Minor League Baseball
Sam Connon

Sam Connon

Joined:

Sam Connon is a staff writer for “Minor League Baseball on SI’’ and other "On SI'' baseball sites. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for “UCLA on SI’’ and won awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for “New England Patriots on SI’’ and was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Follow Sam on Twitter @SamConnon.

Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Andry Lara (72) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Nationals Park.
NEWS

Washington Nationals Top Prospect Andry Lara Notches Strikeout in MLB Debut

Right-handed pitcher Andry Lara, the No. 16 prospect in the Washington Nationals' farm system, tossed 3.0 scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.

Sam Connon
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Los Angeles, CA, USA; John Oliver at the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles.
NEWS

HBO's John Oliver Rebrands Double-A Erie From SeaWolves to Moon Mammoths

On Sunday's episode of "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver," it was revealed that the Detroit Tigers' Double-A affiliate would be renamed next month.

Sam Connon
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Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Robinson Pina (81).
NEWS

Miami Marlins Trade Robinson Piña to Toronto Blue Jays in Exchange For Colby Martin

Veteran minor leaguer Robinson Piña will join the Toronto Blue Jays in the immediate wake of his MLB debut, while the Miami Marlins have acquired a High-A infielder-turned-pitcher in Colby Martin.

Sam Connon
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Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers player Sebastian Walcott poses for a photo during Media Day at Surprise Stadium.
NEWS

Texas Rangers' Sebastian Walcott Shines in MLB Pipeline Prospect Showcase

With Tuesday's Double-A battle between the Frisco RoughRiders and Tulsa Drillers airing live on MLB Network, top prospect Sebastian Walcott rose to the occasion with two hits and three stolen bases.

Sam Connon
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Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns poses for a portrait during Media Day at the Cincinnati Reds Development Complex.
NEWS

Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Chase Burns Gearing Up For Much-Anticipated MLB Debut

Chase Burns has just 13 minor league starts under his belt, but the Cincinnati Reds have called upon their 2024 first round pick to take the mound against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

Sam Connon
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Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) and second baseman Christian Moore (4) celebrate the victory against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium.
NEWS

Los Angeles Angels Make History With Lineup Chock Full of Homegrown Talent

In Monday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox, eight of the Los Angeles Angels' former first round picks teamed up to lead their club to a 9-5 victory.

Sam Connon
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Oklahoma State utility man Carson Benge (3) rounds second base during the Bedlam baseball game against the Oklahoma Sooners at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, OK.
NEWS

New York Mets Promote Top Prospect Carson Benge to Double-A Binghamton

Carson Benge has thrived with the Brooklyn Cyclones in his first full season as a professional, leading the New York Mets to send the star outfielder up to the Binghamton Rumbles Ponies.

Sam Connon
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco Giants hat and glove on the bench against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park.
NEWS

San Francisco Giants' Double-A Team Leaves Hilarious Note After Rafael Devers Trade

The Richmond Flying Squirrels' bullpen left a note for fans in Altoona on Thursday, telling them they could no longer give away balls for free due to Rafael Devers' $313 million contract.

Sam Connon
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Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Nolan Hoffman plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League baseball game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
NEWS

Texas Rangers Trade Minor League Reliever Nolan Hoffman to Philadelphia Phillies

Nolan Hoffman worked his way through the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles' farm systems before the Texas Rangers took a flier on him and flipped him to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash.

Sam Connon
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Denver, Colorado, USA; A detail view of a San Diego Padres hat on a glove in the dugout in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
NEWS

San Diego Padres Prospect Leo De Vries on Pace to Join Historic Company in High-A

Leo DeVries is still only 18 years old, but the San Diego Padres' top prospect is dominating High-A to the same extent that Mike Trout and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did.

Sam Connon
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Lakeland, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Will Robertson (88) bats during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
NEWS

Toronto Blue Jays Call Up Outfielder Will Robertson For Long-Awaited MLB Debut

Will Robertson, the Toronto Blue Jays' fourth round pick from the 2019 MLB Draft, has finally joined the big league roster ahead of Wednesday's finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sam Connon
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Roman Anthony watches a ball during batting practice at Polar Park on April 24, 2025.
NEWS

Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Sets the Stage For Roman Anthony's MLB Debut

An injury to Gold Glove right fielder Wilyer Abreu opened the door for the Boston Red Sox to call up Roman Anthony, the No. 1 prospect in baseball.

Sam Connon
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