Southern notes: Rays' McCarthy on the rise

First baseman shows patience and surprising speed with Biscuits

By Guy Curtright | July 27, 2017 10:22 AM ET

Joe McCarthy's last college season couldn't have had a worse start, with the University of Virginia standout sidelined following back surgery.

"The timing was terrible," said the Montgomery Biscuits outfielder/first baseman. "I knew I'd miss a lot of time."

Guy Curtright is a contributor to MiLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Hill continues to flash leather for Whitecaps

Tigers' No. 8 prospect earning reputation as human highlight reel

By Gerard Gilberto | July 27, 2017 10:18 AM ET

For much of the past three seasons, outfielder Derek Hill can regularly be found on either the highlight reel or the disabled list. Now in his third tour with Class A West Michigan, the Tigers' eighth-ranked prospect doesn't let the potential for injury affect how he plays the game.

"The way I see it, if I don't act aggressive, I feel like I'm going to injure myself," Hill said. "Honestly, every time a ball goes up in the air, until it touches the ground I'm going 100 percent. I don't care where it's hit, who hit it. I'm going 110 percent to get to that ball."

Gerard Gilberto is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @GerardGilberto4. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

NYPL notes: Hurst finding his focus with Spikes

Cardinals third-rounder settling into pro game after sluggish start

By Craig Forde | July 27, 2017 10:13 AM ET

Following a trip to the College World Series with Cal State Fullerton this June, Scott Hurst took a week to pack up shop before joining State College. He was eager to prove worthy of the Cardinals' faith in selecting him, and he pressed too hard out of the gate.

Hurst broke out with Titans his junior year, batting .328 with 12 home runs, but the 21-year-old collected just one hit in his first four games as a professional.

St. Louis was without a first- and second-round pick in the 2017 Draft. He was selected by the organization in the third round just five days following his team's elimination from collegiate postseason play.

Craig Forde is a contributor to MiLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Chukars' Miller tallies five hits for second time

Over 17 games, Royals catching prospect amasses .446 average

By Josh Jackson | July 27, 2017 3:19 AM ET

A ballplayer can go through a long career and never log five hits in a game, but after his first five weeks as a pro, Darrell Miller Jr. has done it twice.

"It's kind of crazy, obviously," the Royals catching prospect said. "Some of my teammates have been asking me about or joking about it, and I tell them I don't know. It's like I black out, and then I wake up and I have five hits."

Miller Jr. went 5-for-6 with a double and two runs scored to pace Rookie-level Idaho Falls to a 15-12 win in 10 innings at Missoula on Wednesday.

Josh Jackson is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @JoshJacksonMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Rosario notches second four-hit game for 51s

Top Mets prospect runs streak to 16 games, raises average to .334

By Michael Leboff | July 27, 2017 2:17 AM ET

It looks like Amed Rosario is feeling better.

Just four days after a stomach bug sent him to the hospital, the top Mets prospect extended his hitting streak to 16 games by going 4-for-5 with two runs scored in Triple-A Las Vegas' 8-7 loss to Nashville on Wednesday night.

Michael Leboff is a contributor to MiLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Buehler rebounds in second Triple-A start

Top Dodgers prospect allows one hit, fans nine over five innings

By Josh Jackson | July 27, 2017 1:56 AM ET

There may be no second chances to make a good first impression, but Walker Buehler's start Wednesday night revealed much more about him than his Pacific Coast League debut did last week.

"It was nice to have a good outing after [my last start]," Los Angeles' top prospect said. "I wanted to kind of save the 'pen after I killed the 'pen last time."

In a return to form, Buehler gave up one run on one hit and two walks while striking out nine over five innings in Triple-A Oklahoma City's 8-7 victory over visiting Reno.

Josh Jackson is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @JoshJacksonMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Kopech fans career-high 12 for Barons

Top White Sox pitching prospect caps July run in strong fashion

By Tyler Maun | July 27, 2017 1:21 AM ET

Michael Kopech went to the Futures Game and came back a changed pitcher.

The top White Sox pitching prospect capped a run of strong July outings with a career-high 12 strikeouts while allowing one run on two hits over six innings as the Double-A Birmingham Barons beat the Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-1, on Wednesday.

Tyler Maun is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @TylerMaun. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Lakeland righty Turnbull nearly unhittable

Tigers No. 25 prospect yields one run, one hit over seven frames

By Michael Peng | July 27, 2017 12:43 AM ET

With an injury scare behind him, Spencer Turnbull is working his way back to his former self. Wednesday's outing proved he is almost there.

Detroit's No. 25 prospect gave up one run on one hit over seven innings in Class A Advanced Lakeland's 5-2 win over Fort Myers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Turnbull walked three and struck out three en route to his first win at home since May 16.

Michael Peng is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelXPeng. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Crawford adds rare feat to July surge

Phillies No. 4 prospect races for wild inside-the-park grand slam

By Alex Kraft | July 27, 2017 12:20 AM ET

You never know what you might see when J.P. Crawford takes the field. On Wednesday, he produced one of his more unusual highlights.

The fourth-ranked Phillies prospect raced for the first inside-the-park grand slam in Triple-A Lehigh Valley's history to help the IronPigs top the Gwinnett Braves, 8-2, at Coca-Cola Park.

Alex Kraft is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow and chat with him on Twitter @Alex_Kraft21. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dragons' Siri extends hit streak to 31 games

Reds No. 24 prospect leads off game with first of two homers

By Michael Leboff | July 26, 2017 11:43 PM ET

Jose Siri wasted no time in extending the longest hitting streak in the Minor Leagues this season to 31 games.

Cincinnati's No. 24 prospect homered on the first pitch of the game and added a three-run jack in the seventh inning of Class A Dayton's 11-7 loss at Lansing on Wednesday. Siri also doubled in the ninth in the third straight multi-hit game for the native of the Dominican Republic.

Michael Leboff is a contributor to MiLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.