Walker hits for the cycle for Dash
Steele Walker walked up to the plate in the ninth inning with a chance to make some history. He didn't disappoint.The 10th-ranked White Sox prospect singled to complete the cycle, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs and a run scored, as Class A Advanced Winston-Salem defeated Carolina, 6-2, on Friday at
Steele Walker walked up to the plate in the ninth inning with a chance to make some history. He didn't disappoint.
The 10th-ranked White Sox prospect singled to complete the cycle, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs and a run scored, as Class A Advanced Winston-Salem defeated Carolina, 6-2, on Friday at Five County Stadium.
Someone of Walker's pedigree had to have done this in a game before, even if it was Little League, right?
"Never in my life at any level," the left-handed hitter said. "I've never done that, so that's why it's cool. Honestly, it feels like freedom."
After grounding out in the first, Walker smacked a two-run homer to right field off right-hander Nelson Hernandez in the fourth. The 22-year-old tripled to left to plate another run in the sixth and get the hardest half of the cycle out of the way.
Walker doubled to left-center with one out in the eighth, which is when his chance at hitting for the cycle hit him.
"It didn't come into my mind until the double," he said. "So I hit the double and then three pitches after, a thought popped into my head, 'Oh my gosh, I've done everything but the single tonight.' It was just a random thought and when I went to the dugout everyone was like, 'You've got to get up again.'"
The center fielder wasn't exactly confident he would get that chance.
"I didn't," Walker said. "They changed pitchers and the dude was throwing pretty hard. Usually, when you hit in the eighth you don't hit in the ninth. But then again, everyone was pulling for me, kind of like you do when you are behind in the game, so I said, 'There's a good chance I get up.' And, thankfully, I did."
The Texas native put his name in the Carolina League record book by singling to left-center off Justin Topa with two outs in the ninth, scoring Evan Skoug. Walker gave some credit to teammate Mitch Roman for allowing him to focus in that last at-bat.
"I was on deck and Roman, the first pitch he swung at, he just whiffed and he started laughing," he said. "Afterwards, I was like, 'I needed to see that.' It reminded me that it's just a game. We can get so lost in it."
Of course, knocking a ball into one of the alleys or down the line could have set up a major decision for Walker -- one that a fan joked with him about while he waited in the on-deck circle.
"I'm on deck about to get my next at-bat with one out, so I know I'm going to hit and a fan screams at me, 'Hey, Steele, if you hit one in the gap, are you going to second?'" Walker said. "I started laughing and said, 'Yeah, I think I have to go to second if that happens.' Obviously, [put] the team before myself. But I just found a hole on a ground ball, so it didn't have to come to that predicament. It's a hard one to be in, especially when you are winning."
The University of Oklahoma product became the first member of the Dash to hit for the cycle since Mason Robbinson April 27, 2016 against Lynchburg.
A second-round pick in last year's Draft, Walker raised his batting average 25 points to .246 with three homers, four triples, 15 doubles, 29 RBIs and 22 runs scored in 54 games between Winston-Salem and Class A Kannapolis. The adjustment to the higher level has the outfielder focusing on what happens between the ears when it comes to the game.
"I'm learning how mental baseball is," he said. "At the level underneath this, I felt really comfortable and confident. I felt like I was really settled in, so you are ready to progress. When you change environments, you change coaches. You change teammates. You change your living situation. Off-the-field stuff changes. Relationships change. And you're supposed to be the same guy on the field every single day.
"It is the mental side of being able to be free of all the distractions, all of the outside pressure … and just being able to play. I've noticed that the best players are able to do that, and it's a skill that I'm learning. Tonight was a good example of me being able to be free."
Roman finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Dash.
Lefty John Parke (4-2) picked up the win, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings. Right-hander Codi Heuer followed with three scoreless frames to pick up his second save.
Hernandez (6-5) gave up four runs and six hits over six innings.
Brian Stultz is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianjstultz.
Cubs' Rojas, Mets' Tong headline May's Minor League Players of the Month
Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for May in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now