Pipeline preview: McKenzie seeks another strong start

July 3rd, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox's No. 3), Portland vs. Hartford (6 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Benintendi homered and tripled in yet another multi-hit performance for Double-A Portland on Friday night, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. The No. 21 overall prospect has gone deep five times in 41 games since being promoted from Class A Advanced Salem, where he homered once in 34 contests. Benintendi, 21, has been especially hot of late, with a .417 average, six extra-base hits and 10 runs scored over his last 10 games.

Pitcher to watch: Triston McKenzie (Indians' No. 6), Mahoning Valley at State College (6:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
McKenzie has been excellent through three starts for Class A Short Season Mahoning Valley, posting a 0.54 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP in 16 2/3 innings. The 18-year-old right-hander, whom Cleveland selected 42nd overall in the 2015 Draft, has allowed just two walks while striking out 19 in that span, all the while holding opposing hitters to a .179 average. In his 2015 pro debut, McKenzie registered a 0.75 ERA with a 17-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 12 innings in the Rookie Arizona League.

Duel of the day: Jose Berrios (Twins' No. 1) vs. Austin Voth (Nationals' No. 9), Rochester at Syracuse (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Berrios, No. 15 on the Top 100, will attempt to extend his scoreless starts streak to three when he takes the mound for Triple-A Rochester. The 22-year-old righty has allowed four hits while piling up 15 strikeouts in 15 innings between the two outings, and he's issued four free passes in that span. All together, Berrios has pitched to a 2.62 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings (11 starts) this season for the Red Wings.

Voth has been his usual solid self this season in his first Triple-A exposure. Specifically, the 24-year-old right-hander has registered a 3.23 ERA in 86 1/3 innings (15 starts) for Syracuse, with an average of nearly six innings pitched per outing. However, he's looking to get back on track after allowing four earned runs in two of his past three starts.

Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 17 Sean Newcomb (Braves' No. 2), Mississippi at Jacksonville (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 54 Tyler Jay (Twins' No. 2) vs. Luis Castillo (Marlins' No. 22), Fort Myers vs. Jupiter (6:05 p.m. ET)
No. 55 Josh Hader (Brewers' No. 4), Colorado Springs vs. New Orleans (9:05 p.m. Et on MiLB.TV)
No. 70 Erick Fedde (Nationals' No. 4) vs. Trevor Clifton (Cubs' No. 21), Potomac at Myrtle Beach (6:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables

Keury Mella (Reds' No. 6) vs. Tyler Alexander (Tigers' No. 13), Daytona vs. Lakeland (Class A Advanced)
Kohl Stewart (Twins' No. 6), Chattanooga at Pensacola (Double-A)
Kodi Medeiros (Brewers' No. 7), Brevard County at Clearwater (Class A Advanced)
Nick Neidert (Mariners' No. 7), Clinton at Peoria (Class A)
Domingo Acevedo (Yankees' No. 7), Tampa at Dunedin (Class A Advanced)
Jake Esch (Marlins' No. 9), Jacksonville vs. Tennessee (Double-A)
Albert Abreu (Astros' No. 10), Quad Cities at Kane County
Ryan Borucki (Blue Jays' No. 12), Lansing at South Bend (Class A)
Chris Ellis (Braves' No. 12), Gwinnett at Louisville (Triple-A)
German Marquez (Rockies' No. 12) vs. Jalen Beeks (Red Sox's No. 30), Hartford at Portland (Double-A)
Gabriel Ynoa (Mets' No. 13), Las Vegas at Tacoma (Triple-A)
David Hess (Orioles' No. 13), Bowie at Altoona (Double-A)
Kyle McGowin (Angels' No. 14), Salt Lake vs. Fresno (Triple-A)
Adam Plutko (Indians' No. 14), Columbus at Pawtucket (Triple-A)
Tom Eshelman (Phillies' No. 15), Reading vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
Jesus Tinoco (Rockies' No. 15), Asheville at Greenville (Class A)
Max Wotell (Mets' No. 16), Kingsport at Greenville (Rookie)
Adonis Medina (Phillies' No. 16), Williamsport vs. Batavia (Short Season)
Ryan Castellani (Rockies' No. 16), Modesto vs. Bakersfield (Class A Advanced)
Josh Sborz (Dodgers' No. 18), Rancho Cucamonga vs. Stockton (Class A Advanced)
Justin Jacome (Marlins' No. 18), Greensboro at Lakewood (Class A)
Sandy Baez (Tigers' No. 19), West Michigan at Dayton (Class A)
Trevor Williams (Pirates' No. 24), Indianapolis at Toledo (Triple-A)
Jonathan Hernandez (Rangers' No. 26), Hickory vs. Kannapolis (Class A)
Yunior Marte (Royals' No. 29), Lexington vs. Rome (Class A)
Brandon Woodruff (Brewers' No. 30), Biloxi at Birmingham (Double-A)