More Minor League promotions were finalized on August 18. Grady Emerson, arguably the best high school player in the 2026 MLB Draft, was assigned an affiliate as he starts his pro career. And he wasn’t the only first-rounder moved up.
Former first-round picks moved up
The big promotion on August 18 was Grady Emerson, who was promoted to Low-A Charleston. Emerson was the second-overall pick by the Rays in the 2026 MLB Draft. But he wasn’t the only notable first-rounder moved up.
Ethan Conrad was promoted to High-A South Bend. Conrad, now up to speed after missing much of 2025 and 2026, played 29 games in Low-A Myrtle Beach. The 22-year-old slashed .245/.325/.436 with four home runs and 13 extra-base hits across 29 contests.
Vance Honeycutt was promoted to Double-A Chesapeake. Honeycutt, the Orioles’ first-round pick from 2024, had major swing-and-miss troubles in A-ball and batted less than.200 in his two seasons in High-A. But with prospects who were taken high but didn’t perform well, they will receive promotions to see what can be done at advanced levels.
The Ebel brothers both received promotions. Trey Ebel, the Brewers’ top pick, was promoted to Low-A Wilson, while older brother Brady Ebel was sent to High-A Wisconsin. Brady walked 96 over 104 contests in Low-A, and his .416 on-base percentage is currently second-best in the Carolina League.
Gonzales to Double-A
The Red Sox moved outfielder Justin Gonzales to Double-A Portland on August 18.
At the age of 19, Gonzales played like a mature player. The Red Sox outfielder slashed .273/.391/.462 with 17 home runs and 31 extra-base hits over 90 contests, plus 11 stolen bases. He also took plenty of walks, as Gonzales received 56 free passes.
Other notable moves
Luis Pena, arguably the second-best prospect in the Brewers’ system, was promoted to Double-A Biloxi.
Elian Pena, who hit very well in Low-A as a teenager, was promoted to High-A Brooklyn. That was one of several notable promotions made by the Mets, as Emilien Pitre and Billy Amick were promoted to Triple-A. Both Amick and Pitre were acquired in separate deadline deals.
Braves infield prospect Alex Lodise was moved to Double-A Columbus. Lodise slashed .343/.434/.571 with four home runs and eight extra-base hits across 17 contests with High-A Rome.
And, more 2026 MLB Draft picks were promoted on August 18 to full-season ball.
Luke Pettitte, a two-player from Dallas Baptist and son of Andy Pettitte, was assigned to Low-A Tampa. Luke, recovering from elbow surgery, did not pitch in 2026 but hit very well with Dallas Baptist. He hit .337 with 16 home runs for the Patriots this season.
Martin Shelar, who received a seven-figure bonus out of high school from the Red Sox, was moved to Low-A Salem.
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