Morning Rundown: MiLB Preview - Week Ending 7/21/24
Short three-game weekend series for all affiliates
Indianapolis Indians: 39-50
Last week: 1-4
Opponent: Omaha (Royals)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .811
OPS Rank: 1st of 20
Team ERA: 4.31
ERA Rank: 1st (tie) of 20
Quick Overview:
Indianapolis Indians kick off the post All-Star break with a three-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers. The Kansas City Royals’ Triple-A affiliate isn’t much for prospect draw, but they are atop the league in both team OPS and team ERA.
The top-ranked prospect on the Storm Chasers roster is outfielder Tyler Gentry. This is his second full season in Triple-A at 25 years old, and he’s currently carrying a .727 OPS.
A name that may ring a bell for Pirates fans on the Storm Chasers roster is former bucco farmhand Kevin Padlo. Starter Domingo German was recently released, but Aaron Shortridge was activated from the 60-day injured list during the break.
Tyler Gentry | OF | 8
Chandler Champlain | RHP | 10
Anthony Veneziano | LHP | 12
John McMillon | RHP | 17
Will Klein | RHP | 18
Altoona Curve: 39-48
Last week: 5-1
Opponent: Somerset (Yankees)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .756
OPS Rank: 2nd of 12
Team ERA: 4.52
ERA Rank: 10th of 12
Quick Overview:
Similar to the Triple-A matchup, the Altoona Curve will be taking on one of the top offenses respectively in the Eastern League. Leading the charge for the Somerset Patriots’ offense is the second-ranked New York Yankees’ prospect per MLB Pipeline and consensus top 100 prospect, Spencer Jones.
Spencer Jones has a .720 OPS on the season, with an .822 OPS over his last 10 games. That is heavily weighted by a 4-for-5 game Jones had on June 30th with two home runs and seven RBI. In the month of July though, he is currently 5-for-37 with 20 strikeouts to three walks.
Probably the biggest news, as of now but not official yet, is that Hunter Barco will reportedly be promoted to Altoona.
Spencer Jones | OF | 2
MLB Top 100: #74
Baseball America Top 100: #73
ESPN Top 100: #40
Fangraphs Top 100: #11
Brock Selvidge | LHP | 10
Zach Messinger | RHP | 21
Trystan Vrieling | RHP 22
Tyler Hardman | 3B | 25
Danny Watson | RHP | 27
Benjamin Cowles | INF | 29
Greensboro Grasshoppers: 55-31
Last Week: 4-2
Opponent: Hickory (Rangers)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .642
OPS Rank: 11th of 12
Team ERA: 4.44
ERA Rank: 9th of 12
Quick Overview:
The Greensboro Grasshoppers will take their talents to Hickory and face off against the Crawdads this weekend. The Texas Rangers affiliate sits at 10-11 in the second half of the MiLB season.
The top Rangers’ prospect is 18-year-old Sebastian Walcott, who has begun to get his bat going as of late. He is slashing .278/.366/.444 in his last ten games. It’s a step up from his season .724 OPS.
The Crawdads have nine of the Rangers' top 30 prospects—eight healthy—but most have struggled in High A this season, leading to a team ERA and team OPS that rank near the bottom of the league.
Sebastian Walcott | SS | 1
MLB Top 100: #72
Baseball America Top 100: 49
ESPN Top 100: #46
Fangraphs Top 100: #73
Anthony Gutierrez | OF | 4
Alejandro Rosario | RHP | 6
Cameron Cauley | SS/2B | 12
Yeison Morrobel | OF | 14
Aidan Curry | RHP | 19
Mitch Bratt | LHP | 20
Gleider Figuereo | 3B | 25
Joseph Montalvo (7-Day IL) | RHP | 26
Bradenton Marauders: 38-49
Last Week: 3-3
Opponent: Tampa (Yankees)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .699
OPS Rank: 4th of 10
Team ERA: 3.84
ERA Rank: 4th of 10
Quick Overview:
In Low-A, the Bradenton Marauders are the second affiliate to battle against a New York Yankees affiliate. The Tampa Tarpons are currently tied with the Marauders — four games back from the division lead — in the standings, although with two fewer games played.
The Tarpons roster isn’t full of prospects, but it has some star power in part due to rehabbing starter Chase Hampton. He has only made one Florida State League start so far, so unless the Yankees are looking to move him quickly, he should see another rehab start in Low-A.
Aside from Hampton, the Yankees affiliate has a couple of high-upside shortstops. First is International signing Roderick Arias who is currently carrying a .680 OPS on the season. He is only 19 years old but striking out 33.6% of the time.
Next is George Lombard Jr., the Yankees' first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2023 draft. He has a .702 OPS on the season and a .738 OPS over his last ten games. He went 4-for-12 with two doubles and a home run in his final two games before the break.
Chase Hampton (Rehab Assignment) | RHP | 3
MLB Top 100: #82
Fangraphs Top 100: #65
Roderick Arias | SS | 4
Fangraphs Top 100: #53
George Lombard Jr. | SS | 6
Cade Smith | RHP | 23
Anthony Hall | OF | 26
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Solometo just got sent to the FCL.
Driving on the west end bridge this morning, glanced down and noticed Skenes walking on the Ohio River.