Pipeline preview: Honeywell looks to continue stellar run

June 29th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch Thursday in Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Eddy Martinez (Cubs' No. 15), South Bend vs. Lake County (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Martinez, the prized signing from the international market last year, put together his second three-RBI game of the season on Tuesday and will look to continue that momentum. Martinez was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and now has 20 extra-base hits through his first 71 professional games. The 21-year-old is hitting .238 with six homers and 36 RBIs.

Pitcher to watch: Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2), Charlotte vs. St. Lucie (6:35 p.m. ET)
Honeywell was solid in 2015 (3.18 ERA over 130 1/3 innings). In 2016, he's been even better. The 21-year-old has a 1.35 ERA and 50 strikeouts through 46 2/3 innings. Honeywell has thrown at least five innings in all eight of his starts this season and has given up one or fewer runs in seven of those eight outings. The one exception? He gave up two earned runs on May 9.

Duel of the Day:Jeff Hoffman (Rockies' No. 4) vs. Joan Gregorio (Giants' No. 20), Albuquerque vs. Sacramento (10:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Hoffman has posted his two highest strikeouts totals of the year in his last two starts. The right-hander has fanned 20 batters over his last 13 frames. In his first season at the Triple-A level, Hoffman has a 3.49 ERA though 15 starts.

Gregorio threw a season-high 97 pitches in his last start, which was also one of his best outings of the year. The right-hander fired seven strong innings, gave up one earned run and struck out six. While Gregorio's 5.59 ERA through eight Triple-A starts would suggest some struggles, perhaps Gregorio's last outing is a sign of things to come.

Thursday's Top 100 probables:
No. 38 Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2), Charlotte vs. St. Lucie (Class A Advanced)
No. 47 Jeff Hoffman (Rockies' No. 4), Albuquerque vs. Sacramento (Triple-A)
No. 68 Duane Underwood (Cubs' No. 4), Tennessee vs. Jacksonville (Double-A)
No. 71 Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 2), Palm Beach vs. Fort Myers (Class A Advanced)
More top prospect probables:
Ryan Williams (Cubs' No. 19), Iowa vs. Round Rock (Triple-A)
Reynaldo Lopez (Nationals' No. 5), Syracuse vs. Rochester (Triple-A)
Joe Gunkel (Orioles' No. 19), Norfolk vs. Durham (Triple-A)
Jon Moscot (Reds' No. 23), Louisville vs. Gwinnett (Triple-A)
Steven Brault (Pirates' No. 17), Indianapolis vs. Toledo (Triple-A)
Joe Musgrove (Astros' No. 7), Fresno vs. Salt Lake (Triple-A)
Zack Godley (D-backs' No. 24), Reno vs. El Paso (Triple-A)
Joan Gregorio (Giants' No. 20), Sacramento vs. Albuquerque (Triple-A)
Tyler Eppler (Pirates' No. 28), Altoona vs. Bowie (Double-A)
Alex Balog (Rockies' No. 26), Hartford vs. Portland (Double-A)
Kyle Crick (Giants' No. 17), Richmond vs. Trenton (Double-A)
Ricardo Pinto (Phillies' No. 10), Reading vs. Harrisburg (Double-A)
Rookie Davis (Reds' No. 12), Pensacola vs. Chattanooga (Double-A)
Brandon Brennan (White Sox No. 20), Birmingham vs. Biloxi (Double-A)
Matt Strahm (Royals' No. 10), Northwest Arkansas vs. Midland (Double-A)
Andrew Moore (Mariners' No. 10), Jackson vs. Mississippi (Double-A)
Jeff Brigham (Marlins' No. 25), Jupiter vs. Bradenton (Class A Advanced)
Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 18), Bradenton vs. Jupiter (Class A Advanced)
Chris Flexen (Mets' No. 26), St. Lucie vs. Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
Spencer Adams (White Sox No. 3), Winston-Salem vs. Wilmington (Class A Advanced)
Austen Williams (Nationals' No. 20), Potomac vs. Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)
Austin Smith (Padres' No. 6), Fort Wayne vs. Dayton (Class A)
Brian Gonzalez (Orioles' No. 23), Delmarva vs. Hagerstown (Class A)
Franklyn Kilome (Phillies' No. 8), Kalewood vs. Greensboro (Class A)
Touki Toussaint (Braves' No. 5), Rome vs. Lexington (Class A)
Marcos Diplan (Brewers' No. 19), Wisconsin vs. Clinton (Class A)