Simmons sped through Minors before Hall

Catcher: 'I just felt like I couldn't make an out' at lower levels

Ted Simmons was introduced as a Hall of Famer for the first time at Monday's press conference in San Diego. (Gregory Bull/AP)

By Sam Dykstra | December 9, 2019 8:31 PM ET

Before building a Hall of Fame career in the Majors, Class of 2020 inductee Ted Simmons climbed quickly through the Minor Leagues as a slugging switch-hitting catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals system.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Rawhide announce new ownership

First Pitch Entertainment acquires team from Top of the Third

The Segal family -- Elliott, Sam and Ruth -- is poised to take control of the reigining California League champions. (Visalia Rawhide)

December 7, 2019 11:29 PM ET

First Pitch Entertainment, LLC has acquired the Visalia Rawhide from Top of the Third Inc., subject to the approval of Major League Baseball, the California League team announced Saturday.

Rays get Edwards from Padres in Pham deal

No. 72 overall prospect accompanies Renfroe to Tampa Bay

Xavier Edwards was a Midwest League midseason and end-of-season All-Star this year. (Jerry Espinoza/MiLB.com)

By Kelsie Heneghan | December 6, 2019 11:43 AM ET

The Rays on Friday acquired No. 72 overall prospect Xavier Edwards and slugger Hunter Renfroe from the Padres for infielder Jake Cronenworth and outfielder Tommy Pham.

Kelsie Heneghan is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Thomas socks Rawhide to Cal League title

Top D-backs prospect ropes a walk-off double in the 10th inning

Visalia had been 10-34 in the Championship Series since its last title, falling three times in the past five years. (Visalia Rawhide)

By Duane Cross | September 15, 2019 2:19 AM ET

Top Arizona D-backs prospect Alek Thomas belted a walk-off double in the 10th inning to give Class A Advanced Visalia the California League crown with a 4-3 win over Lake Elsinore.

Duane Cross is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @DuaneCrossMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Basabe puts Rawhide on brink of Cal title

D-backs infield prospect collects three RBIs in Game 3 win

Luis Alejandro Basabe is 5-for-12 (.417) with two extra-base hits in the California League Finals. (Jerry Espinoza/MiLB.com)

By Joe Bloss | September 14, 2019 1:57 AM ET

D-backs prospect Luis Alejandro Basabe drove in three runs to push Visalia past Lake Elsinore, 4-2, in Game 3 of the best-of-5 California League Championship Series.

Joe Bloss is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jtbloss. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Yanqui, Bartlett propel Rawhide in Game 2

D-backs prospects help even Cal League Championship Series

Yoel Yanqui put up a .272/.358/.442 slash line with six homers, 40 RBIs and 17 steals during the regular season. (Jerry Espinoza/MiLB.com)

By Dan Stokes | September 12, 2019 1:47 AM ET

D-backs prospect Cole Bartlett tossed three innings of scoreless relief as Visalia edged Lake Elsinore, 2-1, to square the best-of-5 California League Finals at one win apiece.

Dan Stokes is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByDanStokes. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Ornelas leads Storm in Cal Finals opener

No. 12 Padres prospect reaches base four times in Game 1

Tirso Ornelas has hit 368 with a .961 OPS in the California League playoffs this season. (Jerry Espinoza/MiLB.com)

By Andrew Battifarano | September 11, 2019 1:02 AM ET

San Diego Padres No. 12 prospect Tirso Ornelas reached base four times, scored a run and drove in one as Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore topped Visalia, 5-2, in Game 1 of the Cal League Finals.

Andrew Battifarano is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AndrewAtBatt. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Martinez, Storm surge to Cal League Finals

Padres prospect hurls five shutout innings, offense pulls away

Lake Elsinore is three wins away from its first California League championship in eight years. (Lake Elsinore Storm)

By Jordan Wolf | September 8, 2019 1:55 AM ET

Adrian Martinez tossed five scoreless innings and Tucupita Marcano had three hits and three RBIs as Lake Elsinore beat Rancho Cucamonga, 11-2, to advance to the California League Finals.

Jordan Wolf is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @byjordanwolf. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Perdomo, Rawhide cap Cal League sweep

D-backs No. 7 prospect drives in four runs, hits .462 in series

Geraldo Perdomo went 6-for-13 (.462) with four RBIs and three runs scored in the three-game series. (Lewis Duran/MiLB.com)

By Joe Bloss | September 7, 2019 2:14 AM ET

D-backs No. 7 prospect Geraldo Perdomo drove in four runs as Visalia closed out a three-game sweep of San Jose with a 13-6 win in the California League semifinals.

Joe Bloss is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jtbloss. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Ornelas rallies Storm in extra-inning thriller

Padres No. 12 prospect delivers California League comeback

Tirso Ornelas rapped out five triples during the regular season, third-most for Lake Elsinore. (Jerry Espinoza/MiLB.com)

By Duane Cross | September 6, 2019 3:16 AM ET

San Diego Padres prospect Tirso Ornelas plated the winning run as the Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm beat the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 7-6, in 10 innings in Game 2 of the California League semifinals.

Duane Cross is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @DuaneCrossMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.