Pipeline preview: Mateo is hitter to watch

Here’s a look at top prospects to watch on Thursday in Minor League action:

Mejia streak watch: Indians No. 4 prospect Francisco Mejia aims to extend his 45-game hit streak as Lynchburg plays Salem at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Hitter to watch: Jorge Mateo (Yankees’ No. 3),Tampa vs. Lakeland (1 p.m. ET)

The No. 25 overall prospect is hitting just .259 this season, but he has already set a career high in homers and tied his career high in RBIs. Mateo hit his seventh homer of the season and collected his 40th RBI as part of a 3-for-5 game Wednesday. The 21-year-old scuffled in June and July but has picked it up lately with hits in eight of his past 10 games and hits in four of his past nine at-bats.

Pitcher to watch: Amir Garrett (Reds’ No. 2), Louisville vs. Toledo (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)

Garrett, the No. 55 overall prospect, failed to get out of the fifth inning for the first time all season in his last start. Garrett was tagged for five runs, a season high, and walked six. All those numbers are outliers for the 24-year-old who has a 2.24 ERA through 19 games this season. After that forgettable outing, Garrett gets a chance to redeem himself and improve upon his 7-5 record against Toledo.

Duel of the Day: Brian Johnson (Red Sox No. 7) vs. Adalberto Mejia (Twins’ No. 11), Pawtucket vs. Rochester (1:35 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)

Johnson got hit hard in his first start back with Pawtucket on July 24, but the 25-year-old rounded back into form and threw six scoreless innings on the 29th. Johnson showed excellent command in his last start, striking out five and throwing 52 of his 88 pitches for strikes. Now that …

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