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Welcome to the Minor League Update. Every day, we tell you the latest about what happened to the prospects you care about, and maybe a few more you should. Here’s who made waves yesterday:
Hitter of the day
Conor Essenburg, OF, Atlanta Braves (Low-A Augusta): 3-3, 3 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB.
A two-way standout as a prep in Illinois, Essenburg got second-round money to forego a commitment to the University of Kentucky last summer. He’s no longer seeing time on the mound, but has excelled at the plate during his initial professional season. He’s been especially hot to end the month, going 9-for-14 (.643) with five home runs over his past three games.
Pitcher of the day
Davis Polo, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Low-A Augusta): 7.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K.
After missing all of last season with an injury, Polo is quietly enjoying a breakout year in Low-A. Opponents are hitting just .207 against him, and he’s racked up 91 strikeouts in just 80 innings of work at Augusta. His mid-90’s heater, slider, and change all project as at least average offerings, giving Polo the floor of a major-league reliever.
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Erick Lanza, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Rookie DSL Mariners): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.
Lanza is in the midst of his third season in the Dominican, potentially a make-or-break year for the 19-year-old. He’s making the most of it by putting up the best numbers of his young career, posting a 1.98 ERA through 36 ⅓ innings of work.
Wilber Reinoso, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (Rookie DSL CLE Mendoza): 3-5, 4 R, 3B, 3 RBI, BB, 3 SB.
Signed out of the Dominican for $420,000 this past January, Reinoso is getting his first taste of professional baseball as a 17-year-old in the DSL. While he’s struggled to make consistent quality contact early, his defensive versatility and knack for getting on base make him a name to follow when he eventually comes stateside.
Raynel Quezada, OF, Cleveland Guardians (Rookie DSL CLE Mendoza): 3-4, 3 R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, SB.
The switch-hitting Quezada is finishing up the month as one of the DSL’s hottest hitters, slashing .340/.382/.500 through 16 July contests. Signed originally as a shortstop, Quezada is seeing most of his time in the field as a corner outfielder, putting pressure on the bat to continue to perform.
Aron Estrada, 2B, Baltimore Orioles (Double-A Chesapeake): 4-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, SB.
Double-A hasn’t proven to be much of a challenge for Estrada, as he’s enjoying his best offensive season of his brief professional career. He’s been especially hot this month, slashing .342/.378/.526 through his 18 July games.
Tyler Renz, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (Low-A Wilson): 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.
Selected in the 18th round of the 2024 draft, Renz got third round-equivalent money to walk away from a commitment to St. John’s. After a promising 2025 season, he faced some adversity in his first full season assignment, seeing the ERA go north of 4.00. Despite the rough patch, there’s still plenty to like in the profile, with Renz’s size and feel for spin.
Others of Note
Ryan Tayman, C, New York Mets (Low-A St. Lucie): 4-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI.
Arturo Flores, C, Houston Astros (Low-A Fayetteville): 2-3, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB.
Jarol Capellan, 3B, Baltimore Orioles (Rookie DSL Orioles Orange): 4-4, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI, SB.
Alieski Torres, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Rookie DSL Blue Jays Red): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.
Ysaias Escalona, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Rookie DSL Reds): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.
Manuel Ruiz, RHP, Washington Nationals (Rookie DSL Nationals): 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.
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