Morning Rundown: MiLB Preview - Week Ending 8/27
Big week for pitchers drafted in 2023 Draft
Indianapolis Indians: 22-22 (6.0 GB)
Opponent: Iowa (Cubs)
Team OPS: .844
OPS Rank: 2nd of 20
Team ERA: 5.38
ERA Rank: 12th of 20
Quick Overview:
Indianapolis Indians will get to see the Chicago Cubs top prospect this week, Pete Crow-Armstrong. Crow-Armstrong was acquired during the 2021 trade deadline from the New York Mets for Javy Baez and Trevor Williams. He was a first round pick in the 2020 draft, and has blossomed into one of the games best prospects this season.
Pete Crow-Armstrong | OF | 1
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #12
Baseball America Top 100: #12
ESPN Top 50: #15
Ben Brown (7-Day IL) | RHP | 5
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #91
Jordan Wicks | LHP | 10
Matt Mervis | 1B | 13
Alexander Canario | OF | 14
Luis Vazquez | SS | 21
Caleb Kilian | RHP | 23
Luke Little | LHP | 25
Altoona Curve: 18-25 (7.0 GB)
Opponent: Akron (Guardians)
Team OPS: .707
OPS Rank: 7th of 12
Team ERA: 3.88
ERA Rank: 3rd of 12
Quick Overview:
The second half hasn’t been kind to the Altoona Curve, but there will be some excitement surrounding the team, with rumors of first overall pick Paul Skenes set to join the club this week, as reported by Jarrod Prugar. Their opponent, Akron Rubberducks, have also struggled in the second half with most of their prospect-laden roster having moved on to Triple-A and/or MLB. The lone Top 100 representative is embattled arm Daniel Espino, who likely won’t pitch until 2025 after receiving Tommy John surgery.
Daniel Espino (60-Day IL) | RHP | 3
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #85
Baseball America Top 100: #74
Juan Brito | INF | 6
Tanner Burns | RHP | 19
Petey Halpin | OF | 20
Doug Nikhazy | LHP | 26
Will Dion | LHP | LHP
Milan Tolentino | INF | 29
Greensboro Grasshoppers: 25-22 (2.5 GB)
Opponent: Rome (Braves)
Team OPS: .697
OPS Rank: 10th of 12
Team ERA: 4.31
ERA Rank: 6th of 12
Quick Overview:
Paul Skenes won’t be the only 2023 college arm on display this week. In their quest to climb back to the division lead, the Greensboro Grasshoppers will have to take on Atlanta Braves first round pick Hurston Waldrep. The Florida Gators’ alum has made two High-A starts so far, giving up one earned run across 7.1 IP, with seven strike outs, five walks, and only one hit. Just behind Waldrep on the Braves Top 30 is 2021 second round pick Spencer Schwellenbach, who was a three-year starting shortstop for Nebraska, and also their closer his junior year. The Braves selected him and made the switch to full-time pitcher. He’s been on the injured list for almost a month, so we likely don’t see him this week.
Hurston Waldrep | RHP | 2
Spencer Schwellenbach (7-Day IL) | RHP | 3
Ignacio Alvarez | 3B/SS | 8
David McCabe | 3B/1B | 16
Geraldo Quintero | 3B/2B | 25
Drake Baldwin | C | 28
Bradenton Marauders: 29-19 (2.0 GB)
Opponent: Jupiter (Marlins)
Team OPS: .683
OPS Rank: 9th of 10
Team ERA: 4.28
ERA Rank: 1st of 10
Quick Overview:
The Bradenton Marauders, just as with Greensboro, find themselves in a heated division race down the stretch. They’ll also see a 2023 first round pick, the highly rated prep RHP Noble Meyer. Joining Meyer will be a couple other 2023 college drafts picks; Kemp Alderman (2nd round) and Brock Vradenburg (3rd round).
Noble Meyer | RHP | 1
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #59
Baseball America Top 100: #46
Kemp Alderman | OF | 9
Brock Vradenburg | 1B | 10
Jacob Miller | RHP | 13
Juan De La Cruz | RHP | 24
Ian Lewis | 2B/3B | 30
Minor League Recap 8/21
FCL Pirates - 7 vs FCL Rays - 2
Top Hitter - Braylon Bishop: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Joaquin Tejada: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K
DSL Pirates Black - 3 vs DSL Red Sox Red - 6
*Completion of 8/18 game
Top Hitter - Angel Perez: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Hader Blanco: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB
DSL Pirates Black - 0 vs DSL Red Sox Red - 0
*Regular scheduled game suspended
DSL Pirates Gold - 6 vs DSL Tigers 1 - 5
Top Hitter - Eduardo Oviedo: 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI
Top Pitcher - Victor Cabreja: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Not sure how the Rome rotation is set up, but if we got a Bubba Chandler vs Hurston Waldrep matchup I would lose my mind.
Also this should be a double start week for Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones, so that'll be fun.