Sunday’s minor league action featured a strong outing from Hurston Waldrep, grand slams from Jarred Kelenic and Douglas Glod, and a big day at the plate for John Gil during a doubleheader. But the most concerning storyline was the early exit of Cam Caminiti, who struggled with command before leaving the game with a trainer.
Triple-A: Gwinnett Stripers 8, Memphis Redbirds 2
- Jarred Kelenic launched a grand slam and reached base three times (1-for-3, HR, 2 BB, 4 RBI).
- Stuart Fairchild went 3-for-3 with a double, walk, two runs, and a stolen base.
- Nacho Alvarez added a 2-for-5 performance with two RBI.
- Hurston Waldrep delivered one of his best starts of the season: 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K, and 12 whiffs.
Waldrep showed why he’s a top arm in the system with six strong innings, displaying improved control and swing-and-miss stuff. Jackson Stephens gave up a run in relief, while Michael Petersen and Wander Suero finished things off with scoreless frames. Offensively, Gwinnett kept pressure on Memphis throughout, with productive games from Cover Capel (3-for-4, 2B, SB) and a handful of others reaching base.
Double-A: Knoxville Smokies 9, Columbus Clingstones 2
- Ethan Workinger singled and walked.
- Geraldo Quintero doubled and scored.
- Landon Harper: 3.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, 13 whiffs.
Harper got a chance to start again but was hit hard despite generating a healthy number of swings and misses. His ERA still sits at 2.58, suggesting this outing may just be an outlier. The offense was mostly quiet aside from Quintero, Workinger, and Chandler Seagle, who had a two-run single.
High-A: Greensboro Grasshoppers 10, Rome Emperors 1
- Ambioris Tavarez doubled for one of Rome’s four hits.
- Patrick Clohisy walked, singled, and scored.
- Cedric De Grandpre: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 7 BB, 2 K, 8 whiffs.
De Grandpre struggled mightily with his command, issuing seven walks and throwing less than 51% strikes. Rome used emergency reliever and first baseman Bryson Horne to eat four innings late, as the bullpen was already taxed. Offensively, not much clicked for Rome aside from a couple of extra-base hits and a lone run.
Single-A Game 1: Charleston RiverDogs 7, Augusta GreenJackets 4
- John Gil doubled, walked, and scored a run.
- Owen Carey drove in two runs.
- Cam Caminiti: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 0 K, exited with injury.
Caminiti didn’t have it from the outset—four walks, two wild pitches, and a balk before being pulled with the trainer. The bullpen had a rough outing too, with Adam Shoemaker and Seth Keller each allowing runs. On offense, Gil and Carey led the way, with contributions from Colby Jones and Colin Burgess.
Single-A Game 2: Augusta GreenJackets 9, Charleston RiverDogs 6
- John Gil had a monster line: 1-for-2, 2B, 3 BB, 2 R, RBI, SB.
- Douglas Glod hit a grand slam and added a walk.
- David Rodriguez: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.
Rodriguez was perfect through three innings, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Despite the shaky relief effort (eight walks across three relievers), Augusta’s offense came through. Gil and Glod led the way, while Mason Guerra, Colby Jones, and Isaiah Drake all reached base multiple times in the win.
