Morning Rundown: MiLB Preview - Week Ending 9/8/24
Minor league season winds down with final week for A ball regular season
Indianapolis Indians: 65-64
Games back: 5.0
Last week: 6-1
Opponent: Toledo (Tigers)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .788
OPS Rank: 4th of 20
Team ERA: 5.08
ERA Rank: 16th of 20
Quick Overview:
The biggest story for the Indianapolis Indians is that they’re still holding on to a chance at the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Columbus Clippers aren’t losing enough to make up any ground.
This week, though, the Indians get to take on a bit of a depleted Toledo Mud Hens, as most of the excelling prospects on the Detroit affiliate’s roster have been promoted to MLB. That leaves only two of the Tigers’ top 30 prospects remaining with the Mud Hens. Some notable names on the roster are Akil Baddoo, Drew Maggi, and Ryan Vilade. Wilmer Flores was a once notable top-30 prospect, but after some injuries and being moved to the bullpen, he has lost his notoriety. Aside from being the brother of Wilmer Flores and the son of Wilmar Flores.
Justice Bigbie | OF | 23
Lael Lockhart | LHP | 28
Altoona Curve: 55-71
Games back: Eliminated
Last week: 6-0
Opponent: Hartford (Rockies)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .706
OPS Rank: 5th of 12
Team ERA: 3.94
ERA Rank: 6th of 12
Quick Overview:
Unless there are some late promotions to Triple-A, this is probably the most intriguing opposing roster. The Altoona Curve, of course, have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but they’ll get to see some top-end arms in 2023 draft picks Chase Dollander and Sean Sullivan. Both began the year in High-A but made quick work of the level and have maintained their success in Double-A.
Adael Amador is an interesting infield prospect for the Colorado Rockies. He is ranked among the top 100 prospects and even got a call-up to MLB earlier this year.
Chase Dollander | RHP | 2
MLB Top 100: #22
Baseball America Top 100: #25
ESPN Top 100: #34
Fangraphs Top 100: #17
Adael Amador | 2B | 5
MLB Top 100: #93
Baseball America Top 100: #40
Sean Sullivan | LHP | 10
Ryan Ritter | SS | 12
Sterlin Thompson | 1B/OF | 13
Benny Montgomery (Full Season IL) | OF | 16
Gabriel Hughes | RHP | 22
Warming Bernabel | 3B | 24
Zach Agnos | RHP | 28
Greensboro Grasshoppers: 70-54
Clinched first-half playoff bid
Last Week: 3-3
Opponent: Bowling Green (Rays)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .736
OPS Rank: 1st of 12
Team ERA: 3.47
ERA Rank: 3rd of 12
Quick Overview:
This will be the final regular season week for the Pirates (likely) sole full-season playoff-bound team. With that in mind, the Greensboro Grasshoppers have gotten very familiar with the South Atlantic League's all but assured South division representatives: Rome, the Atlanta Braves affiliate and first-half auto-bid winner, and this week's opponent, the Bowling Green Hot Rods, who are 4.0 games ahead in the second half.
The two squared off a couple of weeks ago, with the Hot Rods taking four of five games. The Rays promoted a handful of players to Double-A, including Tre’ Morgan, but still have a very quality roster.
As mentioned a few weeks ago, the top 30 rostered players are mostly trade deadline acquitions such as Dylan Lesko, Jackson Bauemeister, and Mac Horvath.
Dylan Lesko | RHP | 12
Fangraphs Top 100: #86
Brody Hopkins | RHP | 13
Cooper Kinney | 2B/3B | 17
Jackson Baumeister | RHP | 19
Mac Horvath | 3B/2B | 20
Gregory Barrios | SS | 21
Colton Ledbetter | OF | 22
Homer Bush Jr. | OF | 24
Bradenton Marauders: 51-69
Games Back: Eliminated
Last Week: 3-3
Opponent: Daytona (Reds)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .681
OPS Rank: 6th of 10
Team ERA: 3.60
ERA Rank: 2nd of 10
Quick Overview:
The Bradenton Marauders are officially officially eliminated from the playoffs and get to take on Cincinnati Reds’ affiliate Daytona Tortugas in the final Low A week.
The two kicked off the series Monday evening, with the Tortugas taking game one. Atop the listed top 30 prospects is Alfredo Duno, but he is currently out for the rest of the season. Next in line is 2023 second-round pick Sammy Stafura, who is having a strong showing. Selected one pick after Mitch Jebb, the prep shortstop is quickly making a name for himself with a 121 wRC+ through 73 games (prior to Monday).
Alfredo Duno (60-Day IL) | C | 7
Baseball America Top 100: #74
Sammy Stafura | SS | 9
Ricardo Cabrera | SS/3B | 10
Peyton Stovall | 2B | 21
Cole Schoenwetter | RHP | 24
Adam Serwinowski | LHP | 24
Kyle Henley | OF | 30
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