Category: MLB

Previous Winner

Santiago Suarez, RHP
21 | 6’2” | ?
A+ | 2.88 ERA, 2.07 FIP, 40.2 IP (10 GS), 26.9% K, 3.6% BB
AAA | 5 ER (9 H, 2 BB, 3 HR) 11.0 IP (2 GS), 9 K

Suarez climbed the ladder to Triple-A to finish a short season, as some triceps/shoulder issues hampered his 2025, but when called upon this Venezuelan strike-thrower has earned the trust of his managers to go out there and pitch. He has two plus fastballs, with easy heat but average ride on the 4-seam, and a hard cutter with tight bite. His only complimentary pitch thus far is a 12-6 curve, which makes it a fairly vertical arsenal. He gets good extension, although I’d be remiss to not mention the double pump in his plant leg that on first glance looks like noise, but has led to evident repeatability. What Suarez boasts in control he might lack in command. Right now it’s a supinator’s profile with an average arm slot. To progress he either needs to add some east-west depth to his arsenal (à la Chris Bassitt), or find ways to unlock the spin rates a touch more (Shane Baz). I’d expect him to slot into Montgomery’s rotation as one of the younger starters for his level.

The top ten is solidified with only two players returning from last year’s top ten:
1. Carson Williams, SS – returning No. 1
2. Brayden Taylor, 2B/3B – not yet a candidate
3. Xavier Isaac, 1B/OF – candidate
4. Tre’ Morgan, 1B – candidate
5. Chandler Simpson, OF – not yet a candidate
6. Aidan Smith, OF – not yet a candidate
7. Yoniel Curet, RHP – traded to Philadelphia for RHP Tommy McCollum (not yet a candidate)
8. Brody Hopkins, RHP – new No. 2
9. Dom Keegan, C – not yet a candidate
10. Trevor Harrison, RHP – candidate

Our next round of voting brings in Homer Bush Jr. — if you’d like to see Taylor, Simpson, Smith, or Keegan as a candidate, add them to Testers or make them your next vote under Others.

Candidates

Caden Bodine, C
22 | S/R| 5’10” | 200
A (BAL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K

Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to 60 grade bat-to-ball skills, and comfortably-plus blocking and receiving behind the plate. There is some concern that his smaller frame limits him to fringe power, but those concerns are off-set by solid plate discipline from both sides of the plate; his sweeter swing is left handed. All catching prospects will see their value proposition shift with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership, and receiving give him real value, projecting him as a solid major league contributor.

Anderson Brito, RHP
21 | 5’10” | 155
A+ (HOU) | 3.28 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 49.1 IP (12 GS), 31.1% K, 13.4% BB

Acquired in the Brandon Lowe trade, Brito has three plus pitches with a fastball that touches 100 with cut-ride, and two breakers in a mid-80s curveball with surprising depth and a mid-80s slider he commands best. He also mixes in a developing low-90s cutter and a scattershot but intriguing mid-80s changeup with strong velocity and movement separation, with some added deception from his smaller frame helping limit hard contact. The concern is control, as he’s posted below-average strike rates in A-ball across 2024–25 and lacks consistent feel outside the slider, leaving him to project as a slightly wild, high-leverage reliever for now. Still, with multiple plus pitches, improved durability, and meaningful command gains, he has mid-rotation starter upside, giving him possibly the widest range of outcomes on this list. Baseball Prospectus describes him as having “Shohei Ohtani’s stuff with Johnny Cueto’s body.”

Slater de Brun, OF
18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187

Drafted 37th overall in 2025, through a draft pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially re-acquired in the Shane Baz trade. Like many Rays outfield prospects he’s not expected to develop much power, but compensates with an ability to hit to all fields, and has the benefit of years to develop. His hit tool rates plus thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double-plus speed elevates both his baserunning and range in center; he has a solid arm and can stick long term. The key to his development will be improving pitch selection to maximize his power potential. Despite not yet playing in a pro game, he’s a good bet to skip the complex league and debut in Charleston this season.

Homer Bush Jr.
24 | R/R | 6’3” | 215
AA | .301/.375/.360 (122 wRC+) 546 PA, 0 HR, 57 SB, 8.8% BB, 17.9% K

Acquired in the 2024 Jason Adam trade, the starting center fielder at Double-A passed the test of advanced pitching, but just barely. He lacks in-game power due to a lack of use of his lower half in his swing, and he whiffed more often than you can for long term success with a low-power approach. His calling cards are Rays-grade defense and plus-speed, having notably swiped 57 bags in back-to-back seasons.

Nathan Flewelling, C
19 | L/R | 6’2” | 200
A | .229/.393/.336 (126 wRC+) 439 PA, 6 HR, 9 SB, 20.3% BB, 27.6% K
A+ | 22 PA, 4 H, 5 BB, 6 K

The 94th overall pick from 2024, Flewelling made his debut at 18 years young and caught a full season (75 C, 26 DH), plus a five game cup of coffee (3 C, 2 DH). Taking the longview, he could grow into 50-60 grade power with 50 grade defense, which makes him one to follow. His plus zone awareness at the plate offsets his lagging contact, and most importantly for the position his ability to call games and frame pitches are already plus. A strong season with the bat at High-A could vault him into Top-100 consideration.

Trevor Harrison, RHP
20 | 6’4” | 225
A | 2.61 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 82.2 IP (17 GS), 22.4% K, 10.7% BB
A+ | 3.33 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 24.1 IP (5 GS), 23.8% K, 12.4% BB

Harrison entered the season as Baseball America’s top pitcher in the system thanks to a cleaned up delivery and high heat. He ran into some bumps in the road by running up his pitch count against batters, but he still made it over 100 innings in 22 starts. A power pitcher through and through, his hard slider flirts with cutter classification and could evolve into two distinct pitches down the road. It will be interesting to see how his change up plays as he’s challenged at higher levels, but for now he has premium stuff and the upside of a rotation anchor. (video)

Xavier Isaac, 1B
22 | L/L | 6’3” | 240
AA | .201/.366/.446 (144 wRC+) 175 PA, 9 HR, 1 SB, 19.4% BB, 29.7% K

Isaac had his season cut short large-in-part due to the discovery of a brain tumor, disrupting an otherwise great start to the season that duplicated his cup of coffee in Double-A as a 20-year old, despite some minor arm injuries along the way. He has the best power projection in the system, and if he can hold his own for a full season in 2026 — particularly against southpaws, which is somewhat of a concern — the former first round pick (29th overall, 2021) could see his status restored near the top of the Rays prospect rankings.

