12 days ago
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country.
It has been a season of opportunity for some of the players on the San Diego Padres roster. Some of those players have taken full advantage of their opportunity and that could result in more playing time, higher expectations or in some cases more money.
France signed with the Padres in the offseason on a minor league deal. He was promised nothing but an opportunity to make the team and the Gold Glove Award winner did that out of Spring Training. There was a time where he and Gavin Sheets and Nick Castellanos were all expected to share time at first base and France was thought to possibly be the odd man out. His play turned not only allowed him to outlast Castellanos on the San Diego roster, but it also cemented him into the No. 4 hole in the lineup. France has performed on defense and has provided production at the plate. He has 344 at-bats with 99 hits, 18 of which were home runs, for a .288 average. France also has 56 RBI, 44 runs scored and has even stolen a base.
Campusano finally got some regular playing time under new Padres manager Craig Stammen. The catcher finally had a manager who was going to allow him to play free and play often without the fear of being sent back to the minors the first time he hit a slump or failed to block a ball in the dirt. Campusano has responded with a solid season in which he has amassed 143 at-bats with 41 hits, five home runs, 23 RBI and 18 runs scored. He holds a .287 average on the season and has been able to catch and serve as the designated hitter throughout the season.
Buehler, like France, was only promised an opportunity. He got more of a chance than he thought when Joe Musgrove was unable to be ready to return to the mound following Tommy John surgery and Nick PIvetta went down with arm issues early in the season. Randy Vasquez started the season strong but quickly faded. Buehler has had some duds this season, but overall, he has been a consistent starter for a team that was limited to Michael King in terms of pitchers who could take the mound and instill confidence in the team and the fanbase. Buehler has appeared in and started 26 games in 2026. He has a record of 8-6 with a 4.63 ERA. He has thrown 126.1 innings and has 108 strikeouts over that span. He is 3-1 in his last seven games with a 2.89 ERA and has only gotten better as the regular season winds down.
#season #time #Opportunity
It has been a season of opportunity for some of the players on the San Diego Padres roster. Some of those players have taken full advantage of their opportunity and that could result in more playing time, higher expectations or in some cases more money.
France signed with the Padres in the offseason on a minor league deal. He was promised nothing but an opportunity to make the team and the Gold Glove Award winner did that out of Spring Training. There was a time where he and Gavin Sheets and Nick Castellanos were all expected to share time at first base and France was thought to possibly be the odd man out. His play turned not only allowed him to outlast Castellanos on the San Diego roster, but it also cemented him into the No. 4 hole in the lineup. France has performed on defense and has provided production at the plate. He has 344 at-bats with 99 hits, 18 of which were home runs, for a .288 average. France also has 56 RBI, 44 runs scored and has even stolen a base.
Campusano finally got some regular playing time under new Padres manager Craig Stammen. The catcher finally had a manager who was going to allow him to play free and play often without the fear of being sent back to the minors the first time he hit a slump or failed to block a ball in the dirt. Campusano has responded with a solid season in which he has amassed 143 at-bats with 41 hits, five home runs, 23 RBI and 18 runs scored. He holds a .287 average on the season and has been able to catch and serve as the designated hitter throughout the season.
Buehler, like France, was only promised an opportunity. He got more of a chance than he thought when Joe Musgrove was unable to be ready to return to the mound following Tommy John surgery and Nick PIvetta went down with arm issues early in the season. Randy Vasquez started the season strong but quickly faded. Buehler has had some duds this season, but overall, he has been a consistent starter for a team that was limited to Michael King in terms of pitchers who could take the mound and instill confidence in the team and the fanbase. Buehler has appeared in and started 26 games in 2026. He has a record of 8-6 with a 4.63 ERA. He has thrown 126.1 innings and has 108 strikeouts over that span. He is 3-1 in his last seven games with a 2.89 ERA and has only gotten better as the regular season winds down.
#season #time #Opportunity
12 days ago
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Well-traveled quarterback Tommy Castellanos plans to play this season for No. 12 Texas Tech, the Big 12 favorite that is set for returner Will Hammond to be its starter after transfer Brendan Sorsby was declared ineligible this summer because of gambling.
