Pipeline preview: Mejia looks to extend impressive hit streak

July 15th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Francisco Mejia (Indians' No. 8), Lynchburg at Carolina (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
After playing for the World squad in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, Mejia returned to Class A Advanced Lynchburg on Wednesday -- only to have the game suspended after his first at-bat. When it resumed Thursday, the 20-year-old backstop delivered a sixth-inning single to extend his hitting streak to 34 games, the longest in the Minor Leagues since 2011. Mejia has posted a .390 average with 53 hits during his streak, which began on May 27.

Pitcher to watch:Jacob Faria (Rays' No. 9), Durham at Syracuse (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Faria has allowed one earned run on six hits in three starts since being promoted to Triple-A Durham. The 22-year-old righty has fanned 18 hitters over 15 innings during that stretch and enters the day third in the Minor Leagues with 111 strikeouts. Overall, Faria has pitched to a 3.66 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .198 average in 98 1/3 innings (17 starts) between the Double- and Triple-A levels.

Duel of the day: Cody Ponce (Brewers' No. 8) vs. (Marlins' No. 22), Brevard County vs. Jupiter (6:35 p.m. ET)
Ponce, 22, is coming off back-to-back scoreless starts for Class A Advanced Bradenton during which he combined to allow just five hits in 11 innings while punching out 17 without a walk. The 2015 second-rounder owns a 3.24 ERA and a 29-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 25 innings (seven starts), although he's still searching for his first win of the season.

Castillo's triple-digit heater and sharp slider have caused fits for Florida State League hitters, who are batting .224 with one home run against the right-hander. Additionally, the 23-year-old has recorded a 2.39 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in his first full season as a starting pitcher, with 65 strikeouts and 12 walks in 83 innings.
Friday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 20 Jose De Leon (Dodgers' No. 2), Oklahoma City at Reno (10:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 48 Jake Thompson (Phillies' No. 2), Lehigh Valley vs. Buffalo (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 54 Grant Holmes (Dodgers' No. 3), Rancho Cucamonga vs. Inland Empire (10:05 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables

Conner Greene (Blue Jays' No. 2), New Hampshire at Portland (Double-A)
Alex Young (D-backs' No. 3), Visalia at Lake Elsinore (Class A Advanced)
Luiz Gohara (Mariners' No. 5), Clinton vs. South Bend (Class A)
Sam Coonrod (Giants' No. 6), Richmond at Bowie (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 7), Inland Empire at Rancho Cucamonga (Class A Advanced)
Domingo Acevedo (Yankees' No. 7), Tampa vs. Fort Myers (Class A Advanced)
(Giants' No. 9), Sacramento at Round Rock (Triple-A)
Austin Voth (Nationals' No. 9), Syracuse vs. Durham (Triple-A)
Dakota Chalmers (A's No. 10), Vermont vs. Williamsport (Class A Short Season)
Juan Hillman (Indians' No. 10), Mahoning Valley at State College (Class A Short Season)
(Royals' No. 10) vs. Trey Nielsen (Cardinals' No. 22), Northwest Arkansas vs. Springfield (Double-A)
Travis Lakins (Red Sox's No. 11), Salem vs. Wilmington (Class A Advanced)
Mike Nikorak (Rockies' No. 11), Grand Junction at Billings (Rookie)
(Braves' No. 12), Gwinnett vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A)
(Rays' No. 12), Montgomery vs. Tennessee (Double-A)
(Reds' No. 12), Pensacola at Jacksonville (Double-A)
Kyle McGowin (Angels' No. 14), Salt Lake at Omaha (Triple-A)
Adam Plutko (Indians' No. 14), Columbus at Toledo (Triple-A)
Clay Holmes (Pirates' No. 15), Altoona vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
(Rockies' No. 15), Asheville at Lexington (Class A)
Franklin Perez (Astros' No. 16), Quad Cities at Fort Wayne (Class A)
Max Wotell (Mets' No. 16), Kingsport vs. Briston (Rookie)
Austin Gomber (Cardinals' No. 17), Palm Beach vs. Clearwater (Class A Advanced)
Chase De Jong (Dodgers' No. 17), Tulsa at Arkansas (Double-A)
Cody Poteet (Marlins' No. 17) vs. (White Sox No. 29), Greensboro at Kannapolis (Class A)
Angel Perdomo (Blue Jays' No. 23), Lansing at Peoria (Class A)
(D-backs' No. 24), Mobile at Chattanooga (Double-A)
Trevor Williams (Pirates' No. 24), Indianapolis at Louisville (Triple-A)
(Rockies' No. 28), Modesto at Bakersfield (Class A Advanced)
Casey Shane (Indians' No. 28), Lake County vs. Cedar Rapids (Class A)
Victor Payano (Rangers' No. 30), Frisco at Corpus Christi (Double-A)
Genesis Cabrera (Rays' No. 30), Bowling Green vs. Wisconsin (Class A)