We are getting very close to the midway point of the 2016 season. Today I am going to dip into the California League and Florida State League at the High-A level and highlight several players who have found success and also take a look at a couple of guys that haven’t cut the mustard up to this point. Starting on Sunday, we’ll be focusing on players in the upcoming Futures Game during All-Star Weekend in San Diego.

California League

It looks as though the Giants could have a closer of the future brewing at High-A San Jose. Since becoming a full-fledged reliever last year—and full-time closer this season—Rodolfo Martinez has been filthy, throwing his 80-grade fastball between 98 and 102 consistently. This season he owns a 0.88 ERA with a K/9 of 9.7 and 21 saves. It’s almost amazing that San Francisco hasn’t promoted him to Double-A, but that’s coming soon. Though Martinez is unlikely to reach the 25-man roster this season, he could be a bullpen arm as soon as next season and a big league closer down the line.

Chris Shaw continues to dominate the California League as he’s recorded RBI in his last four games. He also has 15 homers for San Jose and is walking at a 9.5 percent clip. His strikeouts have seen a 2.5 percent increase this season, but it doesn’t seem to be anything to worry about. We’ll see how he handles Double-A pitching when he ultimately receives a promotion.

The Rockies may have another bat in their system to keep an eye on going forward. Outfielder Omar Carrizales has been batting leadoff for Modesto all season and had a 5-for-5 game with two triples on Tuesday night. He’s batting .301 with eight triples on the year.

Florida State League

The Yankees’ top prospect, Jorge Mateo, recently started in the Florida State League All-Star Game after his strong first half. Surprisingly, he wasn’t given a promotion to Double-A and has since been in a 6-for-32 slump. Mateo led the minors with 82 steals last year and has 26 so far this season. It’d be nearly impossible for him to match his total from a season ago, but that doesn’t discount his prowess on the base paths any less. He won’t reach the majors until late-2017 or 2018, but he should be nowhere near the waiver wire in dynasty leagues.

Another Yankees prospect is making news, but for the wrong reasons. James Kaprielian is dealing with a flexor tendon strain that he suffered in late April and will now see a specialist because rest hasn’t solved his issue. He’s only made three starts this season, but there is a lot to like about Kaprielian, including his excellent command. In 29 minor league innings, Kaprielian has 36 strikeouts and just five walks.

After missing the 2015 season due to injury, Reds prospect Ismael Guillon is pitching very well in the Florida State League. After beginning the season in the bullpen, Guillon is now in Daytona’s starting rotation and threw six shutout innings in his most recent start. Guillon is walking 4.3 batters per nine innings, but he’s increased his K/9 to 10.6. While this has been a very solid season for Guillon to date, he’s already 24 years old. The Reds are in rebuild mode, so it’s possible that he will get a look in a spot start down the stretch, but I wouldn’t count on it. He can be avoided in dynasty leagues at this time.

News and Notes

Mark Appel is done for the season after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow. Remember, Appel was drafted first overall in 2013, one pick ahead of Kris Bryant.

Speaking of Phillies, this year’s first overall pick, Mickey Moniak, singled and drove in a run during his professional debut for the GCL Phillies.

Ryan Cordell was named the Texas League All-Star MVP after going 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI and leading the South Division to an 8-5 win over the North on Tuesday night. He is batting .283 with 15 homers and 52 RBI on the year.

The Twins are terrible this year and it won’t be long before Jose Berrios is given another look. Berrios is one of the top prospects in baseball and fired off seven shutout innings on Tuesday, lowering his Triple-A ERA to 2.62. The Triple-A level isn’t much competition for Berrios, so if he struggles when he’s recalled, Minnesota will most likely let him work through it.

The Braves demoted shortstop Ozzie Albies to Double-A on Thursday. This move was made so that Albies and Dansby Swanson could begin playing together at shortstop and second base respectively. Albies, just 19 years old, slashed .248/.307/.659 at Triple-A Gwinnett. He will be a fixture in Atlanta’s lineup as soon as next season.

Recent Call-Ups

Chad Kuhl, Pirates

If Kuhl does absolutely nothing the rest of his career, he can fall back on the fact that he beat Clayton Kershaw in his big league debut. Kuhl can be picked up in 14-team and deeper leagues and should be monitored in 12-team leagues.

Lucas Giolito, Nationals

Giolito made his major league debut on Tuesday night and threw four scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and two walks while striking out one. It has yet to be determined whether this is just a one off start, but Giolito certainly