Around the Minors: The week of Aug. 2
Aug. 8
Aug. 8
The sixth sense
On a day in which the Double-A Trash Pandas' offense produced at a voluminous rate,
Rehabbing Ace sets mind-boggling pace
Looks like the formerly dislocated left finger that landed
On the move
A couple of days ago,
Baseball's newly crowned top prospect Adley Rutschman is reportedly heading to Triple-A Norfolk: https://t.co/6rOavaJGYO pic.twitter.com/ZPUgR7hvN2
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 9, 2021
How about some more history?
While Double-A Somerset strung together its first no-hitter, Milwaukee outfield prospect Je'Von Ward was amassing the components necessary for the first cycle in High-A Timber Rattlers history. Wisconsin's leadoff hitter got it accomplished by the fifth inning with a triple in the first, a double in the second, a single in the fourth and a homer in the fifth against Beloit. For good measure, he added another two-bagger in the seventh.
When 'almost perfect' works out just fine
After rehabbing Yankees righty Luis Severino and righty Shawn Semple combined on eight perfect innings for the Double-A Patriots against Adley Rutschman and the Baysox, righty Ron Marinaccio allowed a walk but nothing else en route to Somerset's first no-hitter.
Going, going, Gone-zales
Top Pirates prospect Nick Gonzales has a penchant for doing things in style. So on the occasion of his first career two-homer game, the 22-year-old followed a third-inning solo homer with his first professional grand slam for High-A Greensboro against Hickory. Gonzales finished 3-for-3 with two walks and a host of other firsts for him -- first game with three extra-base hits while setting career highs of five RBIs and three runs.
Nick Gone-zales, take a bow! pic.twitter.com/yw33JyDyq7
— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) August 8, 2021
Nick Gonzales hits his 2nd home run of the day! This time a Grand Slam! pic.twitter.com/yAwN95sWMd
— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) August 8, 2021
Oh, behave!
We love a good pop culture reference. And it's even better when the subject is on a tear at the plate. Such was the case with Triple-A Lehigh Valley's Darick Hall, who went yard in his third straight game against Buffalo. Do a lot of people know about the Anna Nicole Smith "Behave Suite" at the Hotel Derek in Houston? They do now.
BEHAVE DARICK BEHAVE! 💥 #OinkOn pic.twitter.com/Z8dJb69C9M
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) August 8, 2021
Aug. 7
Racking up K's
For the fourth time this season, Davis Daniel notched double-digit K totals with 11. It was also the third time this year that he racked up at least 11 strikeouts, but the first time that the right-hander did it with Double-A Trash City. Over 14 starts this season -- at two levels of the Minors -- the 18th-ranked Angels prospect is sporting a 2.47 ERA with 100 whiffs over 73 total innings.
Flexing that clutch gene
This is not a replay, it's just what Brewers prospect Joey Wiemer does. For the second time in three days, the 22-year-old delivered the game-winning knock for Low-A Carolina -- this time a walk-off three-run homer with his club down a run in the 12th inning. The fourth-round selection in the 2020 Draft is scorching at the plate over his last four games -- all multihit efforts -- going 12-for-17 with four dingers, a pair of doubles, 12 RBIs and six runs scored over that span.
Grand timing
After going hitless over his previous three games -- and not clubbing a homer in his previous seven -- No. 23 Red Sox prospect
and he sticks the landing!
Well, maybe not. But that doesn't take away from this spectacular play by
A grand surge
It's not just that
Ready for the Fenway Faithful
In what is expected to be his final rehab outing, Red Sox ace
New level, same flex
In just his fifth game since joining the Yard Goats,
A Jeterian effort
It's a play that was made famous by the former Yankees shortstop, but no matter where it happens in the field, it's still a sight to be seen. Low-A Fayetteville third baseman Chad Stevens is playing deep near the grass and ventures into foul territory to make the play. The 22-year-old makes a jump throw with his momentum taking him towards the seats and fires a strike to first to get the out. Watch it again!
A family affair
On the same night that former left-hander Billy Wagner was being inducted into the Houston Astros Hall of Fame, his son, Will Wagner, went yard for Houston's Low-A affiliate Fayetteville. The 23-year-old launched a go-ahead solo shot to right in the fifth inning. It's just the third professional game for the 18th-round selection of the Astros in this year's Draft, and his first career home run.
What a night for the Wagner family!
— Fayetteville Woodpeckers (@WoodpeckersNC) August 7, 2021
Will smashes one deep to RF for his first professional home run on the same night his dad Billy gets inducted into the @astros Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/e51E2Uf2MG
Aug. 6
Power cycle
With a three-run home run to left-center in the fifth inning,
Swagger in the outfield
There is a lot that went into this play from
New level, same results
It didn't take long for
Talk about a grand finale
Typically a first baseman,
WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM BY A RELIEF PITCHER*
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 7, 2021
(*sure Will Matthiessen was a position player pitching, but STILL, he got the W and the walk-off!)
