2023 Rookie-level playoffs coverage
Aug. 27
Aug. 27
Arizona Complex League
ACL Brewers 5, ACL D-backs Red 4
The Brewers emerged victorious in a tightly contested decisive Game 3 of the Championship Series.
Milwaukee's Rookie-level team jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a couple of fielder's choices back to the mound, a double-play ball and a fielding error. After Juan Baez's sacrifice fly in the fourth extended the lead, the D-backs Red responded in the bottom of the frame with an RBI double by Arizona's No. 22 prospect Caden Grice and a two-run single by Ronny Polanco.
Miguel Briceno collected three hits, including a double, and scored once for the Brewers.
Right-hander Brailin Rodriguez picked up the win after allowing a run on one hit in 2 2/3 innings, and righty Blake Whiting gave up a hit but closed out the win with two strikeouts in the final frame.
Jefferson Pena got Arizona's affiliate within a run with an RBI double in the seventh. Lefty Carlos Rey and righty Edgar Isea kept the D-backs Red in contention over the final 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts apiece. Box score »
Aug. 26
Florida Complex League
FCL Braves 9, FCL Yankees 1
The Braves are your 2023 Florida Complex League champs!
Behind another inspired effort from the organization's top prospects and a late offensive outburst, the Braves coasted to an easy victory to sweep the best-of-3 Championship Series on Saturday.
Atlanta's No. 24 prospect Diego Benitez opened the scoring with an RBI triple in the first and he finished the game with a pair of knocks, a walk and two runs scored. Isaiah Drake (No. 23) continued to be a sparkplug at the top of the lineup, reaching base three times, on a hit and a pair of walks. He also scored the Braves' first run. Game 1 hero Douglas Glod all but sealed the victory with a two-run double in the ninth. The 13th-ranked Braves prospect also walked and scored. The first three hitters in the Braves lineup accounted for five of the club's 10 hits and six runs.
Sixth-ranked Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. finished 1-for-4 with a single to center in the third. Box score »
Arizona Complex League
ACL D-backs Red 14, ACL Brewers 2
After dropping Game 1 of the ACL Finals, the D-backs Red team wasted no time getting on the board in Game 2.
The Arizona affiliate put up crooked numbers nearly every inning, starting early and often. In the bottom of the first, outfield prospect Jefferson Pena got the party started with a leadoff homer. Caden Grice (Arizona No. 22) hit an RBI single and an Adrian De Leon three-run jack capped a six-run opening frame.
The D-backs finished with 15 hits, including six multihit performances. No. 11 prospect Kristian Robinson stayed hot, going 2-for-5 with a walk and two big flies which raised his postseason OPS to 1.207. Another standout performer was De Leon who tacked on a pair of singles after his first-inning tater.
The Brewers' two runs came courtesy of a Miguel Briceno double in the fourth and a Reece Walling single in the ninth. The two teams will play a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday. Box score »
Aug. 25
Arizona Complex League
ACL Brewers 2, ACL D-backs Red 1
The Brewers only picked up three hits in Game 1 of the ACL Championship Series, but it would be all they needed to claim a victory.
A trio of Milwaukee's Top 30 prospects led the way on offense. After Yeison Perez walked to open the third inning, 10th-ranked prospect Cooper Pratt lined a single to center field, and both scored on 25th-ranked prospect Juan Baez's double. Eric Bitonti (No. 12) also reached base twice on a pair of walks.
Arizona's ACL Red team clawed back late and almost sent the game to extras. After 11th-ranked prospect Kristian Robinson came around to score on Jackson Feltner's ground-rule double in the eighth, the D-backs strung together a two-out rally in the ninth to put runners on the corners. However, Bayden Root struck out Robinson for his third K of the inning to earn the save. Box score »
Florida Complex League
FCL Braves 3, FCL Yankees 2
Four of Atlanta's Top 30 prospects led the way as the Braves edged out the Yankees to take Game 1 of the best-of-3 Championship Series.
