After Grayson Rodriguez’s successful start in the South Atlantic League All Star Game, it was two-time International Week standout Wendell Marrero led the charge this past week for an ever-growing list of alumni of the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series powered by Program 15 who are making an impact at the next level.
Marrero, who draws a Logan Morrison comp from NBBFSS/P15 CEO Jeremy Booth, was just drafted by the Cincinnati Reds organization, and quickly signed his first pro deal. The 18-year-old has made an immediate impact for the AZL Reds; he smacked his first career homer on June 18, and has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four games, including an impressive 4-for-4 showing at the plate against the Cleveland Indians “Blue” team on June 20.
Damon Casetta-Stubbs continued to show rapid improvement following his assignment to the Everett Aquasox by the Seattle Mariners, turning in his third straight solid outing in their farm system thanks to a June 21 effort in which he allowed just one earned run on a walk and four hits while striking out five in five and two thirds innings of work against Salem-Kaizer.
After a brief taste of the Florida State League, Mateo Gil has thrived at rookie-level Johnson City. He smacked his second professional home run in the first of back-to-back multi-hit games on June 21 that helped make the difference in a 2-1 victory over Danville.
Xavier Valentin was assigned to the Rangers High-A affiliate, the Down Wood East Ducks, but is on their 60-day injured list.
Daniel Espino has been assigned by the Cleveland Indians to one of their AZL teams, but has yet to make his pro debut.
All stats are accurate as of June 23, 2019:
Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles, Delmarva (A-): 6-1, 2.42 ERA, 10 GS, 72 K, 15 BB, 52 IP
Noah “Bo” Naylor, Indians, Lake County (A-): 53 GP, .236, 4 HR, 28 RBI
Dominic Pipkin, Phillies, Lakewood (A-): 3-1, 3.83 ERA, 13 GP, 7 GS, 27 K, 22 BB, 42.1 IP
Damon Casetta-Stubbs, Mariners, Modesto (A+): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GP, 0 GS, 3 K, 2 BB, 2 1/3 IP + West Virginia (A-) 3-5, 7.11 ERA, 10 GP, 10 GS, 30 K, 12 BB, 38 1/3 IP + Everett (SS-A) 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 2 GP, 2 GS, 3 BB, 11 K, 10.2 IP
Mateo Gil, Cardinals, Palm Beach (A+): 2 GP, .000, 0 HR, 0 RBI + Johnson City (R): 5 GP, .333, 1 HR, 5 RBI
Sean Guilbe, Padres, Tri-City (SS-A): 8 GP, .167, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Alberto Gonzalez, Reds, Billings (R): 3 GP, 0 GS, 7.94 ERA, 5.2 IP, 5 BB, 6 K.
Joel Ibarra, Dodgers, Dominican Summer League (R): 12 GP, .214, 0 HR, 6 RBI
Wendell Marrero, Reds, AZL Reds: 5 GP, .333, 1 HR, 5 RBI
Daniel Espino, Indians, AZL Indians: 0 GP
Xavier Valentin, Rangers, Down East Wood: 0 GP
Yeancarlos Lleras is either in extended spring training or expected to be assigned to short-season teams. Kyren Paris has signed a pro contract with the Angels, but yet to be assigned to a team.
