MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES APRIL PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

 

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES APRIL

PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

Winners come from 16 organizations; Orioles and Mariners lead with three selections

May 3, 2024 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for April in each of the 11 full-season leagues in Major League Baseball’s player development system.

 

International League (Triple-A)

Norfolk Tides (Orioles) first baseman/outfielder Heston Kjerstad batted .324/.420/.770 and led the league in home runs (10), RBI (26) and slugging percentage (.770). He was second in total bases (57) and OPS (1.190) and third in runs (21). Prior to his April 22 promotion to Baltimore, he recorded six multi-hit games, including a career-high five-hit game that included two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI on April 3 at Charlotte. Kjerstad, 25, was selected by Baltimore with the second overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of the University of Arkansas.

 

Norfolk left-hander Cade Povich went 2-1 with a 1.03 ERA in five starts as he allowed three earned runs on 10 hits over 26.1 innings with a league-best 40 strikeouts. His .116 average against was the lowest among IL pitchers with three or more starts. His 0.76 WHIP was second best among pitchers with three or more starts. Povich, 24, was originally selected by Minnesota in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Nebraska.

 

Pacific Coast League (Triple-A)

Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros) outfielder/first baseman Joey Loperfido batted .289/.404/.667 and led MiLB in runs (28), while also leading the PCL in home runs (10). He was second in total bases (60), fourth in OPS (1.071) and fifth in slugging percentage (.667). He recorded nine multi-hit games prior to his April 30^thpromotion to Houston. Loperfido, 24, was selected by Houston in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Duke University.

 

Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners) left-hander Jhonathan Diazwas 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA in five games (four starts) as he struck out 31 batters and walked four over 28.0 innings. His 0.93 WHIP was the lowest among PCL pitchers that made four or more starts. Diaz, 27, was originally signed by Boston as an international free agent out of Valencia, Venezuela, on August 9, 2013.

 

Eastern League (Double-A)

Somerset Patriots (Yankees) infielder Benjamin Cowlesbatted .351/.433/.623 and led the league in average (.351), hits (27), doubles (eight), total bases (48), on-base percentage (.433), slugging percentage (.623) and OPS (1.056). He was fourth in runs scored (14). He recorded seven multi-hit games and hit safely in six straight games to start the month and eight straight games to end the month. Cowles, 24, was selected by New York (AL) in the 10^th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Maryland.

 

Somerset right-hander Trystan Vrieling went 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts as he held opponents to a .145 average. He struck out 25 and walked six over 24.0 innings. Vrieling, 23, was selected by New York (AL) in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Gonzaga University.

 

Southern League (Double-A)

Birmingham Barons (White Sox) shortstop Brooks Baldwin batted .408/.464/.566 and led the league in average (.408), hits (31), doubles (nine) and on-base percentage (.464). He finished second in total bases (43), RBI (15) and OPS (1.030) and was third in slugging percentage (.566). He recorded 10 multi-hit games and had separate hitting streaks of six games and seven games. His four-hit games on April 18 and April 25 are a career-high. Baldwin, 23, was selected by Chicago (AL) in the 12^th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

 

Birmingham right-hander Drew Thorpe went 4-1 with a 1.20 ERA in five starts as he scattered 19 hits and seven walks over a league-best 30.0 innings. He held opponents to a .184 average as he allowed one earned run in his first 20 innings of the season. Thorpe, 23, was originally selected by New York (AL) in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Cal-Poly.

 

Texas League (Double-A)

Amarillo Sod Poodles (Diamondbacks) first basemanDeyvison De Los Santos batted .376/.430/.682 and led the league in hits (32), home runs (seven) and total bases (58). He was second in average (.376), runs (18) and RBI (18), while finishing third in slugging percentage (.682) and OPS (1.112) and fourth in on-base percentage (.430). He recorded nine multi-hit games and began the year with a seven-game hitting streak. De Los Santos, 20, was signed by Arizona as an international free agent out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on July 2, 2019.

 

Springfield Cardinals right-hander Tink Hence went 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA in five starts as he allowed 13 hits and six walks over 25.2 innings. He led the league with 31 strikeouts and held opponents to a .148 average. His 0.74 WHIP was the best in the league among pitchers with three or more starts. Hence, 21, was selected by St.Louis in Competitive Balance Round B (63^rd overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Watson Chapel High School in Watson Chapel, Arkansas.

 

Midwest League (High-A)

Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins) third baseman/first baseman Rubel Cespedes batted .373/.447/.657 and led the league in slugging percentage (.657). He was second in average (.373), total bases (44), RBI (22) and OPS (1.104) and was third in doubles (seven) and home runs (four). He recorded nine multi-hit games in April. Cespedes, 23, was signed by Minnesota as an international free agent out of Azua, Dominican Republic, on April 29, 2019.

