Here are the top plays by position so far
As we come out on the other side of the All-Star break, it's a good time to take a look back at some of the astonishing, high-flying and awe-inspiring defensive plays from the early part of the season. Throughout the season, MiLB.com gets the fans involved in voting for the
As we come out on the other side of the All-Star break, it's a good time to take a look back at some of the astonishing, high-flying and awe-inspiring defensive plays from the early part of the season.
Throughout the season, MiLB.com gets the fans involved in voting for the Premier Plays of the Week and Premier Plays of the Month, presented by Capital One. From home-run robberies, leaping catches and the plays that get the fans out of their seats, here are the best from each position on the diamond.
Catcher: Jhonny Pereda, Triple-A Louisville, April 6
There's a reason it's widely agreed that the catcher plays the hardest position on the diamond. Credit where it's due to center fielder Michael Siani for making the strong throw to the plate, but the pick and the tag -- swiping through in one motion -- by Jhonny Pereda make this play stand out. This play was voted by fans as the Premier Play of the Week for April 6-12.
Honorable mentions: Single-A Visalia's Christian Cerda tags out two runners at the plate ... Shane McGuire's sliding catch on a popped up bunt attempt for Double-A Midland.
First baseman: C.J. Stubbs, Double-A Corpus Christi, May 21
A catcher by trade, C.J. Stubbs hadn't played a lot of first base prior to this play. But the fearlessness that comes with being a backstop clearly followed him to the other hot corner. Hooks' second baseman Joey Loperfido helped Stubbs land back on his feet, but this play is reminiscent of the 2022 Premier Play of the Year by Midland's Brett Harris. The snag won Stubbs the Premier Play of the Week for May 18-24 and Premier Play of the Month for May.
Honorable mentions: High-A Wisconsin's Ernesto Martinez makes a sliding, over-the-shoulder catch on a pop-up ... Thomas Francisco avoids the tarp to make the play for High-A Peoria.
Second baseman: Darren Baker, Triple-A Rochester, May 11
Darren Baker will always be known as the young bat boy that was rescued at the plate by J.T. Snow during the 2002 World Series. But the 24-year-old has made a name for himself as a terrific defender in three seasons since being drafted. This slow grounder was deflected by veteran first baseman Matt Adams and Baker made a behind-the-back snag that not many have ever seen on a baseball diamond.
Honorable mentions: Luis Guillorme charges a grounder and flips behind his back for Triple-A Syracuse ... Double-A Montgomery's Gionti Turner and Single-A Carolina's Jadher Areinamo both make behind-the-back flips to second just days apart ... Esteban Quiroz flies through the air to snag a liner for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Third baseman: José Devers, Double-A Pensacola, May 26
José Devers follows in the footsteps of fellow Blue Wahoos' third baseman Cobie Fletcher-Vance, who claimed this same honor last year. Every day in the Minors, some quick-footed defender of the hot corner makes a diving stop on a hard grounder up the line. But Devers shows off the speed by getting to the bag, and his arm strength to get the throw across the diamond and complete the double play.
Honorable mentions: Triple-A Rochester's Jack Dunn (March 31-April 5) and High-A Quad Cities' Cayden Wallace (June 15-21) earn Premier Play of the Week after making a diving stop and throwing from their knees ... Fletcher-Vance -- yes, that Fletcher-Vance -- makes a diving grab on a rope in the hole for Pensacola.
Shortstop: Weston Wilson, Triple-A Lehigh Valley, May 28
The shortstop and center field positions often provide the most entertaining highlights. This play on a hot shot in the hole is much more difficult that Weston Wilson makes it seem. The ball is scorched off the bat and gets past the IronPigs' shortstop before it reaches his glove. Wilson also follows the ball as it takes a wicked hop in the middle of his dive.
Honorable mentions: Elly De La Cruz unleashes a 99.1 mph throw to first ... Mason McCoy ranges deep into the outfield to make an over-the-shoulder catch on a pop-up ... Luisangel Acuña makes a diving stop to start a double play.
Left field: Hayden Cantrelle, Double-A Richmond, July 9
This grab is a current Premier Plays of the Week nominee, and it's even more impressive with the full context. This was just Hayden Cantrelle's second game in the outfield and the sixth ball hit in his direction. The 24-year-old doesn't look out of sorts, however. He puts his head down and goes into a full sprint in the gap before making a full-extension diving catch.
Honorable mentions: High-A Jersey Shore's Jared Carr makes a leaping catch up against the wall ... Skye Bolt makes a long throw to the plate for Triple-A Nashville ... Double-A New Hampshire's Zach Britton makes a leaping catch and crashes into the fence.
Center field: Donta' Williams, Double-A Bowie, April 23
There were plenty of incredible plays to choose from for center field. But Donta' Williams takes the spot as he looks like he's actually levitating in the middle of this diving catch. The 24-year-old even got the chance to go on MLB Network and chat with Harold Reynolds about this spectacular grab. Reynolds likened the effort here to Jim Edmonds' catch for the Angels in 1997. And it's difficult to disagree.
