Pipeline Preview: Puk looks to continue racking up K's

Here's a look at top prospects to watch in today's Minor League action:
Hitter to watch: Ozzie Albies (Braves' No. 1), Gwinnett at Toledo (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
After a stint on the seven-day disabled list for a sore foot, Albies, MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect, returned to action on Tuesday and went 2-for-4 with a double and triple for Triple-A Gwinnett. Before he landed on the shelf, the 20-year-old second baseman was batting .262/.311/.391 with 19 extra-base hits and 15 steals through 54 games.

Pitcher to watch:Reynaldo López (White Sox No. 5), Charlotte vs. Louisville (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Lopez, No. 38 on the Top 100, completed a season-high seven innings in his last start for Triple-A Charlotte. He allowed three earned runs on six hits, with one strikeout and one walk, in the outing. Overall, the 23-year-old right-hander has given up three or fewer earned runs in 10 of his 12 turns this season en route to a 3.82 ERA in 66 innings.

Duel of the day: A.J. Puk (A's No. 2) vs. Cody Reed (D-backs' No. 19), Stockton vs. Visalia (10:10 p.m. ET)
Puk, 22, enters the day as the California League's strikeout leader, having fanned 87 batters in just 54 1/3 innings (14.4 K/9) to begin his first full season. While the No. 59 overall prospect's 3.98 ERA has been inflated by a few shaky outings, his .194 opponents' average with one home run allowed, as well as his aforementioned gaudy strikeout numbers, speak to his effectiveness so far in the hitter-friendly league.

Reed was promoted to Visalia in late May after dominating to the tune of a 1.74 ERA -- with a 0.86 WHIP and .174 BAA -- over 46 2/3 innings (eight starts) with Class A Kane County. The 21-year-old lefty hasn't fared as well in the California League, however, going 0-2 with a 4.96 ERA in his first three starts.

Wednesday's Top 100 prospect probables
No. 24 Brent Honeywell (Rays' No. 2), Durham at Columbus (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 75 Ian Anderson (Braves' No. 6) vs. Garrett Williams (Giants' No. 25), Rome vs. Augusta (1 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
No. 98 Jack Flaherty (Cardinals' No. 5), Memphis vs. Colorado Springs (12:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
More top prospect probables
Chris Lee (Orioles' No. 6), Norfolk vs. Indianapolis (Triple-A)
Parker Bridwell (Angels' No. 11), Salt Lake vs. Reno (Triple-A)
Mark Appel (Phillies' No. 19), Lehigh Valley at Buffalo (Triple-A)
Chris Stratton (Giants' No. 21), Sacramento at Las Vegas (Triple-A)
Conner Greene (Blue Jays' No. 6), New Hampshire at Richmond (Double-A)
Brad Keller (D-backs' No. 7), Jackson at Birmingham (Double-A)
Yeudy Garcia (Pirates' No. 12), Altoona vs. Portland (Double-A)
Foster Griffin (Royals' No. 20), NW Arkansas at Tulsa (Double-A)
Artie Lewicki (Tigers' No. 21), Erie vs. Binghamton (Double-A)
Jake Jewell (Angels' No. 26), Mobile vs. Biloxi (Double-A)
David Hess (Orioles' No. 27), Bowie vs. Reading (Double-A)
Roniel Raudes (Red Sox's No. 5) vs. Kodi Medeiros (Brewers' No. 18), Salem vs. Carolina (Class A Advanced)
A.J. Puckett (Royals' No. 10), Wilmington at Lynchburg (Class A Advanced)
Thomas Hatch (Cubs' No. 11), Myrtle Beach vs. Frederick (Class A Advanced)
Taylor Hearn (Pirates' No. 11), Bradenton vs. Tampa (Class A Advanced)
Matt Krook (Giants' No. 12) vs. Pablo Lopez (Mariners' No. 23), San Jose at Modesto (Class A Advanced)
Ryan Borucki (Blue Jays' No. 16) vs. Ryan Helsley (Cardinals' No. 30), Dunedin at Palm Beach (Class A Advanced)
Jorge Alcala (Astros' No. 28), Buies Creek at Potomac (Class A Advanced)
Zach Thompson (White Sox No. 30), Winston-Salem vs. Down East (Class A Advanced)
Merandy Gonzalez (Mets' No. 14), Columbia at Greenville (Class A)
Cionel Perez (Astros' No. 16), Quad Cities vs. Cedar Rapids (Class A)
Jordan Hicks (Cardinals' No. 18), Peoria at Kane County (Class A)
Zach Muckenhirn (Orioles' No. 26), Delmarva at Lakewood (Class A)
Micah Miniard (Indians' No. 28), Lake County vs. Fort Wayne (Class A)