The Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked first in the NL West with a 42-24 record, face the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are third in the NL Central with a 34-32 record. The game is essentially a pick'em, with Pittsburgh at -110 and the Dodgers at -110. Starting pitchers are Eric Lauer for the Dodgers, with a 5.74 ERA, and Paul Skenes for the Pirates, with a 2.83 ERA.
How to watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
The New York Yankees, ranked second in the AL East with a 39-26 record, face the Cleveland Guardians, who are first in the AL Central with a 37-31 record. The New York Yankees are favored with a -120 moneyline compared to the Cleveland Guardians' +110. Starting pitchers are Gerrit Cole for the Yankees, with a 2.00 ERA, and Slade Cecconi for the Guardians, with a 4.92 ERA.
How to watch New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians
Date: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m. PT
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
TV Channels: TBS, Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive, WKYC 3, Amazon Prime Video
I'm looking to get in and get out of a few games this evening by attacking the YRFI/NRFI market for my MLB picks.
Both Sox games immediately caught my attention this afternoon, and so did the matchup out in Las Vegas. A few strong spots stand out on the board tonight, so let's dive into my best NRFI/YRFI predictions for June 9.
Eric Fedde takes the mound for the White Sox this evening, sporting a 9.00 first-inning ERA after allowing eight runs across eight starts.
Opposing hitters own a .294 batting average, .824 slugging percentage, and 1.118 OPS against him in the opening frame. Over his last five starts, the White Sox right-hander has posted a 68.4% elevation rate and a 2.21 HR/9.
Grant Holmes gets the ball for Atlanta, and he has struggled in the first inning as well, allowing eight runs on 10 hits through 12 starts. Over his last five outings, Holmes has surrendered plenty of hard contact, giving up a 51.4% hard-hit rate and a 12.9% barrel rate. He also owns a 2.10 HR/9 and a 62.9% elevation rate during that span.
Using the current season timeframe on Batters-Box, these lineups feature six elite-rated bats and three additional hitters with strong ratings. That gives us nine total bats in favorable spots to do damage at the plate this evening.
Both teams also rank inside the top 10 in YRFI percentage. The Braves own the second-highest road YRFI rate at 39.39%, while the White Sox rank 10th overall at 32%.
With this being the best number available, I'd be comfortable playing it up to -125 if needed.
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CHSN, BravesVsn
Red Sox at Rays: NRFI (-135)
I am all over both Sox games today, but for this pick, I want NO RUNS.
The Red Sox southpaw enters today having allowed just two runs through eight games, both coming on solo home runs. Aside from that, he has surrendered only one other hit during that span. Over his last five outings, he has done an excellent job limiting hard contact while posting a 0.61 HR/9.
On the other side, Martinez has put up similar numbers over his last five appearances, allowing just 36.5% hard contact with a 6.7% barrel rate, while carrying an elite 2.4% walk rate.
Through 12 games this season, the first inning has been where the Rays right-hander has shone most, sporting a 0.75 ERA and allowing just one run.
Offensively, we only have to worry about two hitters with strong matchup ratings: Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero. Both profile well against left-handed pitching, but I'm willing to take that risk given the edge the starting pitchers hold in this matchup.
Polymarket is currently offering the best price on this prop, so I would aim to find a number as close to that as possible.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RAYS, NESN
Brewers at Athletics: NRFI (+150)
Someone is going to see this and want to chirp me, so I'll make it real easy for you: it's @ColbyMBets.
Now, back to why you're here, the logic.
First of all, yes, I am aware of the elevation in this matchup. I saw the fireworks last night. However, at this price, I think we're getting some real value on the Milwaukee Brewers and Athletics to stay scoreless through one inning.
On the bump for Milwaukee is left-hander Robert Gasser (great pitcher name), who, despite a lower ground-ball rate, isn't allowing much hard contact. Through his first couple of starts this season, opposing hitters own just a .192 xBA and .335 xSLG against him.
On the other side, Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn has been dealing over his last five outings, posting a 1.59 ERA while carrying a 42.6% ground-ball rate.
Opposing hitters are producing just a 38.2% hard-hit rate and a 5.9% barrel rate, while owning a .197 xBA. Through 11 appearances this season, Ginn has posted a 1.64 ERA in the first inning, allowing only two runs on nine hits.
People are going to harp on the elevation because it's second only to Coors Field, as if Coors has never had a scoreless first inning. If I'm wrong, it won't be the first time, and it certainly won't be the last.
At +150, the price is simply too sexy to pass up.
Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSCA, BREW
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
2026 MLB Record picks: 197-345-29, +1.30 units
What is a NRFI prediction?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) picks add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI pick is a prediction that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're predicting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI pick is the exact opposite. You're predicting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI picks add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for those looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Vincent Perozo of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies enters the field before a Minor League Baseball game at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, United States, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Venezuelan catcher Vincent Perozo was signed on July 2, 2019, the first day of the 2019-2020 international free agent signing period. He missed the 2020 due to the coronavirus cancelling the minor league season and made his professional debut in 2021, skipping over the Dominican Summer League completely and playing with the FCL Mets. Battling through a shoulder injury for much of the season, the backstop appeared in 18 games and hit .173/.349/.269 with 1 home run, 0 stolen bases in 2 attempts, and 10 walks to 21 strikeouts. He began the 2022 season promoted to Single-A St. Lucie but only spent about a week there before being sent back down the Florida Complex League. He appeared in 36 games for them and hit .283/.387/.475 with 4 home runs, 1 stolen base in as many attempts, and 11 walks to 32 strikeouts. He was promoted back to the St. Lucie Mets at the end of August and went 3-14 with a double and a homer, giving him a .129/.200/.323 batting line in 9 games with St. Lucie with 1 home run, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts. He remained in St. Lucie for the 2023 season, spending the entire year there, and hit .226/.322/.381 with 8 home runs, 1 stolen base in 2 attempts, and 32 walks to 103 strikeouts in 88 games. The Mets had the 21-year-old repeat the level in 2024 and the youngster regressed, hitting .173/.280/.229 in 78 games with 10 doubles, 1 home run, 4 stolen bases, and drew 27 walks to 81 strikeouts.
