National League – Top Hitter of the Day
- Tyler Stephenson, C – HiA Daytona Tortugas (CIN) – Florida State League
- 4-5, 2 HR (9,10), 2R, 5RBi
- If you take away the myriad of injuries Stephenson suffered in his first few seasons as a pro, it’s hard to imagine where the Reds first round draft choice from 2015 would be. Double-A? Triple -A? Either way, in 2018, he’s having the season Cincinnati hoped he would. He leads all Florida State League catchers in batting (.278), hits (78), RBi’s (47), total bases (125), OPS (.812) and trails only Atlanta’s Brett Cumberland in home runs (11). When you sift through the Reds catching depth sitting ahead of him, you can’t help but think that coupled with Stephenson’s “breakout” season if you will, that he has a clear path to the majors. He’s always hit, he’s polishing his defense and I believe it’s only a matter of time before the 6’4″ – 225 lb. righty hits Great American Ballpark; possibly by late 2019 or early 2020. If you’re in a league that allows minors and are thin at catcher, take Stephenson immediately. He’s a top 10 catching prospect in all the minors and sits at #8 in the current Reds top 30. The primary hope is that he can continue to stay healthy.
American League – Top Hitter of the Day
- Maxwell Morales, DH – AZL Rangers (TEX) – Arizona League
- 3-5, 2 HR (4,5), 4R, 5RBi
- I guess Morales read yesterday’s HOD post. I chose Great Falls Voyager (CWS) first baseman Corey Zangari as the A.L. THOD after a 2-homer, four RBI day vs. Orem despite heavily considering Morales and his own 2-homer day vs. Giants Orange. Well, I guess he wanted to show me. For the second consecutive day, the 6’0″- 190 lb. righty crushed two home runs, this time against the Indians 2 squad. Morales crushed a one-out, 3-run home run to left to open up a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. After grounding out in the 3rd, Morales singled, then scored in the 6th, then reached on a fielding error in the 7th and scored on an Obie Ricumstrict single to left. Morales finished his destruction with a one-out, 2-run homer to left in the top of the 9th.
National League:
- Jared James, LF – HiA Florida FireFrogs (ATL) – Florida State League
- 2-3, HR (5), 2R, 3RBi, 2BB
- CJ Alexander, 3B – Rookie Danville Braves (ATL) – Appy League
- 3-4, 2 3B, R, RBi, BB, K
- Christopher Torres, DH – SS Batavia Muckdogs (MIA) – New York-Penn League
- 3-4, HR (1), 2B , 3R, 3RBi, BB, K
- Sean Reynolds, 1B – SS Batavia Muckdogs (MIA) – New York-Penn League
- 1-4, HR (6), 3R, RBi, 2BB, 2K, SB (4)
- J.D. Osborne, C – SS Batavia Muckdogs (MIA) – New York-Penn League
- 3-4, HR (2), 2B, R, 4RBi, BB, K
- Edgardo Fermin, SS – LoA Columbia Fireflies (NYM) – Sally League
- 2-3, HR (7), 3R, RBi, BB, SB (6)
- Edgar Cabral, C – HiA Clearwater Threshers (PHI) – Florida State League
- 3-5, HR (4), R, 4RBi
- Jose Mercado, SS – GCL Phillies East (PHI) – Gulf Coast League
- 2-2, HR (2), 2R, 2RBi, 2BB
- Rafael Mejia, 1B/LF – AZL Cubs1 (CHC) – Arizona League
- 3-4, HR (2), R, 3RBi, SB (2)
- Yoyner Fajardo, DH – DSL Pirates1 (PIT) – Dominican Summer League
- 3-5, 2 2B, 3R, 3RBi, BB
- Emilson Rosado, 3B – DSL Pirates1 (PIT) – Dominican Summer League
- 4-5, 2 2B, 2R, RBi, BB
- Rayvi Rodriguez, RF – DSL Pirates1 (PIT) – Dominican Summer League
- 3-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBi, 2BB, SB (2)
- Elehuris Montero, 3B – LoA Peoria Chiefs (STL) – Midwest League
- 3-5, 2 HR (12,13), 2R, 4RBi, K
- Carlos Soler, CF – DSL Cardinals Blue (STL) – Dominican Summer League
- 2-3, 3B, 2B, 3R, 3RBi, BB
- Soler is another prime example why readers should follow our off-season work as well as the in-season product. Today is the second consecutive HOD appearance for the 6’2″- 160 lb. center fielder, but only his third HOD selection this year so far. However, Soler is one of the top per-game producers in all of the Dominican Summer League, which is something Jim and I zero in on when we put together our UTR Organizational All-Star series. Both Soler and fellow outfielder Jean Selmo are the top producing 18-year-olds in the DSL, while fellow outfielder Joerlin Nector De Los Santos is holding his own as a 17-year-old.
