Around the Minors: The week of July 26
Aug. 1
Aug. 1
Dude, you're getting another Adell homer
Three games, three long balls for Jo Adell. With 23 homers this season, the Angels farmhand is one off the pace set by Albuquerque's Taylor Motter in the Triple-A West and two off the Minor League lead held by Northwest Arkansas' MJ Melendez in the Double-A Central.
The balls are flying out of the yard
The word "scorching" doesn't seem like enough for when
LIOVER PEGUERO HITS ANOTHER 2 RUN HOME RUN! HE IS ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL. 4-0 Hoppers in the 2nd.
— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) August 1, 2021
One good milestone deserve another
Not long after Nick Loftin walked off his cycle, Luis Frías completed his own feat from the mound for the Double-A Sod Poodles. The ninth-ranked D-backs prospect went the distance in a seven-inning no-hitter. He struck out six while walking only one in Game 1 of a doubleheader with the visiting Missions.
Here's how to cap a milestone
Nick Loftin is a real team player. Needing a homer for the cycle in the bottom of the ninth inning, the eighth-ranked Royals prospect showed bunt a couple of times. A wild pitch moved High-A River Bandits teammate John Rave to second base, leaving Loftin free to swing away. Which he did, cranking a walk-off homer to wrap up the feat on a five-hit afternoon. Some might call that good karma.
Watching their guy
After spending the bulk of his season with Double-A Trash City -- making 12 starts with the Trash Pandas before getting called up to Triple-A Salt Lake for one start last week -- Reid Detmers made his debut in The Show on Sunday, and his former teammates weren't going to miss it. The Trash Pandas put the Angels game on the big screen at Toyota Field as the players all congregated in the outfield to take in the big moment for Anaheim's second-ranked prospect.
Detmers @trashpandas teammates watching his debut.
— Josh Caray (@BigPoppaPanda) August 1, 2021
What a moment @Angels pic.twitter.com/GpocH9ov93
Gold-medal effort
There was no pool in sight, but the swim move was undeniable. Toronto's 24th-ranked prospect Chavez Young appears to be toast as he slides into second behind the ball, however, the 24-year-old pulls out what can only be described as a half butterfly stroke to evade the tag and touch the base safely. This came after Young drove in the tying run for Double-A New Hampshire with an RBI base hit back up the middle earlier in the frame.
A beautiful gesture
One day after Triple-A Lehigh Valley infielder Daniel Brito suffered a medical emergency during a game against Rochester and was taken to a local hospital and underwent surgery, the Red Wings organization all signed an honorary jersey for the 23-year-old. Rochester shared an image of the uniform with the message that thoughts and prayers were with Brito, his family and the entire Phillies organization.
The Rochester Red Wings players and staff signed this jersey for Lehigh Valley’s Daniel Brito. Their thoughts and prayers remain with Daniel, his family, his friends, the @IronPigs, and Philadelphia @Phillies organization. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/mNLDKtK8bG
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) August 1, 2021
July 31
Talk about an introduction
Just three days after being traded to the D-backs in the deal that sent Eduardo Escobar to the Brewers -- and in just his second game with his new organization --
Welcome back such a good boy!
After making a celebrity appearance in the charity softball game between the Raiders and Golden Knights last week, Finn the bat dog made his official return to the Aviators since the coronavirus pandemic shutdown on Saturday night.
Ok, got my first bat of the year out of the way! @AviatorsLV @MiLB pic.twitter.com/kZuGH3qzxE
— Finn The Bat Dog (@finnthebatdog) August 1, 2021
Hoping for a speedy recovery
Triple-A Lehigh Valley infielder
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) July 31, 2021
Flexing into the record books
It had the feel of a home run derby, but really it was just a regular home game for Low-A Bradenton. Well, may not regular, as the Marauders bashed seven home runs to set a new franchise record for the most dingers hit in a single game. The new mark nearly doubled the previous high, which was four and set just about a month ago on June 23.
NEW FRANCHISE HOME RUN RECORD!! Your Bradenton Marauders set a new franchise record for most home runs hit in a single game with 7️⃣ tonight!@MiLB pic.twitter.com/MnB4BV5Qj3
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) August 1, 2021
Flirting with history
Reds' right-handed prospect
Franco’s streak reached 11 in-a-row before Alexander Ramírez popped out to right to end the fourth inning.
