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Around the Minors: The week of June 28

Sights and sounds from action across Minor League Baseball
July 5, 2021

July 4

July 4

The man's a veritable K machine
Dodgers lefty reliever Alex Vesia struck out three Triple-A Salt Lake batters Sunday, extending his consecutive strikeout run to 13 spanning his last five appearances for Oklahoma City.

A couple of firecrackers
Bats weren't the only things putting on loud and noisy shows pre-postgame at the ballpark. Two pitchers, in particular, delivered real sizzlers. Seventh-ranked Dodgers prospect Ryan Pepiot twirled seven perfect innings for the Double-A Drillers, striking 11 Travelers out in the process. Pepiot allowed only a walk the next frame before exiting the game. And Reds' No. 18 prospect Graham Ashcraft extended his mind-boggling streak of innings without allowing an earned run to 43 for the Double-A Lookouts. Oh yeah, he didn't give up a hit to the Barons until the seventh.

Early fireworks for Erie
It may be on the nose, but when top Tigers prospect Spencer Torkelson smacked his fifth homer for the Double-A SeaWolves, it practically lit up the night sky.

Mitchell declares his independence
A career day at the plate -- two homers and four hits -- netted top Brewers prospect Garrett Mitchell six RBIs and four runs scored for the High-A Timber Rattlers. The 22-year-old was promoted to the Double-A Shuckers after the game.

The gift of the Maggi
It seems like Drew Maggi really likes the month of July. He's homered in all four games for the Saints since the calendar turned. The 32-year-old is the eighth Triple-A player to go yard in four straight this season.

Getting back in gear
After being the hottest player in pro ball to start the season, the White Sox sent struggling Yermín Mercedes to the Triple-A Knights. Let the hitting commence ... again.

Independent thinking
The Saints went all in, patriotically speaking, for their first Fourth of July as the Twins' Triple-A affiliate.

Feeling that power stroke
Jarred Kelenic is locked in. The top Mariners prospect launched his ninth homer for Triple-A Tacoma and now has eight hits over his last seven games with a pair of dingers and a double.

July 3

Making the most of a half day
In a game that had 20 hits and 16 runs scored -- and never made it past the fifth inning -- there was a no-hitter. That's right. In his Triple-A debut, Luke Westphal spun five hitless frames for El Paso in what became a rain-shortened, five-inning 16-0 victory over Albuquerque.

Back in front
With this three-run shot, Jo Adell once again reclaimed sole possession of the Minor League home run lead. This blast was his 17th dinger of the season.

Five alive
It was a career night for Marlins prospect Bryson Brigman who collected five hits -- falling a triple shy of a cycle -- for Double-A Jacksonville. The 26-year-old clubbed a solo home run, laced a pair of doubles and singled twice. The performance raised his batting average 23 points to .345 on the year.

Mowing 'em down
Royals fourth-ranked prospect Jackson Kowar tied a career high with 10 strikeouts over five innings for Triple-A Omaha. The right-hander is sporting a 2.23 ERA and .192 average against on the season.

So close, yet so far
Keithron Moss took off to steal second, but stumbled before he got to the bag. The Rangers prospect still attempted to slide, however, the distance to the base was so great it just created a fun visual that may follow him for the remainder of his career.

Just your typical 2-6-5 DP ... sorta
Asa Lacy just notched his ninth strikeout of the game, and it turned into a wild strike-'em-out, stolen-base, run-‘em-down double play for High-A Quad Cities.

Well, this is awkward...
After the broadcaster calls this a base hit into center, Victor Victor Mesa has other ideas. The center fielder closes the gap in a hurry and makes a spectacular diving play to take away a hit and preserve Pensacola's lead.

10 years in the making
Francisco Morales, Zach Warren, Kyle Dohy and Brian Marconi combined to throw a no-hitter for Double-A Reading. It was the first nine-inning, no-no in franchise history since 2001.s

Sliding into the 4th like...
Mikie Mahtook just made a case for play of the year. The Triple-A Charlotte right fielder covers a ton of ground and makes the sliding snag to take away extra bases and a pair of RBIs.

Highway robbery
It had the sound. It had the distance. And it looked like Orlando Arcia just mashed his second homer of the game. But Nathan Lukes had other ideas. The right fielder had to time everything right to keep this one in the ballpark, and he did just that.

That's gonna leave a mark
Every member of the Tigers' front office and every Tigers fan probably winced at the same time when they saw this. Top prospect Spencer Torkelson ranged deep into foul territory and took a rib shot from the wall, but still held on to the ball to make the play.

New Guinness world record
The Tennessee Smokies and their fans set a new Guinness World Record on Saturday. As part of the club's promotion for Guinness World Record night, everyone in attendance opened a Cheerwine soda can at the same and set the new record for soda cans opened at once.

