4 hours ago
The San Diego Padres have won three games in a row and will look to make that four games with a win against the Colorado Rockies who have a 2-4 record coming into the two-game series at Petco Park.
As is the case seemingly every season, the Rockies players are essentially auditioning for other teams around the league. It is understandable that the Colorado roster wants to play well.
The Padres are stuck in limbo of will they or won't they as the trade deadline approaches. The San Diego players have made no secret that they are aware of how important the next six games are to the team and the season. The Padres have built momentum despite a 5-5 road trip and will need a win today to keep the good vibes going.
Michael King came into the season as a co-ace with Nick Pivetta. He quickly became the sole ace when Pivetta went down with injury. King has not had a dominant season, but he has looked better over the last couple of outings. He is he lone pitcher in the San Diego rotation that is a threat to throw a complete game and time out.
Michael Lorenzen has had a down year, but that does not automatically mean the San Diego offense will have success against the Colorado right-hander. Lorenzen sits at 3-9 on the year and carries a 6.53 ERA. The Padres will have to jump on Lorenzen early and often to give King a chance to pitch with a lead.
#diego #Colorado #Rockies
As is the case seemingly every season, the Rockies players are essentially auditioning for other teams around the league. It is understandable that the Colorado roster wants to play well.
The Padres are stuck in limbo of will they or won't they as the trade deadline approaches. The San Diego players have made no secret that they are aware of how important the next six games are to the team and the season. The Padres have built momentum despite a 5-5 road trip and will need a win today to keep the good vibes going.
Michael King came into the season as a co-ace with Nick Pivetta. He quickly became the sole ace when Pivetta went down with injury. King has not had a dominant season, but he has looked better over the last couple of outings. He is he lone pitcher in the San Diego rotation that is a threat to throw a complete game and time out.
Michael Lorenzen has had a down year, but that does not automatically mean the San Diego offense will have success against the Colorado right-hander. Lorenzen sits at 3-9 on the year and carries a 6.53 ERA. The Padres will have to jump on Lorenzen early and often to give King a chance to pitch with a lead.
#diego #Colorado #Rockies
12 hours ago
The San Diego Padres have six games before the trade deadline on Aug. 3 and that means that each game will be critical to determine whether the team will be a buyer or a seller. The first of those six games is tonight against the Colorado Rockies, and the cellar-dwelling NL West rival would love nothing more than to take down the Padres in two games before the San Francisco Giants come to town for a four-game set.
San Diego is coming off a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, which allowed them to catch and pass a team they are battling with for a National League Wild Card position. There is still more to do for the Padres and while the games against the Rockies will not allow them to knock off another team in front of them winning these games is still of utmost importance.
San Diego gained a half-game on the Arizona Diamondbacks without even taking the field on Monday. The hope is the momentum gained from the way the Padres finished their 5-5 road trip can continue and send them into a deadline decision with their best winning streak of the season under their belt. San Diego will have an opportunity to continue that potential streak tonight against the Rockies at Petco Park at 6:40 p.m.
Padres News:
Padres take new approach to pitching and finish road trip at .500.
#game #team #take #still
San Diego is coming off a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, which allowed them to catch and pass a team they are battling with for a National League Wild Card position. There is still more to do for the Padres and while the games against the Rockies will not allow them to knock off another team in front of them winning these games is still of utmost importance.
San Diego gained a half-game on the Arizona Diamondbacks without even taking the field on Monday. The hope is the momentum gained from the way the Padres finished their 5-5 road trip can continue and send them into a deadline decision with their best winning streak of the season under their belt. San Diego will have an opportunity to continue that potential streak tonight against the Rockies at Petco Park at 6:40 p.m.
Padres News:
Padres take new approach to pitching and finish road trip at .500.
#game #team #take #still
22 hours ago
Sure, there have been a lot of stories in the MLB media about Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman. Some of those stories have indicated that Goodman might be solid trade bait as the MLB Trade Deadline draws closer on Aug. 3.
But one media outlet is making a prediction. What is it? The Rockies will extend Goodman on his contract.
This season, Goodman has been the power hitter in the middle of the Rockies' lineup. He has 30-plus home runs already and reaching the 40-home run level is not out of the realm of possibilities.
Keeping Goodman is a wise choice for Colorado, should they not trade him at all. A couple of other stories have come out in the past couple of days indicating that the asks that the Rockies are making for any deal is too steep.
Another factor involved not only for the Rockies, but for all of the MLB world, is that some executives believe there will be a play stoppage in the 2027 MLB season. There are those even wondering how many games will happen, too.
#goodman #couple
But one media outlet is making a prediction. What is it? The Rockies will extend Goodman on his contract.
This season, Goodman has been the power hitter in the middle of the Rockies' lineup. He has 30-plus home runs already and reaching the 40-home run level is not out of the realm of possibilities.
Keeping Goodman is a wise choice for Colorado, should they not trade him at all. A couple of other stories have come out in the past couple of days indicating that the asks that the Rockies are making for any deal is too steep.
Another factor involved not only for the Rockies, but for all of the MLB world, is that some executives believe there will be a play stoppage in the 2027 MLB season. There are those even wondering how many games will happen, too.
#goodman #couple
4 days ago
The Colorado Rockies played the Milwaukee Brewers' kind of game better than the Brewers did Friday afternoon.
Colorado attacked Shane Drohan with hard contact, created pressure on the bases, and turned productive outs into runs. Tomoyuki Sugano used his seven-pitch mix to keep Milwaukee from settling into a comfortable look, while the bullpen covered the final 3.2 innings without allowing a run.
The Rockies built a 4-1 lead by scoring in the first, third, and fourth innings. Christian Yelich and Brice Turang supplied Milwaukee's only damage against Sugano with solo home runs, but TJ Rumfield answered with a pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh to extend the advantage to 5-2.
Milwaukee made one final push in the ninth with back-to-back singles against Jordan Romano, bringing the tying run to the plate with **** ody out. Romano recovered by retiring Joey Ortiz, Gary Sánchez and Yelich to secure the win.
The Brewers entered the afternoon 26-7 in series openers under two-time reigning NL Manager of the Year Pat Murphy. They also entered allowing fewer stolen bases than any team in baseball.
#runs
Colorado attacked Shane Drohan with hard contact, created pressure on the bases, and turned productive outs into runs. Tomoyuki Sugano used his seven-pitch mix to keep Milwaukee from settling into a comfortable look, while the bullpen covered the final 3.2 innings without allowing a run.
The Rockies built a 4-1 lead by scoring in the first, third, and fourth innings. Christian Yelich and Brice Turang supplied Milwaukee's only damage against Sugano with solo home runs, but TJ Rumfield answered with a pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh to extend the advantage to 5-2.
Milwaukee made one final push in the ninth with back-to-back singles against Jordan Romano, bringing the tying run to the plate with **** ody out. Romano recovered by retiring Joey Ortiz, Gary Sánchez and Yelich to secure the win.
The Brewers entered the afternoon 26-7 in series openers under two-time reigning NL Manager of the Year Pat Murphy. They also entered allowing fewer stolen bases than any team in baseball.