Perozo began his fourth consecutive season with St. Lucie and was a bit better this time around, hitting .259/.376/.378 in 58 games with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 3 stolen bases in 7 attempts, and 25 walks to 42 strikeouts. He was promoted to High-A Brooklyn in August and finished the season with the Cyclones, hitting .167/.265/.200 in 20 games with 2 doubles, 0 home runs, 2 stolen bases in 4 attempts, and 5 walks to 19 strikeouts.
The backstop began this season with Brooklyn, but has bounced all over the Mets’ minor league system since the beginning of the year, filling in wherever needed. Perozo was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse for a single game in mid-April, was then sent to Binghamton for a pair of games, and then sent back to Brooklyn. In mid-May, he returned to Binghamton in what appears to be his actual, permanent assignment.
At the plate, the left-handed Perozo stands square at the plate, standing tall and holding his hands low. The 5’11”, 170-pound backstop has a smooth, uppercutty planar swing that gives him good coverage low in the zone but makes him weak to pitches upstairs. When he connects with a ball, particularly low balls, he shows unexpected power, but his aggressive approach at the plate has led to an elevated strikeout rate, depressed walk rate, and a great deal of poor contact. Perozo is having more success now in Binghamton than he has almost anywhere, and it is no coincidence that his Pull% is down slightly, his Cent% and Oppo% are up, his Line Drive rate is up, and his groundball rate is down.
Behind the plate, Perozo will never be a standout defensive catcher because his arm is only average at best, but scouts and evaluators give him good grades for his mobility behind the plate, framing and receiving abilities, and his ability to work with his pitchers.
Frank Camarillo
Week: 1 G (1 GS), 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (High-A)
So-Cal native Frank Camarillo was drafted by the Mets in the thirteenth-round of the 2025 MLB Draft, the 403rd overall pick overall. A right-handed pitcher who attended the University of California: Santa Barbara, Camarillo did not have that many innings under his belt when selected. In 2023, his freshman year, he appeared in 4 games in total, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits and a walk over 2.2 innings, striking out 2 batters. In his sophomore season, he appeared in 13 games and posted a 7.97 ERA in 20.1 innings, allowing 27 hits, walking 12, and striking out 18. In his junior year, he posted a 6.53 ERA in 20.2 innings over 8 games, allowing 25 hits, 8 walks, and 19 strikeouts. While he supplemented the innings he pitched by pitching in collegiate summer leagues, he still had only 98.2 innings of work under his belt prior to being drafted- and with poor results, to boot.
The Mets did not have the right-hander appear in any games for the rest of 2025, and when the 2026 season began, assigned him to the Single-A St. Lucie Mets. The 22-year-old appeared in 7 games for them, starting all 7, and was serviceable, posting a 4.35 ERA in 31.0 innings, allowing 27 hits, walking 11, and striking out 28. Near the end of May, he was promoted to the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones and has since made 3 starts with them, allowing 7 earned runs in 17.2 innings, good for a 3.57 ERA, while allowing 17 hits, walking 4, and striking out 8. Altogether, he has a combined 4.25 ERA over his first 10 professional starts, allowing 44 hits, walking 15, and striking out 36 in 48.2 innings.
With a pronounced high leg kick, the 6’4”, 210-pound right-hander throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot, dropping down and pushing off the mound with a decent amount of extension. His repertoire consists of a fastball, slider, changeup and splitter. By and large, he uses his fastball almost half of the time, his slider and changeup almost half that, and his splitter sparingly.
His fastball- which statcast registers as a distinct four-seam fastball and a distinct two-seam fastball, which may actually only be a two-seam fastball or a four-seam fastball, based on its characteristics- sits in the mid-90s, ranging 90-96 MPH. With a low spin rate hovering around 2,000 RPM, the pitch has slightly above-average vertical drop and horizontal movement compared to other fastballs, as the magnus force its spin produces is not strong enough to counter the force of gravity. When thrown up in the zone, the pitch produces slightly above-average induced vertical break readings- as high as 18 inches while playing with the St. Lucie Mets- due to the fact that Camarillo releases the ball from a flat approach angle thanks to his extension off the mound and arm slot.
His slider sits in the low-to-mid-80s, ranging 81-85 MPH. It, too, features a low spin rate, giving it gyroscopic break that results in an average amount of vertical drop but almost no horizontal movement. His changeup sits in the same velocity band and features as much vertical drop as his slider, but with much more horizontal movement, averaging about 18 inches while he was pitching in St. Lucie. His splitter is very seldom used, only seeing action a handful of times per game, but it has been his most effective strikeout pitch. Sitting in the high-70s-to-low-80s, the pitch has averaged 1,000 RPM when used, causing it to absolutely fall off of the table with sharp, sudden vertical drop.
All in all, Camarillo does not have high-octane strikeout stuff, which is why he has been a bit hittable in both St. Lucie and Brooklyn. He gives up a lot of line drives and a lot of pulled flyball contact, which is not optimal- but may be hidden in Brooklyn to a degree, where the stadium is extremely tough on left-handed hitters.
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 08: Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates the win with Brandon Marsh #16 after the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 8, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On April 26, the Phillies lost to the Atlanta Braves, 6-2. The lonely two runs scored by the team were thanks to a home run by Kyle Schwarber, but it felt like an exercise in futility. Aaron Nola had given up six runs in the initial two innings of the game, a game that was closed out not by the intended trio of Orion Kerkering-Brad Keller-Jhoan Duran, the plan that the team had put forth earlier in the year, but instead by Tim Mayza-Chase Shugart-Nolan Hoffman. It was a Sunday and Chris Sale was on the mound, so right handed hitters dominated the lineup, with Edmundo Sosa, Dylan Moore and Felix Reyes all getting the start. Alec Bohm had a .412 OPS after the game.
The team was then 9-19.
The vibes were low.
Fast forward to today.
The Phillies are six games over .500 and they have possibly the leading Cy Young candidate in Cristopher Sanchez, another starter in Zack Wheeler that might join Sanchez in the top five in voting, a potential group five All-Stars in Sanchez, Wheeler, Schwarber, Duran and Bryce Harper with Brandon Marsh looking more and more a choice every day. They’re beating good teams again, playing capable offense and being supported by (mostly) good starting pitching at the front and the aforementioned trio at the end.
It was the perfect time to ask a question that had to do with the playoffs since, well, we’re in June and it’s time to being considering such things.
Ask that question earlier in the year and it’s more than likely that the results would be flipped, if not decidedly so, in the other direction.
It truly is amazing what some good play will do not only to a team that isn’t playing particularly well, but for a fanbase that is so caught up in the daily doings of the team. Scroll back even though these very pages and you will sense the doom and misfortune that had fallen on us all. The gamut was run between the very last shreds of optimism to even a total and complete rebuild. Now this poll has the team making the playoffs with time to spare?
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 07: Ezequiel Duran #20 and Justin Foscue #14 of the Texas Rangers salute each other after a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Globe Life Field on June 07, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Season Record: 32-33
Week Record: 4-2
Series Record: 10–10, 1 split
GAME 60: 2-1 Win @ St Louis Cardinals
GAME 61: 7-4 Win @ St Louis Cardinals
GAME 62: 3-5 Loss @ St Louis Cardinals
GAME 63: 3-2 Win vs Cleveland Guardians
GAME 64: 0-6 Loss vs Cleveland Guardians
GAME 65: 10-0 Win vs Cleveland Guardians
The Rangers had one of their best weeks of the season. Starting the week off with a win streak that extended to five games, the longest of the season. Texas went 4-2 for the week and won three series in a row, again, the longest streak of series wins for the season.
Currently the Rangers are just a game under .500 and second place in the division. They outscored their opponents 25-18 and managed to get hits together with runners in scoring position.
Dare I say, they look good?
For what it’s worth, this time last year the Rangers were 30-35
On Tuesday, they’ll start a quick, six game road trip. First to Kansas City to play a team they very recently swept to kick off the series and game winning streak.
They will then go to Boston to play a team that is far below .500 and hopefully keep up a continued streak.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Samad Taylor #0 of the San Diego Padres bunts in a run on a suicide squeeze during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park on June 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you managed to stay up late enough on Monday to watch the Cincinnati Reds lose to the San Diego Padres, I applaud you. I apologize to you for your pain and suffering, but I applaud you for your diligence.
The Reds are an absolute mess right now. Depending on the depth of your parameters, you can claim they’ve been a mess for a whole lot longer time frame, but lately they’ve been proponents of some of the worst-played baseball I can remember. Their pitching, for the most part, has been awful – particularly in the bullpen, where it’s been a turnstile of pitchers out-of-options and on the fringes. The hitting has been untimely.
And, on Monday in San Diego, it was their defensive fundamentals that got the laugh-tracks going.
During a 7th inning rally, the Padres once reached on three consecutive bunts, the first two being labled ‘singles’ while the final one officially going into the books as an error by reliever Tejay Antone. At least one of the singles could’ve been labeled an error on a number of different Reds. Defensive indifference? Defensive incompetence? Whatever it was, it blew open a game that, to that point, had been controlled rather well by starter Andrew Abbott, who allowed just a lone earned run through 6.0 IP before being tasked with beginning the 7th by manager Terry Francona in a move that backfired almost instantly.
3 straight bunts by the #Padres, this one by Fermin and there are STILL no outs! Fielding error by Reds' Teejay Antone pic.twitter.com/GbuD4CYHk4
To be quite clear, the Reds offense scored just 2 runs on the night, the latest in a run of poor offensive form that has seen their roaring May crumble into a brutally austere June. The bullpen, to its credit, at least kept the ball on the infield (even if the Pads, by design, took advantage of that). Even poor Zach McCambley, who came on to pitch the Bottom of the 8th, at least threw strikes and mostly hit his spots before an inability to get guys out led to a 30+ pitch inning in which he was gassed and punished by the end.
All told, it was a 6-2 loss for the Reds, another game in which they both led late and lost.
They’re really finding new, impossible ways in which to lose these days. Now, they’re 3 games under .500 and at risk of flushing this entire season down the toilet before the middle of June.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 08: Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning of a game at Las Vegas Ballpark on June 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Tuesday A’s fans!
Yesterday was a wild affair in our future home city. The Athletics’ kicked off their Las Vegas homestand with a contest against the Brewers and it was a wild one. The hitter-friendly ballpark lived up to its reputation as both teams combined for 34 hits, 29 runs, and 11 (!) home runs. Seven of those came off the bats of the home team. No lead in this ballpark is safe, no matter how large it is. If there’s a field where massive comebacks can and do happen, it’s this one. They were on the losing end last night but it was a barrage that was lots of fun regardless, and fans got their money’s worth with a four-hour, 14-minute game time.
The temperature at first pitch was a balmy 87 degrees, with the city hitting triple-digits earlier in the afternoon. A’s players, fans, and coaches will all need to get used to that because that’s going to become the new normal during the coming summers. The new ballpark is going to have a retractable roof and under-seat AC for the fans so it shouldn’t be miserable all the time. One can’t imagine them opening the roof during the middle of summer so how the ball flies in the stadium when the roof is closed will be a huge thing to watch when the park opens up. It’s hard to say exactly how the park will play on the field until we get some baseball on it, but all indications are that it’s going to be a hitter’s dream, a complete 180 flip compared to the Oakland Coliseum and its massive foul territory and marine layer.
Who else is excited to see what Round 2 looks like tonight? The A’s could certainly use an extended performance out of scheduled starter J.T. Ginn, and he may be the type of pitcher that can keep runs down in Las Vegas. As a groundball-focused pitcher Ginn will do his best to get his infield defense to work and keep the ball down and in the park. After using seven pitchers yesterday the team can’t really afford a short start from Ginn or else dip into the minor leagues for some fresh arms. Last night was just the first of six games in the future home so hopefully Mark Kotsay knows to do his best to keep his bullpen fresh for the rest of the series.
First pitch is at the same time tonight, folks. 7:05, and based off last night we may have another long evening ahead of us. Until then, have a great day everyone.
— Chad Pinder’s Burner (@sadAssleticsfan) June 8, 2026
Ha!
If a reverse unicorn is a home run in only 1 of 30 stadiums. What’s this called? Impossible? Because Jonah Heim just hit a ball that’s a home run in 0/30 stadiums pic.twitter.com/vwwwMBx7oy
When I said I wish there was a way for the Cubs to get healthy enough to force Jameson Taillon from the rotation, this wasn’t what I meant nor the order I wished it came in.
But let’s talk about the performance put in by Javier Assad!!! I know an unexpected, lengthy, nearly-perfect relief appearance happens a 2-3 times each year, but that was one stellar performance, that ended up getting wasted by the offense! AGAIN! But let’s look at the positive side of this. Omitting his two disastrous outings in April, in 25.2 IP, Assad has allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and 2 earned runs for a 0.71 ERA and a 0.44 WHIP with 19 K. Hopefully, when he gets the ball put in his hand every fifth day (I’m assuming), he will continue with this mindset and performance level. It would have been great to see if Taillon could have continued the solid work he put in against the A’s last week. Maybe he will be the replacement and Assad can keep this run going on the way to a healthy rotation. And here’s a little tidbit I came across:
Javier Assad: first Cubs scoreless relief appearance of more than 6 innings since Tom Dettore (also 6.1 IP) 8/16/1974
This weekend was “Pile on Alex Bregman” time. There were several repetitive articles (almost as many as during PCA’s chatting-to-the-fans weekend), so I plucked one for your reading (dis)pleasure.
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Matt Shaw Reportedly Being Activated Tuesday, Kevin Alcántara’s Clock Ticking. “Alcántara will be out of options after this season, and it’s really difficult to imagine the organization suddenly getting comfortable with him being a full-time member of the roster in 2027 and beyond.”
Cory Sparks (North Side Baseball): 3 Cubs Right-Handed Hitters Who Need to Step Up. “The Cubs’ lackluster-at-times offense needs to see more from it’s contingent of right-handed sluggers in order to get back on track.”
The Buddaheads (also known as BB Chung King & The Screaming Buddaheads) were a Los Angeles-based blues-rock band founded in 1989 by Japanese-American guitarist and producer Alan Mirikitani, who performed under the stage name B.B. Chung King. The band earned widespread acclaim for their high-energy electric blues, extensive touring, and control over their own independent music releases before disbanding in July 2015 following the sudden death of Mirikitani from a heart attack.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 18: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (left) and Philadelphia Phillies Managing Partner and CEO John Middleton (right) applaud and the Phillie Phanatic reacts after the 2026 MLB All-Star Game logo is revealed during Philadelphia's 2026 All-Star Game Declaration on July 18, 2025, at Dilworth Park, in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
We are one week into Phase 1 of the 2026 All Star Game voting. There have not been any voting updates, but I felt it was worth a reminder to get those votes in while you can!
Last week, I recommended that we prioritize voting for just two San Francisco Giants players: Luis Arraez and Casey Schmitt.
And while that’s still the case, I’m going to also request we throw some votes Jung Hoo Lee’s way, after the tear he’s been on lately.
But that’s up to you! Regardless of who you vote for, you should make sure to get your votes in here.
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants continue this three-game series against the Washington Nationals tonight at 6:45 p.m. PT
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 20: Enrique Bradfield Jr. #99 of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As is our Tuesday tradition here at Camden Chat, it’s time for our recap of the last six days of minor league baseball, with a particular focus on Camden Chat’s top 20 Orioles prospects.
