Hope in Beantown

[OmahaBaseball]

Marte’s Big Day Powers Reds Past Twins, 15–4

Cincinnati third baseman Noelvi Marte turned in a scorching performance Tuesday, collecting five hits and driving in seven runs as the Reds rolled past the Minnesota Twins, 15–4. Marte went 5-for-6, delivering damage in nearly every inning after a first-inning groundout.

He opened his barrage with a two-run double in the second, added an RBI single in the fourth, then drilled a two-run homer off Anthony DeSclafani in the sixth. Marte wasn’t done—he launched a solo shot off Justin Topa in the eighth and capped his afternoon with another run-scoring single in the ninth.

The breakout game continues a strong season for Marte, who is batting .282 with 11 homers, 39 RBI, and 34 runs scored.

[OmahaBaseball]

Great Gloves Shine Across the Florida State League

Good defense can be the difference between raising a championship banner and settling for second place. The Florida State League honored its finest fielders today, unveiling the winners of the 2024 Great Glove Awards—recognizing the top defender at each position across the circuit. These nine defenders stand apart as the league’s premier run-stoppers—players whose gloves proved just as valuable as any bat in shaping the summer.

Lakeland led the way with two honorees, including right-hander Garrett Burhenn (22 TC / 1.000%), whose quick reactions and controlled presence on the mound earned him the league’s top defensive award for pitchers. His teammate, shortstop Peyton Graham (315 TC / .987%), took home the honor at one of the sport’s most demanding positions, flashing elite range and sure-handed reliability for the Flying Tigers all season.

Behind the plate, Justin Guerrero (893 TC / .999%) of the Palm Beach Cardinals secured catcher honors thanks to his polished receiving, strong arm, and ability to control the running game. In the infield corners, Bradenton’s Charles McAdoo (865 TC / .995%) claimed the award at first base, while Keoni Cavaco (190 TC / .979%) of Fort Myers earned recognition at third for his quick-twitch reactions and standout glove work.

Clearwater also produced two winners: second baseman Marco Soto (336 TC / .994%), whose smooth footwork and steady presence anchored the Threshers’ middle infield, and center fielder Yhoswar Garcia (294 TC / 1.000%), whose range and jumps patrolled the biggest defensive real estate on the diamond.

Fort Myers celebrated two outfield honorees of its own. Byron Chourio (136 TC / 1.000%) captured the award in left field, consistently turning potential extra-base hits into loud outs, while Tampa’s Mauro Bonifacio (107 TC / .999%) took the honor in right for his strong arm and precise reads.

[OmahaBaseball]

Chourio Crowned Carolina League MVP

Lynchburg, VA — The future looks exceedingly bright for Lynchburg Hillcats center fielder Jaison Chourio, who at just 19 years old has already risen to the top of the Carolina League. On Tuesday, the Cleveland prospect was named the 2024 Carolina League Most Valuable Player, cementing himself as one of the circuit’s fastest-rising stars.

Many players his age are still trying to find their footing in Class A ball. Chourio, however, didn’t just find his way — he dominated. His numbers tell the story of a teenager playing far beyond his years. Chourio finished the season with a .326 batting average, a stellar .459 on-base percentage, and 87 hits. He added 12 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 59 RBIs, and 51 runs, serving as the engine for a Hillcats lineup that leaned on him throughout the year.

The MVP race was tight, with Chourio receiving five first-place votes out of 12 possible and edging out Kannapolis star Samuel Zavala, who earned seven first-place votes but finished one point behind in the overall tally. Delmarva’s Tavian Josenberger rounded out the top three.

