After a couple frustrating outings out of the bullpen to start his season with the Low-A Daytona Tortugas, Kenya Huggins was finally able to put it all together on Wednesday.
The 2020 International Week and 2021 Pre-Draft Combine star went to the Cincinnati Reds with the No. 123 overall pick in last year’s draft — not long after fellow alum Cam Collier, who is currently teammates with him in Daytona — and was outstanding against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in a three-inning start, his first of the year.
Huggins was sitting between 93-95 MPH with his fastball in recording a career-high seven strikeouts, working around a bases-loaded jam in the first to allow only one run against a solid lineup of Minnesota Twins prospects.
All seven @KenyaHuggins K’s tonight. New career high in pro ball for the Reds prospect and FSS alum. pic.twitter.com/KfWPdU9fGr
— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) April 27, 2023
Mick Abel, RHP — Reading Fightin’ Phils (AA)
Like Huggins, Abel’s last outing was his best of the season; the 21-year-old righty, who is one of top pitching prospects in the Philadelphia Phillies system after multiple appearances at Future Stars Series events, allowed just two hits through six innings of one-run ball on Saturday night against the Altoona Curve. Abel also struck out a season-high six batters, and picked up his first win of the season.
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP — Baltimore Orioles
Sensing a theme here? Grayson Rodriguez picked up his first major-league win on Saturday, striking out a career-high nine Detroit Tigers batters over five scoreless innings in which he allowed just two hits.
“I was really impressed,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde told MLB.com. “Had all his pitches going today. Loved the changeup, was really good. Dropped some curveballs in there, a cutter, the slider was really good today, and he had a good fastball. Really kept them off-balance and cruised through five.
“He’s got great stuff, and showed it today. He’s got a really good changeup, there’s no doubt. I wouldn’t say it’s consistent, but it’s a plus pitch and is only going to get better.”
Drew Gilbert, OF — Asheville Tourists (A+)
The No. 28 overall pick by the Houston Astros just last year, the International Week alum has looked just fine in returning from last year’s season-ending injury. He delivered the first multi-homer game of his pro career on Tuesday, going deep twice in Bowling Green. He’s now hitting .339 with three home runs and eight RBI thus far in 2023, and has also added three stolen bases for Asheville.
David Calabrese, OF — Rocket City Trash Pandas (AA)
The Canadian-born outfielder has continued to have big moments in an up-and-down first year at the Double-A level; he also produced a two-homer game recently, accomplishing the feat as part of a 3-for-4 showing on Friday night against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
- Lile reaches big leagues, Long knocking on the door - May 26, 2025
- Oh Canada! 2025 Scout Day week standouts - May 25, 2025
- Catching up with 2018 International Week alum Drew Gilbert - May 21, 2025
