Pipeline preview: Astros' 2015 top pick Bregman on a tear

A's Mengden looks to extend scoreless streak; Twins' Berrios faces Boston's Johnson

April 21st, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Alex Bregman (Astros' No. 1)
Bregman has been one of the hottest hitters in the Minors to begin the season, batting .395/.480/.767 with five home runs and 14 RBIs during his season-opening 11-game hitting streak for Double-A Corpus Christi. He's already hit more homers than he did in 66 games during his professional debut last summer, after the Astros selected him second overall in the Draft, and they've all come in his last seven contests -- including his first grand slam and walk-off as a pro. Meanwhile, he's struck out just three times in 51 plate appearances. Bregman and Corpus Christi take on Frisco at home at 8:05 p.m. ET in a game that can be seen on MiLB.TV.

MILB Video - Title: Corpus Christi's Bregman hits go-ahead homer - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=597656483

Pitcher to watch: Daniel Mengden (A's No. 14)
Mengden has yet to allow a run through his first two turns for Double-A Midland, and he's pitched to the exact same line in both outings (6 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K). Acquired from the Astros as part of the Scott Kazmir trade last July, the 23-year-old right-hander will look to continue his strong start as the RockHounds battle San Antonio on MiLB.TV at 8:05 p.m. ET.

MILB Video - Title: Midland's Mengden picks up eighth strikeout vs. Arkansas - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=593054683

Duel of the day: Jose Berrios (Twins' No. 1) vs. Brian Johnson (Red Sox's No. 6)
Berrios, No. 17 on the Top 100, has struggled a bit with his control in the early going for Triple-A Rochester, issuing seven walks in 10 innings across his first two starts, but he's also piled up 13 strikeouts in that span to go along with a 1.80 ERA. Johnson, meanwhile, is one of three candidates being considered to fill Joe Kelly's spot in the starting rotation, though, as of now, he's still scheduled to make his third start for Pawtucket at 11:05 a.m. ET on MiLB.TV.


Thursday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 8 Tyler Glasnow (Pirates' No. 1), Indianapolis at Louisville (AAA)
No. 17 Berrios, Rochester vs. Pawtucket (AAA)
No. 58 Tyler Jay (Twins' No. 3), Fort Myers vs. Jupiter (A Adv)
No. 65 Braden Shipley (D-backs' No. 1), Reno at Albuquerque (AAA)
More top prospect probables
Bubba Derby (Brewers' No. 21), Artie Lewicki (Tigers' No. 22); Brevard County at Lakeland (A Adv)
Jen-Ho Tseng (Cubs' No. 24), Tennessee vs. Montgomery (AA)
Josh Staumont (Royals' No. 18), Wilmington vs. Potomac (A Adv)
Chase Johnson (Giants' No. 14), Richmond at Altoona (AA)
Joan Baez (Nationals' No. 18), Hagerstown vs. Hickory (A)
Reynaldo Lopez (Nationals' No. 5), David Hess (Orioles' No. 15); Harrisburg at Bowie (AA)
Rob Kaminsky (Indians' No. 10), Akron at Trenton (AA)
Ricardo Sanchez (Braves' No. 19), Rome vs. Asheville (A)
James Kaprielian (Yankees' No. 4), Tampa vs. Dunedin (A Adv)
Trevor Clifton (Cubs' No. 21), Myrtle Beach vs. Carolina (A Adv)
Enyel De Los Santos (Padres' No. 14), Fort Wayne at South Bend (A)
Angel Perdomo (Blue Jays' No. 23), Lansing vs. Lake County (A)
Matt Koch (D-backs' No. 19), Mobile at Jacksonville (AA)
Nick Wells (Mariners' No. 18), Clinton vs. Cedar Rapids (A)
Miguel Diaz (Brewers' No. 28), Wisconsin at Peoria (A)
Rookie Davis (Reds' No. 12), Pensacola at Biloxi (AA)
Ivan Pineyro (Marlins' No. 27), New Orleans vs. Iowa (AAA)
Conner Sadzeck (Rangers' No. 27), Frisco at Corpus Christi (AA)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 9), San Jose vs. Modesto (A Adv)
Gabriel Ynoa (Mets' No. 14), Las Vegas at Sacramento (AAA)
Josh Taylor (D-backs' No. 28), Joshua Sborz (Dodgers' No. 19); Rancho Cucamonga vs. Visalia (A Adv)
Casey Meisner (A's No. 9), Stockton vs. Inland Empire (A Adv)