The Minor League Baseball Playoff Thread

by realitypolice on Sep 9, 2025 1:51 PM EDT

Here is an open gameday thread for the minor league playoffs. (NOTE from John= Starting with the Arizona Fall League, I'm going to have a front page open thread each day, moving this from the fanposts area to the main section of the page)

A few performances to note from today:

The Texas League had some serious pitching efforts:

Robbie Ross 6IP 1H 1 ER 12K/4BB

Joe Wieland 7IP 2H 0ER 8K/1BB

Chris Dwyer 6IP 2H 1R (0ER) 7K/3BB

Bill Shoemaker (one of these things is not like the other!) 7IP 2H 1ER 7K/2BB

There was also a strong AAA pitching performance in Durham, but it wasn't Matt Moore... Zach McAllister goes 6 scoreless, 5H 3K/1BB

Greg Billo was also pretty stellar in the MWL. 7IP 3H 0ER 7K/1BB

Tweet Comment 83 comments | 3 recs |

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Aaron Sanchez

4.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 4 BB, 8 K’s

Had a rough 1st inning as he walked bases loaded but was lights out until the 5th

by Sniderlover on Sep 8, 2025 12:04 AM EDT reply actions

seems like we should really be talking more about Ross

Interesting to note the sharp falloff in GO/AO ratio this year, but he’s had a great season.

by mrkupe on Sep 8, 2025 2:16 AM EDT reply actions

I know that Parks thinks Ross profiles better in the bullpen

have you seen him pitch before?

>mfw

by MonkeyEpoxy on Sep 8, 2025 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Taveras

3-5 - fell short of .400 on the year but maybe he will hit that for the playoffs

by hybrid on Sep 8, 2025 3:43 AM EDT reply actions

I'd be disappointed...

…if Taveras only hits .400 in the playoffs, since he was 8-16 last year when he led his Appy League team to the title. ;)

by Mekonsrock on Sep 8, 2025 5:32 AM EDT reply actions

Cody Buckel had a strong effort go to waste for Hickory last night

6 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 5 K

>mfw

by MonkeyEpoxy on Sep 8, 2025 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

I think he can sneak into a Top 75

by John Black on Sep 9, 2025 1:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

I think so too

by gogotabata on Sep 9, 2025 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Adam Duvall & Mike Kickham

In the first round of the Sally League playoffs (for Augusta):

Duvall: 2-4, single, HR, 3 RBI >> 23rd HR of the season
Kickham: 6.1 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K >> 10/3 GO/FO

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.

by Fla-Giant on Sep 8, 2025 11:54 AM EDT reply actions

I've seen Duvall play

not too impressed. Bat seemed a bit slow and he feasted on inferior pitching.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 8, 2025 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Who is Boone Whiting?

Pitched for Quad Cities. 6 innings 3 ER with 9 K’s. He went from the bullpen to the rotation in the middle of the season. Numbers as a starter… 90 IP 64 H 16 BB 87 K’s. Drafted out of college in the 18th round back in 2010. I have not been able to find a scouting report. Does anyone know what type of stuff he has?

by ROBERTS04 on Sep 8, 2025 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

Chad Jenkins

7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K

Travis d’Arnaud and Anthony Gose both went 2-4.

by TwoEyesForAnEye on Sep 8, 2025 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

That’s 30K’s in his last 4 starts (25.2 IP). He would become an intriguing prospect if he can continue missing bats like the past few starts.

by Sniderlover on Sep 8, 2025 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Cubs

Boise lost 2-0 and is out of the NWL playoffs. Hawks weren’t able to get to arguably their top arm, Ben Wells, who would’ve been up for game 3 and instead saw raw, hard throwing young Jose Rosario go game 1, followed by Joe Zeller in game 2. Nothing great offensively. Reggie Golden did go 2/3 with a solo homer in the 2nd game.

Daytona Cubs win their series against Dunedin, winning game 3 4-3.

Game 1 saw Dae-Eun Rhee continue his strong end of the season run: 6 ip, 6 h (1 solo homer), 1 R, 5 K’s, 1 HBP, 6:4 GO/FO, but it was in a losing effort. Justin Bour had 2 hits, and Jake Opitz/Eliot Soto each had 3 hits.

Game 2 saw Jeffry Antigua get a win and continue his strong run in A+, going 7, giving up 1 run on 4 hits, 1 bb, 1 K, 1 HBP, 12:7 GO/FO. Matt Szczur supported him with a solo homer.

Game 3 saw Matt Loosen go 6, giving up 6 h, 1 WP, 1 R, getting 7 K’s, 4:6 GO/FO, but the D-Cubs needed a 4 run rally in the bottom of the 8th to pull out the win. Matt Cerda had 3 hits, Evan Crawford/Abner Abreu/Eliot Soto each had 2 hits, with Soto having a triple in there.

Southern League playoffs started today, and the Tennessee Smokies jump out to a game 1 win, with 7 in the 4th, winning 9-6. Brooks Raley was tagged for 5 runs in 3.2, and Rafael Dolis made it interesting late, but the offense carried the day (obviously). James Adduci had 3 hits (2 doubles), Jae-Hoon Ha/Blake Lalli/Steve Clevenger each had 2 hits, with Lalli having a 2 run shot and Clevenger having 2 doubles, and Josh Vitters hitting a 2 run homer.

by toonsterwu on Sep 9, 2025 12:44 AM EDT reply actions

Cubs win FSL title

Game 1 saw them romp past St. Lucie 10-4.

Watkins, Bour, Burgess, Opitz each had 2 hits (homer for Bour, double for Burgess).
Szczur: 3/4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB.
Frank Del Valle: 6 shutout, 2 h, 1 bb, 1 WP, 8 K’s, 8:0 GO/FO.

Game 2 saw them win 4-2, while rapping out 13 hits.

Rohan: 3/5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K.
Bour: 2/5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K.
Eliot Soto: 2/4
Szczur: 1/2, 1 R, 2 BB.

Rhee: 6 ip, 4 h, 3 bb, 2 R, 5 K’s, 5:7 GO/FO, 1 WP.
Kurcz: 2 ip, 1 h, 1 bb, 3 K’s.

Thoughts:

Rhee has been a pleasant surprise and could be primed for a huge 2012. He’s bounced back real well.

Kurcz has excellent late inning potential and, IMO, is the top pen prospect in the system.

Szczur had a strong series.

by toonsterwu on Sep 12, 2025 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Chad Bettis

6.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 SO

Came up huge in the elimination game.

Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.

by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Sep 9, 2025 1:33 AM EDT reply actions

According to here, Bettis hit 100 mph on his fastball and 91 mph on his slider

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110909/A_SPORTS/109090324

ACEACEACEACEACEACE

2011: A new year and a new chance at a championship.

by MattBerger on Sep 9, 2025 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

link's not working

Go to Purple Row’s Pebble Report today, they have it linked there

2011: A new year and a new chance at a championship.

by MattBerger on Sep 9, 2025 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Say what?

If you want to take a few ticks off that’s still impressive. In the 2nd half his BAA is .186 (57 hits in 86 innings). Flat out dealing. Even the people that were high on him coming out of the draft couldn’t have expected this kind of season.

by ROBERTS04 on Sep 9, 2025 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Billy Hamilton

2-3 BB

by BryceHarper on Sep 9, 2025 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

Rymer Liriano

3-4

by BryceHarper on Sep 9, 2025 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

As was Spangenberg

Although he managed to get thrown out trying to steal both second and third. (Liriano was only caught once…)

Nice game behind the plate for Luke Bailey who nailed 4 of 5 would-be base stealers and made a nice play on a throw to get an out at the plate as well.

by realitypolice on Sep 9, 2025 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Another 3-4

throw in a double and hr, not to mention 2sb

by hybrid on Sep 10, 2025 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions

From the department of redundancy department

Liriano 3-4, double, sb

by hybrid on Sep 11, 2025 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Liriano sucks

Only 2-for-5 last night.
Spangenberg Lirianoed though as he went 3-for-4.

Lansing claims the division championship with a walk-off win.

by realitypolice on Sep 13, 2025 7:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Liriano legit?

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 13, 2025 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Couple of Angels High A pitching prospects

Sep 8 - Ariel Pena (finished season 2nd to Chad Bettis in K’s)
7.1 IP / 5 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 13 K

Sep 7 - John Hellweg (6’9" righty)
6.1 IP / 1 H / 2ER / 4 BB / 8 K

by TheQuestforMerlin on Sep 9, 2025 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

I'm a big Hellweg fan

I think he’s got a chance to break out next season. What’s the story on Pena? Intriguing year. I cannot believe Bettis’s performance.

by blackoutyears on Sep 9, 2025 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Hellweg

Completely different, statistically, as a starter. These guys tend to bounce back or consolidate after such a huge jump, but, then, sometimes they just break right through and skyrocket through the minors and up lists. He’s one of the prospects I"m most excited about for 2012.

by gogotabata on Sep 9, 2025 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

What I like

is that the stuff supports the strikeout rate and he’s got an ideal pitcher’s build. The delivery needs refinement, but that just makes the ceiling higher imo, as his control seems somewhat tied to that. Good looking pitcher.

by blackoutyears on Sep 9, 2025 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Can we start calling him The Angry 81 Inches now?

by realitypolice on Sep 10, 2025 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

six feet nine?

Liriano, Mijares, Angel Morales, & Anthony Swarzak for Josh Johnson and Brad Hand

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 10, 2025 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Rymer Liriano

At it again tonight, 3-3 2B, HR, SB

by BryceHarper on Sep 9, 2025 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

Neil Ramirez (AAA)

5 IP | 2 H | 1 ER | 2 BB | 5 K

>mfw

by MonkeyEpoxy on Sep 9, 2025 11:05 PM EDT reply actions

me likey long time

by Arlo Brunsberg's Swing on Sep 11, 2025 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Not exactly playoff related

but Oscar Taveras was awarded the MWL batting tittle despite not having enough PA’s. Evidently even if he had zero hits in the remaining AB’s needed… he still would of hit .351 which is tops by a nice margin. Not bad for a kid who was 18 most of the season…

by hybrid on Sep 10, 2025 4:56 AM EDT reply actions

Wow

That’s pretty amazing

by Arlo Brunsberg's Swing on Sep 11, 2025 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

would have

not would of

Some see a glass half empty, some a glass half full. I see a glass that's twice as big as it needs to be. - George Carlin

by t ball on Sep 12, 2025 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

ah

yea that will get me for the rest of my life, so don’t feel bad if i do it again on here lol

by hybrid on Sep 12, 2025 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I think the contraction — would’ve — throws people off because of the way it sounds.

by blackoutyears on Sep 12, 2025 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

just a pet peeve of mine, sorry

Some see a glass half empty, some a glass half full. I see a glass that's twice as big as it needs to be. - George Carlin

by t ball on Sep 13, 2025 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Jarrod Parker

6IP, 2er, 5 hits, 6k’s, 0bb, 8/1 gb/fo

54strikes, 25 balls

by iam2asian4u on Sep 10, 2025 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Durham eliminated, sounds like Moore will be called up in the next couple of days

not sure if he will pitch or it will be just to get the feel of the major league life.

by Dbullsfan on Sep 10, 2025 11:54 AM EDT reply actions

O's kids

Frederick took a 2-1 lead in Carolina League semi-finals, beating Potomac 5-1.

J Schoop - 3-4 3R
M Machado - 2-4 2RBI
Also,
D Hood - 1-4 HR

I plan to go to the game tomorrow..

by rhd on Sep 11, 2025 12:58 AM EDT reply actions

I did go to today's game...

and Potomac beat Frederick 6-1 to set up a 5th, deciding game in Frederick.

Machado 1-3 R, SB
Schoop 1-4
Hood 2-3 2RBI, R

Hood’s 2 RBI put POtomac ahead to stay in the 8th.

BTW, Frederick’s starter, Ryohei Tanaka, who I was not familiar with, looked impressive. 6IP, 2H 0R 2BB 5K. I only remember a couple balls in play that were hit hard against him. HOwever, as I look him up, he is 28 y/o, pitched in Japan before 2009. Came over the same year as Uehara. However, w the O’s pitching woes, there may be a job for him in Baltimore : ).

