The first week of June is in the books and quite a bit happened over the last seven days. Roman Anthony continued to show off his loud tools, while Chase Burns forced his way up to Triple-A after rolling through the Southern League.
Anthony continues to rake in Triple-A
On the heels of a strong May, one that saw Roman Anthony slash .317/.444/.465 (.909 OPS), the Red Sox prospect set a new mark this past week. Anthony drilled a 91 MPH fastball from Nationals prospect Carlos Romero into the night on June 7. It was a 497-foot shot, the longest recorded home run in baseball this season.
The home run was just another impressive accomplishment for Anthony this season. As of June 9, Anthony’s 61 hits are tied for sixth in the International League. His 51 walks are most in the circuit.
No-no for New Hampshire
Twenty-five-year-old pitcher Rafael Sanchez became the third pitcher in New Hampshire club history to throw a no-hitter. The Blue Jays prospect tossed seven no-hit innings this past weekend against Altoona, becoming the first Fisher Cat to accomplish the feat since Kyle Drabek in 2010.
It’s been an active year in the Eastern League, as far as no-hitters and perfect games are concerned. Mets prospects Jonah Tong and TJ Shook combined for a seven-inning perfect game on May 10. Tong recorded all but one out in that game and picked up 13 strikeouts against Reading.
Sanchez also set a new mark for the Fisher Cats’ franchise, as he became the first in club history to throw three complete games.
Promotions & moves
Chase Burns is one step away from Cincinnati. Burns was promoted to Triple-A Louisville on June 9, the second promotion the former Tennessee/Wake Forest star received this season.
Burns was nearly unhittable in Double-A, as the 22-year-old struck out 55 over 42 frames with Chattanooga (AA), along with just four walks. His final game in Double-A was a seven-inning, complete game shutout against Knoxville (AA).
Earlier in the week, two notable High-A prospects were moved up. Burns’ former Wake Forest teammate Seaver King, a 2024 first-round pick, was pushed up to Harrisburg (AA). Orioles pitching prospect Trey Gibson, third in the South Atlantic League in strikeouts, was promoted to Double-A Chesapeake.
Lastly, a look at the prospects who got “the call” this past week.
Ryan Ritter was one of the top power hitters in Triple-A this season, and the current PCL leader in slugging was promoted to the Rockies this past weekend. And he wasn’t the only notable power hitter from Triple-A to be moved up, as Phillies prospect Otto Kemp joined Philadelphia to replace an injured Bryce Harper.
The Rays called up pitching prospect Ian Seymour to help their bullpen. Seymour is the current International League leader in strikeouts (84).
Strong week for several 2024 picks
We’re nearly a month away from the 2025 MLB Draft. But this past week, several names from the 2024 Draft shone.
Blue Jays pitching prospect Khal Stephen (11 K over six innings) and Trey Yesavage (nine strikeouts over five innings) pitched very well for Vancouver (A+). Sticking in the Northwest League, Charlie Condon hit .391/.517/.609 (1.126 OPS) with a home run and nine hits for Spokane.
Cam Caminiti, who returned to Augusta (A) after starting the year in the FCL, struck out eight over five innings in his lone start this week. Caminiti was the Braves’ first-round pick last July.
Other notable performers
Here’s a look at other top performers from the Minor Leagues this past week:
- OF Dylan Beavers (AAA/BAL): .522 AVG, two home runs, five extra base hits over six games
- 2B Orelvis Martinez (AAA/TOR): four home runs over six games
- 2B Roc Riggio (AA/NYY): seven hits, four home runs over five games
- SP Jonah Tong (AA/NYM): 11 strikeouts, no earned runs over five innings
- SP Jaxon Wiggins (AA/CHC): 12 strikeouts, .179 opp. AVG over 11.1 IP
- SS JJ Wetherholt (AA/STL): .579 AVG, three extra-base hits over five games
- INF Carson DeMartini (A+/PHI): .360 AVG, three home runs over six games
- SP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (A+/NYY): nine strikeouts, no earned runs over seven innings
- SP Thomas White (A+/MIA): eight strikeouts, no earned runs over four innings
- SS Kaelen Culpepper (A+/MIN): 11 hits, two home runs over six games
- OF Ryan Waldschmidt (A+/ARI): nine hits, three home runs over six games
Stats as of the last seven days.
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