 

West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) right-hander Jaden Hamm pitched to a 1.33 ERA in five starts as he allowed 18 hits and a walk over 20.1 innings. He struck out 30, making him the only Minor Leaguer with 30 or more strikeouts and fewer than three walks, and his 1.33 ERA was the lowest in the league among pitchers with more than 14.0 innings pitched. Hamm, 21, was selected by Detroit in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Middle Tennessee State University.

 

Northwest League (High-A)

Spokane Indians (Rockies) third baseman Kyle Karrosbatted .333/.443/.530 and led the league in average (.333), slugging percentage (.530) and OPS (.973). He was second in doubles (eight) and on-base percentage (.443) and was third in hits (22), total bases (35) and RBI (14). He recorded seven multi-hit games in April. Karros, 21, was selected by Colorado in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of UCLA.

 

Eugene Emeralds (Giants) right-hander Dylan Cumming went 1-0 with a 0.50 ERA in five games (four starts). He allowed seven hits and four walks over 18.0 innings while striking out 24 as he held opponents to a .123 average. Cumming, 24, was signed by San Francisco as a free agent on February 25, 2023.

 

South Atlantic League (High-A)

Aberdeen IronBirds (Orioles) catcher/first basemanCreed Willems batted .299/.333/.975 and led the league in total bases (43), home runs (tied for the lead with six), RBI (21) and slugging percentage (.642). He finished third in OPS (.975 and fifth in doubles (five). He homered in five of the first seven games and drove in at least one run in the first seven games of April. Willems, 20, was selected by Baltimore in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Aledo High School in Aledo, Texas.

 

Rome Emperors (Braves) right-hander Owen Murphywent 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in four starts. He scattered nine hits over 24.0 innings while leading the league with 37 strikeouts. His .110 average against and 0.63 WHIP were both the best in the league among starters with 16.0 or more innings pitched. Murphy, 20, was selected by Atlanta in the first round (20^th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside, Illinois.

 

California League (Single-A)

Modesto Nuts (Mariners) infielder/outfielder Caleb Calibatted .404/.507/.649 and led the league in average (.404) and slugging percentage (.649). He was second in OPS (1.156) and doubles (seven) and was fourth in hits (23). He posted nine multi-hit games in 15 contests, including four straight games to end the month. Cali, 23, was selected by Seattle in the 16^th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Arkansas.

 

Modesto right-hander Elijah Dale went 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts as he allowed eight hits over 18.0 innings while striking out 17. He held opponents to a .129 average. Dale, 23, was selected by Seattle in the 13^th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Illinois State University.

 

Carolina League (Single-A)

Fredericksburg Nationals first baseman Brandon Pimentel batted .351/.412/.581 and led all Minor League players with 33 RBI in April. He led the Carolina League in total bases (43) and doubles (eight), was second in slugging percentage (.581) and finished third in hits (26) and fifth in average (.351) and OPS (.993). He recorded nine multi-hit games. Pimentel, 23, was signed by Washington as a free agent out of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

 

Lynchburg Hillcats (Guardians) left-hander Matt Wilkinson dominated Carolina League hitters, going 2-0 with a 0.44 ERA in four starts. He held opponents to six hits (only two for extra bases – both doubles) in 20.2 innings, while striking out a Minor League-best 41 batters (13 more than anyone else in the Carolina League). His .091 average against was the lowest in MiLB in April. He finished April in style, striking out 15 in six innings of no-hit ball against Myrtle Beach on April 25. Wilkinson, 21, was selected by Cleveland in the 10^thround of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Central Arizona Junior College.

 

Florida State League (Single-A)

St. Lucie Mets centerfielder Nick Morabito batted .397/.518/.529 and led the league in average (.397), hits (27), on-base percentage (.518) and OPS (1.047). He was second in total bases (36) and fourth in triples (two), stolen bases (nine) and slugging percentage (.529). He recorded seven multi-hit games and hit in seven straight games to end the month. Morabito, 20, was selected by New York (NL) with a compensation round pick (75^thoverall) after the second round in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C.

 

Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) right-hander George Klassen went 2-0 and did not allow an earned run in 21.0 innings over four starts. He was the only pitcher in MiLB to pitch more than 20.0 innings without allowing an earned run. He allowed just seven hits (only two for extra bases – both doubles) and five walks while striking out 32 as he held opponents to a .103 average. His .103 average against was the third-best in MiLB and his 0.57 WHIP was the best in MiLB. Klassen, 22, was selected by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Minnesota.

 

Contact: Jeff Lantz, MLB Communications,

Live Out Your Dreams as a Major Leaguer…Mets Fantasy Camp is Open for 2024

 

Live Out Your Dreams as a Major Leaguer…Mets Fantasy Camp is Open for 2024

 

For the first time ever, Mets Fantasy Camp in November 2024 will offer an additional third week option for attendees from November 17 – 23.

 

 

FLUSHING, N.Y., May 2, 2024 – The New York Mets announced the return of the Mets Fantasy Camp in November for 2024 with an additional third week of camp. This immersive baseball experience offers fans the unique opportunity to train and play like a professional major leaguer at the Mets' spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, FL.

