April 5, 2019 – Under the Radar Hitters of the Day

Top Hitter of the Day

Luis Liberato, LF – Modesto Nuts – Seattle Mariners
- 3-5, HR (2), 2R, 2RBi, BB, K, SB (1)
- In our quest to find the top cumulative hitters of the 2019 season, Liberato is making his case rather well so far in the opening two games of the season. After rapping out two hits including his first homer of the season on opening day, the 6’1″- 175 lb. Dominican continued pounding Lancaster pitching (Colorado) with three more hits, one which was his second home run of the season (a 3rd inning solo shot). Liberato is 23 years old and unranked in the Mariners system, but regardless, it’s always fun to watch someone burst out of the gate this way.

California League:

Carolina League:

Steven Kwan, CF – Lynchburg Hillcats – Cleveland Indians
- 3-5, 2B, 3R, K, SB (2)
- The 2018 – 5th rounder out of Oregon State belted out three more hits last night and now sits on a .636 batting average after two games (7-11) despite only one extra base hit on the season (an 8th inning double last night). The unranked 21-year-old prospect could be in intriguing follow. He came to the Indians as a great athlete with plus-plus speed, a good arm and has drawn comparisons to former MLB veteran and current L.A. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Leody Taveras, CF – Down East Wood Ducks – Texas Rangers
- 2-4, RBi, K
Bubba Thompson, CF – Down East Wood Ducks – Texas Rangers
- 1-4, 2B, R

Florida State League:

Riley Adams, C – Dunedin Blue Jays – Toronto Blue Jays
- 3-4, 2B, 2RBi, BB, K
- After going 1-4 with his first home run on the season on Opening Day, the 2017 – 3rd rounder out of San Diego added another three hits to his 2019 resume. He belted a two-run double in the 6th last night off eventual losing pitching Luis Carrasco and has the early-season Florida State League lead in total bases (8).
Carl Chester, LF – Charlotte Stone Crabs – Tampa Bay Rays
- 1-3, HR (1), R, RBi, BB
Chavez Young, RF – Dunedin Blue Jays – Toronto Blue Jays
- 3-5, 3B, 2R, RBi, 2K
- The Blue Jays current #22 prospect (MLB Pipeline) has the chance to rocket up prospect boards this season. He’s already collected five hits (5-10; .500) on the season and has very little in front of him on Toronto’s organizational OF depth chart. The former 39th round draft pick is a true UTR prospect.

Midwest League:

David Fry, C – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers – Milwaukee Brewers
- 2-3, HR (1), 2B, R, 2RBi, 2BB, K
Nolan Gorman, 3B – Peoria Chiefs – St. Louis Cardinals
- 4-4, 2 2B, 3B, R, 2RBi
- Say all you want about the potential frightening strikeout totals the Cardinals 2018 – first-rounder might rack up, but if he can put on a show like he did last night versus Cedar Rapids, I’ll take the bad with the good eight days a week. The former O’Conner HS (Phoenix) star went 4-4 last night and fell a homer shy of hitting for the cycle. He opened his night with a one-out double in the top of the first. His next at-bat, he clubbed a triple to deep center field, scoring shortstop Delvin Perez. In the top of the 6th, Gorman rapped out a double to right field that scored leadoff hitter and center fielder Brandon Riley; and the 6’1″- 210 lb. lefty ended his night with a single to center in the top of the 8th inning.
Trey Cabbage, OF – Cedar Rapids Kernels – Minnesota Twins
- 3-5, HR (1), 2B, 2R, 3RBi, 2K
Jay Schuyler, C – Dayton Dragons – Cincinnati Reds
- 2-4, HR (1), 2R, 3RBi, K

South Atlantic League:

Chris Seise, SS – Hickory Crawdads – Texas Rangers
- 3-3, 2B, 2R, BB, 3 SB (3)
- The Rangers #12 prospect and Hickory’s two-hole hitter led the way versus the 0-2 Lakewood Blue Claws with his second three-hit performance last night. He opened the season with two doubles and a triple, and added another double and his first three stolen bases on the season. Seise brings a good overall game to the diamond with raw power, plus speed, a good arm and above average defensive tools.
Curtis Terry, 1B – Hickory Crawdads – Texas Rangers
- 2-4, HR (1), 2B, R, 6RBi, BB, 2K