Ruiz among top prospect performers Monday

Luke Weaver took another step towards reaching the big leagues on Monday night with an impressive debut for Triple-A Memphis.

Taking the mound in game two of a twin bill against Omaha, Weaver, MLBPipeline.com’s No. 94 overall prospect, allowed two hits over six scoreless innings to pace the Redbirds in a 2-0 victory. He walked a pair and struck out four, with 59 of his 91 pitches going for strikes.

“Everything’s kind of new,” Weaver told MiLB.com. “Pretty much every batter I saw, I’ve never seen or pitched against besides watching them prior to the game when I got here. It was just a good mix with (catcher) Michael Ohlman back there. He knows my stuff. He’s caught me plenty of times. He caught my first start in Double-A when I got the season rolling around. We just have a good chemistry there, and I trust what he’s putting down.”

The Cardinals’ No. 2 prospect was promoted to Memphis after a dominant showing in the Texas League, where he posted a 1.40 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 88-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 77 innings (12 starts) for Double-A Springfield. He allowed just four home runs, while holding opposing hitters to a .214 average.

“There are definitely some advanced approaches,” he told MiLB.com. “I learned a lot in Double-A, but just with this one start, I learned a heck of a lot. I think it’s just about, for me personally, being as consistent as possible, giving us a chance to win.

“There’s always stuff to improve on. I’m obviously happy with the season as it’s come together, especially with the circumstances prior to it starting. I’m just thankful and blessed to stay healthy at this point and to go out there and throw as many innings as I can to help the team to win.”

Weaver’s promotion to Triple-A might have come sooner had the 22-year-old right-hander not suffered a fractured left wrist during Spring Training, which subsequently delayed the start of his 2016 campaign until June 5. However, the fact that Weaver has so little mileage on his arm this season ultimately could be a blessing in disguise for the Cardinals, who could call upon the 2014 first-rounder to bolster their starting rotation for the stretch run.

The rest of the best performances from top prospects Monday

• No. 25 overall prospect Jorge Mateo (Yankees’ No. 3) hit a three-run home …

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