Reed, Stroman are Pipeline Prospects of Week

Throughout the season, the MLBPipeline.com staff will name Pipeline Prospects of the Week -- one hitter and one pitcher who excelled over the previous seven days. To qualify for selection, a player must rank among their organization's Top 20 Prospects, as listed on our Prospect Watch.

Pipeline Hitting Prospect of the Week: Michael Reed, OF, Brevard County Manatees (Brewers No. 15 prospect), 6 G, 12-for-21 (.571/.700/1.048), 1.748 OPS, 2 HR, 9 R, 5 RBI, 3 SB

Reed made news on April 14, when he started a rare triple play from the outfield. He's back in the spotlight again, this time for having the hottest week of any Minor League hitter.

Playing for high Class A Brevard County, Reed reached base 21 times in 30 plate appearances last week, slammed six extra-base hits and -- for good measure -- stole three bases. He's now batting .314/.487/.488 in 28 games, leading the Florida State League with 15 steals while ranking second in walks (28) and on-base percentage.

The son of former NFL defensive end Benton Reed, Michael signed with the Brewers for $500,000 as a fifth-round pick out of Leander High School in Texas in 2011. Part of an all-prospect Brevard County outfield with Victor Roache and Tyrone Taylor, Reed profiles as a right fielder with developing power and a strong arm.

Honorable Mention

Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Arkansas Travelers (Angels No. 1 prospect), 7 G, 13-for-31 (.419/.419/.806), 1.226 OPS, 3 HR, 9 R, 12 RBI

Kody Eaves, 2B, Burlington Bees (Angels No. 20 prospect), 6 G, 12-for-24 (.500/.571/.833), 1.405 OPS, 6 2B, 8 R, 5 SB

Wilmer Flores, SS, Las Vegas 51s (Mets No. 4 prospect), 6 G, 8-for-16 (.500/.529/1.125), 1.654 OPS, 3 HR, 4 R, 8 RBI

Tyrone Taylor, OF, Brevard County Manatees (Brewers No. 2 prospect), 6 G, 12-for-27 (.444/.500/.889), 1.389 OPS, 2 HR, 11 R, 7 RBI

Pipeline Pitching Prospect of the Week: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays No. 2 prospect), 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 SO

How impressive was Stroman's performance on the mound last week? Enough so that the Blue Jays called him up from Triple-A. He made his big league debut on Sunday, giving up one run in two-thirds of an inning in relief in a 7-2 win over the Pirates.

Stroman had his best outing of the season last Tuesday against Louisville, striking out 10 in six innings and permitting just one baserunner (a walk). In five starts for Triple-A Buffalo, he went 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA, compiling a 36/7 K/BB ratio in 26 2/3 innings. At the time of his promotion, he led the International League in strikeouts.

The first first-round pick out of Duke, Stroman went 22nd overall in the 2012 Draft and signed for $1.8 million. Though he's just 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, he has the stuff and athleticism to be a frontline starter in the Majors, and he eventually should move into Toronto's rotation. Stroman has one of the best sliders in baseball, along with a lively low-90s fastball and a solid cutter and changeup.

Honorable Mention

Tyler Danish, RHP, Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox No. 4 prospect), 1-0, 0.00, 2 GS, 12 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO

Ryan Eades, RHP, Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins No. 20 prospect), 2-0, 0.00, 2 GS, 11 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 SO

Jon Gray, RHP, Tulsa Drillers (Rockies No. 1 prospect), 1-0, 1.59, 2 GS, 11 1/3 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 13 SO

Lance McCullers Jr., RHP, Lancaster JetHawks (Astros No. 5 prospect), 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

Joe Ross, RHP, Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres No. 9 prospect), 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO