Pipeline preview: IronPigs' Thompson aims to blank Bulls

June 26th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Ian Happ (Cubs' No. 3), Tennessee vs. Pensacola (5:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Happ connected on his eighth home run and first at the Double-A level -- a two-run shot in the third inning off Rookie Davis (Reds' No. 12) -- on Saturday night in Tennessee's loss against Pensacola. The No. 67 overall prospect is 5-for-8 at the plate since being promoted from Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, where he hit .299/.413/.475 with 26 extra-base hits, 42 RBIs and 10 steals in 71 games.

Pitcher to watch:Jake Thompson (Phillies' No. 2), Lehigh Valley at Durham (5:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Thompson, No. 49 on the Top 100, has been excellent of late for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, going 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA in his past four starts. During that span, the 22-year-old right-hander has lowered his ERA from 4.23 to 3.09. The only thing that hasn't been there for Thompson are strikeouts, as he's fanned just 59 hitters in 84 1/3 innings (14 starts) heading into today's start against Durham.

Duel of the day: Luke Weaver (Cardinals' No. 3) vs. Victor Alcantara (Angels' No. 4), Springfield vs. Arkansas (3:10 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
After beginning the year on the disabled list with a fractured left wrist, Weaver has quickly made up for the lost time with four dominant starts for Double-A Springfield. The 22-year-old right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA, and he's posted a 29-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26 1/3 innings.

Alcantara had been making strides for Double-A Arkansas before struggling in his start on June 21, when he allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits in four innings. The 23-year-old righty has pitched to a 4.61 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings (14 starts).

Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 30 Robert Stephenson (Reds' No. 2), Louisville at Rochester (1:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 33 Carson Fulmer (White Sox No. 1) vs. Taylor Clarke (D-backs' No. 10), Birmingham at Mobile (6:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
A.J. Cole (Nationals' No. 7), Syracuse vs. Toledo (Triple-A)
Ryan Merritt (Indians' No. 26), Columbus vs. Norfolk (Triple-A)
Jharel Cotton (Dodgers' No. 8), Oklahoma City vs. Iowa (Triple-A)
Tyler Danish (White Sox No. 11), Charlotte at Gwinnett (Triple-A)
Seth Lugo (Mets' No. 22), Las Vegas vs. Sacramento (Triple-A)
Anthony Banda (D-backs' No. 14), Reno vs. El Paso (Triple-A)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 9), Richmond at Binghamton (Double-A)
Nick Travieso (Reds' No. 9), Pensacola at Tennessee (Double-A)
Lucas Sims (Braves' No. 10), Mississippi vs. Jacksonville (Double-A)
Ryan Yarbrough (Mariners' No. 12), Jackson at Chattanooga (Double-A)
Pedro Fernandez (Royals' No. 20), Northwest Arkansas at Tulsa (Double-A)
John Means (Orioles' No. 28), Bowie vs. Altoona (Double-A)
Jake Stinnett (Cubs' No. 22), Myrtle Beach vs. Carolina (A Advanced)
Cody Reed (D-backs' No. 13) vs. Justin Anderson (Angels' No. 22), Visalia at Inland Empire (A Advanced)
Conner Greene (Blue Jays' No. 2) vs. Jairo Labourt (Tigers' No. 10), Dunedin at Lakeland (A Advanced)
Jordan Johnson (Giants' No. 15) vs. Zack Erwin (A's No. 21), San Jose at Stockton (A Advanced)
Josh Staumont (Royals' No. 17) vs. Thad Lowry (White Sox No. 21), Wilmington at Winston-Salem (A Advanced)
Josh Sborz (Dodgers' No. 18), Rancho Cucamonga vs. High Desert (A Advanced)
Trey Ball (Red Sox's No. 18), Salem vs. Frederick (A Advanced)
Mitch Brown (Indians' No. 29), Lynchburg vs. Potomac (A Advanced)
Gage Hinsz (Pirates' No. 23), West Virginia at Asheville (A)
Jacob Nix (Padres' No. 8), Fort Wayne at Bowling Green (A)
Devin Williams (Brewers' No. 9), Wisconsin vs. Quad Cities (A)
Jon Harris (Blue Jays' No. 4), Lansing vs. West Michigan (A)
Jaime Barria (Angels' No. 13) vs. Junior Fernandez (Cardinals' No. 15), Burlington vs. Peoria (A)
Lachlan Wells* (Twins' No. 29), Cedar Rapids vs. Beloit (A)
Patrick Weigel (Braves' No. 30), Rome vs. Charleston (A)
Roniel Raudes (Red Sox's No. 13), Greenville vs. Lakewood (A)
Tanner Rainey (Reds' No. 30), Dayton vs. South Bend (A)
Mac Marshall (Giants' No. 25), Salem-Keizer vs. Tri-City (Class A Short Season)
*Making 2016 debut