DeLoach On Top, A Couple of New Faces in this Week’s Prospect Hotlist (April 20 – April 26th, 2015)

Tyler DeLoach made his Triple-A debut on Thursday for the Salt Lake Bees. DeLoach was brilliant in 7.0 complete innings pitched. The big southpaw only gave up a single hit and 2 walks while striking out 5 batters. His season line now sits at an ERA of 0.95 (0.79 WHIP) with 18 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched. DeLoach was reassigned to Double-A Arkansas on Saturday.

It was only a matter of time before Nate Smith showed up on this prospect report. Now, with the second week of the season at a close, the Furman University alumni continues to pitch the ball well for the Arkansas Travelers. Smith has started 4 games for the Travelers this season, all of which being quality starts. Smith’s last start saw him go 6.2 innings while surrendering just 1 earned run, 6 hits, and 1 walk while striking out 3 batters. Overall this season, Smith is a perfect 3-0 (4 starts) with a 1.54 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP across 23.1 innings pitched. His strikeout numbers are right along his minor league career average with a SO9 of 8.9 and a low BB9 of 1.5.

Chad Hinshaw has been a star at the two-hole for the Arkansas Travelers’ lineup this season. Hinshaw has provided the Travelers with a solid eye (.477), speed (5 SB), contact (.306 season AVG) and power (.490 SLG). In his past 10 games, Hinshaw has walked 10 times (including a 4-walk game on Friday). The outfielder has also doubled 4 times, homered once and stole 4 bases (0 CS) during that stretch of games. 

Caleb Adams makes his debut in our prospect hotlist. With every debut deserves a proper introduction. Caleb Adams was drafted in the 10th round of the 2014 Draft out of Louisiana-Lafayette. Adams was one of the best hitters in the nation, posting a .381/.502/.673 slash line with 11 home runs in 223 at-bats for the Ragin’ Cajuns in his final year. In his first full year of professional baseball, Adams has been on fire to start the season for the Burlington Bees. So far, Adams has hit .386 with a remarkable OBP of .533. In his past 10 games, Adams has hit .429 with 10 walks to go along with 10 strikeouts. Adams also hit his first home run of the season on Sunday night’s game in a three-hit performance.

Eduardo Paredes is yet another new addition to the prospect hotlist family. Despite ridiculous numbers so far in the minors, Paredes has flown under the radar in the Angels organization. Last year was Paredes’ first year playing professional baseball stateside and posted a 1.33 ERA (0.79 WHIP) in 20.1 innings pitched for the Orem Owlz. Paredes also struck out 31 batters to go along with only 8 walks. Another fact is that Paredes has not blown a save in his entire minor league career, going 27-27 in save opportunities. Paredes continued his brilliance to start the season with his new team, the Burlington Bees. Paredes has made five appearances for the Bees, striking out 13 batters in 6.0 scoreless innings pitched while only allowing 1 hit and 1 walk. Paredes has also converted all 4 save opportunities this season.

The Bees had a strong week with 5 wins and only one loss. Overall, the Bees sit 5.5 GB of first place with a record of 6-11. Andrew Heaney fared well in his 2 starts this week, pitching a combined 10.2 innings while giving up 12 hits, 5 earned runs and 4 walks while striking out 9. Starting pitcher, Adam Wilk, has yet to give up an earned run on the year with another 6.0 scoreless innings this week (4 SO and 0 BB). Carlos Perez has continued his torrid start with another 7 hits (20 at-bats)and 3 doubles on the week. Kyle Kubitza added another 9 hits (30 at-bats), 4 doubles and also hit his first homer of the year. Outfielder, Roger Kierschnick, is currently riding a 10-game hitting streak in which he is hitting .425 with 4 doubles and a home run.

The Travelers had a record of 4-3 on the week and are currently in 1st place of the Texas League North. Austin Wood made his return to the rotation, pitching 5.0 innings while giving up 2 earned runs, 3 hits, 4 walks and striking out 1. Trevor Gott earned 2 saves this week, bumping his season total to 4 on the season (7.2 IP  9 SO  1.17 ERA  0.78 WHIP). 1st baseman, Wade Hinkly, hit his second home run of the season on Sunday and currently has a slash line of .368/.415/.579. Outfielder, Cal Towey, added 10 hits (25 at-bats) along with 2 doubles this week, bringing his season average up to .309.

The 66ers struggled this week, having lost 6 of their 8 games played. The 66ers are now at .500 on the season, placed 1.0 GB first place. Victor Alcantara had a strong start on Monday, striking out 6 batters in 7.0 scoreless innings while only giving up 6 hits and no walks. Christopher Ellis continued to impress with his stuff despite his struggles, striking out 8 in 5.0 innings pitched but giving up 5 earned runs. In the pen, Austin Adams ran his scoreless streak to 9.1 innings. Adams has struck out 13 batters in 9.1 innings while only giving up 4 hits and 3 walks. Third baseman, Angel Rosa, is currently on a 5-game hitting streak where he is hitting .428. Second baseman, Kody Eaves, in on a 5-game hitting streak of his own where he is hitting .631 with 1 triple and 1 home run. Roberto Baldoquin has not played since injuring his shoulder attempting a diving play on defense (day-to-day).

The Bees went 4-3 this week, pushing their record to 11-7 for the season (2.0 GB). Sean Newcomb struggled with his command on Saturday’s start, walking 5. However, Newcomb still managed to pitch a solid game allowing just 1 earned run and 2 hits while striking out 8. Starting pitcher, Jeremy Rhoades, pitched a solid game on Tuesday. The 2014 draft pick struck out 6 batters while giving up 5 hits and no walks in 5.2 scoreless innings. 3rd round draft pick (2013), Keynan Middleton, pitched his second straight quality game on Wednesday. Middleton gave up just 1 earned run for his second consecutive start (at least 5.0 IP) while striking out 4 (2 BB  5 H) in 5.1 innings pitched. Natanael Delgado hit his first home run of the season on Thursday.