Here’s a look at Saturday’s top Minor League performers from each team’s Top 30 Prospects list:
Indians: Gabriel Arias, SS (MLB No. 83), Triple-A Columbus
Daniel Espino, RHP (MLB No. 94), High-A Lake County
Arias was all about the double in Columbus’ victory over Toledo, tallying three two-baggers in a game for the first time in his career and setting a new career-best mark for doubles in a season with 28. The 21-year-old tallied two RBIs and two runs scored to round out his night and recorded his second consecutive three-hit game. Arias has been productive all season long for Columbus with a .781 OPS and 41 extra-base hits.
In his longest outing of the season, Espino was pretty much untouchable. Cleveland’s No. 5 prospect fanned 10 in 6 2/3 frames of two-hit ball, his seventh outing of the year in which he’s recorded double-digit strikeouts and his second 10-strikeout game in a row. It’s also the second time all year he hasn’t walked a batter. Espino fired 62 of his 82 pitches for strikes and retired 16 batters in a row after allowing a two-out double in the opening inning. The 20-year-old has tallied 152 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings across two levels this season. Indians prospect stats »
Cubs: James Triantos, INF (No. 11), ACL Cubs
Triantos was selected 56th overall in the 2021 Draft after reclassifying from the 2022 class and has impressed in his first taste of professional ball. The 18-year-old smacked two homers and added a double in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, tallying a career-best 10 total bases. In 25 games in the ACL, Triantos has totaled six homers, seven doubles, 19 RBIs and 27 runs scored while slashing .327/.376/.594 with a .970 OPS. Cubs prospect stats »
Mets: Luke Ritter, 2B/1B (No. 28), High-A Brooklyn
Ritter roped three hits in a game for the third time this season, crushing a 422-foot home run and adding a double, a single, two RBIs and two runs scored. The 24-year-old righty has struggled since a hot month of July, but has found his power stroke with three homers over his past six games. On the year, Ritter has swatted 14 homers and driven in 44 runs with a .758 OPS. Mets prospect stats »
Tigers: Cristian Santana, SS (No. 9), DSL Tigers
Jacob Robson, OF (No. 28), Triple-A Toledo
Following a cold month of August, Santana’s bat has come alive in September. The 17-year-old kept his strong month rolling with his second consecutive three-hit game, smacking a homer and a double with two RBIs and three runs scored. Santana, who signed for a Tigers-record $2.95 million bonus in January, has slashed .391/.517/.630 for a 1.147 OPS in 15 games this month. On the season, Santana has a .916 OPS with seven homers and 22 RBIs, showing elite plate discipline with 26 walks and a .413 OBP in 184 plate appearances.
Robson notched his fourth four-hit game of the season on a perfect day at the plate, lacing his 10th Triple-A double and scoring three runs in the process. The 2016 Draft pick has put together a strong season in 2021, slashing .316/.430/.498 with seven homers, 19 doubles, 36 RBIs and 51 walks in 85 games across two levels, including a .282 average and 14 stolen bases in 67 contests with Toledo. Tigers prospect stats »