Tre’ Morgan, 1B/LF
23 | L/L | 6’0” | 215
AAA | .274/.398/.412 (119 wRC+) 402 PA, 8 HR, 8 SB, 15.9% BB, 19.2% K

Morgan continued to hit without power in 2025, a great discouragement for some evaluators, but his present 50-grade hit tool and feel for the zone allow a major league projection. He continued his improved, quieter two-strike approach in 2025 that built on his success retooling his swing in the AFL last year. The Rays gave Morgan 14 starts in Left Field last season, and Baseball America called the defense “playable,” but his value is tied to his plus-plus defense at First.

Brendan Summerhill, OF
22 | L/R | 6’3” | 200
A | .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+) 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 6 BB, 5 K

Following an All-Star performance at the Cape Cod summer league, Summerhill exhibited some of the best bat-to-ball skills in NCAA as a junior at Arizona. His draft stock took a minor hit due to injury (broken hand from from punching a cooler) and was drafted 42nd overall, but Summerhill rebounded well with a dominant stop at Charleston to finish the year. Summerhill has plus barrel control, allowing for a high-contact approach for his long swing. He has plus speed as well, which provides a chance to stick in center. Evaluators would like to see more power to complete a five-tool profile. Even if the power doesn’t materialize, it’s an above average contributor’s projection.

Jose Urbina, RHP
20 | 6’3” | 180
A | 2.05 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 92.1 IP (19 GS), 26.4% K, 8.2% BB
A+ | 2 ER (2 HR), 4.0 IP (1 GS), 5 K, 0 BB

Good pitchers grow and adjust, and Urbina has done that consistently at an age young for his level. Physically he has grown in strength, sitting at 96 with the fastball after flashing high octane in 2024, and technically he has grown, refining his dialed up slider and his two-plane curveball into complementary pitches — which lack plus command but are thrown with feel. He shouldered a starter’s workload at 19, and was awarded one additional start at High-A, where he allowed two solo shots and struck out five. Overall, the age, body, and body of work have him on the trajectory of top prospect lists in the near future.

In yet another move this morning, Colorado Rockies announced they have acquired infielder Edouard Julien and right-handed pitcher Pierson Ohl from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league pitcher Jace Kaminska and cash considerations.

Out of minor league options, Julien, 26, joins the club after spending parts of three seasons with the Twins. Originally drafted in the 18th round out of Auburn University in 2019, the native of Quebec City, Canada, has slashed .232/.336/.382 in his big league career. He burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, slashing .263/.381/.459 with 16 home runs, finishing seventh in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. However, he struggled in his playing time over the next two seasons, capped by a rough 2025 campaign in which he hit just .220 with a .633 OPS in 64 games.

Julien spent the majority of the year in Triple-A, where he batted .276 with a .879 OPS, 33 runs scored, and 21 extra-base hits, including 11 home runs over 70 games. Strikeouts have certainly been an issue for him in his big league career at a 31.7% clip, but he has also managed an above average 13% walk rate. Defensively, he gives the Rockies a little bit of versatility on the right side of the infield at the two most unsettled positions. He has started 159 games at second base and 23 at first base. The added bonus is that he is a left-handed batter.

Ohl, 26, was recently designated for assignment by the Twins. A 14th-round pick by the Twins in 2021 out of Grand Canyon University, Ohl finally made his big league debut in 2025, where he went 0-3 with a 5.10 ERA and 27 strikeouts against five walks in 30 innings over 14 games that included three starts. His minor league career, spanning five seasons, paints a better picture. He owns a career 3.61 ERA in 394 innings over 90 appearances. He has tallied 373 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP and was named a Texas League Post-Season All-Star in 2023 and 2025.

He has primarily been used as a starter in his career and could fit into the mix for the Rockies’ rotation while remaining an option as a swing-man out of the bullpen. Per Statcast, he features a primarily four-pitch mix that includes a 92 MPH four-seam fastball alongside a cutter, curveball, and changeup. Statcast also indicates that he threw five knuckleballs in 2025. Aside from the fastball, his other pitches generated at least a 20% whiff rate, while his changeup secured 13 of his 27 strikeouts. He pounds the zone and doesn’t walk many batters.

Kaminska did not pitch in 2025 as he recovered from surgery on his elbow. Drafted in the 10th round from the University of Nebraska in 2023, he went 5-5 with a 2.78 ERA across 17 outings, including 16 starts, across his first two seasons in the minors with the Arizona Complex League and the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies. In 2024, he had 104 strikeouts against just 12 walks in 87 1/3 innings.

The moves come on the heels of the Rockies clearing space on the 40-man roster after trading reliever Angel Chivilli to the New York Yankees for first base prospect T.J. Rumfield and designating outfielder Yanquiel Fernández for assignment.

The team now has a full 40-man roster.

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The Texas Rangers will have pitchers and catchers reporting to Surprise in a couple of weeks, and the team’s roster is starting to round into shape.

The Rangers swapped Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo early in the offseason, addressing their corner outfield need while also opening up a spot for Josh Smith to play every day. In December they signed Danny Jansen, addressing their need for a catcher to share time with Kyle Higashioka. Last week, the team acquired MacKenzie Gore, taking care of a hole in the middle of their rotation that needed filling. And throughout the offseason, they have added relief pitchers, with four free agent relievers being signed to major league deals, a reliever being added through the Rule 5 Draft, a pair of arms being claimed on waivers (who are still here, as of now), and your usual collection of NRIs to throw against the camp wall to see if any stick.

The one priority on the offseason shopping list that has not been addressed, however, is a righthanded bat. Chris Young has said throughout the offseason that the Rangers want to add a righthanded bat, and given the makeup of the roster, I’d say that’s more of a need than a want. Evan Carter has been terrible in his career against lefties and has durability concerns, and Josh Smith is a lefthanded hitter with durability concerns. Neither player may end up in a true platoon, but I suspect both will regularly sit against lefties, with Sam Haggerty (penciled in as the team’s fourth outfielder) and Ezequiel Duran (penciled in as the utility infielder) filling in for them.

Joc Pederson, meanwhile, is a platoon DH. He was signed to be the designated hitter against righthanded pitchers, and he needs a platoon partner. Unlike past years, where the four bench spots could be allocated to a backup catcher, a fourth outfielder, a utility infielder, and Some Dude Who Will Never Play, you are going to probably need that last bench spot to be dedicated to someone who will actually play, and who will ideally be starting against lefties, most likely at DH, but potentially in the field to give, say, Wyatt Langford a half-day off by DHing.

There are still some viable platoon DH/RH bench bat options out there in the free agent market. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?

