As we approach the height of trade deadline season, let’s take a look around the league at how some of the top prospects performed, in what could be their last few games with their respective organizations.
2B Justin Foscue (Rangers No. 5) – Foscue has been tearing the cover off the ball for the High-A Hickory Crawdads. A three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning Sunday afternoon marked his eighth straight game with a home run. The 2020 first round draft pick struggled to begin the year before sustaining a left rib contusion. Since returning, Foscue has been nothing but productive at the plate. In nine games since his return, Foscue has batted .472 with eight home runs, 17 RBIs and an outstanding 1.794 OPS. His homer streak also puts him in elite company, joining the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Don Mattingly and Dale Long.
1B Nick Pratto (Royals No. 5) – Pratto has only been with Triple-A Omaha for little under a week, but he’s continued to show the Royals brass that he can rake at a high level. The 14th overall pick in the 2017 draft, Pratto struggled to produce consistently early in his professional career, but 2021 has proven to be a renaissance year for him. Pratto batted .271 with 15 home runs and 43 RBIs with Double-A Northwest Arkansas to start the year, earning him a promotion to Omaha. Pratto’s hot hand hasn’t stopped there, as he’s reached safely in all six games he’s played with the Storm Chasers. Pratto capped off his impressive first week by going 2-for-4 with a double and a grand slam that proved to be the deciding factor in a 9-6 Storm Chasers win.
LHP Reid Detmers (Angels No. 2) – When the Angels drafted Detmers 10th overall last year, the expectation was that he would rise quickly in a system desperate for arms. Safe to say he’s done just that. Making his Triple-A debut Sunday night, an admittedly anxious Detmers showed no signs of nervousness at all, as he threw six shoutout innings while striking out nine. In his first inning of Triple-A action, Detmers came within one pitch of throwing an immaculate inning, striking out the side on 10 pitches. If his showing against Las Vegas was any indication, Angels fans can look forward to seeing Detmers in the Red and White fairly soon.
3B Nolan Jones (Indians No. 1) – Indians fans expect big things out of Jones and his bat, and he’s been more than happy to add fuel to the fire. Jones found his power rhythm for Triple-A Columbus this past week, hitting a homer in three consecutive games to bring his season total to eight and his RBI total to 30. Much like Detmers, he’s expected to be a quick riser and could be the face of the brand new Cleveland Guardians.
LHP Blake Walston (Diamondbacks No. 5) – Walston toed the line with history with High-A Hillsboro Tuesday night, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. While he was unable to complete the no-no, Walston finished with a career-high 11 strikeouts in the win. The 2019 first round draft pick has struggled to acclimate to the High-A level, but his latest performance should give D-Backs brass and fans many things to be excited about.
C Adley Rutschman (Orioles No. 1) – A lot of pressure is put on a number one overall draft pick to perform, and Rutschman has shown he’s more than ready for the challenge. Coming into Wednesday night with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs, Rutschman took charge of the Double-A Bowie Baysox offense. Teeing off for two homeruns and seven RBIs on the night, he helped carry the way in a 20-7 Baysox win. Even more impressively, the switch-handed Rutschman showed his prowess by hitting both of his homers from opposite sides of the plate.
