The Daily Briefing — Monday, April 27
By Morgan Davis · Mon Apr 27 2026
Alvarez Delivers in Historic Moment Kevin Alvarez did what every prospect dreams of doing in the clutch. The 18-year-old Astros top prospect stepped up in the bottom of the 10th inning with Brandon Forrester stationed at second base and rocketed a liner to right field that scored the go-ahead run. Fayetteville's 6-5 victory over Myrtle Beach capped the Woodpeckers' first six-game home sweep in franchise history. Alvarez raised his slash line to .284/.324/.448 good for a 105 wRC+. He's reached based in each of his last 11 games. Last season, Alvarez had more walks than strikeouts in the Dominican Summer League where pitchers are historically a little wild. This season, he only has 2 walks in his first 71 plate appearances. Quick Hits The Two No-Hitters: Minor League Baseball saw lightning strike twice on Sunday. Fort Myers (Twins, Single-A) combined on a no-hitter against Dunedin, using Merit Jones , Matthew Becker , Eric Hammond , and Jake Murray to shut down the Blue Jays with just 104 pitches in a 3-0 victory. It was Fort Myers' sixth no-hitter in franchise history and their first nine-inning no-hitter since 2023. Later in the day, Portland (Red Sox, Double-A) threw their ninth franchise no-hitter to defeat Hartford 3-2. Hayden Mullins started the game, yielding 2 unearned runs on 5 strikeouts and 5 walks. Mullins has struggled this year with the free pass, walking 13 in 16.2 innings. He yielded to Caleb Bolden who got the next 6 outs before Reidis Sena stepped in to close it out. Sena was carrying an 8.71 ERA at Triple-A before being demoted so it had to feel good to start throw 2 perfect innings to close out this no-no. Zac Leigh 's Immaculate Inning: Cubs prospect Zac Leigh needed just nine pitches to strike out three batters in succession for Triple-A Iowa. The immaculate inning—three-up, three-down on strikes with no balls—remains one of baseball's rarest feats. Leigh threw strikes with conviction, a reminder that elite arm talent can still impose its will even at the highest minor league level. The 2021 16th rounder has pitched well so far this year, with 14 strikeouts to just 4 walks over his first 9.2 innings. Jackson Hornung and Jace Bohrofen both have 17 game on-base streaks to start the season for New Hampshire, the Blue Jays Double-A affiliate. Hornung has a .338 batting average but has racked up 21 strikeouts. Bohrofen, a 6th round pick in 2023, has always struggled with contact and currently sits with a 31.7% strikeout rate. It will be interesting to see how this battle shakes out and which teammate keeps it going the longest. Eldridge Posts Three-Hit Day: Giants top prospect Bryce Eldridge went 3-for-3 (with a homer) for Triple-A Sacramento, driving in three. Eldridge has huge upside, but this is a volatile profile. He has an .874 OPS and a 29.5% strikeout rate. He's currently being lifted by a .441 BABIP, so expect some regression here. Cox Extends On-Base Streak to 18: Jonah Cox , the Richmond Flying Squirrels shortstop, extended his on-base streak to 18 games to start his Double-A career. An infield single in the bottom of the 10th that led directly to a walk-off win by Parks Harber underscored how consistent contact at the top of the order creates opportunities downstream. Cox has 70-grade speed. That has contributed to this on-base streak and to his 12-for-14 work stealing bases. He's hitting .417 on the young season and has 10 walks to just 12 strikeouts. There is a profile here that could work as a 4th OF. On the Radar Marek Houston , the Twins' No. 8 prospect at High-A Cedar Rapids, delivered a three-hit, two-steal performance on Sunday. Houston has above average athleticism and speed. He's currently 6-for-6 on the basepaths. Scouts see a quality defender at short that could end up plus-plus. The power component is the biggest question mark that will take him from second-division starter to the next level. Marek has 7 XBH in 92 plate appearances in 2026. His 6-3 frame has room for moderate strength development.