Paul Goldschmidt

This would be, to me, the “in an ideal world” option. The 38 year old future Hall of Famer had spent his entire career with the Diamondbacks and Cardinals before joining the Yankees for 2025 on a one year, $12.5 million deal. He is slowing down, having put up a 100 OPS+ in 2024 and a 104 OPS+ in 2025, but has continued to hit lefties well, slashing .336/.411/.570 in 168 plate appearances in 2025 after slashing .295/.366/.473 against them in his final year with the Cardinals. He started 115 games for the Yankees, but after a great first couple of months faded, slashing .226/.277/.333 in the final four months of the season after putting up a .338/.394/.495 line in the first two months of the season.

While Goldschmidt probably isn’t a starting caliber first baseman anymore, his performance against lefties would make him a great option in the short side of a platoon at DH, and he could also provide Jake Burger the occasional day off, and fill in for Burger for short periods if he has a stint on the injured list. And the hope would be that not playing every day would help avoid the steep decline he experienced last year. He’s also considered to be a solid veteran clubhouse presence.

Goldschmidt seems unlikely, however, for a few reasons. One, I’m not sure that he’s in a place where he’s ready to become a part-time player, rather than an everyday guy, especially when the regular at his position is Jake Burger. Second, if he is going to go the part-time player route, other teams may be more attractive to him — the Yankees, for example, are reported to be interesting in bringing him back. Third, I doubt the Rangers would be willing to pay him close to the $12.5 million he made last year, and I don’t know that he’d be willing to take a significant pay cut to come to Texas (or that other teams wouldn’t be willing to pay him more).

Miguel Andujar

Have bat, will travel, Miguel Andujar appears to be the popular pick among commenters here on the LSB for the bench bat role. Andujar finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, when put up a 130 OPS+, though his glovework at third base was bad enough that he only had a 2.8 bWAR. He has accumulated negative bWAR since then, and has also not had more than 341 plate appearances in a season, though that 341 PA season was last year, split between the A’s and the Reds. He’s struggled to stay on the field due to both health reasons — he spent over a month on the injured list last year — and productivity reasons.

Andujar has beat up on lefty pitchers of late. He had a 986 OPS against them in 2025 and a 995 OPS against them in 2024. He’s also pretty much just a DH at this point — the A’s tried him at third base for the equivalent of about 25 games last year, the first action he’s had at the hot corner since 2021, and he had a -6 DRS and -3 FRV, which is both pretty abysmal and pretty much in line with his past defense performances there. He has played some left field in recent years, and is not good defensively there either, though he isn’t as bad as he is at third base.

Andujar, who turns 31 at the start of the 2026 season, makes some sense as a platoon partner for Pederson, depending on his price (and willingness to accept a part-time role). The question is whether you want to devote two roster spots to DH-only guys who bring no value defensively or on the basepaths, given the reduced flexibility you then have.

Rhys Hoskins

The former Phillies first baseman put up a 127 OPS+ heading into his final season of arbitration eligibility in 2023, and appeared poised to cash in with a lucrative free agent contract if he kept that up. Instead, Hoskins missed all of 2023 due to a torn ACL. After the 2023 season, Hoskins ended up signing a 2 year, $34 million deal with Milwaukee that included a team option for 2026. That option was declined, with Hoskins coming in at replacement level in 2024, then bouncing back some in 2025, but seeing playing time disappear after he suffered a sprained thumb and then returned from the injured list to see Andrew Vaughn ensconced at first base.

Hoskins has a career 882 OPS against lefties, compared to a 797 OPS against righthanders, though he hasn’t had significant platoon splits the past two seasons. Hoskins is the homeless man’s Goldschmidt, a veteran with playoff experience who could DH against lefties and play some first base. He seems more likely than Goldschmidt to accept a part-time role, and would be much cheaper, though he would also be expected to not be as good.

Nick Castellanos

Another former Phillie — well, technically, current Phillie, though that is not expected to last. Pursued in the past by the Rangers, “right fielder” Castellanos is entering the final year of a 5 year, $100 million deal that has not, to put it mildly, worked out. It is rare, after all, for a team president to say that the team is committed to make sure a veteran under contract GsTFO before the season start, as Dave Dombrowski said recently, and it seems unlikely Castellanos will still be with the organization when camps open next month.

The Phillies are hoping a desperate team will give them something — anything — in exchange for making Castellanos, who turns 34 at the start of the season, another team’s problem and the Phillies eating virtually all of the $20 million he is owed for 2026. Its a tough sell for a guy who put up a .250/.294/.400 slash line last year, a 100 OPS+ for the entirety of his four years in Philadelphia, and is beyond terrible defensively (bottom 1 percent last year, per Statcast, after being bottom 4% in two of the three previously). Oh, and did we mention that Castellanos was benched for making an “inappropriate comment” to manager Rob Thomson in September after being lifted for defensive purposes, an incident which Matt Gelb reported “left players and coaches alike disgusted”?

So, no defensive value, hasn’t hit well, wants to play everyday, and left a turd in the Phillies’ playoff push punchbowl, to the point that the organization has made it clear for months they aren’t bringing him back? Oh, and he hit worse against lefties (680 OPS) than righties in 2025, though he did put up an 830 OPS against them in 2024. Not great, Bob.

Still, he’s worth mentioning. Maybe the Rangers give a non-prospect to the Phillies and have the Phillies cover his $20 million less league minimum in 2026 to give him a look in spring training and see if there’s anything worth trying to salvage. Maybe he gets released and Texas brings him in on an NRI to see what’s what. I think it is unlikely, but I figure he’s an option worth mentioning.

Marcell Ozuna

Dude’s career has been a roller coaster. He had a 5.7 bWAR 2017 season that led to him getting traded to the Cardinals for a package that included Sandy Alcantara AND Zac Gallen. Two middling seasons for the Cards resulted in him doing a one year deal with Atlanta for 2020. He put up a 1067 OPS and was sixth in the MVP race, resulting in the Braves signing him to a five year deal. He was then bad and hurt the first two years, raked the next two years (including a 4th place MVP finish in 2024), and was okay in 2025, slashing .232/.355/.400.

Ozuna is 35, slow (3 stolen bases in the past five seasons), and hasn’t played in the field since 2023, when he logged 14 innings in left field. He also doesn’t have big platoon splits over the course of his career. He provides a better option as a regular DH if Pederson gets hurt or is terrible, but is also going to be more expensive than someone similar, such as Andujar, and probably doesn’t want to accept a part-time role right now.

