Major League Baseball (MLB)
Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays
After receiving MVP votes in 2020, second baseman Brandon Lowe has already eclipsed his career high in home runs with 24 so far on the year which is good for tops on the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. He had a red-hot July, hitting .288 with a 1.032 OPS, smacking six homers and driving in 14 runs. Lowe has received lots of national attention of late as he was interviewed on Sunday's SportsCenter after leading the Rays to a win over the Red Sox. On Tuesday, he appeared on MLB Network.
LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants
Outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. is having a breakout season with the Giants. He's reached career highs in hits (41), home runs (13), RBI's (30), and batting average (.253). He has also been a catalyst in the Giants current first place run in the NL West. Wade has garnered national attention for a recent home run which flew past his mother into McCovery Cove beyond Oracle Park.
Wade Jr. reflects on parents' support following splash hit
Mom Bomb ker-plunk! LaMonte Wade Jr. says thanks for a lifetime of coaching and love
Adam Kolarek, Oakland Athletics
Coming off of a World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers, lefty reliever Adam Kolarek bagane the year with the Athletics and appeared in 12 games through mid-May. Following that, he was sent to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he has pitched in 30 games.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MiLB)
Andrew Bechtold, Minnesota Twins
Third baseman Andrew Bechtold of the Wichita Wind Surge is playing his first season in Double-A ball after spending the last few seasons in Single-A. He's currently batting .240 with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs on the season.
After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Mariners just a month ago, Bednar is currently playing in Rookie League as part of Arizona Complex League where in nine plate appearances he has reached base six times with three hits and three walks and has a .500 average early on. He tripled for his pro hit on July 30.
After being drafted in the third round in 2021 by the Chicago White Sox, RHP
Sean Burke has yet to be assigned to a league.
Marty Costes, Houston Astros
Outfielder Marty Costes of the Corpus Christi Hooks is also in his first season in Double-A and he's making the most of it. The former Terp is batting a career high with .332 to go along with two home runs and 30 RBIs.
Ben Cowles, New York Yankees
Like Bednar, Cowles has reported to the rookie league as a member of the Yankees. In his limited time so far he has two hits in six at bats with two RBIs. He had his first pro hit on July 29.
Jose Cuas - Kansas City Royals
A former third baseman, Jose Cuas is a right-handed reliever in the Royals systems with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals. He has pitched in eight games, spanning 11.1 innings and has a 1-0 record. He began the year with the Independent Long Island Ducks where we threw 11 innings of scoreless ball for a 0.00 ERA.
Nick Dunn, St. Louis Cardinals
Another player making his Double-A debut, second baseman Nick Dunn of the Springfield Cardinals is adjusting well to the uptick in competition with a batting average of .256, two home runs and 21 RB's.
AJ Lee, Houston Astros
Shortstop AJ Lee has played at all three levels in the Astros organization and has struggled to get into a rhythm. He began the season with the Asheville Tourists before being promoted to the Triple-A Sugar Land Skeeters. He is currently with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks.
Hunter Parsons, New York Mets
After a strong start to the season with the St. Lucie Mets, Hunter Parsons was promoted to the High-A Brookly Cyclones. The right handed pitcher had an ERA of 1.80 to go along with a 2-0 record in his four appearances with St. Lucie. He has pitched in 12 games with the Cyclones, striking out 20.
Brian Shaffer, Tampa Bay Rays
After spending a few years bouncing between Single-A and Double-A, reliever Brian Shaffer pitched in Double-A with the Montgomery Biscuits and posted a record of 4-1 with an ERA of 5.63. He is currently a free agent.
Mike Shawaryn, Kansas City Royals
After pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 2019, reliever Mike Shawaryn started the year with the Omaha Storm Chasers before being released. Shawaryn had a 4.63 ERA over 11.2 innings pitched with his one decision coming in a win.
Kevin Smith, Toronto Blue Jays
Shortstop Kevin Smith of the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons has had a strong season in the highest level of the minor leagues with a .297 batting average with 18 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases.
