MLB Prospect Summer Camp Roundup: Wednesday, July 8

Image credit: Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez (Photo by Ron Veseley/Getty)

The start of the Major League Baseball season is just over two weeks 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.

Baltimore Orioles

—The Orioles added No. 5 prospect Ryan Mountcastle to their 60-man player pool Wednesday. The 2019 International League MVP is expected to work out with the big league club until the secondary camp opens, according to Baseball America correspondent Roch Kubatko.

Chicago White Sox

—White Sox No. 1 prospect Luis Robert destroyed the last two pitches he saw Wednesday for home runs. Robert is one of the frontrunners for AL Rookie of the Year honors this season and should help the White Sox compete for their first playoff bid since 2008.

 

These last two swings by Luis Robert both went around 10 rows deep into the right centerfield seats. pic.twitter.com/5dMvv3xIO1

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) July 8, 2020

 

—White Sox No. 2 prospect Andrew Vaughn suited up at third base Wednesday at summer camp, after only manning first base during his first professional season. The White Sox currently have all-star Jose Abreu entrenched at first for the foreseeable future.

Detroit Tigers

—No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson made his debut as a Tiger Wednesday in a pinch-hit at bat, grounding out to the shortstop.

—Torkelson was outshined for one day, however, by an outstanding diving catch from center fielder Derek Hill. Hill, the Tigers No. 22 prospect, made an over-the-head diving catch, then barehanded the ball as it popped out of his glove on the ground.

 

Houston Astros

—Righthander Forrest Whitley made just 15 starts during the 2019 season before being shut down due to shoulder fatigue in September, although he made six starts in the Arizona Fall League. Spring training was supposed to be the start of Whitley’s coming out party, but the coronavirus pandemic shuttered the season March 12. Since that time he’s dropped 30 pounds, according to MiLB reporter Sam Dykstra, and feels good at his current weight of 203 pounds. The Astros No. 1 prospect threw an impressive bullpen session at summer camp Wednesday, including a swing and miss against outfielder Kyle Tucker. 

 

—Brandon Bielak, the Astros No. 15 prospect, faced shortstop Carlos Correa, second baseman Jose Altuve and first baseman Yuli Gurriel Wednesday and induced swings and misses from all three batters.  

Los Angeles Dodgers

—Power-hitting Dodgers third baseman/first baseman Edwin Rios crushed a home run to right field Wednesday after hitting 35 home runs between Triple-A and the major league level last season. With a logjam at the corner infield positions, it will be tough for the Dodgers No. 13 prospect to get consistent at bats in 2020.

 

Philadelphia Phillies

—Third baseman Alec Bohm, the Phillies No. 2 prospect, wasted no time in hitting a double to left field during the team’s intrasquad game. Bohm was named the Phillies’ 2019 Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .305/.378/.518 across three levels with 21 home runs and 80 runs batted in.

 

San Francisco Giants

—Giants No. 1 prospect Marco Luciano got some swings in Wednesday, including crushing a home run to left field. The shortstop is one of the top teenagers in summer camp and one of the top prospects in the game. 

 

 

—Outfielder Alexander Canario and third baseman Luis Toribio were added to the Giants’ 60-man player pool Wednesday. The two prospects rank No. 5 and 6, respectively, among the Giants’ Top 30 prospects. With their inclusion to the player pool, the Giants now have five of their top six prospects on the roster.

Seattle Mariners

—Kyle Lewis, the Mariners No. 10 prospect, clobbered the first pitch he saw Wednesday to center field for a no-doubt home run. The 24-year-old outfielder showed promise in his big league debut in 2019, hitting six home runs in just 18 games during a brief September call up.

 

St. Louis Cardinals

—Just weeks after joining professional baseball, the Cardinals first- and second-round picks third baseman Jordan Walker and righthander/shortstop Masyn Winn were among 12 players invited to the Cardinals camp, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. 

—Lefthander Matt Liberatore (Cardinals No. 2 prospect), third baseman Nolan Gorman (No. 3), catcher Julio Rodriguez (No. 16), righthander Angel Rondon (No. 17), third baseman Malcom Nunez (No. 18), outfielder Trejyn Fletcher (No. 23) and righthander Alvaro Seijas (No. 26) were also added.

Texas Rangers

—The Rangers No. 17 prospect Jonathan Hernandez pitched well in relief during his simulated inning Wednesday. He recorded two strikeouts, including a strikeout of second baseman Rougned Odor to end the inning. The 24-year-old righthander will likely be used out of relief for the big league club, as was mostly the case in 2019, where his fastball has touched 99 mph.