MLB Prospect Summer Camp Roundup: July 16
Image credit: Nate Pearson (Photo by Bill Mitchell)
The start of the Major League Baseball season is a week away, which means summer camp is in full swing. That means there is plenty of time for prospects to compete in intrasquad and exhibition games. Each day during the week we will be providing a roundup from summer camp that includes highlights, debuts of 2020 draftees and more.
Arizona Diamondbacks
—Diamondbacks’ No. 1 prospect Daulton Varsho Thursday drilled a triple during the team’s intrasquad game. Varsho excelled at Double-A in 2019, hitting .301/.378/.520 with 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases, becoming the first catcher since 2006 to steal 20 or more bases at Double-A or Triple-A.
Atlanta Braves
—Braves’ No. 4 prospect Kyle Wright Thursday pitched three scoreless innings in the team’s intrasquad game. The righthander struggled in his major league debut in 2019, pitching to a 8.69 ERA in 19.2 innings.
—The Braves Thursday added outfielder Michael Harris, the team’s No. 13 prospect, to their 60-man player pool. Harris, a 2019 third-round pick, looked comfortable in his pro debut between two levels, hitting .277/.344/.393 with two home runs and eight stolen bases while showing off an impressive blend of tools.
Baltimore Orioles
—The Orioles Thursday added to the team’s 60-man player pool No. 3 prospect D.L. Hall, No. 6 prospect Yusniel Diaz and No. 28 prospect Ramon Urias. Hall, a lefthander, went in 2019 4-5, 3.46 with a career-high 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings but also walked six batters per nine. Diaz, an outfielder, struggled in 2019, hitting .265/.341/.464 in 85 games between three levels. Urias, a second baseman, was claimed off waivers by the Orioles in February.
Detroit Tigers
—Derek Hill, who is quickly becoming a human highlight reel, made a diving catch Wednesday in center field to prevent a base hit during the team’s intrasquad game. The Tigers’ No. 22 prospect has been one of the most exciting players to watch in summer camp.
We promise this is a new @derekhill27 highlight. pic.twitter.com/krd8BICWrg
— Detroit Tigers Player Development (@RoadtoDetroit) July 16, 2020
—The Tigers Thursday added righthanders Zack Hess and Alex Lange to the team’s 60-man player pool. Hess in 2019 pitched to a 2.60 ERA, graduating from Rookie-level and short-season ball to low Class A in his pro debut. Lange, the Tigers’ No. 29 prospect who was traded from the Cubs in the Nick Castellanos deal, in 2019 pitched to a 5.45 ERA in 102.1 innings between high Class A and Double-A.
Kansas City Royals
Royals’ No. 3 prospect Jackson Kowar Thursday took the mound during the team’s intrasquad game. The righthander made his Double-A debut in 2019, going 2-7, 3.51 with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers
—The Dodgers Thursday placed No. 4 prospect Keibert Ruiz on the 10-day injured list, according to MLB.com reporter Ken Gurnick. The catcher played in just 85 games in 2019 before a finger fracture ended his season.
—Righthander Josiah Gray Thursday pitched four innings in the team’s intrasquad game, giving up a run on two hits, walking one and striking out four. The Dodgers’ No. 6 prospect’s fastball sat 94-96 and he had solid command of his slider.
—Dodgers’ No. 28 prospect Ryan Pepiot struck out three batters in two scoreleess innings while allowing one hit, sitting 94-95 on his fastball and mixing in his changeup.
Miami Marlins
—Jazz Chisholm Thursday showed off his smooth swing while taking batting practice. The Marlins’ No. 5 prospect, who was acquired from the Diamondbacks in a 2019 trade deadline trade for righthander Zac Gallen, hit .220/.321/.441 with 21 home runs at Double-A last season, showing off his big tools but also proving inconsistent.
Minnesota Twins
—Twins’ No. 6 prospect Ryan Jeffers Wednesday hit a long home run to left-center field off righthander Tyler Clippard during the team’s intrasquad game. The catcher was one of just 22 players to hit double-digit home runs in the Florida State league in 2019 and finished the season with a promotion to Double-A.
New York Yankees
—The Yankees Thursday moved seven players to the team’s alternate training site, including righthanders Luis Gil (No. 4 prospect), Luis Medina (No. 7), Alexander Vizcaino (No. 9), Domingo Acevedo, Daniel Alvarez and Adonis Rosa and catcher Max McDowell.
Philadelphia Phillies
—Phillies’ No. 1 prospect Spencer Howard Thursday pitched three innings in the team’s intrasquad game. The righthander got all-star Rhys Hoskins to miss on a 12-to-6 curveball. Howard, who pitched to a 3-1, 2.03 mark during an injury-riddled 2019 season, could make his major league debut in 2020.
San Francisco Giants
—For the second night in a row, Joey Bart showed off his arm with a rifle to nail Will Wilson who was attempting to steal second base. The Giants’ No. 2 prospect Wednesday crushed a double to center field in addition to throwing out a runner.
Seattle Mariners
—Mariners’ No. 1 prospect Julio Rodriguez suffered a hairline fracture in his left wrist, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. The outfielder suffered the injury Wednesday during a drill.
—Mariners’ No. 8 prospect Justin Dunn Thursday struck out four batters during the team’s intrasquad game. The righthander retired shortstop JP Crawford, second baseman Tim Lopes and catcher Tom Murphy in his first inning of work and struck out catcher Cal Raleigh in the following frame.
Toronto Blue Jays
—Blue Jays’ top prospect Nate Pearson Thursday showed off his blazing fastball to induce a swinging strike in the team’s intrasquad game. The righthander can reach 102 mph on his heater, and it was voted the best pitch of any Top 100 prospect by Baseball America executive editor JJ Cooper and senior writer Ben Badler. Pearson in 2020 should make his major league debut.
Don't blink or you'll miss it ??
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 16, 2020
?? @big_nate5 ?? pic.twitter.com/sqwE3yxqN3
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