#runs
4 days ago
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Tomoyuki Sugano picked up his 10th win and Kyle Karros and TJ Rumfield each had two hits as the Colorado Rockies capitalized on a fast start to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2 on Friday.
Sugano (10-4) struck out five over 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on a pair of homers — Christian Yelich's 413-foot leadoff drive in the first inning and Brice Turang's 434-foot blast in the sixth. Sugano was making his second start since coming off the injured list after missing three weeks due to back spasms.
Milwaukee brought the tying run to the plate after Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers started the ninth inning with consecutive singles. Jordan Romano regrouped from there by getting Joey Ortiz to pop up, striking out Gary Sánchez struck out and retiring Yelich on a fly to right.
Romano picked up his eighth save in 10 opportunities.
Although the Rockies (42-63) have the National League's worst record, they're just one win away from matching their total from a year ago, when they finished 43-119.
#Rockies
Sugano (10-4) struck out five over 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on a pair of homers — Christian Yelich's 413-foot leadoff drive in the first inning and Brice Turang's 434-foot blast in the sixth. Sugano was making his second start since coming off the injured list after missing three weeks due to back spasms.
Milwaukee brought the tying run to the plate after Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers started the ninth inning with consecutive singles. Jordan Romano regrouped from there by getting Joey Ortiz to pop up, striking out Gary Sánchez struck out and retiring Yelich on a fly to right.
Romano picked up his eighth save in 10 opportunities.
Although the Rockies (42-63) have the National League's worst record, they're just one win away from matching their total from a year ago, when they finished 43-119.
#Rockies
4 days ago
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relayed when Edwin Diaz will return now that his rehabilitation ***** ignment is winding down and made a definetive statement on his status for the current series against Diaz's former team, the New York Mets.
Diaz is working himself back from elbow surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, something that he believes played a big role in his struggles before hitting the injured list.
He made two horrible relief appearances against the Rockies and Rangers, and in between the outings, Diaz took an odd break of more than a week.
However, it was the Rockies' performance that was the last straw before the Dodgers took Diaz in for a deep scan on his right arm and found that he needed surgery.
Feb 28, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz (3) on the mound to pitch in the third inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
#Dodgers #made #surgery
Diaz is working himself back from elbow surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, something that he believes played a big role in his struggles before hitting the injured list.
He made two horrible relief appearances against the Rockies and Rangers, and in between the outings, Diaz took an odd break of more than a week.
However, it was the Rockies' performance that was the last straw before the Dodgers took Diaz in for a deep scan on his right arm and found that he needed surgery.
Feb 28, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz (3) on the mound to pitch in the third inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
#Dodgers #made #surgery
4 days ago
The Milwaukee Brewers are commemorating 25 years of American Family Field with an alumni Game July 24, but fans might find it curious that the team itself is wearing retro hats from before the building even opened.
The hats actually have nothing to do with the Brewers celebration, and it'll last through the three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
The Brewers will wear the M-B hats this weekend as part of a Hall of Fame weekend celebration across Major League Baseball. All 30 teams will participate, though the hat of the Brewers' opponent won't look too dissimilar from what it typically uses now. The "CR" logo will be the same, but in the context of an all-purple used by the franchise from 2003 to 2012.
The "M-B" logo ("Motre Bame" if you prefer, since it's similar to a classic Notre Dame logo) didn't last long in Brewers history, worn from 1994 to 1996 before the Brewers adopted a simple M on their cap throughout the rest of the '90s. Both hats were part of the green, gold and blue motif along with the "crossed bats" primary logo that lasted from 1994 to 1999, an era that didn't feature any winning seasons for the Brewers.
No, no Hall of Fame players ever wore the M-B hat for the Brewers, not even on the coaching staffs. Rod Carew served as hitting coach one year too late.
#hall #last
The hats actually have nothing to do with the Brewers celebration, and it'll last through the three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
The Brewers will wear the M-B hats this weekend as part of a Hall of Fame weekend celebration across Major League Baseball. All 30 teams will participate, though the hat of the Brewers' opponent won't look too dissimilar from what it typically uses now. The "CR" logo will be the same, but in the context of an all-purple used by the franchise from 2003 to 2012.
The "M-B" logo ("Motre Bame" if you prefer, since it's similar to a classic Notre Dame logo) didn't last long in Brewers history, worn from 1994 to 1996 before the Brewers adopted a simple M on their cap throughout the rest of the '90s. Both hats were part of the green, gold and blue motif along with the "crossed bats" primary logo that lasted from 1994 to 1999, an era that didn't feature any winning seasons for the Brewers.
No, no Hall of Fame players ever wore the M-B hat for the Brewers, not even on the coaching staffs. Rod Carew served as hitting coach one year too late.
#hall #last
5 days ago
Team Wisco and general manager Gord Ash didn't go with perhaps the obvious choice in making the first pick of the Milwaukee Brewers Alumni Legends Game, a selection made at the Saint Kate hotel in downtown Milwaukee on July 23.
A fleet of former Brewers players will be on hand at American Family Field for a three-inning alumni showcase July 24, following the Brewers' regularly scheduled game against the Colorado Rockies, which starts at 3:10 p.m. CT. Former Brewers general manager Doug Melvin (Team Milwaukee) and his top **** istant, Ash (Team Wisco), selected the teams a day in advance, with former coaches Garth Iorg (Team Wisco) and Ed Sedar (Team Milwaukee) serving as managers.
Ryan Braun was on the board, but Ash went with a player he called "the former Ohtani" in selecting Yovani Gallardo, the ex-Brewers standout pitcher who could also hit a little bit during his tenure with the Brewers from 2007-2014, with 12 career home runs.
With the chance to draft six position players, two catchers and seven pitchers, there's a boatload of value in a pitcher who can do a little work in the field. A later-round pick for Brooks Kieschnick demonstrated further how much Ash had this in mind.
Melvin and Sedar quickly snapped Braun up with their first-round pick. "I'm going to have to tell him the game's only three innings," Melvin said. "He didn't start hitting in the clutch until the seventh, eighth and ninth inning, so I'm a little worried."
#melvin
A fleet of former Brewers players will be on hand at American Family Field for a three-inning alumni showcase July 24, following the Brewers' regularly scheduled game against the Colorado Rockies, which starts at 3:10 p.m. CT. Former Brewers general manager Doug Melvin (Team Milwaukee) and his top **** istant, Ash (Team Wisco), selected the teams a day in advance, with former coaches Garth Iorg (Team Wisco) and Ed Sedar (Team Milwaukee) serving as managers.
Ryan Braun was on the board, but Ash went with a player he called "the former Ohtani" in selecting Yovani Gallardo, the ex-Brewers standout pitcher who could also hit a little bit during his tenure with the Brewers from 2007-2014, with 12 career home runs.
With the chance to draft six position players, two catchers and seven pitchers, there's a boatload of value in a pitcher who can do a little work in the field. A later-round pick for Brooks Kieschnick demonstrated further how much Ash had this in mind.
Melvin and Sedar quickly snapped Braun up with their first-round pick. "I'm going to have to tell him the game's only three innings," Melvin said. "He didn't start hitting in the clutch until the seventh, eighth and ninth inning, so I'm a little worried."
