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Robby Snelling, LHP, Marlins: Baseball America’s 2023 MiLB Pitcher of the Year struggled and was traded in 2024, but he’s regained his form this year. The Marlins lefty has been one of the most effective pitchers in the International League since the Marlins promoted him to Triple-A Jacksonville on July 10. In an Aug. 7 start at Nashville, he struck out 11 batters for the second time in the span of his last three starts. In this outing, the 21-year-old Snelling allowed no runs on five hits while walking only one in six innings. In five IL starts, he has a 1.63 ERA with 34 strikeouts and five walks in 27.2 innings.

Miguel Mendez, RHP, Padres: Righthander Miguel Mendez didn’t allow an earned run in four July starts for High-A Fort Wayne. The Padres promoted the 23-year-old to Double-A San Antonio following the trade deadline, and Mendez kept on rolling. In a six-inning start against Springfield, he struck out 11, walked four and allowed one hit without allowing an earned run (though he did allow two unearned runs). He topped out at 99 mph in this start and threw a wicked high-80s slider, generating 20 total whiffs on all his pitch types.

Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals: The 2025 season started ominously for reigning Minor League Pitcher of the Year Quinn Mathews. He was wild in spring training and the early stages of the season. Then he lost most of April and May to shoulder soreness. But the 24-year-old Mathews has pitched effectively in the summer months. In his Aug. 7 start versus Durham, he struck out nine batters for a second straight outing. Mathews allowed two hits, no runs and walked only one in seven innings. Of note is much sharper control—18 strikeouts, two walks—and greater efficiency—28 and then 25 batters faced—in his two August starts so far. His stuff has not returned to last year’s form however. He is now sitting at 92-93 mph.

Enrique Bradfield Jr., CF, Orioles: Center fielder Enrique Bradfield went 3-for-5 with a stolen base in his second game back from a nearly month-long trip to the injured list with a hamstring injury. Bradfield is playing for High-A Aberdeen in the short-term, but that’s to get him back up to speed, as he is expected to soon return to Double-A Chesapeake, where he was hitting .257/.396/.372.

Homer Bush Jr., CF, Rays: Given a doubleheader to work with, Double-A Montgomery center fielder Homer Bush Jr. went 2-for-3 with three steals in the opener and 3-for-4 with three steals in the nightcap. It continued a very impressive start to August, as Bush is now 11-for-21 with 10 steals in 11 attempts in six games this month. Bush raised his overall stat line to .296/.370/.351 with 45 steals in 52 attempts.

Editor’s Picks

Arizona State: The Sun Devils are one of the winners in the college baseball transfer portal, as they landed multiple hitters and a trio of notable arms. They are one of the winners, and we also looked at transfer portal losers. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

Forrest Whitley, RHP, Rays: Whitley is the ultimate example of a post-hype prospect. Once one of the best prospects in baseball, Whitley has long lost that status thanks to a series of injuries and ineffectiveness. He was dropped from the Astros’ 40-man roster and claimed by the Rays. But he then was designated for assignment by the Rays, cleared waivers and is now pitching in the Rays’ Triple-A rotation.

And in that role, he’s pitching the best he has in years. Whitley held Memphis to one hit in six scoreless innings on Thursday. He’s now 2-1, 2.19 in 24.2 innings in the Durham Bulls rotation. He has allowed just 16 hits and five walks while striking out 31.

Whitley faces very long odds of ever making it back to the majors as a starting pitching. But it’s not impossible, and that’s a credit to Whitley and the Rays ability to fix struggling pitchers.

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Orioles’ righthander Trey Gibson was excellent once again on Thursday, throwing six scoreless and walkless innings to lower his AA ERA to 1.55.

• Tigers second baseman Max Anderson’s bounceback season continued with his 14th home run of the season.

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