Pipeline preview: De Leon seeks next big start

August 11th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch Friday in Minor League action:
Mejia streak watch:Indians No. 4 prospect Francisco Mejia aims to extend his 48-game hit streak as Lynchburg faces Winston-Salem at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Hitter to watch: Dwight Smith Jr. (Blue Jays' No. 27), New Hampshire vs. Trenton (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Smith is riding a nine-game hitting streak and coming off a performance in which he did a little bit of everything for New Hampshire. The 23-year-old collected a pair of hits Thursday, drew two walks and stole a career-high four bases. Swiping four bases in a game is impressive for anyone, but for someone like Smith -- who stole four bases total in 2015 -- it was a bit of a surprise.

Pitcher to watch: Jose De Leon (Dodgers' No. 2), Oklahoma City vs. El Paso (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
De Leon, the No. 39 overall prospect, is looking for another strong start. The 24-year-old has surrendered two earned runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts and has thrown six or more innings in three of his past four. De Leon struck out five in his last outing and is 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA through 12 starts this season.

Friday's Top 100 probables:

No. 4 (Nationals' No. 1), Syracuse vs. Columbus (Triple-A)
No. 39 Jose De Leon (Dodgers' No. 2), Oklahoma City vs. El Paso (Triple-A)
More top prospect probables:

(Braves' No. 16), Gwinnett vs. Louisville (Triple-A)
(Indians' No. 30), Columbus vs. Syracuse (Triple-A)
(Athletics' No. 13), Nashville vs. Reno (Triple-A)
Harrison Musgrave (Rockies' No. 26), Albuquerque vs. Colorado Springs (Triple-A)
(Mets' No. 14), Las Vegas vs. New Orleans (Triple-A)
Andrew Suarez (Giants' No. 8), Sacramento vs. Omaha (Triple-A)
Conner Greene (Blue Jays' No. 10), New Hampshire vs. Trenton (Double-A)
Ricardo Pinto (Phillies' No. 16), Reading vs. Altoona (Double-A)
Clay Holmes (Pirates' No. 12), Altoona vs. Reading (Double-A)
Rob Kaminsky (Indians' No. 19), Akron vs. Portland (Double-A)
Jen-Ho Tseng (Cubs' No. 26), Tennessee vs. Pensacola (Double-A)
Andrew Moore (Mariners' No. 10), Jackson vs. Biloxi (Double-A)
Ariel Jurado (Rangers' No. 8), Frisco vs. Tulsa (Double-A)
Chase De Jong (Dodgers' No. 17), Tulsa vs. Frisco (Double-A)
(Rays' No. 6), Montgomery vs. Mobile (Double-A)
Eric Skoglund (Royals' No. 24), Northwest Arkansas vs. San Antonio (Double-A)
Jordan Stephens (White Sox No. 10), Winston-Salem vs. Lynchburg (Class A Advanced)
Fernando Romero (Twins' No. 7), Fort Myers vs. Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
Zack Littell (Mariners' No. 14), Bakersfield vs. Lake Elsinore (Class A Advanced)
(Braves' No. 10), Rome vs. Hickory (Class A)
Jonathan Hernandez (Rangers' No. 23), Hickory vs. Rome (Class A)
Antonio Santillan (Reds' No. 13), Dayton vs. South Bend (Class A)
Joan Baez (Nationals' No. 26), Hagerstown vs. Asheville (Class A)
Roniel Raudes (Red Sox No. 13), Greenville vs. Charleston (Class A)
Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 5), West Virginia vs. Delmarva (Class A)
Justin Jacome (Marlins' No. 20), Greensboro vs. Columbia (Class A)
(D-backs' No. 29), Kane County vs. Cedar Rapids (Class A)
Alex Wells (Orioles' No. 29), Aberdeen vs. Lowell (Class A Short Season)
JoJo Romero (Phillies' No. 25) Williamsport vs. Mahoning Valley (Class A Short Season)
Forrest Whitley (Astros' No. 5), Greeneville vs. Johnson City (Rookie)
Garrett Davila (Royals' No. 20), Burlington vs. Princeton (Rookie)
Sam Pastrone (Angels' No. 30), Orem vs. Helena (Rookie)