Triple-A

Covered by Will Thompson

Spencer Jones, CF NYY (Triple-A)

3-for-5, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 K

To say Spencer Jones is on a heater right now would be an understatement. He’s now hitting .408 with 6 HR in his first 12 Triple-A games and even with the absurdly high whiff and strikeout rates, you can’t discount this kind of production. Jones has just a 54% Z-Contact rate on fastballs which is alarming, but he is making plenty of contact on offspeed pitches and hitting the snot out of them. There is some precedent for big league power hitters crushing offspeed with a high FB whiff rate (Rafael Devers most notably) and Jones has the CF defense and athleticism to make that profile work. Another question I have is about Jones’ plate discipline because he’s not going to hit for a high average so he has to be able to walk. His walk rate has taken a significant jump this season, but is that a result of actual plate discipline or minor league pitchers working around him? His chase rates have been 26-27% throughout his minor league career which are solid. Jones’ contact skills have to improve some to become playable in the big leagues, but I don’t think him being an everyday player is as far-fetched as some people make it seem. Can he become Matt Wallner but more athletic and a better defender? If so, that’s more than good enough to stick in the big leagues. It’s hard to see Jones cracking the Yankees outfield any time soon, but he is definitely a name to watch at the trade deadline. 

‼️Allan Winans, RHP NYY (Triple-A)

5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Winans has consistently gotten knocked around at the big league level, but he absolutely carves at the Triple-A level. Another dominant start for the 29-year-old, who lowered his ERA to just 1.19 in 60.2 IP with Scranton this season. His command is excellent, but his sinker slider combo is not good enough to make much of a big league impact. 

Chad Patrick, RHP MIL (Triple-A)

6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, HR allowed

The Brewers have so much starting pitching depth that Chad Patrick is now starting Triple-A games despite having a 3.52 ERA and 3.53 FIP in 18 big league starts this season. Sheesh. 

Chase Petty, RHP CIN (Triple-A)

5.0 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 3 HR allowed

Petty throws hard, but the fastball simply does not miss bats and he’s prone to getting burned by the home run ball like he did last night. The sweeper and slider are both plus, but the fastball shape as it is currently is not going to play. 

Samuel Basallo, C BAL (Triple-A)

1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, K

Basallo is far and away the best bat in the minor leagues at this point and is clearly ready for the show. The 20-year-old now has 18 home runs in 60 games with Norfolk this season and I’d guess once the Orioles trade Ryan O’Hearn that Basallo is the guy to take that roster spot. 

‼️Morgan McSweeney, RHP MIA (Triple-A)

6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Those who have read my Daily Sheets before know that I love Indy Ball success stories and here’s another one. McSweeney is 27 years old and came up in the Orioles system before stalling out in Triple-A and getting released. After a stint with Gastonia in the Atlantic League to finish last season, the righty went to the Staten Island Ferryhawks to start 2025 and was very good, posting a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts before getting his contract purchased by the Marlins. In his first three starts with Jacksonville, McSweeney has yet to allow a run in 17.2 IP. Yes, you read that right. He won’t light up the radar gun (89-91 mostly), but has a high spin curveball that he leans on more than the fastball. If McSweeney can keep it up, maybe he’ll be in the mix for some spot starts with the Marlins. 

Quinn Mathews, LHP STL (Triple-A)

4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

This was a nice start for Mathews to end his first half, specifically with allowing just two walks in four innings. That might seem like a low bar to clear for his control, but the strike throwing problems have returned for the lefty after his quick ascent through the minors last season. The stuff is there and he will miss bats, but he will have to throw more strikes to stick as a starter.  

‼️Troy Melton, RHP DET (Triple-A)

5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

The former fourth rounder has had a fantastic season and it’s time to start taking notice. Rhys White mentioned in his offseason report that the Tigers lowered Melton’s slot since his days at San Diego State and that’s done wonders for him. The fastball will get up to 98 and has a five-pitch mix that he uses all of pretty consistently. Melton is rostered in 8% of Fantrax leagues so he’s worth adding if available, there’s safe backend starter profile here. 

🔜🍔🍟Chas McCormick, CF HOU (Triple-A)

1-for-3, HR, 2 R, BB, SB

Everyone is hurt on the Astros so it’s nice to have someone on the way back. A rehab assignment combo meal for Chas McCormick, who probably slots in as the everyday CF until Jake Meyers gets back once he’s ready to go. 

Ryan Ward, RF LAD (Triple-A)

2-for-5, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI, K

Please please please get Ryan Ward to another org where he can get to the big leagues. He now has 24 home runs before the all-star break after hitting 33 home runs with Oklahoma City in 2024. Most notably, his K rate is down to 20% after being 26% last season which is a great sign. Ward is a 1B, but the Dodgers are trying him in corner outfield spots to see if he can work there, but he’s totally conquered Triple-A pitching at this point. 