Castellanos told ESPN on Wednesday he had committed to the Red Raiders. On the quarterback's verified X account, in which the bio included the phrase professional athlete, there was a photo posted later in the day with him in a Texas Tech uniform.
The decision came after Castellanos last Friday was among 10 athletes granted a temporary restraining order by a Kentucky judge to get a fifth season of college football. The NCAA announced a rule change in June allowing players who began college in 2023 or later to have five years to play five years of sports in college.
Castellanos, a freshman at UCF in 2022, went undrafted by the NFL four months ago before a tryout as a receiver with the Miami Dolphins during their rookie minicamp.
He had declared for the NFL draft last December after dropping his appeal for another year of college eligibility. The NCAA had denied his waiver request to play another season at Florida State
#texas #Tech #later
Castellanos told ESPN on Wednesday he had committed to the Red Raiders. On the quarterback's verified X account, in which the bio included the phrase professional athlete, there was a photo posted later in the day with him in a Texas Tech uniform.
The decision came after Castellanos last Friday was among 10 athletes granted a temporary restraining order by a Kentucky judge to get a fifth season of college football. The NCAA announced a rule change in June allowing players who began college in 2023 or later to have five years to play five years of sports in college.
Castellanos, a freshman at UCF in 2022, went undrafted by the NFL four months ago before a tryout as a receiver with the Miami Dolphins during their rookie minicamp.
He had declared for the NFL draft last December after dropping his appeal for another year of college eligibility. The NCAA had denied his waiver request to play another season at Florida State
#texas #Tech #later
13 days ago
Florida State Seminoles transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos has committed to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, according to On3's Pete Nakos.
His addition shores up the depth at quarterback behind starter Will Hammond, who is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2025 season. Castellanos was out of eligibility following the 2025 season but went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He then elected to try to return to college for a fifth season, after the NCAA changed the eligibility rules. He won his lawsuit against the NCAA, getting another year of eligibility when a court in Kentucky granted an injunction, which also allowed him to enter the transfer portal outside the normal window. He was invited to several NFL training camps as a wide receiver, but never signed with a team.
Castellanos started all 12 games for FSU last season, completing 58.3% of his passes for 2,760 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He finished as FSU's leading rusher, carrying the ball 137 times for 557 yards and nine touchdowns.
He has played in 38 games during his career, also spending time with the UCF Knights and Boston College Eagles. He has thrown for 6,449 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,984 yards and 24 touchdowns.
#castellanos #eligibility #ncaa #games
His addition shores up the depth at quarterback behind starter Will Hammond, who is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2025 season. Castellanos was out of eligibility following the 2025 season but went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He then elected to try to return to college for a fifth season, after the NCAA changed the eligibility rules. He won his lawsuit against the NCAA, getting another year of eligibility when a court in Kentucky granted an injunction, which also allowed him to enter the transfer portal outside the normal window. He was invited to several NFL training camps as a wide receiver, but never signed with a team.
Castellanos started all 12 games for FSU last season, completing 58.3% of his passes for 2,760 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He finished as FSU's leading rusher, carrying the ball 137 times for 557 yards and nine touchdowns.
He has played in 38 games during his career, also spending time with the UCF Knights and Boston College Eagles. He has thrown for 6,449 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,984 yards and 24 touchdowns.
#castellanos #eligibility #ncaa #games
23 days ago
Caiya Hanks returned after a 14-month absence while recovering from an ACL injury to score the winning goal in the Portland Thorns' 2-1 victory over the Orlando Pride on Saturday night.
In the only other game in the National Women's Soccer League, Racing Louisville routed the Boston Legacy 4-1.
Eight minutes after coming on as a substitute, Hanks scored in the 96th minute to give the Thorns (10-6-4) the victory at Portland's Providence Park.
Deyna Castellanos gave Portland the lead in the 58th minute with a curling shot from a tight angle. Pietra Tordin got her ninth ***** ist on the goal.