Honorable mentions: DaShawn Keirsey Jr.'s home-run robbery for Double-A Wichita, which beat out Williams' in Premier Plays voting for April 20-26 ... Marcus Lee Sang's flailing catch on the track for Jersey Shore, which was the Premier Play of the Month winner for April ... Justin Dean scales the wall for Double-A Mississippi.
Right field: Sal Frelick, Triple-A Nashville, April 15
Fresh off his World Baseball Classic appearance with Team Italy, Sal Frelick headed to Nashville looking to book an early ticket to The Show. A thumb injury sidelined MLB Pipeline's No. 18 overall prospect for a stretch and put a temporary hold on those plans. But in the early part of the season, he quickly showed off his plus speed, athleticism and fielding ability.
Honor mentions: Double-A Tennessee's Pete Crow-Armstrong makes a sliding catch on a fly ball ... Alexander Ovalles makes a diving catch in foul ground for Montgomery ... Ben Gamel lays out to snare a liner for Triple-A Durham.
Pitcher: William Cuevas, Triple-A Oklahoma City, April 27
Following his WBC appearance with Team Colombia, William Cuevas signed with the Dodgers and returned to the Minors for the first time since 2018. His stint with Oklahoma City was short-lived, as he was released after 11 appearances on June 8. But in that short time, Cuevas pulled off one of the most athletic defensive plays a pitcher could make.
Honorable mentions: Rio Gomez stabs a comeback liner for Triple-A Worcester ... Single-A Fredericksburg's Mason Denaburg tracks down his own wild pitch to tag runner at home ... IronPigs' T.J. Zeuch deflects comebacker to himself, slides to flip for the out.
Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.
Kernels' Offense Erupts for Second Straight Night in 9-4 Win Over Peoria
Peoria, IL - After scoring ten times on 16 hits in the win on Wednesday, Cedar Rapids came back with nine runs on 17 hits on Thursday to knock off Peoria for the second straight night, 9-4. After jumping out to a 5-0 lead on Wednesday, Peoria again got going
Kernels Score Ten Unanswered, Rally to Best Peoria 10-5
Peoria, IL - Trailing 5-0, Cedar Rapids scored the game's final ten runs to knock off the Chiefs and take the series opener in Peoria 10-5 Wednesday afternoon. To begin the fourth and final series between the two teams in 2025, Peoria struck first in the bottom of the second.
Quad Cities Pitching Dominant, River Bandits Defeat Kernels 5-3 to take the Series
Cedar Rapids, IA - Quad Cities scored three runs in the top of the first inning and pitching took them the rest of the way in a 5-3 win over the Kernels to win the series against Cedar Rapids Sunday afternoon. After dropping the game on the Fourth of July,
Five Run Second Provides the Fireworks, Peschl Sparkles, Kernels Top Bandits 6-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Kernels sparked a five-run rally in the bottom of the second, and pitching took them the rest of the way in Cedar Rapids’ fifth straight Fourth of July win, 6-3, over Quad Cities. After coming up short on Thursday night, the Kernels' offense got hot
Quad Cities gets Four Early Runs, Tops Kernels 4-3
Davenport, IA - Quad Cities grabbed an early 4-0 lead and never looked back Tuesday night, topping Cedar Rapids 4-3 in game three of the series. After dropping game two, the Quad Cities’ offense got started in the bottom of the first inning in game three. Erick Torres led off
Cedar Rapids Ninth Inning Rally Usurps Quad Cities, Kernels Beat Bandits 6-5
Davenport, IA - After Quad Cities gets four runs in the eighth inning to take the lead, the Kernels rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth to snatch game two from the River Bandits 6-5. After a combined eighteen runs on twenty-four hits Tuesday night, there was
Quad Cities Tops Cedar Rapids in Shootout 10-8
Davenport, IA - The River Bandits and Kernels combined for eighteen runs on twenty-four hits Tuesday night, but it was Quad Cities that held on to take the back-and-forth contest 10-8 in the series opener. After a late rally in the series finale against South Bend on Sunday, the Kernels’
Kernels Bullpen Shuts Down Cubs, Cedar Rapids Tops South Bend 6-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids bullpen tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, including three shutout from Kade Bragg, and the offense tacked on three runs late to pull away to in a 6-1 win in the series finale over South Bend Sunday Afternoon. For the sixth consecutive game in the
Late Home Run Pushes Cubs Past Kernels 5-4
Cedar Rapids, IA - A Cameron Sisneros go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning proved to be the difference as the Cubs knocked off the Kernels 5-4 to clinch a series victory over Cedar Rapids Saturday night. After scoring twelve runs on Friday, the Cubs' offense
Kernels Comeback and Win Suspended Game 6-2, Drop Game Two 12-4
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Kernels came back to win the continuation of a rain-suspended contest from Thursday, 6-5, but dropped game two to South Bend 12-4 at Veterans Memorial Stadium Friday night. To begin game three of the series on Thursday night, South Bend struck for three runs in