Austin Hays

Another popular name in the LSB comments, the 30 year old Hays spent several seasons as a pretty solid regular left fielder for the Orioles due in no small part to his glovework, but wasn’t good in 2024, when he was shipped to Philadelphia for Seranthony Dominguez (who just got 2/$20 million from the ChiSox, so good on him, I guess), and Cristian Pache, the hobo’s Leody Taveras. A free agent after the season, Hays got a 1 year, $5 million deal with Cincinnati for 2025 and slashed .266/.315/.453 in 103 games.

Both DRS and FRV indicate his defense has declined the past couple of seasons, to the point he’s a little below average defensively in left field, and he hasn’t had significant time in right field since 2022. However, he raked against lefties in 2025 (.319/.400/.549 slash line), and has an 819 OPS against lefties for his career, compared to a 717 OPS against righties.

I suspect part of the reason Hays is still out there is because he is looking for a full time role, and isn’t going to accept a deal as a platoon or bench guy until camps are about to start. A repeat of the 1/$5 million he received last year would seem to be palatable for the Rangers to pay, though I suspect other contenders will also be pursuing him.

Mitch Garver

One of the heroes of the 2023 team, Garver’s two year deal with Seattle after the 2023 campaign went poorly, to the point that Garver reported receiving death threats. He put up a .187/.290/.341 slash line while catching and DHing for the M’s.

The 35 year old has never had a good track record of staying healthy, and his bat disappointed the past two seasons. He did hit okay against lefties, though, and as a platoon DH/third catcher, he might be a viable option, especially if he wants to return to a place where he seemingly felt comfortable after the unpleasant experience in Seattle.

Andrew McCutchen/Starling Marte

Lumping them together. Two former stars turned role players/veteran clubhouse influencer types in their late 30s, who were teammates together for more than a half-decade in Pittsburgh, where they had their best seasons. McCutchen, 39, has spent the last three seasons on one year deals with the Pirates, though the Pirates appear to be not that interested in bringing him back for 2026. Marte, 37, just finished up a four year deal with the Mets where he maxed out at 370 PAs the previous three seasons.

Each of them is probably best utilized as a part-time DH who can play the outfield in a pinch. Marte’s career splits are negligible, while McCutchen’s got a 104 point OPS advantage in his career against lefties versus righties. Not sure how much interest either would have in Texas — they’ve each spent most of their careers in the National League East, and each only has a couple of months in the American League in their careers.

Wilmer Flores

Flores is 34 and has spent most of his career as a bat-first role playing infielder. He has spent his entire career in the National League, including the past six seasons with San Francisco. He has a .229/.296/.359 slash line the past two seasons without big splits and is pretty much limited to first base and DH. Maybe an NRI option if you can’t find anyone else.

Ty France

France had a couple of big seasons with Seattle in 2021-22. Since the start of 2023 he has slashed .247/.322/.364 with a 94 OPS+ and no real platoon split. Won a Gold Glove at first base last year. Maybe an NRI option if you can’t find anyone else.

Carlos Santana

Santana is a switch hitter who turns 40 in April. He won a Gold Glove at first base in 2024. No splits in 2025, but hit lefties a lot better in 2024, and has hit lefties better over the course of his career. Not sure if he’d accept a short-side platoon role at this point of his career, and not sure how much value he’d have as a short-side DH.

Randal Grichuk

34 year old corner outfielder who has hit lefties well throughout his career, but didn’t hit anyone well last season. He’s from Texas, which might help if he’s weighing NRIs.

Who is he and where did he come from?

He’s Seth Martinez. If you’re like me, you saw the name “Seth” in an article about Red Sox transactions and briefly celebrated because you thought that Seth Lugo was coming to Boston. Seth Martinez is not Seth Lugo. He does, however, own a World Series ring from his time in Houston in 2022, where he put up a 2.09 ERA across 29 games despite not pitching in the postseason.

In total, Martinez boasts 144 Major League innings. The 31-year-old righty most recently pitched in the Marlins organization, where he spent most of the year in Triple-A Jacksonville. The Red Sox signed him to a minor league deal and gave him a non-roster Spring Training invite. He’s also out of options, which means if he’s not on the Major League roster, he’s getting waived, traded or released outright.

Is he any good?

He wasn’t great in 2024, which is the only time he qualified for league rankings in his career. He struck out just 36 batters in 52 2/3 innings that year. Plus, his average fastball velocity didn’t reach 91, He also didn’t quite have it in his limited time on Miami’s Major League roster last season, where his 5.40 ERA was actually quite a bit less than his 7.19 FIP. He does have 7.1 inches of extension, which is something that Andrew Bailey has always gotten excited about. His career numbers look a little better since he was a solid multi-inning option out of the Astros’ bullpen, and so that “anything under 4.00 isn’t good” benchmark is really put to the test with Martinez, who has exactly a 4.00 ERA in 117 career games.

Tl;dr, just show me his 2025 stats.

MLB: 6.2 IP, 4 K, 3 BB, 4 H, 2 HR 4 ER

AAA: 43.3 IP, 54 K, 18 BB, 37 H, 3 HR, 3.71 ERA

Show me a cool highlight.

You don’t need a 99-mile-per-hour fastball to close out a game. This is proof.

What’s he doing in his picture up there?

Attempting to record one of just 20 Major League outs Martinez notched for Miami in 2025.

What’s his role on the 2026 Red Sox?

Just as with Vinny Capra or Tristan Gray, having a guy who you can turn to on the Triple-A roster who’s spent some time in the Show is valuable. It really opens up the ways the remainder of the Triple-A bullpen can be used, which helps guys with brighter dispositions for their careers. Martinez may record some innings in mop-up duty early in 2026 just due to his experience getting more than three outs in relief in his career, but if he’s recording meaningful situations with high leverage, it will signal that something went pretty badly on the depth chart.

David Bote was once thought of as a versatile enough player to keep around on a long-term deal given him by Theo Epstein, a five-year deal that didn’t end until a buyout last year.

And, you know, it might have worked until Bote suffered a serious shoulder injury in May 2021 that kept him out for a couple of months. He was never quite the same player after that, spending time at Triple-A Iowa much of the next two seasons and also in early 2024.

Called up in June 2024, Bote hit pretty well but started only eight games, playing the rest as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement… and pitcher.

In the first game of a doubleheader July 13, 2024 in St. Louis, Hayden Wesneski had given up 11 runs in the first four innings. A nine-run inning had just two earned runs largely due to Wesneski’s own fielding error.

The Cubs trailed 11-2 going to the bottom of the eighth so Craig Counsell summoned Bote to pitch that inning.

