Pipeline preview: Lopez makes second Triple-A Syracuse start

July 5th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Clint Frazier (Indians' No. 2), Akron vs. Altoona (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Frazier, No. 23 on the Top 100, enters the day having homered in back-to-back games for Double-A Akron. The 21-year-old outfielder has gone deep 11 times in 73 games, while hitting .286/.371/.488 in his first taste of the Double-A level. On Sunday, July 10, Frazier will suit up for the U.S. squad in the 18th edition of the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game.

Pitcher to watch: Reynaldo Lopez (Nationals' No. 5), Syracuse at Durham (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Lopez tossed six solid innings in is his Triple-A Syracuse debut on June 30, allowing one earned run on three hits while walking and striking out four hitters apiece. The 22-year-old righty was promoted after a dominant first half at Double-A Harrisburg, where he posted a 3.18 ERA and an Eastern League-best 100 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings.

Duel of the day: Duane Underwood Jr. (Cubs' No. 4) vs. Andrew Moore (Mariners' No. 10), Tennessee vs. Jackson (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Underwood Jr. has struggled this season at the Double-A level, going 0-5 with a 4.85 ERA in 12 starts. However, the No. 67 overall prospect was plenty good in his most recent start for Tennessee, firing six scoreless innings of four-hit ball against Jacksonville. One positive takeaway from his performance is that Underwood Jr. is missing more bats this season against advanced hitters, with 44 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings, though it has come at the expense of an increased walk rate.

Moore has yet to record a loss since being promoted to Double-A, going 3-0 with a 3.23 ERA in seven starts. The 22-year-old right-hander was moved up to Jackson after an outstanding showing at Class A Advanced Bakersfield in the hitter-friendly Class A Advanced California League. In nine starts for the Blaze, Moore posted a 1.65 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP over 54 2/3 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .188 average.

Tuesday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 31 Dillon Tate (Rangers' No. 3), Hickory at Augusta (7:05 p.m. ET)
No. 38 Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2) vs. Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 18), Charlotte vs. Bradenton (6:35 p.m. ET)
No. 46 Jeff Hoffman (Rockies' No. 4), Albuquerque vs. El Paso (9:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 63 Luis Ortiz (Rangers' No. 4) vs. Matt Strahm (Royals' No. 10), Frisco at Northwest Arkansas (6:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 70 Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 2) vs. Jeff Brigham (Marlins' No. 24), Palm Beach at Jupiter (6:30 p.m. ET)
No. 79 Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 4) vs. Garrett Davila (Royals' No. 21), Danville at Burlington (7 p.m. ET).
More top prospect probables
Dillon Overton (A's No. 9), Nashville at Memphis (Triple-A)
Jon Moscot (Reds' No. 23), Louisville at Indianapolis (Triple-A)
Joe Gunkel (Orioles' No. 18), Norfolk at Gwinnett (Triple-A)
Brock Stewart (Dodgers' No. 26), Oklahoma City vs. Colorado Springs (Triple-A)
Alex Balog (Rockies' No. 26), Hartford vs. Binghamton (Double-A)
Tyler Eppler (Pirates' No. 28), Altoona at Akron (Double-A)
Tyler Beede (Giants' No. 2) vs. Ricardo Pinto (Phillies' No. 10), Richmond vs. Reading (Double-A)
Jason Garcia (Orioles' No. 9), Bowie vs. Trenton (Double-A)
Rookie Davis (Reds' No. 12), Pensacola at Mobile (Double-A)
Andrew Thurman (Braves' No. 16), Mississippi vs. Montgomery (Double-A)
Felix Jorge (Twins' No. 23) vs. Chris Flexen (Mets' No. 26), Fort Myers at St. Lucie (Class A Advanced)
Luis Lugo (Indians' No. 25), Lynchburg vs. Frederick (Class A Advanced)
Spencer Adams (White Sox No. 3), Winston-Salem vs. Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)
Beau Burrows (Tigers' No. 1), West Michigan vs. Great Lakes (Class A)
Touki Toussaint (Braves' No. 5), Rome vs. Greenville (Class A)
Austin Smith (Padres' No. 6), Fort Wayne vs. South Bend (Class A)
Scott Blewett (Royals' No. 6), Lexington at Asheville (Class A)
Marcos Diplan (Brewers' No. 19), Wisconsin at Cedar Rapids (Class A)
Dylan Cease (Cubs' No. 8), Eugene at Everett (Class A Short Season)
Ronnie Williams (Cardinals' No. 20), State College at Tri-City (Class A Short Season)
Kevin Steen (Red Sox's No. 26), Lowell at Auburn (Class A Short Season)