Pipeline Preview: Tatis Jr. set for Double-A debut

August 22nd, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: (Padres' No. 4), San Antonio vs. Frisco (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Tatis, MLB Pipeline's No. 58 overall prospect, is set to make the jump straight to Double-A San Antonio from Class A Fort Wayne. During his time in the Midwest League, the 18-year-old shortstop batted .281/.390/.520 over 117 games and set a TinCaps franchise record with 21 home runs. Overall he accrued 54 extra-base hits, as well as 78 runs scored, 69 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.

Pitcher to watch: Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 2), Altoona at Hartford (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Keller (No. 22 overall) has begun his Double-A career by allowing two or fewer earned runs over six innings in three consecutive starts for Altoona. The 21-year-old right-hander has posted 21 strikeouts against five walks in that span, all while permitting no more than five hits in an outing. Altogether, Keller has pitched to a 2.99 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and a .205 opponents' average in 99 1/3 innings (20 starts) this season.

Duel of the day: Alec Hansen (White Sox No. 8) vs. (Brewers' No. 15), Winston-Salem vs. Carolina (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Hansen racked up 11 strikeouts over seven one-run innings in his last start, marking his third double-digit strikeout performance in four turns for Class A Advanced Winston-Salem. The No. 100 overall prospect has emerged as one of the top strikeout artists in the Minors this season, posting 166 punchouts over 126 innings (11.9 K/9) between Winston-Salem and Class A Kannapolis. Overall, Hansen has pitched to a 2.64 ERA while holding hitters to a .206 average across 23 starts.

Diplan took a step in the right direction in his latest start for Carolina, tossing six scoreless frames of four-hit ball with a pair of strikeouts in a no-decision against Down East. The 20-year-old right-hander pitched well even though he issued five walks for the fourth time in his past seven starts, giving him 63 walks in 108 1/3 innings (5.2 BB/9) this season. On a positive note, Diplan continues to miss his share of bats (9.0 K/9) while keeping the ball in the park (0.9 HR/9).

Tuesday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 35 Kyle Wright (Braves' No. 4), Florida at Dunedin (6:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 38 Mike Soroka (Braves' No. 3), Mississippi at Chattanooga (7:15 p.m. ET)
No. 48 Jay Groome (Red Sox's No. 2), Greenville vs. Columbia (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 95 Beau Burrows (Tigers' No. 4), Erie vs. Richmond (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 11), Sacramento vs. Albuquerque (Triple-A)
(Indians' No. 22), Columbus at Toledo (Triple-A)
(Rays' No. 23), Durham vs. Gwinnett (Triple-A)
(A's No. 9), Midland at Corpus Christi (Double-A)
Brad Keller (D-backs' No. 12) vs. (Reds' No. 22), Jackson at Pensacola (Double-A)
Genesis Cabrera (Rays' No. 15), Montgomery vs. Tennessee (Double-A)
Jordan Stephens (White Sox No. 20), Birmingham at Jacksonville (Double-A)
Thomas Pannone (Blue Jays' No. 21), New Hampshire at Binghamton (Double-A)
Yefry Ramirez (Orioles' No. 23), Bowie vs. Reading (Double-A)
Ryan Helsley (Cardinals' No. 24), Springfield at NW Arkansas (Double-A)
Chase De Jong (Mariners' No. 24), Arkansas vs. Tulsa (Double-A)
Mike Shawaryn (Red Sox's No. 8), Salem vs. Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Garrett Williams (Giants' No. 20), San Jose at Visalia (Class A Advanced)
Connor Jones (Cardinals' No. 21), Palm Beach at Jupiter (Class A Advanced)
Tony Santillan (Reds' No. 14), Dayton vs. Bowling Green (Class A)
Josh Pennington (Brewers' No. 22), Wisconsin vs. Peoria (Class A)
Melvin Adon (Giants' No. 23), Augusta at Asheville (Class A)
Patrick Murphy (Blue Jays' No. 24), Lansing at Great Lakes (Class A)
Jose Albertos (Cubs' No. 2), Eugene vs. Boise (Class A Short Season)
Corbin Martin (Astros' No. 19), Tri-City at Connecticut (Class A Short Season)
Oliver Jaskie (Mariners' No. 20), Everett at Vancouver (Class A Short Season)
Daniel Tillo (Royals' No. 20), Burlington at Bluefield (Rookie)