Tatis Jr.'s monster game leads top prospects

Fernando Tatis Jr., MLB Pipeline's No. 8 overall prospect, was an offensive catalyst for a split-squad Padres team against the White Sox on Sunday. Tatis turned in a 4-for-4 performance with a double and five RBIs.
"It's felt great, man," Tatis said. "I've been working hard, been working every day with my hitting coach [Mark McGwire]. It's paying off right now. They've been telling me to stay more consistent, be a little more quiet with my swing, staying through the ball. Same swing, just more control."

The 19-year-old shortstop, who is ranked as the Padres' No. 1 prospect, is competing in Major League camp for the first time this spring, before likely beginning the year with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore or Double-A San Antonio. His looming arrival in the big leagues prompted the Padres to acquire Freddy Galvis this offseason as a one-year stopgap with Tatis potentially debuting in 2019.
Another Padres farmhand, left-hander Eric Lauer (San Diego's No. 13 prospect), also impressed by pitching two perfect frames with three strikeouts vs. Chicago.
Below is a look at how the rest of the game's biggest prospects performed on Sunday:
• Rockies top prospectBrendan Rodgers (No. 14 overall) clubbed a two-run homer in Colorado's game against the Angels. Rodgers, the third overall Draft selection by the Rockies in 2015, hit .336 with 18 home runs between Class A Advanced Lancaster and Double-A Hartford last season.

• A's No. 3 prospect (No. 66 overall) Franklin Barreto batted leadoff and homered in the club's matchup against the Padres. Barreto drove in two runs with his long ball in the third inning. The 22-year-old infielder made his Major League debut in 2017 and is expected to begin the 2018 season at Triple-A Nashville.
• Mariners' No. 16 prospectMike Ford helped propel the Mariners to victory against the Rangers, driving in the go-ahead runs with a pinch-hit homer. With his three-run blast, Ford, who hit a career-high 20 homers last season, gave Seattle the lead in the sixth inning of its 10-7 victory.
The organization's No. 17 prospect, outfielder Ian Miller, also contributed to the victory, driving in three runs with a two-RBI single and a sacrifice fly. Miller was the Mariners' Minor League Hitter of the Year last year, splitting his time between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma and is competing for the club's fourth outfielder job this spring.
• Giants No. 3 prospectSteven Duggar homered in his only at-bat against the Dodgers, driving a fly ball to right-center field vs. Los Angeles starter Kenta Maeda. The rookie center fielder has also been getting some extra instruction from veteran Pablo Sandoval while in camp.
"He's young, but he's smart," Sandoval said. "He likes to do the things that will make him better."

• The Cardinals' 4-1 win over the Astros on Sunday was sparked by two of the club's up-and-coming prospects -- outfielder Harrison Bader (No. 5) and third baseman Yairo Muñoz (No. 12). Both players went 2-for-4, while Bader drove in a run and Munoz hit a double.
• Angels No. 7 prospectJaime Barría earned the win for his club with two scoreless innings against the Rockies. Barria struck out three batters and walked one without allowing a hit in the appearance, his second of the spring. The 21-year-old righty is making a push to join the Angels in the big leagues in 2018.
• Mets No. 24 prospectP.J. Conlon wrapped up New York's game against the Nationals by pitching the final three innings, allowing just one hit and a walk with two strikeouts. Conlon posted a 3.38 ERA through 28 games (22 starts) with Double-A Binghamton last season.