   Player                    Team      	           1st Place     Total Pts

Jaison Chourio      	Lynchburg Hillcats        	5           132         
Samuel Zavala           Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 	7           131         
Tavian Josenberger      Delmarva Shorebirds       	0            81          
Jesus Chirinos          Carolina Mudcats          	0            60          
Omar Nuel               Columbia Fireflies        	0            53          
Miguel Hernandez        Augusta GreenJackets      	0            46          
Wes Kath                Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 	0            43          
Carter Trice            Myrtle Beach Pelicans     	0            36          
Jared McKenzie          Fredericksburg Nationals  	0            32          
Jose Pastrano           Lynchburg Hillcats        	0            30          
Eddie Park              Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 	0            21          
Caden Connor            Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 	0            12          
Tyler Schweitzer        Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 	0             9           
Spencer Nivens          Columbia Fireflies        	0             8           
Juan D. Encarnacion	Salem Red Sox             	0             6           
Jhonny Perdomo          Columbia Fireflies        	0             4           
Seung-hyun Jang         Charleston RiverDogs      	0             3           
Cole Winn               Fayetteville Woodpeckers  	0             1

[OmahaBaseball]

Red Sox Outlast Yankees in 13-Inning Thriller, 6–5

New York, NY — It took four hours and 45 minutes, 13 innings, and contributions up and down the lineup, but the Boston Red Sox finally outlasted the New York Yankees 6–5 on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Boston’s offense rapped out 16 hits, yet it was a single swing in the top of the 13th from Masataka Yoshida that decided it. The veteran left fielder lined a run-scoring single to break a 5–5 tie, capping a three-hit afternoon and delivering the difference-making RBI. The win nearly slipped away earlier, but the Red Sox were kept afloat by the steady brilliance of Kutter Crawford, who delivered one of his finest outings of the season. The right-hander worked eight innings, allowing just three runs while striking out seven; Game Score 64.

Boston seized early control with a four-run fourth inning, highlighted by extra-base hits from Triston Casas and Vaughn Grissom, but New York refused to go quietly. The Yankees clawed back with single runs in the eighth and ninth — including a solo shot by Gleyber Torres off Liam Hendriks (BS 4) — to force extras. Both bullpens bent but held through the late innings until Boston finally broke through against Yankees reliever Luis Gil (4-10). In the bottom of the 13th, Ryne Stanek (2-2), the last arm available in the Boston bullpen, sealed the win with 1⅓ scoreless innings.

Boston saw big offensive days from Ceddanne Rafaela (4-for-6 with a triple and RBI) and Marcelo Mayer (2-for-6 with a triple and RBI), while Tyler O’Neill added two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. For New York, Torres led the way with a three-hit, two-RBI effort, while Juan Soto delivered two hits and a sacrifice fly. But the Yankees stranded 11 runners and went hitless after the 11th inning. With the victory, the Red Sox improved to 82–67, keeping their postseason hopes alive. The Yankees fell to 87–62 as their lineup struggled to solve the oppositions pitching outside of a few late-inning pushes.

Player of the Game: Kutter Crawford (Season: #12)

AL East Standings: 2nd Place, 5 Games Behind

[OmahaBaseball]

Phillies Clinch 2024 Postseason Berth

Philadelphia, PA — For the third straight year, October baseball will run through Philadelphia. With their record now at 91–57, the Phillies officially secured a spot in the 2024 playoffs, adding another milestone to what has been one of the club’s most consistent seasons in recent memory. The team’s depth, steady pitching, and timely power have carried them through the summer to the current best record in baseball.

While a postseason berth is worth celebrating, the clubhouse made it clear that they’re far from satisfied. “Winning the National League East Division is still the goal, of course. But this is the first step,” said starting pitcher Aaron Nola, who has been at the forefront of the rotation all year. Philadelphia now turns its attention to closing out the regular season strong — and positioning itself for another deep run when the lights get brighter in October.

[OmahaBaseball]

Garcia Named FSL Reliever of the Year

St. Lucie, FL — At just 21 years old, St. Lucie Mets right-hander Saul Garcia has been voted the 2024 Florida State League Reliever of the Year, earning nine of the ten available first-place votes.

Garcia dominated out of the bullpen this season, logging 5 saves in 42 appearances, striking out 77 batters in 55 innings, and posting a 7–2 record with a 1.31 ERA. His performance anchored the Mets’ relief corps and made him the clear favorite in this year’s ballot.

Daytona Tortugas reliever Samuel Perez finished second in the voting, while Garcia’s teammate Raimon Gomez placed third, receiving the only other first-place vote. Bradenton’s Jorge Ramos rounded out the ballot.

  Player           Team      	    1st Place     Total Pts

Saul Garcia	St. Lucie Mets		9 	     46 
Samuel Perez	Daytona Tortugas 	0 	     24 
Raimon Gomez	St. Lucie Mets 		1 	     19 
Jorge Ramos	Bradenton Marauders	0 	      1

[OmahaBaseball]

Yankees Stun Red Sox in 10th, Peraza Delivers Walk-Off Blast

New York, NY — A tense afternoon at Yankee Stadium ended in a burst of noise and pinstripes as Oswald Peraza crushed a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the New York Yankees to a 6–3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. The win pushed New York to 88–62 on the season and kept pressure on its postseason rivals.

Boston (82-68) appeared in control early behind a trio of solo home runs, all off Yankees starter Nestor Cortes. Marcelo Mayer and Triston Casas opened the scoring with back-to-back shots in the third, and Rafael Devers added another in the sixth to make it 3–2. Despite the long ball trouble, Cortes delivered a gritty outing—seven innings, eight strikeouts, and no walks aside from three free passes issued; Game Score 58.

The Yankees chipped away methodically. Gleyber Torres supplied the first breakthrough, launching a two-run homer with two outs in the fifth. An inning later, New York capitalized on traffic created by Boston right-hander Brayan Bello’s five walks, scratching across the tying run to even the score at 3–3. Bello, who threw 110 pitches, struck out six but labored through Boston’s middle innings; Game Score 58.

Relievers on both sides tightened the game. New York’s bullpen—Tanner Thornton and Luis Gil—held Boston hitless over the final three frames, while Chris Martin and others worked around traffic for Boston until the 10th, when Liam Hendriks (4-5) entered and quickly ran into trouble. A leadoff triple by Jasson Domínguez put the winning run 90 feet away, but after a brief opening, the Yankees looked poised merely to try a sacrifice fly. Instead, Peraza—hitless through his first four at-bats—turned on a Hendriks pitch and launched it into the seats, igniting the ballpark of 52,076.

For New York, Aaron Judge collected two hits, Torres drove in two, and Juan Soto reached base four times on walks, helping set the stage for extra-inning drama. Gil (5–10) earned the win with a scoreless 10th.

Player of the Game: Nestor Cortes

AL East Standings: 2nd Place, 6 Games Behind

[OmahaBaseball]

Turner’s Red-Hot Week Earns NL Player of the Week Honors

Philadelphia, PA—Trea Turner’s no-frills, all-business approach has long made him a favorite among Phillies fans, and last week he turned that steady style into serious fireworks. The 31-year-old shortstop torched National League pitching to claim NL Player of the Week, batting a blistering .500 (10-for-20) with five home runs, 11 RBIs and six runs scored.

Turner’s surge adds to a strong season in which he’s hitting .265 with 32 homers and 84 RBIs across 139 games—numbers that underscore why his consistency and punch remain vital to Philadelphia’s push down the stretch.

[OmahaBaseball]

Alvarez Powers His Way to AL Player of the Week

Yordan Alvarez didn’t need a campaign to claim his latest honor — his bat did all the talking. The Houston Astros slugger was named the American League Player of the Week after torching opponents with a blistering .409 average (9-for-22), launching four home runs and driving in 11.

It’s the latest output of what has turned into a monster season for Alvarez, who has piled up 161 hits and is batting .283. His power numbers remain eye-popping: 47 homers, 102 runs scored, and 121 RBI — all reminders that when he’s locked in, few hitters in baseball are more dangerous.

[OmahaBaseball]

Power Rankings -- Week 25

The Power Rankings list is back to the usual leaders, with the Philadelphia Phillies (118.1 points) continuing to occupy the top spot. The Houston Astros (116.3 points) had a tremendous week that propelled them into the 2nd spot, while the Atlanta Braves (111.1 points) round out the top 3. The Boston Red Sox (95.5 points) once again fell several spots and now occupy the 11th spot. The Los Angeles Angels (65.0 points) have hold of last place.