#melvin
6 days ago
Nationals' Cade Cavalli is missing bats like never before originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Washington Nationals are finally getting the dividend on Cade Cavalli, whom they picked in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft. Over the last two months, the right-hander has delivered on the expectations that were long awaited.
In his last six starts, Cavalli has posted a 3-0 record with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 45 batters in 33.1 innings. That's an eye-popping strikeout rate of more than 12 batters per nine innings.
Since May 10, Cavalli has struck out 79 batters while issuing just 15 walks across 70 innings. In his latest start against the Colorado Rockies, he tossed six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Cavalli's best start of the season came against the Boston Red Sox on June 30, when he pitched seven innings with a career-high 13 strikeouts and allowed just one hit in an 8-1 victory.
#cavalli #nationals #walks #start
The Washington Nationals are finally getting the dividend on Cade Cavalli, whom they picked in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft. Over the last two months, the right-hander has delivered on the expectations that were long awaited.
In his last six starts, Cavalli has posted a 3-0 record with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 45 batters in 33.1 innings. That's an eye-popping strikeout rate of more than 12 batters per nine innings.
Since May 10, Cavalli has struck out 79 batters while issuing just 15 walks across 70 innings. In his latest start against the Colorado Rockies, he tossed six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Cavalli's best start of the season came against the Boston Red Sox on June 30, when he pitched seven innings with a career-high 13 strikeouts and allowed just one hit in an 8-1 victory.
#cavalli #nationals #walks #start
6 days ago
With the 2026 MLB trade deadline fast approaching, rumors are beginning to circulate wildly.
Earlier this week, the Colorado Rockies traded RHP Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek.
I don’t think anyone expected the Rockies to move Halvorsen, but it’s another reminder that the Rockies have a new front office, and they are open for business. As general manager Josh Byrnes told media earlier this week, “We’ve got to do business with 29 teams.”
And in case you missed it, in his newsletter this morning, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding spelled out what the Rockies would be looking for in return for Hunter Goodman. (Spoiler: It’s a lot.)
So given what we know now about teams contending for the postseason and those marked as sellers, including the Rockies, which players do you think the Rockies will be moving prior to the deadline? And feel free to speculate on where you think those players might go.
#think #week
Earlier this week, the Colorado Rockies traded RHP Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek.
I don’t think anyone expected the Rockies to move Halvorsen, but it’s another reminder that the Rockies have a new front office, and they are open for business. As general manager Josh Byrnes told media earlier this week, “We’ve got to do business with 29 teams.”
And in case you missed it, in his newsletter this morning, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding spelled out what the Rockies would be looking for in return for Hunter Goodman. (Spoiler: It’s a lot.)
So given what we know now about teams contending for the postseason and those marked as sellers, including the Rockies, which players do you think the Rockies will be moving prior to the deadline? And feel free to speculate on where you think those players might go.
#think #week
6 days ago
The MLB trade deadline is now under two weeks away. While everybody is focused on the big names who could be moved, like Tarik Skubal or Mason Miller, it can often be most beneficial to think about the players who remain and still wind up benefiting from the trade. In this article, I'm going to look at players who could see their fantasy value improve actionably at the deadline, whether they are the ones traded away or the ones who find themselves filling a vacated role.
For this article, I'm only going to focus on trades that seem likely. So I know that Shea Langeliers and Hunter Goodman are being floated in trade rumors, but I don't think either one of them is going to be moved, so we're not going to discuss which catchers could step into starting roles in two offensive-friendly environments. I will admit that left us with a list that doesn't include a lot of "league winners," but that's also the nature of the expanded playoff format. There are a lot of teams that still find themselves in contention, so we may not see as many impact hitters be traded away, which means there might be fewer openings in lineups.
With that preamble out of the way, let's get to the names.
Cole Carrigg - OF, Rockies: Carrigg has hit well in his rookie season, slashing .287/.367/.519 in 34 games with four home runs, 27 runs scored, and 23 RBI. He has slightly below-average barrel rates and hard-hit rates, so he's not tearing the cover off of the ball, but he has good bat speed and is making better-than-league-average zone contact, which is a nice profile in Coors Field. Yet, despite being a switch hitter, Carrigg seems to be splitting playing time with Tyler Freeman. A trade of one or both of Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak would open up an everyday role for Carrigg, who wouldn't be a MUST ADD, but would be a nice depth outfield piece in a great home park.
Victor Bericoto - OF, Giants: Bericoto is currently on the injured list with a strained oblique, but by the time the trade deadline rolls around, he will have already missed a month, which means he could be returning shortly thereafter. The rookie has slashed .293/.305/.552 in 59 plate appearances with four home runs, nine RBI, and one steal. He has a 46.5% hard-hit rate and also posted a 50.4% hard-hit rate in Triple-A while posting elite bat speed numbers, so the power production could be very real. He does have some swing and miss in his game because he is an aggressive hitter, but he also has league-average zone contact rates in the minors and a 91.5% rate in his limited MLB sample, so he might make enough contact to make the power work. The Giants are currently shopping Jung Hoo Lee, which could open up a regular outfield spot for Bericoto when he's back from injury.
#trade
For this article, I'm only going to focus on trades that seem likely. So I know that Shea Langeliers and Hunter Goodman are being floated in trade rumors, but I don't think either one of them is going to be moved, so we're not going to discuss which catchers could step into starting roles in two offensive-friendly environments. I will admit that left us with a list that doesn't include a lot of "league winners," but that's also the nature of the expanded playoff format. There are a lot of teams that still find themselves in contention, so we may not see as many impact hitters be traded away, which means there might be fewer openings in lineups.
With that preamble out of the way, let's get to the names.
Cole Carrigg - OF, Rockies: Carrigg has hit well in his rookie season, slashing .287/.367/.519 in 34 games with four home runs, 27 runs scored, and 23 RBI. He has slightly below-average barrel rates and hard-hit rates, so he's not tearing the cover off of the ball, but he has good bat speed and is making better-than-league-average zone contact, which is a nice profile in Coors Field. Yet, despite being a switch hitter, Carrigg seems to be splitting playing time with Tyler Freeman. A trade of one or both of Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak would open up an everyday role for Carrigg, who wouldn't be a MUST ADD, but would be a nice depth outfield piece in a great home park.
Victor Bericoto - OF, Giants: Bericoto is currently on the injured list with a strained oblique, but by the time the trade deadline rolls around, he will have already missed a month, which means he could be returning shortly thereafter. The rookie has slashed .293/.305/.552 in 59 plate appearances with four home runs, nine RBI, and one steal. He has a 46.5% hard-hit rate and also posted a 50.4% hard-hit rate in Triple-A while posting elite bat speed numbers, so the power production could be very real. He does have some swing and miss in his game because he is an aggressive hitter, but he also has league-average zone contact rates in the minors and a 91.5% rate in his limited MLB sample, so he might make enough contact to make the power work. The Giants are currently shopping Jung Hoo Lee, which could open up a regular outfield spot for Bericoto when he's back from injury.
