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The Twins are only a few games below .500 with less than a week to go before the All-Star break. While it is a prospect and draft first show, Jamie and Jeremy briefly review what's making the Twins perform so well going into the break.View the full article

It's neither a secret nor a coincidence that, by the standards of big-league ballclubs, the Brewers are run rather like a college team. After all, their manager is one of just two active ones whose background is mostly as a college coach. Pat Murphy has acknowledged that, though he doesn't consciously try to bring the model that made him successful at Notre Dame and Arizona State University to bear in his management of Milwaukee, there's a degree to which his skill set and the way the small-market Crew run things match nicely to what a college program has to do in order to thrive. One way in which that shows up on the field is the collective discipline of the lineup, and not just in terms of swing decisions. When the team brings any of its endless line of young players to the big leagues—or even when they (re)acquire guys who have been in the majors elsewhere, as they did when they dealt for David Hamilton in February—they ask them to let the ball travel. It's important to the team that those guys learn to recognize pitches and to frustrate hurlers' attempts to lure them out of the zone and strike them out. They coach hitters to be patient and to hit the ball deeper in the hitting zone than they normally would. It's an essential part of their offensive DNA, including and especially when it comes time to get a clutch hit. This can make their young hitters look awfully unimpressive, at first. Brewers fans will well remember the ugly early days of Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio and Caleb Durbin, who took anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to tap into their offensive upside. In the meantime, those guys also get deployed strategically, sometimes being held out of the lineup when the matchup favors another player and other times being fed into the woodchipper in a bad matchup so they can learn the ropes. Almost no Brewers hitter comes up and gets to their power quickly. In service to the team and to optimize their development even after they matriculate to the majors, those guys are asked not to swing as aggressively as they otherwise might, in addition to not swinging as often as they otherwise might. Cooper Pratt is the latest exemplar. He came to the majors an unfinished product, because the team has sufficient confidence in Murphy and his coaching staff to finish off development after a player gets to the parent club. Pratt's arrival makes the team deeper and better defensively, and eventually, having him up right now will pay off. He might be better in 2027 than he would otherwise be, because he's here now. He might hit the turbo button and achieve the stardom that is very much possible for him in 2028, because he got some of the toughest adjustments to the bigs out of the way in 2026. That can make the first stint for players like Pratt frustrating, though, because you know this guy has a good chance to be good, but he's not good yet. Pratt entered Tuesday's doubleheader batting .204/.313/.222, with just one extra-base hit in 64 plate appearances. He'd already drawn eight walks and had only 11 strikeouts, but there was little lethality in his lumber. On Tuesday, alone, he raised his career OPS by .091. He came to bat nine times, drew three walks, and cracked two extra-base hits. This week, it seems, Pratt has been let off the leash. Of this 115 tracked swings Pratt has taken since coming up, six of the 12 fastest have come in the last two days. His double down the left-field line came on the third-fastest swing of his young career; his triple to right field came on the 21st-fastest. Pratt is a big guy, and scouting reports have always cited some latent raw power in his frame and his swing. We knew he was capable of more than he showed when he first came up. Now, the team seems to believe he's ready to let it eat. That doesn't mean Pratt will suddenly go on a power binge any time soon. His double was a grounder; two balls he hit on similarly vicious swings Tuesday stayed too low and didn't escape the infield. As our Jack Stern has already laid out, Pratt is more than a small tweak or a few weeks from becoming a full-fledged power hitter. However, he can be more dangerous than he's looked so far. He can get hits, as well as simply keeping the line moving by drawing walks. He can split gaps and find corners. He can make outfielders run backward now and then. We haven't seen much of that so far, because when he got here, the Brewers focused first on ensuring he could organize his zone properly and produce what the team needs in certain situations where the batter's stats aren't the focus. As we've seen this week, though, that talent is still in there. It could burst out of him down the stretch, if only in the form of a lot of singles and doubles, now that Pratt is swinging the way he's always been capable of. The hope when he came up was that he might lengthen the lineup, in a way neither Joey Ortiz nor David Hamilton could. At first, he didn't do so, but that was during an apprentice phase. Now, he's ready to deliver on that promise. View the full article

The MLB trade deadline is only a few weeks away, and the Twins once again find themselves walking the line between buying and selling. Minnesota remains in the thick of the American League Wild Card race despite battling injuries across nearly every area of the roster, making this year's deadline more about targeted additions than blockbuster moves. If the Twins continue to hover around playoff position, adding the right pieces could be enough to extend meaningful baseball into September. They don't need to overhaul the roster, but there are clearly areas where reinforcements would have the biggest impact. Here's how the Twins' roster needs rank heading toward the deadline. 3. Bats Of the three major areas on the roster, adding offense feels like the least likely scenario. In fact, there's a better chance Minnesota subtracts from this group than adds to it. Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell are both free agents, making each a logical trade candidate if the front office believes it can replace their production internally while improving another area of the roster. That isn't without risk. Veteran production carries value during a playoff chase, and replacing experienced hitters with unproven players always introduces some uncertainty. This is similar to what small-market teams do at the trade deadline as they balance buying and selling. Still, the organization has positioned itself well for exactly this scenario. The Twins lead the American League in runs scored, despite several core hitters enduring lengthy slumps during the first half. That's an encouraging sign, because even more offensive help could be arriving from within. Walker Jenkins has done everything necessary to put himself on the doorstep of the major leagues at Triple-A St. Paul. Alan Roden, acquired at last year's trade deadline, has looked like a quality depth option since returning from injury. Meanwhile, Matt Wallner appears to have rediscovered his swing after being sent to Triple-A, earning International League Player of the Month honors for June. Not every contender can point to that kind of offensive depth waiting in the wings (though, of course, Byron Buxton's injury has already forced Roden to join the active roster). 2. Starting Pitching The Twins have managed to survive a wave of rotation injuries, but asking them to continue doing so for another two months feels optimistic. Connor Prielipp has been impressive at times, but the organization will almost certainly have to monitor his workload as he approaches an innings limit during the second half. At the same time, Minnesota has already lost a trio of pitchers for the year, including Pablo López, David Festa, and Mick Abel. This has forced the coaching staff to piece together stretches of the schedule with regular bullpen games. Bailey Ober is expected back soon, which should stabilize the rotation, but one healthy return doesn't erase the lack of depth behind the current starters. Kendry Rojas and John Klein are already on the 40-man roster, but both have primarily been used in long relief, rather than traditional starting roles. Ryan Gallagher, another pitcher acquired at last year's deadline, has intriguing upside at Triple-A but needs to demonstrate more consistency before earning a promotion. He's also not yet on the 40-man roster. One dependable veteran starter could dramatically change the outlook for Minnesota's rotation. It would reduce the strain on younger arms, lessen the need for bullpen games, and provide valuable stability over the season's final two months. 1. Bullpen The bullpen has been Minnesota's biggest need for nearly a full calendar year. That reality became even more painful when Jhoan Duran and Louis Varland were both selected as first-time All-Stars in 2026. Either one would be anchoring the back end of the Twins' bullpen right now, had they remained in the organization. Instead, Minnesota entered the season already searching for reliable late-inning depth, before injuries created an even bigger problem. Anthony Banda had settled into the primary setup role after a difficult April, posting a sparkling 1.00 ERA over 20 appearances since May 10. Just as he found his groove, a significant lat strain knocked him out for multiple months, leaving another major hole in the bullpen. Cole Sands has also been unavailable for most of the season after suffering a mild right forearm strain in early May. He has appeared in only 12 games this year. He's now out on a rehab assignment and could be back in the majors almost right away, but there's no guarantee that he'll be the best version of himself when he returns—and the team needs that version of him, or something even better. Even before those injuries, the bullpen lacked enough trustworthy options behind the late-inning arms. Now, the group could benefit from reinforcements from both the right and left sides. The encouraging part is that relief pitching is often the easiest area to address at the trade deadline. Contending teams routinely shuffle bullpen pieces, and quality relievers can usually be acquired without paying the premium attached to starting pitchers. If the Twins ultimately decide to make only one significant addition before the deadline, it should be a reliever capable of handling meaningful outs in the seventh, eighth, or ninth. Improving the bullpen would not only strengthen the relief corps, but also protect a rotation that has already absorbed more than its share of injuries. Minnesota's offense has carried the club through stretches of the first half, giving the front office the flexibility to focus almost exclusively on pitching before the deadline. A veteran starter would provide welcome stability, but the bullpen remains the clear priority. Between injuries, a lack of dependable depth, and the increased workload created by bullpen games, the Twins need more reliable relief options if they're serious about staying in the postseason race. A couple of smart, targeted pitching additions could be enough to support an offense that has already proven capable of carrying its share of the load. If the Twins remain in contention over the next few weeks, that's exactly the type of deadline approach fans should expect. Do you agree with the rankings? What would be a perfect trade deadline for the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, Fish On First brings you a series of scouting reports on top prospects in this draft class who could realistically wind up in Miami. Overview Position: OF Height: 6’2” Weight: 192 pounds School: LSU Derek Curiel is a 6’2”, 192-pound outfielder who plays for the LSU Tigers. Curiel has been an excellent hitter since he arrived on campus at LSU. He’s one of the best prospects and the top-ranked draft-eligible sophomore in this draft class. Coming out of high school, Curiel was an elite-level prospect from Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. On Perfect Game, Curiel was the tenth-ranked prospect and the sixth-ranked outfielder in the Class of 2024. He was also the second-ranked prospect and the #1 outfielder out of the Golden State. Curiel went undrafted and honored his commitment to LSU. During his freshman season, Curiel earned a starting role and immediately became one of the top hitters in all of college baseball. Curiel played and started in all 63 games. He slashed .345/.470/.519 with 89 hits, 20 doubles, seven home runs, 55 RBIs, 53 walks, and a .990 OPS. Curiel was named the D1 Baseball National Freshman of the Year and was a First Team Freshman All-American. In the 2026 season, Curiel continued to produce at a high level for the LSU Tigers. Curiel played and started in 58 games. He slashed .353/.431/.526 with 82 hits, eighteen doubles, six home runs, 46 RBIs, thirteen stolen bases, 34 walks, and a .957 OPS. Curiel was named a Third-Team All-America by the American Baseball Coaches Association. At the plate, Curiel is one of the best pure-hitters in this draft class. He’s a left-handed hitter with a line drive swing. He can drive the ball with authority to all fields. His power is pretty limited due to his flat swing, and he still needs to fill in his frame. Defensively, Curiel proved that he can play center field at the next level. He mostly played left field during his freshman year, but patrolled center this past season. He doesn’t have the best arm strength, but he’s a very good athlete who can track balls well in the outfield. He also has above-average speed, and that helps him with his range and base-stealing ability. Strengths 60-grade hit tool Highly productive hitter at LSU Plus bat speed Projected to stick in CF Above-average speed Weaknesses Doesn’t have much power Flat swing Below-average arm strength Pro Comparison: Leonys Martín Projection: Top 15 pick Bottom Line Derek Curiel was a blue-chip high school prospect and a highly productive hitter during his two seasons at LSU. While he doesn’t possess much power, there’s some room for growth. On ESPN and Baseball America, Curiel is the tenth-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. On MLB Pipeline, Curiel is the 12th-ranked draft prospect and the third-ranked outfielder in this draft class. The Marlins will have the 14th overall pick and should be able to grab one of the top prospects in this draft class. Curiel would be an excellent option for the Fish and BA's Carlos Collazo writes that he might be "their preference" when it comes to first-round hitters, but he's unlikely to be on the board for them, if the industry's leading mock drafts are to be trusted. More 2026 MLB draft profiles RHP Tegan Kuhns OF Sawyer Strosnider RHP Liam Peterson 3B Bo Lowrance LHP Hunter Dietz INF Tyler Bell INF Chris Hacopian LHP Brody Bumila OF Trevor Condon RHP Cade Townsend OF Drew Burress LHP Gio Rojas RHP Cameron Flukey OF Eric Booth Jr. 3B Ace Reese LHP Carson Bolemon RHP Jackson Flora INF Jacob Lombard OF AJ Gracia View the full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series vs. St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins): Saints lead, 1-0 Season Record: 35–50-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series vs. Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers): Smokies lead, 1-0 Season Record: 47–35 High-A South Bend Cubs Series at Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins): Cubs lead, 1-0 Season Record: 46–32 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series vs. Fredericksburg Nationals (Washington Nationals): Pelicans lead, 1-0 Season Record: 34–46 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 35–50-1 Series Opponent: St. Paul Saints (49-37) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 July 7: The Iowa Cubs fell in Tuesday night’s series opener to the St. Paul Saints, 7-4, at Principal Park. The Saints raced out to a 7-0 after scoring three times in the second and four in the third. The Cubs stopped the run in the fourth by pushing one run across thanks to a St. Paul error. Jonathan Long (1-for-5) doubled home a run in the eighth and BJ Murray made it 7-4 in the ninth when he blasted a two-run shot, his 12th of the season but that would be as close as the I-Cubs would get in the contest. Jordan Wicks got the start for Iowa and was handed the loss, falling to 0-6 on the season. Wicks allowed seven runs, six earned, on six hits over three innings of work to go along with four walks and one strikeout. Paul Campbell and Jayden Murray each worked three scoreless frames in relief, combining to yield just three hits while whiffing seven batters. Brett Bateman put together his first four-hit performance of the year, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored, a pair of doubles and a walk. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 47–35 Series Opponent: Biloxi Shuckers (43–35) Series Standing: Lead, 1-0 July 7: The Knoxville Smokies opened their series vs. the Biloxi Shuckers with a 9-4 victory on Tuesday night at Covenant Health Park. The Shuckers took the lead in the second and added another run in the fifth to make it 2-0. In the home half of the frame, Jefferson Rojas (2-for-4) crushed a solo shot, his 14th of the year, to pull the Smokies within one. After Biloxi made it 3-1 in the sixth, Knoxville responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning to go up 7-3. Edgar Alvarez (1-for-3) collected an RBI-single and Karson Simas (1-for-4) followed with an RBI-triple. Drew Bowser’s (2-for-4) RBI-single put the Smokies in front and Alex Ramírez’ (2-for-5) three-run blast, his 10th of the campaign, put the distance between the two sides. The Shuckers plated one run in the seventh before Ramírez stole home and Andy Garriola (1-for-4) singled home a run in the eighth to make it 9-4. Connor Schultz got the start on the mound for Knoxville and earned the win, improving to 2-3 on the season. Schultz fired his second-straight quality start, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings of work to go along with six strikeouts and no walks. Tyler Ras tossed two scoreless frames to end the ballgame, earning his second save. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 46–32 Series Opponent: Cedar Rapids Kernels (33–46) Series Standing: Lead, 1-0 July 7: The South Bend Cubs opened their series at the Cedar Rapids Kernels with a 7-5 victory, in 10 innings, on Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels took a 1-0 lead after two but the Cubs jumped in front with three runs in the fifth, thanks to RBI-singles from Josiah Hartshorn (2-for-5) and Matt Halbach (2-for-4), and a sacrifice fly from Angel Cepeda (1-for-3). Cedar Rapid plated four runs in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 5-3. Miguel Useche (2-for-5) picked up an RBI-single in the seventh and Christian Olivo (1-for-4) tied the game later in the frame with a sacrifice fly of his own. The ballgame would head to extra innings tied at 5-5 where South Bend would score their first run of the 10th on an error and later push the lead to two when Hartshorn crushed a solo shot, his 10th with the Cubs this season. Grayson Moore tossed a scoreless 10th to end the game and earn his third save of the season. Mason McGwire got the start on the mound for South Bend and took no decision. McGwire allowed one run on three hits over four innings of work to go along with one walk and three strikeouts. Adam Stone worked two shutout innings in relief to earn the win and improve to 5-1 on the season. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 34–46 Series Opponent: Fredericksburg Nationals (54–28) Series Standing: Lead, 1-0 July 7: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans opened their series vs. the Fredericksburg Nationals with an 11-9 walk-off victory in extra innings on Tuesday night at Pelicans Ballpark. The Pelicans took a 1-0 lead in the first through Eli Lovich’s (1-for-3) sacrifice fly. The Nationals evened the contest with a run in the third but Myrtle Beach responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Lovich increased his RBI tally to three with a two-run triple and Derniche Valdez (4-for-6) drove in a run on a single. Fredericksburg took a 5-4 lead in the fourth after putting up a four-spot in the frame. Jose Silva’s (1-for-3) first-career home run at the Single-A level in the sixth tied the game at 5-5. The two teams each scored twice in the seventh, the Pelicans grabbing their runs on a wild pitch and an RBI-groundout from Geuri Lubo (1-for-5), and the contest would head to extras tied at 7-7. The Nationals scored twice in their chance at the plate in the 10th but Valdez launched a grand slam on a full count with two outs to cap a dramatic comeback. Edwardo Melendez picked up the win in relief to improve to 3-2 on the season. Melendez allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits over three innings of work, walking one and striking out three. 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Leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, Fish On First brings you a series of scouting reports on top prospects in this draft class who could realistically wind up in Miami. Overview Position: RHP Height: 6’3″ Weight: 190 pounds School: Tennessee Tegan Kuhns is a 6’3”, 190-pound right-handed pitcher who plays for the University of Tennessee. Kuhns is one of the top draft-eligible sophomores in the 2026 MLB Draft class. He’s also one of the most interesting prospects in this draft class. Coming out of high school, Kuhns was an elite prospect from Gettysburg Area High School in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On Perfect Game, Kuhns was the 45th-ranked prospect and the 11th-ranked right-handed pitcher in the Class of 2024. He was also named a Perfect Game All-American. Kuhns went undrafted in 2023 and honored his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers. During his freshman season, Kuhns was mostly used as a starting pitcher but didn’t have the best season. He made fifteen appearances and ten starts. Kuhns posted a 2-4 record with a 5.40 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 36 ⅔ innings pitched. In his sophomore season, Kuhns had a major breakout season and improved his draft stock a ton. Kuhns made fifteen appearances and fourteen starts. He posted a 5-5 record with a 3.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, one complete game shutout, and 106 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched. He was named Second Team All-SEC. On the mound, Kuhns has a four-pitch mix, but mostly relies on two pitches. Kuhns features a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and was clocked as high as 99 mph last season. He also throws an excellent 12-6 curveball that sits in the upper 70s. For Kuhns to be a starting pitcher at the next level, he needs to develop another quality weapon, whether that means improving his slider or changeup or working on something new. Kuhns has improved on his control from his freshman season. However, his command needs to be better. More repeatable mechanics would help with that. Strengths Mid-to-upper 90s fastball 60-grade curveball with 12-6 shape Excellent pitcher’s size Projectable body frame Made strides improving his control Weaknesses Needs to develop a third pitch Too much over the plate Needs to fill out his frame Pro Comparison: Gage Wood Projection: Top 25 pick Bottom Line Tegan Kuhns has the tools to be an excellent pitching prospect, but needs to physically mature and work on his mechanics. If he’s able to develop more pitches to complement his fastball and curveball, he could be one of the best pitchers to come out of this draft class. On ESPN, Kuhns is the 18th-ranked prospect and the fifth-ranked right-handed pitching prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. Kuhns is also the 22nd-ranked draft prospect on Baseball America and the 25th-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline. The Marlins will have the 14th overall pick and should be able to grab one of the top prospects in this draft class. Kuhns could be an option if the Fish believe they can mold him into a more complete pitcher. More 2026 MLB draft profiles OF Sawyer Strosnider RHP Liam Peterson 3B Bo Lowrance LHP Hunter Dietz INF Tyler Bell INF Chris Hacopian LHP Brody Bumila OF Trevor Condon RHP Cade Townsend OF Drew Burress LHP Gio Rojas RHP Cameron Flukey OF Eric Booth Jr. 3B Ace Reese LHP Carson Bolemon RHP Jackson Flora INF Jacob Lombard OF AJ Gracia View the full article

