Four Pioneer League Standouts Earn MLB Organization Opportunities

As an official MLB Partner League, the Pioneer Baseball League continues to serve as a valuable pathway for players looking to earn opportunities with Major League Baseball organizations. Since transitioning into its current role, the PBL has remained a professional proving ground where players can develop, compete, and put themselves in front of MLB clubs. That mission was on full display recently, as four Pioneer League players turned their performances into affiliated opportunities: Ben Wilmes with the Colorado Rockies, Brock Gillis with the Washington Nationals, Jake Covey with the Minnesota Twins, and Gabe Tanner with the Chicago White Sox.

 

 

Ben Wilmes turned a strong final season at Iowa into a quick professional opportunity, recently signing with the Colorado Rockies after showing the offensive profile that made him stand out. The right-handed utility player and outfielder hit .310 with a .398 on-base percentage, .508 slugging percentage and .906 OPS over 52 games with the Hawkeyes in 2025, adding 61 hits, 16 doubles, seven home runs, 41 RBIs and 46 runs scored. Across four seasons at Iowa, Wilmes produced a .273/.414/.418 line with 155 hits, 105 RBIs and 111 walks, showing a steady blend of contact, patience and gap-to-gap pop.

 

Wilmes carried that momentum into the 2026 Pioneer League season with Boise, batting .290 with a .371 OBP, .581 SLG and .952 OPS through seven games. He scored 10 runs, drove in six, stole a base, and already flashed extra-base impact with a double, a triple and two home runs in just 31 at-bats. With experience across the outfield and multiple defensive spots, Wilmes brings versatility, athleticism and a bat that has continued to trend upward from college ball into the professional ranks.

 

 

Brock Gillis used swing-and-miss stuff to go from the 2025 PBL Tryout Camp in Arizona to a new beginning at the next level, recently signing with the Washington Nationals after continuing to build his résumé in the Pioneer League. The right-handed pitcher, who previously spent time at the University of Washington and the University of Portland, has logged 105 appearances and 45 starts across college, summer and professional baseball, totaling 289.1 innings with 319 strikeouts. His ability to miss bats has been the defining piece of his profile, and that carried into his 2025 season with Grand Junction, where he struck out 83 hitters in 63.0 innings over 40 appearances after being selected #1 overall at the 2025 PBL Draft in Arizona.

 

Gillis took another step forward with Yuba-Sutter in 2026, moving into a starting role and posting a 4.50 ERA through three starts. Over 16.0 innings with the Freebirds, he allowed 14 hits while striking out 23, showing sharper run prevention and continued strikeout upside. After a 2025 season that featured plenty of workload and punchout production, his early 2026 performance gave him a strong platform to earn affiliated attention.

 

Jake Covey turned a dominant run into a new opportunity, recently signing with the Minnesota Twins after an impressive start with the Glacier Range Riders. The 6-foot-4 right-hander went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA over two starts for Glacier, striking out 14 batters in 12.0 innings while allowing just two walks and posting a 1.083 WHIP. That brief Pioneer League showing continued a strong overall trend for Covey, who has combined for a 17-6 record, 2.72 ERA and 215 strikeouts over 188.1 innings across college, summer, independent and affiliated baseball.

 

Before joining Glacier, Covey built his résumé at Concordia University Irvine, where he went 14-6 with a 3.03 ERA over two college seasons and struck out 188 hitters in 163.1 innings. His 2024 season was especially sharp, featuring a 7-2 record, 1.94 ERA, 1.009 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 74.1 innings, followed by another strong workload in 2025 with 99 strikeouts over 89.0 innings. With consistent strikeout production, starter experience and early success in the professional ranks, Covey gave the Twins plenty to like as he made the jump into affiliated baseball.

 

 

Gabe Tanner parlayed a strong run with the Oakland Ballers into an affiliated opportunity, recently signing with the Chicago White Sox after proving himself as a reliable, durable starter in the Pioneer League. The 6-foot-5 right-hander went 11-1 across two seasons with Oakland, making 21 appearances and 15 starts while logging 100.0 innings. His standout 2025 season set the tone, as Tanner went 9-0 with a 3.26 ERA over 17 appearances, including 11 starts, while helping anchor the Ballers' rotation with 77.1 innings of work.

 

Before joining Oakland, Tanner built a deep résumé at Cal State East Bay and in summer ball, finishing with 422.2 innings across all levels. He has totaled 34 wins, 341 strikeouts and a 4.22 ERA over 83 career appearances, including 61 starts, showing the kind of experience and workload capacity that stands out in a professional arm. Though his brief 2026 stint with Oakland came with some rougher numbers, his overall track record, size, starting background and winning résumé gave the White Sox plenty to like as he made the jump into affiliated baseball.

 

For Wilmes, Gillis, Covey and Tanner, these signings represent the next step in careers built through production, persistence and opportunity. Their success also reflects the continued value of the Pioneer League as a place where players can prove themselves, earn attention, and keep climbing. The PBL congratulates all four players and wishes them the best as they begin the next chapter of their professional baseball journeys.