*Top Hitter of the Day*

• Matt Vierling, DH – Clearwater Threshers – Philadelphia Phillies –
  • – 3-5, 2 2B, 2R, RBi, 2K, 2 SB (9,10) – 
    • – With most of the focus zeroed in on Phillies third baseman and number one draft choice (2018) Alec Bohm (who began the season with LoA Lakewood, then receiving a much deserved promotion to Clearwater), it’s taken the pressure off several other sluggers like fellow 2018 draftee Vierling, who came to the organization from Notre Dame (fifth round). As a two-way star for the Golden Domers, Vierling logged a combined 4-4 record, an 8.89 ERA and 2.09 WHIP in his three seasons on the mound, so it’s a good thing he could hit, and hit very well. The 6’3″- 205 lb. righty posted a three-year slash line of .315/.363/.497/.860 with 19 homers, 85 RBi and 30 stolen bases, and hasn’t skipped a beat upon being drafted. In his first season as a pro across two levels (short season Williamsport and LoA Lakewood, Vierling registered a near mirror image of his collegiate slash line (.321/.365/.496/.860), and so far this season, he’s more than holding his own against FSL pitching, batting .305 with four homers, 18 RBi and 16 runs scored. He ranks third in total bases (59) and second in stolen bases (10) behind Tampa Bay #7 ranked prospect, second baseman Vidal Brujan. Keep a very close eye on him. Very under the radar, and the currently unranked (Pipeline) and 29th ranked (Baseball America PHB) is the perfect “Watch List” addition in any league that houses deep minor leaguers. 

California League: 

• Jose Caballero, 3B – Visalia Rawhide – Arizona Diamondbacks –
  • – 1-5, R, K, SB (19) – 
    • – Caballero, a round seven selection in the 2017 draft out of Chipola Junior College (FL), pulled into a tie for the overall minor league lead in stolen bases with fellow Cal League mate and Rancho Cucamonga center fielder Brayan Morales with 19. 
• Jeter Downs, SS – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – Los Angeles Dodgers –
  • – 3-4, 3B, 2R – 
• Tirso Ornelas, RF – Lake Elsinore Storm – San Diego Padres –
  • – 3-5, R, 2RBi, K – 
• Nick Allen, 2B – Stockton Ports – Oakland A’s –
  • – 2-4, 3B, 2B, R – 
    • – Allen’s lead off triple in the fourth inning and Cal League leading thirteenth double in the sixth last night helped vault him into a tie for the league lead in total bases (64) with Modesto center fielder Luis Liberato. Allen’s effort wasn’t nearly enough, in fact, the 2017 – 3rd rounder’s two hits were the only hits Inland Empire pitching surrendered in a 7-2 victory over the (now 14-21) Ports. 
• Leonardo Rivas, SS – Inland Empire 66ers – Los Angeles Angels –
  • – 1-5, 2B, 2RBi, K – 
    • – Despite his .235 batting average, the 5’10”- 150 lb. Venezuela native has reached base in 30 of his 32 games this season. 
• Joe Rizzo, 3B – Modesto Nuts – Seattle Mariners –
  • – 3-5, HR (2), R, RBi – 
    • – With three more hits last night vs. Modesto, highlighted by his second homer of the season, the Mariners 2016 – 2nd round draft choice out of Oakton HS (VA) maintained his grip on the Cal League batting lead with a .346 average. It’s been a steady climb for Rizzo over the last three weeks, as he possessed a .244 average as early ago as April 18, but since then he’s collected 31 hits in 82 at-bats (.378).  
• Luis Liberato, CF – Modesto Nuts – Seattle Mariners –
  • – 4-4, 2 2B, R – 

Carolina League: 

• Jarren Duran, CF – Salem Red Sox – Boston Red Sox –
  • – 2-4, K – 
• Cole Freeman, 2B – Potomac Nationals – Washington Nationals –
  • – 2-3, 3R, 2BB, SB (10) – 
• KJ Harrison, DH – Potomac Nationals – Washington Nationals –
  • – 3-5, R, 3RBi – 
• Yonny Hernandez, 2B – Down East Wood Ducks – Texas Rangers –
  • – 3-4, 2R, 2RBi, BB, 2 SB (9,10) –
    • – The Rangers unranked prospect has nine hits in his last five games (9-for-19; .474), carries a 24:20 walk-to-strikeout ratio and leads the Carolina League in on-base percentage (.481), ahead of the aforementioned Jarren Duran (.450) and Cleveland top third base prospect Nolan Jones (.448). 

Florida State League: 

• Calvin Mitchell, RF – Bradenton Marauders – Pittsburgh Pirates –
  • – 2-3, 2B, R, 2RBi – 
• Riley Unroe, SS – Florida Fire Frogs – Atlanta Braves –
  • – 2-5, HR (3), R, 4RBi, K – 
• Lazaro Alonso, DH – Jupiter Hammerheads – Miami Marlins –
  • – 3-5, 2B, 2RBi, K – 
• Jonathan India, 3B – Daytona Tortugas – Cincinnati Reds –
  • – 2-4, HR (5), R, 2RBi, K – 

Midwest League: 

• Jordyn Adams, CF – Burlington Bees – Los Angeles Angels –
  • – 2-5, HR (2), 2B, 3R, RBi, K – 
• D.C. Arendas, DH – Burlington Bees – Los Angeles Angels –
  • – 3-5, HR (4), 3B, R, 3RBi, 2K –
• Blaze Alexander, SS – Kane County Cougars – Arizona Diamondbacks –
  • – 2-4, HR (2), R, 3RBi, K – 
• Nolan Gorman, 3B – Peoria Chiefs – St. Louis Cardinals –
  • – 1-3, HR (8), R, 2RBi, BB – 
    • Peoria’s third baseman and two-hole hitter blasted his eighth homer on the season, a two-run shot in the fourth inning and first since May 1, but it was all the Chief offense could muster, falling to South Bend by a score of 5-2.

South Atlantic League: 

• Justin Dean, CF – Rome Braves – Atlanta Braves – 
  • – 2-3, 3B, 4R, 2BB, SB (12) – 
• Curtis Terry, 1B – Hickory Crawdads – Texas Rangers –
  • – 3-3, HR (7), 2R, 2RBi, BB – 
• Rodolfo Castro, SS – Greensboro Grasshoppers – Pittsburgh Pirates –
  • – 1-5, HR (11), R, 2RBi, 2K – 
• Adam Hall, 2B – Delmarva Shorebirds – Baltimore Orioles –
  • – 2-5, HR (2), 2R, RBi, K –