Tuesday's Top Minor League Performers

Today’s recap features quite a few names that we have not written about this year, which is a lot of fun. We had a ton of multi-home run performances. Top prospect Kevin McGonigle blasted a 113 mph homer off a 100 mph Jarlin Susana homer. Several new draftees had big days. There was a ton to break down.

For me, I will be covering Caden Scarborough’s High-A debut later this week and Tate Southisene’s pro debut with Augusta. I am looking forward to getting back to the park.

Free Minor League Baseball Recap Previews

Each day, I will pick a hitter and pitcher who stand out and deserve the top spot on the sheet. Those players’ reports will be free for all to read. The rest will be paywalled for Dynasty Dugout Subscribers. The article is around 3000 words, giving you detailed player reports to encapsulate everything you need to know.

Cameron Cauley, 2B, Texas Rangers, 22, AA

Entering Tuesday, Cauley has an OPS just shy of .700 and nine home runs, but that changed rather quickly. Three home runs on Tuesday night shot his total up to 12 and gave Cauley 39 extra base hits on the season, and now an OPS up to .725.

Cauley was the Rangers’ third-round selection in the 2021 draft, receiving an over-slot bonus of $1 million. Moving exceptionally well on the base paths and in the field, Cauley is one of the best athletes in the system, dating back to his days in high school when he was a star wide receiver and shortstop.

Considering his smaller frame, Cauley hits the ball decently hard, posting a max exit velocity north of 113 mph last year. He hits the ball consistently hard as well, having an average exit velocity around 89 mph.

The hit tool is still a question, though the contact skills have taken a jump in the last two seasons. The speed is probably 70-grade, and Cauley is efficient on the base paths, having 27 stolen bases and being caught just six times in Double-A.

Jarlin Susana, RHP, Washington Nationals, 21, AA

Considering Susana had a UCL sprain earlier this year and missed three months, he has been insane coming back. Generating 20 whiffs on Tuesday, Susana struck out 13 batters across five innings of one-run ball. He allowed just two hits and two walks a piece, and the only damage was from a mammoth home run from Kevin McGonigle on a 100 mph fastball.

Susana is nothing short of electric on the mound. Standing at 6’6”, he throws the most effortless 100 mph. While strike throwing can get inconsistent at times, he did see that mark trend up all year in 2024, and from June forward, Susana threw strikes at an impressive 66 percent clip. The strike-throwing this year has taken a step back, but seeing where it has been since returning from injury is a good sign of health.

His fastball is 100 mph and can reach 104 mph. He sometimes features two different variations of the fastball, and batters struggle to hit both just given the velocity. Overall, the command is pretty solid on the fastball, and it is effortless.

The changeup is in the 90-93 mph range, and while it is firm, it easily generates whiffs. The slider will range from 88-92 mph and is thrown nearly as often as his fastball.

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