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Here are the weirdest stats and plays from the past month in the Minors

@BensBiz
September 8, 2024

Welcome to Crooked Numbers, a monthly column dedicated to Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. The edition, rounding up the month of August, features RBI explosions, epic sweeps, same-named individuals and, of course, much more. Keeping track of this type of thing is a team effort, so get in

Former college roommates clash at Triple-A

Pitchers Henry, Kauffmann journey from Ann Arbor to Albuquerque
@allisonmast13
September 4, 2024

College football season officially kicked off on Saturday, and at its Midwest epicenter in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the reigning national-champion Wolverines toppled Fresno State. Fifteen hundred miles away in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a pair of former Michigan athletes celebrated the victory and their own momentous occasion. Tommy Henry and Karl

The best Minor League ballpark promotions happening in September

@BensBiz
August 30, 2024

Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly roundup of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. The season ends in September (dates vary, depending on the level of play), so don’t delay. Get out to the ballpark today and take advantage of theme nights and giveaways such as these:

Pair of Aces swat grand slams in same inning

@thevandalorian
August 25, 2024

The Reno Aces played their cards right Sunday. The Triple-A affiliate of the Diamondbacks routed the Las Vegas Aviators (A’s) in an 21-3 victory at Greater Nevada Field behind an eight-run fifth inning that featured grand slams by Ronaldo Hernández and Bryson Brigman.

Soñadores howl ¡Viva la Raza! for Copa

Hops amplify Chicano rallying cry during cultural celebration
@Gerard_Gilberto
August 22, 2024

For High-A Hillsboro, wholly embracing the values of Copa de la Diversión made a typical Soñadores game one of the best celebrations in the Minors. The club’s Copa efforts were on full display during July's ¡Viva la Raza! Night.

August's best Minor League ballpark promotions

We've got former presidents, sitcoms, crustaceans and more
@BensBiz
August 1, 2024

Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly roundup of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. This month’s highlights include former presidents, sitcom shenanigans, steamed crustaceans, and of course, much more. Have a gander.

All-Star Futures Game, Skills Showcase FAQs

A need-to-know guide for this weekend's prospect-laden events
@brendan_samson
July 11, 2024

Forty-nine of MLB’s top prospects will compete at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday in the All-Star Futures Game. This year’s iteration, which marks the 25th anniversary of the contest, will feature the first-ever Futures Skills Showcase, a three-challenge event that will test participants’ precision and power at

The weirdest MiLB stats, plays from June

The bizarre and bombastic happenings from around the Minors
@BensBiz
July 11, 2024

Welcome to Crooked Numbers, a monthly column dedicated to Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. The June edition features a doubles deluge, oppositional surnames, way too many walks and, of course, much more. Keeping track of this type of thing is a team effort, so get in touch if

Ranking the best tools in the Futures Game

Who's got the biggest bats, toughest arms, etc.? We know!
July 10, 2024

Since its 1999 debut at Fenway Park, the All-Star Futures Game has showcased baseball's best prospects. Joe Mauer will become the first Futures Gamer inducted into the Hall of Fame in a couple of weeks. Mookie Betts, Miguel Cabrera, Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Justin Verlander and many others

Marvelous promos Taylor Swift fans will love

Odes to friendship bracelets, mascots’ versions and Earned Run Average
@Kelsie_Heneghan
June 29, 2024

It’s Pop Girl Summer! Are you ready for it? Teams from across the Minors are celebrating pop stars, friendship bracelets and mascots reclaiming ownership of their work. And some teams are in their ERA era. Fans of all levels can enjoy these specialty games, whether they're a Swiftie or have

Reno's Lalli honored for selfless organ donation

Aces manager a perfect match for girlfriend's life-saving transplant
@allisonmast13
June 29, 2024

Six times every season, the Reno Aces hold a Home Run for Life game, presented by Donor Network West, to honor a Nevada community member who has been impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation. On Friday night, the event took on even more meaning as the club had an

The weirdest MiLB stats, plays from the past month

Triple-A seems to have monopoly on wackiness early in '24 season
@BensBiz
May 7, 2024

After a multi-season hiatus, Crooked Numbers returns with a heaping portion of Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. This edition, covering the start of the season through the end of April, has a disproportionate number of items from the Triple-A level. As for why that is, who knows? Maybe

Alvarez goes wild with five K's in one inning

Rawhide right-hander equals record for strikeouts in a single frame
@MavalloneMiLB
April 24, 2024

In a sport full of statistical oddities and eye-opening achievements, Jhosmer Alvarez found a unique path to etch his name in the annals of the game. Entering the game for Single-A Visalia in the seventh inning of an eventual 4-3 win, the right-handed Arizona prospect unleashed one of the quirkier

Road to The Show™: D-backs’ Troy

No. 74 overall prospect plays through injury in impressive pro debut
@Gerard_Gilberto
February 6, 2024

MiLB.com's Road to the Show Scouting Report series spotlights players who are just starting their professional careers, focusing on what the experts are projecting for these young phenoms. Here's a look at second-ranked D-backs’ prospect Tommy Troy. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here. Tommy

These prospects rebounded in a big way in 2023

A dozen players got their careers back on track with big seasons
December 25, 2023

Some prospects never struggle on their way to the Major Leagues. For example, the first two guys on our Top 100 Prospects list, Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday and Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, have yet to taste failure in pro ball. They're the exceptions, however. Most prospects face adversity at some

Lawlar, Saalfrank lead D-backs' Organization All-Stars

Duo dominated in Minors before helping team reach World Series
@benweinrib
December 14, 2023

Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Next up in our 2023 Organization All-Stars series are the Arizona Diamondbacks. 2023 organization summary: Triple-A Reno: 88-62 Double-A

Ben's Biz eats: Best of the Pacific Northwest

Tasty delights of Eugene, Hillsboro, Tacoma and Vancouver
@BensBiz
November 3, 2023

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Ben's Biz: Title winners ranked for '23

Based on how long it had been since they last won a crown
@BensBiz
October 27, 2023

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Sod Poodles win second TL crown in five years

Duzenack's grand slam sets stage for D-backs affiliate's victory
@memheller
September 28, 2023

Amarillo set up shop as a Double-A affiliate five years ago, and the Sod Poodles have scored two Texas League championships in that time. The second one was secured by D-backs affiliate in grand fashion Wednesday night. Behind a bases-loaded homer by Camden Duzenack, the Amarillo Sod Poodles routed the

Duzenack begins must-see double play for Amarillo

D-backs infielder helps give new meaning to pitcher's best friend
September 20, 2023

Tuesday night brought one of the craziest double plays that you’ll ever see in professional baseball. In a Texas League semifinal game at Hodgetown Stadium in Amarillo between Double-A Amarillo (D-backs) and San Antonio (Padres), Amarillo shortstop Camden Duzenack started a seemingly impossible play that you have to see with

Hops live out dream with Copa mascot

D-backs affiliate's Bacaanda celebrates area's Latin community
@brendan_samson
11:58 PM EDT

An alebrije is a spirit animal in Mexican culture, one with a predilection for dreams. And so with High-A Hillsboro's new Copa de la Diversión mascot, an alebrije named Bacaanda, the Hops -- whose Copa identity is the Soñadores, or "Dreamers" -- are paying homage to all their fans who

Get a Lawlar! D-backs calling up top prospect

Shortstop will join team ahead of Thursday's game vs. the Cubs
September 6, 2023

PHOENIX -- Jordan Lawlar will be making his long-awaited arrival to the Major Leagues. The D-backs called up their top prospect from Triple-A Reno after their 12-5 victory over the Rockies on Wednesday afternoon. He will join the team in Chicago, where Arizona will play the Cubs in a crucial

Lawlar's latest firsts: Multihomer game, playing 3rd

Top D-backs prospect plates three, holds down hot corner for Aces
September 6, 2023

Two home runs in the span of three innings, all while fielding an unfamiliar position. That's just the latest installment in the tale of Jordan Lawlar's tear through the upper Minors. When MLB's No. 10 overall prospect was promoted to Triple-A Reno in mid-August, Lawlar hit the ground running --

Druw Jones goes ahead and hits first homer

No. 2 D-backs prospect wallops solo shot to key Visalia victory
@JesseABorek
August 25, 2023

Just over 13 months removed from when the D-backs made him the second overall pick in the 2022 Draft, Druw Jones has his first professional home run. MLB’s No. 35 prospect notched the milestone in style. With Single-A Visalia knotted in the top of the ninth inning, Jones got an

Easier for Lawlar to play for Reno than to get there

MLB's No. 10 overall prospect homers, plates 4 in Triple-A debut
@JesseABorek
August 16, 2023

After spending his summer demolishing Texas League pitching for Double-A Amarillo, Jordan Lawlar headed west to Triple-A Reno and wasted no time making an impression, swatting his first Aces home run in his second at-bat during the club’s 17-12 win at Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday night. Just over hours