Jake Williams, SS, Omaha Hawks
With Max Hatcher on the Injured List, the Hawks gave Williams a shot to play shortstop every day in the interim. He played as advertised: a premium defensive shortstop who lacks the ability to hit, but when he does make contact there's some pop there (he hit a double and a homer among his three hits in 23 at bats for a .133 average).
Justin Archer, RP, Huntsville Phantoms
The son of Hall of Famer Jonathan Archer, Justin is a premiere relief prospect who was performing at the highest levels of the minor leagues. Control is going to make or break his career. He had walked 15 in 15.2 AAA innings and walked one in 2.1 BBA innings after his call-up. Scouts are also concerned whether or not he will ever harness the vast potential of his slider.
Luis Gonzales, SP, Montreal Blazers
The Blazers gave Gonzales a start on 5/4 vs Omaha and he surprised with a strong one (8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K). While Gonzales has a live arm (95-97 MPH) and three above average pitches, he doesn't have the movement or control to be a starter in the long term. An extremely borderline prospect.
Eduardo Hernandez, RP, New Orleans Crawdads
Some good news in a dreadful start to the 2038 season for New Orleans arrived in the form of Hernandez. After drafting him in the 4th round of the 2034 draft he sat in purgatory for two years before making his professional debut in 20-36. Two years later, he's in the big leagues and could be an effective middle reliever.
Dan Forsyth, SP, Mexico City Aztecs
Forsyth, the Aztecs 2nd round pick in 2034, was a quick mover through the system having reached the AAA level in his first season. After starring there the last two seasons and winning two Rupert Horn Memorial League Championships in the process, he looked primed to move to the BBA this year and that came true after four starts with Los Cabos to start the 2038 season. Forsyth joined the Mexico City rotation upon his call-up and has turned in three effective starts thus far. He's a stuff/control pitcher who will allow some dingers, but should be a nice pitcher for the Aztecs for years to come.
Bart Cluett, 2B/OF, Las Vegas Hustlers
Despite having just 36 career games above the Class A level, the Hustlers promoted their 2036 ninth round pick to the big leagues to serve in a utility role. With Carlos Camacho moving into the everyday center field job, a versatile player like Cluett was needed on the big league roster. He's a speedster on the bases, and can play all outfield spots as well as second base and shortstop. His current utility role looks to be his ceiling.
Lucio "Lockjaw" Cuellar, 3B, San Antonio Outlaws
A scout find made good for Mike C! May have been an aggressive promotion given he's only had 58 at-bats above the Class AA level (where he struggled last season). Has all the talent to play the corner outfield spots but hasn't been trained there- perhaps that would be a better idea for now than seeing him struggle to a .485 OPS in his first 48 BBA at-bats. Long term, he's a contact/gap guy who could be a very good third baseman.
