Jimenez, Rodgers among top prospect performers Friday

Cubs prospect hits first grand slam in four-hit effort; Rockies infielder hits timely homer

July 30th, 2016

Another day, another monstrous offensive performance for Eloy Jimenez.
The Cubs' No. 3 prospect was at it again on Friday night as he delivered the first grand slam of his career as well as a pair of doubles in what was his third four-hit game of the season. Jimenez ultimately fell a triple short of hitting for the cycle, finishing 4-for-5 with four runs scored and four RBIs to power Class A South Bend past Lake County, 11-7.
Jimenez, No. 33 on the Top 100, began his night with a leadoff double in the top of the second inning, and then he notched his second two-bagger of the contest in his next trip to the plate. The 19-year-old then belted a grand slam to left field in the fifth, his 12th home run of the season.
After picking up a single in the sixth inning, Jimenez needed a triple over the final three frames to complete his cycle. Instead, he struck out in his final at-bat.
After his big game on Friday, Jimenez is leading the Midwest League in OPS (.918), doubles (32), RBIs (68) and total bases (191), ranks second in average (.318) and hits (119) and is tied for third in home runs.
The rest of the best performances from top prospects Friday
No. 8 overall prospect Brendan Rodgers (Rockies' No. 1) could not have picked a better time to hit his 14th home run, as he connected on a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning to lead Class A Asheville past Columbia, 5-2. The 19-year-old shortstop finished the game 3-for-5 at the plate to lift his batting average to .280, and he's now tallied 55 RBIs in 84 games for the Tourists.

MILB Video - Title: Watch: Rodgers goes yard - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=987936183

Blue Jays No. 4 prospect Jon Harris struggled in his debut for Class A Advanced Dunedin on July 23, when he allowed five earned runs on nine hits and four walks against Jupiter. Facing the Hammerheads for a second straight outing Friday, however, the 2015 first-rounder bounced back to fire 7 2/3 frames of one-run ball. He scattered five hits, walked two and struck out four.
Indians No. 7 prospect improved to 11-1 and lowered his ERA to an even 3.00 as he tossed five scoreless innings for Triple-A Columbus in a win over Charlotte. The 25-year-old right-hander scattered six hits, walked a pair and fanned eight in the outing, which saw him throw 60 of his 95 pitches for strikes.

MILB Video - Title: Watch: Clevinger notches K - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=987939283

White Sox No. 7 prospect Alec Hansen recorded seven strikeouts and worked a career-best five innings in another strong outing for Rookie-level Great Falls. The 2016 second-rounder has pitched to a 3.29 ERA across his first 20 2/3 innings (six starts) as a pro, with eight hits allowed and 32 strikeouts in that span.
Astros No. 12 prospect Teoscar Hernandez hit his fourth Triple-A home run and 10th of the season in Fresno's win against Las Vegas. He notched a double, scored twice and plated four runs as part of a 3-for-4 performance, which improved his Triple-A average to .326 through 26 games.

MILB Video - Title: Watch: Hernandez goes yard - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=987938383

Mariners No. 13 prospect Ryan Yarbrough faced the minimum number of hitters through six innings en route to tossing seven scoreless innings for Double-A Jackson. The 24-year-old southpaw allowed three hits, struck out five and generated 10 ground-ball outs in the outing, throwing 61 of his 89 pitches for strikes. Yarbrough owns a 10-4 record and a 3.18 ERA in 110 1/3 innings (20 starts) for the Generals.

MILB Video - Title: Watch: MiLB Video - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=986030083

Braves No. 15 prospect Lucas Sims hurled six scoreless innings of one-hit ball to pace Double-A Mississippi in a win over Birmingham. He issued one walk and hit a trio of Barons hitters but also struck out seven, finishing with 92 pitches (58 strikes). Though he struggled mightily over 10 starts with Triple-A Gwinnett, Sims, 22, has been excellent during his time in the Southern League, posting a 2.26 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings (10 starts).

MILB Video - Title: Watch: MiLB Video - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=986183883

Reds No. 17 prospect took a perfect-game bid into the seventh inning before he hit a batter and then yielded a two-out single. He struck out six and did not issue a walk in the outing, which saw the 22-year-old bring his ERA below the 4.00 mark (3.98) for the first time since May 3.

MILB Video - Title: Watch: MiLB Video - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=986240383

Brewers No. 22 prospect Brandon Woodruff was brilliant once again for Double-A Biloxi as he fired seven scoreless innings and matched his career high with 10 strikeouts, although the Shuckers ultimately fell to Mobile, 1-0. With the performance, the 23-year-old right-hander increased his scoreless innings streak to 24 1/3, and he's now fanned 127 hitters in 113 innings between the Class A Advanced and Double-A levels. Mobile starter (D-backs' No. 26) also threw the ball well, as he allowed three baserunners (two hits, one walk) and struck out eight in seven innings. He owns a 1.47 ERA in five starts since being promoted to the Southern League.

MILB Video - Title: Watch: MiLB Video - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=986385483

Dodgers No. 27 prospect Johan Mieses blasted his 17th home run in Class A Rancho Cucamonga's loss against High Desert. The 21-year-old outfielder has gone deep four times in his past six games, during which he's also collected 11 hits to raise his batting average to .232 from .216.