Minor League Pitcher and Hitter of the Week: May 6-12

We are a month and a half into the Minor League season, and I continue to find myself floored by how many of these prospects continue to showcase their talents at such a high level.

A fascinating part about it is that it truly opens your eyes to how much the development of the minor leagues has taken the next step, and provides us with such insight as to how the game continues to improve.

In this weekly article, we like to make sure we highlight some of the players you may not know much about, but are doing incredible things down in the minors. However, we are witnessing some performances by “bigger” named prospects that cannot be ignored.

For more information on the Top Prospects that find themselves on Just Baseball’s Top 100, you can find that list here.

Pitcher of the Week: Jaden Hamm (RHP) – Detroit Tigers (High-A West Michigan Whitecaps)

Weekly Stats: 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K
Season Stats: 7 GS, 28.2 IP, 23 H, 4 BB, 43 K, 0.94 ERA, 1.62 FIP, 13.5 K/9

The Detroit Tigers are making waves right now at the Major League level. Now, don’t let that deter you from what they currently have cooking up in the Minor Leagues.

Jaden Hamm might not be someone you have heard of at this point, but you should probably start recognizing the name. Since being taken in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Middle Tennessee State, Hamm has been … going ham.

While this past week’s numbers might not be the eye-popping statistics one may see when being identified as a Player of the Week, what Hamm has been doing can no longer be ignored.

Since the arrival of Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter, the pitching development in the Tigers system has taken the necessary steps towards being one of the better development teams in baseball. What sticks out about Hamm is his ability to control all of his pitches at an above-average rate, highlighted by his fastball that gets an unorthodox amount of carry.

Jaden Hamm currently finds himself in High-A, but looks to be on a fast track towards rapid ascension through the Tigers system.

Hitter of the Week: James Wood (OF) – Washington Nationals (Triple-A Rochester Red Wings)

Weekly Stats: .455/.519/.1.182, 5 HR, 12 RBI, .941 ISO
Season Stats: .346/.444/.534, 7 HR, 23 RBI, .244 ISO, 172 wRC+

What else is there for James Wood to prove to the Nationals’ front office that he is ready to make his Major League debut?

As I mentioned in the open, we like to reference those prospects that fly under the radar, but James Wood is standing on his head right now. The issue is that the Nationals have deployed a plan for Wood that will likely keep him down in the Minor Leagues for a little longer.

In a recent interview with Nats Manager Davey Martinez, he was quoted saying that Wood “needs to get a bunch of at-bats” and “learn some different things” before they can officially call him up to make his debut. Well, if James Wood continues to produce the way he has of late, I do not know how much else he needs to learn.

Let’s get James Wood in Washington and see what the next phase of winning Washington Nationals baseball looks like.

Honorable Mentions:

Pitcher: Alexander Cornielle (RHP) – Milwaukee Brewers (High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers):
Weekly Stats: 1 GS 7.0 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 K, 28.0% K%

Pitcher: Noble Meyer (RHP) – Miami Marlins (Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads):
Weekly Stats: 1 GS 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 27.8% K%

Hitter: Xavier Isaac (1B) – Tampa Bay Rays (High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods):
Weekly Stats: .529/.636/.1.176, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB, .667 ISO

Hitter: Yohendrick Pinango (OF) – Chicago Cubs (High-A South Bend Cubs):
Weekly Stats: .429/.480/.905, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 XBH, .588 ISO