Jacqueline Ovalle scored for the Pride in the 63rd minute to level it at 1-1. Orlando (7-11-2) has lost three straight.
#orlando
In the only other game in the National Women's Soccer League, Racing Louisville routed the Boston Legacy 4-1.
Eight minutes after coming on as a substitute, Hanks scored in the 96th minute to give the Thorns (10-6-4) the victory at Portland's Providence Park.
Deyna Castellanos gave Portland the lead in the 58th minute with a curling shot from a tight angle. Pietra Tordin got her ninth ***** ist on the goal.
Jacqueline Ovalle scored for the Pride in the 63rd minute to level it at 1-1. Orlando (7-11-2) has lost three straight.
#orlando
1 month ago
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell confirmed that the Seminoles have had discussions with former players after a recent ruling granted a fifth year of eligibility to athletes who graduated high school in 2022.
"We've talked to compliance. We've had some former players that we have communicated with, or they reached out, to get a sense of what it might look like," he said during a press conference on Tuesday. "So, we're just going to work through the process there. I know that it is definitely a unique dynamic."
While the ruling is a blanket one to all athletes who began their collegiate careers in the 2022-23 season, there are a few exceptions and limitations involved with it. The ruling does not include football players who signed professional contracts, and it prohibits the newly eligible players from entering the transfer portal unless they had already entered the portal this offseason.
Former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who only received a couple of rookie minicamp invites as a wide receiver rather than signing with a team as an undrafted free agent, has reportedly explored the idea of a comeback — either as a quarterback or as an "athlete."
Linebacker Elijah Herring is the only other player eligible to return to the Seminoles under the current ruling, as defensive back Jerry Wilson and wide receiver Squirrel White signed contracts as undrafted players, with White having also retired from football in May.
#Florida #state #we 've
"We've talked to compliance. We've had some former players that we have communicated with, or they reached out, to get a sense of what it might look like," he said during a press conference on Tuesday. "So, we're just going to work through the process there. I know that it is definitely a unique dynamic."
While the ruling is a blanket one to all athletes who began their collegiate careers in the 2022-23 season, there are a few exceptions and limitations involved with it. The ruling does not include football players who signed professional contracts, and it prohibits the newly eligible players from entering the transfer portal unless they had already entered the portal this offseason.
Former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who only received a couple of rookie minicamp invites as a wide receiver rather than signing with a team as an undrafted free agent, has reportedly explored the idea of a comeback — either as a quarterback or as an "athlete."
Linebacker Elijah Herring is the only other player eligible to return to the Seminoles under the current ruling, as defensive back Jerry Wilson and wide receiver Squirrel White signed contracts as undrafted players, with White having also retired from football in May.
#Florida #state #we 've
1 month ago
The college football season is now just four weeks away from its Week Zero kickoff. Programs will begin their quests for the College Football Playoff, and fan bases across the country will have renewed hope before their teams take the field.
Several programs and their fan bases are hoping for a much better 2026, especially after disappointing 2025 campaigns. Many schools have also hired new head coaches, hoping they can lead their programs back to national relevance.
MORE: Former FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos plans to explore a potential return to college football
The 2026 season will bring renewed optimism and excitement for fans nationwide. Not every team will rebound into a College Football Playoff contender, but meaningful progress is often enough to energize a fan base. Here are three schools that should bounce back in 2026 after dreadful 2025 seasons.
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) warms up in the second quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
#schools
Several programs and their fan bases are hoping for a much better 2026, especially after disappointing 2025 campaigns. Many schools have also hired new head coaches, hoping they can lead their programs back to national relevance.
MORE: Former FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos plans to explore a potential return to college football
The 2026 season will bring renewed optimism and excitement for fans nationwide. Not every team will rebound into a College Football Playoff contender, but meaningful progress is often enough to energize a fan base. Here are three schools that should bounce back in 2026 after dreadful 2025 seasons.
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) warms up in the second quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
#schools
1 month ago
There's a chance that former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos plays in college again during the 2026 season.
