Primer:
The Top Prospect Report is a weekly post here at FutureSox highlighting performances of the top prospects in the system. More specifically, it will cover the top 15 prospects (plus an occasional bonus or two) as classified by their most recent FS ranking.
This can serve as your one-stop shop to see weekly and season stat lines for all the high-end talent growing on the farm. Most players will have a few notes about their recent performance, while others may have more in-depth blurbs. How much a prospect is featured in a given week will be dictated by performance or relevant narratives.
*Stats may not reflect last night’s results*
Hitter of the week: 2B Yoan Moncada
Pitcher of the week: RHP Dane Dunning
1. Yoan Moncada, 2B (Triple-A Charlotte)
Moncada was an absolute hit machine this week but the walk factory was open too. Last Friday, he reached base all six times with a 4-for-4, two-walk effort that included his eighth home run of the season. That was just a prelude to his next few games, where he collected five more hits and five more walks. It was the first true hot stretch for Moncada since his thumb injury and he’s poised to turn around what’s otherwise been an underwhelming month. Moncada’s walk rate is now over 15 percent and his OBP continues to push it’s way back to .400.
Last Week: .375/.500/.500 (1.000 OPS), 9 H, HR, SB, 7 BB, 4 K, 32 PA
Season Line: .282/.387/.432 (.819 OPS), 66 H, 7 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 14 SB, 15.1 BB%, 26.9 K%, .377 BABIP, 279 PA
2. Lucas Giolito, RHP (Triple-A Charlotte)
Giolito had a bumpy first outing this week, giving up three runs on five hits over 4.2 frames. He struck out five batters but also allowed four free passes and left with a no-decision. The face value numbers in his second appearance paint a solid outing but it was even better in the earlier frames. Gioltio had his stuff working from the get-go and retired the first ten hitters, including striking out the side in the third. His control wavered in the fifth and a couple light singles contributed to three earned runs. As a whole, Giolito just missed a quality start but his eight strikeouts to two walks was a more than positive takeaway for the right-hander.
Last Week: 0-0, 5.59 ERA, 13 K, 6 BB, 2 GS, 9.2 IP
Season Line: 2-6, 4.95 ERA, 4.54 FIP, 9.29 K/9, 4.58 BB/9, 1.11 HR/9, 14 GS, 72.2 IP
3. Michael Kopech, RHP (Double-A Birmingham)
Kopech turned in a clunker in his only outing this week. For the second consecutive start, he issued more walks than strikeouts, something he hadn’t done until his June 11th outing. He kept the ball in the park but gave up plenty of hard contact, incluing three doubles for the Generals. When the dust settled, he’d given up five runs on five hits with four walks. Kopech is now mired in the worst stretch of his season (7.62 ERA over last 3 GS) but hopefully it’s just a blip in the scheme of things. Kopech was also slated to start the Southern League’s All-Star game on Tuesday, but it was rained out, just to add a little extra kick to his recent struggles.
Last Week: 0-1, 11.25 ERA, 3 K, 4 BB, 1 GS, 4.0 IP
Season Line: 4-4, 3.41 ERA, 3.68 FIP, 11.73 K/9, 6.00 BB/9, 0.68 HR/9, 13 GS, 66.0 IP
4. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP (Triple-A Charlotte)
Lopez was two outs short of a quality start against Indianapolis. He tossed 5.1 innings of three run ball on six hits. He struck out three and walked two, with his lowest strikeout totals of the season coming in his last two games. With a strand rate over 70 percent and a .268 BABIP against, it’s not surprising to see some regression catching up to Lopez. That said, he’s remained one of the Knights’ most durable and consistent starters.
