Pipeline preview: Groome makes playoff start

September 8th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch Thursday in Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Francisco Mejia (Indians' No. 4), Lynchburg vs. Potomac (6:30 p.m. ET)
The No. 91 overall prospect was thrust into the spotlight with a 50-game hitting streak that lasted from late May to mid-August. Mejia hit .342 across two levels in 102 games this season and hit .337 over the final 24 games.

Pitcher to watch: Jason Groome (Red Sox's No. 4), Lowell vs. Hudson Valley (6:35 p.m. ET)
The Red Sox 2016 first-round selection gets the ball in Game 2 of the New York-Penn League semifinals. Groome, the No. 33 overall prospect, has thrown well in his brief professional career. Groome posted a 2.25 ERA across four innings in two Rookie-level starts and gave up one earned run in 2 2/3 innings in his first start with Class A Short Season Lowell.

Thursday's Top 100 probables:

No. 33 Jason Groome (Red Sox No. 4), Lowell vs. Hudson Valley (Class A Short Season)
No. 42 Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2), Montgomery vs. Jackson (Double-A)
More top prospect probables:

(Indians' No. 30), Gwinnett vs. Columbus (Triple-A)
(Athletics' No. 13), Nashville vs. Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
Clay Holmes (Pirates' No. 11), Altoona vs. Akron (Double-A)
Ricardo Pinto (Phillies' No. 16), Reading vs. Trenton (Double-A)
Patrick Weigel (Braves' No. 28), Mississippi vs. Pensacola (Double-A)
Luis Lugo (Indians' No. 28), Lynchburg vs. Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 12), Bradenton vs. St. Lucie (Class A Advanced)
Trey Ball (Red Sox's No. 14), Salem vs. Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)
Cory Taylor (Giants' No. 27), San Jose vs. Bakersfield (Class A Advanced)
Zack Littell (Mariners' No. 14), Bakersfield vs. San Jose (Class A Advanced)
(Brewers' No. 12), Wisconsin vs. Cedar Rapids (Class A)
Freicer Perez (Yankees' No. 30), Staten Island vs. State College (Class A Short Season)