Pipeline Preview: Mejia looks to build off career game

June 8th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Francisco Mejia (Indians' No. 2), Akron at Portland (11 a.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
The No. 35 overall prospect had a game to remember Wednesday as he set career highs with two home runs and six RBIs to pace Double-A Akron in a rout of Portland in game one of a doubleheader. Mejia, a 21-year-old, switch-hitting catcher, ultimately went 4-for-5 at the plate and scored three runs. He is now hitting .344/.390/.550 with 16 extra-base hits through his first 34 games in the Southern League.

Pitcher to watch: Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 5), Memphis at New Orleans (8 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Flaherty, MLBPipeline.com's No. 99 overall prospect, pitched well in his Triple-A debut last Saturday, tossing six innings of two-run ball in a no-decision for Memphis. The 21-year-old righty threw 67 of his 105 pitches for strikes in the outing, allowing five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He was promoted to Triple-A after leading the Texas League in wins (7-2) and WHIP (0.92) while posting the circuit's second-best ERA (1.42) through 10 starts for Double-A Springfield.

Duel of the day: Luis Ortiz (Brewers' No. 4) vs. Luiz Gohara (Braves' No. 10), Biloxi at Mississippi (8 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Ortiz, 21, rebounded from a pair of shaky outings to complete a season-high six scoreless innings en route to his first career complete game -- albeit of the rain-shortened, seven-inning variety -- in his last start for Double-A Biloxi. It was the third scoreless start in 10 turns this season for the No. 53 overall prospect, who's posted a 3.26 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .198 average this season over 49 2/3 frames.

Even younger than Ortiz, the 20-year-old Gohara is set to make his third start (fourth appearance) for Mississippi since his promotion for Class A Advanced Florida, where he'd registered a 1.98 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings spanning seven starts. As a member of the the M-Braves, the big left-hander owns a 4.26 ERA with seven strikeouts through 6 1/3 frames.

Thursday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 49 Triston McKenzie (Indians' No. 3) vs. Ofelky Peralta (Orioles' No. 16), Lynchburg vs. Frederick (6:30 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables
Chris Lee (Orioles' No. 6), Norfolk at Durham (Triple-A)
Brandon Woodruff (Brewers' No. 8), Colorado Springs vs. Round Rock (Triple-A)
Chase De Jong (Mariners' No. 13), Tacoma vs. Reno (Triple-A)
Adam Plutko (Indians' No. 14), Columbus vs. Louisville (Triple-A)
Patrick Weigel (Braves' No. 15), Gwinnett vs. Charlotte (Triple-A)
Mark Appel (Phillies' No. 19), Lehigh Valley vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A)
Chris Stratton (Giants' No. 21), Sacramento vs. Fresno (Triple-A)
Ryan Castellani (Rockies' No. 4), Hartford at Trenton (Double-A)
Tanner Scott (Orioles' No. 10), Bowie at Reading (Double-A)
Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 12), Altoona at Harrisburg (Double-A)
Josh Sborz (Dodgers' No. 15), Tulsa at Arkansas (Double-A)
Francisco Rios (Blue Jays' No. 18), New Hampshire vs. Erie (Double-A)
Keury Mella (Reds' No. 18), Pensacola at Mobile (Double-A)
Corey Ray (Royals' No. 24), NW Arkansas vs. Springfield (Double-A)
Nick Neidert (Mariners' No. 3), Modesto vs. Stockton (Class A Advanced)
Scott Blewett (Royals' No. 4) vs. Jorge Alcala (Astros' No. 28), Wilmington vs. Buies Creek (Class A Advanced)
Gage Hinsz (Pirates' No. 10), Bradenton at Dunedin (Class A Advanced)
Matt Krook (Giants' No. 12), San Jose at Visalia (Class A Advanced)
Matt Hall (Tigers' No. 17), Lakeland vs. St. Lucie (Class A Advanced)
Freddy Peralta (Brewers' No. 19), Carolina at Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)
Jesus Castillo (Angels' No. 27), Inland Empire at Lancaster (Class A Advanced)
Joey Wentz (Braves' No. 13) vs. Garrett Williams (Giants' No. 25), Rome at Augusta (Class A)
Jordan Hicks (Cardinals' No. 18), Peoria vs. Kane County (Class A)
Jhonathan Diaz (Red Sox's No. 26), Greenville at Hickory (Class A)
A.J. Alexy (Dodgers' No. 28), Great Lakes at West Michigan (Class A)
Micah Miniard (Indians' No. 28), Lake County at Fort Wayne (Class A)