Red Sox call up red-hot Travis for MLB debut

Boston's No. 3 prospect batting .429 in last six Triple-A games

By Sam Dykstra | May 23, 2017 4:08 PM ET

The Red Sox have been quite average over the first two months of the 2017 season. The club is one game above .500 at 22-21, placing them third in the AL East, and its offense has averaged 4.56 runs per game, just below the Major League average of 4.57.

On Tuesday, Boston made a move that it hopes can give it the push it has lacked in April and May.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Prospect Roundup: Games of May 22

A's Puk tosses 5 1/3 hitless frames; Jays' Guerrero stays hot

By Sam Dykstra | May 23, 2017 1:51 PM ET

Yankees LHP Justus Sheffield, Double-A Trenton: 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 94 pitches, 61 strikes -- For anyone who thought Gleyber Torres' promotion to Triple-A would steal Trenton's thunder, Sheffield showed Monday that plenty of talent remains. The Yankees' No. 6 prospect lasted a season-high 6 1/3 innings in his first quality start since April 18 and dropped his ERA to 3.80 to go with 38 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 frames. Sheffield has been hittable with a .270 average-against, and given his .313 BABIP, bad luck or poor defense doesn't appear to be a major factor. Still, the left-hander turned 21 on May 13 and only has nine regular-season Double-A starts on his resume. Patience is a must when it comes to MLB.com's No. 71 prospect, and with two above-average pitches in his fastball and slider and a solid changeup, it's a good bet that more outings like this will soon come.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Promo Watch: IL observes WWI centennial

Commemorating a milestone with poppy seeds, trivia and more

By Benjamin Hill | May 23, 2017 10:19 AM ET

One hundred years ago, the United States entered into the global conflict that later came to be known as World War I. The anniversary of this historic occasion is currently being commemorated at ballparks throughout the International League.

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

FSL notes: Mazeika catching up on defense

Mets backstop thriving at the plate while improving skills behind it

By Guy Curtright | May 23, 2017 10:19 AM ET

Patrick Mazeika set the bar high at the plate coming into this season, but the New York Mets catching prospect has exceeded it so far with Class A Advanced St. Lucie.

A .329 hitter after his first two seasons, Mazeika is batting .343 with 32 RBIs through 38 games despite moving up to the pitcher-friendly Florida State League.

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.

Sounds' Gossett throws eight shutout innings

Fifth-ranked Athletics prospect turns in longest professional start

By Josh Jackson | May 23, 2017 3:42 AM ET

Since the start of the season, Athletics No. 5 prospect Daniel Gossett has been looking for a start he could build on.

On Monday night, he found it.

The right-hander threw eight shutout innings, giving up four hits and fanning six without a walk in Triple-A Nashville's 9-3 win at Sacramento.

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.

Alvarez almost untouchable for five frames

Dodgers No. 2 prospect hurls longest outing of year for Quakes

By Tyler Maun | May 23, 2017 3:05 AM ET

Nearly two weeks ago, Yadier Alvarez entered in relief of rehabbing Major Leaguer Rich Hill, and his manager praised the rhythm he found toward the end of his outing. Alvarez continued on that track in his longest appearance of the year Monday.

The Dodgers No. 2 prospect completed five innings for the first time this year, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out five as the Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga Quakes fell to the visiting Visalia Rawhide, 2-0.

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.

Cumberland goes deep twice for first time

Atlanta's No. 29 prospect drives in season-high five for Rome

By Andrew Battifarano | May 23, 2017 2:35 AM ET

Hitting below .200 nearly three weeks into May, Brett Cumberland never strayed from keeping a positive mental approach, and now that mind-set is paying dividends.

Atlanta's No. 29 prospect posted his first professional multi-home game and plated a season-high five runs to power Class A Rome to a 7-3 victory over Asheville on Monday night at McCormick Field.

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

Thomas seeing double for Yard Goats

Rockies outfield prospect lines four two-baggers on career night

By Michael Avallone | May 23, 2017 2:25 AM ET

A slow start notwithstanding, Dillon Thomas feels more comfortable and confident in his abilities at the plate than at any other time in his professional career.

Thomas doubled four times on a career-high five-hit night to lead Double-A Hartford to its sixth straight win, 7-3, over Bowie on Monday night at Prince George's Stadium. He scored three runs and drove in two more.

Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Followhim on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Moniak seizing opportunities with BlueClaws

Phillies No. 2 prospect hits first homer of year, scores winning run

By Michael Peng | May 23, 2017 1:59 AM ET

With a clear sense of what he wanted to do at the plate, Mickey Moniak took advantage of his chances Monday.

"A huge part of maturing in this game as a hitter is to find an approach that works for you," he said. "You've got to know your strengths. You've got to know you need to be a good fastball hitter. If you can't hit a fastball, it might not work out for you in this game."

Philadelphia's second-ranked prospect turned on two fastballs Monday night, one for his first home run of the season and another for a triple in the 10th inning, as Class A Lakewood edged Greensboro, 3-2, at First Energy Park. Moniak also scored on Darick Hall's walk-off single.

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.

Puckett deals six no-hit frames for Blue Rocks

Royals No. 10 prospect shrugs off six walks to pick up fifth victory

By Josh Jackson | May 23, 2017 1:44 AM ET

For A.J. Puckett, Monday night was the best and the worst of times.

The No. 10 Kansas City prospect turned in six hitless innings, but walked a career-high six in Class A Advanced Wilmington's 10-1 win at Frederick. He struck out four.

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.