Pipeline Preview: Keller looks to lead Altoona to EL title

September 14th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Brett Netzer (Red Sox No. 30), Greenville vs. Kannapolis (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Netzer collected two more hits on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with an RBI to help lead Class A Greenville past Kannapolis, 2-0, in Game 2 of the South Atlantic League finals. The 21-year-old second baseman has recorded multiple hits in four straight playoff games for the Drive, and he leads all SAL hitters with a .429 postseason average.

MILB Video - Title: Netzer drives in two - Url: http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=1579559983

Pitcher to watch: Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 2), Altoona vs. Trenton (6 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Keller, MLB Pipeline's No. 19 overall prospect, went the distance in his last start for Double-A Altoona, allowing one hit over nine innings as the Curve shut out Bowie, 2-0, in the Eastern League semifinals. The 21-year-old righty issued one walk, struck out four and induced 12 ground-ball outs. The complete game and shutout were both career firsts for Keller, who needed just 90 pitches (59 strikes) in the outing while facing the minimum 27 batters. He takes the mound with a chance to clinch an EL title.

Duel of the day: Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 1) vs. Chance Adams (Yankees' No. 3), Durham at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (6:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Honeywell may not have been his sharpest in first playoff start, giving up three earned runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, but the No. 12 overall prospect pitched well enough for Triple-A Durham to eventually defeat Indianapolis and secure a spot in the Governors' Cup Finals. He's set to start Game 3 of the best-of-five series, currently tied at one game apiece.

Adams, No. 56 on the Top 100, paced Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on the mound in their Game 2 victory against Lehigh Valley in the International League semis. The 23-year-old righty allowed two earned runs on five hits over five innings in the outing, compiling four walks and five strikeouts while throwing 61 of his 102 pitches for strikes. During the regular season, Adams posted a 2.89 ERA with a .197 batting average against 103 strikeouts in 115 1/3 innings (21 starts) for the RailRiders.

Thursday's top prospect probables
Bryan Mata (Red Sox's No. 15), Greenville vs. Kannapolis (Class A)