Cubs Pitching Quiets Kernels' Offense, South Bend Tops Cedar Rapids 4-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - Tyler Schlaffer punched out ten across seven scoreless innings, including six no-hit frames, and the Cubs' offense rallied for four late runs to knock off the Kernels 4-1 Wednesday afternoon. After sixteen combined runs Tuesday evening, pitching shined early on Wednesday. Kernels starter Chase Chaney began
Five-Run Sixth Inning Propels South Bend to Victory Over Cedar Rapids, 10-6
Cedar Rapids, IA - South Bend plated five runs in the sixth inning, which proved to be the difference in a 10-6 victory in the series opener over Cedar Rapids Tuesday night. After losing five of its six games in the first series in Cedar Rapids, South Bend got on
Kernels Struggle with Runners in Scoring Position, Fall in Beloit 3-2
Beloit, WI - Cedar Rapids went 2-15 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base, falling to Beloit 3-2 in the series finale Sunday afternoon. After scoring nine times in the win on Saturday, the Kernels struck first again on Sunday. Andy Lugo singled to begin the top
Kernels Crush Four Home Runs, Power Past Sky Carp 9-3
Beloit, WI - Cedar Rapids struck for four home runs, matching a season-high, and got great starting pitching from Jose Olivares en route to its first victory in the second half, 9-3 over Beloit Saturday night. After dropping the first game of the half on Friday, the Kernels came out
Kernels' Seventh-Inning Rally Not Enough in 6-5 Loss at Beloit
Beloit, WI - Cedar Rapids eased a four-run deficit with a five-run seventh inning, but two Sky Carp runs in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the difference in the Beloit 6-5 win over Cedar Rapids Friday night. After the Sky Carp finished the first half on
Playoff Bound Again! Kernels Sweep Doubleheader in Beloit, Win First Half Title
Beloit, WI - Cedar Rapids shut out Beloit 2-0 in game one and rallied from behind to win game two 5-4, sweeping the doubleheader in Beloit to clinch the Midwest League West Division first half title and a spot in the 2025 postseason. After coming from behind in the series
Kernels Rally in Beloit, Best Sky Carp 5-4 in 10 Innings
Beloit, WI - Trailing by a run in the eighth, Brandon Winokur tied the game with a home run, then with an RBI single in the tenth put Cedar Rapids on top 5-4, a lead it would not lose in the 10-inning win Tuesday evening. After dropping the series finale
Cedar Rapids’ Late Rally Falls Short, Peoria Takes Series Finale 4-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Kernels scored runs in the eighth and the ninth innings but couldn’t overcome a late three-run deficit as the Chiefs grabbed the series finale 4-3 on Sunday afternoon. After scoring eight runs on Saturday, the Kernels opened the scoring in the bottom of the second
Hall’s Seven Shutout Innings Lead Kernels Past Chiefs 8-0
Cedar Rapids, IA - Tanner Hall’s seven scoreless innings led the way, while the Kernels' offense provided eight runs to topple the Chiefs 8-0 Saturday evening. After the Kernels plated six runs Friday night, the offense picked up right where they left off on Saturday. Kaelen Culpepper was hit by
Kernels Lead Wire-to-Wire, Knock Off Peoria 6-2
Cedar Rapids, IA – The Kernels took an early lead in the third inning and never looked back Friday night, besting Peoria in game five of the series 6-2. After splitting the doubleheader on Thursday, the Kernels got the scoring started Friday evening. Poncho Ruiz singled to lead off the
Kernels and Chiefs Split Thursday Doubleheader 3-0 and 4-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - Chase Chaney tossed seven strong innings in a complete game shutout as part of a 3-0 Kernels win in game one, but Peoria came back to take game two 4-3 in a split of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon. After back-to-back wins to begin the series, the
Langenberg is Lights Out, Kernels Blank Chiefs 6-0
Cedar Rapids, IA - Ty Langenberg tossed six shutout innings, striking out three for his first win of the season, while the Cedar Rapids offense picked up ten hits in a 6-0 victory Wednesday afternoon. After taking the series opener in ten innings on Tuesday, the Kernels got on the
Kernels Rally From Down Three, Walk-Off Peoria 7-6 in Ten Innings
Cedar Rapids, IA - Trailing by three runs in the seventh, Cedar Rapids battled to send it to extra innings and walked off the Chiefs on a Rayne Doncon sacrifice fly in a 7-6 victory in ten innings Tuesday night. Entering the series on a five-game winning streak, Peoria got
Kernels' Late Rally Falls Short, Wisconsin Tops Cedar Rapids 7-5
Appleton, WI - Cedar Rapids scored runs across four straight late innings, but it was not enough to complete the comeback victory as the Timber Rattlers held off the Kernels 7-5 Sunday afternoon. After walking off the Kernels in back-to-back games, Wisconsin hopped on the board first on Sunday. Singles
Wisconsin Walks-Off Cedar Rapids for Second Straight Night, 3-2
Appleton, WI - With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, pinch runner Luiyin Alastre scrambled home to score on a wild pitch to score the game-winning run for Wisconsin in a 3-2 walk-off win over Cedar Rapids Saturday night. After a comeback win in game four of