Morning Rundown: MiLB Preview - Week Ending 9/01/24
Pivotal Triple-A matchup that comes with quantity and quality of prospect opposition
Indianapolis Indians: 59-63
Games back: 6.5
Last week: 2-4
Opponent: Louisville (Reds)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .702
OPS Rank: 20th of 20
Team ERA: 4.97
ERA Rank: 14th of 20
Quick Overview:
The Indianapolis Indians had an opportunity to get into the thick of the Triple-A playoff race, but unfortunately, they couldn’t capitalize. They kept it close with the Columbus Clippers but dropped four of six while being outscored 28 to 22.
The Indians have a chance to maybe go on another winning streak, getting to face the International League’s worst second-half team, the Louisville Bats. The Cincinnati Reds affiliate will have the only opposing top 100 prospect, as of now, in 2023 first-round pick Rhett Lowder. With second overall pick Dylan Crews set to make his MLB debut Monday evening, that will move the needle to seventh overall pick Lowder as the highest-drafted college player yet to debut; Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Wyatt Langford, and Jacob Wilson all playing in the majors. His Triple-A debut last Thursday went about as well as Reds’ fans could hope, tossing six shutout innings and striking out seven.
After Lowder, it’s mostly a collection of prospects that have dipped their toes in the big leagues and veteran roster fillers. Rece Hinds had a ten-game stint in early July, where he showcased his tape-measure power, hitting five home runs before being optioned back down. An interesting name is outfielder Joey Wiemer, who is now on the Bats after being part of a return at the deadline for Frankie Montas.
Rhett Lowder | RHP | 2
MLB Top 100: #35
Baseball America Top 100: #37
ESPN Top 100: #54
Fangraphs Top 100: #73
Rece Hinds | OF | 15
Connor Phillips | RHP | 16
Blake Dunn | OF | 18
Zach Maxwell | RHP | 23
Lyon Richardson (7-Day IL) | RHP | 27
Altoona Curve: 49-71
Games back: 13.0
Last week: 2-4
Opponent: New Hampshire (Blue Jays)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .681
OPS Rank: 6th of 12
Team ERA: 4.41
ERA Rank: 9th of 12
Quick Overview:
Were you a big Charles McAdoo fan? Doo you miss him? Well, not only will the Altoona Curve welcome the new addition of Termarr Johnson to their roster, but good buddy traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be coming to town. The 8th overall prospect of the Blue Jays, and top-ranked for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, had a tough beginning to his Toronto career but has gotten back up to a .801 OPS with the Cats after a power spree. He began 0-for-20, but 15 of 46 since (including the completion of a postponed New Hampshire June 30th game) with three home runs, four doubles, a triple, and nine RBI.
In addition to McAdoo, the Double-A affiliate had its roster bolstered by deadline acquisitions. Eddinson Paulino, acquired as part of a return for Danny Jansen, is currently on the injured list and has yet to debut for the Toronto affiliate. Yohendrick Pinango and Josh Rivera were acquired for Nate Pearson, and RJ Schreck for Justin Turner.
Charles McAdoo | 3B/OF | 8
Eddinson Paulino (7-Day IL) | INF | 18
Dahian Santos | RHP | 21
Yohendrick Pinango | OF | 22
Dasan Brown | OF | 24
RJ Schreck | OF | 28
Josh Rivera | SS | 29
Greensboro Grasshoppers: 67-51
Clinched first-half playoff bid
Last Week: 4-2
Opponent: Rome (Braves)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .653
OPS Rank: 9th of 12
Team ERA: 3.49
ERA Rank: 2nd of 12
Quick Overview:
The Greensboro Grasshoppers are taking on a Rome Emperors squad that has been (for lack of a better term) decimated by injuries and promotions. Their top two prospects per Pipeline top 30 are both out for the year after having Tommy John surgery. The following two ranked pitchers are both returning from UCL injuries, with Blake Burkhalter having undergone TJS, while Adam Maier opted for an internal brace surgery.
With only two full series to go, the biggest storyline for the Grasshoppers this week will be losing Termarr Johnson to promotion while having welcomed in a new set of arms. Just within the last month, Magdiel Cotto, Carlson Reed, Garrett McMillan, Landon Tomkins, and Mike Walsh were all moved up from Bradenton. In terms of offense, Omar Alfonzo is the most notable name to slide up to backfill from the biggest Greensboro offensive contributors being added to Altoona. Javier Rivas will find his way to the Hoppers roster this week and will be a welcome addition on the defensive side of things, and hopefully may add some thump with the progress he’s seen in Low-A this year.
Owen Murphy (Full Season IL) | RHP | 6
Cade Kuehler (Full Season IL) | RHP | 10
Adam Maier | RHP | 17
Blake Burkhalter | RHP | 19
Bradenton Marauders: 51-69
Games Back: 12.0
Last Week: 3-3
Opponent: Tampa (Yankees)
Opponent Stats:
Team OPS: .696
OPS Rank: 4th of 10
Team ERA: 4.86
ERA Rank: 10th of 10
Quick Overview:
In similar fashion to the Altoona Curve, the Bradenton Marauders TECHNICALLY aren’t eliminated yet, but twelve games back and twelve games to go are essentially eliminated from playoff contention.
The biggest name on the Tampa Tarpons is fourth overall prospect Roderick Arias. Arias found himself on the backend of a few top 100 lists but has seen his stock drop with a tough first full season. That said, he has been much better lately, slashing .333/.438/.641 across his last ten games.
Seven 2024 draft picks — all hitters — of the New York Yankees have debuted so far, with one (Brendan Jones) already promoted to High-A. The Pirates have had seven debuts, with five hitters and two pitchers. The Yankees dipped into the college arm pool with a lot of their picks, so it would be fun if they got to debut this week: Ben Hess (Alabama), Bryce Cunningham (Vanderbilt), Greysen Carter (Vanderbilt), Thatcher Hurd (LSU), Griffin Herring (LSU), and Gage Ziehl (Miami).
Roderick Arias | SS/2B | 4
Henry Lalane (7-day IL) | LHP | 11
Carlos Lagrange | RHP | 20
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AM is doing MiLB coverage for DK Sports…….good for Anthony.
A+ GBO prepping for the playoffs, FCL Pirates finished second in their Playoffs, and A, AA, and AAA just playing it out. Not a real good year for the Pirate Developmental System, with AA and AAA a combined 26 games under .500. AAA has had a lot of talent all year and should have made the playoffs easily. AA has never really looked good positionally (if that's a word).