#trade
7 days ago
Los Angeles Angels fired their scout for filming the Colorado Rockies coaching staff, but they were at risk of facing punishment from the MLB.
Justin Prinstein, the Angels scout who called himself ‘The Baseball Spy,’ garnered a lot of controversy when he used his cellphone to record Rockies coaches during a scouting trip.
Even though filming by scouts is not prohibited under the MLB’s rules, the Angels quickly took action against the scout and apologized to the Rockies organization for the action.
According to The Athletic, the Los Angeles Angels will not face any punishment from the MLB for the actions of Justin Prinstein.
The reporting suggested that Prinstein recorded the Colorado Rockies coaching staff of his own volition, and he was not instructed to do so by the Angels.
#Angels #prinstein #scout
Justin Prinstein, the Angels scout who called himself ‘The Baseball Spy,’ garnered a lot of controversy when he used his cellphone to record Rockies coaches during a scouting trip.
Even though filming by scouts is not prohibited under the MLB’s rules, the Angels quickly took action against the scout and apologized to the Rockies organization for the action.
According to The Athletic, the Los Angeles Angels will not face any punishment from the MLB for the actions of Justin Prinstein.
The reporting suggested that Prinstein recorded the Colorado Rockies coaching staff of his own volition, and he was not instructed to do so by the Angels.
#Angels #prinstein #scout
14 days ago
Roch Cholowsky has reportedly received the largest bonus ever seen in the current era of the MLB Draft. It still represents money saved for the Chicago White Sox.
The first overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft has agreed to a $10.35 million signing bonus with the White Sox, according to ESPN. That breaks a record of $9.25 million previously shared by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns and Colorado Rockies minor leaguer Charlie Condon, the No. 2 and 3 picks of the 2024 Draft.
However, the slot value of the top pick this year was $11,350,600, meaning Cholowsky agreed to a bonus about $1 million smaller than what was officially ear-marked for him.
It is a common strategy for teams to go under-slot with their top pick, as they can use the larger remaining bonus pool to draft and sign major talents in the later rounds.
Case in point, the Washington Nationals last year signed No. 1 pick Eli Willits to an $8.2 million signing bonus last year despite a slot value of $11,075,900, then gave significantly over-slot bonuses between to their next four draft picks. Coy James, the No. 142 overall pick of the draft (slot value: $508,900), got a $2.5 million bonus, which was larger than that of No. 34 overall pick Michael Oliveto.
The first overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft has agreed to a $10.35 million signing bonus with the White Sox, according to ESPN. That breaks a record of $9.25 million previously shared by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns and Colorado Rockies minor leaguer Charlie Condon, the No. 2 and 3 picks of the 2024 Draft.
However, the slot value of the top pick this year was $11,350,600, meaning Cholowsky agreed to a bonus about $1 million smaller than what was officially ear-marked for him.
It is a common strategy for teams to go under-slot with their top pick, as they can use the larger remaining bonus pool to draft and sign major talents in the later rounds.
Case in point, the Washington Nationals last year signed No. 1 pick Eli Willits to an $8.2 million signing bonus last year despite a slot value of $11,075,900, then gave significantly over-slot bonuses between to their next four draft picks. Coy James, the No. 142 overall pick of the draft (slot value: $508,900), got a $2.5 million bonus, which was larger than that of No. 34 overall pick Michael Oliveto.
14 days ago
CHICAGO (AP) — Roch Cholowsky has agreed to a contract with the Chicago White Sox that includes a record-breaking $10.35 million signing bonus after he was the No. 1 overall pick in last weekend's amateur draft.
A person familiar with the contract confirmed the agreement to the AP on Tuesday because it hadn't been announced by the team.
The slot value for the top pick this year was $11,350,600. Cholowsky's bonus tops the previous mark of $9.25 million for the amateur draft that belonged to Reds pitcher Chase Burns and Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, two of the top three selections in 2024.
Cholowsky, a 6-foot-2 shortstop who turned 21 in April, hit .320 with 21 homers, 60 RBIs and a 1.088 OPS in 60 games this season for UCLA.
___
A person familiar with the contract confirmed the agreement to the AP on Tuesday because it hadn't been announced by the team.
The slot value for the top pick this year was $11,350,600. Cholowsky's bonus tops the previous mark of $9.25 million for the amateur draft that belonged to Reds pitcher Chase Burns and Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, two of the top three selections in 2024.
Cholowsky, a 6-foot-2 shortstop who turned 21 in April, hit .320 with 21 homers, 60 RBIs and a 1.088 OPS in 60 games this season for UCLA.
___
14 days ago
Welcome to Tuesday A’s fans! It’s All-Star Game Day!
But before we get to the game, the Athletics made a move yesterday afternoon, letting go of pitching coach Scott Emerson and promoting bullpen coach Dan Hubbs to take over for the rest of the year:
The move couldn’t come soon enough. The team is currently second to last in the entire sport in ERA, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies who play in the most hitter-friendly stadium in the world. A’s pitchers have had to pitch in their own hitter-friendly environment over the past season and a half but the pitching has been a problem for a while now, going back to the final Oakland years.
Emerson, who has been the pitching coach since mid-2017, has been given talented arms over the years but the Athletics have struggled to develop many quality arms in recent seasons. Righty J.T. Ginn has been a success story this year but outside of him many of the younger arms have failed to establish themselves. Veteran arms like Jeffrey Springs and Luis Severino haven’t benefitted from any coaching that Emerson has done. There was a hope that as the offense came into its own that the pitching would soon follow but that hasn’t happened. A’s fans were calling for Emerson to be let go and the team has finally followed through on it.
Bullpen coach Dan Hubbs is replacing Emerson the same way Emerson got the job from Curt Young in ‘17. He likely isn’t a long-term option and the team will surely be on the lookout this offseason for pitching coaches, but the team needed to make a move. Maybe he can help provide a spark for the young arms over the second half. There have been some solid individual performances down in the bullpen.
But before we get to the game, the Athletics made a move yesterday afternoon, letting go of pitching coach Scott Emerson and promoting bullpen coach Dan Hubbs to take over for the rest of the year:
The move couldn’t come soon enough. The team is currently second to last in the entire sport in ERA, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies who play in the most hitter-friendly stadium in the world. A’s pitchers have had to pitch in their own hitter-friendly environment over the past season and a half but the pitching has been a problem for a while now, going back to the final Oakland years.
Emerson, who has been the pitching coach since mid-2017, has been given talented arms over the years but the Athletics have struggled to develop many quality arms in recent seasons. Righty J.T. Ginn has been a success story this year but outside of him many of the younger arms have failed to establish themselves. Veteran arms like Jeffrey Springs and Luis Severino haven’t benefitted from any coaching that Emerson has done. There was a hope that as the offense came into its own that the pitching would soon follow but that hasn’t happened. A’s fans were calling for Emerson to be let go and the team has finally followed through on it.
Bullpen coach Dan Hubbs is replacing Emerson the same way Emerson got the job from Curt Young in ‘17. He likely isn’t a long-term option and the team will surely be on the lookout this offseason for pitching coaches, but the team needed to make a move. Maybe he can help provide a spark for the young arms over the second half. There have been some solid individual performances down in the bullpen.