Triple-A Norfolk Tides
Last week: 3-3 at Gwinnett Stripers (Braves)
Coming week: vs. Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals)
Season record: 25-38, ninth place (13.5 GB) in International League East
Creed Willems has been a bit of an overlooked prospect as he’s moved up the minor league ladder, but he’s trying to make sure we don’t forget him. We certainly won’t forget his hair. He’s been crushing the ball in his first season at Triple-A, batting .283/.370/.511, and this week he added his 12th and 13th home runs to his tally. His AVG, OBP, and SLG are all the highest of his professional career. The O’s aren’t in urgent need of a first baseman or catcher, Creed’s two primary positions, so they can afford to let him cook at Triple-A for a while longer. But his breakout year means the Orioles may well add him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft (which they declined to do last year, but he went unselected).
Beyond Willems, the Norfolk lineup is a mishmash of former prospects and veteran journeymen. Former Reds prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand continues to hit, bashing three homers this week. He has a .949 OPS for the Tides this year and could be the next man up if the O’s have an infield injury. Heston Kjerstad was 7-for-27 with seven strikeouts and no walks. With a .669 OPS, he’s not exactly beating down the door for a big league promotion, even if Tyler O’Neill is beating down the door to be released.
On the mound, Trey Gibson (#5 prospect) was the only Tides pitcher to record a quality start — 6.1 innings, two runs, prior to returning to the majors yesterday — while Nestor German (#11) and Trace Bright delivered identical 5.2-inning, three-run outings. The weirdest pitching line was that of Yaqui Rivera, who allowed seven hits and four walks in five innings, but somehow no earned runs (though he did give up four unearned ones). Lefty reliever Andrew Magno continued to shine with two scoreless outings, lowering his ERA to 0.72 in 22 games. Could the 28-year-old, who spent seven years in the Tigers’ organization without a call-up, finally make his MLB debut this season?
Season record: 23-33, last place (14.0 GB) in Eastern League Southwest
Just like with the Tides, the best hitter on the Baysox is a catcher. In this case it’s Ethan Anderson, the Orioles’ second-round pick in 2024, who’s rocking an .866 OPS and 11 home runs in 47 games after hitting three more dingers this week. Anderson had all but fallen off the Birds’ prospect lists after a forgettable 2025 in which he OPS’d .677 and hit just four homers in 90 games, but he’s taken a big step forward this year.
Infielders Aron Estrada (#13 prospect) and Frederick Bencosme each had a seven-hit, two-homer week. Estrada has turned his season around in a big way after posting a paltry .176 AVG and .490 OPS through his first 18 games; he’s now up to .277 and .791, not far off from his career averages. And he’s doing it while being nearly three years young for the Double-A level. Not too shabby.
But enough about that; how did Joseph Dzierwa (#14) do? I’m pleased to report that the Orioles’ fastest-rising pitching prospect delivered another quality start, holding Akron to one run in 6.2 strong innings. I may be tempting fate by saying this, but Dzierwa has really never had a bad outing in his professional career. He hasn’t given up more than three earned runs in any of his 11 starts. Across High-A and Double-A, he’s sporting a 2.51 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 11.46 K/9. The lefty strikes out a ton of batters, doesn’t walk many, and doesn’t give up homers. Just stay healthy, buddy, and the sky’s the limit.
Last week: 4-2 vs. Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees)
Coming week: at Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)
Season record: 35-19, first place (1.5 games ahead) in South Atlantic League North
The offense was alive for Frederick this week, as it’s been for most of the year. The Keys tallied double-digit runs in half of their games this series, including blowout wins of 16-3 and 10-3 and a barnburner of a 14-13 defeat. It was enough for the Keys to reclaim first place in the division after briefly falling into second a week ago.
Slugging first baseman Victor Figueroa crushed four homers and leads all O’s minor leaguers with 15 roundtrippers this year. The 22-year-old was part of the five-player package the Orioles received from San Diego in the Ryan O’Hearn/Ramón Laureano trade last year, and while he’s more of a lottery ticket than a real prospect, that power is undeniable. Time to move him up to Double-A and see what happens.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. (#7 prospect) has heated up as he rehabs a left hand injury. He was a spark plug atop the lineup, reaching base 12 times, scoring 10 runs, and stealing five bases. He should be ready to return to Norfolk shortly. Another rehabbing outfielder, Douglas Hodo III, hit three homers as he prepares to head back to Double-A. And hey, it was even a good week for the much-maligned Vance Honeycutt. The struggling former first rounder hit two dingers and struck out only three times in 18 at-bats.
Surprisingly missing from the offensive surge were Ike Irish (#4) and Wehiwa Aloy (#6), each of whom had just four hits in the series. Aloy is in a 4-for-32 rut if you include his three games before that. Even still, both guys had seven RBIs, tied for the most on the team this week besides Figueroa’s 10.
As for the pitchers, righty Yeiber Cartaya continued to cruise through 2026 with a five-inning, one-earned-run effort that featured seven strikeouts and no walks. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has a 1.42 ERA in 44.1 innings. Elsewhere, Twine Palmer worked five scoreless innings of bulk relief. But 6-foot-8 lefty Boston Bateman, who’d been on a nice roll in May, opened June with a tough outing, giving up three runs and walking four in three innings.
Season record: 22-35, last place (19.0 GB) in Carolina League North
Break up the Shorebirds! They’re riding a five-game winning streak and just bagged their first series win since the end of April. It didn’t get them out of last place, but, you know. Baby steps.
