CBN Minor League Player of the Week: Avery Owusu-Asiedu
Outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu (Saskatoon, Sask.) crosses home plate for one of his seven runs with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles last week. Photo: Amarillo Sod Poodles/Facebook
August 17, 2026
By Kevin Glew
Canadian Baseball Network
It’s the single-best week a Canadian hitter has had in the minor leagues this season.
In his first six games with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, Avery Owusu-Asiedu (Saskatoon, Sask.) had a remarkable 12 hits, five home runs, 12 RBIs, three doubles and a 1.891 OPS.
All of those stats topped Canadians in the affiliated minor league ranks.
For his efforts, Owusu-Asiedu has been named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week (August 11 to August 16).
In his first game with the Sod Poodles last Tuesday, he was the club’s DH and batted cleanup. He didn’t disappoint, finishing 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two RBIs to help his team to a 7-6 win over the Athletics’ Midland RockHounds.
He followed that up with three hits - including two doubles and a home run - and four RBIs in his club’s 11-10 loss to the RockHounds on Wednesday.
The next day, he socked two more home runs in the Sod Poodles’ 8-6 loss. That gave Owusu-Asiedu home runs in his first three games at the double-A level.
That streak continued on Friday when he blasted a solo home run in the seventh inning. He also added a single and knocked in two runs in the Sod Poodles’ 9-7 victory.
His home run streak would end on Saturday, but he still managed a double and two walks in his club’s 10-9 win.
Owusu-Asiedu finished the week with a single in four at bats on Sunday.
Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth round of the 2023 MLB draft, he spent his first three pro seasons in the Phils’ organization before he was dealt the D-Backs for left-hander Kyle Backhus this past December.
Owusu-Asiedu started the season with the D-Backs’ High-A Hillsboro Hops, batting .202 with 13 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 92 games.
2026 CBN Minor League Player of the Week winners
Opening Day to April 5 - Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Rangers
April 7 to April 12 - Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), Phillies
April 14 to April 19- Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Guardians
April 21 to April 26 - Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), Braves
April 28 to May 3 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets
May 5 to May 10 - Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.), Royals
May 12 to May 17 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays
May 19 to May 24 - Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Diamondbacks
May 26 to May 31 - Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Giants
June 2 to June 7 - Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.), Blue Jays
June 9 to June 14 - Tyler Boudreau (Middle Sackville, N.S.), Yankees
June 16 to June 21 - Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.), Royals
June 23 to June 28 - Tyson Moran (Wingham, Ont.), Royals
July 7 to July 12 - Tom Poole (Calgary, Alta.), Rays
July 14 to July 19 - Cedric De Grandpre (Saint-Simon-de-Bagot, Que.), Braves
July 21 to July 26 - Charles Davalan, (St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que.), Dodgers
July 28 to Aug. 2 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays (and now Mets)
Aug. 4 to Aug. 9 - Connor Caskenette (Duncan, B.C.), Marlins
Aug. 11 to Aug. 16 - Avery Owusu-Asiedu (Saskatoon, Sask.), Arizona Diamondbacks
Top Canadian Minor League Batters (August 11 to August 16)
Top Canadian Minor League Pitchers (August 11 to August 16)