Morning Rundown: MiLB weekly preview - Affiliates gaining some momentum

Full week of baseball from MLB down to Low-A

Photo Credit: WTM

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Indianapolis Indians: 20-17

Last Week: 4-2

Opponent: Louisville (Reds)

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Quick Overview:

It’s not going to be too exciting of a week in Triple-A, outside of the Indianapolis Indians taking on Cincinnati Reds affiliate Louisville Reds. Young starter Rhett Lowder has begun his rehab stint, so there is a chance the second overall prospect of the Reds is promoted from High-A to make his third rehab appearance of the year. Other than that, the list of rostered top 30 prospects extends only to starter Connor Phillips with 20.2 career IP in majors, and reliever Zach Maxwell. Phillips pitched his way into a major league debut in 2023, but has yet to return.

The two clubs don’t face off again until July, which is when things could be interesting, given the Reds currently have three top 100 prospects in Double-A: 2024 second overall pick Chase Burns, 2022 first rounder Sal Stewart, and 2021 second rounder Edwin Arroyo.

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• Connor Phillips | RHP | 15

• Zach Maxwell | RHP | 23

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Altoona Curve: 16-17

Last Week: 2-4

Opponent: Harrisburg (Nationals)

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Quick Overview:

It was the Altoona Curve’s first week without their blossoming ace Hunter Barco, who was promoted to Indianapolis, but Garrett McMillan moved up from Greensboro and spun five scoreless innings himself. Unfortunately Altoona would go on to lose that game 7-0, dropping four of six total games this past week, and dropping a game below .500 on the season.

This week, the Curve will take on the Washington Nationals’ affiliate, the Harrisburg Senators. It’s not the most prospect eye-popping roster as in years past, but there is still some intrigue with names like Yohandy Morales, who was a second-round pick out of Miami in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He’s off to a blistering start, amassing an .877 OPS through 25 games this year.

Jarlin Susana is the top-ranked prospect, listed among the top 100 for various outlets. The right-hander was acquired in the Juan Soto deal with the San Diego Padres, but he’s currently out with a grade 1 UCL sprain.

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• Jarlin Susana (7-Day IL) | RHP | 2

  • Pipeline Top 100: #66

  • Baseball America Top 100: #56

  • ESPN Top 100: #50

  • Fangraphs Top 100: #21

• Cayden Wallace | 3B | 10

• Yohandy Morales | 1B/3B | 12

• Kevin Made | SS | 26

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Greensboro Grasshoppers: 23-10

Last Week: 4-2

Opponent: Rome (Braves)

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Quick Overview:

Over the years, the Atlanta Braves have become known for having a collection of high-end pitching prospects, but also those pitching prospects finding their way to the injured list. This week will be no different with the Greensboro Grasshoppers facing the Rome Emperors, with all six listed top 30 prospects being pitchers, and two of those six currently listed on the injured list.

The top-ranked prospect —5th-overall —would be 2022 first-round pick prep pitcher Owen Murphy, but he’s likely out for the year after having Tommy John surgery in 2024. Next up is JR Ritchie, who was a prep pitcher taking in the Competitive Balance round in the 2022 draft, had TJ surgery in 2023, but returned in 2024 to throw 49.2 IP and has so far thrown 41.2 IP with just a 1.30 ERA this year.

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• Owen Murphy (60-Day IL) | RHP | 5

• JR Ritchie | RHP | 6

• Garrett Baumann | RHP | 7

• Cade Kuehler (60-Day IL) | RHP | 18

• Herick Hernandez | LHP | 21

• Adam Maier | RHP | 26

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Bradenton Marauders: 14-18

Last Week: 3-2

Opponent: Dunedin (Blue Jays)

Quick Overview:

In terms of prospect opposition, this is likely the most interesting matchup this week. Bradenton Marauders, coming off a 3-2 week, will get to see two quality advanced college arms from the 2024 MLB Draft (provided neither gets promoted this week).

First up is the Toronto Blue Jays’ first-round pick, and second overall ranked prospect, Trey Yesavage. The East Carolina University product has given up only one earned run in his last 11 innings pitched, striking out 15 batters while walking none. 2024 second round selection—and a personal favorite of mine—Khal Stephen out of Mississippi State has also only allowed a single earned run in his last two appearances, covering 10.2 IP while striking out 13 batters and not walking anyone.

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• Trey Yesavage | RHP | 2

  • Pipeline Top 100: #71

  • Baseball America Top 100: #98

• Khal Stephen | RHP | 10

• Brandon Barriera (60-Day IL) | LHP | 14

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