- Chris Roller, CF – Rookie Ogden Raptors (LAD) – Pioneer League
- 2-3, 2 HR (3,4), 3R, 2RBi, BB, K
- Jacob Heyward, RF – HiA San Jose Giants (SF) – Cal League
- 2-4, HR (8), R, 2RBi, BB, K, SB (9)
American League:
- Preston Palmeiro, 2B – HiA Frederick Keys (BAL) – Carolina League
- 2-3, HR (13), 2B, R, 3RBi
- Jarren Duran, CF – SS Lowell Spinners (BOS) – New York-Penn League
- 2-5, 3B, R, 3RBi, BB, K
- Jordan Groshans, SS – GCL Blue Jays (TOR) – Gulf Coast League
- 3-5, HR (3), 2B, 2R, RBi, K
- Tristan Gray, 2B – HiA Charlotte Stone Crabs (TB) – Florida State League
- 2-3, HR (8), 2R, 2RBi, BB
- Carl Chester, CF – LoA Bowling Green Hot Rods (TB) – Midwest League
- 3-4, HR (5), 2R, 2RBi, K
- Craig Dedelow, RF – LoA Kannapolis Intimidators (CWS) – Sally League
- 3-5, HR (7), R, 5RBi, 2K
- Kyle Isbel, CF – LoA Lexington Legends (KC) – Sally League
- 1-2, HR (1/4), 2R, RBi, 3BB
- Cristian Perez, SS – LoA Lexington Legends (KC) – Sally League
- 2-5, HR (2), R, 4RBi
- Manny Olloque, DH – LoA Lexington Legends (KC) – Sally League
- 2-4, HR (2/4), 3B, 2R, 2RBi, K
- Gilberto Celestino, CF – SS Tri-City Valley Cats (HOU) – New York-Penn League
- 3-4, HR (4), R, 2RBi, BB, SB (14)
- Miguel Mercedes, 3B – AZL Angels (LAA) – Arizona League/East
- 3-3, HR (1/2), 2B, 2R, 3RBi
- Sandber Pimentel, 1B – HiA Stockton Ports (OAK) – Cal League
- 2-3, 2 HR (12,13), 2R, 5RBi, BB
- Ryan Ramiz, LF – SS Everett AquaSox (SEA) – Northwest League
- 4-6, HR (1), 5R, 3RBi, SB (1)
- Ryne Ogren, SS – SS Everett AquaSox (SEA) – Northwest League
- 2-4, HR (1), 2R, 2RBi, BB, K
- Josh Stowers, DH – SS Everett AquaSox (SEA) – Northwest League
- 3-4, HR (5), 2B, 2R, 3RBi, BB, K
- Julio Pablo Martinez, CF – SS Spokane Indians (TEX) – Northwest League
- 2-5, HR (5), 2R, 3RBi, SB (7)
- Jonathan Ornelas, 3B – AZL Rangers (TEX) – Arizona League
- 3-5, HR (2), 2 2B, 2R, RBi, K
- Angel Aponte, LF – DSL Rangers2 (TEX) – Dominican Summer League
- 4-4, R, 2RBi, SB (18)
Under The Radar Minors 