Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for August in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
International League (Triple-A)
Columbus Clippers (Guardians) first baseman Ralphy Velazquez batted .356/.433/.867 and led all of professional baseball (Major Leagues and Minor Leagues) in home runs (15) and was tied for the lead in RBIs (34). He led the International League in slugging percentage (.867) and OPS (1.300) and was second in total bases (78). He finished third in average (.356), was fourth in runs (23) and fifth in hits (32). He recorded eight multi-hit games and first career three-homer game on Aug. 22 against St. Paul. He hit safely in 12 straight games from Aug. 4-20. Velazquez, 21, was selected by Cleveland in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Huntington Beach High School in Huntington Beach, California.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees) right-hander Alexander Cornielle went 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA in four starts as he allowed four earned runs on 13 hits and 10 walks over 23 innings. He led the league in ERA (1.57), average against (.160), WHIP (1.00) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.09). Cornielle, 25, was originally signed by Milwaukee as an international free agent out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on January 15, 2019.
Pacific Coast League (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats (Giants) outfielder Bo Davidson batted .323/.410/.636 and led the league in total bases (63) and RBIs (28). He was second in doubles (10) and home runs (seven) and third in hits (32) and slugging percentage (.636) while finishing fourth in OPS (1.046). After starting the month 0-for-15, he went 32-for-84 (.381) the rest of August with nine multi-hit performance in his final 21 games. He tied his career high with four hits on Aug. 13 and Aug. 16 at Las Vegas. Davidson, 24, was signed by San Francisco as a free agent out of Caldwell Tech Community College in Hudson, North Carolina, on July 25, 2023.
Oklahoma City Comets (Dodgers) right-hander Emmet Sheehan was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts as he allowed three earned runs on 10 hits and seven walks over 18 innings. Among pitchers with 15 or more innings, Sheehan led the league in WHIP (0.94), average against (.161), strikeouts per nine innings (12.00) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.00). Sheehan, 26, was selected by Los Angeles (NL) in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Boston College.
Eastern League (Double-A)
Akron RubberDucks (Guardians) outfielder Ryan Cesarini batted .356/.406/.805 and led the league in home runs (11), RBIs (25), total bases (70), slugging percentage (.805) and OPS (1.211). He was second in average (.356) and hits (31) and was third in runs (21). He posted 10 multi-hit games and tied his career-high with four hits on Aug. 23 against Harrisburg. Cesarini posted the first three multi-homer games of his career in August, with three longballs on Aug. 11 at Altoona and a pair of two-homer games (Aug. 14 and Aug. 23). Cesarini, 23, was selected by Cleveland in the 14th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) left-hander Stu Flesland III went 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA in six starts as he allowed five earned runs on 22 hits and 12 walks while striking out 31 over 35 innings. He led Minor League Baseball in innings pitched and led the league in ERA (1.29) and was second in average against (.185) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.66). He did not allow an earned run in three of his six starts. Flesland III, 25, was selected by Colorado in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Washington.
Southern League (Double-A)
Columbus Clingstones (Braves) shortstop Jordan Groshans batted .360/.393/.780 and led the league in hits (36), home runs (11), triples (three), total bases (78), slugging percentage (.780) and OPS (1.173). He finished second in average (.360) and RBIs (27) before a Sept. 1 promotion to Triple-A Gwinnett. He recorded nine multi-hit games, including a career high-tying four hits on Aug. 28 at Chattanooga. He ended the month on a 19-game hitting streak which saw him raise his season batting average from .252 to .282. Groshans, 26, was originally selected by Toronto in the first round (12th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Texas.
Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels) right-hander Austin Gordon went 4-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four starts as he scattered 10 hits and five walks over 25 innings. He led the league in wins (four), ERA (1.44), strikeouts (33), WHIP (0.60), average against (.119), hits allowed per nine innings (3.6), strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60) and strikeouts per nine innings (11.88). He tied his career high with 10 strikeouts on Aug. 4 against Birmingham and in his final start of the month, he did not allow a baserunner over seven innings with eight strikeouts. Gordon, 23, was selected by Los Angeles (AL) in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Clemson University.