Pitching led the way for the Shorebirds, who held Augusta to three or fewer runs in all but one game. It was a true team effort, with 17 different Delmarva pitchers taking the mound this week, 12 of whom gave up no earned runs. The Shorebirds got a boost from newcomer Stephen Still, a 24-year-old lefty signed by the Orioles after two years in independent ball. I’d like to learn more about him, but my Google search keeps defaulting to Stephen Stills from Crosby, Stills and Nash. Anyway, this Stephen Still debuted with 5.1 scoreless innings and nine strikeouts. Nice!
Another pitcher I’m not familiar with, Andrew Herbert, dazzled with nine scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts. It would’ve been especially awesome if it all happened in one game, but it was two long relief appearances. It’s still impressive! The 25-year-old righty is another recent addition from the independent league, signed the same day as Still on May 21.
No Shorebirds batter had more than five hits this week, but four of Edwin Amparo’s went for extra bases, including two homers. And 2025 fifth-round pick Jaiden Lo Re also homered in his first week at Delmarva. He’s a natural fit at this level, because “Lo Re” rhymes with “Low-A.” When he gets moved up to the next rung, he’ll have to change his name to Jaiden Hi Re. It’s the rules.
Creed Willems was the runaway winner in last week’s player of the week poll, earning 67% of the vote. He joins previous winners Payton Eeles, Braylin Tavera, Caden Hunter, Ike Irish, and Wehiwa Aloy. There have been no repeat winners, and there still won’t, because there are two new candidates on the ballot this week. Who gets your vote?
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 07: Mickey Gasper #30 of the Boston Red Sox throws the ball during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Blah blah blah transaction news.
Carlos Narvaez appeared in 112 games at catcher last season, tallying 15 home runs and playing solid defense, though he’s struggled at the dish this season and has taken a back seat to Gasper since Chad Tracy took over. He’s 27 years old and still pre-arbitration, meaning he’s under team control for the foreseeable future. Connor Wong had a miserable 2025 at the plate but has bounced back this year, although the power still hasn’t returned. He’s 30, but still has a few years of team control left. Mickey Gasper is the surprise addition to the group. He’s been the best of the group offensively, but also is the wrong side of 30 and has only just made the major leagues.
So, what should they do for the rest of this season? Do they let Narvaez work through his slump at the plate because he’s the most likely of the group to be the catcher of the future? Do they continue to run Gasper out to try to give a boost to the struggling offense? Do they let Connor Wong continue to handle the staff, because pitchers seem to like him? Do they trade for Ethan Salas? I don’t know. You tell me.
Talk about whatever you want and be good to one another.
Brent Lillibridge’s three-run homer in the eighth inning of a 15-3 on this day 16 years ago was the exclamation point for the beginning of streak that would see the White Sox with 25 of 30 and surge into first place. | (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
1947 In a game at Comiskey Park against the Yankees, a fan held up the contest for nearly an hour while he argued a call with one of the umpires. That’s right … a fan!
The Sox would eventually win the game, 9-8, in 10 innings, scoring seven unanswered runs to pull it off. Jake Jones’ single scored Floyd “the Blotter” Baker to win it.
1974 In at 10-6 loss at Comiskey Park, Ron Santo hit two home runs, including an inside-the-park homer to left field, as part of a 3-for-4 day. His nine total bases were by far the most the future Hall-of-Famer had in a single game during his disappointing single season on the South Side.
Why does this fact merit inclusion among the top moments in White Sox history? Well …
1981 … EXACTLY seven years later, the White Sox recorded their next inside-the-park home run, and it was even a weirder play than sluggish runner Santo circling the bases for a homer.
After Chet Lemon reached on an error to start the White Sox half of the fourth, already up, 1-0, vs. the Blue Jays, Wayne Nordhagen drove a fly ball down the right-field line. It looked foul, so Nordhagen stood in the box and watched — until the ball landed fair. Future White Sox left fielder George Bell, then a rookie known as Jorge and playing in just his 30th MLB game, re-injured his right ankle against the short, right-field foul wall chasing after the fly (the game started an hour late due to rain, so the slick grass/warning track contributed to the re-injury).
With Bell crumpled on the ground, the ball rolled to the wall and left center fielder Barry Bonnell to sprint over to make the play. That gave Nordhagen enough of a start to circle the bases, to his surprise:
I didn’t know what was happening. My helmet fell down over my eyes after I swung, and I didn’t even know where the ball went. I couldn’t believe it when Winks [White Sox third-base coach Bobby Winkles] was down there waving [me home].
The homer put the White Sox up by the eventual final, 3-0. Richard Dotson threw a five-hit shutout — his fourthalready in a breakout campaign. It would also be Dotson’s last start until August, as three days from now the players’ strike would hollow out the middle of the 1981 season.
1987 White Sox outfielder (and future GM) Ken Williams hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, breaking up a no-hit bid by the A’s Curt Young.
It would be the only hit on the day for the Sox, who lost, 8-3.
2010 The White Sox stood at an awful 24-33 and 9 1/2 games out of first place heading into play, but a 15-3 drubbing of the Tigers started a 15-1 streak (through June 26) and 25-5 sprint to the All-Star break (July 11) that turned the season around. (For good measure, the White Sox won the first game out of the break, making it 26 of 31.)
