It’s been a pretty rough go of it thus far this season for Gutierrez, who ranked 24th on our list of the Mets’ top prospects coming into the 2026 season, but he was on fire in the week leading up to the break. The 20-year-old edged out Christopher Morel, who started his time in Syracuse very hot after signing with the Mets recently, for these honors. Gutierrez led the Mets’ minor league system with ten hits, only struck out once, and hit a home run and a double.
We noted that Gutierrez’s defense was ahead of his offense coming into the season, and he had struggled pretty significantly at the plate up until this week. But he had at least one hit in all five games that he played, and he had multi-hit games in four of the five.
Jonathan Santucci, LHP
Week: 1 G (1 GS), 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (Double-A)
Santucci ranked 12th on our list of the Mets’ top prospects before the season began, and after a bit of a rocky start to his season in April with Binghamton, he’s settled in pretty nicely. Since the beginning of May, he has a 3.02 ERA and a 3.30 FIP with a very good 29.0 percent strikeout rate and a decent enough 11.2 percent walk rate. In this start against Hartford, Santucci struck out eight, walked one, and gave up two runs, only one of which was earned.
Perhaps it’s a bit harsh not to give this one to Dakota Hawkins, who threw six perfect innings with five strikeouts in High-A Brooklyn in his lone start of the week, but given that both pitchers are 23 years old, I’ve gone with the slightly imperfect but impressive outing by Santucci. The inimitable Steve Sypa will be back on this series next week.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 11: Rafe Perich #38 of the Frisco RoughRiders rounds the bases in the third inning during the game between the Frisco RoughRiders and the San Antonio Missions at Nelson Wolff Stadium on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Zach Del Bello/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Congratulations to Rafe Perich, who has been named the #6 prospect in the 2026 LSB Midseason Community Prospect Rankings, receiving a little under a third of the vote.
Our list so far:
1 — Sebastian Walcott
2 — Caden Scarborough
3 — Malcolm Moore
4 — A.J. Russell
5 — Yolfran Castillo
6 — Rafe Perich
Moving on…
Because there has been a history of vote-spamming shenanigans in the rankings, I used Google Forms for the last several of community rankings, and it worked out well, so we will use it again. You will need to include your LSB user name when you vote. If you don’t have an LSB user name, you need to use some sort of identifier. While this won’t eliminate the possibility of vote spamming, it will make it harder.
So who is the #7 prospect in the Rangers system right now?
Jun 9, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) pitches to the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
If old journalists are to be believed, the MLB All-Star Game used to be far more meaningful than it is today. Apparently, players took the whole league superiority thing seriously, and Pete Rose wanted to win so badly that he helped ruin Ray Fosse’s career.
Though it’s just as possible that Rose saw an opportunity to be an asshole, and never liked passing those up.
These days, with interleague play and player movement more common, it feels like nobody cares quite as much about the game. Still, as a Phillies fan, I’ve always pulled for the National League (Which has historically gone about as well as rooting for the Phillies themselves). While this game won’t decide home field advantage in the World Series or anything that serious, with this year’s game in Philadelphia, and a good number of Phillies on the team (though one fewer than there should be), I’d especially like to see the NL pull out another win this year.
I decided to familiarize myself with the American League personnel, since I realized I didn’t actually know that much about many of the players on the team. (As the years go by, it’s become more and more clear that I’m a Phillies fan, and not actually a baseball fan.)
Here’s a list of the roster – and due to all the injury dropouts, it’s quite bloated. Since I’m actively rooting against them, I’ve tried to work up a little bit of animosity for every player on the team. Apologies if any of these guys is a personal favorite of yours.
The injury dropouts
Vladimir Guerrero, Jr, Blue Jays – All-Star voting has always been as much a popularity contest as rewarding the players having the best season. Back in the day before the internet took off, when a lot of people rarely saw teams from the opposite league, you’d know half the starting lineups before the season just based on name value.
With online voting and statistics readily available, that phenomenon has lessened, yet you still get some players voted in based on their reputations. For example, Vladito was voted the starter at first base despite having a bad season. But since he’s been dealing with injuries, he’ll miss the game.
Nick Kurtz, Athletics – He was named the replacement for Guerrero, and promptly went on the IL, meaning he’ll also miss the game. That’s probably for the best as the sub-.500 homeless Athletics don’t deserve two starters.
Aaron Judge, Yankees – I get why he’s on the team as he’s probably the biggest American-born star in baseball. But he’s hurt, and it isn’t clear when (if?) he’s coming back.
Byron Buxton, Twins – The poor man’s Mike Trout in that he’s always injured and is apparently content to spend his career out of the national spotlight on a non-contender.
Ranger Suarez, Red Sox – Unfortunately, Mr. Rager just made his annual trip to the Injured List due to a hip injury suffered last week.
Cam Schlitter, Yankees – He’s apparently said he won’t pitch in the game. What the heck? You’re a 25-year-old who was never a top prospect, and you’re saying “no thanks” to appearing in the All-Star Game? Sigh…
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 12, 2026
The starters
C – Shea Langeliers, Athletics – His name reminds me of the Stephen King story “The Langoliers.” They made a movie based on it, and in the climax, Balki from Perfect Strangers gets eaten by Pac-Man.
As for Shea, let’s face it, he’s only here because Cal Raleigh inexplicably sucks this year.
1B – Ben Rice, Yankees – And here’s the third choice for the starting first base job. It’s funny that a guy named Rice is like the whitest person in baseball. I mean, the guy went to Dartmouth!
2B – Ernie Clement, Blue Jays – What the heck is Ernie Clement doing in the starting lineup? Did Blue Jays fans go absolutely nuts with the online voting?
SS – Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals – Okay, we finally have a legitimate star player. Although after the Royals gave up a “Little League home run” to the Mets, the league probably should have stepped in and banned all Royals from appearing in this game.
3B – Junior Caminero, Rays – It’s kind of fun when young Rays make the All-Star team because you get to speculate what team they’ll be representing in a few years when they inevitably get traded. (I wouldn’t be mad if the Phillies traded their entire farm system for him.)
OF – Mike Trout, Angels – I mentioned him earlier, but amazingly he actually stayed healthy for half a season. This will probably be the first national television exposure he’s gotten since Eagles players stopped handing him footballs.
OF – Riley Greene, Tigers – He’s basically the poor man’s Kyle Schwarber. But unlike others who I’ll discuss later, he’s still trying to play the field for now, so good for him.
OF – Cody Bellinger, Yankees – I am shocked that Yankees fans haven’t turned on him yet. Don’t worry, they will soon enough when they realize he’s not actually an elite hitter.
DH – Yordan Alvarez, Astros – You shouldn’t be allowed to be a primary designated hitter until you’re at least 30. Grab a glove, Yordan!
P – Dylan Cease, Blue Jays – This guy seems to be on the Aaron Nola trajectory where he’s great every other year, and average to good in the other years. Bad news, Blue Jays fans: He’s on your payroll until age 36, so you’d better hope he ages better than Nola has.
Reserves
Dillon Dingler, Tigers – I suppose when you’re saddled with a last name like Dingler, your options for naming your children are limited. At least his parents tried for some alliteration to make it halfway palatable.
Adley Rutschman, Orioles – He’s gone from “best catcher in baseball” talk to “The Orioles need to send somebody, and there aren’t that many good catchers in the league.”
Travis Bazzana, Guardians – Wonder how much the Savannah Bananas are going to pay him to play for them when his career is over?
Willson Contreras, Red Sox – I honestly can’t remember which Contreras brother is which, and in the end, does it really matter? One of them usually ends up in the game. (Although props to him for playing to the crowd as a heel on Monday night.)
Kevin McGonigle, Tigers – Hailing from Media, McGonigle is actually having a good rookie season. So I’ll just take this opportunity to say I miss the Granite Run Mall. Between the Orange Julius and Showcase Comics, that was a fun mall.
Miguel Vargas, White Sox – Remember when it used to be a big deal for Cuban players to join MLB? You never knew exactly how good – or how old – these guys would actually be when they arrived. It’s nice to see him having a breakthrough season because the Dodgers traded him away, and that team needs to take some L’s.
Munetaka Murakami, White Sox – He competed in the Home Run Derby, and I want to remind people that there is no real basis for the belief that the Derby messing up player’s swings or portending a down second half of the season. Yes, we know that Bobby Abreu stopped hitting home runs after the 2005 Derby. But he had been on a career outlier heater in the first half of that season.
I also want to remind Phillies fans that the reason the team didn’t pursue him harder is because he can barely play the field and the Phillies already have All-Stars at first base and designated hitter. (Would you really rather have him than Kyle Schwarber?)
Randy Arozarena, Mariners – Looking at this guy’s career numbers, he doesn’t scream three-time All-Star to me. That must be because he plays in media hotbeds like Tampa and Seattle. That said, if the Mariners decide to sell at the deadline, I wonder how much he would cost.
Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox – Solid player who is probably going to rack up a bunch of All-Star berths over his career when better players drop out, and somebody has to be chosen as replacement.
Tristan Peters, White Sox – I was wondering why the White Sox had so much representation on this team, and then I remembered that they were actually playing well this year. He was also the replacement for a previous injury replacement, so I guess somebody needed to go.
Yandy Diaz, Rays – If I had a nickel for every designated hitter on the All-Star team whose first name started with Y, I’d have two nickels! Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
Pitchers
Parker Messick, Guardians – With MLB’s endless endorsement deals, and a new Spider-Man movie coming out, I’m surprised they didn’t try to work out some sort of deal where he’d call himself “Peter Parker Messick.” (Maybe I shouldn’t give them ideas.)
Nick Martinez, Rays – Yet another guy making the team as a replacement for a player who has dropped out. He’s making his first All-Star team at age 35, and I guess if I had waited that long to make the All-Star team, I’d take it any way I could get it too.
Drew Rasmussen, Rays – It’s amazing how the Milwaukee Brewers consistently make the playoffs when there seem to be so many good ex-Brewer pitchers scattered throughout the league. Remember, never trade with the Rays! (Unless you’re the Phillies and you can get the starting pitcher in the All-Star Game from them!)
Joe Ryan, Twins – He hasn’t been traded yet? It feels like he’s been in trade rumors for the better part of three years now.
All-Star Joe Ryan is pitching so well this year that it actually makes a #MNTwins trade more likely, not less. Regardless of what their record is at the trade deadline.
Here's why: • Ace-level season = peak trade value. • Twins' playoff odds remain modest (32.8% at best),… pic.twitter.com/H2qt6UT0Js
Michael Wacha, Royals – Career mediocrity makes his second ever All-Star game. I don’t know if this is a feel-good story or a testament to how few actually great pitchers there are?
Bryan Baker, Rays – Is this guy actually good, or is this a Jeanmar Gomez situation where if you put a guy into enough save situations, he’ll rack up a hefty save total?
Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox – Speaking of Cubans of questionable ages, when this guy first came over from Cuba, a lot of people assumed he was older than his listed age of 22. But at age 38, he’s still racking up saves, so maybe that was legit? Either way, I kind of hoped we’d be done with him by now.
Jacob Latz, Rangers – This is literally the first time I’ve heard of this guy. It’s weird that the Rangers are in first place, and they could only get one rep on the team, and that’s their closer. Meanwhile, the awful Royals have multiple players on the team. Why not take Jacob deGrom instead of Latz?
Cade Smith, Guardians – I wish the Phillies could call up a reliever and see him instantly dominate like Smith has the last three years.
Justin Verlander, Tigers – He gets to serve as team mascot or something? I’m not sure what the point of these “Legends” picks is supposed to be.
SPARTANBURG, SC - JULY 12: Bowling Green Hot Rods pitcher Jacob Kisting (39) throws a pitch during a High A Minor League Baseball game between the Boiling Green Hot Rods and the Hub City Spartanburgers on July 12, 2026 at Fifth Third Park in Spartanburg, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This was the 14th week of full minor league play (stats are entering play on Tuesday, July 14th).
According to FanGraphs (which factors in age and proximity to the big leagues), prospect Caden Bodine remains the top performer in the system. His full season statline is further below.
Meanwhile, there is a new pitcher reigning supreme in the system, Jacob Kisting. The Rays acquired Kisting for Eric Orze last November and the 23-year old is having a breakout campaign in High-A. Thus far he has compiled a 1.67 ERA | 2.56 FIP with a 28.5 K% & 5.1 BB% over 70 IP.
RUMBLINGS
The Futures Game was Sunday. Nathan Flewelling earned MVP honors after hitting the game’s lone homerun while Theo Gillen collected a hit in three trips to the plate.
Slater de Brun finally made his organization debut as he began a rehab assignment in the Complex League
Tre’ Morgan has started another rehab assignment.
TEAM LEADERS
Must currently be assigned to that team
Baseball America’s top ten prospects are featured below each team they’re currently assigned to.
(minimum of 150 TBF & PA)
Tampa Bay Rays
Top 10 Prospects
None currently on active roster
Durham Bulls
Team Offensive Leaders: AVG: .261, Blake Sabol OBP: .344, Logan Davidson SLG: .444, Carson Williams HR: 11, Carson Williams wRC+: 101, Carson Williams SB: 18, Homer Bush Jr
Team Pitching Leaders: ERA: 2.39, Evan Reifert FIP: 3.79, Joe boyle K%: 33.0% Ty Johnson BB%: 8.6%, Chase Solesky WHIP: 0.99, Ty Johnson AVG: .171, Ty Johnson WHIFF%: 15.2%, Ty Johnson
Team Pitching Leaders: ERA: 4.20, Jackson Baumeister FIP: 4.45, Derrick Edington K%: 29.0%, Jackson Baumeister BB%: 3.2%, Santiago Suarez WHIP 1.10, Jackson Baumeister AVG: .190, Jackson Baumeister WHIFF%: 16.1%, Jackson Baumeister
Team Offensive Leaders: AVG: .312, Connor Hujsak OBP: .425, Tony Santa Maria SLG: .605, Connor Hujsak HR: 20, Connor Hujsak wRC+: 151, Ryan McCoy SB: 34, Tony Santa Maria
Team Pitching Leaders: ERA: 1.67, Jacob Kisting FIP: 2.56, Jacob Kisting K%: 28.5%, Jacob Kisting BB%: 4.6%, Dominic Niman WHIP: 0.89, Jacob Kisting AVG: .291, Andres Galan WHIFF%: 17.3%, Noah Beal
Team Offensive Leaders: AVG: .308, Tom Poole OBP: .448, Tom Poole SLG: .492, Tom Poole HR: 8, Cooper Flemming wRC+: 158, Tom Poole SB: 26, Alberth Palma
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: Athletics Pitching Coach Scott Emerson #14 runs back to the dugout in the top of the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Sutter Health Park on June 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Tuesday A’s fans! It’s All-Star Game Day!
But before we get to the game, the Athletics made a move yesterday afternoon, letting go of pitching coach Scott Emerson and promoting bullpen coach Dan Hubbs to take over for the rest of the year:
The A’s have dismissed pitching coach Scott Emerson. Bullpen coach Dan Hubbs will serve as interim pitching coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The move couldn’t come soon enough. The team is currently second to last in the entire sport in ERA, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies who play in the most hitter-friendly stadium in the world. A’s pitchers have had to pitch in their own hitter-friendly environment over the past season and a half but the pitching has been a problem for a while now, going back to the final Oakland years.
Emerson, who has been the pitching coach since mid-2017, has been given talented arms over the years but the Athletics have struggled to develop many quality arms in recent seasons. Righty J.T. Ginn has been a success story this year but outside of him many of the younger arms have failed to establish themselves. Veteran arms like Jeffrey Springs and Luis Severino haven’t benefitted from any coaching that Emerson has done. There was a hope that as the offense came into its own that the pitching would soon follow but that hasn’t happened. A’s fans were calling for Emerson to be let go and the team has finally followed through on it.
Bullpen coach Dan Hubbs is replacing Emerson the same way Emerson got the job from Curt Young in ‘17. He likely isn’t a long-term option and the team will surely be on the lookout this offseason for pitching coaches, but the team needed to make a move. Maybe he can help provide a spark for the young arms over the second half. There have been some solid individual performances down in the bullpen.
What does this also say about Mark Kotsay? Now in his fifth year leading the team, expectations were raised entering this year. The club has finally accrued enough talent at the big league level to at least hover around .500 and that’s good enough to be in the playoff hunt. That’s where the A’s were over the first two-ish months of the season but have, for the second year in a row, suffered a season-crippling losing spell in the middle of the summer. The front office hasn’t exactly given him too much pitching to work with but with Las Vegas around the corner the front office may be getting antsy. Perhaps firing Emerson is a sign that Kotsay’s seat may be warming up as well.
Anyway, the 2026 All-Star Game is tonight! A’s fans will be treated this evening with Shea Langeliers catching and batting third. He’s likely only going to get one, maybe two at bats but it’ll still be fun to see the Green & Gold on the national stage. And it’s hard to miss the catcher so extra visibility for ‘Bangeliers’ and the A’s tonight. Any predictions on how our boy does?
First pitch is at 5 but the festivities start an hour before that. Until then guys. Have a great day everyone.
This went under the radar but Leo De Vries led off for the AL Futures squad and went 1-for-2 with a two stolen bases, a run scored and a strikeout. Not bad, Leo:
Pitcher for the New York Yankees Johnny Murphy (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images) | Corbis via Getty Images
A New York-born boy who grew up to play for the Yankees. The dream! That is exactly the story of Johnny Murphy. The story and legend of Johnny Murphy and New York baseball are as intertwined as those of just about anyone in baseball history.
John Joseph Murphy Born: July 14, 1908 (New York, NY) Died: January 14, 1970 (New York, NY) Yankees Tenure: 1932-46
Born in the shadow of Manhattan’s skyscrapers, the Yankees first scouted Murphy while he was a student at Fordham Prep in the Bronx. The club bided its time before signing him near the end of his collegiate career at Fordham University.
After signing, the Yankees sent Murphy into their farm system. In his second professional season, and first full year, he won 16 games while throwing 256 innings. That performance earned Murphy an invitation to spring training before the 1932 season. After a strong showing, the Yankees brought the 23-year-old north to open the year.
On May 19, Murphy made his major league debut. He made one more appearance before his cup of coffee went cold and he was sent back to the minors for more seasoning. Murphy remained in the minors the following season, appearing primarily in relief.
The following year, in 1934, Murphy made the club and actually split time between the rotation and bullpen. The 20 starts he made that season would not only stand as a career high, but would ultimately account for exactly half of his career starts. Prior to the 1935 campaign, manager Joe McCarthy decided to move Murphy into the bullpen permanently.
Murphy reluctantly accepted the move. At the time, the save was not yet an official statistic, and the modern bullpen had not even begun to take shape. The role McCarthy envisioned for Murphy, however, would become one of the earliest blueprints for the modern closer. Over the next 11 seasons, Murphy established himself as one of baseball’s premier relief pitchers, becoming known as “Fireman” Murphy due to his penchant for extinguishing jams.
As a Yankee, Murphy played a major role during one of the greatest stretches in franchise history. The run began in 1936 with the Yankees defeating the Giants in the World Series. Murphy then earned All-Star selections in each of the next three seasons as New York captured championships over the Giants again in 1937, the Cubs in 1938, and the Reds in 1939.
During those four championship runs, Murphy posted a 2.16 ERA while going 1-0 across 8.1 postseason innings. He finished four games and would have been credited with three saves had the statistic existed.
After that run, the Yankees did not return to the World Series until 1941. That season was arguably the best of Murphy’s career. He posted a career-high 2.8 WAR, finished a career-best 31 games, and recorded a 1.98 ERA as the Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in five games.
Murphy had a down year in 1942 but rebounded in 1943. That season, Murphy and the Yankees captured another World Series title, this time defeating the Cardinals. Following the 1943 season, and during the final years of World War II, Murphy voluntarily retired to serve his country during the 1944 and 1945 seasons.
Returning to the Yankees in 1946, Murphy enjoyed another solid campaign, going 4-2 with a 3.40 ERA. The Yankees again fell short of the pennant, and the offseason brought sweeping changes, including a new manager and Murphy’s release.
The Red Sox signed Murphy, and he pitched the 1947 season in Boston. Following that season, he retired and moved into scouting before eventually joining Boston’s front office as vice president and director of the minor leagues.
After his stint in Boston, Murphy helped build the Mets organization from the ground up. He worked his way through the front office and was named the third general manager in franchise history before the 1968 season. Murphy is credited with helping assemble and guide the legendary “Miracle Mets,” who won the 1969 World Series behind Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry, Nolan Ryan, Tug McGraw, Cleon Jones, Tommie Agee, and manager Gil Hodges, who Murphy successfully recruited.
Sadly, only a few months after earning his sixth World Series ring, Murphy died of a heart attack at just 61 years old. Long before anyone tracked saves, Murphy helped define what a relief ace could be, and the way he was utilized laid part of the foundation for the closer role that would eventually become commonplace throughout baseball.
To a man known for appreciating the finer things in life, happy birthday, Johnny!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
As we head into the All-Star break, the Guardians left us on a high note with plenty to be excited for.
Break Out the Brooms
Heading into the weekend’s series versus the Miami Marlins, I’ll admit I was worried. The Marlins were on a six-game win streak, sweeping both the Athletics and the Seattle Mariners. That streak was stopped in its tracks as soon as the Guards came to town as they turned the tables and swept the Marlins. Friday’s series opener was a close one, the Guards taking the 3-2 victory thanks to a two-run home run by Chase DeLauter and a sacrifice fly by Travis Bazzana. There was a little more breathing room in Saturday’s game, a 4-1 victory thanks to a pair of two-run doubles by Steven Kwan and Patrick Bailey. Other than a ninth inning run given up by closer Cade Smith, Sunday’s series finale was a breeze. A 5-2 win courtesy of three RBI singles and two home runs secured the sweep.
DeLauter on a Tear
Although he was not chosen as an All-Star, Chase DeLauter is proving why he should be in Philadelphia this week. Leading the team in OPS, batting average, home runs, and RBIs, DeLauter has been on a tear as of late. He is hitting .278/.345/.448 in his rookie campaign with 11 home runs and 46 RBI. He’s also been successful on the defensive side, keeping a 1.000 fielding percentage for the season. If it weren’t for his visit to the 10-day IL last month, I’m sure we’d be seeing him on the field in Philadelphia tonight.
Peterson is Guards’ Pick
With the 19th pick in the 2026 draft, the Guardians selected pitcher Liam Peterson out of the University of Florida. A member of the USA Collegiate National Team in 2024 and 2025, Peterson’s high strikeout rate is what makes him stand out. While his ERA (averaging 5.03 in his three years at Florida) is nothing exciting, his 111 strikeouts in 84.1 innings this year are definitely something to keep an eye on.
Social Media Spotlight
This week’s social media spotlight belongs (once again!) to Mason Horodyski of News 5 Cleveland. He sat down with Erik Sabrowski to talk about everything under the sun, including the Guardians Twitter favorite #monkeyinacoat meme.
On this edition of Rounding the Bases, I sit down with #Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski.
Alex Rodriguez had a little slip-up Monday when complimenting Justin Verlander on his long, successful career in the wake of his retirement reveal.
Verlander opened up about his decision to call it quits after the 2026 season on Fox before the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The former Yankee and three-time MVP then went on to ask the Tigers star a question, but either got his facts mixed up or made a bizarre joke.
“To the young ones that are out there watching, how do you explain being a late draft pick and being designated for assignment a couple of times with two different teams, right?” Rodriguez asked.
Verlander quickly cut him off, saying, “Me? You’ve got the wrong notes.”
Awkward moment for A-Rod, interviewing Justin Verlander saying we was designated for assignment by two different teams.
Alex Rodriguez slips up when talking to Justin Verlander about his career ahead of the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia on Monday night. X @SportsTalk790
The 43-year-old and 10-time All-Star has never been designated for assignment throughout his 22-year career.
He was also the second overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft, selected by the Tigers.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Rodriguez said before going on to ask his question as David Ortiz laughed on the other side of Verlander on the Fox desk.
He eventually praised Verlander’s talent and longevity, asking, “How have you been able to be so good for so long and sometimes you even became a better pitcher later in your 30s?”
Verlander announced his decision to retire last week on social media, saying “I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come.”
Tigers Justin Verlander (35) before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The righty hurler has only made one start this season — a 9-6 loss to the Cardinals in which he conceded five earned runs and six hits. He was then placed on the IL with a hip injury, which sidelined him for three months.
Verlander went on to have another setback when he suffered a hamstring injury just before his scheduled return for Detroit. He went on to be scratched from his return start and is not currently near being ready to be activated.
The Tigers (44-52) are 6.5 games behind the AL Central-leading White Sox (50-45) and Guardians (51-46).
Verlander said he hopes to come back this season to help his team after a poor first half.
PHILADELPHIA — Paul Skenes, Juan Soto, and Bryce Harper are among baseball’s All-Stars who say players never will agree to a salary cap but maintain there’s plenty of time to avoid a conflict that could shorten the 2027 season.
“Both sides kind of have their line that they’re not going to cross,” Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates ace who also is a member of the union’s eight-man negotiating committee, said. “Whether that results in missing games or missing a season, we’ll see.”
Baseball’s five-year labor contract expires Dec. 1 and MLB is expected to immediately lock out players. The more consequential deadline is in late February or early March, when Major League Baseball would announce whether it was postponing opening day.
Owners proposed a salary cap for the first time since the union fought off MLB’s cap plan with a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 that caused the first cancellation of the World Series since 1904. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says a cap is needed to lessen payroll disparity.
Soto, who signed a record 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets as a free agent after the 2024 season, would be limited to a six-year, $265 million deal under MLB’s proposal.
“Yeah, that sucks,” Soto said. “It shouldn’t be there.”
MLB’s proposal would cap spending in 2027 at $245.3 million, using figures for luxury tax payrolls that include $20.1 million for benefits and the pre-arbitration bonus pool. It also would establish a payroll floor of $171.2 million, forcing some teams to spend more.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball’s biggest spenders, had a $415.2 million payroll on opening day this year. MLB has not made a proposal on how to phase in a cap, a process that would be key for high-spending clubs such as the Dodgers.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, at 34 in the eighth season of a 12-year, $426.5 million contract, said players are aware of the proposal’s intent.
“It’s trying to minimize the years and obviously the totals. For sure, we see that,” he said. “I think baseball’s in a good spot right now and we can’t mess this up.”
Harper, in the eighth season of a 13-year, $330 million contract with Philadelphia, said he couldn’t conceive of any scenario in which the players’ association would agree to a cap.
“The opportunity for players to get paid is what this is all about,” Harper said, citing the union’s legacy of fighting MLB since Curt Flood helped unite players in the 1970s. “We owe it to the guys that have come before us to do the same thing.”
Harper, who signed his first major league contract at age 17, also vowed to fight MLB’s proposal to ban a player from signing until he was at least 20 years old by the Sept. 1 of his signing year and two years removed from the graduating year of his high school class. MLB says college baseball provides a better development path.
“If you’re in the top three rounds as a high school kid, I think you should be able to do whatever you want,” Harper said. “It would really be tough for a guy like Jackson Holliday to not be the number one pick and not get the chance to go to the big leagues at 19 or 18 if he’s able to.”
Bargaining began in May and is expected to resume after the All-Star break. The union has asked for expanded free agency and salary arbitration rights along with almost doubling the major league minimum.
Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft viewed the early negotiations as “back-and-forth proposals that may or may not be unrealistic.”
Skenes, a 24-year-old right-hander in his second full big league season, could see a sharp decrease in potential contract offers under MLB’s system. He currently is on track to become a free agent after the 2029 season and has a $1,085,000 salary in his last season before arbitration eligibility. He also has earned nearly $5.6 million from the pre-arbitration bonus pool that started in 2022.
“MLB is kind of presenting their perfect-world offers and we’re kind of presenting our perfect-world offers,” Skenes said. “So there’s a lot of time before there’s any real movement, I think.”
San Diego’s Mason Miller, baseball’s top closer, also could become a free agent following the 2029 season. A 27-year-old right-hander, he is earning $4 million this season.
“I still have some optimism,” he said. “The place that the game’s at right now, I think killing that momentum is kind of fruitless for everybody.”
For years, we've come to expect the MLB All-Star Game to feature players who have perennially been among the best in the sport. We become accustomed to seeing the same names fill out the rosters. Guys like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Chris Sale, Jose Altuve, Mike Trout, and more. While some of those names are still here in Philadelphia, it feels like we're witnessing a little bit of a changing of the guard, particularly amongst the starting pitchers.
This year's All-Star rosters had 26 first-time players selected, and 14 of the starting pitchers will be making their first or second appearance in the Midsummer Classic. Six of those starting pitchers (plus Paul Skenes, who is making his third appearance) are 26 years old or younger, and all of them, apart from Skenes, have made fewer than 35 career MLB starts. For comparison's sake, Chris Sale, who is also participating in the All-Star Game, has made 329 career starts (even with his litany of injuries).
"I think the game's changing, the game's getting younger," acknowledged Reds' starting pitcher Chase Burns, who is making his first career All-Star appearance. "I know it probably sucks to say that for older guys, but, you know, it's because of them that the game's gotten better."
That deference to the veterans was common amongst the young hurlers who were present at the All-Star game: "It's a good mix of older, veteran guys that we can learn from, and then a lot of hungry guys that are trying to make it back here every year and stay healthy," said Yankees' starter Cam Schlittler, who is also making his first All-Star appearance.
The "hungry" young guys that Schlittler talked about have been making their presence known this season. Among qualified starting pitchers, five of the top 10 starters in WAR are current All-Stars who are 26 years old or younger. Seven of the top 12 qualified starting pitchers in terms of strikeout rate are 26 years old or younger, including the Guardians' Gavin Williams and the Mets' Nolan McLean, who were not selected as All-Stars.
Some of the success of younger pitchers can be attributed to technological advances that have enabled them to throw harder. The top three fastball velocities in baseball are all from pitchers at the All-Star Game who are 25 years old or younger: Burns, Schlittler, and the Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski, who is making his second All-Star appearance. Four additional starters aged 26 or under round out the top 12, including Williams, Skenes, his Pirates' teammate Braxton Ashcraft, who is making his first All-Star appearance, and the Twins' Taj Bradley.
"Now, there's so much technology, and everybody's just growing so much more," admitted Burns. That velocity has certainly helped the younger pitchers, but it's not the only reason they are succeeding. Especially since Guardians' starting pitcher Parker Messick, a first-time American League All-Star, doesn't even average 94 mph on his fastball: "I think I just try and fill up the zone and whatever happens, happens," said the left-hander.
What's funny is...that's not really true.
Through his first 26 MLB starts, Messick has just a 44.4% zone rate. The MLB average for starting pitchers, according to Pitcher List data, is 44.9%, so Messick is decidedly average when it comes to "filling up the zone." However, what Messick and his young peers are good at is getting ahead in the count, which is most likely what he's referring to. For his career, Messick has a 62.5% first-pitch strike rate, which is above average. He also has an above-average "True First Pitch Strike Rate," which removes balls in play on 0-0 counts to look at how often a pitcher legitimately gets to an 0-1 count.
Additionally, Messick has an above-average early called strike rate and is behind in the count less often than league-average, so, anyway you slice it, he has made a point of getting ahead of hitters. He's not the only one.
"The biggest thing is strike one," said Ashcraft. "I think that mentality for me came from throwing out of the bullpen last year. Just coming in and there being a huge priority on not walking guys coming into the game, limiting baserunners, mitigating free passes, whatever that looked like. Whether it's a dumb pitch selection, poor execution, walks, hit by pitches, stolen bases, etc. Free passes are never going to bode well in the back end of games, and taking that mentality to the front end of games has helped me a lot this year."
Seven of the top 20 starting pitchers in baseball in walk rate (minimum 70 innings) are 26 years old or younger, including Ashcraft, Skenes, Schlittler, and Dodgers' first-time All-Star Justin Wrobleski. However, where most of these young pitchers shine isn't strictly in walk rate, but, as alluded to with Messick, in getting ahead of hitters.
In his 33 career MLB starts, Schlittler has been behind in the count 9.6% of the time, according to Pitcher List data. The MLB average is 12.1%. Skenes has been behind in the count 10.5% of the time, Wrobleski 9.8%, Ashcraft 11.1%, and Burns and Messick both at 11.8%. One of the biggest components in their collective ability to get ahead of hitters is an intense trust they have in their "stuff."
"I just trust that my stuff is going to be able to play," explained Messick. "That's just how I've always pitched. You go through the minor leagues, and you're always working on a new pitch or something different. Once you get up here, it's all about winning games, and I've just focused on trying to win... I do that by trusting my stuff."
"I think just being able to find my rhythm, find my identity a little bit," responded Schlittler when asked about why he's been able to have so much success. "It took me a little bit last year to figure out that I can just rely on my fastball. Now, being able to rely on three fastballs and a curveball. It takes time just to be able to make those adjustments."
Despite their confidence in their raw stuff, these young starters, who have grown up in an age of reflective thinking and with a wealth of information at their disposal, are also adept at making the adjustments that Schlittler alluded to. Part of that comes with being comfortable taking a hard look at yourself.
"Just being able to evaluate yourself on a daily basis," answered Ashcraft when asked about what enables a young pitcher to transition seamlessly to the big leagues. "Being able to look at yourself in the mirror and say today was not good enough in terms of the body of work you put in, or how you went about your attitude throughout your work."
It's also about simplifying your mindset.
"Let's keep it simple, stupid," added Ashcraft. "There are a lot of ways you can look at baseball as a whole. It can force you into getting really negative on yourself or getting really high on yourself, because, with success in the big leagues, there are a lot of rewards that come from it, right? And, with failure, there are some pretty swift and stark consequences for it. So, just trying to mitigate how high you get or how low you get when it comes to success and failure."
The younger crop of starting pitchers is prepped for that in a way that older players were not at the same age. Most organizations now employ mental skills coaches, whose primary focus ishelping younger players find their identity and become comfortable with the inevitability of failure. Additionally, while previous approaches to developing players at the minor leagues focused intensely on mechanics and skill fundamentals, organizations have begun to prioritize mindfulness or mental health approaches that focus on everything from reflective journaling, sleep habits, diet, and an understanding of the consequences this endeavor has on both your body and your mind.
"I think the biggest thing, honestly, comes down to the work you put into taking care of your body coming into spring training," reflected Schlittler. "You get to June and July, and your body's either going to wear down, or it's actually going to get stronger based on the work you put in the off-season... You take care of your body, and you'd be surprised how many players don't, and you work a little bit harder, and you can end up in the right place at the right time."
For Burns, that success and preparedness came from an intense focus on "sticking to the routine. Taking care of my arm. Just working hard every day, taking care of business."
Yet, for all of their early success, the young crop of starting pitchers isn't satisfied to rest on their early accomplishments. "They're all competitors," smiled Messick. "They're all great guys, and they just want to win." A large part of that desire to win also means acknowledging that you're never done evolving and growing.
"I've still got a lot to learn," admitted Schlittler. "I'm still out there making adjustments, especially over the last few starts, so I'm just trying to ride with it."
"It helps when you have guys that feel comfortable around," added Ashcraft, "that communicate on a very personal level to be able to hold each other accountable and say, 'Hey, man, you didn't get better today.'"
That intense focus on getting better every day is driving this young crop of starting pitchers. They're not doing it in a vacuum. They understand the value of the experience from the veterans who surround them. But they also know what they are capable of, and they're excited to show a national audience that their time isn't just in the future; it's right now.
"I feel like the future is really bright for this league," smiled Schlittler. "It's going to be really fun to watch it all unfold."
One of those includes a brief 17-game stint at Historic Grayson Stadium, with a team whose owner wears a yellow tuxedo and top hat and whose players dance and do TikToks in the middle of games: the Savannah Bananas, of course.
Sure, the Bananas when Peters played for them weren't the Bananas of today, having taken over the baseball sphere with their Banana Ball antics. Jesse Cole's team was still a summer college baseball team in the Coastal Plain League.
It doesn't matter to Peters, though, now an outfielder with the Chicago White Sox. He was still a Banana. And no, he isn't tired of answering questions about his time in Savannah in the summer of 2021.
"No, I look back very fondly," Peters said Monday, July 13, at Citizens Bank Park ahead of the Midsummer Classic. "I think it really put the fun back in baseball because sometimes, especially in college, just trying to perform, you get focused on that. You're not remembering that this is a game we're blessed to be able to play."
Were there viral TikTok dances when Peters was in Banana Country as the Coles were building the "Harlem Globetrotters of Baseball"? Yes, Peters said he occasionally busted a move. But it was a fraction of what Bananas players do today — and yes, his White Sox teammates have found the videos.
"They give me a hard time, but it's all fun," said Peters, who mentioned he played one game in the Banana Ball 's current format: a faster-paced format where entertainment is incorporated into the 11-rule, two-hour flat game.
Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round out of Southern Illinois University Carbondale that same summer, Peters faced an uphill road to the majors. He was traded twice within a span of a few months in 2022, first from Milwaukee to the San Francisco Giants, then from the Giants to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he made his major league debut last season. His stint with the Rays was brief, however, as he appeared in just four games before being designated for assignment in December and subsequently traded to the White Sox.
Fast forward to 2026, and Peters has taken on a starting role with the White Sox. But to get to the South Side of Chicago, Peters, like many minor leaguers, had his share of moments where he questioned whether reaching the big leagues would ever happen.
"There's so many, honestly," Peters said. "I know when I got traded to the Giants, I had a really tough time adjusting to the AA level and the imposter syndrome too, being on a new team, not knowing anybody. And that still happens. I'm starting to know a lot more people, which helps, but when I first got to the big leagues with the Rays, I went 0-for-12. Obviously that was tough. I'm like, ‘Can I actually do this?' but I had to keep that belief in myself too."
There were also times he questioned whether he could keep putting his family through the grind of minor league baseball, but he credits his wife’s unwavering support for helping him persevere.
"She's really the root of all (this). She's the reason I'm here," Peters said.
Peters finished the first half of the season with a .301 batting average and an OPS of .832 to go along with 75 hits, 20 doubles and 36 RBIs, helping turn one of Chris Getz's under-the-radar acquisitions into an All-Star.
"He kind of came out of nowhere, right?" White Sox manager Will Venable told The Athletic last week. "We liked him, obviously, enough to acquire him. He’s exceeded expectations, and he’s done it in a way that it’s really neat for a guy who has worked so hard."
So was there a moment that Peters knew, once he made the big league club out of spring training, this type of season could happen back in April or May?
Not necessarily.
"Think just knowing my role as a player," Peters said. "... Then I slowly adjusted to big league pitching. And that's a constant adjustment to be made too because they are pitching to you differently every day."
He earned his first All-Star Game selection fewer than 24 hours after recording the third cycle this season in baseball, and the first by a White Sox hitter since Jose Abreu on Sept. 9, 2017, against the Giants. The Canadian native replaced Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz on the American League roster.
He was set to rent an Airbnb an hour away from Chicago with his wife and their baby, who was born during spring training, for a few days before he received that news.
"We were just going to chill at a lake house, let our dog run around and maybe rent a boat or something like that," Peters said. "Just chill."
But an unexpected trip to Philadelphia for the All-Star Game, where he'll come off the bench for the American League, is a pretty good reason to put that lake house on hold.
"This is awesome. It's really a highlight of my career already. To be a rookie here, I'm truly honored," Peters said.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 10: Samuel Basallo #29 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a two run home run in the eight inning during a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 10, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The week before the All-Star break was almost like a 2026 season in miniature for the Orioles. They began the week with a losing streak that sent them to a new low point for the season, and broke out of that losing streak by setting a season-high winning streak. They finally won a fourth straight game in their eighth chance. Even that win came at a cost, with the news of Blaze Alexander’s hand fracture.
In this week’s podcast, I’m sad about Alexander, and in disbelief that things played out in such a way that anyone would be sad about Alexander. After getting past the sadness, I’m taking the opportunity of a few days break to look at the roster as a whole and think about each player: Is this guy meeting expectations, beating them, or falling below them?
This team has its share of problems, but going through the player performances, there’s a lot going right as well, and they probably only need a couple of the problems to play their way into solutions… plus maybe a trade or two, if the GM has the nerve to do it. Check out this week’s episode here:
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This is my weekly podcast about whatever is going on lately with the Orioles. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to subscribe. You can get the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you prefer to access your podcasts.
How are you feeling about the way things are going with the Orioles right now? Answers could make it into the mailbag section of a future episode of the podcast.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Petco Park on July 12, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The debate for most teams every year is whether or not they should buy, sell or stand pat at the trade deadline. Teams have to evaluate what their team has, what it needs and what any potential additions or subtractions could mean for that season and future seasons. In the most recent Padres Reacts Survey, fans were asked to decide what they think the San Diego Padres should do at the deadline this season.
The team fought hard in the last two games of the ceremonial first half to get back-to-back wins to limp into the break with a .500 record on the season at 48-48. The roster is loaded with players who are injured or under performing and that is not a combination that instills confidence in the fanbase.
The starting rotation has been decimated by injury with Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vasquez and Lucas Giolito all currently on the injured list and Darvish is out for the season. The bullpen had remained relatively healthy throughout the year, but is now without Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam and David Morgan. The lineup has also been beat up in the first half of the season with Ramon Laureano out for the year, Freddy Fermin and Samad Taylor currently on the IL and Luis Campusano recently returning from an IL stint.
The players that have been healthy in the rotation and lineup in the first half have underwhelmed. Most fans wonder how the Padres have even played well enough to reach .500 at the break considering all the above-mentioned factors, which is why they are prepared for San Diego to sell at the deadline. There is not much confidence in the way the Padres have played, and the number of needs is too great to think the 2026 team is worth investing in. San Diego general manager and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller may see it another way, but the Friar Faithful are looking toward future seasons rather than a postseason run this season.
Padres News:
Bradgley Rodriguez has been impressive throughout the 2026 season. At one point this season he was getting so much work that he was sent to the minors for some rest and time off. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball says the increased usage for Rodriguez is a result of the trust he has earned from manager Craig Stammen.
The Padres added to their minor league depth with several picks on Day 2 of the MLB Draft. Most of the selections were college players who were further along in their development, which Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball says is a change from the usual approach San Diego has in the draft.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a photo during the 2026 All-Star player photoshoot at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Hello and happy All-Star Game day, folks. The 96th Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia begins at 8 p.m. EST tonight…or at least that’s what we’re being told. I’m sure it’ll be a much later start time, but I digress.
Before the game, we had the Home Run Derby last night! The Red Sox’s own Willson Contreras had a good run into the semifinal round, but he wasn’t able to take it home. Congrats to (INSERT WHO WON).
The big headline outside of the winner, though, was the change of the format. Gone is the swing clock, as we’ve now gone to limiting the amount of swings a guy can take.
So, the question of the day is simple: Did you like the rule change for the Home Run Derby? I thought it was pretty good; I didn’t mind the clock, but the new format added some drama towards the end of the night. That was especially the case when Contreras was trying to tie Philly’s hometown boy and old friend of the Sox Kyle Schwarber in the semis.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Jacob Latz #67 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the 2026 All-Star player photoshoot at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning.
Kennedi Landry writes about where things stand for the first-place Texas Rangers at the All-Star break and what awaits them in the second half.
Shawn McFarland writes about what we’ve learned about the Rangers and their harrowing path to first place in the AL West at the break.
Landry writes about Jacob Latz losing a battle in March only to become Texas’ lone All-Star by July as one of baseball’s best closers.
Evan Grant notes that Latz’s first appearance of the year was in Philadelphia, starting the second game of the season for a scratched Jacob deGrom and now he returns an All-Star reliever.
And, FanGraphs’ Brendan Gawlowski writes about the Futures Game prospects — including Texas farmhand Caden Scarborough — and MLB annually fumbling the event.