The decisive swing came off the bat of Braves No. 13 prospect Douglas Glod, whose lone hit in the game was a go-ahead solo home run in the second inning. The Braves never squandered the lead from there. Diego Benitez, 24th-ranked prospect, drove in the club's first run with a game-tying sacrifice fly that scored Isaiah Drake (No. 23) in the first. Sabin Ceballos (No. 18) also chipped in with one of the Braves five hits in the game.
Yankees sixth-ranked prospect George Lombard Jr. finished 1-for-3 with a single and a walk. He looks to help the Yankees stave off elimination and force a decisive Game 3 when the teams resume the series on Saturday. Box score »
Aug. 24
Florida Complex League
FCL Yankees 7, FCL Pirates 6
In perhaps the most back-and-forth postseason game involving the Yankees and Pirates since Bill Mazeroski walked it off for Pittsburgh in 1960, it was the Baby Bombers who were successful this time. Led by Enmanuel Tejeda's four-hit performance, the Yankees punched their ticket for the FCL Championship Series.
Tejeda matched a season high in knocks while plating a pair of runs and scoring another. With the Yankees down by one in the sixth, first baseman Dylan Jasso slugged a two-run homer and Tejeda singled in an insurance run. Yankees' 2023 first-rounder George Lombard Jr. tallied two runs scored, an RBI single and a walk in just his sixth pro game.
That extra run proved to be important as Jeral Toledo drilled a one-out homer to right in the ninth to bring the Pirates within one. But after a two-hour, 39-minute rain delay, the Yankees secured the final two outs of the FCL semifinal.
On Friday, the Yankees will begin the best-of-3 Championship Series against the Braves. Box score »
FCL Braves 7, FCL Mets 1
Behind a strong outing from right-hander Davis Polo -- 4 2/3 scoreless frames with four strikeouts -- and a six-run fourth inning, the FCL Braves punched their ticket to the FCL Finals.
The Braves batted around in the fourth, with RBI knocks from Atlanta's No 23 prospect Isaiah Drake -- who also stole a base and scored in the frame -- and Will King. Righties LJ McDonough and Miguel Hernandez closed the door with a combined three perfect innings of relief. McDonough fanned four.
Seventh-ranked Mets prospect Colin Houck led the Mets' offense with two hits. New York's first-round selection this year (No. 32 overall) collected a pair of singles. Yonatan Henriquez manufactured the Mets' only run in the sixth after working a leadoff walk, advancing to second on a hit and then scampering home on a throwing error.
The Braves will meet the Yankees in the Championship Series starting on Friday. Box score »
Arizona Complex League
ACL Brewers 3, ACL Rockies 2
Yeison Perez hit a pair of solo homers and seven pitchers combined to strike out 10 to lift the ACL Brewers into the ACL Championship Series. The 19-year-old went deep just once in 139 at-bats during the regular season, during his very first game on June 5.
Reece Walling opened the scoring with a solo jack and Perez followed with his first of the game in the fifth. Perez teed off again in the seventh. Juan Baez, the No. 25 Brewers prospect, went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk.
Mark Manfredi started for the Brewers and worked around a walk to record three strikeouts in one inning during his professional debut. Milwaukee selected the 23-year-old in the ninth round of this year's Draft.
Rockies' 2023 eighth-rounder Braylen Wimmer accounted for his club's offense with a two-run homer.
The Brewers will play the D-backs Red in the best-of-3 Finals beginning on Friday. Box score »
ACL D-backs Red 4, ACL Dodgers 3
Adrian De Leon singled up the middle in the bottom of the ninth to rally the ACL D-backs Red to a berth in the ACL Championship Series. Arizona's Rookie-level squad rallied from three separate one-run deficits, tying the game on Adrian Rodriguez's RBI single in the eighth.
Kristian Robinson drove in his team's first run with a single in the second and led off the ninth with a base hit before scoring the winning run. The No. 11 D-backs prospect swiped a pair of bases and Ruben Santana, the organization's No. 23 prospect, singled twice and drove in a run.
