The Fourth of July is still nearly three months away, but Minor Leaguers across the board put on their own fireworks show, including several multihomer games from high-profile prospects. A 2024 Draft pick -- and teenager -- stood out in the Sunshine State on both sides of the ball, while the High-A Midwest League produced a pair of pitching gems to round out Friday's top performers:
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Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Bradenton (PIT No. 2/MLB No. 40)
It's taken Griffin less than a week to show that his talent and potential as a future impact player are real. The 2024 first-rounder showcased several tools in his latest performance for Single-A Bradenton, driving in a career-high four runs while launching his first professional homer, racing around the bags in 11.44 seconds for a triple and flashing some serious leather in the field. Full story | Gameday
Caden Dana, RHP, Salt Lake (LAA No. 2/MLB No. 74)
Making his first start with Triple-A Salt Lake since returning from a brief stint in The Show, Dana dazzled on the mound. The 21-year-old had a solid season debut for the Bees, but took his game to another level in his second Minor League outing. Dana struck out nine, scattered five hits and and allowed a run over five innings while tossing 87 pitches (53 strikes). It was the ninth time in 43 career Minor League starts the 2022 Draft pick fanned nine or more batters. Gameday
Chase Burns, RHP, Dayton (CIN No. 1/MLB No. 24)
Last year's No. 2 overall Draft pick wasn't quite as dominant as he was in his pro debut, but Burns was still impressive. The Wake Forest product allowed his first run as a pro but also established a career-high seven punchouts in 3 2/3 innings for High-A Dayton, including five of six batters bridging the first and second. Burns surrendered two hits and two walks and has a 13/3 K/BB ratio in his first 7 2/3 innings for the Dragons. Gameday
Jes¨˛s Made, SS/3B, Carolina (MIL No. 2/MLB No. 52)
One night after returning from a six-day absence, Made put an exclamation point on Single-A Carolina's victory. The 17-year-old filled up the stat sheet for the Mudcats, ripping his first affiliated homer, a tie-breaking three-run jack in the eighth inning. Made, who rolled his ankle during Carolina's season opener last Friday night, also singled, walked twice and stole his second base in as many attempts. Gameday
Roman Anthony, OF, Worcester (BOS No. 1/MLB No. 2)
There wasn't much offense to speak of for Triple-A Worcester, but Anthony did his part. The 20-year-old doubled twice, singled (all three balls registering an exit velocity north of 103 mph) and drove in both WooSox runs to continue his climb out of an early-season slump. Anthony, who has gone 5-for-11 in his past three games following a 1-for-16 stretch, has an .896 OPS on the strength of five extra-base hits in his first 38 at-bats. Gameday
Jett Williams, SS/OF, Binghamton (NYM No. 2/MLB No. 54)
Williams was a catalyst from atop the Double-A Binghamton lineup, leaving the yard for the first time in 2025 and driving in three runs and scoring twice. The 21-year-old added a single to his ledger in the first of the Rumble Ponies' two games and tallied another knock, plus a stolen base, in the nightcap. Gameday
Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Lake County (CLE No. 5)
The Guardians were aggressive with Velazquez, who opened the year with High-A Lake County at 19 years old after spending the last three weeks of the season with the Captains in '24. Although the San Pedro, Calif., native has gotten off to a slow start, he broke through with the third two-homer game of his career and four RBIs. Gameday
Jacob Melton, OF, Sugar Land (HOU No. 3)
A minor back injury cost Melton the first two weeks of his season, but the 24-year-old returned earlier than expected on Wednesday and filled up the box score in his second game. The Oregon State product clubbed a pair of solo homers and walked for Triple-A Sugar Land, notching his third multihomer game as a pro and first since last Aug. 18, also for the Space Cowboys. Gameday
Charlee Soto, RHP, Cedar Rapids (MIN No. 8)
Soto showed flashes during his pro debut as an 18-year-old last year, but the hard-throwing righty seems to have everything clicking at the outset of 2025. Soto twirled five scoreless frames and struck out six without issuing a walk. A leadoff double in the second, which Soto navigated around, was the only blemish on his line. The 34th overall pick in the 2023 Draft is unscored upon through his first two starts for High-A Cedar Rapids, striking out 11 and surrendering only three hits in nine frames. Gameday
Bo Davidson, OF, Eugene (SF No. 9)
Davidson was a spark plug from the leadoff spot for High-A Eugene, and it started in the first inning with his first long ball of the season. The 22-year-old added a second tater for his first multihomer game as a pro and also doubled for the Emeralds. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Davidson enjoyed a strong season last year in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and with Single-A San Jose. Gameday