15 days ago
The Athletics were .500 and a half game out of first place in the AL West just about three weeks ago after they staged a comeback, 10-inning win over the Los Angeles Angels on June 19. Now at the All-Star break, the A's are staring at a 41-55 record. They're fourth in the AL West and eight games back of the division-leading Texas Rangers.
They're 3-17 in their past 20 games, losers of 13 of their last 14 and currently mired in a nine-game skid. Looking to snap out of their midsummer malaise, the A's made a staff change Monday, firing longtime pitching coach Scott Emerson.
The Athletics rank second to last in the majors with a 5.21 ERA this season. Only the Colorado Rockies (5.44) are worse in that often fateful category. Of the A's last 17 losses, 11 of them have featured their opponents scoring six or more runs.
The A’s have dismissed pitching coach Scott Emerson. Bullpen coach Dan Hubbs will serve as interim pitching coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
It's important to note, however, that the Athletics have had a hitter-friendly home ballpark since moving into a Triple-A stadium last year, Sacramento's Sutter Health Park. That's certainly factored into the A's settling near the bottom of MLB's ERA table, next to the Rockies, who of course carry the double-edged sword of playing at the high-altitude and power-charged Coors Field in Denver.
They're 3-17 in their past 20 games, losers of 13 of their last 14 and currently mired in a nine-game skid. Looking to snap out of their midsummer malaise, the A's made a staff change Monday, firing longtime pitching coach Scott Emerson.
The Athletics rank second to last in the majors with a 5.21 ERA this season. Only the Colorado Rockies (5.44) are worse in that often fateful category. Of the A's last 17 losses, 11 of them have featured their opponents scoring six or more runs.
The A’s have dismissed pitching coach Scott Emerson. Bullpen coach Dan Hubbs will serve as interim pitching coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
It's important to note, however, that the Athletics have had a hitter-friendly home ballpark since moving into a Triple-A stadium last year, Sacramento's Sutter Health Park. That's certainly factored into the A's settling near the bottom of MLB's ERA table, next to the Rockies, who of course carry the double-edged sword of playing at the high-altitude and power-charged Coors Field in Denver.
15 days ago
Not only were current Alabama Crimson Tide baseball players selected in the 2026 MLB draft, but a few committed to play for the program next season were as well.
Among those were a pair of transfer portal additions, the first of which was selected in the opening rounds Saturday night in Dylan Marionneaux. The Northwestern State transfer was selected in the fourth round, taken by the Chicago Cubs with the No. 126 pick overall.
In addition to Marionneaux, Garrett Lambert also came off the board early Sunday. The Mercer transfer was drafted by the Colorado Rockies, selected with the No. 165 overall pick in the sixth round.
Alabama also had one of their top high school commits selected as well in Hudson DeVaughan, who was drafted in the 19th round at pick No. 569 overall by the Kansas City Royals. DeVaughan is a right-handed pitcher out of Mooresville High School in Indiana, ranking as the nation's No. 125 overall player in the 2026 class by Perfect Game.
All three will likely be names to watch in the coming days and weeks to see whether they sign professionally with those teams or not. If they do not sign, each will then likely play a significant role for the Crimson Tide in 2027.
Among those were a pair of transfer portal additions, the first of which was selected in the opening rounds Saturday night in Dylan Marionneaux. The Northwestern State transfer was selected in the fourth round, taken by the Chicago Cubs with the No. 126 pick overall.
In addition to Marionneaux, Garrett Lambert also came off the board early Sunday. The Mercer transfer was drafted by the Colorado Rockies, selected with the No. 165 overall pick in the sixth round.
Alabama also had one of their top high school commits selected as well in Hudson DeVaughan, who was drafted in the 19th round at pick No. 569 overall by the Kansas City Royals. DeVaughan is a right-handed pitcher out of Mooresville High School in Indiana, ranking as the nation's No. 125 overall player in the 2026 class by Perfect Game.
All three will likely be names to watch in the coming days and weeks to see whether they sign professionally with those teams or not. If they do not sign, each will then likely play a significant role for the Crimson Tide in 2027.
16 days ago
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished with just two wins in their last seven games, a drastic step down from how they had been playing.
The Dodgers narrowly took a series against the Colorado Rockies but were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
There have been more errors than ever, a series of mistakes from the defense that have made outings longer for pitchers, along with some disappointing pitching performances as well.
Hitting-wise, the Dodgers have not scored more than four runs over the last five games.
LA failed to generate sustained offense, and then, followed it up with more runs allowed than usual, turning the last few games into ugly slugfests.
The Dodgers narrowly took a series against the Colorado Rockies but were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
There have been more errors than ever, a series of mistakes from the defense that have made outings longer for pitchers, along with some disappointing pitching performances as well.
Hitting-wise, the Dodgers have not scored more than four runs over the last five games.
LA failed to generate sustained offense, and then, followed it up with more runs allowed than usual, turning the last few games into ugly slugfests.
16 days ago
You might have missed it because MLB is terrible at marketing its own product, but today was the Futures Game, the de facto All-Star game for minor-leaguers. It was also the second day of the MLB Draft, covering sixteen rounds in a single day, and the final day of the Mariners' current Road Trip From ****** , all conveniently happening at the same time – early on a Sunday here on the west coast. Like, 9 AM early. And also streamed on Peacock. Apparently while a helicopter hovered overhead directly next to the on-field mics. So it's actually more surprising if you did watch the American League prospects defeat the National League prospects, 6-1.
If you did tune in, hopefully it wasn't too late, because Kade Anderson appeared in the game for a flash. He was the AL squad's starting pitcher, and needed just ten pitches for his first and only inning of work. The box score will tell you that Anderson threw six of his ten pitches for strikes and the box score is a liar, because HP umpire Alex Shears engaged in a bit of nominative determinism and clipped Anderson for two pitches at the bottom of the zone that should have been ruled strikes.
Anderson's outing will likely be overlooked in favor of Pirates prospect Seth Hernandez – who might have been a Mariner if the Angels had actually taken Anderson as everyone expected them to instead of whatever it was they did in the 2025 draft – as Hernandez had a clean 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts where his fastball touched 101 mph. Big stuff, very nasty (was gifted a strike call outside the zone, not that I'm counting).
But Anderson was a quiet ****** assin on the mound, a model of efficiency cutting through the top of the NL lineup. He elicited a weak contact popout from leadoff hitter Eli Willits of the Nationals on the second pitch of his at-bat on a perfectly located fastball up and in. Anderson fell behind his next hitter, the Rockies' Roldy Brito, 2-1, as he couldn't quite get the feel for his changeup, but then dropped in a slider Brito swung over for a weak contact comebacker cleanly fielded by Anderson. The Brewers' Jesús Made ruined what should have been a clean 1-2-3 inning for Anderson, swinging at a 95 mph fastball in at his knees in a 1-1 count (should have been an 0-2 count) and managing to parachute it weakly into right field, where it dropped into no-man's-land between the second baseman and right fielder. But Anderson recovered against Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, getting a first pitch flyout on a slider that was actually the hardest hit ball all day against Anderson at 97 mph. Maybe it's a factor of pitching at ****** ey-Stephens Park, but Anderson seemed to know without turning around that the ball was destined for an outfielder's glove.
