Prospect Report: Gavin Stone, Brandon Pfaadt Struggle In MLB Debuts

Brandon Pfaadt, RHP, D-backs: This was not the debut most envisioned when Pfaadt was dominating during spring training. The righthander allowed four home runs over 4.2 innings and seven earned runs in total. The Rangers barreled up consistently off of Pfaadt, who allowed a hard-hit ball to every hitter in the Rangers lineup. Former top Rangers prospect Josh Jung hit two home runs off of Pfaadt.

Gavin Stone, RHP, Dodgers: Wednesday was not the best day for Top 100 pitcher debuts, as Stone struggled just like Pfaadt did. Stone allowed eight hits and five runs, four of them earned, over four innings. Most unremarkable was Stone's single strikeout, a far cry from his 34% strikeout rate in the minor leagues. Things really became undone for Stone in the third, when he allowed four runs.

Brandon Barriera, LHP, Blue Jays: The Blue Jays 2022 first-round pick made his professional debut last night in Fort Myers and was impressive. Barriera tossed four hitless, scoreless innings, walking a single batter while striking out six. His fastball sat 93-94 mph, touching 96 mph at peak. He worked primarily with his fastball and slider, with his slider sitting in the low-to-mid 80s and generating seven whiffs against 11 swings, a 63.6% whiff rate. Barriera threw 49 pitches in total and generated nine whiffs, a strong first showing for the Florida native.

Carlos Rodriguez, RHP, Brewers: The 2021 sixth-rounder impressed during his time with Nicaragua during the World Baseball Classic and has carried that momentum through into the season. On Wednesday Rodriguez struck out 10 batters over 5.2 innings while generating 21 swinging strikes and seven ground balls. Rodriguez sits in the low-to-mid 90s on his fastball, mixing in an upper-80s cutter and a low-to-mid-80s slider with moderate ride and average sweep. It's up in the air if Rodriguez will be a starter long term, but he's enjoying life in the Southern League at present, where the pre-tacked balls have benefited pitchers across the circuit.

Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox: It was a four-hit night for the Red Sox top prospect, and he finished a triple short of the cycle. Mayer hit two doubles, a single and a home run. After struggling to hit for much power in April this was a welcome sight for Mayer.

Jordan Westburg, SS, Orioles: The Orioles No. 6 prospect had a big night on Wednesday going 3-for-5 with a home run. The home run was struck 104.5 mph off the bat and traveled 407 feet. Over 22 games with Triple-A Norfolk Westburg is hitting .337/.396/.576 with six home runs and four stolen bases. Westburg could be the next prospect to get the call among the Orioles' group of top prospects on the cusp of the majors.

Hunter Goodman, C, Rockies: In a rain-shortened five-inning contest, Goodman slugged two home runs over his three plate appearances, reaching base each time. This was Goodman's second multi-home run game of the spring, and he's hitting .291/.385/.658 over his first 21 games of the season. One of the premier power hitters in the minor leagues, Goodman is showing improved plate discipline this season.

Drew Gilbert, OF, Astros: The Astros 2022 first-rounder has continued to impress early and often with High-A Asheville, as he connected for three hits and a pair of home runs on Wednesday night. He hit a solo shot in the fifth and followed it up with a three-run job off of Nathan Landry in the seventh. The center fielder is now hitting .342/.407/.610 with 11 extra-base hits in 18 games for Asheville this season. It shouldn't be long before Gilbert is promoted to Double-A.

Dodgers' Gavin Stone Came To Grips With His Changeup—And Has Excelled

Stone didn't develop the pitch that him famous until his first full season as a pro. Now, he has the Dodgers' attention and is on track for his MLB debut this season.