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Marichal began blazing trails in Midwest League

'Dominican Dandy' dominated in '58 pro debut with Michigan City
@JoshJacksonMiLB
October 22, 2020

On paper, Juan Marichal coasted through the Minor Leagues. In reality, beginning with his first professional assignment to the Michigan City (Indiana) White Caps in 1958, he was navigating uncharted waters. “When he signs with the Giants, there is no star Latino pitcher and no Dominican pitcher for sure," said

Toolshed: Recent noteworthy MWL seasons

Bichette, Tatis, Trout battle for top spot among Midwest standouts
@SamDykstraMiLB
September 15, 2020

This space started honoring the short-season leagues after their respective campaigns were delayed in June. Now, following the cancellation of all Minor League Baseball in 2020, we're turning it into an appreciation of the full-season circuits as well. So Toolshed is revisiting the 10 most notable individual seasons put together

2020 Minor League Baseball season shelved

June 30, 2020

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Major League Baseball™ (MLB™) has informed Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season. As a result, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020. "These are unprecedented times for

Through logo evolution, Chiefs endure in Midwest

Peoria franchise found stable visual identity with early 2000s tweak
@tylermaun
July 2, 2020

With so much focus year after year on the newest and wildest rebranding projects in Minor League Baseball, MiLB.com takes a look at the flip side. This spring and summer, we will be profiling teams with some of the longest continually used nicknames in each league. Next up: the Midwest

Did you know? Midwest League edition

Unique facts for each of the 16 teams on the Class A circuit
@BensBiz
June 30, 2020

When it comes to size, scope and longevity, few, if any, sporting bodies can rival Minor League Baseball. With 160 teams in nearly as many markets, there are innumerable nooks and crannies to explore. This marks the ninth installment in a 14-part series dedicated to such explorations, providing one unique,

River Bandits, Purina team up on pet food drive

Midwest League team gathers more than 16,000 lbs of pet food
June 24, 2020

The Quad Cities River Bandits and Purina collected more than 16,000 lbs of pet food on June 20 in support of families impacted by COVID-10. Below is the team's original press release detailing the event from June 10, 2020: DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 10, 2020) — The Quad Cities River Bandits

Whitecaps trainer Derby advocates for acceptance

LGBTQ+ advisory rep passionate about job, changing the narrative
June 17, 2020

If there's one thing Cody Derby is confident about, it's his innate ability to help others. The former college baseball player is an athletic trainer for the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. He's also a regional representative on the LGBTQ+ advisory committee of the

Past generations guide Astros' Kessinger

Shortstop's grandfather, dad and uncle all played pro ball
@jtbloss
June 15, 2020

Somewhere around Grae Kessinger’s sophomore year of high school, in between games of a summer league doubleheader, the young shortstop sat down with his dad, Kevin Kessinger. Grae had made a great play in the field during the first game. It came up in their conversation. Then he walked away,

Ready and waiting: Lugnuts' Groshans

No. 75 overall prospect staying simple during hiatus
June 10, 2020

Players at all levels of the Minor Leagues missed significant playing time in 2019 due to injury only to have their return interrupted by the global pandemic. Each week, MiLB.com checks in on an elite prospect’s road back from injury. This week, we focus on Toronto Blue Jays infielder Jordan

Midwest League releases 2020 Media Guide & Records

June 1, 2020

PRESS RELEASE 210 South Michigan Street Contact: Richard A. Nussbaum II, President, 574-532-1221 5th Floor – Plaza Building South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-234-3000 Fax: 574-234-4220 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2020 MIDWEST LEAGUE RELEASES 2020 MEDIA GUIDE & RECORD BOOK SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Midwest League releases

Join the team: Timber Rattlers want you

Community-owned Class A club selling membership certificates
April 21, 2020

Minor League Baseball teams need fan support, now more than ever. But how exactly can fans show their support during this unprecedented period of indefinite postponement? The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a longtime Midwest League entity based in Appleton, are offering a unique option: Fans can, quite literally, join the club.  

