Pipeline preview: Sheffield takes mound for Hillcats

July 12th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch Wednesday in Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Tyler O'Neill (Mariners' No. 4), Jackson vs. Montgomery (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Over his past three games, O'Neill has driven in eight runs and hit a trio of homers. The Mariners' prospect is locked in with hits in five of his past 10 at-bats and a homer in three straight games. The 21-year-old is hitting .308 with 68 RBIs in his first season with Double-A Jackson.

Pitcher to watch: Justus Sheffield (Indians' No. 5), Lynchburg at Carolina (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Sheffield has really started to pile up the strikeouts over his last three starts. The No. 94 prospect has fanned 25 over his last 16 2/3 innings, bringing his season total to 78 in 80 2/3 innings. The 20-year-old lefty has a 3.90 ERA and is 6-4 through 16 starts.

Duel of the Day: Eric Skoglund (Royals' No. 27) vs. Luke Weaver (Cardinals' No. 3), Springfield at Northwest Arkansas (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Skoglund struggled a bit on July 2, but has given up one earned run or less in three of his last four starts. The Royals' prospect gave up one run on four hits in five innings in his most recent start. The southpaw is 5-6 with a 3.63 ERA through his first 16 Double-A starts, but if he continues to throw the way he has recently, those numbers will improve.
Weaver has been throwing as well as any pitcher in the Minor Leagues recently. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA through seven starts this year. Weaver hasn't allowed a run in any of his last three starts (19 innings) and will look to put up a few more zeros against Northwest Arkansas.

Wednesday's Top 100 probables:
No. 17 Sean Newcomb (Braves' No. 2), Mississippi at Mobile (7:35 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables:
Nick Travieso (Reds' No. 9), Pensacola vs. Biloxi (Double-A)
Jake Esch (Marlins' No. 9), Jacksonville at Birmingham (Double-A)
Daniel Gossett (Athletics' No. 23) vs. Dinelson Lamet (Padres' No. 10), Midland at San Antonio (Double-A)
Taylor Guerrieri (Rays' No. 6) vs. Ryan Yarbrough (Mariners' No. 12), Montgomery at Jackson (Double-A)
Elniery Garcia (Phillies' No. 21), Clearwater at Palm Beach (Class A Advanced)
Michael Kopech (Red Sox No. 5), Salem vs. Wilmington (Class A Advanced)
Brad Keller (D-backs' No. 11), Visalia at Lake Elsinore (Class A Advanced)
Jeremy Rhoades (Angels' No. 16), Inland Empire at Rancho Cucamonga (Class A Advanced)
Franklyn Kilome (Phillies' No. 8), Lakewood at Hickory (Class A)
Patrick Weigel (Braves' No. 29), Rome at Charleston (Class A)
Tanner Rainey (Reds' No. 30), Dayton vs. Beloit (Class A)
Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 14), West Virginia vs. Augusta (Class A)
Nolan Watson (Royals' No. 5), Lexington at Kannapolis (Class A)
Chris Paddack (Padres' No. 11), Fort Wayne vs. Quad Cities (Class A)
Jaime Barria (Angels' No. 12), Burlington vs. Great Lakes (Class A)
Jake Woodford (Cardinals' No. 12), Peoria vs. Lansing (Class A)
Drew Finley (Yankees' No. 15), Staten Island at Lowell (Class A Short Season)
Mac Marshall (Giants' No. 26), Salem-Keizer at Spokane (Class A Short Season)
Ian Kahaloa (Reds' No. 27), Billings vs. Grand Junction (Rookie)