Red Sox No. 4 prospect Anderson Espinoza (No. 37 overall) was every bit as good as advertised in his season debut for Class A Greenville last Friday when allowed two hits in five scoreless innings, striking out four. The 18-year-old right-hander, who features a mid- to upper-90s fastball, a pair of advanced secondary pitches and an outstanding feeling for his craft, will make his second start of the season Wednesday at home against West Virginia in a game that can be seen on MiLB.TV at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Also scheduled to make his season debut is Pirates No. 4 prospect Jameson Taillon (No. 52 overall), who missed all of the 2014 and '15 seasons recovering Tommy John surgery and a sports hernia, respectively. When the 24-year-old right-hander toes the rubber for Triple-A Indianapolis against Toledo (MiLB.TV at 6:35 p.m. ET), it will be his first action in a regular-season game since the end of the 2013 season.
After inclement weather prevented Cody Reed from making his Triple-A Louisville debut last week, the Reds' No. 3 prospect (No. 64 overall) will take the mound for the first time this season Wednesday against Columbus (MiLB.TV at 11:35 a.m. ET). Meanwhile, White Sox No. 1 prospect Carson Fulmer (No. 36 overall), who struggled in his debut for Double-A Birmingham last Friday, will attempt to bounce back in his second start against Tennessee (MiLB.TV at 8:05 p.m. ET).
Wednesday's top prospect probables
Michael Santos (Giants' No. 22), Foster Griffin (Royals' No. 9); Augusta at Lexington (A)
Franklyn Kilome (Phillies' No. 8), Lakewood at Hagerstown (A)
Brett Martin (Rangers' No. 11), Cody Poteet (Marlins' No. 19), Hickory at Greensboro (A)
Edwin Diaz (Mariners' No. 2), Jackson at Chattanooga (AA)
Ryan Merritt (Indians' No. 27), Columbus vs. Louisville (AAA)
Chris Ellis (Braves' No. 14), Jacob Faria (Rays' No. 9); Mississippi at Montgomery (AA)
Taylor Clarke (D-backs' No. 12), Kane County vs. Cedar Rapids (A)
Tom Eshelman (Phillies' No. 15), Clearwater vs. Charlotte (A Adv)
Casey Shane (Indians' No. 30), Lake County at West Michigan (A)
Freddy Peralta (Brewers' No. 27), Joe Gatto (Angels' No. 6), Wisconsin at Burlington (A)
Austin Voth (Nationals' No. 9), Syracuse vs. Buffalo (AAA)
Jesus Tinoco (Rockies' No. 18), Modesto at Bakersfield (A Adv)
Austin Smith (Padres' No. 7), Fort Wayne at Great Lakes (A)
Adam Plutko (Indians' No. 15), Akron at Altoona (AA)
Tyler Alexander (Tigers' No. 15), Lakeland vs. Jupiter (A Adv)
Tyler Mahle (Reds' No. 11), Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 2); Daytona at Palm Beach (A Adv)
Tom Robson (Blue Jays' No. 22), Dunedin at St. Lucie (A Adv)
Austen Williams (Nationals' No. 20), Harrisburg at Binghamton (AA)
Tyler Beede (Giants' No. 2), Richmond at Reading (AA)
Ian Clarkin (Yankees' No. 10), Tampa vs. Bradenton (A Adv)
Brady Lail (Yankees' No. 19), Trenton vs. Portland (AA)
Jose Mujica (Rays' No. 27), Bowling Green at South Bend (A)
Stephen Gonsalves (Twins' No. 6), Fort Myers vs. Brevard County (A Adv)
Jarlin Garcia (Marlins' No. 3), Amir Garrett (Reds' No. 4); Jacksonville at Pensacola (AA)
Jharel Cotton (Dodgers' No. 8), Oklahoma City at Memphis (AAA)
Yoan Lopez (D-backs' No. 8), Mobile at Biloxi (AA)
Tyler Wagner (D-backs' No. 10), Reno vs. Albuquerque (AAA)
Yohander Mendez (Rangers' No. 14), High Desert vs. Lake Elsinore (A Adv)
Justin Anderson (Angels' No. 24), Inland Empire at Rancho Cucamonga (A Adv)
Clayton Blackburn (Giants' No. 11), Sacramento at Las Vegas (AAA)
Daniel Gossett (A's No. 25), Stockton vs. Lancaster (A Adv)