The Minnesota Twins have spent much of the 2026 season searching for stability at shortstop. Veterans have cycled through the position, prospects have generated excitement, and many fans have circled one name as the long-term answer: Kaelen Culpepper. That future still appears bright, but it will have to wait a little longer. Triple-A St. Paul placed Culpepper on the 7-day injured list Tuesday because of a recurring glute injury, another frustrating setback in what has otherwise been an impressive second full professional season. While Culpepper hadn't appeared in a game since taking a pitch off his hand late last month, the hand injury wasn't the reason for his latest IL stint. Instead, it's the same glute injury that first surfaced in mid-June and has continued to linger. Recurring soft-tissue injuries are rarely resolved quickly, making it possible that Culpepper's absence extends beyond the seven-day minimum. That timing is unfortunate because the 23-year-old has done everything possible to put himself on the doorstep of the major leagues. After a slow start, Culpepper caught fire offensively, hitting .272/.376/.492 (.868) with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 17 attempts across 63 games. His combination of power, athleticism, and defensive versatility has only strengthened the belief that he's Minnesota's shortstop of the future. The injuries, however, have interrupted that momentum. The glute issue originally sidelined Culpepper after June 13 and limited him to just two games following his return on June 28. He went 1-for-8 in those contests before being hit on the hand by a pitch on June 30. While the hand initially appeared to be the biggest concern, the recurring glute injury ultimately proved to be the issue that forced another trip to the injured list. Unfortunately for the Twins, Culpepper isn't the only top prospect whose season has been interrupted by injuries. Walker Jenkins, the organization's top prospect, missed significant time earlier this year after suffering a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder when he crashed into an outfield wall in early May. Since returning, Jenkins has looked like himself again, collecting hits in seven of his first nine games back and launching a home run on Friday. His recent production has renewed optimism that he could make his major league debut before the season ends. The Twins have seen several of their highest-ranked prospects lose valuable development time over the past couple of seasons, making Culpepper's latest setback feel all too familiar. Still, there's plenty of reason for optimism. Nothing about this injury changes Culpepper's long-term outlook. He has already demonstrated he can handle Triple-A pitching and possesses the complete skill set Minnesota envisioned when it selected him in the first round. The only question now is when he'll be healthy enough to resume building toward his first call to the majors. Twins fans may have to wait a little longer for the organization's future shortstop to arrive, but if Culpepper returns healthy and picks up where he left off, that wait should still be well worth it. View the full article

Luis Lara made his big-league debut Tuesday in St. Louis. He had an immediate impact, and there are many ways he can help this year's team. But how can he progress from a complementary piece in a crowded outfield mix to the full-timer the Brewers envisioned when they signed him to a long-term, pre-debut extension? First, let's do a quick review of his background. Lara is a 21-year-old outfield prospect who has surged up the team’s minor-league ladder since he signed for $1.1 million out of Venezuela. He quickly made a name for himself, leapfrogging the team’s Arizona Complex League team to play with the Single-A Carolina Mudcats to start the 2023 campaign. That year started a trend of three years out of four wherein the speedy center fielder logged a batting average above .250. Lara rose all the way up to play with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds this year, where he slashed .321/.432/.470, all career-bests, across 78 games. His ability to play the Brewers’ style of baseball at a high level at every stop earned him the chance he gets now: to represent the team at the highest level, still four months before his 22nd birthday. Game-Wrecking Speed The Venezuela native is diminutive, at 5-foot-7 and 169 pounds, so it’s no secret that his forte is getting up the line in a hurry. Lara is fresh off back-to-back 40-steal seasons, swiping 45 bases with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2024 before finishing one steal shy of that total with the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers last year. Lara’s speed is well above average, and it supplements his strongest attribute, fielding. The speedy outfielder’s fielding tool earned a 70-grade on MLB Pipeline’s 20-to-80 scouting scale. This is someone who, despite his young age, you could argue has mastered the art of being a commanding center fielder as well as just about anybody. His scouting report states that he makes the correct initial reads and can cover plenty of ground gap-to-gap. He also piled up 10 outfield assists in the 2025 campaign. Power On The Rise Given that small size we mentioned, though, Lara has never hit for much power—until now. The switch-hitting prospect was strictly a doubles and triples guy in the past, but he ran into nine home runs over the course of 78 games in Nashville this year, which would put him on pace for an 18-home run performance across a 162-game season. For context, Lara had just 10 home runs over 391 games entering the 2026 season. As a result, his on-base plus slugging (OPS) metric ballooned to a career-best .902, .170 better than his previous career high across a couple of minor-league levels back in 2023. Where Does He Fit? The question for Lara now becomes: Where will he fit in the grand scheme of the Brewers’ outfield? Right now, he joins the team’s active roster, accompanying Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Greg Jones and Garrett Mitchell. Chourio is locked down on a long-term deal and will not come out of the lineup much at all, barring injury. Frelick notably plays the most comparable style to Lara, never topping out past a .752 OPS but offering speed, defense and intensity. He'll be arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, so some decision is pending, at least. Mitchell is on year two of arbitration after settling for $950,000 this year, and as a center fielder, he occupies the spot Lara seems to fit best. He's having such a good year, though, that it's not clear the team should or would displace him in order to install Lara, now or later. Lara will likely be a rotational piece in 2026, but with him getting an extension earlier this year, an everyday outfield spot should be in his future. At this moment, the best guess is that his time will come at the expense of Frelick and Mitchell, with each getting spelled against some left-handed starters. To find a deeper toehold next year, though, he'll have to show he can do as much for the club as those guys have already done—or wait for the Brewers to get an offer on one of them that they can't refuse. View the full article

Right-handed pitching prospect Paulshawn Pasqualotto began his 2026 campaign with High-A Cedar Rapids, operating as the Kernels' primary closer. Through 18 innings pitched, the 25-year-old generated a 1.50 ERA, 1.96 FIP, and 44.1% strikeout rate, while netting four saves. He was promoted to Double-A Wichita, where he took on a setup role, netting a 3.94 ERA, 3.57 FIP, and a 24.3% strikeout rate over 16 innings pitched before being promoted to Triple-A St. Paul on July 2. It took Pasqualotto only 34 innings pitched to make the substantial jump from High-A to Triple-A. Minnesota Twins decision-makers are rushing the 12th-round pick through the high minors, seemingly with the intention of converting the former starting pitching prospect into a viable major-league relief option. The young righty made his Triple-A debut against the Buffalo Bisons on July 3, striking out three in a scoreless inning and earning his first save as a Saint. Pasqualotto’s ascension isn’t unique, as fellow former starting prospects Mike Paredes, Alejandro Hidalgo, and CJ Culpepper have been promoted aggressively this season, with eyes on them impacting the major-league pitching staff in some capacity. Obviously, Paredes already has done so. Yet, Pasqualotto has been promoted the most aggressively, signaling that the Twins might view him as an arm that could soon become a member of the parent club’s pen. Right now, Minnesota has the fifth-worst bullpen in baseball, according to Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR). Yoendrys Gómez and Andrew Morris have developed into viable late-inning arms. None of Taylor Rogers, Travis Adams, Eric Orze, Kody Funderburk, Marco Raya, or Woo-Suk Go can be trusted in high-leverage roles, at least right now. That being the case, Derek Shelton is often forced to use inconsistent arms in high-leverage situations, which has led to multiple late-game collapses. It would be silly to suggest Pasqualotto would immediately become a reliable late-inning arm. He has less experience and is of a lower prospect stature than the young arms that presently populate the bottom of Minnesota’s bullpen, in Raya and Go. Given how dire a state Minnesota’s bullpen is in, however, Pasqualotto could soon earn a 40-man roster spot and join the club’s eight-pitcher relief unit, especially if he can build off his impressive Triple-A debut. Pasqualotto has excelled at pounding the zone between Double-A and Triple-A, sporting a near-elite called plus swinging strike rate (CSW%), zone contact rate, and whiff rate between the two levels. The right-handed arm’s stuff isn’t particularly eye-popping, with his four-seam, slider, and cutter grading out as slightly below average. As noted earlier, however, he locates his pitches incredibly well, mixing his two fastball variants and slider with his change, which operates as his out pitch against left-handed hitters. His slider functions as his out pitch against righties. Sitting around 96 MPH, Pasqualotto’s four-seamer is his foundational pitch, which he throws against hitters of either handedness. The young righty has utilized his four-pitch mix to produce an impressive 34.7% strikeout rate between Double- and Triple-A this season, proving that he has the potential to miss bats in the majors. He does struggle with control, as evidenced by a 14.8% walk rate. Still, Pasqualotto has impressed while being promoted aggressively, missing bats at each stop. Minnesota’s bullpen is in dire straits and in need of young, high-upside internal options to fill out the bottom half of the unit. Pasqualotto is already a twin. He has a twin sister named Brooklyn, and frankly, his first name suggests that his parents were anticipating twin boys or triplets, and so he ended up being named like an entire set of twins. It's nearly time to capitalize that 't' and see how it suits Pasqualotto. View the full article

Leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, Fish On First brings you a series of scouting reports on top prospects in this draft class who could realistically wind up in Miami. Overview Position: OF Height: 6’2” Weight: 200 pounds School: TCU Sawyer Strosnider is a 6’2”, 200-pound outfielder who plays for the TCU Horned Frogs. Strosnider is one of the best athletes in the 2026 MLB Draft class. The draft-eligible sophomore also has one of the best power tools in this draft class. Coming out of high school, Strosnider was a blue-chip prospect from Brock High School in Parker County, Texas. On Perfect Game, Strosnider was the 101st-ranked prospect and the 17th-ranked outfielder in the Class of 2024. Strosnider went undrafted and honored his commitment to TCU. During his freshman season, Strosnider earned a starting role and immediately became one of the best hitters in the Big 12. Strosnider played in 56 games and started in 55. He slashed .350/.420/.650 with 77 hits, thirteen doubles, ten triples, eleven home runs, 51 RBIs, and a 1.070 OPS. He was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and First-Team Freshman All-American. In the 2026 season, Strosnider didn’t produce at the same level. Strosnider played and started in 50 games. He slashed .273/.415/.590 with 50 hits, eleven doubles, four triples, thirteen home runs, 47 RBIs, twelve stolen bases, and a 1.005 OPS. At the plate, Strosnider has an excellent left-handed swing and consistently makes loud contact with pitches in the zone. However, he does tend to chase pitches out of the zone. He made strides in taking more walks and still possesses light tower power. During batting practice at the MLB Draft Combine last month, Strosnider posted an average exit velocity of 93.1 mph and a 90th percentile EV of 106.3 mph. For context, our draft profile series has also featured Combine participants Bo Lowrance (91.1 mph average and 103.0 mph 90th) and Trevor Condon (95.4 mph average and 101.8 mph 90th). Strosnider is an excellent defensive outfielder. He’s likely to play center field or right field at the next level. He has 60-grade speed and one of the best arms in this draft class. Even though he mostly played right field at TCU, some scouts believe his future is in center. Strengths 60-grade power tool High contact rate for pitches in the zone 60-grade speed Above-average arm strength Premier outfield defense Weaknesses Bad 2026 season High chase rate Below-average hit tool Pro Comparison: JJ Bleday Projection: Top 30 pick Bottom Line Sawyer Strosnider has many excellent tools and is one of the best prospects in this draft class. However, his hit tool has some volatility. Struggles during the 2026 season may have hurt his stock. On Baseball America, Strosnider is the 14th-ranked prospect and the fourth-ranked outfielder in the 2026 MLB Draft. On MLB Pipeline, Strosnider is the 22nd-ranked draft prospect. He’s also the 36th-ranked draft prospect on ESPN. The Marlins will have the 14th overall pick and should be able to grab one of the top prospects in this draft class. They have been comfortable making big bets in athletic, power-hitting prospects in previous drafts, and Strosnider fits that mold. More 2026 MLB draft profiles RHP Liam Peterson 3B Bo Lowrance LHP Hunter Dietz INF Tyler Bell INF Chris Hacopian LHP Brody Bumila OF Trevor Condon RHP Cade Townsend OF Drew Burress LHP Gio Rojas RHP Cameron Flukey OF Eric Booth Jr. 3B Ace Reese LHP Carson Bolemon RHP Jackson Flora INF Jacob Lombard OF AJ Gracia View the full article

It’s no secret that the Chicago Cubs have been decimated by injuries, specifically in their starting rotation. With Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton and Justin Steele all still on the mend, here are three pitchers the Cubs could trade for without shelling out an absurd amount of either money (they're already near the maximum the Rickettses will want to spend) or talent (since their farm system isn't strong and needs to be bolstered, rather than gutted). Joe Ryan "Affordable" doesn't always mean "cheap," and Ryan would certainly come with a cost. The 30-year-old right-handed pitcher is currently on an arbitration-avoiding $6.1 million dollar deal. Technically, there's a mutual option in there for next season, but that will be declined; he'll be arbitration-eligible for the last time this winter. The Minnesota Twins are 45-47, so they would be likely sellers in a normal year. However, the American League is so chaotic this season that almost everybody could make a case that their playoff hopes are still alive with about 70 games to go. Prying Ryan loose, with a year-plus of team control left and Minnesota in the hunt, won't be easy. It should be worth it, though. Ryan’s advanced analytics jump off the chart. His 28.8% strikeout rate clearly identifies him as the type of pitcher the Cubs rotation has desperately needed and hopelessly lacked for a long time: the bat-missing kind. Unlike many guys who show the ability to rack up punchouts, though, he also fills up the zone, and has a 5.4% walk rate this year. His chase and whiff rates are also above league average, and a .209 expected opponent batting average implies there is no luck involved in what has been one of the second All-Star season of his career. It's a six-pitch arsenal, featuring a fastball, sweeper, knuckle-curve, split-finger, sinker and slider. Half of those pitches (the sweeper, knuckle-curve and split-finger) have generated an opposing batting average below the Mendoza line. This is someone with control, deception and plenty of tools in his tool box. He would slot into the top of the Cubs’ rotation beautifully. Financially, he wouldn't cost that much. It would take a haul to land him, but once they did, they would be able to plan for Ryan being a co-ace with Cade Horton in 2027, and they'd end up saving enough money and future prospect capital to make the investment now feel worthwhile. Robbie Ray Unlike the American League, there are definite sellers in the National League. The San Francisco Giants fall into that category, sitting at 38-53 and 11.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot. Ray, who is making $25 million in the final year of his deal with the Giants, will be a free agent after the conclusion of this season. Considering Ray would be a 34-year-old rental, he shouldn’t be terribly expensive in this year’s trade market. With that being said, he could still provide the Cubs with some much-needed stability in a rotation that has been hammered with IL stints. Ray consistently disrupts hitters' swings, and is particularly adept at getting them out on the front foot. He's also been durable lately, taking the ball every turn through the rotation since the start of 2025. Most of his advanced analytics are below average; he doesn’t have crazy strikeout stuff or a chase rate that will blow any scouts away. What he does have is a strong fastball-slider combo, a 1-2 sequence he uses 54% of the time. All five of his pitches have held opposing batters to an average below the .240 mark, and despite allowing a 19.6° launch angle, the second-steepest of his career, the average exit velocity is down from its usual spot at 89.0. This is someone who picks his way through a lineup. He’s on a team that should be in sell mode, and he’d be ultra cheap considering his expiring contract. If needed, the Cubs could slightly juice the return to get the Giants to pay down the money he's still owed. Sandy Alcantara Ryan is the best pitcher on this list as this point, but because of his pedigree and his fit with the team, Alcantara would make the biggest splash on a team in desperate need of some reliable starting pitching. Signed to a long-term deal in late 2021, he has a club option that kicks in for the 2027 season before he becomes eligible for free agency. The Miami Marlins are currently holding on to the final NL Wild Card spot, and are playing so well of late that they might be buyers, not sellers. With that being said, Miami is a smaller market who holds a valuable gem in the 30-year-old righty. Alcantara’s fastball velocity is still excellent, with the pitch riding in at an average of 97.4 miles per hour with plenty of arm-side run. The veteran righty just surpassed 1,000 career strikeouts, and he’s holding seven different pitches in what has turned into a deadly arsenal. His strikeout numbers are down this year, but he’s become a master of mitigating hard contact. The 5.2% barrel percentage and 45.2% ground ball rate have been keys to his success in a season where he’s eaten 123 2/3 innings already. He'd be so good in front of the Cubs' elite defense that it's hard not to dream on this one. Miami would have to fall out of contention for Alcantara to become available at a price point the Cubs would deem affordable, but if that happens, Jed Hoyer should pounce. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs have a starting rotation that has been decimated by injuries. In this video, we'll do an analytical breakdown on how trading for Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins), Robby Ray (San Francisco Giants), and/or Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins) can help remedy a rotation that is missing Cade Horton, Ben Brown, Edward Cabrera, Justin Steele, and Jameson Taillon. Enjoy! View the full article

