Here is your weekly primer for which of Minor League Baseball’s brightest prospects to watch this week.
Eloy Jiménez, Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)
Welcome back, Eloy. Jiménez, one of the premier power bats in the minor leagues, came off the disabled list on a mission. He’s recorded five multi-hit games since his July 15 return, including a two home run output on Friday and back-to-back three-hit nights heading into Sunday’s action.
Jimenez hasn’t missed a beat since his jump to Triple-A. Albeit a small sample size, there is no denying his bat will play at the next level. His unworldly power will be fun to watch wherever he hits.
Royce Lewis, Fort Meyers Miracle (Minnesota Twins)
Curious about how the Twins top pick from 2017 was going to perform in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League as a 19-year-old? The answer is well. Very, very well.
The Twins future shortstop had a four-hit performance in his second game in the FSL and has registered two other multi-hit games since. On Friday, he recorded five RBI. Perhaps most impressive about the five-RBI night? It was against Detroit Tigers top prospect Franklin Perez.
Still a teenager, there is a a little ways to go for Lewis, but a .852 OPS and the possibility of 20/20 potential makes him one to watch every at bat.
Peter Alonso, Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets)
Odd choice, right? Don’t see many prospects slashing .196/.323/.477 on a prospect watch list. Especially when said prospect destroyed the Eastern League and is struggling in the power-friendly confines of the Pacific Coast League.
Thing is, Alonso has a .800 OPS despite the struggles. The big-hitting righty has slugged two home runs in his last three games and has consecutive multi-RBI games. His strikeout rate is also unusually high, despite his walk rate (13.1 percent) continuing to be an asset. Something just says the breakout is coming.
Two pitching staffs that don’t allow a lot of home runs head to the desert this week in Nashville and Memphis. Memphis also has allowed the least hits in the PCL this year. That’s why this is a good week to watch Alonso. If he does break out of his “slump” it is well deserved.
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