Dunand enjoys two-homer, four-RBI night
Joe Dunand might be starting to figure the Southern League out.Miami's No. 22 prospect homered twice and finished with a career-high four hits while falling a triple shy of the cycle in Double-A Jacksonville's 9-2 win over Pensacola on Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Joe Dunand might be starting to figure the Southern League out.
Miami's No. 22 prospect homered twice and finished with a career-high four hits while falling a triple shy of the cycle in Double-A Jacksonville's 9-2 win over Pensacola on Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Dunand tied his career high with four RBIs and scored three runs during his third multi-hit effort in six games, equaling his total through his first 39 contests with the Jumbo Shrimp. But it was a recent phone call with his uncle, three-time American League MVP Alex Rodriguez, that helped Dunand get his mind and body moving in the same direction.
"He's obviously extremely busy, but we talk a lot," Dunand said. "Whenever I want to chat with him, he's always there for me. When I was really struggling a few weeks ago, I asked him, 'What do you do when your body is feeling fatigued?' He basically told me to not overthink things and reset. He really wasn't even talking about baseball, but rather the things a ballplayer needs to do off the field to get through such a long season."
The 22-year-old's cycle bid began innocuously when he tapped out softly to pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez, the ninth-ranked Reds prospect, in the first inning. He beat out on a bunt single to third base and scored on a throwing error by Pensacola catcher Chris Okey, Cincinnati's No. 27 prospect.
Gameday box score
Dunand's snapped a 12-game homerless drought with a two-run shot to left field in the sixth and followed with another tater to left in his next at-bat in the seventh for his first multi-home run game. The North Carolina State product doubled to left in the eighth to cap his four-hit game.
"It was a great night. I saw the ball well," he said. "I never go up there looking to hit home runs. I'm trying to get on base or drive the ball hard somewhere. It was funny to me, because [my first hit], I laid down the bunt for a single, and then the next two, I went deep. When I hit that second one, I heard [top Marlins prospect Monte Harrison] celebrate. He must have known it was out. It was a pretty cool feeling."
Promoted to Double-A after hitting .263/.326/.391 in 66 games with Class A Advanced Jupiter, Dunand hit .159 through 44 games entering Wednesday. But the Miami native has batted .333 with six RBIs in his last 10 games to lift his average 32 points. Overall, Dunand has amassed a slash line of .230/.297/.370 with 30 extra-base hits and 61 RBIs in 109 games.
"The thing I take away from struggling is to stick with the process and do what you need to do to get better," he said. "Everybody struggles in their careers. This is my first full year and I'm learning a lot about what I need to do. I would say my body was getting a little tired a few weeks ago and that's a part of learning. It's the first time I've played this much in one year, but I feel it getting better.
"My uncle told me, 'Everyone is going to struggle. Whether you're Alex Rodriguez or Barry Bonds. But a good hitter finds his way.' For me, it just happened to coincide when I was promoted."
Playing in his second rehab game, Lewis Brinson homered on the first pitch of the night and Justin Twine went 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs.
Jacksonville starter Nick Neidert (11-6) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits to win his league-best 11th game. The third-ranked Marlins prospect struck out seven and walked one to win his third consecutive decision.
Okey supplied Pensacola's offense with a two-run homer, his fourth of the season.
Gutierrez (9-10) was tagged with five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and did not walk a batter.
Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB.
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
Nationals prospect King joins 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
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two