Mid-Season Minors Check

Tier 1 Guys:

Didier Fuentes – Currently in MLB – 21 years old

Arrow: UP

I still feel that his long term development would be best served in AAA but MLB long relief is a close second choice. Fastball now touching 99 with excellent shape and metrics. Still no reliable 2nd pitch although he is supposedly working on a cutter.

Cam Caminiti – A+ – 20 years old

Arrow: Steady

The team’s plan for him all along was to restrict his changeup usage this season in an attempt to force him to develop another out pitch. This has led to some predictable struggles at times as well as a noticeable improvement in his breaking pitches. I’m predicting a 2nd half breakout here.

JR Ritchie – Recently optioned back to AAA – 23 years old

Arrow: Slightly down

As expected the transition to MLB has been rough at times. Ritchie has the kind of stuff – 5 average to slightly plus pitches – that usually takes time to acclimate to the league. Earl Weaver used to give guys like this a year and a half in long relief to figure it out. Sounds about right.

Diego Tornes – Rookie league – 17 years old

Arrow: Down

There are lots of excuses you can use to explain the season so far: age, new country/culture, first experience playing with much older guys, etc. None of them covers how bad his results have been and more importantly, how bad his mechanics/inputs have been. Still 17 so has time but will drop out of the top tier in my next ranking.

Garrett Baumann – AAA – 21 years old

Arrow: Steady

Just moved to AAA after not dominating AA. Like Caminiti, Baumann was working on developing a better breaking ball. Unlike Cam, he already has a plus fastball. Still has a lot of reliever in his profile unless he gets a better offspeed pitch. Moved up to specifically work with the AAA coaches on getting more spin and a workable change or split.

Owen Murphy – AAA – 22 years old

Arrow: Slightly down

Only running a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio after being 4:1 or better in prior seasons. Has made the fastball better as he is often up to 94 now with elite IBF. Still doesn’t command the pitch well enough to get out upper level hitters consistently. Still young for the level and he keeps improving his pitches. I would keep him at AAA all year.

Tate Southisene – A+ – 19 years old

Arrow: Big Up

He did it all in his time at Augusta: power, average, walks, great defense at 2nd and led the minors in steals for a while. The strikeouts are still a little high but nothing like last season. Is having a few growing pains now at Rome but holding his own as one of the youngest players in the league.

Briggs McKenzie – A+ – 19 years old

Arrow: Up

Held back in extended ST to start the season to work on his fastball’s shape so he is only at 20 innings so far this year, but has shown a good enough fastball with crisp beakers. The curve is especially devastating. It remains to be seen what kind of workload he can carry. This is his first professional experience so be impressed.

Lucas Braun – AA – 24 years old

Arrow: Down

Went to Gwinnett and couldn’t strike anybody out so now he is back in Columbus. Looks like a reliever to me now. Dropping out of the top tier (and maybe the second tier).

Lower Tier Guys of Note (listed in order from the winter prospects report):

John Gil – A+ – 20 years old

Arrow: Big Up

He had 11 career homers coming into 2026 and already has matched that this season (and playing in Rome that is really something). His defense has also improved to the point that most scouts think he can stay at short (lots of third base projections last year). 

Alex Lodise – Low A – 22 years old

Arrow: Down

The college player of the year should not be struggling at Low A! The team is trying to fix his swing and it hasn’t gone all that well so far. Even worse, he has taken his batting troubles with him in the field. I remain sceptical.

Eric Hartman – A+ – 20 years old

Arrow: Way Up

Now our #1 prospect. I expect a 2nd half move to Columbus. The best $337,500 we have spent recently.

Conner Essenburg – Low A – 20 years old

Arrow: Big Up

Every other team wanted him to pitch. Our scouts are the best ? Bonus points for the goofy facial hair.

Isaiah Drake – A+ – 20 years old

Arrow: Slight Up

He has shown flashes of potential and already more than doubled his career home run total. Still looks like a good 4th outfielder to me.

Cedric de Grandpre – AA – 24 years old

Arrow: Up

Proving he can be durable while generating whiffs and groundballs has changed the opinions of a couple scouts I spoke with about his projection. They see 4th/5th starter now where it was a pure relief profile before.

Luis Guanipa – Low A – 19 years old

Arrow: Up

This is the third straight year he has played at Augusta but he is finally showing some of his potential. I expect a 2nd half promotion to Rome and then we shall see. 

System Summary: A system top-heavy with pitchers as late as last season has suddenly developed multiple blue chip hitters. The pitchers have been a bit of a disappointment but that may have something to do with the minor league baseballs in play this year.