Mahle starts for first time since perfect game

April 27th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Kyle Tucker (Astros No. 2), Buies Creek at Winston-Salem (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Tucker, ranked 32nd on MLBPipeline.com's list of the Top 100 prospects, recorded multiple hits in both games of Class A Advanced Buies Creek's doubleheader on Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to seven games. The 20-year-old outfielder went 4-for-7 with four RBIs on the day, going 2-for-4 in Game 1 before driving in three with a 2-for-3 performance in the nightcap. Through 19 games, Tucker is hitting .319/.375/.597 with 12 extra-base hits and 21 RBIs.

Pitcher to watch: Tyler Mahle (Reds No. 10), Pensacola vs. Biloxi (7:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Mahle is set to make his first start since tossing the first perfect game of the season -- also the first nine-inning perfect game in the Southern League since 1970 -- on April 22. The 22-year-old righty struck out nine in the performance, which he needed just 88 pitches to complete. For the season, Mahle is 4-0 with 0.67 ERA in four starts. He's allowed just seven hits in 26 2/3 innings, with 27 strikeouts and five walks.

Duel of the day: Trevor Clifton (Cubs No. 7) vs. Patrick Weigel (Braves No. 15), Tennessee at Mississippi (8 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Clifton, the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2016, enters Wednesday with a 2-1 record and a 3.00 ERA for Double-A Tennessee. He kept Birmingham off the board in his most recent turn, while working five innings for the third time in as many starts. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in those outings.

Weigel, 22, fared well late last season in his four starts for Double-A Mississippi after making the jump directly from Class A Rome. He's picked up right where he left off, posting a 2.66 ERA across his first four starts. He's struck out 23 batters in 20 1/3 innings, with 18 hits allowed and seven walks.

Thursday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 35 (Brewers No. 3), Colorado Springs at Iowa (7:38 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 41 (Rockies No. 2), Albuquerque at Las Vegas (10:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
(Angels No. 8), Salt Lake vs. El Paso (Triple-A)
(Red Sox No. 11) vs. (Pirates No. 22), Pawtucket vs. Indianapolis, Game 1 (Triple-A)
(Braves No. 18), Gwinnett at Rochester (Triple-A)
(Yankees No. 21), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Louisville (Triple-A)
(Phillies No. 25), Lehigh Valley at Columbus (Triple-A)
Tyler Eppler (Pirates No. 27), Indianapolis at Pawtucket, Game 2 (Triple-A)
Dakota Hudson (Cardinals No. 9), Springfield at NW Arkansas (Double-A)
Alex Young (D-backs No. 11), Jackson vs. Chattanooga (Double-A)
Greg Harris (Rays No. 28) vs. Matt Cooper (White Sox No. 28), Montgomery vs. Birmingham (Double-A)
Nick Neidert (Mariners No. 3) vs. Jaime Barria (Angels' No. 10), Modesto vs. Inland Empire (Class A Advanced)
Beau Burrows (Tigers No. 3), Lakeland at St. Lucie (Class A Advanced)
Franklyn Kilome (Phillies No. 5) vs. Ian Clarkin (Yankees' No. 20), Clearwater at Tampa (Class A Advanced)
(Braves No. 10) vs. Zac Gallen (Cardinals' No. 24), Florida vs. Palm Beach (Class A Advanced)
Gage Hinsz (Pirates No. 11), Bradenton at Fort Myers (Class A Advanced)
(Blue Jays No. 16) vs. Genesis Cabrera (Rays' No. 29), Dunedin at Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
(Brewers No. 19), Carolina vs. Down East (Class A Advanced)
Joey Wentz (Braves No. 13), Rome vs. West Virginia (Class A)
Tony Santillan (Reds No. 15), Dayton vs. Great Lakes (Class A)
Adonis Medina (Phillies No. 16), Lakewood vs. Kannapolis (Class A)
Darwinzon Hernandez (Red Sox No. 25), Greenville at Augusta (Class A)
Zach Muckenhirn (Orioles No. 27), Delmarva vs. Charleston (Class A)
Micah Miniard (Indians No. 29), Lake County vs. West Michigan (Class A)