Pipeline preview: De Jong looking to stay hot

June 19th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch:Nick Williams (Phillies' No. 3), Lehigh Valley at Norfolk (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Williams, No. 58 on the Top 100, is in the midst of the best month of his season, hitting .333 with a 1.023 OPS in 16 June games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 22-year-old outfielder has 12 extra-base hits, including two home runs, in that span, and he's also scored 16 runs. Overall, Williams is hitting .293 with an .819 OPS and seven home runs in 61 games this season for the IronPigs.

Pitcher to watch: Chase De Jong (Dodgers' No. 17), Tulsa vs. Springfield (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
De Jong enters the day having won six of his past eight starts for Double-A Tulsa. During that time, the 22-year-old righty has posted a 1.32 ERA in 47 2/3 innings, which in turn has lowered his overall ERA to 2.48 from 4.68. Opposing hitters, meanwhile, own a paltry .186/.247/.360 slash line against De Jong for the season.

Duel of the day: Chad Kuhl (Pirates' No. 16) vs. Casey Kelly (Braves), Indianapolis at Gwinnett (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Kuhl has thrust himself onto the Pirates' big league radar with his impressive 2016 campaign, which is also his first at the Triple-A level. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-hander owns a 5-2 record in 13 starts for the Indians this season, during which he's registered a 2.54 ERA and a 56-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 71 innings. Opposing Kuhl for Gwinnett will be Casey Kelly, who MLBPipeline.com ranked as a Top 100 prospect for three straight years, from 2011 to 2013, before Tommy John surgery derailed his career trajectory. The 26-year-old right-hander is set to make his first start since being optioned to Triple-A on June 16 following a nearly two-week stint with the Braves.
Monday's Top 100 prospect probables

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More top prospect probables

Nate Smith (Angels' No. 3), Salt Lake vs. Las Vegas (AAA)
Jharel Cotton (Dodgers' No. 8), Oklahoma City at New Orleans (AAA)
Dillon Overton (A's No. 9), Nashville vs. Round Rock (AAA)
Dinelson Lamet (Padres' No. 10), San Antonio vs. Corpus Christi (AA)
Clayton Blackburn (Giants' No. 11), Sacramento vs. El Paso (AAA)
Mike Nikorak* (Rockies' No. 11), Grand Junction at Ogden (Rookie)
Ronnie Williams* (Cardinals' No. 20), State College vs. Hudson Valley (Short Season)
Jon Moscot (Reds' No. 23), Louisville at Buffalo (AAA)
Kevin Steen* (Red Sox's No. 27), Lowell vs. Williamsport (Short Season)
*Making 2016 debut.