We’re nearly done with the first half of the 2026 Minor League season, meaning the first playoff berths will be decided shortly. But aside from that, one would like to think that some bats will start to heat up. And that was the case for several players, including Bo Davidson and Lazaro Montes.
Strong week for MLBers trying to get back
It was a good week for both Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis, who hit seven combined home runs for Triple-A St. Paul. The two have been regulars for the Twins but both were sent down recently. Lewis, though, was recalled this past weekend by Minnesota.
Kameron Misner of the Royals hit five home runs, had 10 total hits, and stole two bases for Triple-A Omaha.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Coast League, Padres infielder Nick Solak (13) and Rockies outfielder Zac Veen (11) paced the league in total hits. Andrew Knizner (Rockies) hit four home runs, while Tim Tawa (D-Backs) and Bryce Teodosio (Angels) had three.
Five home runs for Davidson & Montes
It’s been a good year for the Giants’ farm system, as Gavin Kilen and Jhonny Level have risen to the upper echelon of the system. But don’t forget about Bo Davidson.
Davidson had a five-home run week for Double-A Richmond, and he ended the week on a four-game homer streak. The 23-year-old hit home runs in the final four games of Richmond’s series with Erie this past week.
He’s now up to 11 on the season after an 18-homer campaign last year.
Lazaro Montes also showed off that prodigious power of his with his own five-home run week. Montes cracked two on June 2 and ended it with a homer and four RBI against Corpus Christi.
The Mariners outfielder is up to 17 home runs this year.
18 strikeouts for Smith
White Sox pitcher Hagen Smith has had trouble with walks in Triple-A this season but he reaffirmed over the last week that the power stuff is for real. Smith struck out 18 batters over nine innings across his two starts with the Knights this week.
Still, Smith walked five & hit two batters across those two games combined.
Smith now has 72 strikeouts this season, one ahead of Bruce Zimmermann for the most in the International League. He’s tied with Carson Whisenhunt for the Triple-A lead.
Notable performers
- INF Denzer Gusman (AAA – LAA): 10 hits, two home runs over five games
- OF Joshua Baez (AAA – STL): 12 hits, one home run over six games
- OF Jaison Chourio (AA – CLE): 10 hits, two home runs, four stolen bases over six games
- INF Jefferson Rojas (AA – CHC): 10 hits, three home runs, four stolen bases over six games
- OF Zyhir Hope (AA – LAD): nine hits, four home runs over six games
- P Connor Wietgrafe (AA – PIT): 13 strikeouts, one earned run over 10 IP
- P Bishop Letson (AA – MIL): eight strikeouts, no earned runs over six innings
- P Kade Anderson (AA – SEA): nine strikeouts, no earned runs over five innings
- INF Murf Gray (A+ – PIT): 11 hits, three home runs over six games
- OF Jose Suarez (A+ – STL): nine hits, three home runs over five games
- OF Jonny Farmelo (A+ – SEA): nine hits, three home runs over six games
- P Allen Facundo (A+ – NYY): 12 strikeouts, no earned runs over six innings
- P Kenyi Perez (A+ – CHC): 11 strikeouts, no earned runs over four innings
- P Luis De La Torre (A+ – SFG): 12 strikeouts, no earned runs over six innings
- INF Gavin Fien (A – WSH): nine hits, two home runs, 15 RBI over five games
- INF Antonio Pimentel (A – PIT): eight hits, four stolen bases over four games
- INF Jared Sprague-Lott (A – ATH): 11 hits, three home runs over five games
- P Jason Gilman (A – BOS): 10 strikeouts, no earned runs over six innings
- P Merit Jones (A – MIN): 14 strikeouts, two earned runs over nine innings
- P Keyner Martinez (A – SFG): nine strikeouts, no earned runs over four innings
Stats as of the last seven days.
Check out more of our Minor League coverage.