Top Prospect Watch

#1: Kyle Harrison

This Week (AAA): 0.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO

Season (AAA): 5.00 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, .229 Avg – 4 G, 4 GS, 9.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 13 BB, 12 SO

Kyle Harrison had his best start of the season so far in his fourth game, but the control remains an issue (as it is for pretty much anyone labeled as a pitcher in the entire system right now).  However, he is absolutely trending in the right direction, though it will take a while for his numbers to reflect it.

#2: Marco Luciano 

Did Not Play

Still no news on when we’ll see Marco Luciano back on a minor league field after his back injury that limited him last season.  Word is, however, he is playing in extended spring training.

#3: Casey Schmitt

This Week (AAA): .346/.346/.385 – 9-26, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0-0 SB-SBA

Season (AAA): .310/.326/.381 – 26-84, 6 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 BB, 20 SO, 0-0 SB-SBA

Casey is hitting the ball, he’s just not slugging it much, nor taking many walks at all.  It’s been an interesting line to start the year for him, but hopefully the power and walks will come soon.

#4: Grant McCray

This Week (High-A): .105/.320/.105 – 2-19, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 6 BB, 9 SO, 1-3 SB-SBA

Season (High-A): .140/.283/.220 – 7-50, 2 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 8 BB, 20 SO, 4-6 SB-SBA

Well, Grant made one big improvement this week: he began taking more walks, getting on base three times as much by free pass as he did hitting the ball.  But still, the low batting average and high strikeouts are a concern as the season moves on.

#5: Carson Whisenhunt

This Week (Low-A): 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO

Season (Low-A): 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, .282 Avg – 3 G, 3 GS, 9.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 13 SO

It was Whisenhunt’s worst start of the year this week, boosting his ERA and WHIP.  While his changeup remains pretty unhittable, this was the first week where batters made him look a bit wild, and his other pitches have been hittable.  We’ll have to see if the control was a brief lapse.

#6: Vaun Brown

Did Not Play

Like Luciano, there’s no news on when Vaun Brown will return from the knee injury, but he is reportedly playing in extended spring training.

#7: Luis Matos

This Week (AA): .350/.458/.500 – 7-20, 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 BB, 3 SO, 1-1 SB-SBA

Season (AA): .295/.404/.432 – 13-44, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 8 BB, 4 SO, 2-3 SB-SBA

It was a huge week for Matos, as he did well in all aspects, grabbing walks and doubles and even a steal this week.  As other top prospects have struggled in the early part of the season, Matos has had more ups than downs, which is highly encouraging.

#8: Aeverson Arteaga

This Week (High-A): .222/.333/.333 – 4-18, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO, 1-1 SB-SBA

Season (High-A): .191/.309/.340 – 9-47, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 BB, 17 SO, 1-2 SB-SBA

It was an incremental week for Arteaga, gently pushing his numbers up across the board, but not really having the greatest week overall.  Arteaga has been putting up both walks and strikeouts despite not getting results on batting average.

#9: Cole Waites

This Week (AAA): 15.43 ERA, 2.57 WHIP – 2.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 3 SO

Season (AAA): 10.29 ERA, 2.57 WHIP, .259 Avg – 8 G, 2 GS, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 6 SO

Waites’ numbers for the week got spike because he gave up four runs in one of the three games he pitched in this week, which was his second straight game where he gave up 3+ runs.  Two scoreless games after hopefully mean things are getting straightened out, but the lack of strikeouts is concerning.

#10: Mason Black

This Week (AA): 7.71 ERA, 2.57 WHIP – 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO

Season (AA): 5.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .267 Avg – 3 G, 3 GS, 10.1 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 14 SO

Another rough week for Mason Black, who got bit a little bit by his defense.  Black is struggling with giving up hits, but he’s striking out a lot of batters and not handing out walks, which is a plus.