It was a stark contrast for Anderson from his last national showcase outing, the Spring Breakout game this spring training. The spring game between the Mariners and Brewers drew a lot of national attention, with one of the densest collections of Top-
If you did tune in, hopefully it wasn't too late, because Kade Anderson appeared in the game for a flash. He was the AL squad's starting pitcher, and needed just ten pitches for his first and only inning of work. The box score will tell you that Anderson threw six of his ten pitches for strikes and the box score is a liar, because HP umpire Alex Shears engaged in a bit of nominative determinism and clipped Anderson for two pitches at the bottom of the zone that should have been ruled strikes.
Anderson's outing will likely be overlooked in favor of Pirates prospect Seth Hernandez – who might have been a Mariner if the Angels had actually taken Anderson as everyone expected them to instead of whatever it was they did in the 2025 draft – as Hernandez had a clean 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts where his fastball touched 101 mph. Big stuff, very nasty (was gifted a strike call outside the zone, not that I'm counting).
But Anderson was a quiet ****** assin on the mound, a model of efficiency cutting through the top of the NL lineup. He elicited a weak contact popout from leadoff hitter Eli Willits of the Nationals on the second pitch of his at-bat on a perfectly located fastball up and in. Anderson fell behind his next hitter, the Rockies' Roldy Brito, 2-1, as he couldn't quite get the feel for his changeup, but then dropped in a slider Brito swung over for a weak contact comebacker cleanly fielded by Anderson. The Brewers' Jesús Made ruined what should have been a clean 1-2-3 inning for Anderson, swinging at a 95 mph fastball in at his knees in a 1-1 count (should have been an 0-2 count) and managing to parachute it weakly into right field, where it dropped into no-man's-land between the second baseman and right fielder. But Anderson recovered against Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, getting a first pitch flyout on a slider that was actually the hardest hit ball all day against Anderson at 97 mph. Maybe it's a factor of pitching at ****** ey-Stephens Park, but Anderson seemed to know without turning around that the ball was destined for an outfielder's glove.
It was a stark contrast for Anderson from his last national showcase outing, the Spring Breakout game this spring training. The spring game between the Mariners and Brewers drew a lot of national attention, with one of the densest collections of Top-
16 days ago
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rafael Devers scored the tiebreaking run in a two-run eighth inning when catcher Hunter Goodman threw wildly into center field on a stolen-base attempt, and the San Francisco Giants overcame Jake McCarthy's second leadoff inside-the-park home run this season to beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2 Sunday.
San Francisco gained a four-game split and entered the All-Star break fourth in the NL West at 41-55. The Giants have won 21 of their past 23 home games against Colorado and are 36-7 in San Francisco against the Rockies since 2021.
Colorado has lost four of five and is a National League-worst 39-59. The Rockies are 17-34 on the road.
McCarthy, who had an inside-the-park homer off Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes at Coors Field on June 20, drove Trevor McDonald's second pitch of the game on a bounce to the 415-foot sign in right-center field. The ball bounced away from right fielder Jung Hoo Lee and McCarthy slid home ahead of an off-line relay throw from second baseman Luis Arraez for his 10th home run this season.
Drew Gilbert's RBI single tied the score in the fourth.
San Francisco gained a four-game split and entered the All-Star break fourth in the NL West at 41-55. The Giants have won 21 of their past 23 home games against Colorado and are 36-7 in San Francisco against the Rockies since 2021.
Colorado has lost four of five and is a National League-worst 39-59. The Rockies are 17-34 on the road.
McCarthy, who had an inside-the-park homer off Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes at Coors Field on June 20, drove Trevor McDonald's second pitch of the game on a bounce to the 415-foot sign in right-center field. The ball bounced away from right fielder Jung Hoo Lee and McCarthy slid home ahead of an off-line relay throw from second baseman Luis Arraez for his 10th home run this season.
Drew Gilbert's RBI single tied the score in the fourth.
16 days ago
Rockies' trade deadline plan with Hunter Goodman is bad news for Yankees originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Colorado Rockies are sitting at the bottom of the National League and are essentially guaranteed to be trade deadline sellers later this summer.
As they head into the MLB All-Star break, there are a few players on the roster likely drawing trade interest. Antonio Senzatela and outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy will likely be of interest. But Hunter Goodman is the top target by far.
However, according to USA Today's Bob Nighentengale, the Rockies have no plans to trade Goodman this summer, which is bad news for a team like the New York Yankees, who reportedly want to trade for Goodman.
"Yet, the Rockies plan to keep Goodman, who has the second-most homers in the NL behind Kyle Schwarber," Nightengale reports.
The Colorado Rockies are sitting at the bottom of the National League and are essentially guaranteed to be trade deadline sellers later this summer.
As they head into the MLB All-Star break, there are a few players on the roster likely drawing trade interest. Antonio Senzatela and outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy will likely be of interest. But Hunter Goodman is the top target by far.
However, according to USA Today's Bob Nighentengale, the Rockies have no plans to trade Goodman this summer, which is bad news for a team like the New York Yankees, who reportedly want to trade for Goodman.
"Yet, the Rockies plan to keep Goodman, who has the second-most homers in the NL behind Kyle Schwarber," Nightengale reports.
16 days ago
The Major League Baseball draft began on Saturday, and one Kentucky Wildcats star heard his name called early. Shortstop Tyler Bell was chosen tenth overall by the Colorado Rockies. Then, a few rounds later, a second Wildcat heard his name called.
In the fourth round, with the No. 135 overall pick, the Philadelphia Phillies selected pitcher Jaxon Jelkin. However, it doesn't necessarily mean he won't be with the Wildcats next season.
This isn't the first time Jelkin has been selected in the draft. In fact, it's the third time. He was picked in the 2023 and 2024 drafts as well, but elected not to sign both times. Once again, he could decide to return to school and be drafted even higher next year.
Last season for Kentucky, Jelkin was terrific. He went 8-3 with a 4.08 ERA, and 106 strikeouts to just 21 walks. He recorded two complete games and even had one save.
Jelkin has the stuff to be a successful MLB pitcher, and he'll have time to develop in an organization that has shown sustained success. Big Blue Nation will be behind him if he ultimately signs this time. If not, they'd love to have him back.
In the fourth round, with the No. 135 overall pick, the Philadelphia Phillies selected pitcher Jaxon Jelkin. However, it doesn't necessarily mean he won't be with the Wildcats next season.
This isn't the first time Jelkin has been selected in the draft. In fact, it's the third time. He was picked in the 2023 and 2024 drafts as well, but elected not to sign both times. Once again, he could decide to return to school and be drafted even higher next year.
Last season for Kentucky, Jelkin was terrific. He went 8-3 with a 4.08 ERA, and 106 strikeouts to just 21 walks. He recorded two complete games and even had one save.
Jelkin has the stuff to be a successful MLB pitcher, and he'll have time to develop in an organization that has shown sustained success. Big Blue Nation will be behind him if he ultimately signs this time. If not, they'd love to have him back.