— Justin Rocke (@JustinRocke) August 1, 2021
Falls one shy of tying the @MiLB record of 12-straight (H/T @TugaFreshPrince) https://t.co/gs3EF7OG4o
Spinning his own web... gem
Has anyone ever seen
Having a grand ole time
There was a power display in Erie on Saturday night thanks to
Pulling back even
One night after being passed by MJ Melendez for the Minor League-lead in home runs,
A little fine tuning
In his third rehab start, first with the WooSox, Red Sox ace
July 30
One-man show
The Loons scored five runs in a victory on Friday night, and they all came off the bat of
Power...on
After a seven game drought without finding the seats,
Surging ahead of the pack
The power surge continued for
Turning three... again
This is not a replay! For the second time this season, Triple-A Memphis turned a triple play. Cardinals' prospects
Hook, line and sink
Fourth-ranked Marlins prospect
I'm still here
After the Nats acquired a pair of big name prospects, it was Cade Cavalli reminding everyone that he's still a big fish in Washington's pond. The 22-year-old posted a Double-A-high 12 strikeouts with Harrisburg over 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Cavalli worked around a pair of hits and a walk, and lowered his ERA to 3.47.
Jolly acquisition It was Christmas in July for Double-A Springfield as the Cardinals celebrated with Santa Claus throwing out the first pitch on Friday.
We acquired Santa and a reindeer to be named later at the deadline.#CardsChristmasInJuly pic.twitter.com/KbuGKvt3dZ
— Holly Jolly Springfield Cardinals 🎅🎄⛄️ (@Sgf_Cardinals) July 31, 2021
Curtain up After 13 career starts -- across two levels of the Minors -- Reid Detmers is headed to the Majors. The No. 10 overall Draft pick from 2020 will make his debut in The Show with the Angels this weekend. Detmers posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 106 strikeouts over 60 professionals innings.
DETMERS SZN pic.twitter.com/PNkVXLuHkY
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 30, 2021
July 29
Hello Motter, hello fodder
It's true, there may be no one hotter right now than Rockies farmhand Taylor Motter. He's got a cool dozen homers in the past 12 games for the Isotopes and has taken the outright lead in long balls in the Triple-A West with 23 this season. it
To the moon, Yermín
White Sox farmhand Yermín Mercedes crushed his seventh homer of the year -- which eventually proved to be the game-winning run -- in the fifth inning for the Triple-A Knights against the Jumbo Shrimp. The 28-year-old also has seven with the big league club this season.
Still, Waters runs deep
Second-ranked Atlanta prospect
Strongest flip this side of Olympic gymnastics
Mark this one down for when the reel of the season's best bat flips is put together. It's by Blue Jays farmhand
Doing his level best
It's been quite the year already for Mets prospect
Mets hurler Josh Walker carried no-hit bid into the 8th for Triple-A Syracuse!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 30, 2021
📦 https://t.co/QJ0gzjQXkg pic.twitter.com/UxUYdoZyaa
It was his Destino
Eleven baseballs were belted out of the yard during Thursday's game between the Dash and the Grasshoppers. Three of them were courtesy of High-A Winston-Salem's Alex Destino. The White Sox outfield prospect, who has 15 homers this season, has knocked in eight runs over the past two games.
#WhiteSox prospect Alex Destino slugs THREE HOMERS for Winston-Salem!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 30, 2021
➡️ https://t.co/N0g3A5G6il pic.twitter.com/NmiqQDyFht
He'll take a dozen to go
In only his second start for Double-A Mississippi,
Wait, what?
As the Dodgers reportedly neared a blockbuster deal with the Nationals that would net them Trea Turner, among others, one similarly named member of the Washington organization kept on working -- 25-year-old right-hander Trey Turner for the Nats' Low-A affiliate in Fredericksburg. Too soon?
No #hugwatch here as Trey Turner continues to pitch in relief for @FXBGNats. pic.twitter.com/AegENBa86a
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 30, 2021
That was worth waiting for
In his 147th career game, Víctor Víctor Mesa finally got to circle the bases. The Marlins outfield prospect connected on his first pro homer in the first inning for the High-A Snappers. It's only the 31st game of the season for Mesa, who batted .093 for Double-A Pensacola before being reassigned to Beloit on July 13.
July 28
Do they teach that in camp?
It's a bird ... it's a plane ... it's Mets farmhand
Changing the game with a milestone
Host Oaxaca had two men on with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth in its Mexican League game against Veracruz. Then El Aguila induced a triple play, going around the horn -- Hector Gomez to Alexi Amarista to Maxwell Leon -- effectively wiping the Guerreros off the basepaths. Veracruz took the lead on Alejandro Ortiz's RBI single in the top of the 11th and didn't relinquish it for an 8-7 victory.
¡Triple play en Oaxaca!
— Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (@LigaMexBeis) July 29, 2021
El Glorioso orquesta un triple play 5️⃣-5️⃣-4️⃣-3️⃣ @elaguilabeisbol 🦅👊🦅👊🦅👊 pic.twitter.com/GoEYYU5I5h
Cardinals flying out of ballparks
St. Louis prospects are putting on some serious power displays. Third-ranked
Yes, way, Jose!