In this game, the White Sox were shut out in five of their eight frames, but seven-spots in both the fourth and eighth innings dealt the death blows for Detroit. Every White Sox batter recorded at least one hit — even pinch-hitter Brent Lillibridge, who clubbed a three-run homer in the eighth. Omar Vizquel led the way among hitters, with three hits. Freddy García was the beneficiary of the onslaught, going seven innings to improve to 6-3 on the season.
By the All-Star break, the White Sox streak had landed them atop the AL Central by a half-game, at 49-38.
2021 The injury bug again impacted the White Sox, as second baseman Nick Madrigal, hitting better than .300 at the time and playing a solid second base, tore his right hamstring trying to run out a ground ball in the seventh inning of a game against the Blue Jays in Chicago. Madrigal became the third Sox starter to suffer a major injury and miss significant time, the others being outfielders Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert Jr.
The Sox were leading 2-1 at the time, but after Madrigal’s season-ending injury melted down and lost, 6-2. The second baseman remained on the field for several minutes before being helped off, not putting any weight on his right leg. Surgery was performed the next week, and his season was over. On top of that, his White Sox career ended in July, with Madrigal being traded to the Cubs as part of the Craig Kimbrel deal at the deadline.
2022 It was a decision that left the baseball world shaking its head.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa, already under the microscope by fans and the media for his seemingly strange baseball decisions, made one that will be talked about for years. With the Sox losing, 7-5, to the Dodgers at Guaranteed Rate Field, he ordered an intentional walk to Trea Turner in the sixth inning. The count on Turner at the time was 1-2, leaving everyone from fans at the game to White Sox TV broadcasters stunned and wondering what the rationale for the move was.
The decision then blew up in La Russa’s face when five pitches later Max Muncy blasted a three-run home run to left-center field. Upon reaching home plate Muncy then looked towards the White Sox dugout and let loose with an expletive-filled comment. The runs would prove important as the Sox lost, 11-9.
Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Luke Adams waits for batting practice during spring training workouts Monday, February 17, 2025, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Welcome back to the Minor League Roundup! I’m filling in for Adam this week.
As a reminder, you can find this roundup — covering everything you need to know about each of the Brewers’ minor league affiliates — every Tuesday morning right here on Brew Crew Ball. For consistency, all organizational prospect rankings will reference MLB Pipeline unless otherwise noted.
Triple-A Nashville Sounds (38-25)
Opponent this week: @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins)
Record this week: 3-3
Standout performances:
Luke Adams (No. 11): 4-for-17, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 3 SB, 8 K, 3 BB Cooper Pratt (No. 4): 6-for-23, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI, 3 SB, 4 K, 3 BB Ethan Murray: 4-for-6, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 SB, 5 BB Garrett Stallings: 5 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K Thomas Pannone: 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K Reiss Knehr: 4 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K Jacob Waguespack: 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K
Luis Lara was noticeably absent from the Sounds’ lineup this week, as he hasn’t appeared in a game since Tuesday, when he went 0-for-4 with a walk in the series opener. No word on if he’s injured, but something to keep an eye on ahead of their next series.
In positive injury news, Luke Adams returned to the lineup after missing more than a month, and he slugged three homers, swiped three bags, and drew three walks for a .235/.381/.765 line across five games.
— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) June 3, 2026
Most of Nashville’s other regulars — Brock Wilken, Eddys Leonard, Akil Baddoo, Tyler Black, Jeferson Quero, and Jett Williams — had rough weeks, but Cooper Pratt had six hits and three steals across 23 at-bats. Shortstop Ethan Murray also went 4-for-6 with five walks and two steals for a .667/.818/.833 line over three games.
On the mound, Garrett Stallings and Thomas Pannone both had scoreless starts, as Stallings went five innings with five strikeouts and Pannone went 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts. Reiss Knehr went 4 1/3 scoreless innings across three relief appearances, striking out five, while Jacob Waguespack made a pair of appearances spanning three innings, also striking out five.
— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) June 7, 2026
Next week’s opponent: vs. Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays)
Double-A Biloxi Shuckers (28-26)
Opponent this week: vs. Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays)
Record this week: 3-3
Standout performances:
Dylan O’Rae: 3-for-13, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 SB, 3 K, 2 BB Matthew Wood: 5-for-12, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K, 6 BB Jaron DeBerry: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K Bishop Letson (No. 8): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K Manuel Rodriguez: 6 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
It was a fairly disappointing week for the Biloxi offense, as no players had more than five hits on the week, and top prospect Jesús Made went just 4-for-18 with no extra-base hits. Made was also 0-for-2 on steal attempts.
Matthew Wood led the offense with five hits, slugging a pair of homers and driving in three while drawing six walks to just one strikeout. Blake Burke and Dylan O’Rae both homered, and O’Rae was one of three players with multiple steals on the week, joining Mark Coley and Eduardo Garcia.
While the offense didn’t have a great week, some of Biloxi’s starting pitchers looked fantastic. Bishop Letson had the best start of the week, going six scoreless with a team-high eight strikeouts, allowing just three hits and a walk. Jaron DeBerry had his second consecutive great outing, going six scoreless with five strikeouts and just three hits and two walks allowed. Manuel Rodriguez went 6 2/3 innings with one run allowed, and Tanner Gillis went six innings with two runs allowed and seven strikeouts.