Previous week's rankings: https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...&postcount=446

[OmahaBaseball]

FSL Unveils Platinum Stick Award Winners

Smiles stretched wide across the Florida State League today as the circuit rolled out its Platinum Stick Award winners — a powerhouse lineup honoring the league’s top offensive performers at every position. Daytona, Clearwater, Bradenton, Lakeland, and Jupiter were all represented in a class loaded with breakout bats and big-league ambitions.

Daytona’s Connor Burns headlined the group behind the plate, slashing .327/.418/.477 with 11 homers and a 147 wRC+, while Clearwater slugger Dakota Kotowski slugged .510 on his way to crushing 33 home runs to lock down first base. In the middle infield, Bradenton’s Maikol Escotto delivered steady pop and patience 18 home runs and 117 wRC+, and Lakeland shortstop Peyton Graham showcased high-impact production with a 129 wRC+ and 4.3 WAR.

Power surged at the corners as Lakeland’s Izaac Pacheco and Daytona star Hector Rodriguez — who torched the league with a stunning .404 average and 243 wRC+ — claimed third and left field honors. Lakeland’s David Smith brought balance in center with on-base skills and speed 29 stolen bases and 134 wRC+ that generated 6.5 WAR, while Daytona masher Rece Hinds blasted an eye-popping .871 slugging percentage with 35 home runs and 5.9 WAR enroute to the right-field award. Rounding out the roster, Jupiter’s Ian Lewis earned the DH slot after a consistent, well-rounded campaign that saw him blast 10 home runs and steal 23 bases that led to 3.1 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

Duran Powers Red Sox Past Rays

St. Petersburg, FL — Jarren Duran powered the Boston Red Sox to a 9–3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, delivering one of his most complete performances of the 2024 season. Duran reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles, while driving in three and scoring three times. His two-run blast in the first inning—his 24th of the year—set the tone early against Rays ace Shane McClanahan, staking Boston to a quick 2–0 lead. Of Note, Duran's efforts as the day's 3rd best game performance.

Boston broke the game open with a four-run third inning, highlighted by extra-base hits from Duran and Rafael Devers. Devers finished with three hits of his own, including a solo homer in the fifth, and collected four RBI in the contest. The Red Sox piled up 13 hits overall. On the mound, Jack Flaherty (15–10) was sharp and overpowering, striking out 10 across 6⅔ innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run; Game Score 73. He worked around three hit batters and three walks, leaning on swing-and-miss stuff and timely groundouts to preserve the lead. Justin Rodriguez finished the final 2⅓ innings.

Tampa Bay struggled to muster offense, managing just four hits. Yandy Díaz tripled home a run in the third, and Isaac Paredes added a solo homer in the eighth, but the Rays never mounted a serious threat after Boston’s early surge. McClanahan (17–12) lasted just 4⅓ innings, tagged for seven runs (six earned) on eight hits; Game Score 24. Boston added insurance with a pair of runs in the ninth, sealing a win that pushed the club to 83–68 on the season while the Rays dropped to 81–70.

Player of the Game: Jarren Duran (Season: #4)

AL East Standings: 2nd Place, 6 Games Behind

[OmahaBaseball]

Tortugas Skipper Named FSL Manager of the Year

Daytona Beach, FL — Daytona Tortugas manager Julio Morillo got more than applause at a fan luncheon this week — he got a surprise announcement that left the room buzzing. Mid-speech, the club’s owner cut in to reveal that Morillo had been named the Florida State League Manager of the Year.

The celebration was well-earned. In 2024, Morillo steered Daytona to an 85–47 record and a first-place finish in the East Division, a standout campaign that sealed his first Manager of the Year honor. Players and fans alike toasted the accomplishment, capping a season that will be remembered as one of the franchise’s finest.

[OmahaBaseball]

Northwest League 2024 Glove Wizards

Portland, OR — Hitters may get the headlines, but on Wednesday the Northwest League tipped its cap to the defenders who turn sure hits into loud groans. The league unveiled its 2024 Glove Wizard Award winners; a lineup of leather-flashing standouts who made a habit of being exactly where the ball shouldn’t have been.

