Pipeline preview: Hoskins looks to extend homer streak

June 25th, 2016

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Rhys Hoskins (Phillies' No. 19), Reading at Portland (6 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Hoskins connected on his Minor League-leading 20th home run on Friday night in Double-A Reading's win over Portland. It was the 23-year-old first baseman's third straight game with a home run, and he's now gone deep 12 times in 22 games this month. Meanwhile, by going 2-for-5 with three RBIs, Hoskins lifted his season average and OPS to .278 and .897, respectively, and he's now plated 59 runs in 69 games for the Fightin Phils.

Pitcher to watch: Stephen Gonsalves (Twins' No. 6), Chattanooga vs. Jackson (7:15 p.m. ET)
Gonsalves, No. 100 on the Top 100, is set to make his Double-A debut today after a dominant first half in the Florida State League. The 21-year-old left-hander pitched to a 2.33 ERA over 11 starts for Class A Advanced Fort Myers, with 66 strikeouts and 20 walks in 65 2/3 innings. On top of that, Gonsalves has allowed just two home runs while holding opposing hitters to a .188 average in that span, during which he owns a 0.96 WHIP.

Duel of the day: Duane Underwood Jr. (Cubs' No. 4) vs. Rookie Davis (Reds' No. 12), Tennessee vs. Pensacola (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Inefficiency has prevented Underwood Jr., 21, from working deep into games in his first Double-A exposure, as he's completed six innings just once in 10 starts for Tennessee. The No. 69 overall prospect's 0-4 record, 5.12 ERA and 1.73 WHIP certainly leave something to be desired, but he's still managed to miss bats at a high rate, piling up 40 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings.

Davis, meanwhile, is set to make his fifth start for Pensacola since returning from a stint on the disabled list for a strained groin. He's 5-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 52 2/3 innings (10 starts).

Saturday's Top 100 prospect probables

No. 20 Jose De Leon (Dodgers' No. 2), Oklahoma City vs. Iowa (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 34 Anderson Espinoza (Red Sox's No. 4), Greenville vs. Lakewood (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 36 Francis Martes (Astros' No. 3), Corpus Christi at Frisco (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 56 Grant Holmes (Dodgers' No. 3), Rancho Cucamonga vs. High Desert (10:05 p.m. ET)
No. 100 Stephen Gonsalves (Twins' No. 6), Chattanooga vs. Jackson (7:15 p.m. ET)
More top prospect probables

Nate Smith (Angels' No. 3) vs. Kyle Freeland (Rockies No. 7), Salt Lake at Albuquerque (Triple-A)
Michael Kopech (Red Sox's No. 5), Salem vs. Frederick (A Advanced)
Reynaldo Lopez (Nationals' No. 5), Harrisburg at New Hampshire (Double-A)
Austin Smith (Padres' No. 6), Fort Wayne at Bowling Green (A)
Sam Coonrod (Giants' No. 6), Richmond at Binghamton (Double-A)
Jason Garcia (Orioles' No. 9) vs. Tyler Eppler (Pirates' No. 28), Bowie vs. Altoona (Double A)
Dinelson Lamet (Padres' No. 10), San Antonio at Midland (Double-A)
Ricardo Pinto (Phillies' No. 10), Reading at Portland (Double-A)
Taylor Clarke (D-backs' No. 10), Mobile vs. Birmingham (Double-A)
Clayton Blackburn (Giants' No. 11), Sacramento at Las Vegas (Triple-A)
Enyel De Los Santos (Padres' No. 11), Lake Elsinore at Lancaster (A Advanced)
Mike Nikorak (Rockies' No. 11), Grand Junction vs. Idaho Falls (Rookie)
Chih-Wei Hu (Rays' No. 12), Montgomery at Biloxi (Double-A)
Shawn Morimando (Indians' No. 15), Akron vs. Trenton (Double-A)
Chad Kuhl (Pirates' No. 16), Indianapolis vs. Buffalo (Triple-A)
Chase De Jong (Dodgers' No. 17), Tulsa vs. Northwest Arkansas (Double-A)
Ricardo Sanchez (Braves' No. 17), Rome vs. Charleston (A)
Josh Sborz (Dodgers' No. 18), Rancho Cucamonga vs. High Desert (A Advanced)
Joe Gunkel (Orioles' No. 18), Norfolk at Columbus (Triple-A)
Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 18), Bradenton at Charlotte (A Advanced)
Marcos Diplan (Brewers' No. 19), Wisconsin vs. Quad Cities (A)
Stephen Tarpley (Pirates' No. 19), Bradenton at Charlotte (A Advanced)
Austen Williams (Nationals' No. 20) vs. Luis Lugo (Indians' No. 25), Potomac at Lynchburg (A Advanced)
Bubba Derby (Brewers' No. 20), Brevard County vs. Clearwater (A Advanced)
Ronnie Williams (Cardinals' No. 20), State College at West Virginia (Short Season)
Jon Moscot (Reds' No. 23), Louisville at Rochester (Triple-A)
Jeff Brigham (Marlins' No. 26), Jupiter vs. Fort Myers (A Advanced)
Chris Flexen (Mets' No. 26), St. Lucie vs. Palm Beach (A Advanced)
Rob Whalen (Braves' No. 26), Mississippi vs. Jacksonville (Double-A)
Kevin Steen (Red Sox's No. 27), Lowell vs. Tri-City (Short Season)
Pedro Payano (Rangers' No. 28), Hickory at Greensboro (A)