Getting into the Flo of things
Estevan Florial is locked in at the plate right now. The 10th-ranked Yankees prospect extended his hitting streak to seven straight games with this absolute moonshot for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Hartford Yard G.O.A.T.
Willie MacIver joined Double-A Hartford on June 30 and had only appeared in two games with the Yard Goats before Saturday. Still, the 2018 ninth-rounder made quite the opening impression in his third game with the club. Maclver clubbed a trifecta for Hartford -- accounting for his first dingers at Double-A and the first three-homer game in Yard Goats franchise history.

He can do it all
We know about the offense when it comes to Adley Rutschman, and we know about his ability to call a game and provide stellar defense behind the plate. But his ability as a baserunner cannot be overlooked. MLB No. 2 overall prospect made stealing third look easy here, oh, and he did that as part of a two-double game.

July 2

Toolsy showcase
If you didn't already know the scouting report on Ed Howard, just watch the tape from Friday's game. The fifth-ranked Cubs prospect had all of his tools on display as he notched his first career four-hit game -- falling a homer shy of a cycle -- to lead Low-A Myrtle Beach to a victory.

File this under: Things you don't see every day
Right-hander Mike Ruff notched not one, not two, not three, but four strikeouts in an inning for Low-A Fresno. The Rockies hurler worked around a passed ball on a whiff to strikeout the side +1.

Now that's a flex
Having not notched a hit into the seventh inning, Noel Gonzalez delivered for Double-A Corpus Christi in a big way. Fresh off of being named the Double-A Central Player of the Month, Gonzalez led off the seventh inning with a monster shot off the scoreboard to not only end the no-hitter but also extinguish any thoughts of a shutout.

Rocking the bling
Michael Curry clubbed his first home run of the year and was donned with the debut of the chancla chain in the Double-A San Antonio dugout. We agree, it should be here to stay, Missions.

Giving up the body
Padres prospect Ethan Skender tumbles over the tarp but still hangs on to make the play for High-A Fort Wayne.

Power up After launching a pair of dingers in Game 1 of Double-A Tennessee's doubleheader, No. 7 Cubs prospect Christopher Morel starts off Game 2 with another roundtripper.

New level, same results
Julio Rodriguez has already notched a pair of knocks through his first two games since joining Double-A Arkansas. MLB Pipeline's No. 5 prospect just launched his first Double-A dinger and now has hit safely in all three games with the Travelers.

He almost hit the bull
Take out the tape measure for this one. Alex Jackson demolishes this ball to left at Durham and almost hits the bull in the left-field grandstand. Watch it again!

July 1

California dreamin'
Remember the old adage about going to a baseball game and having a football game break out? It might date back to when the Low-A West was known as the California League. And scores like Thursday's Modesto 19, Visalia 10 final were commonplace. But many of them didn't feature a night like Mariners' first-base prospect Robert Perez had for the Nuts with two homers, a double, seven RBIs and two runs scored.

OK-see ya
Top Dodgers prospect Keibert Ruiz seems to be hitting his stride with Oklahoma City. The 22-year-old sent his 10th homer of the year out to left-center field in the first inning and followed that with a grand slam to right that keyed a 10-run sixth for the Triple-A Dodgers.

A chip off the old block
For the fourth consecutive game, Marlins' No. 17 prospect Griffin Conine has gone yard for the High-A Snappers. The son of former Major Leaguer Jeff Conine -- a two-time Marlins MVP -- moved into a tie for the home run lead in the High-A Central with Great Lakes' Andy Pages with his 16th of the season.

Some Sem-blance of order
Low-A Palm Beach starter John Beller and St. Louis prospect Edwin Nunez didn't allow a hit through six innings. But after Dunedin broke up their no-hit bid, the story changed to the five hitless frames posted by Toronto's No. 25 prospect Sem Robberse. The 19-year-old Netherlands native struck out a career-high eight and walked two.

Brewer burns Brewers' affiliate
Note to self ... and the rest of the Low-A East, don't test the arm of 14th-ranked Astros prospect Jordan Brewer. The Woodpeckers' center fielder threw out the Mudcats' Zavier Warren at the plate after hauling in a fly ball in the fourth inning.

Some Cespedes for the rest of us
For the second straight game, Yoelqui Céspedes -- half-brother of the Mets' Yoenis Céspedes and the second-ranked White Sox prospect -- has gone yard for the High-A Dash. The 23-year-old has three long balls in his first 11 games in the Minor Leagues.

Mr. Octobers
There won't be a postseason at the Triple-A level this year, but teams will continue to play in the regular season until Oct. 3. The champion of each of those circuits will be determined by overall club records.

Cruz control
Third-ranked Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz lined a three-run homer -- his ninth of the season -- to left-center field for the Double-A Curve against the Yard Goats. The 22-year-old has scored 34 runs and driven in 29 through 43 games this year.

June 30

Gone guy
After homering for the third consecutive game -- and the fourth time over that span -- San Francisco's top prospect Marco Luciano leads the Low-A West in long balls with 13 for San Jose.

Sparkling start
In his longest outing of the season, right-handed Colorado prospect Trent Fennell delivered five hitless innings for High-A Spokane. He struck out nine and walked one.

