (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Clarke, the D-backs' No. 5 prospect, enters tonight's game with a 2.96 ERA in 15 starts this season. The 24-year-old righty has allowed two runs over five innings in both of his past two starts, and he boasts an 80-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2017. His best outing of the year came on May 27, when he struck out 12 and allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings. 

Duel of the Day: Travis Lakins (Red Sox's No. 7) vs. (Rockies' No. 12), Portland vs. Hartford (1:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Lakins' Double-A career got off to a rough start as he gave up 10 runs over six innings across his first two starts. However, the righty -- who went 5-0 with a 2.61 ERA in seven starts with Class A Advanced Salem prior to his promotion -- appears to have figured it out lately. Lakins has given up two earned runs or fewer in four of his past five starts, including one earned run in his latest outing.

Almonte has posted a 1.87 ERA through 10 starts (53 innings) in what has been an impressive season thus far. He gave up one earned run in seven innings in his last start and hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any outing this season.

Monday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 72 overall (Athletics' No. 3), Midland vs. Tulsa (7:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
(Rays' No. 26), Durham vs. Norfolk (Triple-A)
Tyler Eppler (Pirates' No. 24), Indianapolis vs. Louisville (Triple-A)
Josh Staumont (Royals' No. 2), Omaha vs. Colorado Springs (Triple-A)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 10), Sacramento vs. Fresno (Triple-A)
Corey Oswalt (Mets' No. 30), Binghamton vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
Cory Taylor (Giants' No. 20), Richmond vs. Reading (Double-A)
Taylor Clarke (D-backs' No. 5), Jackson vs. Tennessee (Double-A)
Duane Underwood (Cubs' No. 14), Tennessee vs. Jackson (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 25), Mobile vs. Jacksonville (Double-A)
(Yankees' No. 20), Trenton vs. New Hampshire (Double-A)
Corbin Burnes (Brewers' No. 20), Biloxi vs. Birmingham (Double-A)
(Reds' No. 19), Pensacola vs. Montgomery (Double-A)
Chris Ellis (Cardinals' No. 27), Springfield vs. Frisco (Double-A)
Matt Hall (Tigers' No. 17), Lakeland vs. Jupiter (Class A Advanced)
Jordan Romano (Blue Jays' No. 22), Dunedin vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
(Braves' No. 19), Florida vs. Bradenton (Class A Advanced)
Thomas Hatch (Cubs' No. 10), Myrtle Beach vs. Down East (Class A Advanced)
Riley Ferrell (Astros' No. 22), Buies Creek vs. Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Kodi Medeiros (Brewers' No. 18), Carolina vs. Winston-Salem (Class A Advanced)
Justin Donatella (D-backs' No. 26), Visalia vs. Stockton (Class A Advanced)
Freicer Perez (Yankees' No. 26), Charleston vs. Augusta (Class A)
Brady Aiken (Indians' No. 4), Lake County vs. Bowling Green (Class A)
Luis Escobar (Pirates' No. 13), West Virginia vs. Hickory (Class A)
Bryse Wilson (Braves' No. 24), Rome vs. Columbia (Class A)
A.J. Alexy (Dodgers' No. 28), Great Lakes vs. West Michigan (Class A)
Curtis Taylor (D-backs' No. 12), Kane County vs. Peoria (Class A)
Joe Gatto (Angels' No. 24), Burlington vs. Quad Cities (Class A)
Matt Manning (Tigers' No. 1), Connecticut vs. Brooklyn (Class A Short Season)
Brenan Hanifee (Orioles' No. 25), Aberdeen vs. Hudson Valley (Class A Short Season)
Jorge Guzman (Yankees' No. 25), Staten Island vs. Tri-City (Class A Short Season)