Pipeline Preview: Kopech looking to bounce back for Barons

June 11th, 2017

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Colton Welker (Rockies' No. 11), Asheville vs. Rome (2:05 p.m. ET)
Welker, the Rockies' second-round pick from the 2016 Draft, hit .329 in 51 games during his professional debut last season. It's been more of the same this year as the 19-year-old continues to rake. Welker put together his third four-hit game of the season on Saturday by going 4-for-4 at the plate and bumped his average up to .363 through 53 games.

Pitcher to watch: (White Sox No. 2), Birmingham vs. Mobile (4 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Kopech, the No. 11 overall prospect, struggled with his command in his last start and the result was his worst outing of the season. Kopech walked five and gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings, which ended a streak of three straight starts allowing one earned run or fewer. Kopech has an electric fastball, and when his command is on, he's able to put hitters away, as evidenced by his 80 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings this year.

Duel of the Day: Franklin Perez (Astros' No. 6) vs. Scott Blewett (Royals' No. 4), Buies Creek vs. Wilmington (1:35 p.m. ET)
Perez, the No. 95 overall prospect, is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA through six games (five starts) this season. The 19-year-old hasn't issued a walk in four of his six appearances and began the season with 14 consecutive scoreless innings. Perez gave up three runs in his last start but wound up with a no-decision.

Blewett has struggled with inconsistency over his past six outings. In three of those starts, the righty has held opponents scoreless. In the other three, he's given up a total of 18 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings. Blewett was tagged for five runs in his last outing but has shown that he's capable of putting up good numbers when he's on his game.

Sunday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 41 overall Yadier Alvarez (Dodgers' No. 1), Rancho Cucamonga vs. Lake Elsinore (4:00 p.m. ET)
No. 45 overall Kolby Allard (Braves' No. 3), Mississippi vs. Pensacola (5:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 58 overall (Cardinals' No. 3), Memphis vs. Nashville (3:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 73 overall Forrest Whitley (Astros' No. 5), Quad Cities vs. Beloit (3:00 p.m. ET)
No. 96 overall Chance Adams (Yankees' No. 7), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Lehigh Valley (1:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Tyler Eppler (Pirates' No. 24), Indianapolis vs. Columbus (Triple-A)
Harrison Musgrave (Rockies' No. 22), Albuquerque vs. Salt Lake (Triple-A)
Josh Staumont (Royals' No. 2), Omaha vs. New Orleans (Triple-A)
(Reds' No. 7), Louisville vs. Toledo (Triple-A)
Tyler Alexander (Tigers' No. 4), Erie vs. Portland (Double-A)
Jon Harris (Blue Jays' No. 9), New Hampshire vs. Akron (Double-A)
Zac Gallen (Cardinals' No. 23), Springfield vs. Tulsa (Double-A)
Ariel Jurado (Rangers' No. 3), Frisco vs. Midland (Double-A)
Sam Howard (Rockies' No. 14), Hartford vs. Reading (Double-A)
(Braves' No. 19), Florida vs. Charlotte (Class A Advanced)
Genesis Cabrera (Rays' No. 28), Charlotte vs. Florida (Class A Advanced)
Franklyn Kilome (Phillies' No. 5), Clearwater vs. Jupiter (Class A Advanced)
(Mets' No. 13), St. Lucie vs. Lakeland (Class A Advanced)
Cody Sedlock (Orioles' No. 2), Frederick vs. Lynchburg (Class A Advanced)
(White Sox No. 11), Winston-Salem vs. Salem (Class A Advanced)
Peter Lambert (Rockies' No. 6), Lancaster vs. Inland Empire (Class A Advanced)
Jake Woodford (Cardinals' No. 17), Palm Beach vs. Daytona (Class A Advanced)
Trey Supak (Brewers' No. 29), Carolina vs. Myrtle Beach (Class A Advanced)
Tyler Watson (Nationals' No. 17), Hagerstown vs. Lakeland (Class A)
Bryse Wilson (Braves' No. 24), Rome vs. Asheville (Class A)
Nick Wells (Mariners' No. 25), Clinton vs. Peoria (Class A)