Pipeline preview: M-Braves' Newcomb set for semis start

September 6th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch Wednesday in Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Dylan Cozens (Phillies' No. 7), Reading vs. Trenton (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Coming off a record-breaking season, Cozens looks to carry his success into the Eastern League playoffs and lead Reading to its first title in 15 seasons. The 22-year-old set a team record with 40 home runs this year, including 11 over his final 33 games. Cozens also hit .276 and drove in 125 runs in 134 games.
Pitcher to watch: (Braves' No. 3), Mississippi vs. Pensacola (7:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
The No. 50 overall prospect is riding a wave of momentum as he takes the ball in the opening game of the Southern League semifinals. Newcomb has won his last four decisions and hasn't given up an earned run in three of his past five starts. The left-hander went 8-6 with a 3.86 ERA through 27 starts this season, but is coming off perhaps his best outing of the year. In his regular season finale, Newcomb fanned eight and gave up just one hit in seven scoreless innings.

Duel of the Day: Jordan Montgomery (Yankees' No. 20) vs. (Phillies' No. 24), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Lehigh Valley (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Game 1 of the International League semifinals features a pair of top prospects who have been tough to hit lately. Montgomery was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 1 and has made six starts at the Triple-A level. However, in those starts he went 5-1, posted a 0.97 ERA and set a club record with 29 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

Lively has won seven of his past eight starts and with a record of 18-5 across two levels, became the first 18-game winner in the Minor Leagues since 2008. The 24-year-old pitched the IronPigs to a playoff berth with six no-hit innings in his last start. Lively has given up just one earned run over his past three starts (17 total innings) and struck out 18 during that span.
Wednesday's Top 100 probables:
No. 32 (Astros' No. 1), Corpus Christi vs. Midland (Double-A)
No. 41 Riley Pint (Rockies' No. 3), Grand Junction vs. Ogden (Rookie-level)
No. 50 Sean Newcomb (Braves' No. 3) vs. (Reds' No. 7), Mississippi at Pensacola (Double-A)
No. 73 Michael Kopech (Red Sox's No. 5) vs. Trevor Clifton (Cubs' No. 8), Salem at Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced) No. 98 Mike Soroka (Braves' No. 7), Rome vs. Charleston (Class A)
No. 99 Yadier Alvarez (Dodgers' No. 5), Great Lakes vs. Bowling Green (Class A)
More top prospect probables:
Adam Plutko (Indians' No. 14), Columbus vs. Gwinnett (Triple-A)
(Athletics' No. 13), Nashville at Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
(Rays' No. 6) vs. Andrew Moore (Mariners' No. 10), Montgomery at Jackson (Double-A)
Eric Skoglund (Royals' No. 24), Northwest Arkansas at Springfield (Double-A)
Jon Harris (Blue Jays' No. 6), Dunedin at Tampa (Class A Advanced)
P.J. Conlon (Mets' No. 26), St. Lucie at Bradenton (Class A Advanced)
Jordan Johnson (Giants' No. 9), San Jose vs. Bakersfield (Class A Advanced)
(Phillies' No. 29), Lakewood vs. Hagerstown (Class A)
Jake Woodford (Cardinals' No. 13) vs. Nick Neidert (Mariners' No. 4), Peoria at Clinton (Class A)
Lachlan Wells (Twins' No. 30), Cedar Rapids at Wisconsin (Class A)
Tyler Phillips (Rangers' No. 26), Spokane at Everett (Class A Short Season)