August 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM
July Players of the Month: Kleyver Salazar and Anthony Eyanson
Salazar is a SoxProspects.com Player of the Month honoree for the first time after an exceptional July with Salem. In 17 games for the RidgeYaks, the right-handed hitting 20-year-old batted .386/.507/.632 with five doubles, three home runs, 17 RBI, 12 runs scored, one stolen base, 14 walks, and 13 strikeouts over 71 plate appearances. His best stretch came from July 11-23, when he notched three three-hit games during a six-game hitting streak.
For the season, his second at Salem, Salazar is slashing .272/.383/.448 with 18 doubles, a career-high nine home runs and 50 RBI, 40 runs scored, five stolen bases, 46 walks, and 53 strikeouts through 73 games (311 plate appearances). Defensively, the 2024 international signee out of Venezuela has made 43 starts behind the plate, throwing out 26 of 112 would-be base stealers. He has also made three starts at first base and 26 starts at designated hitter.
Eyanson, meanwhile, is a SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month honoree for the second time in his first full professional season. The 21-year-old righty turned in a strong July for Portland, posting a 2.04 ERA with 30 strikeouts to seven walks over four outings (three starts) spanning 17 2/3 innings while holding opponents to a .161 batting average. He capped off the month with a career-best 10-strikeout performance against Harrisburg on July 31.
Overall, Eyanson -- the 87th overall pick in the 2025 draft out of Louisiana State -- has pitched to a 1.32 ERA with 94 strikeouts to 26 walks through 16 outings (15 starts) and 68 1/3 innings between Greenville and Portland this season. Opposing hitters are slashing .152/.241/.235 in 257 plate appearances against him. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound hurler features a 95-98 mph fastball, an 86-89 mph slider, an 80-83 mph curveball, and an 87-89 mph changeup.
Photo Credit: Kleyver Salazar and Anthony Eyanson by Kelly O'Connor