Trending on the Farm: Kannapolis advances to Carolina League Championship

Noah Schultz – MLB Pipeline White Sox #1

Noah Schultz’s magnificent regular season came to a close on Saturday, with the Smokies making a bit of contact off the southpaw with minimal damage done against him. In 88.1 innings in 23 starts between Winston-Salem and Birmingham, Schultz had a 2.24 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 115 strikeouts, 32.1 K%, and a 6.7 BB%. The Barons postseason will kick off this week against those same Smokies in a (potential) three game set starting on Tuesday.

Colson Montgomery – MLB Pipeline White Sox #2

The Jekyll and Hyde season for Colson Montgomery reared it’s ugliness once again, as a tough week at the plate followed a stellar week at the dish. The 22-year-old will look to end his season on a high note in the final series of the season for the Knights this week.

George Wolkow – MLB Pipeline White Sox #7

The Cannon Ballers are in the post season and advanced to the Carolina League Championship against Fredericksburg after a wild walk-off win Friday night. George Wolkow has put together some solid at-bats while driving in runs in key situations and has appeared in all four playoff games.

Mason Adams – MLB Pipeline White Sox #8

While the seven hits allowed may jump out upon first glance, luckily they were all singles. Poor defense accounted for the two unearned runs.

Jeral Perez – MLB Pipeline White Sox #13

19-year-old infielder Jeral Perez has played in three of four Cannon Ballers playoff games and collected a hit in each game.

Rafael Ortega

33-year-old outfielder Rafael Ortega was on fire last week for the Knights, batting .500/.706/1.500 for a 2.206 OPS. Ortega scored five runs, had a double, three home runs, six RBI, seven walks (no strikeouts), and went 2-for-2 on stolen bases in five games last week.

Carlos Pérez

27-year-old Carlos Pérez continued his torrid stretch at the plate, hitting .391/.391/.609 for an even 1.000 OPS. Pérez scored three runs, had a triple, home run, and six RBI in six games last week.

Tim Elko

25-year-old first baseman Tim Elko was outstanding at the plate for the Knights, slashing .346/.414/.615 with a 1.029 OPS. Elko scored five runs, had a double, two home runs, and seven RBI in seven games against the Jumbo Shrimp.

Yoán Moncada

Yoán Moncada, still in Charlotte on a rehab assignment, hit well in limited action. Moncada appeared in four games, batting .333/.474/.467 for a .941 OPS with five runs scored, two doubles, two RBI, and a stolen base.

Oscar Colás

25-year-old Oscar Colás hit .348/.400/.522 for a .922 OPS with six runs scored, a double, home run, two RBI, and went 2-for-three on stolen bases in seven games played.

Josimar Cousin

26-year-old Josimar Cousin made two scoreless appearances for the Knights last week, throwing two perfect innings and striking out four.

Shane Murphy

23-year-old southpaw Shane Murphy was promoted to make a spot-start for the Knights and brought his A-game with him. Murphy hurled three scoreless innings allowing just one hit and struck out five.

Michael Soroka

Michael Soroka is also in Charlotte on a rehab assignment, but looks to be finding a groove on the mound. Soroka made two scoreless appearances against Jacksonville, throwing three innings allowing just one walk and struck out five.

Nick Nastrini – MLB Pipeline White Sox #17

24-year-old Nick Nastrini made an appearance out of the Charlotte bullpen last week with good results. Nastrini hurled two scoreless innings allowing one hit, one walk, and struck out four.

Touki Toussaint

28-year-old Touki Toussaint unleashed a fabulous start against the Jumbo Shrimp. Toussaint chucked four scoreless innings allowing just two hits while striking out seven.

DJ Gladney

23-year-old DJ Gladney smashed two home runs en route to a .294/.333/.647 week at the plate (.980 OPS). Gladney scored three runs and drove in seven in five games played against Tennessee.

Mario Camilletti

25-year-old infielder Mario Camilletti hit .316/.519/.421 for a .940 OPS last week, scoring five runs, knocking two doubles, three RBI, and walking more (seven) than he struck out (five) in six games played.

Riley Gowens

24-year-old Riley Gowens produced a stellar outing against Tennessee last week. Gowens hurled five scoreless innings allowing just two hits, one walk, and struck out six.

Garrett Schoenle

26-year-old southpaw Garrett Schoenle had a two start week and was dynamite in each outing.

Zach Franklin

25-year-old right-hander Zach Franklin made two scoreless appearances for the Barons last week, throwing two total innings allowing one hit, one walk, and struck out four.

Ryan Burrowes

20-year-old infielder Ryan Burrowes appeared in all four of Kannapolis’ playoff games last week, batting .267/.267/.600 for an .867 OPS. Burrowes sent three of his four hits for extra bases (two doubles, home run), and drove in four while scoring two runs.

T.J. McCants

23-year-old T.J. McCants came through in a big way to send the Ballers to the Carolina League Championship Series with this double. McCants hit .286/.333/.500 (.833 OPS) while sending three of his four total hits for extra bases (three doubles).

Aaron Combs & Mark McLaughlin

Aaron Combs was perfect out of the Kannapolis pen last week. In two appearances, the 2024 eighth round pick pitched two and two thirds innings allowing nothing while striking out six.

23-year-old locked it down for the Cannon Ballers when they needed it most. McLaughlin made two appearances last week, throwing four total innings allowing two hits, one run (unearned), one walk, and struck out seven.

Jake Peppers

22-year-old Jake Peppers shut down the RiverDogs in the rubber-match of the Division Series.