Pipeline preview: Allard seeks fifth straight quality start for Rome

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

Hitter to watch: Daniel Palka (Twins’ No. 20), Rochester at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)

Palka has been driving the ball out of the park all year and August has been no exception. The 24-year-old has seven homers in 21 games this month after going deep as part of a 2-for-4 day Thursday. Palka has a career-high 33 homers on the season and his 88 RBIs are two shy of his career-best, set a season ago.

Pitcher to watch: Kolby Allard (Braves’ No. 4), Rome vs. Augusta (7 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)

The No. 67 overall prospect is seeking his fifth consecutive quality start. The 19-year-old has given up five earned runs over his past four starts and is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four August starts. Allard, the Braves’ first-round selection in 2015, has a 3.83 ERA through nine starts with Rome this season, but those numbers are a bit misleading as the lefty got off to a slow start, surrendering 11 earned runs in his first 12 innings.

Duel of the Day: Jharel Cotton (Athletics’ No. 15) vs. Mike Mayers (Cardinals’ No. 30), Nashville at Memphis (8:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)

Cotton got off to a hot start this month, allowing just one run over 15 innings — including a near perfect game — in two starts. His next two starts have been a bit more pedestrian — nine earned runs over 10 2/3 innings — but the 24-year-old has made a good impression with his new club. Since the Athletics acquired Cotton, he is 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP through 25 2/3 innings.

Mayers has thrown well in August, …

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