Prospect Roundup: Games of July 18

Reds LHP Amir Garrett, Triple-A Louisville: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K -- It hasn't taken long for the Reds' No. 4 prospect to settle in at Triple-A. Monday marked his third straight quality outing, and he's yet to allow more than three earned runs in any of his four Louisville appearances, each of which has lasted at least 5 2/3 innings. Garrett improved to 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings since joining the Bats on June 17. Monday also marked the first time all season he did not allow a free pass, including 13 appearances with Double-A Pensacola. That's not to say he's had major control problems in 2016 -- his 3.4 BB/9 between both stops is about average -- but it's encouraging for the southpaw to pitch in the zone as efficiently as he did Monday. Indeed, 60 of his 85 pitches were strikes. Beyond that, Garrett has been one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the Minors this season; his .181 average-against is fourth-lowest among full-season hurlers (to go with a 1.86 ERA in 2016 that ranks ninth). With a plus fastball and slider, Garrett has the stuff to succeed at the highest levels of the game and may have passed Robert Stephenson and Cody Reed to become Cincinnati's top pitching prospect.

Padres OF Hunter Renfroe, Triple-A El Paso: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, R, 2 K -- It's another Renfroe update, which is what happens when the Padres' No. 4 prospect extends his hitting streak to 16 games and homers for the second time in as many games. As good as Renfroe has been for the entire 2016 campaign, the 24-year-old has been on fire of late with a .437/.468/.746 line, six homers, four doubles and 19 RBIs during his 16-game streak. His .617 slugging percentage on the season ranks second among all full-season Minor Leaguers, while his .980 OPS ranks fourth. His 23 homers in 88 games for the Chihuahuas already represent a career high, beating out the 21 he hit over 129 contests for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio in 2014. Sure, some of that is helped by the friendly confines of El Paso (where he's hit 14 of his long balls with a .403/.432/.716 line in 213 plate appearances), but it's become obvious that Renfroe isn't being tested in the Pacific Coast League. It may take an injury or a trade (such as the rumored ones involving Melvin Upton Jr.) to make room for him in San Diego, however.

Astros SS Alex Bregman, Triple-A Fresno: 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R, 2 SB -- When you think about Bregman's 2016 season, you may think about the way he's surprised with his power. Indeed, no one believed the 22-year-old would hit 20 homers this quickly, not to mention lead the Minors with a 1.010 OPS. On Monday, he showed he can surprise in other ways as well with a season-best two steals (and first stolen bases of his Triple-A career) in Fresno's 8-1 win at Round Rock. Interestingly, they came in the first game in which Bregman hit from the leadoff spot this season, and there's likely a link between his willingness to push the envelope on the basepaths and his new place in the order. Bregman owns a .362/.393/.759 line with six homers, five doubles and 15 RBIs through his first 13 games with the Grizzlies. There's nothing new to report on the defensive front, however. Bregman continues to play exclusively at shortstop in the Pacific Coast League, and the Astros' signing of Cuban star Yulieski Gourriel complicates a potential move to third base. Bregman has expressed a readiness to move to left field, but it'll be interesting to see how the Astros handle his defensive positioning as he continues to press the issue with his offensive play.

Mets 1B Dominic Smith, Double-A Binghamton: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R -- July already has been a notable month for Smith with his first trip to the Futures Game, but it also happens to be his best month of 2016. With two hits Monday, the Mets' top prospect has multiple hits in five games since his return from the prospect showcase. Through 14 games in July, he's hitting .438/.509/.771 with four homers, a triple, two doubles, 14 RBIs and a 6/8 K/BB ratio. His .293 average and .460 slugging percentage are at their highest levels since early May. Combine that with a career-best 11 homers, and the 21-year-old first baseman is well on his way to his most productive Minor League season since being taken in the first round back in 2013. He still has room to improve his power, given his position, but the first half of July has been encouraging on all fronts.

Twins LHP Stephen Gonsalves, Double-A Chattanooga: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K -- Gonsalves moved into the back end of MLB.com's top 100 prospect ranking in June when Sean Manaea graduated, and the 22-year-old is beginning to show why. After giving up eight earned runs in 8 2/3 innings over his first two starts with Double-A Chattanooga, the Twins' No. 5 prospect has allowed just one earned run while striking out 25 and walking seven in 19 frames over his last three starts with the Lookouts. The 6-foot-5 hurler owns a 2.51 ERA with 105 strikeouts and 33 walks in 93 1/3 innings between Chattanooga and Class A Advanced Fort Myers.