Pipeline preview: Allard seeks playoff sweep

September 9th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch Friday in Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Cornelius Randolph (Phillies' No. 6), Lakewood vs. Hagerstown (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
After hitting .306 in August and reaching base multiple times in each of the final three games during the regular season, Randolph went 0-for-4 in Game 1 of the South Atlantic League semifinals. However, Lakewood is up 1-0 in the series and Randolph, with a big offensive day, could have an opportunity to push his team into the finals. The 19-year-old hit .275 with 27 RBIs in 63 games this season.

Pitcher to watch: Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 4), Rome vs. Charleston (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Allard, the No. 65 overall prospect, takes the ball as Rome looks to sweep the best-of-three South Atlantic League semifinals. The 19-year-old went 5-3 with a 3.73 ERA in 11 starts with Rome this season and gave up two earned runs or fewer in seven of those outings.

Duel of the Day: Jordan Sheffield (Dodgers' No. 8) vs. Genesis Cabrera (Rays' No. 22), Great Lakes vs. Bowling Green (7:35 p.m. ET)
The playoffs are always a bit tense, but if Sheffield throws the way he did in the regular season, the Loons should be in good shape. The 21-year-old has a 3.75 ERA across his first eight professional starts, but has held opponents scoreless in five of those outings.

Despite striking out nine, Cabrera wasn't his best in his last outing. However, the 19-year-old lefty has won four of his past five decisions and has gone five or more innings in six consecutive outings. Cabrera has much more professional experience than Sheffield and is 11-5 with a 3.88 ERA through 23 games (22 starts) this season.

Friday's Top 100 probables:

No. 65 Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 4), Rome vs. Charleston (Class A)
No. 85 (Yankees' No. 7), Trenton vs. Reading (Double-A)
More top prospect probables:

(Indians' No. 13), Columbus vs. Gwinnett (Triple-A)
(Braves' No. 16), Gwinnett vs. Columbus (Triple-A)
Chase De Jong (Dodgers' No. 17), Oklahoma City vs. Nashville (Triple-A)
(Pirates' No. 10), Altoona vs. Akron (Double-A)
Rob Kaminsky (Indians' No. 19), Akron vs. Altoona (Double-A)
Elniery Garcia (Phillies' No. 20), Reading vs. Trenton (Double-A)
(Reds' No. 18), Pensacola vs. Mississippi (Double-A)
Max Povse (Braves' No. 20), Mississippi vs. Pensacola (Double-A)
(Mariners' No. 18), Jackson vs. Montgomery (Double-A)
Duane Underwood (Cubs' No. 6), Myrtle Beach vs. Salem (Class A Advanced)
Tyler Watson (Nationals' No. 29), Hagerstown vs. Lakewood (Class A)
Jordan Sheffield (Dodgers' No. 8), Great Lakes vs. Bowling Green (Class A)
Genesis Cabrera (Rays' No. 22), Bowling Green vs. Great Lakes (Class A)