16 days ago
The opening day of the 2026 MLB Draft is complete, but teams will continue searching for future impact players during Day 2.
Rounds 5-20 feature hundreds of selections as clubs look to uncover hidden gems. The Sporting Tribune will update this tracker throughout the draft with every selection, scouting notes, and ******* ysis as picks become official. The complete draft order can be found on MLB.com.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
No. 136 Overall — Colorado Rockies
Selection: Tyler Putnam
Rounds 5-20 feature hundreds of selections as clubs look to uncover hidden gems. The Sporting Tribune will update this tracker throughout the draft with every selection, scouting notes, and ******* ysis as picks become official. The complete draft order can be found on MLB.com.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
No. 136 Overall — Colorado Rockies
Selection: Tyler Putnam
16 days ago
The Colorado Rockies completed a busy opening day of the 2026 MLB Draft by selecting five college players across the first four rounds.
Colorado began with Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell at No. 10, then used consecutive picks on Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson at No. 37 and UCLA right-hander Logan Reddemann at No. 38. The Rockies returned to the catching position with Cincinnati's Jack Natili at No. 76 before closing Day 1 with Mississippi State right-hander Ben Davis at No. 104.
The group provided the first substantial look at the amateur strategy of President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta and General Manager Josh Byrnes.
Bell gives the Rockies a switch-hitting shortstop who gets on base. Bell posted a .510 on-base percentage in 2026.
Jackson adds a power-oriented catcher with athleticism and considerable upside, while Reddemann brings velocity, a deep ******* nal and the advanced feel to develop as a starter.
Colorado began with Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell at No. 10, then used consecutive picks on Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson at No. 37 and UCLA right-hander Logan Reddemann at No. 38. The Rockies returned to the catching position with Cincinnati's Jack Natili at No. 76 before closing Day 1 with Mississippi State right-hander Ben Davis at No. 104.
The group provided the first substantial look at the amateur strategy of President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta and General Manager Josh Byrnes.
Bell gives the Rockies a switch-hitting shortstop who gets on base. Bell posted a .510 on-base percentage in 2026.
Jackson adds a power-oriented catcher with athleticism and considerable upside, while Reddemann brings velocity, a deep ******* nal and the advanced feel to develop as a starter.
17 days ago
On Saturday, the San Francisco Giants played the third game of their series with the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park.
They won by a score of 4-2.
GettyManager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants watches from the dugout during the third inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 18, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Also on Saturday, the Giants selected Carson Bolemon in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
SFGProspects wrote: “With the 29th pick in the MLBDraft , the SFGiants have selected LHP Carson Bolemon out of Southside Christian HS (SC)”
They won by a score of 4-2.
GettyManager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants watches from the dugout during the third inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 18, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Also on Saturday, the Giants selected Carson Bolemon in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
SFGProspects wrote: “With the 29th pick in the MLBDraft , the SFGiants have selected LHP Carson Bolemon out of Southside Christian HS (SC)”
17 days ago
PHILADELPHIA — One team jumped the board, big time. Two brothers were reunited with the Brew Crew. And it wasn’t the greatest day to be a pitcher.
While Major League Baseball’s draft began in relatively predictable fashion — UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was chosen first overall by the Chicago White Sox, despite some smoke and a few mirrors in recent days — it also had its share of unforeseen turns.
USA TODAY Sports breaks down the first round and a little bit beyond as the game’s annual selection meeting tipped off at Philadelphia’s Convention Center on Saturday, June 11:
Perhaps general managers took one of the most cynical phrases of scouting — “There’s no such thing as a pitching prospect” — a little too literally. This draft made history when 15 of the first 16 players selected were hitters. The San Francisco Giants the only ones zagging by taking UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora fourth overall. After that, a pitcher didn’t get selected until the Texas Rangers took Gio Rojas, the lefty from Florida baseball factory Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, with the 16th pick.
What gives? Well, many of the anticipated top college arms had concerns. Cameron Flukey missed time with a rib fracture this year, leaving him available to the Detroit Tigers at No. 22. Logan Reddenmann and Cole Carlon each suffered velocity dips late in the year, leaving them available to the Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively, at picks 38 and 39. And a bevy of SEC pitchers — from Florida’s Liam Peterson (19th, Guardians) to Arkansas’ Hunter Dietz (35th, Yankees) and Carson Wiggins (27th, Mets) had command or health concerns that suppressed their value.
While Major League Baseball’s draft began in relatively predictable fashion — UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was chosen first overall by the Chicago White Sox, despite some smoke and a few mirrors in recent days — it also had its share of unforeseen turns.
USA TODAY Sports breaks down the first round and a little bit beyond as the game’s annual selection meeting tipped off at Philadelphia’s Convention Center on Saturday, June 11:
Perhaps general managers took one of the most cynical phrases of scouting — “There’s no such thing as a pitching prospect” — a little too literally. This draft made history when 15 of the first 16 players selected were hitters. The San Francisco Giants the only ones zagging by taking UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora fourth overall. After that, a pitcher didn’t get selected until the Texas Rangers took Gio Rojas, the lefty from Florida baseball factory Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, with the 16th pick.
What gives? Well, many of the anticipated top college arms had concerns. Cameron Flukey missed time with a rib fracture this year, leaving him available to the Detroit Tigers at No. 22. Logan Reddenmann and Cole Carlon each suffered velocity dips late in the year, leaving them available to the Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively, at picks 38 and 39. And a bevy of SEC pitchers — from Florida’s Liam Peterson (19th, Guardians) to Arkansas’ Hunter Dietz (35th, Yankees) and Carson Wiggins (27th, Mets) had command or health concerns that suppressed their value.
17 days ago
With the 37th pick in today’s MLB Draft the Colorado Rockies made Daniel Jackson the first Bulldog off the board. Colorado is getting one of the most productive players college baseball has seen in years, along with a genuine personality who made himself a fan favorite in Athens.
Jackson’s numbers from his 2026 season in Athens are staggering. In 67 games, he slashed .379/.473/.803 with 32 home runs, 87 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases in 28 attempts. He led the nation in total bases and runs scored, finished second in hits, home runs, and RBI, and became just the third player in Southeastern Conference history to win the batting triple crown.
Perhaps most remarkable, Jackson became the first catcher, and just the sixth player in Division I history, to record a 25 home run, 25 stolen base season while playing the sport’s most physically taxing position. He posted a .997 fielding percentage behind the plate with only two errors in 593 total chances, throwing out roughly a third of opposing base runners. production earned Jackson a full sweep of college baseball’s top individual honors: the Golden Spikes Award, the ****** Howser Trophy, the Buster Posey Award as the nation’s top catcher, the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award, SEC Player of the Year, and consensus first team All-America recognition. And of course he led Georgia to its first College World Series appearance since 2008.
Jackson’s calling card is a blend of power and speed that’s rare for a catcher. He flashes raw power to all fields, and his athleticism behind the plate and on the bases sets him apart from nearly every other catching prospect in this draft class. His arm strength should also allow him to handle a corner outfield spot if a team wants to move him out from behind the plate down the road.
