Pipeline preview: Walker hopes to repeat heroics

July 16th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch:Adam Walker (Twins' No. 10), Rochester vs. Norfolk (6:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Walker played the hero on Friday night as he connected on a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead Triple-A Rochester past Norfolk, 8-6. The blast was Walker's 17th in 82 games for the Red Wings, and it puts him two back of Columbus' for the International League lead. The 24-year-old slugger has been on a tear in July, hitting .378/.451/.644 over 12 games.

Pitcher to watch: Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2), Montgomery vs. Tennessee (7:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Honeywell, No. 38 on the Top 100, is set to make his second start for Double-A Montgomery since being promoted from Class A Advanced Charlotte, where he had posted a 2.41 ERA with a 64-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 56 innings (10 starts). In his Montgomery debut, the 21-year-old right-hander allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings, striking out five.

Duel of the day: (Phillies' No. 15) vs. Chance Adams (Yankees' No. 19), Reading at Trenton (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Eshelman will be looking to rebound after a pair of shaky starts for Double-A Reading in which he combined to allow 10 earned runs on 15 hits with an uncharacteristically high six walks. Overall, the 22-year-old righty, acquired from the Astros last December in the trade, has been sharp in his first full professional campaign, posting a 3.34 ERA over 59 1/3 innings (11 starts) for Class A Advanced Clearwater before moving up to Double-A in late June.

Adams enters the day having tossed 10 consecutive hitless innings for Double-A Trenton. Since joining the Thunder, the 2015 fifth-rounder has won four of his five starts while allowing just 13 hits in 28 innings. Overall, Adams, 21, is a perfect 9-0 in 17 starts this season, during which he's racked up 98 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .178 average.
Saturday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 11 Alex Reyes (Cardinals' No. 1) vs. Kyle Freeland (Rockies' No. 7), Memphis at Albuquerque (9:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 52 Tyler Jay (Twins' No. 2) vs. (D-backs' No. 17), Chattanooga vs. Mobile (7:15 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 69 Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 2), Palm Beach vs. Clearwater (5:30 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables

Tyler Beede (Giants' No. 2) vs. David Hess (Orioles' No. 13), Richmond at Bowie (Double-A)
(Braves' No. 5), Rome at Columbia (Class A)
Austin Smith (Padres' No. 6), Fort Wayne vs. Cedar Rapids (Class A)
(Nationals' No. 7), Syracuse vs. Durham (Triple-A)
(Braves' No. 8), Mississippi vs. Jackson (Double-A)
Rob Kaminsky (Indians' No. 9), Akron vs. Erie (Double-A)
(Cubs' No. 11) vs. (Mets' No. 12), Iowa vs. Las Vegas (Triple-A)
(Padres' No. 12), Lake Elsinore at Inland Empire (Class A Advanced)
Roniel Raudes (Red Sox's No. 12) vs. Joan Baez (Nationals' No. 18), Greenville vs. Hickory (Class A)
Jordan Stephens (White Sox No. 13) vs. Jake Stinnett (Cubs' No. 22), Winston-Salem vs. Myrtle Beach (6:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
(A's No. 15), Midland at San Antonio (Double-A)
(Indians' No. 15), Columbus at Toledo (Triple-A)
Max Wotell (Mets' No. 16), Kingsport at Burlington (Class A Short Season)
Adonis Medina (Phillies' No. 16), Williamsport at Vermont (Class A Short Season)
Chase De Jong (Dodgers' No. 17), Tulsa at Arkansas (Double-A)
(Pirates' No. 17), Indianapolis at Louisville (Triple-A)
Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 18), Bradenton at Dunedin (Class A Advanced)
(Giants' No. 19), Sacramento at Round Rock (Triple-A)
Sam Howard (Rockies' No. 23), Hartford at Binghamton (Double-A)
Jen-Ho Tseng (Cubs' No. 24), Tennessee at Montgomery (Double-A)
(Marlins' No. 24), Jupiter at Brevard County (Class A Advanced)
Chris Flexen (Mets' No. 26), St. Lucie vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
Jonathan Hernandez (Rangers' No. 26), Hickory vs. West Virginia (Class A)
Ian Kahaloa (Reds' No. 26), Billings vs. Orem (Rookie)
(Astros' No. 28), Lancaster at Rancho Cucamonga (Class A Advanced)