The Blue Jays are trying just about everything to get their offense started. They've tried being patient at the plate. They've tried attacking early in counts. They've shuffled the batting order and mixed-and-matched lineups based on matchups. Every team goes through offensive slumps, and for the Jays, those slumps haven’t been offset by enough winning stretches. Through 91 games (entering play on Tuesday), the Blue Jays own a .304 on-base percentage and have drawn only 248 walks. Both figures rank near the bottom of Major League Baseball. Their .685 OPS also sits well below league average and explains why scoring opportunities have been so few and far between. The Jays have seen the third-lowest number of pitches this season with 12,800. That is about 250 more than the Red Sox and 50 more than the Rays. The Dodgers, Cubs and Pirates have seen nearly 2,000 more pitches in their games, and all have about the same number of batted balls as the Jays. In the last week alone, opposing starting pitchers have managed to work deep into games by throwing competitive pitches (often for strikes). When they have strayed from the zone, Jays hitters have followed. The result has been some lopsided scores. Baseball is a hard game, but it is even more difficult when, as a team, you don’t follow a plan. Data like release point, velocity, spin, bat speed and launch angle can be helpful for modern-day pitchers and batters, but just having the data doesn’t mean a player can execute. Any advantage when it comes to counts and runners on base is valuable for an offense. Obviously, easier said than done. Changing the order in search of a hot-hand can work, and it has a few times this season, but not for a prolonged stretch. The Jays have lost their mojo largely because opponents have shifted their approach against them. Once an offense loses its edge, it starts to try a little harder and inevitably falters. Trading half the lineup won’t help if the approach at the plate remains the same. Not being selective and not getting hitters' counts means opposing pitchers can continue to follow their game plans. The team is hitting .186 with two strikes this season. That ranks second best in MLB. The problem is that they don’t get to two strikes all that often (and hitting under .200 isn’t great). When you include their MLB-leading 64% swing rate when down two strikes, that .186 doesn’t look any better. In Monday night’s loss to the Giants, the Jays put 12 balls in play with the majority of those pitches on the fringes of the plate. As Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi pointed out: “tough spots to get to damage.” The recent 29-inning scoreless streak wasn't simply the result of elite pitching. Opposing pitchers have been good, but the Jays have made them look exceptional. Statcast data says the Jays own a 35.7 percent hard-hit rate and a 6.3 percent barrel rate this season, both of which rank in the lower tier of Major League Baseball. Their expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) sits at .298, almost identical to their actual production. Another indicator that pitchers are dictating at-bats is Toronto's lack of impact contact. Despite putting 2,411 balls in play, the Blue Jays have produced just 151 barrels this season. Only Cleveland has fewer barrels among teams with a comparable number of batted balls. Statcast defines a barrel as the ideal combination of exit velocity and launch angle, and those are the swings that typically produce extra-base hits and home runs. Without more barrels, the Jays won't be doing much damage. Based on recent at-bats, it kind of feels like if the Jays were using bigger bats, they still wouldn't be barrelling up the ball. Opposing teams have figured something out, and the blueprint is working over and over again. Attack the zone. Avoid walks. And force Jays hitters to swing at pitcher-friendly pitches. Follow that formula and weak contact follows. The frustrating part for the Blue Jays is that the issue isn't solely about contact. They rank among the tougher teams in baseball to strike out, but avoiding strikeouts only matters if the ball is being hit hard. Too many of Toronto's balls in play have resulted in routine outs rather than hitting them where they ain't. Major league hitters don’t tend to have holes in their swings. Their hitting is analyzed in every game and every at-bat. It is simple, as an outsider, to say that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should lay off every outside pitch. You aren't going to ask Ernie Clement or Kazuma Okamoto to stop expanding their zones. Or tell Daulton Varsho that he should stop chasing pitches above the zone and suggest to Andrés Giménez to improve his bat speed. The problem is that pitchers are constantly adjusting as well. A recommitment to controlling at-bats, forcing pitchers into hitter’s counts and refusing to expand the strike zone may not generate immediate results, but it would represent a step toward building an offensive identity. If you reverse the perspective and think about how teams have adjusted to Kevin Gausman, perhaps there are some lessons to be learned there. Teams that are effective against Gausman tend to identify his put-away pitch, the splitter, and hunt the fastball or slider. When Gausman isn’t executing with his splitter by keeping it around the zone, opposing lineups have found success. The Blue Jays don't need a complete overhaul. They need opposing pitchers to stop feeling comfortable. They need the pitch counts of starters to be above 40 in the third inning. They need those starters to leave games after five innings instead of seven. They need more hitter's counts, more traffic on the bases and more opportunities to swing at pitches they can actually drive. Most importantly, they need to stop helping opposing pitchers execute their game plans. Until that changes, no lineup shuffle, hot streak or trade deadline addition will solve what ails this offense. The solution isn't hidden in the batting order. It's keeping opposing pitchers honest and waiting for a mistake they can actually drive. Stats updated prior to games on July 7. View the full article

A pair of Milwaukee Brewers players made it into the 2026 All-Star Game: Jacob Misiorowski and William Contreras. In this video, we dive into the numbers of Kyle Harrison, Brice Turang, and Jackson Chourio while analyzing their cases to make it to Citizens Bank Park. View the full article

Darrell Jackson overcame several obstacles throughout his life, but on Sunday, he lost his battle with lung cancer, passing away at the age of 70. Jackson grew up in Los Angeles in the '60s and early '70s. He and his family were affected by the Watts riots in the mid-to-late-'60s. He attended Locke High School which was established in 1967 to be a safe place for children and families, but they were unable to keep the race issues from coming in. There were frequent fights, and during Jackson's senior year, two people were shot in a targeted gang attack. The following January saw an 18-year-old student killed on the school jogging track in a gang-related shooting. He was just an innocent bystander. Tyrese Gibson graduated from Locke in 1996, just two years before being signed by RCA Records. He has spent lots of time on Billboard Top 100 lists, and many now may know of him from his roles in the Fast & Furious and Transformers series of films. Jackson played on a pretty good baseball team in high school. He pitched well, and the Twins made him their sixth-round draft pick in 1973. Fellow 1973 Locke High School grads included future Hall of Famers Eddie Murray and Ozzie Smith. Murray was a third-round pick by the Orioles and signed right away. Smith went undrafted out of high school, went to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo on an academic scholarship and walked onto the baseball team. The Tigers drafted him in the seventh round in 1976, but he didn't sign. The Padres signed him after making him their fourth-round pick in 1977. Jackson certainly could have signed out of high school. He didn't, opting to attend Arizona State University. He pitched there for four years and won three College World Series championships. His time in the minor leagues was very short. His first professional start came in 1978 for the Orlando Twins, the team's Double-A affiliate at the time. He tossed nine no-hit innings. He made 10 starts and was 4-3 with a 1.80 ERA. In 75 innings, he gave up 52 hits, walked 32 and had 68 strikeouts. On June 16, 1978, Jackson made his MLB debut at Met Stadium against the Detroit Tigers. The southpaw tossed 7 1/3 innings and gave up just one run despite giving up seven hits, walking four, and having seven strikeouts. Veteran Mike Marshall got the final five outs in a 5-2 win. The bottom three hitters in the Tigers lineup that day were all rookies, catcher Lance Parrish, shortstop Alan Trammell, and second baseman Lou Whitaker. July 7th, he made his fourth career start at Oakland. He tossed a complete game shutout. In nine innings, he gave up just three hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters. In a start on May 10, 1980, at Yankees Stadium. He tossed 10 scoreless innings. He gave up five hits and walked one batter. The Bronx Bombers lineup including Willie Randolph, Reggie Jackson, Lou Pinella, Graig Nettles, he gave up a double to Bucky Dent, and Bob Watson went 4-for-4 with a double. Doug Corbett got the final three outs for the save. He went 0-5 with a 6.25 ERA in mid-June of 1982. The Twins released him. He pitched in Mexico briefly in 1983 but at that point, his career was complete. Jackson pitched for the Twins in parts of five seasons. He went 20-27 with one save. He posted a 4.38 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. 60 of his 102 career games pitched were starts. He certainly had flashes of greatness at times. Later, Jackson acknowledged that there was a lot more going on in his life and in his body. He talked about drinking too much starting in college and then drank even more once he became a pro ballplayer. Like so many pro athletes in that era, Jackson struggled with cocaine and its addictive qualities. He said in a 2022 interview that he had mistaken money, drugs, women and attention for success. When his baseball career ended, he continued to abuse alcohol and drugs. And at that point he found himself really fighting depression. He went to treatment and rehab a few times. It didn't take. He happened to meet former big league pitcher Dock Ellis, who coincidentally is best known for pitching a no-hitter while tripping on LSD. He encouraged Jackson to keep going back to treatment. It didn't work, he would relapse, but finally, it took. Had he lived about three more months, he would have reached 40 years of sobriety. And in that time, he has done a ton in the Los Angeles area to help kids and families. He led the 10-20 Club. He worked with a treatment center and others to create scholarships for young people who could not otherwise afford it or have the insurance to do so. As the name suggests, the intended audience for the program is between 10- and 20-year-olds. Beyond working with communities and organizations and law enforcement and others to help fund the program, he was often there for the kids himself. He met with the kids, told his story, and offered his contact information to the kids with the OK to call him whenever necessary, any hour of the day. Best wishes to the friends and families of Darrell Jackson! View the full article