Alexander Albertus had a pair of RBI knocks and Kendall George reached base in four of his five plate appearances. The Dodgers' 2023 first-round Draft pick and No. 15 prospect singled and walked three times.
The D-backs will begin the best-of-3 Finals with the Brewers on Friday. Box score »
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Welcome New Owner, Diamond Baseball Holdings
Front Office Staff Remains in Place Under Existing Club Leadership RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF. (December 12, 2024) – The owners of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes announced today they have entered into an agreement to sell the team to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select minor league
Quakes Finish 2024 Season with Loss to Rawhide
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The 2024 came to an end on Sunday afternoon, as the playoff-bound Visalia Rawhide defeated the Quakes at LoanMart Field by a final of 6-2. Visalia jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning against Rancho starter Eriq Swan (0-1) and cruised to the
Gutierrez, Decker Dazzle in Rancho Win
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – One night after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Quakes staged a late rally and beat the Visalia Rawhide, winning on Saturday night by a final of 6-4 at LoanMart Field. Cameron Decker blasted a three-run homer (12) in the first, then broke a 4-4 tie
Quakes Eliminated by Rawhide
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Visalia Rawhide eliminated the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from playoff contention on Friday night at LoanMart Field, taking a convincing 7-0 victory. The win for the Rawhide secures the final playoff spot, as they’ll be the #2 seed and host the Lake Elsinore Storm next Tuesday
Decker Keeps Quakes Alive with Walk-Off
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Cameron Decker’s walk-off blast in the ninth made Friday’s game meaningful, as the Quakes outlasted the Visalia Rawhide on Thursday night by a final of 8-6 at LoanMart Field. After blowing a three-run lead in the ninth, Rancho, which didn’t have a hit since the third,
Quakes Fall, Now in Must-Win Mode
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Visalia Rawhide have pushed the Quakes to elimination, after Wednesday’s 5-1 loss at LoanMart Field. Now with four games to play in the regular season, the Quakes must beat the Rawhide in all four remaining games in order to qualify for the playoffs. A four-run
Quakes Very Much Alive After Shutout of Visalia
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes strengthened their playoff hopes on Tuesday night, as they shut out the Visalia Rawhide by a final of 2-0 at LoanMart Field. Needing five of six in the series in order to gain a playoff berth, the Quakes pitched one of their
Quakes Fall Sunday, Need Five of Six Next Week
San Jose, CA – The San Jose Giants took the final game of the six-game series on Sunday afternoon, grabbing a 5-2 win over the Quakes at Excite Ballpark. Cesar Quintas, who made a pair of diving catches in center field, had two hits, including a two-run homer (12) as
Quakes Smash Two Bombs for Third Straight "W"!
San Jose, CA – Zyhir Hope and Cameron Decker both slugged home runs and the Quakes won their third straight game over the Giants, taking a 6-4 victory at Excite Ballpark on Saturday evening. Hope’s two-run homer (9) put Rancho up early in the first, while Decker’s three-run shot gave
Quakes Win Second Straight in San Jose
San Jose, CA – The Quakes scored three runs in the ninth and held on for an exciting 6-4 win over the San Jose Giants on Friday night at Excite Ballpark. Cameron Decker’s RBI single tied the game and Samuel Munoz capped the inning with an RBI single to give
Quakes Explode for Big Win In San Jose
San Jose, CA – A seven-run explosion in the sixth inning helped Rancho end a five-game losing streak, as the Quakes pummeled the San Jose Giants on Thursday night by a final of 9-1 at Excite Ballpark. Elijah Hainline had two hits and two RBIs and Cameron Decker hit a
Giants Drop Quakes on Wednesday
San Jose, CA – The Quakes dropped their fifth straight on Wednesday afternoon, as the Giants took a 9-5 win at Excite Ballpark. A five-run sixth put San Jose ahead for good, as the Quakes dropped their second straight to open the six-game series and their tenth in their last
