Triple-A Columbus Clippers (3-2) vs. Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates)

The minor league season may be winding down, but Travis Bazzana has not taken it easy as it comes to a close. He’s still making the most of the rest of his time in Triple-A for 2025. After a feeling-out period in his new settings, Bazzana finally looked a little more comfortable and aggressive this week with better swings, more intent and taking some adjustments into games. Bazzana socked his first Triple-A homer this week for a walkoff win on Sept. 4. Then he notched his first mutli-homer game of his pro career on Sept. 6, both off left-handed hitters. Bazzana has been a little passive at times in his approach and gets caught between on swings and identifying pitches. He took some aggressive rips against a fastball and slider for these four homers on the week, getting a little more launch back into his swing.

ANOTHER one for Travis Bazzana

This one 102.8 off the bat and 389 feet. Off the same lefty.

Someone’s found their groove. pic.twitter.com/HRqeofuOwB

— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) September 7, 2025

HAVE A NIGHT TRAVIS BAZZANA #ClipShow pic.twitter.com/uStv9vlw54

— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) September 5, 2025

Travis Bazzana is on fire!

The Aussie has his fourth homer in the last four games. pic.twitter.com/E1KwAiZc74

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) September 7, 2025

Another player, not a prospect however, is still looking to end his season on a good note. John Means was scratched from his scheduled start this week with an illness as he looks to comeback from his second Tommy John surgery. Cleveland would like Means to make a major-league start or two heading into the offseason. They have a $6 million team option on Means they are almost certain to pick up. The 32-year-old left-hander pitched on Sept. 7 and allowed five runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. His fastball continues to sit 88-91 mph, but he only induced one swing and miss in the outing.

It continues to be a tough road back for Triston McKenzie. He walked four and allowed two runs and only got one out in his appearance this week. His velocity remains the same, but the control has all but disappeared. As a minor-league free agent this offseason, McKenzie’s future is cloudy at best.

Trevor Stephan is trying to pitch his way back to relevance with Cleveland still, and doesn’t appear any closer in terms of results. He allowed six runs across two appearances. His velocity remains down at 90-91 mph, well off his 94 average in 2023.

The Clippers will head to St. Paul this week to face the Saints (Minnesota Twins) in their last road trip of 2025.

Double-A Akron RubberDucks vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets)

After a short start last week (1/3 of an inning), Khal Stephen bounced back with a fantastic outing on Sept. 6. In his previous start, he allowed six runs and six hits, but three of those hits were either slow grounders that found grass and a few aided by tough sunlight in Richmond, plus a reliever allowed a homer for his inherited runs to score. This time around, the right-hander acquired from Toronto in the Shane Bieber trade allowed just one run on six hits over four innings and struck out six. He walked one batter in that outing — his first in 7 1/3 innings with Akron over three starts since joining the organization.

Khal Stephen was dealing tonight!

He struck out six over four innings allowing just one run! pic.twitter.com/ox3HGQHSZL

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) September 7, 2025

Double-A pitching has been an adjustment for Alfonsin Rosario since his promotion after a strong Cleveland organization debut at Lake County. The outfielder still struck out seven times in five games this week and didn’t work a walk — part of what has been holding him back. But he did have one huge game this week. He went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and a loud homer with three RBI on Sept. 4.

WOW!!!!

Alfonsin Rosario launches a no-doubt solo home run to give us the lead!@GuardsInsider pic.twitter.com/yf0jrIYZdA

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) September 4, 2025

In other rehab news, Lane Thomas (plantar fasciitis) was 0-for-8 in three games this week. He earned a walk, was hit by a pitch and struck out eight times. He did steal a base in one of his two times on base. It’s a slow progression to a lost season for Thomas.

Akron ends the 2025 season on the road at Harrisburg (Washington Nationals) this week.

High-A Lake County Captains (3-3) vs. Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers)

It was an interesting week for the Lake County Captains. They earned a trip back to the postseason on Sept. 5 with a win. They also had two starters ejected early from their outings in a tense couple of games. Luckily, lefty Caden Favors stayed in the game on Sept. 5 and allowed only a run on five hits over six innings, just enough for the Captains to win that game, 3-2 to clinch a playoff spot.

Captains are back in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/n6RFAwzmvr

— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) September 6, 2025

Lake County’s offense this week wasn’t big, but the remaining top position player prospect on the roster, Jaison Chourio, had six hits and three walks as well as a stolen base as he is trying to end a tough season filled with a shoulder injury and approach issues on a positive note.

Jose Devers set a Captains single-season record with his 38th double of the season this week and had a strong week offensively overall.

Tyler Naquin had a difficult game on Sept. 6 uncorking three wild pitches on his way to five walks in the outing as his first pro season as a pitcher winds down.

The Captains will play a best-of-three games playoff series with the runaway favorites in the Midwest League, the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers) starting with game one at home, 6:35 p.m., Sept. 9.

Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats (3-2) at Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles)

Five-no hit innings in his last start were just an appetizer for Joey Oakie last week. He did walk four in that start. He took another no-hitter in the fifth inning in his start this week and ended it with one hit and just one walk allowed over 4 2/3 innings. For the second straight start, the 19-year-old 2024 draft pick struck out 11 batters, which gave him 22 strikeouts, five walks and one hit allowed over his last 9 2/3 (two starts) innings. He continues to work his fastball velocity into the 95-99 mph range to end the season, giving a lot to look forward to in the Carolina League playoffs and 2026.

Joey Oakie notches 11 strikeouts AGAIN🤯

Oakie has 22 strikeouts across his last 2 starts. He only allowed 1 hit in his 4.2 innings pitched tonight.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/SVbBVgWTBB

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) September 4, 2025

Offensively, the newcomers have been leading the way for the Hillcats and will have to do that in the playoffs as well. 2025 draft pick, OF Aaron Walton had three doubles, a pair of RBI and three steals. Fellow 2025 pick, C Tyler Howard, had five hits and drove in two runs.

Lynchburg will take on a tough Fredericksburg Nationals squad in the playoffs starting September 9 in a best-of-three league semi final.