Recapping the First Week of the 2025 MiLB Season

The other notable debut came in the Northwest League, as switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje threw four scoreless innings and struck out six for Everett (A+) in his pro debut. Cijntje, the Mariners’ top pick in 2024, was a strikeout machine at Mississippi State but became more well-known for his ability to throw with both arms.

Cijntje has the chance to become the first MLB switch-pitcher since Pat Venditte, who made 61 Major League appearances from 2015-20.

However, there were other debuting players who weren’t as fortunate in this first taste of the pros.

Konnor Griffin debuted this weekend with Bradenton (A) but struck out seven times over his first three games. Slade Caldwell, the 29th-overall pick by the Diamondbacks last season, batted .125 and struck out five times over three games.

As for some of the other first-round picks from 2024, Jac Caglianone racked up five hits over the weekend with Northwest Arkansas (AA), two of which were extra-base hits. Travis Bazzana, starting the year in Akron (AA), notched seven hitts and posted a 1.446 OPS in his first weekend of the year.

Allan makes first outing in over five years

The Mets spent $2.5MM — first-round pick money — to sway 2019 third-round pick Matt Allan from honoring his commitment to the University of Florida. It was an aggressive play for the Mets, a team looking for high-end talent for their farm system. And Allan, a highly-regarded prospect with a high asking price, seemed to be a strong fit.

However, things haven’t gone as planned for Allan.

Since that 2019 season, Allan dealt with Tommy John surgery recovery, ulnar nerve transposition surgery, and a UCL revision surgery that kept him out until 2025. He made his first start since 2019 with St. Lucie (A) on April 6, striking out five over 2.2 IP.

Allan’s velocity was very good, as he touched 97 MPH during his outing. Plus, he showed off a curveball that he broke often both in high school and during his brief Minor League stint with Brooklyn (then SS-A in 2019).

Looking at other notable performers

Here’s a look at other notable performers from the last 10 days:

• Kemp Alderman (PNS – AA): .417 AVG, 1 HR & 2 XBH over 3 G
• Edwin Arroyo (CHA – AA): .556 AVG, 5 H over 2 G
• Sal Stewart (CHA – AA): .444 AVG, 1.434 OPS over 2 G
• Carter Jensen (NWA – AA): .467 AVG, 7 H over 3 G
• Hagen Smith (BIR – AA): 10 K, 2.25 ERA over 4.2 IP
• Jacob Reimer (BK – A+): .462 AVG, 6 H, 8 RBI over 3 G
• Chris Suero (BK – A+): .462 AVG, 2 HR, 6 RBI over 3 G
• Bryce Cunningham (HV – A+): 7 K, 3.60 ERA over 5.0 IP
• Max Clark (WM – A+): .400, 4 H over 3 G
• Gabriel Gonzalez (CR – A+): .467, 6 H over 3 G
• Ryan Waldschmidt (HIL – A+): .556, 1 HR over 3 G

The list includes many notable Minor Leaguers, including former first-round picks Ryan Waldschimdt and Max Clark, as well as 2024 White Sox first-rounder Hagen Smith. Smith was one of the best strikeout men in the NCAA Division I last year with Arkansas. In his first 2025 outing, Smith struck out 10 over 4.2 IP.

Another name worth watching among the players listed above is Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman. Alderman is a power hitter who struggled in 2024 thanks to a thumb injury. However, he blasted six home runs over nine AFL games and is off to a hot start in Double-A.