Minor League Ball Morning Report: April 20th, 2018

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Minor League Ball Morning Report for Friday, April 20th, 2018. Let’s get started.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THURSDAY

****Yesterday I wrote a piece about Miami Marlins rookies Lewis Brinson and Brian Anderson, discussing Brinson’s early struggles in 2018 and noting that he had yet to produce an extra-base hit. Brinson responded by hitting two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers.

****Chicago White Sox prospect Blake Rutherford went 4-for-5 with four RBI for High-A Winson-Salem and is now hitting .404/.442/.553 in 47 at-bats over 11 games.

****Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect and 2016 first-round pick Mickey Moniak went 3-for-5 for High-A Clearwater. He hasn’t had a good year overall, hitting .200/.228/.236 in 55 at-bats over 13 contests.

****St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty continues mowing down Triple-A hitters, throwing seven innings for the Memphis Redbirds against Omaha with two hits, one walk, one run, and six strikeouts.

****Baltimore Orioles lefty pitching prospect Keegan Akin fired six innings for Double-A Bowie with four hits and one run allowed, zero walks, and seven strikeouts.

****Milwaukee Brewers prospect Corbin Burnes threw 6.1 shutout innings for Triple-A Colorado Springs, giving up three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts.

****More highlights can be found in yesterday’s Gameday discussion thread.

RECOMMENDED READING

****The mandatory Ben Badler link.

****Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longerhagen at Fangraphs did a top ten pick Mock Draft.