Minor League Pitcher and Hitter of the Week: May 20-26
A tooled-out Mariners outfielder and a whiff machine in the Red Sox organization highlight this week's Players of the Week.
“Holidaaaaay!”
There are two holidays a year that scream baseball: July 4th, and Memorial Day Weekend. The beautiful thing about the two is that it provides us relevant points in a season to gauge the true outliers in performance, and those who have continued to hold strong since the start.
The Minor League season, as I have referenced multiple times throughout this series, has provided us with a level of excitement for the future that I cannot remember happening in quite a while. The talent level of prospects across all levels has us in great hands for what is to come in Major League Baseball going forward.
The best part about this is that we continue to get new names in this weekly article. While it would easier to point out the higher-end prospects with the most exposure, it is my job to highlight those who are laying in the weeds and ready to make the leap on prospect lists across the industry.
For more information on the Top Prospects that find themselves on Just Baseball’s Top 100, you can find that list here.
Pitcher of the Week: Luis Perales (RHP) – Boston Red Sox (Double-A Portland Sea Dogs)
Weekly Stats: 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 12 K
Season Stats: 7 GS, 26.1 IP, 10 BB, 46 K, 3.42 ERA, 1.91 FIP, 15.72 K/9
Luis Perales was so dominant in his latest start in High-A that he forced the hand of the Red Sox front office and was promoted to Double-A Portland on Thursday, May 23rd.
Before the promotion, Perales’ overall numbers might not stand out as others do, but it’s what the peripherals show that should have Red Sox fans excited for the young right-hander’s future in the organization
The fact that he was able to generate 25 (!) swings and misses in just five innings of work was impressive on its own. Amongst qualified pitches in the South Atlantic League, Perales ranked first in K/9, K-Rate, and swinging strike rate. He will now look to continue this dominance at the next level and hopefully continue down the path of a future Major Leaguer.
Hitter of the Week: Jonny Farmelo (OF) – Seattle Mariners (Single-A Modesto Nuts)
Weekly Stats: .364/.464/.1.192, 6 XBH, 5 RBI, 196 wRC+
Season Stats: .275/.417/.423, 3 HR, 21 RBI, .148 ISO, 134 wRC+
While the power numbers might not be there, Jonny Farmelo is rapidly rising within the Mariners farm system and should become a household name in the near future.
Coming off his first taste of professional baseball after being selected 29th overall with the pick granted to the Mariners because of Julio Rodriguez winning AL Rookie of the Year, Farmelo entered the 2024 season with all the tools needed to be a successful hitter.
Across the board, Farmelo’s tools rank average to above average. Entering this year as Just Baseball’s No. 5 prospect in the Mariners farm system, if he can ride this hot streak for just a little longer, I would not be surprised to see the speedy center fielder rise amongst ranks across the industry.
Honorable Mentions:
Pitcher: Hyun-il Choi (RHP) – Los Angeles Dodgers (Triple-A Oklahoma City):
Weekly Stats: 1 GS 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K
Pitcher: Noble Meyer (RHP) – Miami Marlins (Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts):
Weekly Stats: 1 GS 5.0 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 11 K, 19.8 K/9
Hitter: Adael Amador (2B/SS) – Colorado Rockies (Double-A Hartford Yard Goats):
Weekly Stats: .321/.424/1.067, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 BB, 196 wRC+
Hitter: Derlin Figueroa (OF) – Kansas City Royals (Single-A Columbia Fireflies):
Weekly Stats: .458/.519/1.311, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .360 wOBA
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