Boston Red Sox Affiliate Recap Triple-A Worcester Red Sox Season Record: 41-42 Game postponed – makeup on July 8 Double-A Portland Sea Dogs Season Record: 43-37 Game postponed – makeup on July 8 High-A Greenville Drive Season Record: 32-47 Greenville bounced back after a tough series, defeating the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pittsburgh Pirates) 6-2. The bats did their thing, but Jojo Ingrassia was outstanding in his start. He was very close to throwing six perfect innings (no hits, walks, or runs); unfortunately, a two-run homer ended his night. Other than that, he was incredible, tossing 5 ⅔ innings with 10 strikeouts and two earned runs. The Drive led the entire game, not having to worry about the Grasshoppers for one second. Yoeilin Cespedes opened the scoring with a three-run blast in the third inning (15th of the season), giving Greenville a 3-0 lead. Since his seven-game hitting streak ended, 21-year-old Antonio Anderson has extended a new hitting streak, now at six games, after roping a two-run single in the fourth to give the Drive a 5-0 lead. Ronny Hernandez was on fire in this contest, breaking his mini 0-for-11 slump with a 3-for-3 night, racking up two extra-base hits, including a solo shot (his 9th of the season) in the sixth inning that extended Greenville’s lead to 6-2 Griffin Kilander continued to look solid since his promotion from Salem, earning himself a 3 ⅓ inning save (his first save of the season) with three strikeouts and just one hit allowed. Standout Performances: Jojo Ingrassia: 5 ⅔ IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 10 K Griffin Kilander: 3 ⅓ IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K Ronny Hernandez: 3-for-3, 2B, HR, 3 R, RBI, BB Yoeilin Cespedes: 1-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI Low-A Salem RidgeYaks Season Record: 33-48 The RidgeYaks offense went ballistic, destroying the Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals) 14-5. The pitching effort was not great, but the offense was unbelievable, tallying 21 hits, five walks, and 14 runs as a team. Seven of Salem’s nine hitters recorded multi-hit games, including a cycle from Skylar King, completing it in reverse order: HR, 3B, 2B, 1B. Three-hit performances came from Kleyver Salazar, Starlyn Nunez, and newly promoted Franklin Primera. King set the tone early in the first inning with a leadoff bomb (his 10th of the season), giving the Yaks an early 1-0 lead. Adonys Guzman followed in the footsteps of his teammate, crushing a two-run shot in the second, extending Salem’s lead to 3-0. RBI singles from Nunez, Primera, and Salazar came in the third and fourth innings, putting the game out of reach already 6-0. Sloppy defense by the RidgeYaks in the bottom of the fourth helped out Columbia put up two runs to make it 6-2, but it still was not enough. King responded in the fifth inning with a two-run double, extending their lead to 8-2. The closest the game came was in the fifth inning, when the Fireflies blasted a three-run homer, cutting the deficit to 8-5. It seemed close, but Salem’s hot bats were bound to score more runs. Then came the big inning, with the RidgeYaks putting up a six-spot in the eighth. King opened it up with a single to complete his cycle. With one out and runners on the corners, Salazar earned his third hit of the game with an RBI single. Louis Andujar followed with an infield hit to load the bases, then Nunez roped a base-clearing double in the right-center gap. With two outs and two runners aboard, the runs kept coming: Anderson Fermin delivered a two-run double (2nd double of the game), and Ilan Fernandez brought him in with an RBI single, putting Salem up 14-5. Three separate pitchers for the Yaks gave up runs, but Wuilliams Rodriguez stopped the bleeding with three shutout innings and four strikeouts. Standout Performances: Skylar King: 4-for-6, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI (CYCLE) Starlyn Nunez: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB Franklin Primera: 3-for-5, 2 R, BB Kleyver Salazar: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB Adonys Guzman: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB Anderson Fermin: 2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI View the full article

Noah Hall is repeating a level this year. He may have finally found a way to progress through the system. The Brooklyn right-hander has now logged two consecutive scoreless outings after blanking Wilmington on three hits over six innings Tuesday. He struck out seven and walked three in a no-decision. He tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-hit ball as a bulk reliever at Frederick on July 1. Hall, 25, is in his fourth season in the Mets' organization and his third with the Cyclones. New York selected him in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of South Carolina. He debuted in 2024, and showed enough to be assigned to the Arizona Fall League. Last year, he posted a 2.72 ERA over 112 2/3 innings with Brooklyn. But he was sent back to the Cyclones for 2026, and he has regressed hard. His ERA is 5.19 even after the scoreless streak. Control has been a major issue -- he has a 15.8 percent walk rate to go with a 22.6 percent strikeout rate in 76 1/3 innings. He threw 53 of 89 pitches (59.6 percent) for strikes Tuesday. Elsewhere in the system . . . Syracuse’s game at Norfolk was postponed because of inclement weather. The Mets will play a doubleheader Wednesday. Binghamton broke a tie with six runs in the eighth inning and went on to down Hartford, 10-4. The go-ahead run scored on a throwing error during a stolen-base attempt. JT Schwartz homered in the first to open the scoring. St. Lucie routed Jupiter, 11-2. Antonio Jimenez led off the game with a home run and finished 4-for-6 with four runs scored. Starter Jose Lopez allowed one hit over four innings but walked four. The FCL Mets walked off the FCL Cardinals, 1-0. Heriberto Rincon drove in the winning run with a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh. Four Mets pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout. Eris Albino struck out three in three innings of relief. DSL Mets Blue lost to the DSL Marlins, 5-4. The Mets scored all their runs in the bottom of the first. Michalle Mercedes stroked a two-run single to give them a 4-0 lead. DSL Mets Orange broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the sixth and then pulled away for a 7-1 win over the DSL Angels. Abner Meza started and threw five scoreless innings to earn the win. Wandy Asigen doubled, drove in a run and scored a run. Mets Transactions New York Mets designated RHP Guillo Zuñiga for assignment. New York Mets activated 1B Jorge Polanco from the 60-day injured list. New York Mets designated RHP Alex Carrillo for assignment. New York Mets sent CF Luis Robert Jr. on a rehab assignment to Binghamton Rumble Ponies. New York Mets selected the contract of RHP Matt Seelinger from Syracuse Mets. New York Mets optioned SS Ronny Mauricio to Syracuse Mets. Rumble Ponies Erupt Late To Beat Yard Goats Binghamton capitalized on Hartford mistakes in the eighth to break a 4-4 deadlock. Wyatt Young walked and Kevin Villavicencio reached on a fielding error to put runners at the corners with no outs. Villavicencio then stole second, and a throwing error by catcher Cole Messina allowed Young to score the go-ahead run. Villavicencio advanced to third on the error. Chris Suero walked, and then Jose Ramos doubled home both runners to make it 7-4. Nick Lorusso followed with a double to drive in Ramos for an 8-4 lead. Sacrifice flies by JT Schwartz and Kevin Parada capped the rally. Starter Channing Austin allowed no hits in 2 2/3 innings but walked three. Douglas Orellana was credited with the win despite allowing a run on two hits and two walks in his inning of work. Player AB R H RBI BB K Chris Suero 4 2 0 0 2 1 Jose Ramos 4 2 2 2 2 2 Nick Lorusso 5 1 1 1 1 2 JT Schwartz 3 2 1 4 1 2 Kevin Parada 2 0 1 1 2 0 Vincent Perozo 4 0 0 0 1 2 Matt Rudick 4 1 1 0 1 2 Wyatt Young 4 1 1 0 1 0 Kevin Villavicencio 4 1 2 1 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Channing Austin 2 2/3 0 0 0 3 2 0 Justin Armbruester 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brendan Girton 2 4 2 2 1 4 0 Felipe De La Cruz 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 Douglas Orellana 1 2 1 1 2 0 0 Garrett Stratton 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Saul Garcia 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 Cyclones Waste Hall's Gem In Loss To Blue Rocks Brooklyn's offense managed just three hits and struck out nine times, but thanks to Hall's pitching, the Cyclones led, 1-0, after six. Ronald Hernandez singled home Mitch Voit, who had walked, in the sixth. Wilmington answered with two runs in the seventh -- on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single -- against Kevin Herget. Parker Carlson and Gregori Louis kept the game at 2-1 with two innings of scoreless relief. Daiverson Gutierrez collected two of Brooklyn's three hits. Player AB R H RBI BB K Mitch Voit 3 1 0 0 1 0 Yonatan Henriquez 4 0 0 0 0 1 Ronald Hernandez 4 0 1 1 0 1 Corey Collins 2 0 0 0 1 1 JT Benson 4 0 0 0 0 1 Daiverson Gutierrez 3 0 2 0 0 0 Yohairo Cuevas 3 0 0 0 0 2 Colin Houck 3 0 0 0 0 1 Sam Biller 3 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Hall 6 3 0 0 3 7 0 Kevin Herget 1 3 2 2 0 0 0 Parker Carlson 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Gregori Louis 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Jimenez Stays Hot As St. Lucie Routs Jupiter Jimenez has seven hits in his last 10 at-bats, four for extra bases, after his four-hit night against the Hammerheads. He doubled twice Tuesday to go along with his leadoff home run. He also stole two bases. The Mets broke the game open with a four-run sixth after the first two batters were retired. Branny De Oleo singled home a run, Jimenez scored on a wild pitch, and AJ Salgado plated the final two runs with a single to put St. Lucie up, 7-2. De Oleo finished with three RBIs, while Julio Zayas walked four times. Zack Mack earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Player AB R H RBI BB K Antonio Jimenez 6 4 4 1 0 1 Branny De Oleo 5 1 2 3 0 1 Trey Snyder 4 2 1 0 1 3 Julio Zayas 2 2 0 0 4 1 AJ Salgado 5 0 2 2 0 1 Simon Juan 3 0 1 0 1 0 Chase Meggers 4 0 0 1 1 2 Taylor Darden 4 0 0 0 1 2 Jeremy Rodriguez 3 2 0 0 2 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jose Lopez 4 1 2 2 4 4 0 Zack Mack 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 Miguel Mejias 1 1/3 1 0 0 2 1 0 Elwis Mijares 1 2/3 0 0 0 1 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jonah Tong: DNP Jack Wenninger: DNP Ryan Clifford: DNP Elian Pena: DNP Nick Morabito: DNP Jacob Reimer: DNP Mitch Voit: 0-for-3 Jonathan Santucci: DNP Zach Thornton: DNP Chris Suero: 0-for-4, K Will Watson: DNP Wandy Asigen: 1-for-2, RBI, 2B, BB Eli Serrano III: DNP Randy Guzman: DNP Dylan Ross: DNP Ryan Lambert: DNP Antonio Jimenez: 4-for-6, HR, 2 2B, K R.J. Gordon: DNP Jonathan Pintaro: DNP Marco Vargas: DNP View the full article

Stephen Kolek owns one of the lowest strikeout rates among Kansas City starters. His K% sits at 9.9 against lefties and 10.0 against righties, second-worst in the rotation in both splits. Yet his slider still generates whiffs at a level comparable to some of the best relievers in the league. In 2026, it has produced a 42.7% whiff rate and a 34.1% strikeout rate. Isolated, it belongs in a different profile. A pitch mix is not a collection of stuff but a sequence in which each pitch gives meaning to the next. In 2025, Kolek's sinker and changeup provided that structure. Neither dominated, but both shaped at-bats. The sinker generated ground balls (64.7% GB), while the changeup neutralized lefties (.049 AVG, 26.2% K). Together, they forced hitters to cover the lower half of the zone, opening lanes for the four-seam and slider. In 2026, that foundation is gone. Both pitches have lost their ability to alter swing decisions. The changeup no longer punishes zone contact, and the sinker no longer consistently drives the ball into the ground. Pitch Type Chase% 2025 Chase% 2026 BA 2025 BA 2026 Sinker 24.7% 22.2% .267 .304 Changeup 32.3% 29.6% .049 .310 Without that base, the rest of the arsenal flattens. The four-seam fastball is no longer protected vertically; its ground-ball rate drops from 47.2% to 30.3%, while usage rises to 27.7%. Hitters no longer need to respect the bottom of the zone. Pitch Type Usage 2025 Usage 2026 Whiff% 2026 K% 2026 Sinker 24.1% 22.0% 6 6.6 Changeup 11.6% 12.5% 18.4 16.1 4-Seam 25.6% 27.7% 18.1 7.5 Slider 23.4% 16.8% 42.7 34.1 The slider remains the only elite pitch in the mix. But it no longer shapes at-bats because the pitches surrounding it aren't fooling batters. The slider's usage has declined, and its role as a finishing weapon has lessened. Kolek's start against Tampa Bay made it visible. Three runs in the second inning, 42 pitches to escape it. The problem was not execution, but duration. No at-bat was forced into early commitment. The results by times through the order confirm the pattern: TTO FIP AVG SLG HardHit% 1st Time 3.82 .250 .408 34.9 2nd Time 4.51 .243 .392 23.0 3rd Time 6.11 .298 .574 46.2 Each pass through the lineup strips another layer of flexibility. By the third time, hitters are no longer predicting a sequence; they are attacking isolated pitches. Without sinker or changeup-shaped counts, the four-seam becomes predictable, and the slider becomes detached. The mix stops functioning, weakening all of Kolek's offerings. In the end, the data does not describe a decline in stuff. It describes a pitch mix that no longer forces decisions. And when that happens, the outcome is already simplified before the pitch is thrown. Kolek still has a dominant weapon, but he no longer has a working system. View the full article

Taj Bradley tied his career high in a start against the Astros, posting 11 strikeouts. There's still one adjustment that could take his game to another level. View the full article

Jackson Merrill's 2026 season has been a never-ending offensive spiral. Our @Gottie Chavez first looked at the San Diego Padres' center fielder back in April when it was becoming clear that he was struggling with timing against four-seam fastballs, feeding into a slow start. Then ,we were back in the Merrill business in May, when @N.B. Lindberg dove into Merrill's struggles that originated in the heart of the zone. He was expanding the zone early with little to compensate when he was working on pitches in the friendlier portions of it. In the month since the latter examination, things haven't gotten much better for Merrill in any respect. Sure, there was a decent blip of a bump in the power numbers — specifically against breaking pitches — but he has otherwise continued to spiral out of control at the plate. His numbers remain pinned down, with a .217/.273/.357 line and a 75 wRC+ to his name through more than three months in the books. The latest turn in Merrill's struggles comes courtesy of Timothy Jackson of Baseball Prospectus, who further established that Merrill isn't locked into an issue with his approach, but rather in his mechanics. As it turns out, there's a relationship between all of these pieces. If one were to watch Jackson Merrill log a plate appearance or two over the course of a game, the eye test might indicate it was, in fact, his approach at the center of his 2026 issues. It's an easy conclusion to draw, especially when the player has seen his strikeout rate increase for a third consecutive season. Merrill's K% sits at 25.8 this year, more than three points above his 2025 rate and over eight percentage points higher than it was in his breakout rookie campaign of 2024. Declaring it to be an approach issue based on that, however, neglects the other side of the story. A rising strikeout rate points us in an approach-related direction, especially when we saw Merrill's swing and chase rates each rise slightly between 2024 and 2025. That's not what's happening here, though. Instead, the outfielder is actually swinging less than even his rookie year, at a 54.8 Swing%. His 35.4 percent swing rate on pitches outside of the strike zone is less than a point above his rookie year and a three-point cut from last year's rate. And while his batting line looks egregiously worse than an injury-riddled 2025 season, the contact rates look quite similar across the board. Instead, where Merrill's issues live is in the blend of both making contact and making it of a certain quality based on his timing. Or, you know, a fusion of each of the pieces mentioned above. While that could be an approach issue, Merrill's problem is becoming more visibly of the mechanical variety. In those instances where he does make contact, Merrill is still doing so with authority. His 45.7 percent hard-hit rate is in the 74th percentile and comfortably above the league average of 39.1 percent. His bat speed being up from the last two years (73.5 MPH) likely helps, but that development on its own is not enough to drive production, especially because some other factors are helping to negate that. For one, Merrill's swing has gotten steeper. His 39-degree tilt is a couple degrees higher than each of the last two years, while his average attack angle was 10 degrees last year and is at nine in 2026 after being at six in 2024. At the same time, his swing has also gotten slightly longer, leading him to make contact farther out in front of the plate and, more importantly, farther away from his body. A long, upper-cut swing isn't going to be a BABIP darling. Which feeds into how Statcast's new data, which Jackson mentions in his work, illustrates the problem as a mechanical flaw rather than something rooted in the approach. Let's focus just on the fastballs here, though: The above is Merrill against fastballs in 2024, illustrated in red, and here in 2026 represented by that teal color. Our middle image there shows that he's closer to on time than he was even in 2024. No doubt that the swing speed has helped him there. However, the left graph indicates he's catching things closer to the end of the bat with greater regularity while ending up under fastballs more frequently. The result is a flyball rate to the opposite field at a 47.2 percent clip. Merrill was at roughly 32 percent in 2024. There's been a push to invest in fly balls to the pull side by myriad hitters across the baseball landscape the last couple of years. The rationale is obvious, in that pull side power is your greatest opportunity to create the highest quality of contact and, subsequently, create impact. Merrill is closer to on-time than he was in 2024, but he's squaring the ball up and creating fewer blasts while hitting just .071 on such contact. Therein lies our problem. Merrill has fallen just enough out of whack mechanically that he's unable to compensate no matter how hard he swings. As our writers here at Padres Mission posited earlier this year, it's very much a fastball issue. We just have more clarity on it now. Sure, there are some other factors weighing him down, embedded into the approach and against other pitch types. But as a major-league hitter, there's a better-than-not chance that your greatest success is going to come on fastballs. Merrill can't do that right now. As Jackson indicated in his piece, though, that doesn't mean that Merrill stopped being a good hitter. Nor does it mean the changes being made are intentional. Regardless of their origin, though, they're holding him back and he's going to have to find a new way to compensate to get back. It's not the approach and it's not solely bad luck. Once mechanics and, as a result, the fastball issue are sorted, we can worry about the rest. View the full article