He gave up a double to Matt Carpenter and walked Willson Contreras, but got out of the inning scoreless when he got Brandon Crawford to ground into this force play [VIDEO].

Bote played in only 12 more games as a Cub after that and when the Cubs bought out his contract, he signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers. He didn’t play at all in 2025. The Dodgers had apparently told him that he had a decent chance to make their Opening Day roster, but when he didn’t and they asked him to go to Triple-A, he refused. The Dodgers placed him on the restricted list and a few weeks later apparently decided to retire.

Ernie Clement is a 29 (40 in March) year-old, right-handed hitting infielder. The Guardians picked him in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. He is, to this point, the most successful player taken in that round, by a long shot (the others from that round who have played in the major have negative bWARs).

I think we all know enough about Ernie.

The Jays signed him as a free agent before the 2023 season, after the A’s released him. It really didn’t stand out much to me; we seemed to have the market cornered in middle infielders. And Clement was a glove-first infielder. It wasn’t the type of signing that excites a fan base.

Ernie spent most of the 2023 season in Buffalo. He was called up for three games in May, a few more in June, another three in July and then, at the end of August he was up for the rest of the season. In his 29 games for the Jays, he hit .380/.385/.500 with a home, triple and double.

He spent the whole season with the Jays in 2024, hitting .263/.284/.408 in 139 games. That, combined with great defense, added up to a 3.4 bWAR. Pretty decent for a guy the A’s released.

And, of course, last year was even better, a .277/.313/.398 and a 4.3 bWAR.

Then came the playoff run, where he hit .411/.416/.562 with 6 doubles, a triple and a home run in 18 games. Just an amazing run.

The terrific season and playoff run were enough to earn him a invite to play for the US World Baseball Classic team.

This year, he looks to be the leading candidate to play second base, with Andrés Giménez playing short and Kazuma Okamoto playing third. It is possible that he’ll be platooning with Addison Barger (who hasn’t played second in the majors and only 47 games there in the minors).

I don’t know if having Clement was a factor in the team not re-signing Bo Bichette. Over the last two seasons Clements had a 7.7 bWAR. Bichette 3.2. Last year, when Bo was very good, he had a 3.5 bWAR, Clement 4.3.

Steamer figures him to play 118 games, hitting .276/.313/.406 with 9 home runs and a 1.7 WAR. Those numbers seem low to me.

Shortly after trading reliever Angel Chivilli to the New York Yankees, it has been reported by Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com that Yanquiel Fernández has been designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies.

Originally from Cuba, Fernández, 23, was an international signing by the Rockies during the 2019-2020 cycle, inking a $295,000 deal. He rose quickly through the minor league system as he displayed immense power early on with 20-plus homer seasons in 2022 and 2023.

However, things began to taper off for Fernández once he reached Triple-A Albuquerque. In parts of two seasons — a total of 97 games — he slashed .259/.320/.437 through 409 plate appearances. 2025 was a better start for him as he hit .284/.347/.502 with 13 home runs, earning a promotion to the big leagues at the end of June.

He struggled at the major league level, however, hitting just .225/.265/.348 with a 30% strikeout rate in 147 trips to the plate. His power was a no-show as he hit just four home runs and failed to lift the ball with any authority. A lack of plate discipline resulted in chases and bad contact, highlighted by his 49.5% groundball rate. Despite the power potential and a plus-plus arm in the outfield, Fernández struggled to make an impact on either side of the baseball.

The Rockies will have five days to trade Fernández before he has to be placed on outright waivers. Given his history, age, tools, and pedigree, there is a good chance a team gives him a look or swings a small trade. He has one minor league option remaining, giving any team some flexibility. Otherwise, the Rockies could send him to Triple-A Albuquerque to give him more time to develop and earn a spot back.

The move opens up another 40-man roster spot for the club, giving them 38 total players on the 40-man roster.

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In our first matchup of the “Last Man In” tournament, in which we look at the last free agent signed before the season over the past 16 years, Nick Castellanos breezed past Joe Ross to advance to the next round.

On to our next matchup: Seventh-seeded Luis Garcia vs. tenth-seeded David Lough!

7. Luis Garcia, 2013

Stats with the Phillies: 251 games, 244 innings, 12-14 W-L, 5 saves, 4.12 ERA, 223 K, 125 BB, 2.09 WAR

Originally signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent, Garcia was unable to make it to the big leagues and was pitching in independent leagues in 2013. The Phillies signed him as an amateur free agent, and after pitching well in the minors, he was called up to join the Phillies’ bullpen.

Garcia stuck with the Phillies for six seasons. He was fine in middle relief but never earned enough trust to be consistently used in high leverage situations and was eventually traded to the Angels. He’s bounced around the majors since then and pitched for three different teams in 2025.

10. David Lough, 2016

Stats with the Phillies: 30 games, .239/.342/.655, 0 HR, 4 RBI, -0.1 WAR

After a promising rookie season with the Royals in 2013, outfielder David Lough was traded to the Orioles, but was unable to follow up on that showing. He was regarded as a strong defender but couldn’t hit well enough to earn a regular job.

By 2015, he was a free agent, and the talent-deprived Phillies picked him up before the 2016 season. He appeared in 30 games, mostly as a late-game defensive replacement. By August, the Phillies chose to go in a different direction and released him. He bounced around the minor leagues but was never able to make it back to the majors.

Who should advance? Vote now!

The Yankees added a hard-throwing right-hander to their bullpen Wednesday, trading for Angel Chivilli from the Rockies.

The 23-year-old Chivilli spent parts of the past two seasons in the majors with Colorado, putting up some ugly numbers in 43 appearances in 2025.

But the Yankees are intrigued by Chivilli’s elite velocity, as well as his swing-and-miss stuff and ability to get ground balls, even though that hasn’t translated to success in the majors.

He’ll be in the mix for a bullpen spot after the Yankees lost Luke Weaver and Devin Williams to the Mets in free agency, with David Bednar expected to close in front of Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval and lefty Tim Hill.

Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough and Yerry De los Santos also could be in the pen, as well as Jake Bird, who had a miserable stint in The Bronx after coming over from Colorado at the trade deadline last year.

General manager Brian Cashman called the bullpen a “work in progress, with a lot of quality choices,” with more potentially on the way — whether from the minors or outside the organization.

In exchange for Chivilli, who has remaining minor league options and can be sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees gave up T.J. Rumfield, a 25-year-old first baseman who spent last year with SWB. He was acquired by the Yankees in a small trade with the Phillies in 2021.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Chivilli, newly acquired outfielder Michael Siani was designated for assignment.

