Pipeline Preview: McKenzie looks to rack up more K's

August 31st, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Scott Kingery (Phillies' No. 3), Lehigh Valley vs. Syracuse (6:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Kingery, the No. 56 overall prospect, is hitting .300 through 58 games with the IronPigs after a 2-for-5 performance on Wednesday. Kingery's 23-game hitting streak came to a halt on Saturday, but the 23-year-old has gotten right back on track with multihit performances in two of his past three games.

Pitcher to watch: Triston McKenzie (Indians' No. 2), Lynchburg vs. Potomac (6:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
McKenzie, the No. 24 overall prospect, has given up just one earned run in three of his past four starts. The 20-year-old has shown an ability to miss bats this season and he has five double-digit strikeout performances and a total of 176 strikeouts in 136 innings pitched. McKenzie showcased his strikeout ability in his last start as he fanned 11 and gave up just one run on one hit across six innings.

Duel of the Day: A.J. Puk (Athletics' No. 2) vs. Eric Lauer (Padres' No. 8), Midland vs. San Antonio (8 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Puk, the No. 39 overall prospect, has posted a 3.64 ERA through five starts in August, his lowest total since he was promoted in June. Puk has allowed three earned runs or less in seven consecutive starts and has thrown 100 or more pitches in each of his past three outings. Overall, the 22-year-old is 2-4 with a 4.81 ERA in 12 starts with the RockHounds.

Lauer has thrown well lately, posting a 1.35 ERA through four appearances this month. The lefty gave up 14 runs over back-to-back starts at the end of July, but has been lights out ever since. Lauer gave up just one run on four hits in his last start and has a 3.50 ERA through 21 games across two levels this season.

Thursday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 25 overall Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 3), Mississippi vs. Birmingham (8 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 60 Chance Adams (Yankees' No. 3), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Rochester (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 65 overall (White Sox No. 7), Kannapolis vs. Greensboro (7 p.m. ET)
No. 77 overall Adrian Morejon (Padres' No. 5), Fort Wayne vs. Great Lakes (7:05 p.m. ET)
No. 92 overall (Braves' No. 8), Gwinnett vs. Norfolk (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Yonny Chirinos (Rays' No. 19), Durham vs. Charlotte (Triple-A)
(Pirates' No. 9), Indianapolis vs. Louisville (Triple-A)
(Blue Jays' No. 14), Buffalo vs. Pawtucket (Triple-A)
(Rockies' No. 10), Albuquerque vs. Reno (Triple-A)
Osmer Morales (Angels' No. 27), Salt Lake vs. Tacoma (Triple-A)
Brandon Waddell (Pirates' No. 24), Altoona vs. Richmond (Double-A)
Spencer Turnbull (Tigers' No. 27), Erie vs. Binghamton (Double-A)
Franklyn Kilome (Phillies' No. 8), Reading vs. New Hampshire (Double-A)
John Means (Orioles' No. 30), Bowie vs. Trenton (Double-A)
Cody Ponce (Brewers' No. 21), Biloxi vs. Mobile (Double-A)
Framber Valdez (Astros' No. 18), Corpus Christi vs. Frisco (Double-A)
Austin Gomber (Cardinals' No. 15), Springfield vs. Arkansas (Double-A)
Michael Rucker (Cubs' No. 29), Myrtle Beach vs. Buies Creek (Class A Advanced)
Jordan Romano (Blue Jays' No. 19), Dunedin vs. Clearwater (Class A Advanced)
Ofelky Peralta (Orioles' No. 27), Frederick vs. Salem (Class A Advanced)
A.J. Puckett (White Sox No. 24), Winston-Salem vs. Carolina (Class A Advanced)
Joe Gatto (Angels' No. 26), Inland Empire vs. San Jose (Class A Advanced)
Freicer Perez (Yankees' No. 11), Charleston vs. Hickory (Class A Advanced)
Yennsy Diaz (Blue Jays' No. 27), Lansing vs. Lake County (Class A)
Brigham Hill (Nationals' No. 20), Hagerstown vs. Delmarva (Class A)
Hildemaro Requena (Red Sox's No. 30), Greenville vs. Rome (Class A)
Bryan Hudson (Cubs' No. 28), South Bend vs. West Michigan (Class A)
Mack Lemieux (D-backs' No. 28), Kane County vs. Clinton (Class A)
Lachlan Wells (Twins' No. 30), Cedar Rapids vs. Burlington (Class A)
Wil Crowe (Nationals' No. 6), Auburn vs. West Virginia (Class A Short Season)
Trevor Stephan (Yankees' No. 30), Staten Island vs. Connecticut (Class A Short Season)
Oscar Tovar (Athletics' No. 26), Vermont vs. Hudson Valley (Class A Short Season)
Jacob Heatherly (Reds' No. 17), Billings vs. Missoula (Rookie)