While there was offense to be found around the Minor Leagues on Thursday, a number of the brightest young hurlers stood particularly tall on the mound. A right-hander who hopes to one day pitch north of the border dazzled in his second pro start in Florida while other pitchers knocking on the door of the Majors made their cases to get the call sooner than later. Here's what they -- and some of the night's biggest bats -- did on Thursday:
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Khal Stephen, RHP, Dunedin (TOR No. 10)
Toronto couldn't ask for more out of its 2024 second-round pick, who has been nearly unhittable in his first two pro starts. Stephen followed up his scoreless debut by striking out nine while allowing just one hit and a run over six innings for Single-A Dunedin. The 22-year-old Mississippi State product finished strong, striking out the side in his final frame. Gameday
Alex Clemmey, LHP, Wilmington (WSH No. 5)
Clemmey had his entire arsenal working for High-A Wilmington in what was arguably the most dominant start of his pro career. The 19-year-old struck out seven of the first eight batters he faced en route to a career-high 10 punchouts in five scoreless frames. Clemmey also walked two, allowed a single and hit a batter during his 70-pitch outing. Gameday
Jimmy Crooks, C, Memphis (STL No. 4)
Crooks was the driving force behind Triple-A Memphis' offense, driving in a career-high six runs. The 23-year-old got a night off from catching duties and made the most of it as designated hitter, slugging his second homer of the season while finishing a triple shy of the cycle. Crooks is off to a .286/.333/.536 start with 10 RBIs in seven games for the Redbirds. Gameday
Yanquiel Fern¨˘ndez, OF, Albuquerque (COL No. 6)
Fern¨˘ndez has come alive after not picking up a knock in his first 12 at-bats, hitting safely in six of seven games following a three-hit performance for Triple-A Albuquerque. The 22-year-old slugged his third long ball in four contests, drove in three runs and fell a triple shy of the cycle. Fern¨˘ndez has gone 10-for-29 (.345) since his 0-fer to begin the year. Gameday
Jackson Ferris, LHP, Tulsa (LAD No. 4/MLB No. 67)
Ferris rebounded from an average season debut with one much more in line with his Top 100 prospect status. The southpaw struck out six while allowing two hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings for Double-A Tulsa. Through two outings in the Texas League this season, Ferris has fanned 13 in 10 frames and sports a 1.80 ERA. Gameday
Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Nashville (MIL No. 4/MLB No. 96)
Misiorowski's second start of 2025 mirrored his first in length. The hard-throwing righty allowed his first run of the year but yielded just two hits over five frames with five strikeouts. Misiorowski maxed out at 99.1 mph and averaged 96.2 with his heater, which accounted for 59 of his 86 pitches. The 23-year-old has an 0.66 ERA, an 0.95 WHIP and 16 K's in 13 2/3 innings through three appearances (two starts) for the Triple-A Sounds. Gameday
Cade Horton, RHP, Iowa (CHC No. 2/MLB No. 48)
The Cubs' top pitching prospect was effective in his second start of the year for the Triple-A I-Cubs, despite being limited to four innings and 68 pitches. Horton struck out six for the second consecutive start, allowing a run on three hits and three walks. The 2022 first-rounder closed his outing with three punchouts. Gameday
Slade Caldwell, OF, Visalia (AZ No. 3)
Off to a 2-for-14 start, Caldwell broke out with three extra-base hits in his sixth pro game for Single-A Visalia. The D-backs' first-round pick (29th overall) in last year's Draft slugged his first career homer, doubled twice and walked out of the leadoff spot for the Rawhide. Caldwell has scored eight runs through his first six contests. Gameday