Last Week: 0-0, 5.06 ERA, 3 K, 2 BB, 1 GS, 5.1 IP
Season Line: 5-3, 3.91 ERA, 4.53 FIP, 8.07 K/9, 3.79 BB/9, 1.14 HR/9, 13 GS, 71.1 IP
5. Zack Collins, C (High-A Winston-Salem)
The Carolina League All-Star break limited Collins’ plate appearances this week, where he scuffled to just one hit in 13 at-bats. With Seby Zavala‘s promotion to Winston-Salem, it will be interesting to see how he and Collins split duties behind the plate. One of the pair will likely be relegated to the DH spot, but considering how high the White Sox are on the idea of Collins behind the backstop, he looks to get the bulk of playing time there. It’s possible Zavala’s promotion could also foreshadow a move to the Barons for Collins, although that remains to be seen.
Last Week: 1-for-13, 3 BB, 3 K, 15 PA
Season Line: .220/.379/.439 (.818 OPS), 45 H, 11 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 0 SB, 19.9 BB%, 27.6 K%, .280 BABIP, 261 PA
6. Carson Fulmer, RHP (Triple-A Charlotte)
After ripping off six solid starts in his first seven, it can’t even be called a roller coaster season for the righty, as it’s really just been a plunge off the tracks since May 12th. Fulmer received the loss against Gwinnett after giving up six runs on six hits over 4.1 innings. His control was all over the place, with five walks, which matched a season high. His last five starts have featured a 6.75 ERA and 1.92 WHIP, which has raised his season ERA a touch under five. His 5.60 FIP says he’s been even worse. Fulmer’s 47.5 percent groundball rate is nice but when he’s not getting them, line drives and fly balls are usually finding gaps or leaving the park (14.75% HR/FB ratio). His K/9 and BB/9 metrics are also converging in the wrong direction. It’s not time to press the bullpen panic button quite yet, but in a deepening starters crop, Fulmer needs to show something to entrench himself in that role.
Last Week: 0-1, 12.46 ERA, 3 K, 5 BB, 1 GS, 4.1 IP
Season Line: 6-4, 4.90 ERA, 5.60 FIP, 6.15 K/9, 4.40 BB/9, 1.38 HR/9, 14 GS, 71.2 IP
7. Alec Hansen, RHP (High-A Winston-Salem)
A South Atlantic League All-Star, Hansen got the opportunity to pitch the second frame on Tuesday. He made an initial impression with a 3-pitch strikeout and a ground out but got into a little trouble with an ensuing walk, wild pitch, and double. So a mixed All-Star appearance for Hansen, but an All-Star appearance nonetheless. Hansen was promoted yesterday to High-A Winston Salem, which is a move that comes on the heels of excellent results in Low-A.
Last Week: Pitched in SAL All-Star game
Season Line: 7-3, 2.48 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 11.39 K/9, 2.85 BB/9, 0.37 HR/9, 13 GS, 72.2 IP
8. Zack Burdi, RHP (Triple-A Charlotte)
After not giving up a single home run in his first 25 innings to start the season, Burdi was finally bit by the long ball in two innings against Louisville. He pitched a clean seventh with two strikeouts, then surrendered back-to-back blasts to open the eighth inning. He rebounded with a trio of strikeouts to finish off the frame, so save for two uncharacteristic bombs, he still racked up five punch-outs in two innings.
Last Week: 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 5 K, 0 BB, 1 G, 2.0 IP
Season Line: 0-4, 5.00 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 14.00 K/9, 4.67 BB/9, 0.67 HR/9, 6 SV, 2 BS, 23 G, 27.0 IP
9. Luis Alexander Basabe, OF (High-A Winston-Salem)
As with Collins, it was a short week for Basabe because of the All-Star break. He collected two hits in his 15 at bats and struck out three times. He has yet to pull himself out of a struggling season as his .214/.319/.308 line leaves much to be desired.
