Bryant, Ray named Pipeline Prospects of the Week

Throughout the season, the MLBPipeline.com staff will name Pipeline Prospects of the Week -- one hitter and one pitcher who excelled over the previous seven days. To qualify for selection, a player must rank among their organization's Top 20 Prospects, as listed on our Prospect Watch.

Pipeline Hitting Prospect of the Week: Kris Bryant, Tennessee Smokies
Cubs' No. 2 prospect, 7 G, 13-for-28 (.464/.516/.929), 1.445 OPS, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 12 R

Bryant, who is ranked No. 8 on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list, was still playing for the University of San Diego this time last year and has played just 72 professional games. But Bryant has easily made the transition to the Minor Leagues, and he continued the incredible start to his career last week.

Bryant's week was highlighted by what might have been the best game of his young career. He went 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs during the Smokies' 12-1 victory on Wednesday. It was Bryant's first multihomer game, and the six RBIs were a career high.

After hitting four home runs last week, Bryant leads the Southern League with 10 this season. He also leads the circuit in batting average (.331), slugging percentage (.624), OPS (1.061) and runs (33).

Honorable mention

Jayce Boyd, 1B, Binghamton Mets: (Mets' No. 17 prospect) 7 G, 8-for-18 (.444/.545/.944), 1.490 OPS, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R

Delino DeShields, OF, Corpus Christi Hooks: (Astros' No. 7 prospect) 3 G, 6-for-13 (.462/.500/.923), 1.423 OPS, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 5 R

Joey Gallo, 3B, Myrtle Beach Pelicans: (Rangers' No. 5 prospect) 7 G, 11-for-31 (.355/.412/.710), 1.121 OPS, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, 8 R

Kyle Kubitza, 3B, Mississippi Braves: (Braves' No. 11 prospect) 6 G, 8-for-14 (.571/.714/.643), 1.357 OPS, 1 RBI, 3 SB, 3 R

Steven Moya, OF, Erie SeaWolves: (Tigers' No. 20 prospect) 7 G, 12-for-28 (.429/.429/.857), 1.286 OPS, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 1 SB, 6 R

Pipeline Pitching Prospect of the Week: Robbie Ray, Detroit Tigers (Tigers' No. 2 prospect) 1-0, 0.79 ERA, 2 GS, 11 1/3 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Ray made his Major League debut last week, and he pitched like he belonged in his two starts. The left-hander beat the Astros on Tuesday in his first big league game and then, as an encore, shut out the Twins for six innings Sunday.

Ray, ranked No. 90 on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list, began the season at Triple-A Toledo. He posted a 1.53 ERA in 29 1/3 innings before getting promoted.

Ray got the call to Detroit because Anibal Sanchez is on the disabled list. But so far, Ray is making the case that he's ready for a full-time spot in the big league rotation.

Honorable mention

A.J. Cole, RHP, Harrisburg Senators: (Nationals' No. 2 prospect) 1-1, 0.84 ERA, 2 GS, 10 2/3 IP, 11 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Oklahoma City RedHawks: (Astros' No. 6 prospect) 1-1, 2.25 ERA, 2 GS, 12 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 17 K

Rafael Montero, RHP, Las Vegas 51s: (Mets' No. 2 prospect) 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 5 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Daniel Norris, LHP, Dunedin Blue Jays: (Blue Jays' No. 4 prospect) 0-0, 0.96 ERA, 2 GS, 9 1/3 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 16 K

Henry Owens, LHP, Portland Sea Dogs: (Red Sox's No. 1 prospect) 1-0, 2.35 ERA, 1 GS, 7 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 6 K

Robert Stephenson, RHP, Pensacola Blue Wahoos: (Reds' No. 1 prospect) 0-1, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 11 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 14 K