Pipeline Preview: Mejia on fire since returning from injury

May 22nd, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: (Indians' No. 2), Akron vs. Altoona (6 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
The No. 35 overall prospect is making his presence felt in his return from the disabled list. Mejia went 2-4 with a homer in his first day back on Saturday and then went deep again Sunday. The 21-year-old is 3-for-6 with a double, two homers and three RBIs over the past two games and is slashing .307/.344/.534 through his first 23 games at the Double-A level.

Pitcher to watch: (Mets' No. 13), St. Lucie vs. Bradenton (6:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Molina took the ball for the first time in a Minor League game since Aug. 17, 2015 on Tuesday and threw four innings of one-run ball. After missing all of 2016 following Tommy John surgery, Molina threw 16 2/3 innings in the Arizona Fall League but was hampered again with a lat strain in Spring Training. The 22-year-old appeared to be on a fast track prior to the injuries, and his return to health should be exciting for the Mets and their fans.

Duel of the Day: Travis Lakins (Red Sox's No. 7) vs. Conner Greene (Blue Jays' No. 6), Portland vs. New Hampshire (6:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Lakins began the season with seven strong starts for Class A Advanced Salem (5-0, 2.61 ERA) and earned a promotion to Double-A. The 22-year-old was roughed up in his debut at that level, giving up five earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings. The outing was easily the worst of the season for Lakins, who will look to get back on track against New Hampshire.

Greene, like Lakins, struggled a bit in his prior start, giving up four earned runs in five innings. The 22-year-old had given up just one earned run in each of his prior two outings. Greene has a solid arsenal of pitches but has struggled with command at times, resulting in a 3.69 ERA through 46 1/3 innings this season.

Monday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 42 overall Yadier Alvarez (Dodgers' No. 2), Rancho Cucamonga vs. Visalia (10:05 p.m. ET)
No. 49 overall (Rangers' No. 2), Frisco vs. Corpus Christi (12:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 61 overall A.J. Puk (Athletics' No. 2), Stockton vs. Lake Elsinore (10:10 p.m. ET)
No. 71 overall (Yankees' No. 6), Trenton vs. Reading (7:00 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 95 overall (Braves' No. 8), Mississippi vs. Jacksonville (11:05 a.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Chase De Jong (Mariners' No. 13), Tacoma vs. Iowa (Triple-A)
(Cardinals' No. 21), Memphis vs. Fresno (Triple-A)
Eric Skoglund (Royals' No. 3), Omaha vs. Reno (Triple-A)
Daniel Gossett (Athletics' No. 5), Nashville vs. Sacramento (Triple-A)
Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 8), Springfield vs. Northwest Arkansas (Double-A)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 10), Richmond vs. Binghamton (Double-A)
David Hess (Orioles' No. 22), Bowie vs. Hartford (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 27), Mobile vs. Pensacola (Double-A)
Thomas Hatch (Cubs' No. 11), Myrtle Beach vs. Salem (Class A Advanced)
Roniel Raudes (Red Sox's No. 5), Salem vs. Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)
Junior Fernandez (Cardinals' No. 10), Palm Beach vs. Lakeland (Class A Advanced)
Spencer Turnbull (Tigers' No. 14), Lakeland vs. Palm Beach (Class A Advanced)
Taylor Hearn (Pirates' No. 11), Bradenton vs. St. Lucie (Class A Advanced)
Taylor Widener (Yankees' No. 28), Tampa vs. Jupiter (Class A Advanced)
Kodi Medeiros (Brewers' No. 18), Carolina vs. Winston-Salem (Class A Advanced)
Zach Thompson (White Sox No. 29), Winston-Salem vs. Carolina (Class A Advanced)
A.J. Puckett (Royals' No. 10), Wilmington vs. Frederick (Class A Advanced)
Keegan Akin (Orioles No. 5), Frederick vs. Wilmington (Class A Advanced)
Franklyn Kilome (Phillies' No. 5), Clearwater vs. Florida (Class A Advanced)
Drew Harrington (Braves' No. 25), Florida vs. Clearwater (Class A Advanced)
Pablo Lopez (Mariners' No. 24), Modesto vs. San Jose (Class A Advanced)
Logan Allen (Padres' No. 17), Fort Wayne vs. West Michigan (Class A)
Jordan Humphreys (Mets' No. 29), Columbia vs. Charleston (Class A)
Bernardo Flores (White Sox No. 18), Kannapolis vs. Greenville (Class A)
Brady Aiken (Indians' No. 5), Lake County vs. Lansing (Class A)
Bryse Wilson (Braves' No. 24), Rome vs. Asheville (Class A)
Curtis Taylor (D-backs' No. 12), Kane County vs. Burlington (Class A)