Morning Rundown: MiLB Preview - Week Ending 8/25/24
Pivotal Triple-A matchup that comes with quantity and quality of prospect opposition
Indianapolis Indians: 57-59
Last week: 6-0
Opponent: Columbus (Guardians)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .807
OPS Rank: 1st of 20
Team ERA: 4.91
ERA Rank: 10th of 20
Quick Overview:
The hot and then cold Indianapolis Indians went on another really hot streak, sweeping the St. Paul Saints to climb back into the playoff race. This week, they’ll take on the Columbus Clippers, the main team they’re trying to catch.
It won’t be an easy task, as the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians carries eleven — 10 healthy — of their top 30 prospects. The biggest name is Chase DeLauter, who was recently promoted after capping off his Double-A tenure, hitting a home run in three straight games. It’s been a tough year for the Guardians 2022 first-round pick, as he has seen a fair share of time on the injured list. He’s a big addition to a roster that is already leading the International League in team OPS.
Not to be forgotten about is Kyle Manzardo, who was acquired from the Tampa Rays in a 2023 trade deadline deal and is carrying a .931 OPS this season for the Clippers. Andrew Walters is another interesting name, who was the Miami Hurricanes closer a year ago, and already in Triple-A after being drafted 62nd overall by Cleveland in 2023.
It’ll be a big test this week for all the recently promoted top arms of the Pittsburgh Pirates system.
Chase DeLauter | OF | 2
MLB Top 100: #42
Baseball America Top 100: #38
ESPN Top 100: #41
Fangraphs Top 100: #12
Kyle Manzardo | 1B | 3
MLB Top 100: #66
Baseball America Top 100: #66
Angel Martinez | INF/OF | 8
Juan Brito | INF/OF | 10
Daniel Espino (Full Season IL) | RHP | 12
Johnathan Rodriguez | OF | 14
Joey Cantillo | LHP | 17
George Valera | OF | 22
Andrew Walters | RHP | 23
Doug Nikhazy | LHP | 26
Ryan Webb | LHP | 29
Altoona Curve: 47-67
Last week: 2-4
Opponent: Richmond (Giants)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .663
OPS Rank: 10th of 12
Team ERA: 4.21
ERA Rank: 7th of 12
Quick Overview:
Barring any late Monday or early Tuesday promotions, it’s going to be a light week in Double-A. Maybe the San Francisco Giants will want to promote a Bryce Eldridge or Joe Whitman this week. Otherwise, the Richmond Flying Squirrels only have two top 30 prospects.
Of the two listed, Diego Velasquez was a 2021 international signing out of Venezuela, and the 20-year-old has held his own with a .738 OPS through 22 games. Jack Choate was a 9th-round pick in 2022 and pitched well in High-A this year, but he is carrying a 6.75 ERA in 12.0 Double-A innings.
As it were a couple of weeks ago when the two faced off, there is the added allure of Giants first-round pick from 2021, Will Bednar. In his August 2nd appearance against Altoona, he gave up four earned runs across 1.2 IP.
Neither team is within reach of a playoff bid, both sitting double-digit games back.
Diego Velasquez | SS/2B | 17
Jack Choate | LHP | 21
Greensboro Grasshoppers: 63-49
Last Week: 1-4
Opponent: Asheville (Astros)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .738
OPS Rank: 2nd of 12
Team ERA: 5.26
ERA Rank: 12th of 12
Quick Overview:
The previous week didn’t go well for Greensboro, who dropped four of five (one game rained out) against a potential South Atlantic League championship game opponent. Things ease up this week, getting to face the team with the worst second-half record, Asheville Tourists.
Houston Astros’ farm system has fallen over the years (pot, meet kettle), and they also recently promoted young outfielder Luis Baez. Stepping in as the top-ranked prospect for the Astros in High-A is their 2024 first-round pick, Walker Janek. Through ten games, he’s currently batting .211 with a .592 OPS. Kenni Gomez is a 19-year-old Cuban who was signed in the international market in 2022. He has struck out quite a bit — 7 strikeouts in five games — but so far has a .874 OPS in his first taste of High-A.
Walker Janek | C | 2
Jackson Nezuh | RHP | 19
Kenni Gomez | OF | 20
Bradenton Marauders: 48-66
Last Week: 2-4
Opponent: Lakeland (Tigers)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .698
OPS Rank: 3rd of 10
Team ERA: 3.80
ERA Rank: 9th of 10
Quick Overview:
This would’ve been a marquee matchup, but the Detroit Tigers have promoted all their prospects with pizazz up the ladder. Max Clark has moved along to High-A, and Kevin McGonigle followed prior to going down with a (possible) season-ending hamate injury.
That would’ve left Josue Briceno as the top-ranked Tigers’ prospect in Low-A, but he is on the 60-day injured list. So that leaves Franyerber Montilla, who has a really cool first name and is a 2022 International signing. Similar to some of the Pirates’ young prospects, Montilla was originally mashing in the Florida Complex League, and got promoted to full-season ball as season’s end.
Jack Penney, a 2024 fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame, is the only Tigers prospect to have debuted so far.
Josue Briceno (60-Day IL) | C/1B | 10
Franyerber Montilla | INF | 15
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Looks to me like the scouting grades on Griffin’s speed and arm are for real.
Endy DHing now at Pirate City.