August 1, 2024

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

With the minor leagues back in full swing following the All-Star break, the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week honour is being given to a 10th different Canuck this year.

Southpaw Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), a starting pitcher for the High-A Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers), takes home the honour this week after fanning seven batters and allowing only an unearned run in 5 2/3 innings in his start.

Hosting the Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox affiliate) for a week-long set at L.P. Frans Stadium, Bratt started the second game of a Thursday doubleheader after the Wednesday contest was rained out.

The 21-year-old’s day got off to a rough start thanks to some shaky defence, as a fielding error from the third baseman allowed a Greenville batter to advance to second with just one out in the inning. A stolen base put the runner on third and after a walk put a runner on first, a double steal saw a run cross the plate at the expense of throwing out the runner at second. Bratt would get out of the inning via a fly out to centre field but was down 1-0 early (an unearned run).

Looking to put the first inning behind him, Bratt allowed a single to the leadoff batter in the second before bouncing back with a fly ball out. The Drive were aggressive on the base paths early but the Crawdads were finding a rhythm, as the single was erased after the runner was caught stealing second. With two outs, Bratt was able to get out of the inning via a line drive to centre field.

The third inning saw Bratt collect his first two strikeouts of the day. He followed that up with two more Ks in the fourth.

His most dominant inning, however, came in the fifth when he struck out the side. He needed just 13 pitches, with two of his strikeouts requiring the minimum three pitches.

Bratt returned for the sixth inning and got two quick outs – both in the air – before running into a bit of trouble through his third time in the lineup. The left-hander allowed two singles, putting runners on first and second, and was replaced by Michael Brewer to finish the inning, with the Rangers reliever getting newly acquired Blue Jays’ prospect Cutter Coffey out via a strikeout.

Bratt’s seven strikeouts in the contest were second amongst Canadian pitchers this past week, behind only Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, B.C.) who had eight punchouts.

And while he didn’t earn the win, Bratt threw five or more innings for the sixth time this season. It was also his third outing in July in which he racked up seven or more strikeouts.

For his efforts, Bratt was promoted to the double-A Frisco RoughRiders on July 30.

Former Winners

Opening Day to May 6 – LHP Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, BC), Guardians.

May 7- May 12 – INF Charles LeBlanc (Laval, Que.), Angels.

May 13- May 19 – RHP Adam Maier (North Vancouver, BC), Braves.

May 20- May 26 – INF Trei Cruz (Toronto, Ont.), Tigers.

May 27 – June 2 – RHP Lucas Wepf (Georgetown, Ont.), Dodgers.

June 3 – June 9 – C/DH Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.), Rangers.

June 10 – June 16 – OF Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.), Athletics.

June 17 – June 23 – OF Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.), Athletics.

June 24 – June 30 – RHP Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets.

July 1 – July 7 – OF Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.), Athletics.

July 8 – July 14 – LHP Matt Wilkerson (Ladner, BC), Guardians.

July 15 – July 21 – OF Jordan Nwogu (Ottawa, Ont.), Cubs

July 22 – July 28 – LHP Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Rangers

Statistics for Top Canadian Performers July 22 to July 28 Compiled by Pete Berryman

Hitters

Pitchers