Next week’s opponent: @ Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox)
High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (29-24)
Opponent this week: @ Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins)
Record this week: 3-2
Standout performances:
Andrew Fischer (No. 6): 7-for-18, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 1 SB, 6 BB, 7 K Josh Adamczewski (No. 10): 7-for-16, 2 HR, 2 2B, 9 RBI, 5 R, 2 SB, 2 BB, 4 K Eric Bitonti (No. 23): 3-for-11, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K Josiah Ragsdale: 5-for-8, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB, 3 BB, 2 K Ethan Dorchies: 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER (1 R), 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K Braylon Owens: 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Andrew Fischer, who was named the Brewers’ Minor League Player of the Month for May, continued his raking ways this week. After batting .281/.439/.674 with three doubles, a triple, 10 homers, 20 RBIs, 25 runs, and 21 walks in 24 games in May, he hit .389/.542/.889 with three homers, seven RBIs, seven runs, and six walks in five games this week. Oh, and he broke the Timber Rattler single-season home run record (17) in just 48 games. Not bad for the 22-year-old prospect.
Andrew Fischer takes home the Brewers Minor League Player of the Month Award for May 🏅
Fischer put up 10 home runs (T-2nd in MiLB) and an incredible 71% Hard-Hit rate (100th percentile) and 77% Air rate (99th percentile) that propelled him to a 1.113 OPS in the month 🔥… pic.twitter.com/0oeZ7hEQXu
— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) June 8, 2026
ANDREW FISCHER IS A HOME RUN MACHINE 🔥
In 49 games Fischer has hit 18 homers‼️ @sirfischer3
— Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (@TimberRattlers) June 7, 2026
Fellow top prospects Josh Adamczewski and Eric Bitonti also homered twice each, as did Luis Castillo. Braylon Payne added a homer, and Luis Peña, who returned to the lineup last week, went 2-for-8 with three steals and four runs scored this week.
— Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (@TimberRattlers) June 7, 2026
Ethan Dorchies turned in the best start of the week, going 5 1/3 innings with one unearned run allowed on four hits and three walks, striking out five. Braylon Owens, who was named the Brewers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May after striking out 35 to just nine walks over 25 innings, went five innings in his outing this week, allowing one run and striking out a pair.
Braylon Ow(e)ns May. 😤
Owen’s struck out 35 over 25 innings pitched in May. He made five appearances – three starts – with a save and a 4.32 ERA. #tratnationpic.twitter.com/4OnTZH9Uta
— Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (@TimberRattlers) June 5, 2026
Next week’s opponent: vs. Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Single-A Wilson Warbirds (31-26)
Opponent this week: vs. Salem RidgeYaks (Minnesota Twins)
After a rough start to the season, the Warbirds have found a rhythm, as they now sit in second place in the Carolina League North at 31-26. They won five of six against the Salem RidgeYaks, outscoring them 48-39 in the series.
José Anderson led the offense with three homers and 10 RBIs this week, slashing .263/.333/.789 across 19 at-bats, including a walk-off grand slam. Kevin Garcia and Pedro Ibarguen both homered, too, as Ibarguen led the Warbirds with six hits this week. No. 13 prospect Brady Ebel went 5-for-24 but added a whopping seven walks for a .387 on-base percentage. Filippo Di Turi also walked off Saturday’s game in a 4-3 victory.
Jayden Dubanewicz went 6 1/3 total innings over two appearances, striking out a team-high eight, though he allowed five runs, just two of which were earned (2.84 ERA). Carlos Carra went 6 1/3 innings with one run allowed and six strikeouts, while Joshua Quezada allowed one unearned run and struck out six over 4 2/3 innings. Andrew Healy went 2 2/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his start, and Peyton Niksch went 3 1/3 scoreless frames in relief, striking out four.
The Detroit Tigers open up the second half of their current six-game homestand on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. With five wins in six tries so far this month coming against the leaders of the American League East and West divisions, AJ Hinch’s squad now has a chance to make up some ground in the AL Central this week.
The Motor City Kitties currently share space in the division cellar with the Kansas City Royals, while the Twinkies are 2.5 games ahead of them in the standings. The Cleveland Guardians currently lead the pack, with the Chicago White Sox trailing not too far behind them.
The series opener will see right-hander Troy Melton take the mound, coming off an impressive eight-inning performance against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Pete, where he allowed just two runs on four hits (one home run) and two walks while striking out five en route to his second win of the 2026 campaign.
The 25-year-old has faced Minnesota just once before in his young major league career in relief last year on Aug. 5 at Comerica Park. Melton threw a pair of hitless, scoreless frames, allowing a pair of walks and striking out one in what turned out to be a 6-3 loss for the Tigers that day.
Up against him is fellow righty Taj Bradley, who has regressed slightly after missing some time in May due to right pectoral inflammation. Since his return to the rotation, the 25-year-old has made three starts, putting up an ugly 5.93 ERA but far more respectable 3.40 FIP over 13 2/3 innings of work, allowing 15 hits and nine walks while striking out 18 batters.
Bradley last faced Detroit earlier this season on April 7 at Comerica Park, earning a quality start on 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out 10 — also hitting a pair of batters — en route to his second win of the year with a 4-2 final score.
Here is how the two match up on Tuesday night.
Detroit Tigers (27-39) vs. Minnesota Twins (30-37)
Time (ET): 6:40 p.m. Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan SB Nation Site:Twinkie Town Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 67: RHP Troy Melton (2-0, 1.74 ERA) vs. RHP Taj Bradley (5-2, 3.56 ERA)
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- Braves vs. White Sox YRFI
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- Red Sox vs. Rays NRFI
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- Brewers vs. Athletics NRFI
