Pipeline preview: Bryant in midst of HR surge
Cubs prospect looks to power Smokies over Jackson in Double-A action
Nothing gets a crowd going more than the long ball, right? Some of the best sluggers in the Minor Leagues are really getting their power strokes going, with many options to see home run fireworks on Monday.
Kris Bryant, the Cubs' No. 2 prospect and No. 8 overall on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100, is fresh off a week in which he hit four homers and drove in 13 runs. In his last 10 games, the No. 2 pick in the 2013 Draft has hit .425/.489/.825 for Tennessee in the Double-A Southern League, and he has 10 homers on the year. You can watch Bryant and the Smokies in action on MiLB.TV at 8:05 p.m. ET. He'll face Jackson, the Mariners' affiliate, and their No. 6 prospect Victor Sanchez, who is making his first start since April 13 after a stint on the disabled list with forearm tightness.
Joc Pederson continues his onslaught against Triple-A Pacific Coast League pitching, launching four more homers last week and giving him 11 on the year. He's hit better at home in Albuquerque (.405/.522/.689), but he hasn't been a slouch on the road, with a .323/.432/.645 line. Pederson will try to improve on that in El Paso against Padres No. 14 prospect Keyvius Sampson, another MiLB.TV option at 8:35 p.m. ET.
Last year's Minor League home run king, Joey Gallo, hit three out last week, putting him in a tie for the Minor League lead with 13 bombs. He'll be at home in Myrtle Beach, facing Winston-Salem in Carolina League action. It's been tougher for the third baseman to go yard in his own yard: Only two of Gallo's 13 home runs have come in Myrtle Beach. You can check out if he adds to that total on MiLB.TV at 7 p.m. ET.
Top prospect probables
Anthony DeSclafani (Marlins' No. 6), Jacksonville vs. Mobile
David Holmberg (Reds' No. 7), Louisville vs. Pawtucket
Enny Romero (Rays' No. 4), Durham at Scranton/WB
Alex Reyes (Cardinals' No. 6), Peoria at Cedar Rapids
Gabriel Ynoa (Mets' No. 15), St. Lucie vs. Tampa
Cody Anderson (Indians' No. 4), Akron vs. Harrisburg
Miguel Almonte (Royals' No. 5), Wilmington vs. Salem
Trevor Williams (Marlins' No. 10), Jupiter at Clearwater
Braden Kline (Orioles' No. 16), Frederick vs. Potomac
Dace Kime (Indians' No. 15), Lake County at Fort Wayne
Hunter Harvey (Orioles' No. 4), Delmarva vs. Lakewood
Taylor Jungmann (Brewers' No. 8), Huntsville at Chattanooga
Jimmy Nelson (Brewers' No. 1), Nashville at Iowa
Michael Feliz (Astros' No. 10), Quad Cities at Wisconsin
Alberto Tirado (Blue Jays' No. 7), Lansing at Bowling Green
Sanchez (Mariners' No. 6), Jackson vs. Tennessee
Mark Sappington (Angels' No. 4), Arkansas vs. NW Arkansas
Sampson (Padres' No. 14), El Paso vs. Albuquerque
Matt Magill (Dodgers' No. 12), Albuquerque at El Paso
Edwin Escobar (Giants' No. 2), Fresno at Reno
Jacob deGrom (Mets' No. 13), Las Vegas vs. Tacoma