Lucas Giolito, rhp, Nationals
Team: high Class A Potomac (Carolina)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 SO
The Scoop: The No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball at midseason turned it up another notch this past Wednesday, tossing seven hitless and walk-free innings in relief of rehabbing Aaron Barrett. His only blemishes were two hit batters. The owner of two plus pitches in his fastball and curveball (and a potential third in his changeup), Giolito has allowed only one earned run over his last 19 1/3 innings and has struck out 20 against seven walks in that span.
Runner Up
Manuel Margot, cf, Red Sox
Double-A Portland (Eastern)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .333/.400/.556 (9-for-27), 3 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO, 2-for-3 SB
The Scoop: After a fantastic first half marred only by injuries, Margot jumped to Double-A Portland this past week and kept on producing. The five-tool talent with a knack for contact—he struck out just 15 times in 46 games at high Class A Salem—socked his first home run and even earned his first intentional walk at his new level during the Sea Dogs’ marathon game on Thursday night. A gifted center fielder, he is quickly rising up the ranks.