Good day, bad day
Wednesday started off with second-ranked Padres prospect CJ Abrams' addition to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. It wrapped up with an unfortunate exit from the 20-year-old's game for San Antonio after the shortstop collided with teammate Eguy Rosario while they were both playing a ground ball up the middle in the ninth inning.

So close but yet so far
Double-A Wichita was close to history, but with one out in the ninth inning, Amarillo's Luis Alejandro Basabe broke up the four-pitcher no-hit bid with his seventh long ball of the season. Jordan Balazovic, Minnesota's No. 2 prospect, proved unhittable for 5 2/3 frames. He struck out six, walked two and hit a batter.

Yes, Virginia, there is a postseason
The Minor League playoffs were put on hold in the wake of the canceled 2020 season and the delayed start of this year's campaign. But as MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan reports, there will be a best-of-5 series for the Double-A, High-A and Low-A levels starting on Sept. 21. The Triple-A playoff schedule will be determined soon.

He can man the hot corner too
A night after hitting the trifecta on his 23rd birthday, Twins' No. 16 prospect Jose Miranda showed off his glove and his range for the Triple-A Saints by backhanding a fair ball after it rolled into foul territory and throwing the Storm Chasers' Erick Mejia out at first base.

Seeing how the other half lives
Third-ranked Atlanta prospect Shea Langeliers has already surpassed his career high by nabbing 17 would-be basestealers from behind the plate for Double-A Mississippi. In the second inning, he notched his first career stolen base against Montgomery.

A little celebration is in order
Hot off being named to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, top Tigers prospect Spencer Torkelson lined his fourth Double-A homer -- a two-run shot -- out to left-center field for the SeaWolves. The 21-year-old has collected nine total this season.

June 29

*If a tree falls in the woods...
*We have video right here. This happened! Second-ranked Cardinals prospect Nolan Gorman made his debut with Triple-A Memphis and collected this knock in the fifth for his first hit at the Minors' highest level. However, the game was suspended, so the hit will no longer count as official.

A milestone debut
Well, this one is going to be tough to top. In his Triple-A debut, Jose Miranda balled out -- mashing a trio of homers (including a grand slam) while collecting five hits, driving in six runs and scoring four times. Miranda fell a triple shy of a cycle as he tied career highs with the five hits and six RBIs. The 16th-ranked Twins prospect raised his slugging percentage 57 points to .645 on the year.

Throwing gas
It was more of the same for Hunter Greene on Tuesday night. The second-ranked Reds prospect fanned seven over 4 1/3 frames, getting the hook after tossing 50 of his 80 pitches for strikes. Greene flashed triple digits again as he faced the minimum, 11, over a span that stretched from the first to fifth innings. The right-hander has amassed 81 punchouts over 54 1/3 frames this year.

The rhythm is gonna get you
Since his return to Triple-A Tacoma, Jarred Kelenic has found his groove again. The top Mariners prospect launched a leadoff homer on Tuesday and now has six dingers since rejoining the Rainiers, with 10 extra-base hits over that time.

Well, that didn't take long
Julio Rodriguez turned on the jets to leg out his first Double-A knock -- an infield hit with two outs in the third inning of his debut with Arkansas.

Hot....corner.
Top Tigers prospect Spencer Torkelson flashes the leather with a diving play at third base and completes it with a strong accurate throw across the diamond. In 51 total chances since joining Double-A Erie, the 21-year-old has yet to commit an error.

New threads, who dis?
A pair of MLB Pipeline's top 30 prospects -- Julio Rodriguez (No. 5) and Nolan Gorman (No. 28) -- will be making their respective debuts with their new clubs since being promoted. Rodriguez will suit up for Double-A Arkansas and take on Tulsa, while Gorman will bat third for Triple-A Memphis against Jacksonville.

June 28

This qualifies as heating up
After not going yard since June 11, Mariners infielder José Marmolejos has homered three times in two games for the Rainiers. He's got eight this year with Tacoma and three for the big league club.

Clean bill of health?
D-backs outfielder Kole Calhoun only needed a couple of rehab at-bats with the Triple-A Aces to show he's faring well in his recovery from a left hamstring strain that landed him on the injured list. He went yard in the first and sixth innings.

Getting an armful
Top Mariners prospect Jarred Kelenic helps out the cause for Triple-A Tacoma by throwing out Albuquerque's Jose Briceno at third base during the fourth inning.

Another promotion, please
Also heading to a new level is second-ranked St. Louis prospect Nolan Gorman. He's going to be one step away from The Show with Triple-A Memphis after batting .288 in the first part of the season for Double-A Springfield. Along with his 11 homers, Gorman drove in 27 runs and scored 26 times.

Movin' on up
After amassing a .325/.410/.581 slash line in 28 games with High-A Everett, second-ranked Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez is headed to the Double-A Travelers.

The week that was
Walk-off grand slams were trending as pitchers continued to hone in on the strike zone, top prospects sent more balls out of the yard and outfielders sacrificed their bodies for outs. Review all the action here.

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