This past Friday (March 27) marked the start of the 2026 Minor League season, although only the International and Pacific Coast Leagues were the only ones to begin play. The first weekend of the Triple-A season gave up first looks at some very notable prospects who could be in the Majors soon.
Antonacci stays hot
White Sox infielder Sam Antonacci has maintained his momentum from last year and the 2026 WBC.
Antonacci hit two home runs in the opening weekend for Triple-A Charlotte, tied for first in the International League. He also picked up four total walks and hits over his first three games.
While Antonacci’s best asset at the plate is the contact, we’ve seen some pop from him over the past few months.
Strong week for other Triple-A newcomers
James Tibbs III, a 2024 first-round pick, had a loud debut weekend with Oklahoma City. The Dodgers outfielder finished it with a PCL-high eight hits and in a three-way tie for second in home runs (2) with Charlie Condon and Carlos Perez.
Tibbs III also finished with the most balls considered to be barrels (4).
Moving back to the International League, White Sox infielder William Bergolla Jr. had eight hits over the weekend, good for a tie with Tibbs for most in Triple-A. As noted in the winter, Bergolla had the best swing-and-miss rate in the Southern League last season.
Then, we get to the big names.
Kaelen Culpepper had five hits for Triple-A St. Paul, one of which was his first home run with the Saints. Konnor Griffin went 5-10 with Indianapolis.
Pitching prospects shine
Get ready to hear a lot of hype around Carlos Lagrange this year.
Lagrange, who exploded in the Minors last season, had a sound 2026 regular-season debut, as he struck out three over four innings. He finished his first start with a 21.9% Whiff%, not terribly high — but he didn’t give up much to Buffalo.
The right-hander threw the hardest pitch over the opening weekend, a 101.3 MPH fastball that was a ball to Blue Jays prospect Yohendrick Pinango.
He wasn’t the most notable pitching performer for the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate this weekend. That honor went to Brendan Beck, who diced up the Bisons on Opening Day for nine strikeouts over five innings. His 18 total swings-and-misses were good for a tie for first in Triple-A.
Tanner McDougal, whom I touched on in our International League prospects preview, also came into 2026 with a lot of helium, as well. Despite four walks over four innings, McDougal (44.4% Whiff%) was very good in his first start. The right-hander pumped 100 MPH multiple times.
Robert Gasser (40.9% Whiff%) struck out 11 over 5.2 innings with Nashville during the opening weekend.
Notable performers
Here are some other notable performers from the first weekend of the 2026 Minor League season:
- INF Jacob Gonzalez (CHW): two hits, two home runs over two games
- DH Patrick Wisdom (SEA) – three home runs, 1.682 OPS over three games
- INF Hyeseong Kim (LAD) – seven hits, 1.071 OPS over three games
- INF Colt Emerson (SEA) – five hits, one home run over three innings
- P Chase Petty (CIN) – eight strikeouts, 51% Whiff% over four innings
- P Charlie Barnes (CHC) – seven strikeouts, 41% Whiff% over three innings
- P Tanner Gordon (COL) – six strikeouts, no earned runs over five innings
Check out more of our Minor League coverage.