Pipeline preview: A's Chapman, top pitchers among those to watch

April 22nd, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Matt Chapman (A's No. 6)
Chapman opened eyes this spring in big league camp with the A's by hitting six home runs in 44 at-bats -- this after he hit 23 homers in 80 games in 2015. The 22-year-old third baseman has continued his slugging ways at Double-A Midland, for which he's hit four homers in 13 games -- three in his past four contests -- while batting .279/.436/.628. On Friday, Chapman will face rehabbing big leaguer Brandon Morrow as the RockHounds take on San Antonio in a game that can be seen on MiLB.TV at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Pitcher(s) to watch: Lucas Giolito (Nationals' No. 1) and Julio Urias (Dodgers' No. 1)
Though there are plenty of Top 100 pitchers scheduled for Friday, all eyes will be on Giolito and Urias, MLBPipeline.com's Nos. 1 and 2 overall prospects, as each makes his third start of the season. Giolito (1-0, 1.17 ERA), coming off an outing in which he allowed three hits over just 3 2/3 innings for Double-A Harrisburg, will look to get his season rolling when he pitches against Bowie at 7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV. An hour later, Urias (1-1, 3.60 ERA) will take the hill for Triple-A Oklahoma City against Memphis at 8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV. The 19-year-old left-hander was dominant against the Redbirds in his season debut, when he allowed four hits and struck out nine in five scoreless innings.
Duel of the day: Sean Manaea (A's No. 2) vs. Jorge Lopez (Brewers' No. 3)
A pair of Top 100 prospects will square off Friday night on MiLB.TV in Lopez (No. 55) and Manaea (No. 66), who are scheduled to start for Triple-A Colorado Springs and Nashville, respectively, at 8:35 p.m. ET. A winner in both of his starts for the Sounds, Manaea enters the day with a stellar 1.50 ERA and a 17/2 K/BB ratio through his first 12 innings. Lopez (0-0, 6.48 ERA), meanwhile, has allowed three earned runs in both of his starts for the Sky Sox, neither of which has seen the 23-year-old righty complete five innings.
Friday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 1 Giolito, Harrisburg at Bowie (MiLB.TV at 7:05 p.m. ET)
No. 2 Urias, Oklahoma City vs. Memphis (MiLB.TV at 8:05 p.m. ET)
No. 39 Francis Martes (Astros' No. 3); Frisco at Corpus Christi (MiLB.TV at 8:05 p.m. ET)
No. 41 Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 3), Charlotte at Fort Myers
No. 51 Michael Fulmer (Tigers' No. 1), Toledo at Columbus (MiLB.TV at 7:15 p.m. ET)
No. 55 Lopez, Colorado Springs vs. Nashville (MiLB.TV at 8:35 p.m. ET)
No. 66 Manaea, Nashville at Colorado Springs (MiLB.TV at 8:35 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables

Conner Greene (Blue Jays' No. 2), Dunedin at Lakeland (A Adv)
Nate Smith (Angels' No. 3), Salt Lake at Fresno (AAA)
Sean Reid-Foley (Blue Jays' No. 3), Lansing vs. Lake County (A)
Spencer Adams (White Sox's No. 3), Winston-Salem at Salem (A Adv)
Miguel Almonte (Royals' No. 4), Omaha at Round Rock (AAA)
Justus Sheffield (Indians' No. 5), Lynchburg vs. Frederick (A Adv)
Touki Toussaint (Braves' No. 6), Rome vs. Asheville (A)
Sam Coonrod (Giants' No. 6), San Jose vs. Modesto (A Adv)
Scott Blewett (Royals' No. 6), Lexington vs. West Virginia (A)
Domingo Acevedo (Yankees' No. 7), Charleston vs. Augusta (A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 8), Zack Erwin (A's No. 23); Inland Empire at Stockton (A Adv)
Jake Esch (Marlins' No. 9), Chih-Wei Hu (Rays' No. 13); Jacksonville at Montgomery (AA)
Andrew Moore (Mariners' No. 10), Bakersfield vs. Lake Elsinore (A Adv)
Clayton Blackburn (Giants' No. 11), Sacramento vs. Las Vegas (AAA)
Tyler Danish (White Sox's No. 11), Birmingham at Chattanooga (AA)
Lucas Sims (Braves' No. 12), Adrian Houser (Brewers' No. 17); Mississippi vs. Biloxi (AA)
Zach Eflin (Phillies' No. 13), Lehigh Valley at Pawtucket (AAA)
Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 14), West Virginia at Lexington (A)
Steven Brault (Pirates' No. 17), John Lamb (Reds' No. 20); Indianapolis at Louisville (AAA)
Austin Kubitza (Tigers' No. 17), Erie at Binghamton (AA)
Ofelky Peralta (Orioles' No. 17), Luis Martinez (White Sox's No. 29); Delmarva at Kannapolis (A)
Parker Bridwell (Orioles' No. 19), Harrisburg at Bowie (AA)
Joan Gregorio (Giants' No. 21), Richmond at Altoona (AA)
John Gant (Braves' No. 22), Gwinnett at Charlotte (AAA)
Justin Jacome (Marlins' No. 22), Greensboro vs. Lakewood (A)
Elniery Garcia (Phillies' No. 22), Clearwater vs. Brevard County (A Adv)
Marc Brakeman (Red Sox's No. 24), Greenville vs. Columbia (A)
Sam Wolff (Rangers' No. 26), Frisco at Corpus Christi (AA)
Ty Buttrey (Red Sox's No. 26), Harrison Musgrave (Rockies' No. 30); Portland at Hartford (AA)
Zack Godley (D-backs' No. 27), Mobile vs. Tennessee (AA)
Jeff Brigham (Marlins' No. 28), Jupiter vs. Palm Beach (A Adv)
Andrew Morales (Cardinals' No. 30), Springfield at Arkansas (AA)