This upcoming week is the last one for the Triple-A regular season, meaning the end of the 2026 Minor League season is near. Still, there’s a lot ahead over the coming days. Double-A playoffs will begin this week, while nearly all of the A-ball leagues will crown champions.
Double-A playoffs start
The Double-A regular season concluded on September 13, two days before the playoffs for all three leagues begin.
Starting in the Southern League, Biloxi (Brewers) will play Pensacola (Marlins). In the other matchup, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels) take on the Knoxville Cubs. Knoxville added some reinforcements this past week, as Josiah Hartshorn was promoted to Double-A after South Bend’s season ended.
Down in the Texas League, Amarillo (Diamondbacks) will face Frisco (Rangers). The Springfield Cardinals take on the Tulsa Drillers (Dodgers) in the other matchup. Charles Davalan and Eduardo Quintero were promoted to Tulsa last week.
Lastly, Hartford (Rockies) will face Reading (Phillies) in one of two Eastern League playoff matchups. The Erie Seawolves (Tigers) will face 2026 first-rounder Jackson Flora and the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) in the other series.
Championship season in A-ball
One champion was crowned in High-A, as Vancouver (Blue Jays) won the Northwest League title. It was a three-game sweep of Eugene (Giants). Outfielder David Calabrese hit .500 with a home run in the series, while Jack Eshelman notched two wins.
The South Atlantic League final was 1-0 Winston-Salem heading into the 15th, as the Dash (White Sox) face Greensboro (Pirates). In the other series, the Quad Cities River Bandits (Royals) have a 1-0 lead over Dayton (Reds).
As for Low-A, Jupiter (Marlins) won the first game of the FSL final over Tampa (Yankees). Fayetteville (Astros) are up 1-0 over Charleston (Rays) in the Carolina League final, while Lake Elsinore (Padres) are up 1-0 over San Jose (Giants).
One note on the California League playoffs: 2026 first-rounder Coleman Borthwick made his pro debut during the first round for the Storm. Borthwick struck out four and walked two over two innings against Ontario (Dodgers).
Big weeks from Major Leaguers
It’s been an interesting year for Lucas Spence, who was called up to the Astros for a cup of coffee at the start of the second half. Spence hit well in Double-A, hit some skids and whiffed a lot early on in his Triple-A run, and rebounded nicely down the stretch for Triple-A Sugar Land.
Over five games this week, Spence slashed .368/.429/1.000 with three home runs and five extra-base hits for the Space Cowboys.
Will Brennan (Giants) and MJ Melendez (Mets) each hit four home runs this past week down in Triple-A.
Notable performers
Here are some of the other top performers in the Minors over the last week:
- OF Allan Castro (AAA – BOS): eight hits, three home runs over six games
- 1B Niko Kavadas (AAA – LAA): 10 hits, three home runs over six games
- P Brett Sears (AAA – ATL): 10 strikeouts, no runs over six IP
- P Jackson Ferris (AAA – LAD): seven strikeouts, one run over six IP
- INF Aroon Escobar (AA – PHI): nine hits, three home runs over six games
- INF Arjun Nimmala (AA – LAA): 10 hits, four home runs over five games
- C Rainiel Rodriguez (AA – STL): 11 hits, three home runs over five games
- P Alex Clemmey (AA – WSH): eight strikeouts, no runs over 4.2 IP
- P Jackson Baumeister (AA – TB): 10 strikeouts, one run over 7.2 IP
- P Tanner Franklin (AA – STL): eight strikeouts, one run over six IP
Stats as of the last seven days.
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