A new era has dawned in Charlotte: Joining the bonafide future pieces Colson Montgomery and Bryan Ramos there now are Ky Bush, Brooks Baldwin and Edgar Quero. And, fresh off of their roles in the amazing, ninth-inning comeback win at Birmingham on Wednesday, both Baldwin and Quero homered in their first-ever Triple-A game tonight!

Charlotte Knights 8, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 3 (Gameday box) (Statcast box)

Ladies and gentlemen, Brooks Baldwin.

Welcome to Uptown, Brooks!

1st pitch = 1st Triple-A homer for Brooks Baldwin! pic.twitter.com/D6gsq0Gbwo

— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) July 4, 2024

Yes, folks, my favorite prospect in all of baseball went yard on his first pitch in Triple-A. One step short of the big leagues, Baldwin didn’t appear overmatched at all. On the night, in addition to his homer, he tallied an additional hit and worked a walk. Not too shabby after walking off last night’s contest in Double-A!

I received this information in real time, not because I was watching the game … but because Brooks’ mother was keeping me apprised, from Charlotte!

When asked for a comment on her son’s recent promotion and successes, Momma Baldwin said, “It’s like a dream to see [Brooks] doing what he loves, and it fills my heart with so much joy. I continue to thank God for all the blessings he gives my family.” Sweet words from one of the kindest humans I’ve had the pleasure of meeting!

And while I could write this entire update on the successes of Brooks Baldwin, he wasn’t the only Sox top prospect to hit the ground running in Triple-A.

Welcome to Uptown, Edgar!

1st Triple-A game = 1st Triple-A homer! 💪 pic.twitter.com/gQjaH5r3L1

— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) July 5, 2024

South Side Sox No. 3 and MLB Pipeline Sox No. 4 (and MLB’s No. 73 overall) prospect Edgar Quero bashed a longball in his first game at the Triple-A level as well. White Sox fans who have been discouraged by dismal catcher play a la Maríin Maldonado and, previously, Yasmani Grandal have cause for optimism, with the switch-hitting Quero demolishing pitching at the Double-A, and now Triple-A levels!

The fireworks didn’t stop there, either!

UPTOWN HOME RUN PARTY!

Colson Montgomery hits a 💣 onto Mint Street 💪 pic.twitter.com/mVCLWqMYdx

— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) July 5, 2024

Get it, Colson!

Michael Chavis and Mark Payton (the usual Charlotte leadoff hitter), also joined the longball parade!

When the dust had settled, five of Charlotte’s nine hits had left the yard, with fireworks aplenty exploding brilliantly in the daytime sky, even before the postgame Independence Day show.

Switching focus to the mound, reigning IL Pitcher of the Week Cory Abbott got the start on the mound for Charlotte. In four complete innings, Abbott allowed just one hit, one run, and fanned four Jumbo Shrimp on just 63 pitches. He was relieved by fireballer Jordan Leasure, who worked a hitless inning and picked up the dub in this one.

GAME MVP
Brooks Baldwin (2B) 2-for-3, HR, RBI, R, BB

RUNNERS-UP
Edgar Quero (C) 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, K
Michael Chavis (3B) 2-for-4. 2 R, HR, RBI, K
Colson Montgomery (SS) 1-for-4, HR, RBI, R, K
Mark Payton (LF) 1-for-4, HR, RBI, R
Cory Abbott (RHSP) 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Jordan Leasure (RHRP) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K, W

Rocket City Trash Pandas 4, Birmingham Barons 3 (Gameday box)
The boys from Birmingham lost a close one in Madison, Ala. today. Starter Mason Adams was once again sensational on the mound to start this game off for the Barons.

His final line would read six strong innings of two-run ball with six hits and just one walk compared to nine punchouts. He lowers his season ERA to 2.19, as he continues to make his case for a promotion to Triple-A.

While you’d likely expect a decent offensive write-up with three runs scored by the Birmingham offense tonight, the reality is that those three runs were the results of just two total hits in the game. Jacob Gonazalez, batting leadoff, and Matt Hogan, batting ninth, tallied the only two knocks for the White Sox Double-A affiliate.

Patience was the name of the game for B-Ham, with the starting nine working six walks in total.

GAME MVP
Mason Adams (RHSP) 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

RUNNERS-UP
Jordan Mikel (RHRP) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Matt Hogan (CF) 1-for-3, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
Tyler Neslony (DH) 0-for-2, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Hickory Crawdads at Winston-Salem Dash (PPD, unplayable field, doubleheader July 5)

🎆Tonight’s fireworks show, presented by the @CityofWS is still on as scheduled. Tickets to enjoy the fireworks show at Truist Stadium are still available for purchase!

Tonight’s game, July 4 against the Hickory Crawdads has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions.… pic.twitter.com/a6dB6afPKL

— Winston-Salem Dash (@WSDashBaseball) July 5, 2024

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 8, Fayetteville Woodpeckers 4 (Gameday box)
A great effort from the Ballers rounds out our coverage of full-season affiliate ball on this beautifully noisy 4th of July. Starter For some reason pitching on short rest, Seth Keener struggled with his command to begin today’s game, as he managed to span only 1 2/3 innings while allowing four walks and hitting three batters. Fortunately for him, he’d allow just one run and zero hits in his tight-rope act, escaping with an admirable 3.36 season ERA still intact.

Offensively, third baseman Arxy Hernández had a prolific night at the dish. In four trips to the plate, he recorded three hits, including a triple, from the cleanup spot. Ronny Hernandez, batting fifth and playing DH, recorded a pair of doubles and a trio of runs driven in en route to one of his best days in a Dash uniform. Hyped right field prospect George Wolkow went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a walk from the 6-spot. And last, but certainly not least, second baseman Mikey Kane continued his torrid hitting with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate that included two walks and three runs, driving his triple slash to a respectable .291/.377/.444 (.821 OPS) at the A-ball level.

GAME MVP
George Wolkow (RF) 3-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 R

RUNNERS-UP
Ronny Hernandez (DH) 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 K
Arxy Hernández (3B) 3-for-4, 3B, 1 RBI
Mikey Kane (2B) 2-for-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB

ACL White Sox 7, ACL Reds 1 (seven innings) (Gameday Box)
The ACL Sox won today’s matchup in Arizona in convincing fashion due to strong pitching performances and a handful of promising prospects shining on offense. DH Adrian Gil was on fire out of the 3-spot, belting a double, a triple, and working a walk in his three official at-bats in this seven-inning affair.

Starter Luis Reyes enjoyed a bounce-back effort on the mound, scattering five hits across four innings and allowing just one earned run before leaving with a no-decision to his name. The win went to big lefty Daniel González who continues to shine in ACL play. In 15 games spanning 20 innings pitched, González is the proud owner of a sub-1 ERA and two saves.

GAME MVP
Adrian Gil (DH) 2-for-3, 1 E, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, BB

RUNNERS-UP
Daniel González (LHRP) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, W
Luis Reyes (RHSP) 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Guillermo Rodríguez (2B) 3-for-3, 2B, R, RBI

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Brooks Baldwin photo: Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights