Pipeline preview: Meadows looks to expand on season-long hit streak

June 12th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Austin Meadows (Pirates' No. 2), Altoona at Reading (5:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Meadows (No. 16 overall) extended his hitting streak to 20 games -- the longest in the Eastern League this season -- Saturday with a first-inning home run in Double-A Altoona's loss against Reading. He has tallied 19 extra-base hits, including all five of his home runs, during the streak, and he's now homered in three of his past four games for the Curve. The 21-year-old center fielder is raking at a .423 clip over his last 20 contests, during which he's raised his average from .192 to .311.
Pitcher to watch: Jose De Leon (Dodgers' No. 2), Oklahoma City vs. Nashville (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Injuries have limited De Leon to just two starts this season for Triple-A Oklahoma City, but the No. 20 overall prospect has been outstanding on both occasions. In his season debut on May 3, the 23-year-old righty struck out nine and allowed two hits over five scoreless innings. While a sore arm kept De Leon off the mound for more than a month -- and required a three-week stint on the disabled list -- he showed no rust after the layoff as he fanned six of the nine hitters he faced over three perfect innings on July 7.
Duel of the day: No. 83 Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 5) vs. Chris Paddack (Marlins' No. 18), Rome at Greensboro (4:00 p.m. ET)
Allard (No. 83 overall) took the loss in his season debut Monday as he allowed six runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks in four innings for Class-A Rome. It was the 18-year-old lefty's first outing since he underwent minor back surgery late last season, and, overall, he's now logged 10 innings over four starts since being selected 14th overall in the 2015 Draft.
Paddack, meanwhile, has posted a 2.03 ERA and 20/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 13 1/3 innings (three starts) for Greensboro, giving the 2015 eighth-rounder an impressive 59/8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 58 2/3 innings to begin his career.
Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 56 Josh Hader (Brewers' No. 4), Colorado Springs at Memphis (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 62 Braden Shipley (D-backs' No. 1), Reno at Tacoma (4:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables

Sam Coonrod (Giants' No. 6) vs. Yency Almonte (Rockies' No. 28), San Jose at Modesto (A-Advanced)
Stephen Gonsalves (Twins' No. 6) vs. Tyler Alexander (Tigers' No. 14), Fort Myers at Lakeland (A-Advanced)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 9), Richmond at Portland (AA)
Austin Voth (Nationals' No. 9) vs. Trevor Williams (Pirates' No. 24), Syracuse at Indianapolis (AAA)
Manny Banuelos (Braves' No. 9), Gwinnett vs. Norfolk (AAA)
German Marquez (Rockies' No. 12), Hartford at Binghamton (AA)
Alec Mills (Royals' No. 13), Northwest Arkansas at Arkansas (AA)
Chris Ellis (Braves' No. 13), Mississippi vs. Jackson (AA)
David Hess (Orioles' No. 13), Bowie at New Hampshire (AA)
Roniel Raudes (Red Sox's No. 14), Greenville vs. Augusta (A)
Sal Romano (Reds' No. 15), Pensacola vs. Montgomery (AA)
Nick Pivetta (Phillies' No. 18), Reading vs. Altoona (AA)
Trey Ball (Red Sox's No. 19), Salem at Wilmington (A-Advanced)
Sandy Baez (Tigers' No. 20), West Michigan vs. Lansing (A)
Tyler Anderson (Rockies' No. 20), Albuquerque vs. Las Vegas (AAA)
Elniery Garcia (Phillies' No. 21), Clearwater vs. Bradenton (A-Advanced)
Trevor Clifton (Cubs' No. 21), Myrtle Beach at Lynchburg (A-Advanced)
Austin Brice (Marlins' No. 22), Jacksonville at Mobile (AA)
Carson Sands (Cubs' No. 23), South Bend at Bowling Green (A)
Justin Anderson (Angels' No. 23), Inland Empire vs. High Desert (A-Advanced)
Daniel Gossett (A's No. 24) vs. Connor Sadzeck (Rangers' No. 26), Midland at Frisco (AA)
Jeff Brigham (Marlins' No. 27), Jupiter vs. Daytona (A-Advanced)
Jean Cosme (Padres' No. 27), Fort Wayne at Dayton (A)
Miguel Diaz (Brewers' No. 27), Wisconsin at Kane County (A)
Pedro Payano (Rangers' No. 28) vs. Luis Martinez (White Sox No. 29), Hickory at Kannapolis (A)
Brett Graves (A's No. 30), Stockton at Bakersfield (A-Advanced)