Notable Prospect Performances - 4/19

• The Houston Astros received a much needed good sign from pitching prospect Jordan Lyles who bounced back from a rough first outing with a strong start on Saturday night, reports Robert Emrich of MLB.com.  Lyles gave up only 2 hits in six scoreless innings en route to his first Double-A win.  The 19-year-old starter is the Astros only real impact arm in the upper levels of the minors, and to see him make an adjustment to Double-A from one start to the next serves as a positive sign for an organization in desperate need of good news.
• Aroldis Chapman was still effective in his second start, this one coming on Saturday afternoon, but it was the kind of effectiveness that may not work against better competition, notes Jeff Wallner of MLB.com.  Chapman walked 4 batters this time around, and displayed the control issues that are the only real chink in his armor.  He still allowed only a hit and a run in 5 innings of work, but his 4 walks and 1 strikeout are good indicators of the lack of command the Reds will need to see improvement on before bringing him to Cincinnati.
• You can begin to add Nick Hernandez's name to the list of young Phillies pitching prospects in the low minors.  Hernandez has followed up his strong short-season showing after being drafted last year with a strong start in full-season ball, most recently with his last start in which he took a no-hitter in to the 5th inning, reports Paige Schector of MiLB.com.  Hernandez is in Low-A Lakewood for now, but the 21-year-old out of the University of Tennessee could reach High-A by mid-season if he continues his strong performance.
• And in the majors, a few teams are not only playing rookies, but relying on them - specifically the Atlanta Braves with Jason Heyward (says Talking Chop.com) and the Baltimore Orioles with Brian Matusz (notes Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com).