Moises Ballesteros, C CHC (Triple-A)

3-for-5, 2B, RBI

Moises Ballesteros must check the Cubs box score after recording multiple hits once again to see that Carson Kelly is still somehow raking and be disappointed. Ballesteros’ bat is ready for the big leagues, but there’s just no place to put him in the big leagues right now. He’s hit over power but the hit tool is excellent, but if he can’t catch that definitely brings down his value. 

Adael Amador, 2B COL (Triple-A)

4-for-6, 2B, R, 3 RBI

Amador’s big league stint earlier this season was pretty brutal, but he just turned 22 years old in April so there’s plenty of time for him to figure it out. The hit tool is going to have to carry the profile though and it has yet to return to the levels he was at in the lower minors that made him shoot up prospect lists. 

Chase Dollander, RHP COL (Triple-A)

5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR allowed

Dollander’s first start back in Triple-A did not go as planned as Round Rock knocked him around over five innings. The velocity is there, but it’s a deadzone fastball that got hammered at the big league level. He generated eight whiffs with the fastball and four with the curveball, but none with any other pitch which goes back to his issue of putting away hitters. There’s no question about it, it’s been a really rough season for Dollander and hopefully he can regain his footing in future Triple-A starts. 

Tyler Locklear, 1B SEA (Triple-A)

4-for-6, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 K

Ever since Locklear adjusted his setup and lowered his hands, he’s been a totally new hitter and is deserving of a big league call-up pretty soon. Since June 1, Locklear is hitting .331/.417/.639 with 10 HR, finding the power that made him a legitimate prospect in the first place. He continues to rake with Tacoma and should get another shot with the Mariners soon. 

Seth Brown, 1B ARI (Triple-A)

2-for-6, HR, 2 R, RBI, K

Every time I do the Triple-A daily sheet, I will find a way to sneak in Seth Brown if he does anything. The man has hit 10 HR in 15 PCL games played this season! The PCL honestly feels like a video game sometimes. 

Double-A

Covered by Trevor Hooth

‼️David Davalillo, RHP TEX (Double-A)

4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Following a brief trip to Developmental List, David Davalillo is back and doing David Davalillo things. He returned in July and across both starts since coming back he’s thrown 8.2 innings with 1 ER and 11 strikeouts. This has been on par with what he’s done all year, with a 2.10 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. 

Ricardo Olivar, LF MIN (Double-A)

2-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB, K

This brings Ricardo Olivar to 11 bombs on the year, nearly matching his 2024 total of 12. He also has 9 steals. His plate discipline numbers have been solid all year, too. Olivar has played more catcher than outfield this year. 

Patrick Copen, RHP LAD (Double-A)

6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Following 48 innings of utter domination in High-A where he struck out 77 batters, Patrick Copen was promoted to Double-A. He’s thrown 34.1 innings since then with a 2.36 ERA and 34 strikeouts. The Dodgers have a 6’6” physical monster who is putting up good numbers at every level. Because why not.   

‼️Hancel Rincon, RHP STL (Double-A)

6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

In 31.1 innings since being promoted to Double-A Hancel Rincon has recorded 41 strikeouts with a 3.73 ERA. He’s working with a fastball that can get into the mid-90’s, a slider, and what looks to be a nasty changeup. Opposing hitters seems to be either collecting hits or striking out. The stuff is super interesting, though. 

‼️Tanner McDougal, RHP CWS (Double-A)

6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

It’s really hard to think of a better start than what Tanner McDougal has had in Double-A thus far. Through 5 starts, spanning 27.1 innings, he has a 0.99 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 8 walks. The 22-year-old was good in High-A, but he’s unlocked a new level to start his tenure with Birmingham.

Blake Money, RHP BAL (Double-A)

4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Two solo shots tampered what would have been a pretty dominant outing for Blake Money. The strikeouts are something consistent for the 2023 12th rounder, who has 32 strikeouts in 20.2 Double-A innings, 97 strikeouts in 73.2 total innings this year. The runs have just been coming in bunches, posting a 6.53 ERA at this level. The sample is still small and the whiffs are fun. 

💣💣🍔🍟Jett Williams, SS NYM (Double-A)

3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K, SB

Hey, a hitter! They’ve been tough to come by from these games. Double dongs from Jett Williams bring him to 8 on the year while hitting .283. He also swiped his 25th bag of the season for good measure. For all the attention going to Mets pitchers this year, Williams has been really good in his own right.