Trying to Work Their Way Back

Since I see more minor than major league games in person, it's easy to get caught up in the stories of the hot prospects, the highly touted draft picks and big international signings such as AJ Ewing, Franklin Arias and Max Clark.  I've shared many stories of enjoying "tomorrow's stars today."  

But there's another aspect to MiLB.  Every AAA team has several former major leaguers on their rosters, talented players working and hoping that they'll soon have another chance to shine on the big stage.  Today, I'll focus on several of them.

The Mets recently signed Christopher Morel and sent him to their Syracuse farm club.  The Dominican native spent two-and-a-half years with the Cubs, where in 2024, he hammered 26 home runs and drove in 70.  But things fell off the following year; traded mid-season to the Rays, his offensive numbers cratered -- and they failed to improve after he signed with the Marlins, who released him in June.  Now, Morel hopes his ticket back to the majors gets punched at Citi Field.  I saw him in action on Sunday.

Xzavion Curry was a top Cleveland prospect early in this decade.  (In fact, I recall being strongly impressed when I saw him in an Akron uniform in 2022.)  But he failed to stick with the Guardians, and didn't impress the Marlins when he was in the Miami organization.  Like his current teammate Morel, Curry hopes that his next big league appearance will be as a Met, a New York Met.

Vinny Capra has been with four big league clubs the past five seasons; he signed with the Red Sox last winter.  Now with their Worcester AAA club, the veteran infielder hopes that Boston will be number-five.

Kristian Campbell was supposed to be a Red Sox star by now.  A 4th round draft pick from Georgia Tech, he sparkled at several stops along the Boston system.  The Red Sox showed their confidence -- just days after making their 2025 opening day roster, they signed him to an eight-year, $60 million deal, a gamble that has yet to pay off.  He's back at AAA this year, and clearly struggling.  Campbell is still looking for the right swing; too much of what I saw Sunday were awkward lunges at the ball.  Not surprisingly, he's batting a mediocre .214.

Carter Kieboom was the Nationals 1st round pick in 2016; three years later, he made his Washington debut.  But he failed to produce in the majors; missing 2022 with an elbow injured that required Tommy John surgery.  Two years later, he was back in the minors; a short stint with the Angels didn't turn things around for him.  Traded to the Phillies during Spring Training, he's hitting around .270 at AAA Lehigh Valley; but with Alec Bohm entrenched at 3rd base and the club holding an NL Wild Card, barring an injury or trade, Kieboom's baseball future isn't likely to be at Citizens Bank Park.

Washington also expected big things from Robert Hassell III.   Some experts that that he, not Mackenzie Gore or CJ Abrams, was the best prospect that Nats received in the 2022 Juan Solo trade. That's not a shock considering how San Diego took him 8th overall in the 2020 draft and then signed him for a $4.3 million bonus.  Even while starring last year for AAA Rochester, Hassell struggled in DC, and partway through another disappointing minor league season, Washington designated him for assignment last week.  While his time as a Nat has come to an end, it's a given that another organization will soon pick him up. 

Heston Kjerstad spent parts of the previous three seasons in Baltimore, flashing some power (10 homers in 285 at bats) but never became a regular.  Injuries were a factor, but so was a batting average under .220.  2026 has become a step in the right direction.  Healthy and productive, the Amarillo, Texas native has done well for AAA Norfolk,and with the Orioles looking to make a run at a Wild Card in the second half, a call-up might be possible.

Paul DeJong may have reached the end of the line.  After nine big league seasons -- including 25 and 30 home run years with the Cardinals -- he's struggled to stay in the major the last couple of years.  This year, he spent spring training with the Yankees, but couldn't beat out Amed Rosario for a bench job.  He started the regular season with New York's Scranton-Wilkes Barre farm club, but didn't do enough to earn a promotion.  DeJong fared no better after moving on to the Tigers' Toledo affiliate, where he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury.