We’re one week away from the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline, which means that in just a few days, many prospects will likely be changing organizations. Some potential trade targets for rebuilding teams had nice weeks, as well as two former first-rounders looking to push forward.
A good one for Cross
Royals 1B/OF Gavin Cross, a former first-round pick, put up good numbers in Triple-A Omaha this past week.
Cross led the International League with 12 hits and five home runs. That week doubled his 2026 home run total, as he had just five in 84 contests with the Storm Chasers before the outburst.
Big week for Biloxi
Southern League home run leader Blake Burke extended his lead in that category, as he hit five more home runs for the Shuckers to move to 26 on the season.
It was part of a big week for the Brewers’ Double-A affiliate. Josiah Ragsdale had four home runs on the week, Andrew Fischer had three, and Josh Adamczewski hit two.
Burke also finished in a tie for second in the league in hits, a group that also included Rays catching prospect Caden Bodine.
Rebound for Painter
Andrew Painter, back in Triple-A, had himself a good week down in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, as he looks to work his way back to Philadelphia.
Painter struck out 14 over 11 innings, allowed three runs in that span, and picked up two victories for the IronPigs. Since the start of July, Painter is in the top 10 among International League pitchers in total strikeouts (21). However, he’s bled hits, part of the reason why he had an ERA north of 5.00 in that span.
Notable performers
Here are notable statistical standouts from the past week:
- OF Heston Kjerstad (AAA – BAL): 10 hits, three home runs over six games
- INF LuJames Groover (AAA – ARI): 13 hits, two home runs over six games
- P Quinn Mathews (AAA – STL): 10 strikeouts, no earned runs over seven IP
- P Trent Harris (AAA – SFG): 12 strikeouts, no earned runs over seven IP
- OF DJ Gladney (AA – NYY): 12 hits, three home runs over six games
- INF Mac Horvath (AA – TB): 10 hits, one home run over five games
- SS Marek Houston (AA – MIN): 11 hits, two home runs over six games
- P John Holobetz (AA – BOS): 10 strikeouts, no earned runs over five IP
- P Luis Martinez-Gomez (AA – CHC): 12 strikeouts, one earned run over six IP
- P Bryce Mayer (AA – HOU): nine strikeouts, no earned runs over six IP
- SS Wehiwa Aloy (A+ – BAL): nine hits, two home runs over six games
- SS Tyson Lewis (A+ – CIN): 12 hits, three home runs over six games
- INF Zander Darby (A+ – SFG): nine hits, three home runs over six games
- P Ramon Marquez (A+ – PHI): 10 strikeouts, no earned runs over five IP
- P Everett Catlett (A+ – COL): six strikeouts, no earned runs over six IP
- OF Connor Esseburg (A – ATL): nine hits, three home runs over six games
- INF Antonio Pimentel (A – PIT): nine hits, two home runs over six games
- INF Wilder Dalis (A – COL): 12 hits, four home runs over six games
Stats as of the last seven days.
One last thing: our July 2026 farm reports for all 30 teams are out. Make sure to read all of them in our division-separated reports:
Check out more of our Minor League coverage.