Yankees trio leads top prospect performers

March 23rd, 2018

A trio of prospects led the way as the Yankees, featuring a lineup with very few regulars, topped the Twins, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon.
Domingo German picked up a three-inning save with another scoreless outing, while Billy McKinney and Tyler Austin provided the offense, combining to go 3-for-7 with an RBI and two runs scored.
German, the Yankees' No. 18 prospect, continued his strong spring with another dominant outing. The right-hander, who hasn't given up an earned run in four of his six appearances, struck out two over three perfect innings.
McKinney, the No. 19 prospect in New York's system, did his damage early, putting the Yankees on the board with a solo shot in the second. McKinney finished 1-for-4 and is hitting just .171 in Spring Training, but power hasn't been an issue, as five of his six hits have been homers.

The Yankees' No. 26 prospect, Austin, scored the decisive run in the sixth inning and boosted his average to .270 with a 2-for-3 effort that included a double.
Other top prospect performances from Thursday's action:
No. 3 overall prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays' No. 1) and Bo Bichetter (No. 13 overall, Blue Jays' No. 2) gave Toronto fans an exciting glimpse into the future as they combined to go 3-for-8 with three RBIs. Guerrero Jr., who is hitting .667 in limited action, went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double, while Bichette went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer. 

"They've got a ton of talent," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "You bring them over to a big league game when they're that young and you never know what to expect."
• No. 27 overall prospect Lewis Brinson (Marlins' No. 1) showed fans that there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to his potential. The 23-year-old, who is hitting .365 this spring, finished a homer shy of the cycle as he went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs. Brinson left the game early after being struck on the helmet flap with a throw while running the bases, but he said he was fine postgame.
"My swing is where it needs to be right now," Brinson said. "Hopefully I can keep it going into the season starting next week."

Marlins No. 9 prospect Brian Anderson also had a good day, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored.
Astros No. 9 prospect J.D. Davis is hitting .347 after his latest multi-hit performance. Davis went 2-for-3 and drove in a run, but the Astros ultimately fell to the Marlins, 15-7.
Brewers No. 6 prospect Brett Phillips appears to have found his rhythm at the plate. Phillips, who went 1-for-3 with a homer, is 3-for-7 with two homers over his past three games after getting off to a slow 4-for-41 start.

Cardinals No. 12 prospect Yairo Munoz continues to make a strong impression as he battles for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Munoz, who brings a lot to a team with his defensive versatility, hit his third homer of Spring Training as part of a 1-for-3 day. The 23-year-old has a five-game hitting streak and is slashing .375/.423/.625. 
Mets No. 11 prospect Tomas Nido is hitting an even .300 after collecting a pair of hits in a win over the Nationals. Nido, who finished 2-for-3, singled in the third and then drove in a run with another base hit in the fourth.

• Orioles prospects Chance Sisco (No. 3) and Pedro Araujo (No. 27) helped lead the club to a 10-7 win over the Red Sox with strong performances at the plate and on the mound. Sisco boosted his average to .419 with a pair of extra-base hits, going 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and four RBIs. Meanwhile, Araujo, who has held opponents scoreless in seven of eight appearances, threw 1 2/3 perfect innings.

Pirates No. 8 prospect Colin Moran continued his solid spring with a three-hit effort against the Blue Jays. Moran, who went 3-for-5, is slashing .333/.360/.396.
Tigers No. 10 prospect Christin Stewart hasn't seen a ton of playing time this spring, but when he's gotten a chance, he's been able to hit. Stewart went 3-for-5 in the Tigers' win over the Phillies, and not only is he batting .700 (7-for-10), but he also has a hit in all five games he's appeared in.