Minor League Ball Morning Report: Friday, June 8th, 2018

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Minor League Ball Morning Report for Friday, June 8th, 2018. With the 2018 MLB draft in the rear-view mirror we are getting back to normal operations around these parts. Shaun Kernahan will continue to review each draft class and I will be providing my own thoughts in the coming days as well as my Shadow Draft. But there is plenty of regular prospect news to discuss so let’s get to it.

****Baltimore Orioles rookie David Hess threw six strong innings against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, allowing five hits and two walks, one run, while whiffing four. He now has a 3.07 ERA in five starts with a 16/8 K/BB in 29 innings.

****Tampa Bay Rays rookie Jake Bauers went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his major league debut against the Washington Nationals. Speaking of the Nats, Juan Soto went 2-for-4 and is now hitting .346/.443/.538 through 52 major league at-bats.

****Minnesota Twins prospect Brent Rooker went 4-for-5 for Double-A Chattanooga. He has hit quite well over the last few weeks after a slow start and has his overall slash line up to .271/.317/.475.

****St. Louis Cardinals prospect Paul Balestrieri, a 26th round pick in 2017 from Cornell, threw a nine-inning no-hitter for Low-A Peoria yesterday, striking out six. He didn’t walk anyone but a baserunner allowed on board due to an error kept him from getting a perfect game.

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