June featured no shortage of standout performances throughout the Twins organization. Every affiliate had players who put together compelling cases for recognition, making this one of the toughest months yet to narrow down to just four hitters. Several top prospects continued their ascent, while a few under-the-radar names forced themselves into the conversation with dominant stretches at the plate. Before getting to this month's winners, a handful of players just missed the cut. Here are a few honorable mentions before getting into June’s top hitters. Honorable Mentions Yilber Herrera (FCL Twins): 15 G, .375/.519/.525 (1.044), 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 3B, 13 BB, 8 K Marek Houston (Cedar Rapids Kernels/Wichita Wind Surge): 19 G, .356/.484/.493 (.977), 2 HR, 4 2B, 15 SB, 19 BB, 15 K Jay Thomason (Cedar Rapids Kernels/Wichita Wind Surge): 22 G, .392/.479/.506 (.985), 2 HR, 3 2B, 12 SB, 13 BB, 17 K Kala’i Rosario (Wichita Wind Surge/St. Paul Saints): 20 G, .329/.472/.543 (1.015), 4 HR, 3 2B, 16 BB, 20 K 4. Luis Fragoza – Fort Myers Mighty Mussels June Stats (20 G): .329/.382/.634 (1.016), 6 HR, 7 2B, 6 SB, 5 BB, 23 K Fragoza opened the season in the Florida Complex League but didn't stay there long. After posting an .830 OPS and reaching base at nearly a .420 clip in 10 games, the Twins challenged the 19-year-old with a promotion to Low-A. Rather than slowing down, he elevated his game. His six home runs and seven doubles ranked among the organizational leaders during June, while his combination of power and speed made him one of the most exciting hitters in the lower levels of the system. Even more impressive is the context behind those numbers. Fragoza has accumulated only 11 plate appearances against younger pitchers all season, meaning nearly every at-bat has come against older competition. Despite that, he owns a .607 slugging percentage and .991 OPS against older pitchers. There is still room for refinement. His 26.1% strikeout rate since arriving in Fort Myers is something the Twins will undoubtedly continue monitoring. However, when evaluating age, level, and production together, Fragoza is beginning to look like another prospect who deserves significantly more attention on Twins top prospect lists. 3. Khadim Diaw – Cedar Rapids Kernels/Wichita Wind Surge June Stats (19 G): .352/.495/.535 (1.030), 3 HR, 4 2B, 16 BB, 11 K Diaw's season has steadily trended upward. After producing a .720 OPS in April, he took a noticeable step forward in May before putting everything together in June. He reached base at an incredible .495 clip while displaying outstanding strike-zone discipline, drawing 16 walks compared to only 11 strikeouts. That performance earned him a promotion to Double-A Wichita, where he remains two years younger than the average Texas League player. Throughout the season, more than two-thirds of his plate appearances have come against older pitchers, yet he has still managed an .822 OPS in those matchups. Perhaps the biggest sign of his maturation has come in high-leverage situations. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Diaw has slashed .333/.472/.524 (.996), consistently delivering quality at-bats instead of expanding the strike zone. If this offensive approach continues, he could reach Triple-A before the season’s end. 2. Matt Wallner – St. Paul Saints June Stats (22 G): .315/.390/.730 (1.120), 11 HR, 4 2B, 30 RBI, 7 BB, 28 K Sometimes the biggest story isn't about development, because it's about reminding everyone that you belong in the big leagues. For the second time in three seasons, Wallner earned International League Player of the Month honors after putting together one of the most dominant offensive months anywhere in Minor League Baseball. The 28-year-old slashed .315/.390/.730 (1.120) with 11 home runs, four doubles, 28 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 22 games. He led the International League in home runs, RBI, runs scored, total bases, and slugging percentage while ranking among the league leaders in nearly every major offensive category. His month featured back-to-back home run games four different times, including a three-homer explosion on June 4 against Indianapolis. He also collected hits in 17 of his 22 games and produced nine multi-hit performances. Since being optioned on May 15, Wallner has done everything possible to force his way back into Minnesota's plans. Across 42 games, he is hitting .282/.367/.607 (.974) with 15 home runs and 42 RBI while becoming the Saints' Triple-A franchise home run leader. Since that date, only a handful of hitters across the International League have matched his combination of power production and run creation. 1. Ryan Sprock – Fort Myers Mighty Mussels June Stats (21 G): .400/.535/.600 (1.135), 2 HR, 1 3B, 7 2B, 21 BB, 5 K June belonged to Ryan Sprock. The Fort Myers catcher was named the Florida State League Player of the Month after producing one of the most complete offensive performances by any Twins prospect this season. Sprock led the league in batting average (.400), on-base percentage (.535), hits (30), and OPS (1.135), while also finishing fifth in RBI. Just as impressive was his elite command of the strike zone, drawing 21 walks while striking out only five times. His consistency was remarkable. Sprock recorded six multi-hit games, highlighted by a four-hit performance on June 9. He also opened the month with an 18-game hitting streak, batting .446 with a 1.237 OPS during that stretch. The streak raised his season average from .259 to .323, became the longest in the Florida State League this season by five games, and ranked as the third-longest hitting streak in Fort Myers franchise history. Power often grabs headlines, but Sprock's advanced approach, elite contact skills, and exceptional plate discipline made him the organization's most impressive hitter during the month of June. Choosing just four players from June's performances was no easy task. Several honorable mentions could have easily landed on this list, and a number of other Twins prospects put together breakout months that deserve recognition. From teenagers like Fragoza announcing themselves as emerging prospects to Wallner proving he has little left to accomplish in Triple-A, the organization received offensive production at every level. Sprock ultimately earns the top spot thanks to a historic month in the Florida State League, but every player featured here gave Twins fans another reason to be excited about the talent moving through the system. Do you agree with the rankings above? Add your own ballot in the comments. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox are in the midst of another disappointing season, yet find themselves only four games out of the American League's final wild card spot. Whether they buy, sell, or stand pat at the deadline remains to be seen, but there will be a market for some of their players. Jarren Duran is one of those players, and Chandler Rome of The Athletic is reporting that the "[Houston] Astros focus at the trade deadline is a left-handed hitting outfielder." If the Red Sox don't find any prospects that strike their fancy, the Astros do have more left-handed relievers than one bullpen realistically needs. This could allow the Red Sox to deal from the Major League roster while also bolstering another position group, especially if they decide to move Aroldis Chapman. However, even if they were to move Chapman, their bullpen isn't necessarily in need of more southpaws. Like much of the Red Sox offense, Duran has struggled this year, slashing .201/.261/.364 this year with 13 home runs and 14 stolen bases across 82 games. He has two more years of team control. Do you think the Red Sox should trade Duran? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

While the Toronto Blue Jays are not out of the playoff picture by any means, they could look to do a soft sell at the trade deadline and move some expiring contracts to retool for 2027. Daulton Varsho is one of those expiring contracts, and Chandler Rome of The Athletic is reporting that the "[Houston] Astros focus at the trade deadline is a left-handed hitting outfielder." If the Blue Jays don't find any prospects that strike their fancy, the Astros do have more left-handed relievers than one bullpen realistically needs. This could allow the Blue Jays to deal from the Major League roster while also bolstering another position group for a playoff push. However, their bullpen isn't necessarily in need of more southpaws, either. Varsho has been a little underwhelming this year, slashing .242/.309/.398 this year with just seven home runs and seven stolen bases across 79 games. Do you think the Blue Jays should trade Varsho? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

Trevor Larnach is in the midst of a career year, having gone from non tender candidate to an above average hitter and serviceable left fielder in a matter of months. Is now the right time to move on from him and create an opening for a top prospect? Chandler Rome of The Athletic is reporting that the "[Houston] Astros focus at the trade deadline is a left-handed hitting outfielder." While their farm system isn't strong, the Astros have a bevy of southpaw relievers that they could look to move...something the Minnesota Twins are in need of. Though the Minnesota Twins may not be true "buyers" at the deadline, they will seemingly be in the playoff hunt in the second half of the season. If they were to make a move, it would make sense for them to deal from a position of depth to strengthen the weakest position group on the roster. For Larnach, he is currently slashing .247/.326/.412 with 13 home runs and a pair of stolen bases across 75 games. Though it's still not great, he has improved his defensive contributions this season to a more serviceable level. Having been a league average (or slightly better) hitter for years now, the improved defense has made him a more reliable everyday player. He is controllable through 2027. Should the Minnesota Twins look to trade Trevor Lawrence? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

Every summer, NBA free agency creates enough rumors to keep every insider, podcast host, and random guy with a blue checkmark employed. This year has been no different. Every contender has reportedly been "monitoring" LeBron James, and every fan base has convinced itself that the league's all-time leading scorer is just one cryptic social media post away from joining its favorite team. They're all wrong. According to sources that definitely aren't standing outside Target Field wearing fake mustaches, the Minnesota Twins have quietly emerged as the favorites to land James. The move isn't about championships. It isn't about money. It isn't even about legacy. It's about ending the greatest debate in sports history. For decades, sports fans have argued whether James or Michael Jordan deserves the title of the greatest basketball player of all time. Championships. MVPs. Longevity. Peak dominance. Advanced metrics. None of it has settled the discussion. James has reportedly concluded there's only one way to break the tie: Become a better professional baseball player than Jordan. Jordan famously walked away from basketball after the 1993 NBA Finals to play Double-A baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization. Considering he hadn't played competitive baseball since his youth, the experiment was ambitious. In 127 games, Jordan hit .202/.298/.266, with 17 doubles, three home runs, 30 stolen bases, and enough strikeouts to convince everyone that basketball might actually be his best sport. Respectable? Sure. Untouchable? Not exactly. James reportedly believes he can top those numbers with a few months of batting practice and "watching some YouTube videos." Sources inside baseball say Minnesota wasn't James's first call. They simply the first team willing to answer. The Twins see an opportunity that extends beyond baseball. "Attendance has been a topic around here," one anonymous front office executive said, while pretending to reorganize sunflower seeds in the clubhouse. "We're pretty confident LeBron would help with that." The executive admitted there are still baseball questions. "Has he faced 98 mph with ride at the top of the zone? No. Can he read a slider? Probably not. But have you seen him chase down a fast break? That's basically tracking a fly ball." The Twins also aren't worried about where James would hit in the lineup. "We're already leading the American League in runs scored," another club official shrugged. "If LeBron hits ninth and occasionally runs into one, we'll survive." Members of James' inner circle insist this has been brewing for years. "LeBron has already conquered basketball," one longtime associate reportedly said. "Now, he wants to conquer an entirely different sport just to make everyone on sports talk TV panic." Another confidant claimed James has spent the last several offseasons preparing. "People thought he was watching baseball for fun. He was actually scouting Michael Jordan's stat line." When asked whether James had ever faced professional pitching, the source paused. "How hard could it be?" The baseball implications are impossible to ignore. Would James become an All-Star? Probably not. Would he make awkward catches that become viral highlights? Almost certainly. Would opposing pitchers suddenly become nationally famous after striking him out? Without question. Most importantly, the Twins would become the only organization capable of claiming it resolved the greatest basketball debate ever. If LeBron James can slug four home runs, steal 31 bases, and finish with a .557 OPS, social media may never recover. And somewhere, Michael Jordan might start looking up independent league tryout dates. View the full article