Mejia propels Redbirds to Triple-A crown
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After 140-regular season games, nine playoff contests and four Champagne showers, Stubby Clapp kept his message short."Last speech of the year. Four words: I love you guys," the manager told his soaked squad.With a big game from Alex Mejia, who went 5-for-5 with five RBIs and three
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After 140-regular season games, nine playoff contests and four Champagne showers, Stubby Clapp kept his message short.
"Last speech of the year. Four words: I love you guys," the manager told his soaked squad.
With a big game from Alex Mejia, who went 5-for-5 with five RBIs and three runs scored, Memphis rolled past Durham, 14-4, to avenge last year's loss and claim the Triple-A National Championship on Tuesday at Huntington Park.
"It signifies the whole year, as far as getting good quality pitching and then the bats come alive for us and good, consistent defense," Clapp said. "Guys are just playing good, solid baseball all the way around and we get the 'W.'"
Mejia was a part of all five of the Redbirds' run-scoring innings, coming home in the first on a double by Cardinals No. 6 prospectRandy Arozarena and in the third on a triple by Lane Thomas.
An inning later, it was Mejia's turn to bring someone home. The University of Arizona product knocked a two-run single to right field on the first pitch from reliever Ryan Weber. Mejia added a two-run double to center in the sixth and an RBI single to center in the eighth. The 27-year-old does not have a five-hit regular-season game since St. Louis selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 Draft.
"I had a few [big games], but this is definitely one that feels really good. To end the season, deservingly as how we should have," Mejia said. "I was just keeping things simple, keeping the same approach. Thinking about that right-center gap, trying to drive it somewhere over there."
• Complete postseason coverage »
After collecting his last hit in the eighth, Mejia blew a kiss to teammate Edward Mujica, a reliever who insists he's Mejia's good luck charm. The designated hitter said that kind of fun and friendship around the clubhouse is what led to the team's success.
Mejia had an electric postseason run, going 13-for-33 (.394) with four extra-base hits and nine RBIs in eight Pacific Coast League games before raking in Tuesday's nationally televised contest.
"I think the main key is just going out there, having a plan, a nice routine like I've had the whole year and just go out there and play," he said. "More focused on helping the team any way I can, as opposed to focusing on if I can get a couple more hits. ... Just worried about doing your part and carrying your weight to help the team win."
Thomas also had a big night, going 3-for-5 with a homer, triple and five RBIs. Sandwiched between the center fielder and Mejia, Arozarena contributed three hits and two RBIs.
Starter Kevin Herget got the win, yielding two runs on five hits with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 frames. The 27-year-old right-hander was excited to get the opportunity to pitch in the Championship Game after spending most of last season in the bullpen. While Herget noted he hadn't faced Rays prospects since his time in the Florida State League, it didn't affect his preparation.
• Bulls' Sandberg leads, succeeds with a smile »
"My approach throughout the year has been kind of the same," he said. "I don't really look too much at the hitters, I just execute my game plan and, obviously, make adjustments throughout the game as I see it."
The Bulls chipped away at the early eight-run deficit on RBIs from Austin Meadows, Jason Coats and Brandon Snyder.
After getting word from Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, who was staying dry outside the clubhouse, Clapp interrupted the postgame celebration to tell his team that right-hander Giovanny Gallegos was getting promoted to St. Louis. The reliever notched an 0.54 ERA with 16 strikeouts and three walks over 16 2/3 innings since being acquired from the Yankees on July 29.
"It's a lot of fun whenever you get to give anyone the opportunity to go to the big leagues and live out a dream," Clapp said. "Gallegos is going to get to go with the Cardinals. He's been with the Yankees and now he's going to get to enjoy this in St. Louis."
After being on the losing end three times (at the 2000 Triple-A World Series and the Triple-A National Championship Game in 2009 and 2017), Memphis wins its first national title. The Bulls beat the Redbirds a year ago, 5-3.
"It's bragging rights, it's a national title," Clapp said. "Nobody's better."
Kelsie Heneghan is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan.
Here are the weirdest plays and stats from MiLB 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.
Podcast features first-base promotions for Caglianone, Eldridge
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
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