Texas League (Double-A)
Amarillo Sod Poodles (Diamondbacks) outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu was promoted to Amarillo on Aug. 10 and in 18 games batted .435/.518/1.043 and led the league in average (.435), home runs (11), RBIs (29), total bases (72), on-base percentage (.518), slugging percentage (1.043) and OPS (1.561). In his 18 games with the Sod Poodles, he recorded 11 multi-hit games and hit safely in his first 14 games at the Double-A level. He notched his second career multi-homer game on Aug. 13 against Midland. Owusu-Asiedu, 23, was originally selected by Philadelphia in the ninth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He was traded from the Phillies to the D-backs on Dec. 19, 2025, in exchange for left-hander Kyle Backhus.
Wichita Wind Surge (Twins) right-hander Ty Langenberg went 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in six appearances (five starts) as he allowed three earned runs on 10 hits and eight walks over 27 innings, while striking out 21. He led the league in ERA (1.00), average against (.115) and hits allowed per nine innings (3.39). He was second in WHIP (0.67) and began the month with a streak of 16 consecutive scoreless innings. Langenberg, 24, was selected by Colorado in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Iowa.
Midwest League (High-A)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) second baseman Daniel Dickinson batted .343/.452/.581 and led the league in average (.343), runs (25), hits (36) and stolen bases (18). He finished third in triples (two), and was fourth in doubles (nine), total bases (61) and on-base percentage (.452). He recorded 13 multi-hit games, including two three-hit games (Aug. 15 and 23) to tie his career high. Dickinson, 22, was selected by Milwaukee in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Louisiana State University.
Lake County Captains (Guardians) right-hander Jacob Zibin went 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in five starts as he scattered 12 hits and nine walks over 28 innings while striking out 24. He led the league in ERA (0.64) and was second in WHIP (0.75), average against (.132) and hits allowed per nine innings (3.86). He allowed just one run over his first 24 innings of the month. Zibin, 21, was selected by Cleveland in the 10th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of TNXL Academy in Longwood, Florida.
Northwest League (High-A)
Everett AquaSox (Mariners) corner infielder Brandon Eike batted .359/.459/.630 and led the league in average (.359), hits (33), doubles (11), on-base percentage (.459) and OPS (1.089). He was second in runs (21), RBIs (24) and total bases (58) and was third in slugging percentage (.630). He walked 13 times while striking out just 15 times. He recorded nine multi-hit games and tied his career high with four hits on Aug. 18 at Tri-City. Eike, 24, was selected by Seattle in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Eugene Emeralds (Giants) left-hander Jacob Bresnahan went 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA in four starts as he allowed 14 hits and seven walks over 22 innings while striking out 25. He led the league in WHIP (0.95), average against (.175), hits allowed per nine innings (5.73) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.23). He was second in ERA (2.86), strikeouts (25) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.57) before an Aug. 27 promotion to Double-A Richmond. Bresnahan, 21, was originally selected by Cleveland in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Sumner High School in Sumner, Washington. He was traded to the Giants on July 30, 2024 in exchange for RHP Alex Cobb.
South Atlantic League (High-A)
Greenville Drive (Red Sox) and Frederick Keys (Orioles) outfielder Enddy Azocar batted .365/.404/.656 and led the league in average (.365), hits (35) and doubles (nine) and was second in runs (24), total bases (63) and triples (two). He finished fourth in slugging percentage (.656) and OPS (1.060). He began the month with five straight multi-hit games and posted 10 multi-hit games for the month, including a career high four hits on Aug. 19 at Wilmington. Azocar, 19, was originally signed by Boston as an international free agent out of Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, on Jan. 15, 2024. He was traded to Baltimore on Aug. 3 in exchange for catcher Adley Rutschman.
Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals) right-hander Riley Maddox went 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA in four starts as he allowed one earned run on 15 hits and four walks over 23 2/3 innings. He led the league in wins (three), ERA (0.38) and WHIP (0.80) and was second in average against (.179), hits allowed per nine innings (5.70) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.00). He held opponents scoreless for his first 19 2/3 innings with the Blue Rocks after starting the month with Double-A Harrisburg. Maddox, 23, was selected by Washington in the eighth round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of the University of Mississippi.
