Levi Jordan Off To Hot Start In Louisville Debut
Levi Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 29th round of the 2018 draft and spent the first six years of his career with the organization. He had stints with the South Bend Cubs, Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Tennessee Smokies, but spent most of his time playing at
Levi Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 29th round of the 2018 draft and spent the first six years of his career with the organization. He had stints with the South Bend Cubs, Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Tennessee Smokies, but spent most of his time playing at the Triple-A level with the Iowa Cubs, appearing in 145 games.
In 2023, he spent 45 games with the Smokies and 22 games with the I-Cubs where he batted .219 with two home runs, 28 RBI and 41 walks. This season with the Louisville Bats marks his first with a new organization after he was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the Rule 5 Draft during the offseason.
When asked what it's like playing for a new organization for the first time he said, “I get that question a lot from teammates and I tell them that I hope everybody gets the chance to be part of multiple organizations. I say that because until you spend time in a new organization, you don't realize what's good or bad about the previous organization you're with.”
As he was playing with the I-Cubs last year, Jordan said that his favorite road trip to make was to Louisville because of how much he enjoyed the field, city and weather. He believes that this made the move to the city easier as well as how accommodating the organization has been to his needs.
“I have nothing but good things to say about the Cubs organization, but the Reds organization does things differently,” he said. “I think each organization has their own unique style and way to develop baseball players and build relationships with players. And so far, my time with the Reds, even though it's only been a couple of months, has been nothing but good things.”
A new team can come with a lot of opportunities and challenges, but Jordan has had the benefit of a few familiar faces. Both P.J. Higgins and Edwin Rios played with him in the Cubs organization last year and he said that having their presence in the clubhouse made it an easier transition to the Bats.
A third of the way into the season, Jordan is off to the best start of his career, hitting .333 (37-for-111) with four home runs, 15 RBI, a .417 on-base percentage, and .486 slugging percentage. He is the Bats team leader in batting average and on-base percentage.
“Levi for me has always been a good player,” said Bats manager Pat Kelly. “I managed against him when he was in Knoxville and Des Moines. His biggest thing is he got labeled as a utility guy and didn’t get to play every day. He’s getting more of an opportunity to get regular at-bats now and his abilities are showing. I think he’s going to surprise everyone and end up in the big leagues.”
A huge part of his success has been his ability to stay focused on the things he has control of. Something he is proud to take charge of is being a good teammate both on and off the field.
“Even though I don't have Major League time or experience, there are a few younger kids who this is their first time in Triple-A. There are some things that I can share with them that might allow them to blossom into a more mature baseball player,” Jordan said. “It's such a long season and there's so many games and so many different parts of this whole experience that you need somebody to talk to get through those things.”
His approach on the field has been to produce quality at-bats every game and be a reliable asset for the team. Not only does he go out to compete every plate appearance, but he also works to be productive defensively and able to play as many positions as possible for Kelly.
When asked what his goal was for the 2024 season, the answer brought a smile to his face, “To break through and play in the Major Leagues. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid.”
There is a lot of veteran leadership on this team regarding players who have had Major League experience. Jordan described what these players had taught him in one word, patience.
“Part of being at this level is understanding that a lot of times you can play well, but it's the timing of the moves happening in the big leagues. I also just need to stay ready and stay present,” he said. “I've been working on gratitude and being thankful for where I'm at currently and not looking ahead or in the past.”
For now, Jordan is thankful to be in Louisville, playing everyday for a Bats team that is one of the hottest in the International League, with his goal of reaching the big leagues firmly within his reach.
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
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.
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
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between