Late Loss for Rancho on Tuesday
San Jose, CA – Ty Hanchey’s tie-breaking homer in the eighth sent the San Jose Giants to the lead for good, as they defeated the Quakes on Tuesday night at Excite Ballpark by a final of 7-5. After the Quakes tied the game at 5-5 with Carlos Rojas’ second two-run
Storm Prevail on Sunday Over Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Lake Elsinore Storm concluded a successful trip to LoanMart Field with an 8-3 win over the Quakes on Sunday evening, giving the first-place Storm five of six in the series. Rancho, which has lost eight of nine overall, is still just two games out of
Quakes Drop Series to Storm
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Lake Elsinore Storm got out to a big lead, then held on for an 8-5 win over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Saturday night at LoanMart Field. The loss leaves the Quakes two games back of the Storm, but just one out of a playoff
Rancho Gets Blanked on Friday
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Quakes dropped a heart-breaker on Friday night in front of more than 3,500 fans at LoanMart Field, as the Lake Elsinore Storm took game four of the series with a 1-0 win. A first-inning run for the Storm was all of the scoring on Friday
Quakes Back in Gear, Blow Out Storm
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Quakes ended their five-game losing streak on Thursday night, using a six-run seventh to fuel a 9-2 win over the Lake Elsinore Storm at LoanMart Field. Zyhir Hope went 3-for-3 and reached base five times, capping his night with an eighth-inning homer to help halt
Storm Rally Late to Drop Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Lake Elsinore Storm rallied from three different deficits, scoring twice in the ninth inning to take a 7-5 win over the Quakes on Wednesday night at LoanMart Field. A two-run ninth against reliever Noah Ruen (3-2) gave the Storm their first lead of the game,
Rancho Drops Fourth Straight
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Despite battling back from a five-run deficit, the Quakes dropped a 7-6 decision to the Lake Elsinore Storm in 11 innings on Tuesday night at LoanMart Field. Rancho’s fourth straight loss overall forces a three-way tie at the top of the South Division standings between the
Tie at the Top, as Quakes Fall on Sunday
Visalia, CA – The Quakes dropped their third straight game on Sunday afternoon, as the Visalia Rawhide pulled into a first-place tie with an 8-1 win at Valley Strong Ballpark. A six-run seventh broke open a one-run game, giving Visalia their third straight win over Rancho and four of six
Lead Trimmed to One After Loss
Visalia, CA – A ninth-inning rally fell short on Saturday night, as the Quakes dropped a 4-3 decision to the Visalia Rawhide at Valley Strong Ballpark. The win for Visalia gives the Rawhide two straight and three of five in the series, as they’ve trimmed Rancho’s lead in the second-half
Quakes Fall on Friday to Rawhide
Visalia, CA – The Visalia Rawhide broke a seventh-inning tie, scoring three times to take the lead for good in a 6-3 win over the Quakes on Friday night at Valley Strong Ballpark. Four walks and a two-run double off the bat of Angel Ortiz was the difference in the
Quakes Hang On for Win Over 'Hide
Visalia, CA – The Quakes held on for a 6-3 win on Thursday night at Valley Strong Ballpark, beating the Visalia Rawhide to take a three-game lead in the South Division with just 21 games to play. Samuel Munoz had a three-run homer (4) and Jose Meza had a two-run
Rawhide Down Quakes on Wednesday
Visalia, CA – The Quakes had a tough night on Wednesday, enduring a 9-3 loss to the Rawhide at Valley Strong Ballpark. Rancho committed a season-worst five errors and trailed throughout, as the Rawhide pulled to within two games with 22 to play in the second half. Quakes’ reliever Pedro
Quakes Drop Three Bombs in Visalia!
Visalia, CA – The Quakes slugged three homers and held on for a 5-2 win over the Visalia Rawhide, as they opened a critical six-game series at Valley Strong Ballpark on Tuesday night. Zyhir Hope (7), Cameron Decker (7) and Jose Meza (7) all went yard, helping the Quakes extend