Minor League Mash-Up: De Los Santos heating up in triple-A

It’s time to take our weekly look at how the prospects down on the farm are faring.

Records

• Lehigh Valley: 7-8
• Reading: 6-11
• Clearwater: 4-13
• Lakewood: 9-8

Notable Performances

• Ranger Suarez got the week started right as he tossed eight scoreless innings for Reading on Monday night. He struck out 10 and allowed only six hits and no walks. The No. 11 prospect backed up this outing with another dandy on Sunday as he went seven innings, allowing two runs and, again, zero walks.
• Jhailyn Ortiz finally got on track last Wednesday as he went 3-5 with a homer and three RBI. He followed that up with another big game on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two doubles and an RBI.
• Sixto Sanchez was much better in his second outing of 2018. The organization’s top prospect went six strong innings on Sunday, allowing two runs, six hits and one walk. Sanchez struck out six but earned the loss as Clearwater fell 2-1 to Tampa.
• Roman Quinn is still pushing for a possible call-up, as the Lehigh Valley outfielder went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases on Sunday.

Still struggling

• No. 5 prospect Mickey Moniak has yet to get going in 2018. The former first-overall pick is hitting .185 with only two extra-base hits. Moniak has struck out 16 times and has only walked twice.
• Fellow Clearwater outfielder and No. 6 prospect Adam Haseley has also been struggling, but he’s headed in the right direction. Haseley increased his average from .225 last week to .254. That said, Haseley’s OBP is only .275.
• Adonis Medina had a rough week after getting off to a hot start. The No. 4 prospect currently holds a 10.24 ERA. In 9.2 innings, he’s allowed 15 hits and six walks, which equates to a WHIP of 2.17. Opponents are hitting .366 off of the righty.
• As mentioned before, Jhailyn Ortiz is heading in the right direction after a productive week, but there’s still some struggles in his game. Most notably, he has struck out 25 times in 55 at bats, and he’s only walked four times.
• The system’s top lefty, Jo Jo Romero, is still struggling as his ERA sits at 7.71. He has struck out eight and walked eight, and he’s also allowed three homers in 14 innings of work.

Staying hot

• The Enyel De Los Santos for Freddy Galvis trade looks fine so far. For one, Galvis is back to near career norm numbers, while the No. 14 prospect has been awesome for Lehigh Valley with a 1.98 ERA in three starts. He has struck out 22 in 13.2 innings and his WHIP sits at 1.39.
• Seranthony Dominguez has adapted nicely to his bullpen role with Reading. In 11 innings of work he’s posted a 2.45 ERA while striking out 17, compared to only two walks surrendered.
• Roman Quinn has been consistent for the IronPigs so far this season. He’s batting .294 with seven runs scored and seven stolen bases.
• Last year’s second round pick Spencer Howard is doing just fine in his first full season. The No. 22 prospect has a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings of work, but the most impressive stat is the fact that he’s struck out 22 and only walked one batter.
• McKenzie Mills has been good for Clearwater on the mound this season. He possesses a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings of work. His control has been masterful as he’s struck out 13 batters and has allowed zero free passes, helping him boast a WHIP of 0.88 (very good).
• Franklyn Kilome has been very solid for Reading so far. The No. 9 prospect has a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings of work. Kilome has struck out 20 but has allowed eight free passes.

While we wait for the top dogs in the system to get going, unheralded prospects are showing their worth so far in 2018. Once the top prospects get going, this system has a chance to be even more deep than expected.