The first full week of the Triple-A season opened with a 2024 first-rounder showing off the power prowess that's made him a highly regarded talent. The Top 100 slugger has quickly shown why he might not be bound for a long stint in the Pacific Coast League. His efforts, coupled with dominating hurlers and a fellow first-round position player Draft choice, highlighted Tuesday's top performances:
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TUESDAY'S TOP PERFORMERS
Nick Kurtz, 1B, Las Vegas (ATH No. 2/MLB No. 37)
Making a quick ascent to Triple-A, Kurtz continued to show why he went fourth overall in last year's Draft. The lefty slugger cranked his second homer of the young season 426 feet to left-center field, evidence of why he was included in the group of nine prospects receiving a power-tool grade of 65 or better when MLB Pipeline released its rankings at the start of the year. The Wake Forest product went 3-for-6 with three RBIs for the Aviators, improving his OPS to 1.467 in 17 at-bats. Kurtz wasn't the only one having fun offensively as teammate Denzel Clarke (ATH No. 6) matched a career high with four hits. Gameday
Marcelo Mayer, 3B, Worcester (BOS No. 3/MLB No. 11)
Mayer belted his first jack of the season -- also his first Triple-A homer -- for Worcester. After a couple of seasons in which the 2021 fourth overall pick was bit by the injury bug, Mayer bounced back again with a .983 OPS in Spring Training to begin this year. The game also marked his first start of the season at third base after he manned short in the previous two outings. Full story | Gameday
A.J. Blubaugh, RHP, Sugar Land (HOU No. 11)
Tossing 50 of 69 pitches for strikes, Blubaugh excelled with efficiency for the Space Cowboys. The righty matched a career-high nine strikeouts over six scoreless innings in his season debut, tying for the day's most swings-and-misses at Triple-A with 17. The 2025 Astros' non-roster invitee carried velocity deep into his outing against Durham, hitting 97.3 mph in the fourth. Gameday
Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Gwinnett (ATL No. 4)
With rehabbing Braves catcher Sean Murphy behind the dish, Waldrep navigated five innings of one-run ball for the Triple-A Stripers, allowing just three singles and one walk. The 23-year-old righty, who made his Major League debut in 2024, flashed a pair of 60-grade or better pitches to a possible future Atlanta batterymate against Nashville. Gameday
Brady House, 3B, Rochester (WSH No. 3)
During a 10-run outburst by the Triple-A Red Wings, House put his bat and speed to the test while legging out his first triple of the season in the rout of Lehigh Valley. The 2021 first-round pick went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and one run scored in notching back-to-back multihit games. Gameday
Emiliano Teodo, RHP, Round Rock (TEX No. 6)
Teodo made quick work of his second relief appearance in four games with a perfect outing for the Express. The right-hander fanned four batters over two spotless innings against Toledo. His 70-grade slider induced four whiffs while his 65-grade heater averaged 99.2 mph, eclipsing 100 mph twice, bolstering Teodo's campaign to soon contribute to the Rangers' bullpen. Gameday
WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY:
Free Game of the Day
Iowa Cubs (CHC) vs. Indianapolis Indians (PIT) -- 6:35 p.m ET
Bubba Chandler will hope for better weather this time around after his first start of the season was pushed back due to snow in St. Paul, Minn. The Pirates¡¯ No. 1 prospect (MLB No. 14) will face a tough challenge in his season debut against the I-Cubs, who boast four Top 100 prospects in Owen Caissie (MLB No. 52), Moises Ballesteros (MLB No. 67), James Triantos (MLB No. 71) and Kevin Alc¨¢ntara (MLB No. 88).
Knight in shining armor
Norfolk Tides (BAL) vs. Charlotte Knights (CWS) -- 6:35 p.m. ET
Reigning International League Player of the Week Kyle Teel (CWS No. 2/MLB No. 31) continues his push toward the Majors after a strong opening weekend. The centerpiece in the offseason deal that sent Garrett Crochet to Boston is off to a .400/.500/.867 start with two homers and nine RBIs in four games for Charlotte. Norfolk will counter with a pair of Top 100 prospects in Samuel Basallo (BAL No. 1/MLB No. 12) and Coby Mayo (BAL No. 2/MLB No. 13).
Kurtz gets right back in the box
Sacramento River Cats (SF) vs. Las Vegas Aviators (ATH) -- 9:35 p.m. ET
Less than a year after being drafted in the first round, Kurtz has gotten off to a hot start at Triple-A. After launching his second homer of the season on a three-hit night, A¡¯s No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 37) has driven in six runs through the Aviators¡¯ first three contests of the season. The 22-year-old is just part of a potent Las Vegas offense that also includes outfielders Colby Thomas (ATH No. 3), Denzel Clarke (ATH No. 6) and catcher Andrew Susac (ATH No. 12).