The concern scouts raise most often seem to cite with Jackson is consistency making contact. Jackson has shown real swing and miss throughout his college career, striking out 64 times in 319 plate appearances during his otherwise stellar junior year. His path has also been unusual. He started at Wofford, where he won Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, then struggled through a difficult sophomore transition after transferring to Georgia before breaking out as a junior. That inconsistency gives some evaluators pause about how his bat will translate against professional pitching, even though his improved strikeout rate this past season suggests real growth.
Jackson’s numbers from his 2026 season in Athens are staggering. In 67 games, he slashed .379/.473/.803 with 32 home runs, 87 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases in 28 attempts. He led the nation in total bases and runs scored, finished second in hits, home runs, and RBI, and became just the third player in Southeastern Conference history to win the batting triple crown.
Perhaps most remarkable, Jackson became the first catcher, and just the sixth player in Division I history, to record a 25 home run, 25 stolen base season while playing the sport’s most physically taxing position. He posted a .997 fielding percentage behind the plate with only two errors in 593 total chances, throwing out roughly a third of opposing base runners. production earned Jackson a full sweep of college baseball’s top individual honors: the Golden Spikes Award, the ****** Howser Trophy, the Buster Posey Award as the nation’s top catcher, the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award, SEC Player of the Year, and consensus first team All-America recognition. And of course he led Georgia to its first College World Series appearance since 2008.
Jackson’s calling card is a blend of power and speed that’s rare for a catcher. He flashes raw power to all fields, and his athleticism behind the plate and on the bases sets him apart from nearly every other catching prospect in this draft class. His arm strength should also allow him to handle a corner outfield spot if a team wants to move him out from behind the plate down the road.
The concern scouts raise most often seem to cite with Jackson is consistency making contact. Jackson has shown real swing and miss throughout his college career, striking out 64 times in 319 plate appearances during his otherwise stellar junior year. His path has also been unusual. He started at Wofford, where he won Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, then struggled through a difficult sophomore transition after transferring to Georgia before breaking out as a junior. That inconsistency gives some evaluators pause about how his bat will translate against professional pitching, even though his improved strikeout rate this past season suggests real growth.
17 days ago
Baseball's first major event of the All Star Weekend, the MLB Draft, kicks off today. Today we have the first four rounds of the Draft televised; rounds 5 through 2o will occur tomorrow off-air.
The event begins at 1:00pm on NBC/Peacock, where the Chicago White Sox will make the first pick around 1:30pm. This year's draft is structured a bit strangely, as the first 10 picks are on NBC/Peacock, but picks 11-40 are on the MLB network. Rounds 2 through 4 are on MLB.tv or MLB.com and are expected to last from 4:30 to 7:45pm. Day 2 will be an untelevised event tomorrow afternoon.
Stay here to follow along throughout the draft for every Tigers' pick and every first round pick overall. As each pick is made, this post will be updated with that player's name, position, and where they're drafted from. Join us for duscussion on the whole Day 1 coverage of the draft in the comments. The Tigers have a bonus pool of $9,165,100 to work with. They'll select 22nd overall for their first round pick.
1. White Sox – Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
2. Rays – Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX)
3. Twins – Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
4. Giants – Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
5. Pirates – Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
6. Royals – Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
7. Orioles – Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove (MS)
8. Athletics
9. Braves
10. Rockies
11. Nationals
12. Angels
13. Cardinals
14. Marlins
15. D-backs
16. Rangers
17. Astros
18. Reds
19. Guardians
20. Red Sox
21. Padres
22. Tigers
23. Cubs
24. Mariners
25. Brewers
The event begins at 1:00pm on NBC/Peacock, where the Chicago White Sox will make the first pick around 1:30pm. This year's draft is structured a bit strangely, as the first 10 picks are on NBC/Peacock, but picks 11-40 are on the MLB network. Rounds 2 through 4 are on MLB.tv or MLB.com and are expected to last from 4:30 to 7:45pm. Day 2 will be an untelevised event tomorrow afternoon.
Stay here to follow along throughout the draft for every Tigers' pick and every first round pick overall. As each pick is made, this post will be updated with that player's name, position, and where they're drafted from. Join us for duscussion on the whole Day 1 coverage of the draft in the comments. The Tigers have a bonus pool of $9,165,100 to work with. They'll select 22nd overall for their first round pick.
1. White Sox – Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
2. Rays – Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX)
3. Twins – Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
4. Giants – Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
5. Pirates – Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
6. Royals – Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
7. Orioles – Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove (MS)
8. Athletics
9. Braves
10. Rockies
11. Nationals
12. Angels
13. Cardinals
14. Marlins
15. D-backs
16. Rangers
17. Astros
18. Reds
19. Guardians
20. Red Sox
21. Padres
22. Tigers
23. Cubs
24. Mariners
25. Brewers
18 days ago
A brawl broke out at Oracle Park in San Francisco after a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, July 9. The incident took place just after 9:45 p.m. PT.
San Francisco police officers who were working the game responded to reports of a fight involving multiple people, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Several people were detained. and four were arrested and booked into the San Francisco County Jail.
Video shared on social media showed people at the game exchanging punches in the lower bowl of Oracle Park while nearby spectators tried to intervene.
The arrested individuals range in age from 21 to 29. One was charged with suspicion of ******* ault and public intoxication, while the other three were arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and disturbing the peace.
In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle Friday, July 10, a Giants spokesperson said arrests were made after stadium security contacted police ******* igned to the ballpark. The team said everyone involved will be banned from the stadium.
San Francisco police officers who were working the game responded to reports of a fight involving multiple people, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Several people were detained. and four were arrested and booked into the San Francisco County Jail.
Video shared on social media showed people at the game exchanging punches in the lower bowl of Oracle Park while nearby spectators tried to intervene.
The arrested individuals range in age from 21 to 29. One was charged with suspicion of ******* ault and public intoxication, while the other three were arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and disturbing the peace.
In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle Friday, July 10, a Giants spokesperson said arrests were made after stadium security contacted police ******* igned to the ballpark. The team said everyone involved will be banned from the stadium.
18 days ago
The San Francisco Giants continue this four-game series against the Colorado Rockies tonight from Oracle Park.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Robbie Ray, who enters tonight's game with a 3.45 ERA, 4.70 FIP, with 86 strikeouts to 46 walks in 101.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants' 6-4 win over the Rockies on Saturday, in which he allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks in six innings.
He'll be facing off against Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon, who enters tonight's game with a 6.95 ERA, 5.03 FIP, with 46 strikeouts to 10 walks in 45.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Rockies' 7-6 win over the Giants on Sunday, in which he allowed five runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
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Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Robbie Ray, who enters tonight's game with a 3.45 ERA, 4.70 FIP, with 86 strikeouts to 46 walks in 101.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants' 6-4 win over the Rockies on Saturday, in which he allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks in six innings.
He'll be facing off against Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon, who enters tonight's game with a 6.95 ERA, 5.03 FIP, with 46 strikeouts to 10 walks in 45.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Rockies' 7-6 win over the Giants on Sunday, in which he allowed five runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
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