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Colt Keith, 2B, Tigers: Colt Keith went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI on Monday. It’s been a slow start for the rookie. He’s hitting .250 with a .333 on-base percentage, but so far he’s had only one extra-base hit (a double) in 10 MLB games. Keith should get to more power as he adjusts to MLB pitching, but his defense so far at second has been a pleasant surprise. He’s yet to make an error at second base, and he’s shown solid range.

Trey Lipscomb, 3B, Nationals: Lipscomb has been a pleasant boost for Washington so far, and Monday provided an even more unexpected surprise from the rookie. Lipscomb went 3-for-5 and stole three bases. Lipscomb’s career high in steals in the minors is 12 and he only stole 10 last year, but just 10 days into his MLB career, he already has four steals. Lipscomb is not a burner in any way, but he does know how to pick his spots, which he showed with two steals off Blake Snell/Patrick Bailey and another off of the Erik Miller/Bailey battery.

Ivan Herrera, C, Cardinals: Cardinals backup catcher Ivan Herrera has had to step into the starting role thanks to Willson Contreras’ hand injury. So far, he’s done an excellent job of stepping in. Herrera hit his second home run of the season on Monday and also drew a walk while going 1-for-3. Herrera is hitting .304/.308/.565.

Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, Red Sox: The Red Sox and Rafaela agreed to a long-term extension Monday afternoon, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the deal is for eight years, $50 million. Rafaela, 23, is the No. 94 prospect in baseball and has primarily played center field for the Red Sox so far in 2024, where he has Gold Glove potential. Rafaela is also a talented defensive infielder. He’s hitting just .233/.286/.400 to start the season, but the extension seems to indicate the Red Sox view him as a long-term piece of the core and are willing to let the bat continue to develop in the majors. He is the second emerging talent to sign an extension in recent weeks, joining RHP Brayan Bello, who inked a six-year pact in early March.

Want to get ahead? Each day we’ll surface one prospect from recent Baseball America coverage who could be on the rise.

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

Zyhir Hope, OF, Dodgers: Baseball America’s Hot Sheet returned this morning and Hope is one of two helium selections in our first edition. The Dodgers added Hope and Jackson Ferris in the January trade that shipped Michael Busch to the Cubs. Chicago had drafted Hope out of high school in the 11th round last year and paid him $400,000, the equivalent of fifth-round money. He has outstanding speed and quick hands that helped him crush three early home runs in California League play, including one with a 113 mph exit velocity. The power is real. If Hope hits, he could take off as a prospect.

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