*While the California, Carolina, Midwest and South Atlantic Leagues all had the day off yesterday in preparation for their annual All-Star games later tonight, the Gulf Coast League (GCL) and Arizona League (AZL) got things started Monday; and boy, did a handful of prospects in the GCL come out swinging. There were 12 home runs hit in the GCL yesterday. Seven of them came from three players. One of them you’ll see directly below. If this is what we have to look forward to this season, we are in for a treat* 

National League – Top Hitter of the Day: 

• Andres Melendez, C – DSL Brewers (MIL) – Dominican Summer League
  • 4-5, 2 3B, 2B, 4R, 2RBi, BB
  • Signed out of Venezuela in 2017 for $325K, the 17-year-old fell a home run shy of hitting for the cycle in his fourth game as a pro, as the DSL Brewers totally baked the DSL Cardinals Red squad by an 18-7 score. The Brewers were initially impressed with Melendez’ defensive profile: plus catch-and-throw, strong arm, and behind-the-plate athleticism, but Milwaukee also loved the potential in his bat, and he’s shown that side of his game early and often this season ranking second in the DSL in batting (.538), despite registering only four games so far. This is a promising sign from a catcher in a system that could use a big boost at the position. 

American League – Top Hitter of the Day: 

• Brock Deatherage, RF – GCL Tigers West (DET) – Gulf Coast League
  • 3-5, 3 HR (1,2,3), 4R, 3RBi
  • The 2018 – 10th rounder came out swinging in his pro debut. The former North Carolina State Wolfpack centerfielder blasted his first, second and third home runs of the season (all solo shots) in his very first game as a pro, as the GCL Tigers West defeated the GCL Yankees East by a score of 9-3. Not bad for a prospect who came out of college with a scouting report that favors more of the defensive side (plus speed, above average range and arm) than the bat. The Pirates took a chance on Deartherage in the 2017 draft, taking him in the 29th round, but the 6’1″ – 175 lb. lefty chose to stay at N.C. State for his senior season, where he batted .307 with 14 home runs, 41 RBi’s and 18 stolen bases, which greatly improved his draft stock. 

National League: 

• Brett Cumberland, C – HiA Florida FireFrogs (ATL) – Florida State League
  • 2-5, HR (7), 2R, 2RBi, 2K 
• Braxton Davidson, 1B – HiA Florida FireFrogs (ATL) – Florida State League
  • 2-5, HR (10, 2B, R, 4RBi, K 
• Ricardo Cespedes, CF – SS Batavia Muckdogs (MIA) – New York-Penn League
  • 2-4, 3B, 2R, RBi, SB (2) 
• Dale Burdick, SS – HiA St. Lucie Mets (NYM) – Florida State League
  • 3-4, 3B, 2 2B, R, 2RBi
• Jose Miguel Medina, RF – SS Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM) – New York-Penn League
  • 4-5, 3B, R, 2RBi
• Jan Cabrera, CF – DSL Mets2 (NYM) – Dominican Summer League
  • 1-2, HR (2), 2R, 2RBi, 2BB, K 
• Kevin Torres, C – DSL Mets2 (NYM) – Dominican Summer League
  • 2-3, HR (1), R, 3RBi, BB
• Luke Williams, 3B – HiA Clearwater Threshers (PHI) – Florida State League
  • 2-4, HR (4), R, 2RBi, K 
• Julio Francisco, CF – GCL Phillies East (PHI) – Gulf Coast League
  • 3-4, 2B, R, 2RBi, BB, K 
• Carlos De La Cruz, RF – GCL Phillies East (PHI) – Gulf Coast League
  • 2-3, 2B, 2R, 2RBi, BB
• Johan Rojas, CF – DSL Phillies Red (PHI) – Dominican Summer League
  • 3-4, HR (1), 2B, 2R, 3RBi, K 
• Caldioli Sanfler, CF – GCL Nationals (WAS) – Gulf Coast League
  • 3-4, 3B, 2R, K, SB (1) 
• Braian Fernandez, CF – DSL Nationals (WAS) – Dominican Summer League
  • 4-4, 2 3B, 2B, 3R, 3RBi, BB
• Rochest Cruz, 3B – DSL Cubs1 (CHC) – Dominican Summer League
  • 1-2, 2R, 3BB, 4 SB (12,13,14,15) 
• Miller Chacon, C – DSL Cubs2 (CHC) – Dominican Summer League
  • 2-4, 3B, R, 3RBi, 2BB, K
• Darlin Guzman, LF – DSL Reds (CIN) – Dominican Summer League
  • 3-4, HR (1), 2R, 3RBi
• Edwin Sano, 2B – AZL Brewers (MIL) – Arizona League/Central
  • 2-3, 3B, 2B, R, 2RBi
• Luis Silva, 3B – DSL Brewers (MIL) – Dominican Summer League
  • 4-6, 2B, 2R, 5RBi
• Jared Oliva, CF – HiA Bradenton Marauders (PIT) – Florida State League
  • 2-5, HR (8), 2R, RBi, K 
• Joe Gillette, 3B – AZL D-backs (ARI) – Arizona League/East
  • 2-3, 2B, R, 4RBi, 2BB, K 
• Alvaro Rubi, 1B – Rookie Ogden Raptors (LAD) – Pioneer League
  • 2-5, 2 2B, R, 3RBi, BB
• Andy Pages, RF – DSL Dodgers Guerrero (LAD) – Dominican Summer League
  • 2-4, HR (5), 3R, 3RBi, SB (3) 
• Will Golsan, RF – Rookie Grand Junction Rockies (COL) – Pioneer League
  • 2-4, HR (1), 2R, 2RBi, 2BB, K 
• Cristopher Navarro, SS – Rookie Grand Junction Rockies (COL) – Pioneer League
  • 2-5, HR (1), R, 2RBi
• Reese Berberet, 3B – Rookie Grand Junction Rockies (COL) – Pioneer League
  • 3-4, HR (2), 3R, RBi, BB, K 
• Zach Hall, LF – Rookie Grand Junction Rockies (COL) – Pioneer League
  • 3-4, 2 HR (1,2), 2R, 4RBi
• Coco Montes, 2B – Rookie Grand Junction Rockies (COL) – Pioneer League
  • 2-3, HR (1), R, 2RBi, BB, K 
• Dwanya Williams-Sutton, RF – SS Tri-City Dust Devils (SD) – Northwest League
  • 2-4, 2B, R, 3RBi, BB
• Michael Curry, DH – SS Tri-City Dust Devils (SD) – Northwest League
  • 2-5, HR (1), R, 2RBi