According to On3's Pete Nakos, Castellanos is exploring a return to college football for the 2026 season after gaining a fifth season of eligibility on Friday night.
MORE: Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti rips SEC 'hype machine'
It came after Colorado judge Charlotte Sweeney ordered the NCAA to declare eligible all class of 2022 athletes who finished their four seasons this past spring. Castellanos is one of those players after spending the 2025 season with Florida State.
Castellanos only spent one season with the Seminoles, finishing with 2,760 yards through the air, 15 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. It came after he spent the previous two seasons as the Boston College Eagles' starting quarterback. He also spent one season with the UCF Knights.
#spent #Florida #came #seasons
According to On3's Pete Nakos, Castellanos is exploring a return to college football for the 2026 season after gaining a fifth season of eligibility on Friday night.
MORE: Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti rips SEC 'hype machine'
It came after Colorado judge Charlotte Sweeney ordered the NCAA to declare eligible all class of 2022 athletes who finished their four seasons this past spring. Castellanos is one of those players after spending the 2025 season with Florida State.
Castellanos only spent one season with the Seminoles, finishing with 2,760 yards through the air, 15 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. It came after he spent the previous two seasons as the Boston College Eagles' starting quarterback. He also spent one season with the UCF Knights.
#spent #Florida #came #seasons
1 month ago
The Florida State Seminoles had to rely on their run game quite a bit in 2025 due to the inconsistency of former quarterback Tommy Castellanos. As a team, they racked up 2,624 yards in 12 games.
Running the ball well is something that FSU has done well under head coach Mike Norvell, who is back taking over play-calling duties. There's some big-time talent in the room for this season, and with transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels taking over as the starter, with the inconsistencies he's had, a strong run game will be beneficial and take some of the responsibility off of him.
With fall camp kicking off on Wednesday and the regular season set to begin in a month, let's dive into the running back room at Florida State.
RB Departures
Gavin Sawchuk: Sawchuk led all FSU running backs last year with 486 yards and eight touchdowns (second on the team in both categories) after playing with the Oklahoma Sooners for three seasons. He transferred to the Northwestern Wildcats for his final two years of eligibility.
#running #Florida #quarterback #team
Running the ball well is something that FSU has done well under head coach Mike Norvell, who is back taking over play-calling duties. There's some big-time talent in the room for this season, and with transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels taking over as the starter, with the inconsistencies he's had, a strong run game will be beneficial and take some of the responsibility off of him.
With fall camp kicking off on Wednesday and the regular season set to begin in a month, let's dive into the running back room at Florida State.
RB Departures
Gavin Sawchuk: Sawchuk led all FSU running backs last year with 486 yards and eight touchdowns (second on the team in both categories) after playing with the Oklahoma Sooners for three seasons. He transferred to the Northwestern Wildcats for his final two years of eligibility.
#running #Florida #quarterback #team
3 months ago
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Weston Wilson #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on September 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies continue to search for production from the outfield, cycling through a number of options without landing on a lasting solution.
The team cut ties with long-time right fielder Nick Castellanos before the season began, bringing in free agent Adolis Garcia as a replacement. Then Garcia was sidelined with an injury and the team called up Gabriel Rinconces Jr. for a look.
And as the team continues to evaluate the options, a former utility player who once seemed as if he might offer a solution in the outfield has gotten his own update.
FORBES | By Peter Chawaga
Giants’ 3-Time World Series Champ Sends Tony Vitello Message, Calls For Rebuild
The Philadelphia Phillies continue to search for production from the outfield, cycling through a number of options without landing on a lasting solution.
The team cut ties with long-time right fielder Nick Castellanos before the season began, bringing in free agent Adolis Garcia as a replacement. Then Garcia was sidelined with an injury and the team called up Gabriel Rinconces Jr. for a look.
And as the team continues to evaluate the options, a former utility player who once seemed as if he might offer a solution in the outfield has gotten his own update.
FORBES | By Peter Chawaga
Giants’ 3-Time World Series Champ Sends Tony Vitello Message, Calls For Rebuild