Hillsboro dominated the list, claiming four spots with pitcher Caden Grice (17 TC / .824%), catcher Christian Cerda (822 TC / .996%), first baseman LuJames Groover III (728 TC / .999%), and second baseman Cristofer Torin (349 TC / .989%); a testament to the Hops’ airtight infield.

Everett placed two of its own wizards, with Josh Hood (205 TC / .985%) snagging third-base honors and Victor Labrada (173 TC / .977%) locking down right field. Ryan Ritter (504 TC / .986%) of Spokane took the shortstop crown after a season of highlight-reel range, while Tri-City star Nelson Rada (133 TC / .985%) and Vancouver's Dasan Brown (336 TC / .988%) rounded out the outfield with elite work in left and center.

[OmahaBaseball]

Culpepper Named FSL Pitcher of the Year

Fort Myers, FL — Fort Myers right-hander C.J. Culpepper has a new trophy for his shelf after being named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Year on Thursday, capping a breakout season that left hitters guessing and voters impressed. Culpepper, just 22, was a force in 15 starts for the Mighty Mussels. He went 9–5 with a 2.12 ERA, surrendering only 58 hits in 85 innings while piling up 99 strikeouts and holding opponents to a frigid .193 average. His sharp command and swing-and-miss stuff made him one of the league’s toughest puzzles.

The award race was tight, but Culpepper edged out Palm Beach’s Jason Savacool in the final tally. Culpepper earned four first-place votes and 51 total points, narrowly topping Savacool’s four first-place votes and 48 points. Lakeland’s Garrett Burhenn finished third with 25 points.

   Player                  Team      	       1st Place     Total Pts

C.J. Culpepper	   Fort Myers Mighty Mussels	   4   	        51
Jason Savacool 	   Palm Beach Cardinals 	   4 	        48
Garrett Burhenn    Lakeland Flying Tigers 	   2            25
Jeff Lindgren 	   Jupiter Hammerheads 		   0            23
Dameivi Tineo 	   Jupiter Hammerheads 		   0             9
Carlos Lagrange    Tampa Tarpons 		   0             8
Marco Raya 	   Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 	   0             2
Zach Showalter 	   Palm Beach Cardinals 	   0             2
George Klassen 	   Clearwater Threshers 	   0             1
Luke Russo 	   Clearwater Threshers 	   0             1

[OmahaBaseball]

Williams Strikes Out 16 as Guardians Blank Twins

Cleveland, OH — Gavin Williams delivered one of the most dominant outings of his career, piling up 16 strikeouts to power the Cleveland Guardians past the Minnesota Twins, 7–0, on a crisp afternoon at Progressive Field.

Williams was in complete command from the start, working efficiently with sharp location and overpowering stuff. The right-hander scattered four hits and allowed just one walk, never letting Minnesota build any momentum in a game Cleveland controlled throughout; Game Score 91.

For the year, Williams now owns a 9–12 record across 29 starts with a 4.90 ERA. He has logged 165.1 innings, allowing 152 hits while striking out 159 and walking 80. Opponents are hitting .241 against him. On this day, though, none of that mattered — Williams was unhittable, and the Guardians rode his brilliance to a convincing shutout win.

[OmahaBaseball]

Merrill’s Five-Hit Night Not Enough as Padres Fall 10–8 to Astros

San Diego, CA — Jackson Merrill delivered one of the finest offensive performances of his young career Tuesday night at Petco Park, but even a five-hit outburst from the Padres’ center fielder wasn’t enough to overcome the Houston Astros’ relentless lineup in a 10–8 loss.

Merrill was locked in from the first pitch, becoming a one-man highlight reel as he sprayed hits all over the yard. He singled in the 1st, added another base hit in the 3rd, ripped doubles in both the 5th and 7th, and capped his night with a line-drive single in the 8th. His five hits led all batters and matched one of the top individual game performances by a Padre this season.

Despite the loss, Merrill’s performance continued a solid season for the 21-year-old. He’s now batting .251 with 134 hits, 7 home runs, 44 RBI and 54 runs scored — numbers that underscore his emergence as one of San Diego’s most consistent contributors. The Padres will look to bounce back in the series while hoping Merrill’s hot bat carries into the next matchup.