Right-hander Kaleb Ort, who the Yankees selected off waivers from the Astros earlier this month and later designated for assignment, was claimed by the Angels.

Mario Garza was officially named the Director of International Scouting, replacing Donny Rowland, whose contract wasn’t renewed after last year.

Cashman said Garza’s job is to “relaunch” and “reinvent” the international scouting department.

Garza, 44, has been in the organization since 2011, most recently as the director of baseball development.

Cashman said the Yankees “did an extensive interview process” before landing on a candidate they knew very well.

“He’s already well-versed in all our systems,’’ Cashman said. “That gives him a head start already as we try to relaunch that department and move forward.”

The Yankees haven’t gotten great returns on some of their big-ticket international signings, with Jasson Domínguez failing to win an everyday role in The Bronx and others, like Roderick Arias, stalling in the minors.

“We’re just looking for better outcomes,” Cashman said of Garza’s hiring. “So he’s gonna reinvent that department and we look forward to seeing where it takes us.”

With Cody Bellinger back in left field, Domínguez and prospect Spencer Jones may be on the outside looking in.

“The reality is, it does change,’’ Aaron Boone said of how Bellinger’s presence impacts the pair of prospects. “We’ve got Cody back in the mix and [Trent Grisham] back, that maybe complicates some things for them. But we also know what potentially outstanding players they’re gonna be in this league. We have a long time to go between now and… certainly Opening Day and you never know what’s gonna come down the pike.’’

The Colorado Rockies announced they have agreed to a deal with the New York Yankees, sending right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli to the Bronx in exchange for minor league first baseman T.J. RumField.

Chivilli, 23, looked like he could be a staple of a fresh Rockies bullpen when he debuted with the team in 2024. After posting a 4.55 ERA in 31 2/3 innings, the hard-throwing righty struggled mightily in 2025. In 58 2/3 innings over 43 games, he struggled to a 7.06 ERA and a 1.688 WHIP. Despite an incredible 14.4% swinging-strike rate in his career and an 32.3% chase rate, Chivilli proved a bit too inconsistent in the zone and was prone to giving up the long ball, averaging 1.99 per nine innings in each of the first two seasons. He didn’t walk many batters, but also didn’t strike out very many, leaving him on the bubble for the new front office.

Looking to add some more depth at first base, the Rockies acquire Rumfield, who was ranked as the No. 22 prospect for the Yankees per MLB Pipeline in 2025.

Drafted in the 12th round out of Virginia Tech in 2021 by the Philadelphia Phillies, he was traded to New York before the 2022 minor league season. He struggled to find his footing in the first couple of years but began top gain traction, winning the batting title (.400) in the Arizona Fall League in 2022. After struggling in some aspects in Double-A in 2023, despite finding his power, Rumfield made a slight adjustment to simplify his swing for more consistency. In 2024, Rumfield hit .292/.365/.461 with 15 homers in 114 Triple-A games.

He spent the entire 2025 season with the Yankees’ top affiliate in Scranton, slashing .285/.378/.447 with 16 home runs, 31 doubles, a triple, five stolen bases, a quality 11.9% walk rate, and an 18.4% strikeout rate that’s comfortably lower than average. Still, scouts indicate he chases a bit too much out of the zone.

Standing 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Rumfield has a modest power potential of 15 home runs a year, instead relying on hitting for contact. He won’t offer much on the base paths and is a decent enough defender at first base despite a lack of range and a questionable arm. Still, he gives the Rockies another left-handed option at first base, which would be their preference as a team.

Rumfield is not on the 40-man roster, leaving the Rockies with an open slot to work with as they still hope to add another free agent starter or the aforementioned first baseman.

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With spring training about two weeks away, the Yankees are still assembling their roster for the 2026 season.

New York added to their bullpen on Wednesday, acquiring RHP Angel Chivilli from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor league 1B T.J. Rumfield, the team announced.

The Yanks also designated OF Michael Siani for assignment to make room for Chivilli on the 40-man roster. Siani was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 23.

Chivilli, 23, made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2024 and has appeared in 73 games over the past two seasons, pitching to a 6.18 ERA with 71 strikeouts. He had a 7.06 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 43 games (58.2 IP) in 2025, totaling 43 strikeouts.

Despite his record and ERA, Chivilli's fastball velocity averages at 97.1 mph, which is in the 88th percentile per Baseball Savant. He also owns a 29.7 percent whiff rate and a 49.8 percent ground ball rate, both well above the league average.

Rumfield, who'll turn 26 in May, hit .285 with 16 home runs, 31 doubles, and 87 RBI in 2025 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Virginia Tech and later acquired by the Yanks in November 2021. Over five years in the minors, Rumfield owns a .271 batting average with 52 homers, 88 doubles, and 260 RBI.

“Shorty you’re my Angel, you’re my darling Angel”

No doubt somewhere in the Bronx or Tampa, Matt Blake is quietly singing Shaggy’s popular refrain to himself while watching video. YES Network’s Jack Curry reported that the Yankees landed Angel Chivilli, a right-handed reliever, from the Colorado Rockies, sending Triple-A first baseman T.J. Rumfield in return to Denver. The Yankees have since confirmed the trade, with the team designating recent waiver claim outfielder Michael Siani for assignment as the corresponding 40-man roster move. Rumfield had been with the organization since being traded from the Phillies in December 2021 for Nick Nelson, but he had topped out at Scranton and Ben Rice firmly passed him on the first base depth chart.

Immediately looking at Chivilli, the 23-year-old has yet to post positive value in The Show since coming up in June 2024. He notched a 7.06 ERA and 6.03 FIP last year in 43 appearances, “good” for a -0.7 fWAR. That’s not MLB-caliber!

Still, you can kind of figure out the play here. Chivilli will sit 97 mph with his four-seam fastball, and that will play in any bullpen if you can command it. While he did manage a ground-ball rate over 50 percent last year, which is good, command of that fastball needs to be one of the first things for pitching coach Matt Blake to work on:

You can’t throw fastballs there no matter what ballpark you play in, but 97 on the black becomes quite nasty. Fixing that fastball location is job no. 1, and probably the overall key to making Chivilli a real weapon.

Job no. 2 though might actually be a little easier. One of the problems with pitching at Coors Field is the thin air reduces the amount that pitches break, and Chivilli throws a real hard slider at 90 mph and notched a 42-percent whiff rate on his changeup last year.

Simply moving closer to sea level should help those pitches break more, and all of a sudden the Yankees have a 24-year-old with multiple secondary offerings.