 

The 2024 Mets Fantasy Camp is open to all fans 30 years of age or older, regardless of their skill level or experience with baseball. Participants will receive professional training from former Mets players and coaches, engage in batting practice, fielding drills and games. Most importantly, participants have the chance to meet and interact with Mets legends.

 

"The Mets Fantasy Camp is more than just a baseball camp. It's a chance for fans to live out their Major League dreams," said Doug Dickey, Manager of Fantasy Camps. "We're thrilled to expand our unique experience to our fans and can't wait to see the camaraderie, joy and lifelong memories that will undoubtedly come from it."

 

Participants will receive their own personalized Mets uniform and get the chance to play at the same facility where the actual team prepares for their season. The week concludes with a championship game at Clover Park, the Mets spring training stadium, where participants will battle it out for a chance to win a Championship Ring.

 

Registration for the 2024 Mets Fantasy Camp is now open. Dates for camp are:

• Week 1: Nov. 3-9 (sold out)
• Week 2: Nov. 10-16 (sold out)
• Newly added Week 3: Nov. 17-23.

 

Pricing starts at $5,700. For more information, including packages and more, and to register or join a waitlist, visitMets.com/FantasyCamp or reach out to Doug Dickey at fantasycamp@nymets.com.

 

@Metspolice asked me about the Mets layoffs

He hired folks from the financial sector, Nike, Amex, JetBlue, all who don’t get the fan experiences of a baseball game or that the “feel” of the team/ballpark is “alive” and changes. Bathrooms/concessions closed. Ticket plan holders who have tenure that don’t spend enough…

— Goon (@Mediagoon) May 1, 2024

Click the post above and it'll take you there. 

Layoffs at Citi Field. New Mets Museum Curator part of it.

 

You know everyone is trying to figure out what happened to the Mets Museum at Citi Field and how the Mets hired a new Curator for the Museum? Well it sounds like the curator was let go in a round of layoffs at the ballpark last week. What is that going to say about what becomes of this museum?

A) it sucks when anyone is let go especially after you get brought into curate and ran a museum and then that museum gets halved.

B) What is really going on behind the scenes over at Citi Field? I've told you guys that i have had a feeling about the vibes over there being off.

merica’s VetDogs Partners with Amazin’ Mets Foundation to Raise Third Future Service Dog

 

America’s VetDogs Partners with Amazin’ Mets Foundation to Raise Third Future Service Dog

 

Amazin’ Mets Foundation has funded $150,000 in grants to America’s VetDogs to date

 

FOOTAGE: Click here for related footage

PHOTOS: Click here for related photos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 1, 2024 (Smithtown, NY) - America’s VetDogs, a New York-based national nonprofit that provides specially trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the New York Mets, are thrilled to announce they will co-raise a future service dog for a United States veteran or first responder with disabilities. The Amazin’ Mets Foundation has funded $150,000 in grants to America’s VetDogs to date.

The New York Mets were the first-ever MLB team to raise a future service dog with America’s VetDogs. The newest Amazin’ Mets Foundation Pup is a handsome 11-week-old, male, yellow Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever Mix, who will undergo basic training and socialization with the Amazin’ Mets Foundation staff and the New York Mets players and fans for the next 14 to 16 months. The pup will have a home in the Mets front office and attend select events at Citi Field to expose him to various environments that will help mold him into a confident and calm future service dog. Fans can follow the pup on Instagram, X, and TikTok at @MetsVetDog to stay up to date on his training and community appearances.

 

“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s goal is to make a positive impact in people’s lives, and our partnership with America’s VetDogs is just one of the many ways we’re able to achieve that goal,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation and New York Mets Owner. “Service dogs bring hope, joy and companionship to our veterans and first responders, and we are thrilled to continue to provide these life changing experiences.”

 

Fans will have a chance to help name the new Mets Vet Dog by voting for their preferred name via a poll on the @Mets X account. Voting is now open, and the winning name will be announced at Citi Field on Thursday, May 2 as the Mets take on the Chicago Cubs at 1:10 p.m. ET.

"America’s VetDogs is proud to continue working with Alex Cohen and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation in raising another future service dog," said John Miller, president & CEO of America’s VetDogs. "Over the past several seasons, the Mets organization has consistently shown their unwavering commitment to supporting veterans and first responders in this truly unique way. The new puppy will undoubtedly become a cherished member of both the team and front office, and we are excited to watch the newest MetsVetDog begin this journey.”

For more on America’s VetDogs and ways to get involved, visit VetDogs.org.

About America’s VetDogs
For more than 20 years, America’s VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel.  America’s VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. America’s VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. 

About the Amazin’ Mets Foundation
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the New York Mets. The Foundation is committed to providing needed services and opportunities to children, families, and underserved groups. Since its inception in 2021, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation has funded over $10 million in grants to over 160 organizations in its community, including the communities surrounding affiliate teams. Learn more at amazinmetsfoundation.org.