📦 https://t.co/AgRnMUd4Pn pic.twitter.com/Gq1AWa46r5
Fitting ending
On a night where Triple-A Lehigh Valley was honoring teammate
Motoring ... Christin Stewart bashes trifecta
Not only did
Hitting it on the Greene
The hits just keep coming this month for
Pitching for the Winn
It was another dominant outing for
Honoring a teammate and a friend
Before their game against Buffalo, Triple-A Lehigh Valley honored teammate
For Daniel ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rOfhsYM7pY
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) August 6, 2021
New digs, who dis?
After a great deal of anticipation, High-A Beliot unveiled its new ballpark this week. ABC Supply Stadium opened its doors for the first time on Tuesday night and hosted a sold out crowd of 3,500 against the Timber Rattlers. The franchise recently signed on to be the Marlins’ High-A affiliate for the next decade and have brand-new facilities to offer those prospects.
After more than a year of construction, Beloit's ABC Supply Stadium made its debut this week to much fanfare.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 6, 2021
Learn about the Minors' newest ballpark: https://t.co/JTq9CQNxJy pic.twitter.com/RD1fIDPAN0
Blowing out the candles
It must be a very happy birthday for second-ranked Reds prospect
Happy Birthday to flamethrower @HunterGreene17!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 6, 2021
We hope your day is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dS3eXdwuIt
Aug. 5
Just saying no-no
What's seven innings long, features four prospects and will wind up in the history books? Thursday's no-hitter by the Arizona Complex League Reds, of course. Righty
It's a no-hitter in the Arizona Complex League!#Reds prospects Yomil Maysonet, Damian Henderson, Tyler Garbee and Jake Gilbert complete the seven-inning feat.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 6, 2021
➡️ https://t.co/lXCUWDcOeh pic.twitter.com/bZt92Tvgbw
Going into over-Drive
Greenville's offense all came from one man literally hitting a milestone.
Tops with Pops
Selected by the White Sox with the 47th overall pick of the 2020 Draft, Jared Kelley became the club's top prospect this season. And he became a Twitter sensation Thursday thanks to a video posted by his father, in which the 19-year-old right-hander told his parents, John and Liz, he was paying off their house to thank them for all their love and support.
We're not crying, you're crying (and we're also crying)
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 6, 2021
Top @whitesox prospect @JaredKelley4 gives his parents a very special gift. https://t.co/Fw0JD42j4K
Baysox have it going on
Baltimore's Double-A affiliate currently sports the top two prospects in the system -- one on the mound and one behind the plate. No. 1 Adley Rutschman's latest show of power already has been documented, but
It's easy being Greene
The guy who can touch triple-digits often ends up with double-digits, in strikeouts that is. Triple-A Louisville's
102 MPH. Good luck with that 😳 pic.twitter.com/FchCCzOsKg
— Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) August 6, 2021
How high the moon
Top Orioles prospect Adley Rutschman gave a little display of his prodigious power with a big home run. His second in three games also marked his 18th of the season for the Baysox. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 Draft is batting .277 with a Double-A Northeast-leading 60 runs and 55 RBIs.
Conine's bat speaks volumes
There may not be sound on the feed, but
Aug. 4
Let's manufacture some runs
Enough of the homers, how about some small ball? Two Minor Leaguers swiped five bases apiece Wednesday. A's infield prospect Max Schuemann racked up five for the Double-A RockHounds, while Padres outfield prospect Grant Little's night included a swipe of home for the High-A TinCaps.
Getting their money's worth
The long-awaited opening of the High-A Snappers' ABC Supply Stadium came with a plethora of storylines. Left-hander Antonio Velez dominated in six hitless innings, striking out 10 without a walk. His lone flaw was a hit batsman. Meanwhile, Marlins' No. 13 prospect
Undoubtably the BEST outing of the year for @Avelez97
— Beloit Snappers (@BeloitSnappers) August 5, 2021
6 no-hit innings | 1 H | 0 R | 10Ks | 0 BB 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/EMbDnvIu1R
The FIRST Home Run at ABC Supply Stadium - Troy Johnston @2297Troy | #OhSnap pic.twitter.com/aojGfIEdC5
— Beloit Snappers (@BeloitSnappers) August 5, 2021
He did it again. @2297Troy with his SECOND home run of the night!#OhSnap pic.twitter.com/zUSNAy2aAU
— Beloit Snappers (@BeloitSnappers) August 5, 2021
Keeping your Witts about him
If you're keeping track of what
Doing well in the all-around competition
Known primarily for his prowess at the plate,
,
Anyone for a home run race?
The dog days of August are even hotter in the midst of a battle between
ANOTHER ONE.
— Pensacola Blue Wahoos (@BlueWahoosBBall) August 5, 2021
Griffin Conine hits his second homer of the night and his 28th of the season, putting him back on top of the @MiLB home run leaderboard! pic.twitter.com/M73w0lQH46
Putting it all together
Following a strong four-inning start to cap July, eighth-ranked Marlins prospect Dax Fulton totally dominated for Low-A Jupiter against Jasson Dominguez and Tampa in his first August outing. The 2020 40th overall pick struck out 10 -- including the top Yankees prospect twice -- over five scoreless frames. Fulton's lone blemish was a fourth-inning single by Cooper Bowman. Over the course of his past two outings, the 19-year-old lefty has fanned 16 while allowing an unearned run on three hits and three walks in nine innings.
Aug. 3
Visiting the Stratosphere
He's not having a night, he's having a week!
Here are the numbers for Noelvi Marte tonight.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 4, 2021
3 HRs
4 H
9 RBIs
4 R
His @ModestoNuts are in the sixth inning. https://t.co/3sp9LP7ESE pic.twitter.com/t0APm8NQ5q
Things that make you go WooSox
With a fourth-inning single, Yairo Muñoz tied the record set by Jacoby Ellsbury in 1997 by safely hitting in his 25th straight game for Boston's Triple-A affiliate. For the season, the 26-year-old outfielder has compiled a slash line of .303/.333/.438 with 32 runs and 28 RBIs over 67 games for Worcester.
Let's go inside the lines
The Low-A Pelicans benefited from two home runs in a 6-4 victory over the Fireflies, and neither one of them left the yard. In the second inning, Cubs infield prospect
Four is the magic number
Two Minor Leaguers may not be swinging for the fences but they're definitely reaching them, in the past four games. St. Louis' No. 14 prospect
Welcome to Rochester
In his first game in his new organization ... and on the East Coast,
Keibert Ruiz has now homered in every game he's played since joining the @Nationals organization.
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) August 4, 2021
Nice trade, Dad 😉 pic.twitter.com/6delZbDfRn
A powerful debut indeed
The top pick in this year's Draft got his career off to a fast start. Henry Davis homered and doubled in his professional debut with the Florida Complex League Pirates' Black squad. The 21-year-old, who started at catcher and batted third, plated three runs before exiting for a defensive replacement in the sixth inning.
"It was a cool experience" -- No. 1 overall Draft pick @henrydavis32 on homering in his pro debut.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 3, 2021
The Pirates catcher also doubled and drove in three in his FCL bow: https://t.co/S7gUJc5ZJ4 pic.twitter.com/nBlvTdxN9X
Aug. 2
Doubling down on a season high
Third-ranked Giants prospect
Heliot Ramos has had something of a quiet season by his standards, but he came through when the Triple-A River Cats needed him on Monday. He started the scoring against the visiting Aces with an RBI single. After adding singles in the fourth and sixth, the 21-year-old outfielder roped a line drive to the gap in center field. Although cut down trying to stretch his double into a triple, Ramos did drive in the tying and go-ahead runs on the play.
Couldn't do better on two legs
There may be a cat roaming the outfield at Yankee Stadium, but how about some major props for the Aviators' Finn? The bat dog for the A's Triple-A affiliate displays some serious technique and style at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Nananananananananana bat dog @finnthebatdog @MiLB @Cut4 pic.twitter.com/pPqcNbEvjL
— Las Vegas Aviators (@AviatorsLV) August 3, 2021
Out of the clear-blue Skye
The sound of the ball hitting the bat of Skye Bolt could have been thunder and the A's outfield farmhand ran around the bases like lightning. The 27-year-old's fourth home run for the Triple-A Aviators was of the inside-the-park variety.
Taking in the surroundings
Most of the time we're focused on the good, bad and the ugly happening on the field. But every now and then, there's a view that can take our collective breath away. Like tonight at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, the friendly confines for Triple-A Albuquerque.
We’re just gonna go ahead and leave this here. #BaseballSky #NMtrue pic.twitter.com/HiWXLtn12e
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) August 3, 2021
Talk about good timing
With former Major Leaguer Cory Snyder in the Isotopes booth in the third inning, son
Taylor Snyder mashed his second Triple-A homer out of the ballpark against the Bees. The Rockies infield prospect was promoted to Albuquerque on July 22.
Marching to Souza's tune
When it comes to slams, they don't get much grander than the one
Off on the right foot
Coming into this year's Draft, Colton Cowser wasn't known for his power. But the fifth overall pick by the Orioles did go yard in five straight games for Sam Houston State University in April. And he started his professional career with a homer for Baltimore's Florida Complex League Orange team.
First pro game, first pro homer for the fifth overall pick in this year's Draft, Colton Cowser!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 2, 2021
More on the Orioles' first-rounder's debut: https://t.co/ek87fSOAMn pic.twitter.com/0U0aNNleJF
The week that was
As the Hot Stove threatened to boil over until Friday's deadline, bats and arms across the Minor Leagues seemed to do the same as milestones abounded and history was repeatedly rewritten. In addition, going yard in consecutive games became all the rage. Review the action here.