I’m going to the final game tomorrow also.

by rhd on Sep 12, 2025 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions

thoughts on Machado?

by BryceHarper on Sep 12, 2025 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...

I’m not a scout, so I dont really know exactly what to look for. Pretty solidly built. His swing looks smooth, and he looks good generally. As I said in another thread, he looks like a ‘take-charge’ kind of guy. Seems pretty sure of himself and has kind of a major-league attitude already. Havent seen enough of him in the field to tell much, but he looks good there too.

by rhd on Sep 12, 2025 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

defensively

i’ve seen him a few times since he went to A+ and I think he should be anywhere from a tick above average to solid at points in his career, perhaps tapering off on the back end. He looked fluid enough in the field and has the arm strength. Some mistakes seemed to be an issue of just needing experience/reps.

by toonsterwu on Sep 12, 2025 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

that's very promising to hear

He’s had a bit of a bumpy year with some unfortunately timed injuries, but I haven’t seen anything but really good things about him.

by mrkupe on Sep 12, 2025 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Tonite's game

Tonite, I saw Frederick win the series 3-2 by beating Potomac 3-2. They’ll play Kinston in the CL finals. First game tomorrow in Frederick.

Schoop 1-4 HR
Machado 1-4 R
Hood 0-4

Frederick had only 3 hits, all in the 1st inning, but scored all its runs on HRs and made it stand up.

Machado made 2 very good defensive plays.

by rhd on Sep 12, 2025 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

1st game of CL finals

Frederick lost to Kinston, 3-1.

Machado 1-4 2B RBI
Schoop 0-3 SB

No prospects of note that I see for Kinston, altho former highly regarded draftee Preston Guilmet got the save.

Last game in Frederick is tomorrow nite, but I dont think I’ll go.

by rhd on Sep 13, 2025 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

2nd game

Frederick beat Kinston tonite, 3-2. Series tied 1-1.

Schoop 1-4
Machado 2-3 2R

Next game tomorrow in Kinston.

by rhd on Sep 15, 2025 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

3rd game

Frederick beat Kinston 7-3 tonite to take a 2-1 series lead.

Schoop 3-5 RBI SB
Machado 1-4 2B 2RBI

Game #4 tomorrow in Kinston.

by rhd on Sep 16, 2025 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Machado

continues to be a force in the playoffs.

1-3 3run HR

by BryceHarper on Sep 16, 2025 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Last game

Frederick wins CL title by beating Kinston 11-3 tonite. All Frederick’s 11 runs scored in the 3rd inn.

Schoop 2-5 2R 2RBI
Machado 1-4 HR 2R 4RBI

Both Schoop and Machado had excellent post-seasons. Likely the future double-play combo for the O’s.

Also,

R. Tanaka Win 5IP 6H 2ER 0BB 7K HRA

Maybe a future middle reliever for the O’s.

by rhd on Sep 16, 2025 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Richmond sweeps Harrisburg

to go to the Eastern League Championships behind some pretty impressive surprising pitching performances

by you'vejustbeenCAINED on Sep 11, 2025 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

Bauer

got lit up lasting only 3 innings while giving up 7’s in both the Hit and ER departments. 3 walks and 2 K’s finished off the forgettable game.

by RedHopeful on Sep 11, 2025 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

PS

glad as hell I didn’t go to the game.

by RedHopeful on Sep 11, 2025 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

from a scouting/evaluation perspective, I actually like seeing these games

It’s easy to watch an awesome performance from a player, especially one you liked beforehand, and say he’s a stud. It’s a lot more informative, IMO, to see a guy struggle a bit, to really see his weaknesses (and the magnitude of those weaknesses).

by mrkupe on Sep 11, 2025 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Very True

but since I haven’t seen him dominate, I’d have had nothing to compare it to and thus not know what went wrong.

by RedHopeful on Sep 12, 2025 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

SJ Giants wrecking crew showed up tonight

Tommy Joseph
4-5, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI

Gary Brown
2-5, 2 2B

Jarrett Parker
2-3, 1 BB, 2 HR, 3 RBI

by you'vejustbeenCAINED on Sep 12, 2025 2:09 AM EDT reply actions

Rumour has it Aaron Sanchez will be debuting at A-ball tonight

Starting pitcher for Lansing.

by TtD on Sep 12, 2025 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

Sanchez

4ip 5h 2er 2bb 2k

by hybrid on Sep 13, 2025 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions

The man, the myth

The Ozuna.