None of this is destiny, the work needs to get done, and even then young pitchers shatter all the time. Still, you can see why Angel Chivilli is a tempting project for a pitching lab that’s seen as much success as Blake’s has, and he immediately becomes one of the more intriguing players to watch in spring training with spots in the big-league bullpen seemingly available.

There are a few things, perhaps two things, so potent in their nostalgia that I feel discomforted by them. I can’t quite pin down the emotion. Or emotions. And I don’t know that I can explain it, either. Perhaps what is so uncomfortable to me about them is the contradictory nature of the sensation. Bittersweet, brimming with memories and emotions, but empty. So vivid in the mind, but not in the world. It’s one of the most unique feelings I’ve ever felt. I still don’t quite know if I like it or not. 

One of these antecedents, if you will, is Pokémon. Particularly, the original anime. That was, perhaps, my very first hyperfixation, which in hindsight makes it unsurprising that I allegedly learned how to read by playing Pokémon Blue. Watching the original anime always makes me flashback to childhood, and gives me that ineffable feeling I’m struggling to describe. And that other thing, or antecedent? It’s, of course, the Mariners.

Yesterday, the Mariners announced that their longtime radio voice, Rick Rizzs, would be retiring following the 2026 season. It’ll mark his 41st year with the Mariners, and the 50th season for the franchise. That means that 82% of the Mariners’ existence has been commentated by Rizzs, and that he’s done the same for 100% of my life. The Mariners quoted Rizzs as saying, “Calling Mariners has been the highlight of my life.” Little does he know, it’s been the highlight of mine, too. 

Given what I’m piecing together, I figure that the beginning of my sports consciousness was around 2000. As far as timing goes, it doesn’t hurt to spawn in for a playoff season, and one season before what is the first- or second-best single season of all-time. My first memory at then-Safeco Field is being up in the nosebleeds when Alex Rodriguez got a concussion and sprained his knee trying to break up a double play where, ironically enough, Joey Cora kneed him in the face jumping over him. I figure that Rizzs was somewhere right below me, calling the game from the booth. 

Most of my early memories are sports-related – many of which occur in the context of my living room. And almost all of them include my dad. When I first started writing for Lookout Landing, Matthew Roberson had me on the podcast, and one of the things I told him was that my single-favorite memory (really, a collection of memories) from my childhood was a near-daily ritual with my dad. One in which he would get home from his job after making the long commute to and from work, where he would toil for 10 or 12 hours as a welder. He’d get home and plop onto the couch, and I’d wrench off his heavy work boots. We’d turn on the Mariners game, and he’d scratch my back until he’d inevitably fall asleep, which, unless John Halama was pitching, usually wasn’t before the exit of a Mariners starting pitcher. In the background would be the reliable cadence of Rizzs, or Dave Niehaus.

My dad and I would pile into his 1990-something gold Toyota 4Runner on brisk autumn mornings on my way to preschool. I remember the way that he would masterfully balance a full mug of piping hot coffee while managing to juggle between the steering wheel and shifter. As steam billowed from his mug, the smell of hazelnut Coffee mate creamer and the sound of Seattle talk radio would both permeate the cold air of the 4Runner. There would inevitably be a soundbite from one of Rizzs’ signature calls from the previous night, in which he was likely borrowing a Niehausism, or using one of his own catchphrases. At night, on the way home from family events or working at our family shop, I remember the slow crawls from Georgetown in my dad’s Toyota T100. There was always the red hue of brake lights filling up the car, and the crackle of Rizzs’ steady, familiar voice over the radio, hissing in tunnels and under bridges.

I suppose it wasn’t until writing this that I realized that my fondness for the Mariners is, of course, intertwined with Rick Rizzs, but also with my dad. Some of the fondest memories of my life have been spent at the ballpark, on my couch, and in the 4Runner or T100. All with my dad, and most, or all of them, with Rizzs. There’s a beginning and an end to everything. You only notice the best and worst of them, and Rizzs’ retirement represents the end of something really special. It makes me think about mortality, and the impermanence of everything. Therein lies the contradiction, and what this ineffable, nostalgic feeling derives from: cherishing all of the good moments and memories, while also mourning them, and also the ones that won’t come, after 2026. 

During the pandemic, I wrote about Félix Hernández and grief. I reflected on how Félix and I had both changed quite a bit over the years. Things continue to change. After the biggest year-to-year jump on a Hall of Fame ballot of all time, now it seems like a matter of when, not if, he’ll be in the Hall.

For Rizzs, I figure we ought to have the same sort of conversation. There’s no Hall of Fame for announcers. The highest honor a baseball announcer can receive is the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award, given to broadcasters for their “major contributions to baseball.” The list of Ford C. Frick Award recipients could probably double as a list of the greatest MLB announcers of all time. Our beloved Dave Niehaus won it in 2008, and fellow GOATs Vin Scully and Bob Uecker are on the list too, though, if you ask me, its merits are certainly watered down by the likes of Hawk Harrelson – and, as of a month ago, literally Joe Buck – receiving the award. I digress.

In many ways, the Mariners are one of the most unfortunate sports franchises of all time. But with Rizzs and Niehaus, we were spoiled with two people who could make the most fucked up of rosters not only watchable, and not only enjoyable, but cherishable. And for the entirety of their careers, that they did. We never got to give a proper goodbye to Dave, because he passed away at the age of 75, in between seasons he was meant to commentate full-time. At the age of 72, after 51 years of calling professional baseball, and 40 years with the Mariners, we have the opportunity to do what I would say we never got to do with Dave. Rizzs can get his farewell tour, and we can give him his flowers. And though we’ll miss him, he can enjoy the rest of his storied life with his family, rather than prepping meticulously for games and spending two to three hours a day creating the most vivid imagery of a baseball game that even the dullest of minds can conjure. 

If we’re to consider Rizzs’ major contributions to MLB, they are many. He, of course, can be considered on his own merits, but no one has continued the legacy of Dave Niehaus more than Rizzs. Every grand slam, and many home runs, have become an homage from Rizzs to Niehaus, but with his own flair and, of course, with his own catchphrases of his own. 

There’s also that, as the longest-tenured broadcaster in franchise history, Rizzs has truly, genuinely become the voice of the Mariners. I suppose in some ways, what I’m writing now isn’t different from what I wrote about Félix. Félix had been part of my life since I was in fourth grade. But Rizzs has been part of my life before I even knew he was. Perhaps in part because of Niehaus’ greatness, and in part because of the Mariners’ badness, Rizzs has sparsely been able to shine under the bright lights that we know he’s capable of. Luckily, this recent crop of rosters has lent itself to more playoff-caliber baseball, and that’s meant more opportunities for Rizzs to shine, and an environment much more suitable for him to leave on: on top. 

To Rick Rizzs: I know I speak for all of Seattle Mariners fans when I say that you, along with many others, have made our fandom. Know that you’ve made us, and your good friend Dave, very, very proud, and we’re excited for you to make the most of your final season, and to have more of your cherished time spent with your grandkids. Congratulations on retiring on such a high note, and thanks for everything. Thanks for being the sound of my childhood. 

The Dodgers’ two biggest needs this offseason were bullpen help and outfield production, and they went and signed the two best free agents at those positions in Edwin Díazand Kyle Tucker, each contract setting records for average annual value.

With Tucker the lineup looks much deeper, and can be considered stacked even for a Dodgers team that has finished first or second in the National League in both runs scored and wRC+ in each of the last eight seasons.

But after signing Tucker, what moves remain for the Dodgers, with pitchers and catchers having their first workout at Camelback Ranch on February 13?

“There’s some things, but I think in terms of more seismic changes, It feels pretty well set,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at Tucker’s introductory press conference last week. “There are still a few things we’re kicking around, and conversations that have been going for a bit that we’re going to continue to look at, try to enhance and build up depth.”

Let’s take a look at the current roster to see where some of those depth needs might arise.

Position players

Lineup locks (9): Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, Tommy Edman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker

Bench locks (3): Miguel Rojas, Andy Ibáñez, Dalton Rushing

Depth with options (4): LF/RF Alex Call, 2B/SS/CF Hyeseong Kim, SS/3B/2B Alex Freeland, LF/RF/1B Ryan Ward

The caveat here is we aren’t yet sure of Tommy Edman’s readiness at the start of the season after his November right ankle surgery. There’s room for one more position player on the active roster, and someone who can play the outfield will almost certainly fill that spot. Alex Call is probably the in-house favorite at the moment, but there’s always room for yet another reunion with Kiké Hernández, who is coming off left elbow surgery of his own.

Pitchers

Rotation locks (5+1): Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki

Bullpen locks & can’t be sent down (6): Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, Brusdar Graterol

Injured list (1): Brock Stewart

Starting depth (5): Gavin Stone, River Ryan, Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski, Landon Knack

Right-handed reliever depth (5): Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez, Kyle Hurt, Bobby Miller, Paul Gervase

Left-handed reliever depth (2): Jack Dreyer, Ronan Kopp

Graterol had shoulder surgery after the 2024 season and did not pitch in 2025, so his readiness for the start of 2026 is at least somewhat in question, though he’s expected to be ready to go at the start of spring training. The Dodgers will have at least two and maybe three active roster spots to fill on the pitching side.

Gavin Stone and River Ryan are intriguing rotation options after coming off major surgeries and not pitching at all last year.

Ben Casparius and Justin Wrobleski have gotten extended roster runs in hybrid roles. Jack Dreyer was active for all of last season. With Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Anthony Banda, the Dodgers already have three left-handers in the bullpen. Do they add another for a half-southpaw pen?

The point here is, at the moment, the Dodgers have functional depth, with so many pitchers who could be optioned if needed, and two potential roster spots that can used for swapping as needed. Adding another reliever wouldn’t be much of a surprise, even if it limits that depth somewhat.

In somewhat the same mold as a Kiké Hernández return, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the Dodgers find a way to bring back Evan Phillips, who will miss the first half or so of this season after Tommy John surgery last June. But that would be more for later in the season, and wouldn’t necessarily preclude adding another reliever as well.

Organized professional baseball has been played in Kansas City since 1884, when the Kansas City Unions of the Union Association took the field.  Despite this long history, the city has been light in witnessing baseball milestones. 

Organized professional baseball has been played in Kansas City since 1884, when the Kansas City Unions of the Union Association took the field. Despite this long history, the city has been light on witnessing baseball milestones.

Not a single pitcher for the Kansas City Athletics threw a no-hitter at Municipal Stadium. The first two no-hitters in Royals history were thrown on the road. Neither franchise has had—or ever will have—a 300-game winner. The closest Kansas City came was Gaylord Perry, who pitched the final 14 games of his career here. George Brett remains the only Royal to eclipse 3,000 hits, and he recorded the milestone hit on the road—then promptly got picked off first base. The city has never had a 500-career home run hitter, save for Harmon Killebrew’s final 106 career games in 1975.

Of the notable milestones reached in Kansas City ballparks, one of the first occurred on June 26, 1947, when Carl DeRose—once the Yankees’ top pitching prospect—begged his manager for one more start. DeRose, a Milaca, Minnesota native, made his debut with the Amsterdam Rug Makers, the Yankees’ Class A affiliate, in 1942 and, at age 19, promptly went 19–6. Armed with what was described as a heavy fastball, DeRose was labeled the next Bob Feller.

World War II interrupted his ascension, costing him the next three years to military service. While pitching for a military team, DeRose threw a three-hit complete-game victory over Satchel Paige’s All-Star team. He appeared poised to make his Yankees debut, but a broken knuckle sent him to the Kansas City Blues for the 1946 season. DeRose went 12–6 and seemed ready for his breakthrough, but the baseball gods had other ideas.

He injured his shoulder on a cold, snowy day in Denver and was never the same. Experimental surgery loomed—the only chance to save his once-promising career. Thus, on that June evening in 1947 against the Minneapolis Millers, DeRose begged his manager for one last game. He gutted his way through nine innings, often with tears of pain streaming down his cheeks. Twenty-seven batters up, twenty-seven batters down. Carl DeRose, missing his once-prodigious fastball, threw the first nine-inning perfect game in American Association history at Municipal Stadium.

DeRose spent a couple more seasons bouncing around the Yankees’ minor league system before leaving the game after the 1950 season at age 27. He later played independent league ball in Iowa and Minnesota but never got the opportunity to toe a major league rubber.

On July 11, 1960, local fans—30,619 of them—got to see the game’s biggest stars when the Major League All-Star Game was played at Municipal Stadium. The contest featured 18 future Hall of Famers and was won by the National League, 5–3. The NL stars wasted no time. Willie Mays led off the game with a triple down the right-field line and scored on a Bob Skinner single. With two outs, Ernie Banks smashed a two-run home run. In the second inning, Del Crandall added another long ball to make it 4–0.

The Junior Circuit got on the board in the sixth inning and made it respectable in the eighth when Al Kaline cranked a two-run homer. Bud Daley was the only member of the Athletics selected and entered to a rousing ovation to pitch the ninth inning. He struck out Vada Pinson and Orlando Cepeda, and retired Roberto Clemente on a lineout. