Pipeline preview: Faria looking to remain unbeaten

May 10th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Nick Gordon (Twins' No. 1), Chattanooga at Montgomery (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Gordon, ranked 43rd on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list, enters the day sporting an impressive .330/.395/.487 slash line through 29 games for Double-A Chattanooga. The 21-year-old shortstop is showing more power this year, too, as 11 of his 38 hits have gone for extra bases (2 HR, 6 2B, 3 3B).

Pitcher to watch: Jacob Faria (Rays' No. 9), Durham vs. Columbus (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Faria, 23, has been sharp in his last three starts for Triple-A Durham, going 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 17 innings. The right-hander has allowed just 11 hits in that span, while holding hitters to a .190/.266/.310 slash line. Faria is 4-0 with a 3.13 ERA in six starts this season, and he paces all International League hurlers with 45 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.

Duel of the day: Sam Coonrod (Giants' No. 13) vs. Brandon Waddell (Pirates' No. 18), Richmond vs. Altoona (12:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Coonrod has not given up more than two earned runs in any of his five starts for Double-A Richmond. The 24-year-old righty picked up his first win of the year in his most recent turn, allowing two runs on six hits in five innings against Bowie. For the season, Coonrod owns a 3.24 ERA, with 26 strikeouts and five walks, in 25 innings.

Waddell is set to make his second start since returning from a month-long stint on the disabled list with a left forearm strain. The 22-year-old lefty was dominant in his first start back as he racked up six strikeouts in three hitless innings against Akron.
Wednesday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 41 Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 2), Bradenton at Jupiter (6:30 p.m. ET)
No. 56 Sean Reid-Foley (Blue Jays' No. 2) vs. Sam Howard (Rockies' No. 18), New Hampshire at Hartford (10:35 a.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Tyler Eppler (Pirates' No. 26), Indianapolis vs. Charlotte (Triple-A)
Grayson Long (Angels' No. 6), Mobile at Mississippi (Double-A)
Luis Castillo (Reds' No. 6), Pensacola vs. Birmingham (Double-A)
John Means (Orioles' No. 25), Bowie at Reading (Double-A)
Keegan Akin (Orioles' No. 6), Frederick vs. Down East (Class A Advanced)
Peter Lambert (Rockies' No. 10), Lancaster vs. Modesto (Class A Advanced)
Thomas Hatch (Cubs' No. 11), Myrtle Beach at Winston-Salem (Class A Advanced)
Angel Perdomo (Blue Jays' No. 20), Dunedin at Tampa (Class A Advanced)
Corbin Burnes (Brewers' No. 20), Carolina at Lynchburg (Class A Advanced)
Joan Baez (Nationals' No. 23), Potomac at Wilmington (Class A Advanced)
Zac Gallen (Cardinals' No. 24), Palm Beach at Fort Myers (Class A Advanced)
Drew Harrington (Braves' No. 25), Florida at Daytona (Class A Advanced)
Justin Donatella (D-backs' No. 26), Visalia at Inland Empire (Class A Advanced)
Brady Aiken (Indians' No. 5), Lake County vs. Beloit (Class A)
Justin Maese (Blue Jays' No. 10), Lansing at Clinton (Class A)
Cionel Perez (Astros' No. 16), Quad Cities at Bowling Green (Class A)
Mack Lemieux (D-backs' No. 20), Kane County vs. Great Lakes (Class A)
Bryan Hudson (Cubs' No. 24) vs. Joe Gatto (Angels' No. 26), South Bend at Burlington (Class A)
JoJo Romero (Phillies' No. 26), Lakewood vs. Greenville (Class A)
Gerson Garabito (Royals' No. 28), Lexington vs. Greensboro (Class A)