Recapping Week 7 of the 2026 MiLB Season

With the weather starting to heat up across the United States, some hitters took advantage over the last week. Three Triple-A prospects had four-home run weeks, one of whom is a former first-round pick from 2023. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Seth Hernandez made a loud impression in his High-A debut.

Trio of Triple-A players with four-homer weeks

Three Triple-A hitters in the International League, Joshua Baez, Matthew Etzel, and Jacob Gonzalez, smashed four home runs this past week.

Baez’s season has been somewhat frustrating in 2026 after he showed an improved hit tool in Double-A Springfield. However, the power is still very much there, as Baez is now up to seven on the season.

Etzel, acquired last year by Miami in the Nick Fortes trade, has been more known for his speed and ability to get on base. However, we saw a power surge from the Marlins prospect, who’s up to five home runs in 2026.

And then, there’s Jacob Gonzalez. The 23-year-old fell in the prospect depth chart over the last year. But how a year can change things for a prospect like Gonzalez, who was a first-round pick in 2023 and is still 23 years of age.

Gonzalez now has 14 home runs, tied with Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcantara for most homers in the International League.

Hot Double-A hitters

A lot of notable Double-A hitters ended the week on hot runs.

In the Eastern League, Giants infielder Parks Harber had four home runs, while Guardians first baseman Ralphy Velazquez had three home runs and nine total hits. Yankees outfield prospect Jace Avina had ten hits and two home runs for Somerset.

Marlins outfield prospect Dillon Lewis, acquired from the Yankees in the winter, had four home runs to pace the Southern League. Rays prospects Xavier Isaac and Austin Overn had three for Double-A Montgomery.

And in the Texas League, Mariners prospect Lazaro Montes and Charlie Pagliarini each had three-home run weeks.

Strong High-A debut for Hernandez

After what was an incredibly dominant month at Low-A, the Pirates pushed Seth Hernandez to High-A Greensboro this past week. The Pirates’ 2025 first-round pick made his bow at the level against the Jersey Shore Blueclaws, and didn’t miss a beat. Hernandez walked four, struck out seven over five scoreless innings, and he didn’t allow a hit.

Among High-A pitchers who induced at least 15 swings from opposing hitters, his 62.1% Whiff% was second-best in the circuit. Only Rays pitching prospect Jacob Kmatz (62.5%) had a better Whiff% this past week.

Notable performers

Here are other notable performers from the last week:

OF Kemp Alderman (AAA – MIA): nine hits, three home runs over five games
OF Esmerlyn Valdez (AAA – PIT): nine hits, three home runs over six games
INF Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (AAA – ATH): 13 hits over six games
SP Carlos Lagrange (AAA – NYY): 14 strikeouts over 10 IP
OF Raudi Rodriguez (AA – LAA): 12 hits, two home runs over six games
INF Gavin Conticello (AA – ARI): nine hits, three home runs over five games
SP Jackson Kent (AA – WSH): 17 strikeouts, one earned run over 12 IP
SP Chris Clark (AA – TB): 14 strikeouts, one earned run over 10 IP
SP Daniel Eagan (AA – ARI): 12 strikeouts, one earned run over eight IP
C Malcolm Moore (A+ – TEX): 13 hits, four home runs over five games
INF Luke Hanson (A+ – TEX): 10 hits, four home runs, 16 RBI over six games
OF Kane Kepley (A+ – CHC): 14 hits, eight stolen bases over five games
SP Cade Kuehler (A+ – ATL): 12 strikeouts, no earned runs over 12 IP
SP Kash Mayfield (A+ – SD): nine strikeouts, no earned runs over five IP
SP Nolan Perry (A+ – TOR): 10 strikeouts, no earned runs over five IP
INF Quinn McDaniel (A – MIN): 14 hits, two home runs over six games
INF Roldy Brito (A – COL): 13 hits, one home run over six games
SP Caden Hunter (A – BAL): 18 strikeouts, one earned run over 8.2 IP
SP Jack Nedrow (A – TOR): 11 strikeouts, no earned runs over 10 IP
SP Isaac Ayon (A – LAD): 10 strikeouts, no earned runs, no walks over five IP

Stats as of the last seven days.

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