Big Papi stole derby spotlight with Timber Rattlers

Ortiz outslugged Griffey, A-Rod in first full season in Minor Leagues
@RobTnova24
January 25, 2022

This story was originally published in 2020. It's being resurfaced now in the light of David Ortiz's election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jays' Pardinho has Tommy John surgery

No. 5 prospect dealt with right elbow soreness last season
February 11, 2020

When Eric Pardinho was placed on the Injured List late last season, it was apparently a precautionary measure after he experienced discomfort in his pitching elbow. Now, just weeks away from the start of Spring Training games, it appears the issue is more serious.The fifth-ranked Blue Jays prospect underwent Tommy John

Cougars' philanthropy is a grand slam

Kane County Baseball Foundation lauded at Winter Meetings
January 13, 2020

When former Wall Street maven Robert Froehlich became chairman, chief executive officer and president of Class A Kane County in 2014, he brought a family-oriented atmosphere ... literally. His wife, Cheryl, daughters Stephanie and Marianne (Neidhart) and son-in-law Chris Neidhart comprise the Cougars' board of directors. It helped create the type

Reds invite Lodolo, India to big league camp

Top prospects, former No. 1 picks among 16 non-roster invitees
January 10, 2020

Nick Lodolo and Jonathan India both have had solid starts to their careers since being selected in the first round of the Draft in back-to-back years. Now they're sharing the chance to showcase their skills on the top stage for the first time.The Top 100 prospects earned their first invitations to

Cardinals deal for Rays lefty Liberatore

2018 first-round pick has racked up 113 whiffs in 111 pro frames
@Kelsie_Heneghan
January 9, 2020

It may be the middle of winter, but the hot stove has reignited.In the first major trade of the calendar year, the Cardinals acquired 2018 first-rounder Matthew Liberatore from the Rays. Catching prospect Edgardo Rodriguez and a Competitive Balance Round B selection (66th overall) also will head to St. Louis,

Thompson spins South Bend atop Midwest

Cubs No. 13 prospect fans 10 in five hitless in sweep to crown
September 14, 2019

Riley Thompson and many of his teammates had their first taste of professional ball -- and playoff success -- while sweeping their way to a Northwest League championship. A year later with Class A South Bend, he and his fellow Cubs prospects pulled off yet another perfect postseason.Chicago's No. 13

Cubs walk off with 2-0 series lead

Roederer scores on wild pitch in 10th in Midwest League Finals
September 13, 2019

Members of the South Bend Cubs filed into their clubhouse when severe weather hit Four Winds Field after nine innings of Game 2 of the best-of-5 Midwest League Championship Series. Tied at 2-2 with Clinton, they sat in relative silence during what would be a 98-minute rain delay.That's when center

Maldonado, Cubs win MWL Finals opener

21st-round pick hits tiebreaking solo homer in seventh inning
September 11, 2019

Stepping up to the plate in front of 25,000 screaming fans at the College World Series has a way of preparing a baseball player for the trials of the Minor Leagues.So when Nelson Maldonado, who played on the University of Florida's national championship team in 2017, came up for South

LumberKings to play for Midwest crown

No. 10 Marlins prospect Misner scores three times in clincher
September 9, 2019

The Class A LumberKings found redemption, and with it came a spot in the Midwest League Championship Series.One night after a walk-off loss in Game 2 of the semifinals, Clinton maintained control of the decisive Game 3 from start to finish, topping Cedar Rapids, 6-2, on Monday at Perfect Game

Cubs secure spot in Midwest Finals

Davis sparks South Bend to second straight playoff sweep
September 8, 2019

There's one thing Buddy Bailey likes about what his team is doing right now."Winning," the South Bend manager said with a chuckle.The Cubs have a spot in the Midwest League Championship Series and not a playoff loss to their name. After sweeping Bowling Green in the opening round, South Bend

Roberson's gem leads LumberKings

Marlins righty whiffs career-best 10 over five scoreless frames
September 7, 2019

Making his postseason debut, Josh Roberson turned in a start to remember. The Marlins prospect fanned a career-high 10 and allowed three hits over five innings as Clinton blanked Cedar Rapids, 4-0, in Game 1 of the Midwest League semifinals on Saturday at NelsonCorp Field.

Lewis lifts off twice in Loons' clincher

Fourth-rounder drives in four runs, helps Great Lakes advance
September 6, 2019

Class A Great Lakes manager John Shoemaker did not pen Brandon Lewis' name on to the lineup card in either of the first two games of the opening-round Midwest League playoff series against Lake County. But with a lefty facing his team in a must-win game, the skipper saw a

Clinton sweeps behind unhittable Walters

Marlins right-hander doesn't allow a hit for second straight start
September 5, 2019

For the second straight game, Jake Walters didn't allow a hit. And that dominance punched the Class A LumberKings' ticket in the Midwest League semifinals Thursday night.The right-handed Miami prospect gave up an unearned run on two walks and five strikeouts as Clinton romped past Kane County, 10-1, at Northwestern