Last Week: 2-for-15, 2B, 2 BB, 3 K, 17 PA
Season Line: .214/.319/.308 (.627 OPS), 48 H, 6 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 11 SB, 11.8 BB%, 25.9 K%, .292 BABIP, 263 PA
10. Dane Dunning, RHP (High-A Winston-Salem)
Dunning had yet another outstanding start. He reached 100 pitches over seven innings, with only three hits dinging up the scorecard. His only trouble came in the fifth when he had to pitch over an error, single, and HBP, but he escaped the jam with a ground-out. Dunning gave up a lone free pass and whiffed seven Astros. His ERA at High-A is now solidly in the 3.00 range.
Last Week: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 K, 1 BB, 1 GS, 7.0 IP
Season Line:
Low-A: 2-0, 0.35 ERA, 1.41 FIP, 11.42 K/9, 0.69 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 4 GS, 26.0 IP
High-A: 3-2, 3.29 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 10.57 K/9, 3.52 BB/9, 0.94 HR/9, 8 GS, 38.1 IP
11. Jordan Stephens, RHP (Double-A Birmingham)
Stephens didn’t pitch this week for the Barons due to the All-Star break.
Last Week: Did Not Pitch
Season Line: 0-1, 0.98 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 7.36 K/9, 2.95 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 3 GS, 18.1 IP
12. Alex Call, OF (High-A Winston-Salem)
*Currently Injured – intercostal muscle injury, took BP in May at least, but return timeline is unknown*
Last Week: Did Not Play
Season Line: .244/.311/.366 (.677 OPS), 10 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB, 6.7 BB%, 24.4 K%, .333 BABIP, 45 PA
13. Spencer Adams, RHP (Double-A Birmingham)
In the same boat as Stephens, Adams also did not pitch in a shortened week for the Barons.
Last Week: Did Not Pitch
Season Line: 5-6, 3.64 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 6.83 K/9, 1.21 BB/9, 0.88 HR/9, 13 GS, 81.2 IP
14. Jameson Fisher, OF (High-A Winston Salem)
Fisher had just fourteen at-bats this week but walked in three of his 17 plate appearances. He also parlayed a hot stretch at Low-A Kanny into a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem, which puts him at the same level with still-injured 2016 outfield draftee Alex Call. Fisher delivered a single to secure a walk-off win in his Dash debut.
Last Week: 2-for-14, 3 BB, 2 K, 17 PA
Season Line: .269/.365/.417 (.782 OPS), 60 H, 14 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 2 SB, 11.7 BB%, 22.3 K%, .345 BABIP, 265 PA
15. Luis Curbelo, SS (Great Falls – Rookie Ball)
The 2016 6th-rounder signed way over slot as a toolsy shortstop, though there is some question of whether or not he will have to move across the diamond to second base. After spending time in extended Spring Training, he’s landed with Rookie affiliate Great Falls Voyagers. He’s made a strong first impression with the stick, producing two three-hit efforts in three games with his first home run already in the books. Defensively he has been playing at short in all three contests.
Last Week: 6-for-17, 2B, HR 1 BB, 4 K, 17 PA (3 games)
Season Line: 6-for-17, 2B, HR 1 BB, 4 K, 17 PA (3 games)
Bonus:
21. Micker Adolfo, OF
Adolfo had a big week with a home run and a pair of doubles. He has a 29.9 percent K-rate in A-ball but that hasn’t masked an otherwise breakout season. Adolfo is hitting .287/.346/.493 with an eye-popping 21 doubles, a triple, and eight home runs. The .394 BABIP is unsustainable and Adolfo will need to walk more and cut down on the whiffs to survive as he moves higher in pro ball, but he’s certainly flashed a nice bat through 58 games thus far. Still just 20 years old and fairly raw as an international signee, Adolfo certainly has time on his side.
Last Week: .273/.333/.636 (.970 OPS), 4 H, 2 2B, HR, 1 BB, 7 K, 16 PA
Season Line: .287/.346/.493 (.839 OPS), 64 H, 21 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 0 SB, 4.1 BB%, 29.9 K%, .394 BABIP, 244 PA
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom, if on a mobile device) and click the “create subscription” button. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.