FSS Plus was thrilled to be in the house for a big moment for one of our own.
Roc Riggio, who impressed the scouting and development staffs with both his work ethic and talent, hit his first professional home run on Saturday for the Hudson Valley Renegades, High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.
Taken in the fourth round (No. 129) by the Yankees last year after a star-like run at Oklahoma State, Riggio has sailed quickly through their system; he started last year at their Florida Complex League affiliate before moving on to Low-A Tampa, and he began this season at High-A.
Slowed by injuries this spring, the 21-year-old is waiting for the bat to come around as a whole this year but has already flashed the potential shown both coming up through the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series and in college with his big moment this past weekend.
Cam Collier, INF — Cincinnati Reds (A+)
Cam Collier is doing Cam Collier things. Those who were down on the Reds first-rounder after a sluggish start to pro ball as an 18-year-old in full-season baseball last year seem to be eating their words as the slugger has found his stride early on this year in High-A with the Dayton Dragons.
He’s hitting .328 with six homers and 18 RBI with a stunning 1.033 OPS thus far and has hits in 12 of his first 14 games in 2024.
Zac Veen, OF — Colorado Rockies (AA)
Veen, who starred at both the 2019 national tournaments and International Week events, has shown that last year’s injuries are a thing of the past. Playing with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats this past week in Somerset, the Rockies first-rounder delivered hits in three of the four games he played in — he missed two due to being under the weather — and stole four bases along the way.
He remains on track to be a regular in the big leagues as soon as next year.
Tink Hence, RHP — St. Louis Cardinals (AA)
Another standout from the 2019 national tournaments and International Week, Hence is also well on his way to a regular major-league role.
In his first three starts with Double-A Sprngfield this year, the 21-year-old righty is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings, holding the opposition to just an 0.59 WHIP.
Tommy Troy, INF — Arizona Diamondbacks (A+)
Now five years removed from standing out on a loaded National Team at the 2019 International Week event, Troy parlayed his strong showing at Stanford in being taken No. 12 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks last year.
Already at High-A, Troy is making an impact for the Hillsboro Hops; he hit his first homer of the season back on April 17, and delivered his second multi-hit game of the year just three days later.
Owen Caissie, OF — Chicago Cubs (AAA)
Caissie, who came through the Future Stars Series for an Ontario Blue Jays Scout Day back in 2019, is now considered to be one of the Chicago Cubs’ more highly regarded prospects and is on the precipice of the big leagues in Triple-A with Iowa.
Off to a hot start with an .815 OPS in his first 16 games, the 21-year-old went 2-for-3 with his first homer of the season on April 17 and has hits in five of his last six contests.
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