Reds No. 4 prospect Jose Barrero racked up a professional-best six RBIs while matching a season high with four hits for the Triple-A Bats. The 21-year-old shortstop -- who legally changed his last name from Garcia to honor his late mother in May 2021 -- smacked a three-run homer in the fifth and a bases-clearing double in the seventh against the I-Cubs. He also singled in the first and the sixth.
It's the grand reopening
For the second time in three games, Nick Pratto belted a grand slam for the Triple-A Storm Chasers. The fifth-ranked Royals prospect's 18th long ball of the year -- the third since his promotion eight days ago -- gave Omaha the lead over Toledo in a wild back-and-forth contest.
They're comfortable going back-to-back
Well, it's almost like MLB Pipeline drew it up on Baltimore's Top 30 prospects list. The Orioles' No. 6 prospect Jordan Westburg and fifth-ranked
Now participating in the all-around competition
It's early in the High-A Rome game, but ninth-ranked Atlanta prospect Michael Harris II already has a two-RBI single, a couple of stolen bases, a walk and a sweet diving catch against the Tourists.
Nice reflexes!
We already knew Brent Honeywell Jr. possesses a good arm, now we know the Rays' No. 15 prospect is good with the bat too -- especially one that comes flying into the dugout while the Triple-A Bulls are at the plate. The righty made the play after exiting his longest start of the season. He allowed a run on two hits and three walks while striking out four in 3 2/3 innings -- his longest run on the mound since Sept. 14, 2017 (also for Durham).
Brent Honeywell Jr! From the dugout! pic.twitter.com/4MKyUWPhzv
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 28, 2021
July 27
Immaculate effort
Nine pitches, all strikes, three outs. That's what 23rd-ranked Phillies prospect Kyle Dohy did on the mound with Double-A Reading against Somerset. The left-hander also flashed 97 mph on the radar gun en route to his immaculate inning.
IMMACULATE!! Kyle Dohy gets three straight strikeouts on nine straight strikes for an immaculate inning of work against the Somerset Patriots!
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) July 28, 2021
Game Recap: https://t.co/5un0C9pBdz pic.twitter.com/V35IgARbyc
Surging to the top
With five home runs over his last six games, MJ Melendez has catapulted himself into a tie with Griffin Conine for the Minor League-lead in dingers. The 13th-ranked Royals prospect launched his lead-tying 24th homer -- a solo blast to left-center -- at home against Wichita. Melendez also has 59 RBIs on the year.
Art in motion
After a perfect throw from
And the back end of @MattLipka’s perfect throw is @paytonhenry15 doing his thing slapping the tag on. “You’re out!” - Blue
— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) July 28, 2021
📸: @CGSportsPhotos pic.twitter.com/azWd2mniqT
Can't touch this
In his first scoreless outing of the season, Kyle Nicolas did not yield a hit over five frames while working around four walks and striking out eight. The 15th-ranked Marlins prospect retired the first eight batters he faced and whiffed six of the first 10 Braves batters. The right-hander has allowed one run and fanned 18 over his last two starts (11 innings).
Flying closer to St. Louis
In his first rehab start with Triple-A Memphis, Cardinals pitcher
Smooth as silk
Talk about getting the style points. Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shortstop Andrew Velazquez doesn't just make the tough diving play, but the Yankees prospect flips behind his back -- with an accurate toss no less -- to second base to start the double play. Watch it again!
July 26
Heading to the North Side
The A's and Cubs completed a swap on Monday night that sent Oakland's former No. 9 prospect
Outfielder Greg Deichmann (formerly Oakland's No. 9) and fellow prospect RHP Daniel Palencia are headed to the @Cubs in exchange for big league reliever Andrew Chafin: https://t.co/Fsu4gPtCqy pic.twitter.com/sQGsiwvqnE
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 27, 2021
Getting the streak to 10
It seems like
Making himself at home
In his first home start since joining Triple-A El Paso -- second start overall --
Another step closer to Houston
In his latest rehab outing with Triple-A Sugar Land,
Game of Jones 👑 pic.twitter.com/YtaTlOnthD
— Sugar Land Skeeters (@SL_Skeeters) July 27, 2021
Finding the power dial
After going seven games without a home run, Jo Adell wasted no time ending that drought on Monday. The 22-year-old crushed a two-run blast for Triple-A Salt Lake in the opening frame -- his 20th with the Bees this season.
The week that was
No. 11 Dodgers prospect Miguel Vargas played a pivotal role in Double-A Tulsa's historic output where the club tallied a franchise-best 23 runs. Go-ahead grand slams and spectacular diving plays were in vogue, as were multiple-homer games, stellar debuts and dominant pitching performances by prospects at almost every level of the Minor Leagues. Review all the action here.