American League: 

• Tyler Esplin, RF – SS Lowell Spinners (BOS) – New York-Penn League
  • 1-3, HR (1), 2R, 2RBi, BB, K 
• Juan Hernandez, CF – GCL Red Sox (BOS) – Gulf Coast League
  • 2-4, HR (1), 2R, 3RBi, 2K 
• Chad Hardy, RF – GCL Red Sox (BOS) – Gulf Coast League
  • 3-5, 2 HR (1,2), 2R, 3RBi
• Nelfy Abreu, CF – DSL Red Sox2 (BOS) – Dominican Summer League
  • 2-4, 3B, 2B, R, 6RBi, K 
• Joshua Palacios, CF – HiA Dunedin Blue Jays (TOR) – Florida State League
  • In a combined two games, one of which was regularly scheduled on April 15, but finished yesterday and then yesterday’s regularly scheduled game, the 2016 – 4th rounder out of Auburn posted *a day* for the ages. 
  • April 15:  5-6, HR, 2B, 2R, 5RBi, SB 
  • June 18:  2-3, HR, R, 3RBi
  • Combined:  7-9, 2 HR (4), 2B, 3R, 8RBi, SB (11) 
• Jordan Groshans, SS – GCL Blue Jays (TOR) – Gulf Coast League
  • 2-5, HR (1), 2R, 4RBi, K
• Gabriel Moreno, C – GCL Blue Jays (TOR) – Gulf Coast League
  • 4-5, 2 HR (1,2), 4R, 4RBi, SB (1) 
• Camilo Quinteiro, 2B – AZL White Sox (CWS) – Arizona League
  • 2-2, 3R, 2RBi, 3BB, K, SB (1) 
• Elvis Perez, 3B – SS Mahoning Valley Scrappers (CLE) – New York-Penn League
  • 2-2, HR (1), R, RBi, 2BB
• Richard Palacios, 2B – AZL Indians1 (CLE) – Arizona League/Central
  • 1-1, HR (1), R, 2RBi, 2BB
  • Richard is the younger brother of the aforementioned Joshua Palacios. 
• Rudy Martin, DH – Rookie Idaho Falls Chukars (KC) – Pioneer League
  • 1-3, 3B, 2R, 2RBi, 2BB, 2K
• Manny Olloque, 3B – Rookie Idaho Falls Chukars (KC) – Pioneer League
  • 2-3, 2 HR (1,2), 3R, 7RBi, BB, K 
• Tyler James, LF – Rookie Idaho Falls Chukars (KC) – Pioneer League
  • 1-3, 2B, R, 3RBi, 2BB, K 
• Yeltsin Encarnacion, SS – GCL Twins (MIN) – Gulf Coast League
  • 3-4, 3B, 2B, 3R, RBi
• Mitch Spires, 3B – Rookie Orem Owls (LAA) – Pioneer League
  • 3-5, HR (1), R, RBi, K 
• Tim Millard, 1B – Rookie Orem Owls (LAA) – Pioneer League
  • 2-4, HR (1), 2B, 2R, 3RBi, K 
• Jake Anchia, C – SS Everett AquaSox (SEA) – Northwest League
  • 1-2, HR (1), 2R, 2RBi
• Ismerling Mota, C – AZL Mariners (SEA) – Arizona League/West
  • 3-3, HR (1), R, 2RBi, BB
• Miguel Aparicio, CF – SS Spokane Indians (TEX) – Northwest League
  • 3-4, HR (1), R, RBi

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