Morning Rundown: MiLB Preview - Week Ending 7/28/24

Minor League affiliates look to get back on track after a tough weekend

Photo Credit: WTM

Indianapolis Indians: 40-52

Last week: 1-2

Opponent: Iowa (Cubs)

Opponent Stats:

• Team OPS: .768

• OPS Rank: 12th of 20

• Team ERA: 4.90

• ERA Rank: 8th of 20

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Quick Overview:

The post-All-Star break didn't start well for the organization, with the Indianapolis Indians collecting the sole victory during the weekend. They face the Iowa Cubs this week and two top-100 hitting prospects, Owen Caissie and Moises Ballestros.

There are two other notable names on the roster, but they are also on the injured list: Cade Horton and Brennan Davis.

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• Cade Horton (7-Day IL) | RHP | 1

  • MLB Top 100: #17

  • Baseball America Top 100: #31

  • ESPN Top 100: 30

  • Fangraphs Top 100: #14

• Owen Caissie | OF | 3

  • MLB Top 100: #34

  • Baseball America Top 100: #42

  • ESPN Top 100: #21

  • Fangraphs Top 100: #48

• Moises Ballestros | C/1B | 5

  • MLB Top 100: #60

  • Baseball America Top 100: #60

• Michael Arias | RHP | 9

• BJ Murray Jr. | 3B/1B | 11

• Luis Vazquez (7-Day IL) | SS | 13

• Brandon Birdsell | RHP | 20

• Brennen Davis (7-Day IL) | OF | 22

• Kohl Franklin | RHP | 24

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Altoona Curve: 39-51

Last week: 0-3

Opponent: Erie (Tigers)

Opponent Stats:

• Team OPS: .742

• OPS Rank: 3rd of 12

• Team ERA: 3.33

• ERA Rank: 3rd of 12

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Quick Overview:

This should be a fantastic week for pitching, as some of the best prospects in the minors will be playing in Erie this week. Finally healthy, Jackson Jobe will face the Altoona Curve for the first time this season.

It will be a good matchup for the Curve, whose currently three-game losing streak brings them under .500 during the second half. Erie is already in the playoffs after winning the first half based on win percentage.

Hao-Yu Lee has hit .314/.360/.577 over his last 30 games, hitting five home runs in the process. It’s a potent offense that has scored the third most runs in the Eastern League during the second half.

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• Jackson Jobe | RHP | 2

  • MLB Top 100: #11

  • Baseball America Top 100: #5

  • ESPN Top 100: #6

  • Fangraphs Top 100: #12

• Troy Melton | RHP | 9

• Hao-Yu Lee | 2B | 12

• Tyler Mattison (Full-Season IL) | RHP | 26

• Trei Cruz | OF/INF | 29

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Greensboro Grasshoppers: 55-34

Last Week: 0-3

Opponent: Asheville (Astros)

Opponent Stats:

• Team OPS: .754

• OPS Rank: 2nd of 12

• Team ERA: 5.48

• ERA Rank: 12th of 12

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Quick Overview:

The Grasshoppers were gutted another two key players due to promotions—Hunter Barco and Nick Cimillo. It was felt a little more over the weekend as Hickory swept them.

Greensboro still has a three-game lead in their division, although they’ve already booked a playoff spot after winning the first half. Asheville is perhaps the right team to try and get things going with, as they are in last place and have the worst pitching staff in terms of ERA.

Houston doesn’t have a lot of prospect depth, but they do have their second-ranked player on Pipeline in Asheville—Luis Baez. He’s hit nine home runs in his last 30 games but has also struck out 38 times. Cam Fisher is batting just .119 in his previous 30 but has also hit six home runs.

Trey Dombroski is their top healthy pitching prospect at the level, but has struggled this season with an ERA of over six.

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• Luis Baez | OF | 2

• Andrew Taylor (60-Day IL) | RHP | 15

• Trey Dombroski | LHP | 20

• Cam Fisher | OF | 22

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Bradenton Marauders: 38-52

Last Week: 0-3

Opponent: Lakeland (Tigers)

Opponent Stats:

• Team OPS: .707

• OPS Rank: 3rd of 10

• Team ERA: 3.82

• ERA Rank: 3rd of 10

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Quick Overview:

With what has been one of the more intriguing matchups throughout the season, the Bradenton Marauders take on a Lakeland Flying Tigers squad that no longer has the organizations top two draft picks from 2023—Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle—who were both promoted to High-A over the weekend.

Not having either really hurts the matchup, as both were top 100 prospects, but Lakeland still has a strong team. The pitching staff has allowed the fewest runs in the FSL West during the second half despite not having any top 30 prospects.

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• Josue Briceno (60-Day IL)| SS/OF | 16

• Eddys Leonard (Rehab Assignment) | SS/OF | 19

• Cristian Santana | INF | 25

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