Indy's Skenes breaks down his wicked arsenal
INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul Skenes was a national champion at LSU. He became a No. 1 overall pick with the Pirates in 2023. He’s been the Minors’ most dominant pitcher at Triple-A Indianapolis to begin 2024. And in many ways, he still thinks like that catcher calling pitches for Air Force
McDermott spearheads Tides' combined no-hitter
The Norfolk Tides staff may not have been perfect Friday night, but they were pretty darn close. The club spun a three-man combined no-hitter, fanning a whopping 13 batters in the process. The 2-0 win over Nashville at First Horizon Park marked the Orioles affiliate's first no-no since Chris Tillman’s
Bisons batterymates reunite on the diamond
For Brian Serven , playing on the same field as Andrew Bash is “as close as you can get to playing with your brother.” Serven and Bash, who are teammates on the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, aren’t technically kin. But they’ve known each other for so long, they might as well
Bye-bye Indy? Skenes nears Majors after latest gem
With every 100 mph fastball and crackling slider he unleashes, Paul Skenes nears the inevitable. As MLB's No. 3 overall prospect continues to enhance his reputation as a generational talent, the rest of the baseball world watches and waits for possibly the most anticipated big league debut by a pitching
Bisons' Martinez still steering toward The Show
Forcing the hand of the organization might come into play for Orelvis Martinez. As the Toronto Blue Jays sit in the middle of the pack of the American League East a month into the season, a not-so-far-away contributor has put up videogame-like numbers for Triple-A Buffalo. MLB's No. 81 prospect
Trio of Mets pitching prospects slay competition
A franchise known for developing some of the game's best pitchers over the past half-century hasn't uncovered many gems -- hidden or otherwise -- in recent years. But that might be starting to change. While we might not see comparisons drawn to the likes of homegrown aces Tom Seaver, Dwight
The keys to Leiter's rise through the Minors
It’s time to officially add another member of the Leiter lineage to the ranks of Major League Baseball. When Rangers skipper Bruce Bochy announced Tuesday morning that Jack Leiter, whom the club chose with the second overall pick in the 2021 Draft, would be making his big league debut Thursday
Sugar Land slugger: Loperfido's out of this world
Prior to Friday night, Joey Loperfido sat atop professional baseball’s home run leaderboard alongside three-time American League MVP Mike Trout, among others. Just a few hours and three big swings later, the 24-year-old slugger has sole possession of pole position with nine home runs for Triple-A Sugar Land. In Sugar
Eight's enough: Skenes sets career high in strikeouts
Paul Skenes unleashed his signature four-seam fastball in the bottom of the second inning against Justice Bigbie but failed to find the strike zone, issuing the first four-pitch walk of his young professional career. There shouldn’t have been a reason for concern at this point in the game. MLB’s No.
Montgomery dials long distance for Charlotte
Colson Montgomery, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 9 overall, according to MLB Pipeline, launched his first home run for Triple-A Charlotte during a 7-5 loss at Jacksonville Friday. The shortstop connected on the first pitch he saw in the eighth inning from Declan Cronin, who was a
Indy's ace in the hole: Skenes on top of his game
If you thought Paul Skenes' starts were appointment viewing last year, when he reached Double-A after being the top overall pick in the Draft by the Pirates, you would be right. But this year, every time the Pirates' top prospect takes the mound, it’s even more of a must-see experience.
Top prospects power Tides to record-setting night
A lot of Baltimore talent has come through Triple-A Norfolk over the past four years. Three overall No. 1s, among a dozen Top 100 prospects, have played for the Tides -- by far the most in the Minors. But no previous team or game went quite like this one.
Matos socks pair of homers atop Sacramento order
Luis Matos and Marco Luciano would be everyday contributors at the Major League level in some organizations. But with the shoring up of the Giants' roster toward the end of Spring Training, the two Latino players started the season in Triple-A. Both of them will get their chances in San
Indy's Skenes electric in perfect Triple-A debut
The Pirates sent Paul Skenes to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the 2024 season in hopes of getting him a little more professional experience before making his MLB debut. One start into the season, the top pitching prospect in baseball (No. 3 overall) looks as dominant as can be.
Baseball's top prospects to open at Triple-A
What's better than one Opening Day this week? Two Opening Days! Nearly all 30 Major League clubs will take the field Thursday (weather permitting) in what will be the first game action for everyone but the Dodgers and Padres, who split two contests in Seoul last week. The next day,
Fun facts about Triple-A championships
A championship by any other name would still be as sweet to win. And at the Triple-A level, there have been a lot of names. From the first Little World Series in 1904 to the Triple-A National Championship Game fans know today, hundreds of prospects and farmhands have played for
The 2023 Triple-A All-Stars and award winners
With the completion of the Triple-A Championship Game, the Minor League season is officially over. And even though the MiLB Awards show aired on MLB Network on Monday night, there are still a few more honorees to recognize at the Minors' highest level. Minor League Baseball already revealed its end-of-season
Tides nab Triple-A National Championship crown
LAS VEGAS -- Colton Cowser stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and his team down by a run in the top of the seventh. This scenario was nothing new for MLB’s No. 14 overall prospect, who has been optioned from the Majors twice in the past two months,
Norfolk vs. OKC in Triple-A National Championship
LAS VEGAS -- At Triple-A, the only constant is change. With hundreds of transactions a season, the roster can be a revolving door. But when a club is a part of one of the best farm systems in baseball, it’s a lot of top prospects replacing top prospects. As affiliates
Female ump to work HP for Triple-A championship
The Triple-A National Championship game is a way for fans to see future stars on the mound and at the plate. But it’s also a chance to see those behind the plate before they reach The Show. Jen Pawol, who earlier this season became the first woman to umpire at
2023 International League playoffs coverage
Championship Series Sept. 28
Mayo, Holliday lead Tides to first IL title in 38 years
On the same night the big league club clinched its first AL East crown since 2014 with its 100th victory of the season, the Triple-A Norfolk Tides put an exclamation mark on their winningest season by capturing the International League championship for the first time in 38 years. Norfolk captured
2023 Pacific Coast League playoffs coverage
Championship Series Sept. 27
Seasoned Oklahoma City sweeps to PCL crown
The Oklahoma City Dodgers roster has undergone a lot of change throughout the 2023 season. Key players have been promoted to the Majors, and some have returned. But all of that big-game experience paid off as the Triple-A club swept the best-of-3 Pacific Coast League Championship Series against the Round
What Lavender learned from backing up at Major League camp
This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo’s Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.