Week 12 of the 2025 Minor League Baseball season is in the books. More teams clinched playoff berths, and the Mets & Tigers were big winners, as they will see multiple teams play September baseball. Additionally, several notable prospects had big weeks in Double-A, including a touted Yankees prospect.
More teams clinch playoff berths
Last week, I noted several teams, including Lynchburg (A, CLE), Rancho Cucamonga (A, LAD), and Binghamton (AA) clinched playoff berths to secure September baseball. This past week, more teams joined in on the fun.
Brooklyn (A+, NYM) and Bowling Green (A+, TB) locked up the first-half division titles in the South Atlantic League.
The Cyclones, led by a deep prospect core that includes 2024 first-round pick Carson Benge, and Jacob Reimer, among others, became the third Mets affiliate to clinch a playoff berth. Bowling Green’s team includes T.J. Nichols, the former University of Arizona pitcher who struck out 84 over 64 this season with the Hot Rods, as well as notable prospects Aidan Smith and Gary Gill Hill.
Other teams that clinched first-half titles include Jacksonsville (AAA, MIA), Las Vegas (AAA, ATH), Erie (AA, DET), Chattanooga (AA, CIN), Biloxi (AA, MIL), Springfield (AA, STL), Midland (AA, ATH), West Michigan (A+, DET), Cedar Rapids (A+, MIN), Everett (A+, SEA), San Jose (A, SF), Columbia (A, KC), and Lakeland (A, DET).
The Athletics saw two of their four full-season affiliate lock up playoff spots, while Detroit’s farm teams picked up three.
Jones continues torrid June
Spencer Jones had a big week for the Somerset Patriots, something Yankees fans should be excited about.
Jones, the team’s 2022 first-round pick, hit .476 (10-21) with three home runs and eight RBI, both numbers that led the Eastern League. Those eight RBI were tied for first, alongside Ronald Rosario (BOS) and Mikey Romero (BOS).
It’s been part of a terrific month for Jones, who entered play on June 23 with 15 home runs and a .395 OBP with Somerset (AA), his second full year with the team. Jones is tied for the Eastern League lead for most home runs (6), alongside teammate Roc Riggio. His 1.075 OPS is second-best in the circuit (min. 50 PA), behind only Mets prospect Jett Williams.
Promotions & moves
Speaking of Benge & Reimer, the two are moving up to Binghamton to fortify the Rumble Ponies for their second-half run.
It’s part of a flurry of moves for the Mets, who also promoted 2023 first-rounder Colin Houck to the Cyclones.
As for their in-town rivals, the Yankees promoted Brendan Beck to Triple-A. Beck, a 2021 second-round pick who showed a low-90s fastball and good secondary stuff before missing all of 2024, punched out 52 over 54 innings with Somerset. Opposing batters only hit .193 off him with the Patriots.
One more note: Alexis Diaz was transferred to Oklahoma City (AAA) after spending the last few weeks in the ACL. You may remember the Dodgers acquired Diaz in late May, as the former All-Star received a fresh start after issues in Cincinnati.
Diaz threw two scoreless innings in his first week in the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate.
Notable performers
- OF Chase DeLauter (AAA, CLE): .412 AVG, two home runs over five games
- INF Mikey Romero (AA, BOS): four hits, two home runs, eight RBI over two games
- P Jonah Tong (AA, NYM): 11 strikeouts, no runs over 7.2 IP
- P Robby Snelling (AA. MIA): seven strikeouts, one ER over six innings
- INF Sal Stewart (AA, CIN): three home runs, nine RBI, 1.452 OPS over seven games
- OF Joshua Baez (AA, STL): three home runs, seven hits, 10 RBI over five games
- P Payton Tolle (A+, BOS): nine strikeouts, one ER over six innings
- OF Esmerlyn Valdez (A+, PIT): three home runs, six XBH over five games
- P Ryan Johnson (A+, LAA): seven strikeouts, no runs over seven innings
- INF Colt Emerson (A+, SEA): two home runs, nine hits over five games
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