Marcell goes 1-3 with his second postseason HR (2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB) for Greensboro.

by Matt0330 on Sep 13, 2025 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Travis D'Arnaud

1-2, 2B, 3 BB, SB

by Sniderlover on Sep 13, 2025 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

ArkansOUCH!

After Matt Shoemaker (most notable for going back in time and stealing Pete Vukovich’s facial hair) worked eight one-run innings, a trio of Travelers relievers managed to post the following combined line:
0.1 IP
2H
4BB
1HBP
4ER

Missions go up 1-0 in best of five TL championship series

by realitypolice on Sep 14, 2025 12:51 AM EDT reply actions

Contrary to several years of evidence

Nick Schmidt is not dead yet.
8IP 2H 0R 9K/2BB to earn a 1-0 win in the opener of the Cal League Championship Series.

by realitypolice on Sep 14, 2025 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Chris Reed

LAD first round pick this year being stretched out as a starter had his longest outing

5 IP 4 H 1 R 1 BB 7 K 5-2 GO-AO

by matthewmafa on Sep 15, 2025 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions

As he should be

I still do not have any idea why Stanford used him as a reliever. His stuff is absolutely good enough to pitch 6+ innings, and his command - while certainly his major obstacle - isn’t bad enough to force him into that role at that level.

Bullpen Banter
MLB Bonus Baby
Twitter Account: @Ioffridus

by Jeff Reese on Sep 15, 2025 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice

to see him get his feet under him.

by blackoutyears on Sep 16, 2025 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Schmidt

Gets the W in the Cal League championship-clincher. It wasn’t a stellar outing, but 6IP 2ER (3R) 3H 7K/3BB isn’t awful. He had a really nice run through the playoffs.

So, you be the GM: if he’s not added to the Padres 40-man, do you take a flier on him in the Rule 5?

by realitypolice on Sep 19, 2025 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

If you're a glutton for punishment

Dial up the streaming broadcast of the Texas League championship. It’s now in the 18th inning and well north of 5 hours at this point. The poor broadcasters seem to have reached the end of their respective ropes!

by realitypolice on Sep 15, 2025 1:33 AM EDT reply actions

And on a related note

When was the last time you can remember a reliever racking up nine strikeouts?
Pedro Hernandez entered in the 13th and now has 6IP, 1ER 4H 9K/3BB
The Travs have struck out 22 times overall.

by realitypolice on Sep 15, 2025 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Oscar Taveras

1-3, with what turned out to be the game winning 2r HR in the 8th

by hybrid on Sep 15, 2025 1:43 AM EDT reply actions

keeps hitting

2-3, double, bb

by hybrid on Sep 20, 2025 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Parker

6ip’s, 4 hits, 3bb’s, 6k’s

Another nice night in a huge playoff game for the Bears.

by BryceHarper on Sep 15, 2025 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

most importantly 0er's

by BryceHarper on Sep 15, 2025 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh

wasn’t an impressive performance and he’d be the first to tell you that. Was fortunate in a couple of the innings Tenn. had some bad baserunning mistakes. Jarrod had command issues with his fastball especially early. Although he was CONSISTENTLY hitting 96-97 on the gun, he couldn’t locate to save his life as he was all over the place. Had to chuckle when he walked the opposing pitcher in the 2nd inning on 4 str8 pitches. In addition, getting behind on a few counts, Tenn hammered some balls either right at a defender or was held up by the healthy wind blowing in. He did settle down in the later innings and had a couple of good sequences where he set hitters up with that blazing FB to finish them off with the hook. Did throw a few changes but I honestly can’t recall seeing any sliders.

by RedHopeful on Sep 16, 2025 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions