PROSPECT OF THE DAY

Wilmer Flores (Mets) may be the youngest player in the Appalachian League, but he has also been one of the best, so far. Flores may have had the best night of his young career on Thursday against Pulaski, going 4-for-5 in an 8-3 Kingsport win. Flores belted a triple in the sixth to break a 2-2 tie. In the eighth Flores hit a ball so hard it bounced off the leg of Pulaski pitcher Jordan Alvis and bounded all the way into right field.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Tim Beckham (Rays) made his professional debut last night, just a week after signing a record contract. The first overall pick batted second for Princeton and picked up his first hit in his first appearance at the plate. Beckham sent a 1-0 offering back up the middle and beat out the throw for an infield single…Fernando Cruz (Royals) may be the top prospect playing in Burlington, but on Thursday night it was his replacement Jason Morales (Royals) who was the star. Morales, a 22-year-old out of UNC Pembroke, had a 4-for-4 night that included a two-run home run and a double…Fernando Martinez (Mets) continues to progress nicely in his rehab stint with the GCL Mets. Thursday’s game with the Cardinals was called early due to rain, but Martinez had a pair of hits, including a double in the Mets 5-3 win… Orem 3B Luis Jimenez (Angels) went 3-for-5 with two doubles.  He has hit in all 10 games in which he has played, including five doubles, a triple and a home run… Dan Hudson (White Sox) threw four shutout innings and struck out seven in his second start for Great Falls. The fifth round pick out of Old Dominion has now given up two hits, walked one and struck out 11 in seven innings… Jaff Decker (Padres) is putting his best foot forward in Arizona. He went 2-for-4 and drew two walks yesterday and his hitting .500 through his first three games.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR TODAY

Beckham will return to action tonight for Princeton tonight as they take on Burlington. Beckham who hit in the DH role on Thursday, will be in that role again tonight. The Rays minor league staff has yet to decide when Beckham will take the field at shortstop.