California League (Single-A)
Ontario Tower Buzzers (Dodgers) shortstop Joendry Vargas batted .396/.417/.646 and led the league in hits (38), total bases (62), doubles (11) and slugging percentage (.646). He was second in average (.396) and OPS, was fourth in triples (two) and fifth in RBIs (20). He recorded 12 multi-hit games and tied his career high with four hits on Aug. 7 at Lake Elsinore. Vargas, 20, was signed by Los Angeles (NL) as an international free agent out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Jan. 15, 2023.
Inland Empire 66ers (Mariners) left-hander Jack Bowery went 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four appearances (three starts) as he allowed three earned runs on 14 hits and four walks over 22 innings while striking out 20 batters. He led the league in wins (four), ERA (1.23) and WHIP (0.82) and was third in average against (.175), hits allowed per nine innings (5.73) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.00). Bowery, 23, was signed by Seattle as a free agent out of Northeastern University, on January 21, 2026.
Carolina League (Single-A)
Wilson Warbirds (Brewers) outfielder Brailyn Antunez batted .372/.465/.628 and led the league in hits (32) and total bases (54). He was second in home runs (five) and was third in average (.372) and runs (21). He finished fourth in RBIs (21) and slugging percentage (.628) and was fifth in on-base percentage (.465) and OPS (1.093). He recorded 13 multi-hit games. Antunez, 18, was signed by Milwaukee as an international free agent out of Maracaibo, Venezuela, on Jan. 15, 2025.
Hickory Crawdads (Rangers) right-hander Moises Morales went 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA in four appearances (two starts) as he held opponents to 16 hits and three walks over 22 innings, while striking out 19. He led the league in wins (four), ERA (0.82) and WHIP (0.86) and was second in average against (.216), hits allowed per nine innings (6.55) and strikeout to walk ratio (6.33). He began the month with five perfect innings on Aug. 1 at Delmarva and ended it allowing one run over his last 12 innings of the month. Morales, 22, was signed by Texas as an international free agent out of San Francisco, Venezuela, on July 17, 2023.
Florida State League (Single-A)
Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) infielder Echedry Vargas batted .386/.436/.867 and led the league in average (.386), hits (32), total bases (72), doubles (seven), home runs (11), RBIs (30), slugging percentage (.867) and OPS (1.303). His 72 total bases led the league by 24. He recorded 11 multi-hit games and ended the month on a nine-game hitting streak. He had three multi-homer games in August after having four in his career prior. Vargas, 21, was originally signed by Texas as an international free agent out of Azua, Dominican Republic, on Jan. 15, 2022. He was traded by Texas to Miami on Dec. 11, 2024, in exchange for infielder Jake Berger.
Tampa Tarpons (Yankees) left-hander Justin West went 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA in four appearances (three starts) as he allowed two earned runs on eight hits and five walks while striking out 28 over 22 2/3 innings. He led the league in ERA (0.79), WHIP (0.57), average against (.110), hits allowed per nine innings (3.18), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.60) and strikeouts per nine innings (11.12). He finished second in wins (three) and strikeouts (28). Over his last 14 2/3 innings, he allowed three hits and the only run he allowed scored on a balk. West, 22, was selected by New York (AL) in the 18th round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of the University of Louisville.
Dominican Summer League (Rookie)
DSL Yankees infielder Juan Torres batted .480/.574/.800 and led the league in hits (24), runs (19), RBIs (20), total bases (40) and doubles (seven). He was second in average (.480) and OPS (1.374), and was third in slugging percentage (.800). He walked nine times while striking out just three times in 61 plate appearances. He recorded eight multi-hit games in 13 contests, including a five-hit game on Aug. 7 against the DSL Rangers Red in which he also notched his first career multi-homer game. Torres, 18, was signed by New York (AL) as an international free agent out of Jimani, Dominican Republic, on Jan. 24, 2025.
DSL Astros Orange right-hander Antonio Morales went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in three appearances (one start) as he allowed one unearned run on three hits and two walks over 14 innings. He led the league in ERA (0.00), WHIP (0.36), average against (.067) and hits allowed per nine innings (1.93). He did not allow a hit over his last 10 innings of the month and the only run he allowed reached base after being hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher and scored on a wild pitch. Morales, 19, was signed by Houston as an international free agent out of Tucacas, Venezuela, on April 30, 2025.