Pipeline Preview: Baez looks to continue hot start

August 7th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: (Yankees' No. 7), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Gwinnett (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
After his 17-game hitting streak came to an end on Saturday, Andujar began another one with a 2-for-4 performance on Sunday. The 22-year-old hit his 14th homer of the season, a two-run blast in the first inning, in that game and is batting .336 through 33 games with the RailRiders.

Pitcher to watch: Michel Baez (Padres' No. 7), Fort Wayne vs. Great Lakes (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Baez's professional career has gotten off to a fast start as he's 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA through his first six starts. The righty was especially dominant in his latest outing as he struck out 14 in 6 2/3 innings. Baez has shown a propensity for keeping runs off the board and racking up strikeouts. He's given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his starts and also fanned 54 over 34 2/3 innings.
Duel of the Day: Nate Pearson (Blue Jays' No. 8) vs. Jhoan Duran (D-backs' No. 23), Vancouver vs. Hillsboro (10:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Pearson, the Blue Jays' first-round pick from the 2017 Draft, is looking to keep his ERA perfect in his fourth professional start. The right-hander has thrown five scoreless innings so far, having given up just two hits. Pearson has also shown impressive command as he has accumulated seven strikeouts and has yet to issue a walk.

Duran has had a bit of an up-and-down season. The numbers haven't always been consistent, but the 19-year-old certainly has the stuff to succeed. Duran, who is 2-3 with a 5.13 ERA through eight starts this season, has a mid-90s fastball, a good curveball and is working on a changeup as well. He gave up five runs (two earned) on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings in his last start.
Monday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 69 overall Matt Manning (Tigers' No. 1), West Michigan vs. Lake County (7 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables
(Pirates' No. 19), Indianapolis vs. Buffalo (Triple-A)
(Orioles' No. 25), Norfolk vs. Lehigh Valley (Triple-A)
(Rockies' No. 10), Albuquerque vs. New Orleans (Triple-A)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 11), Sacramento vs. Iowa (Triple-A)
(Mariners' No. 4), Tacoma vs. Nashville (Triple-A)
Spencer Adams (White Sox No. 16), Birmingham vs. Jacksonville (Triple-A)
Alex Young (D-backs' No. 18), Jackson vs. Chattanooga (Double-A)
Freddy Peeralta (Brewers' No. 11), Biloxi vs. Mississippi (Double-A)
(Tigers' No. 16), Lakeland vs. Bradenton (Class A Advanced)
Jake Woodford (Cardinals' No. 16), Palm Beach vs. Fort Myers (Class A Advanced)
(Phillies' No. 21), Clearwater vs. Tampa (Class A Advanced)
Matthias Dietz (Orioles' No. 24), Delmarva vs. Hagerstown (Class A Advanced)
Jorge Guzman (Yankees' No. 11), Staten Island vs. Connecticut (Class A Short Season)
Oliver Jaskie (Mariners' No. 21), Everett vs. Salem-Keizer (Class A Short Season)
Seth Romero (Nationals' No. 5), Auburn vs. Williamsport (Class A Short Season)