3 prospects you need to watch this week

We’re back with our weekly look at three prospects that are lighting the world on fire.

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays)

This seems obvious, but we are officially on MLB watch. Guerrero, Jr. is back from his stint on the disable list and is showing no ill effects. In fact, he may be playing his best baseball, which is a scary thought for pitching across the International League.

The 19-year-old right-handed hitting wunderkind is showing off his keen hitting tool to a new degree over his past five games. He’s 11 for his last 20, including blasting a home run in each of his last four games. He’s also struck out just once, and while the walks aren’t there, he clearly has an advanced plate discipline beyond his years.

Despite the brief injury hiatus, Guerrero, Jr. is making Acuña, Jr.’s rapid ascent of 2017 a distant memory. The Blue Jays need Donaldson to get healthy and on waivers, so they we can all see what Guerrero, Jr. can do at the next level.

Michael Kopech, Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)

This is what we needed to see from the 22-year-old right-handed flame thrower. We knew he could bring the heat, better than most everyone else in the minor leagues to be precise. But we needed to see he can throw pitches, and harness his command on a consistent basis.

Kopech’s last three starts have been exactly that. He’s gone seven innings in each outing, allowing just four earned runs on 17 hits. But while his high strikeout rate remains solid (26 over those 21 innings pitched), he’s walked just two.

If Vladdy, Jr. is on MLB watch, it’s time to believe the Kopech’s time is nearing as well.

Seth Beer, Buies Creek Astros (Houston Astros)

Beer was drafted in the first round this past June and quickly showed the the New York-Penn League and Midwest League were too easy for his advanced plate discipline and exciting power. By the end of July, he was promoted to the Carolina League of Advanced-A and he started slowly.

That’s quickly changed.

Beer is 6-for-15 over his last four games and finally found that elusive home run. Now that the 21-year-old left handed hitter is getting comfortable, he could go on a tear like he did in the Midwest League. He seems to have an advanced bat, and while he still needs to fine-tune his craft, he could very well be a fast riser, albeit, to a Houston Astros ball club very crowded in youthful talent.