[OmahaBaseball]

Rays Rally in Ninth to Stun Red Sox

St. Petersburg, FL — Isaac Paredes powered the Tampa Bay Rays with two home runs and four RBI, and Junior Caminero’s RBI groundout in the bottom of the ninth lifted Tampa Bay to a dramatic 8–7 comeback win over the Boston Red Sox Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.

The Rays (82–70) trailed 7–6 entering the final frame after Boston pieced together scoring bursts in the fifth, sixth, and ninth innings. But Liam Hendriks (4-6; BS 5), called on for the save, couldn’t close it out. Tampa Bay quickly mounted pressure with a double by Josh Lowe—his second hit of the game—followed by a single and a hit batsman to load the bases with one out. Caminero, already with two hits on the night, chopped a grounder to short that was enough to score the tying run. When the throw to first couldn’t be turned in time for a double play, the winning run crossed behind it, sealing the walk-off.

Paredes provided the bulk of Tampa Bay’s offense early, belting a two-run homer in the third off Tanner Houck and another two-run shot in the seventh against reliever Ryan Stanek (BS 1). The slugging first baseman finished 2-for-4 with eight total bases, scoring twice and driving in half of the Rays’ runs. Boston (83–69) received big swings of its own, including a three-run homer by Masataka Yoshida in the fifth and a two-run blast from Tyler O’Neill in the sixth. Shortstop Marcelo Mayer added a crucial two-run double in the ninth that briefly put the Red Sox ahead 7–6.

But Tampa Bay’s bullpen bent without breaking. After a shaky relief outing by Colin Poche (BS 1), Pete Fairbanks (3–4; BS 5) recorded the win despite allowing two runs in the ninth. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen lasted 5 1/3 innings, also allowing four earned (Game Score 47), in a game marked by hard contact from both lineups. Boston starter Houck struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings but surrendered five runs; Game Score 46. The win pushed Tampa Bay closer in the tight American League Wild Card race, while Boston missed an opportunity to gain ground in the race.

Player of the Game: Isaac Paredes

AL East Standings: 2nd Place, 7 Games Behind

[OmahaBaseball]

Volpe’s Five-Hit Barrage Powers Yankees Past Mariners

Seattle, WA — Anthony Volpe turned T-Mobile Park into his personal showcase on Friday night, delivering a career performance that propelled the New York Yankees to a commanding 10–1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Volpe went 5-for-6, driving in multiple runs and homering twice as he anchored an explosive Yankees offense. The 23-year-old shortstop set the tone early, launching a solo home run off Seattle starter Bryce Miller in the first inning. He followed that with an RBI triple in the third, then added an RBI single in the fourth as New York steadily built its lead. His hot night continued in the sixth, when he belted his second solo shot of the game—this time off reliever Brennan Bernardino. Volpe added a single in the seventh before finally being retired on strikes in the ninth, his lone blemish in an otherwise flawless performance.

Volpe’s offensive outburst provided ample cushion for New York’s pitching staff, while also underscoring his growing impact in the lineup. Now batting .230 on the season, he has amassed 69 RBI, scored 100 runs, and clubbed 27 home runs—a testament to his developing power and durability. The Yankees’ victory marked a convincing statement as they continue their push through the late-season schedule, with Volpe emerging once again as one of the club’s key catalysts.

[OmahaBaseball]

Chivilli Earns 2024 Northwest League Reliever of the Year

Spokane Indians reliever Angel Chivilli has been named the Northwest League Reliever of the Year after a dominant campaign out of the bullpen. He posted a 2.49 ERA across 61.1 innings, recording 41 saves in 55 appearances while striking out 59 and issuing just 30 walks.

The young right-hander was a unanimous choice, receiving all six first-place votes for a total of 30 points. Hillsboro’s Christian Montes de Oca finished second in the voting with 14 points, followed by Eugene’s Cole Waites with 10.

   Player                    Team      	      1st Place     Total Pts

Angel Chivilli		Spokane Indians		  6	       30
Christian Montes 	Hillsboro Hops	          0	       14
Cole Waites		Eugene Emeralds 	  0 	       10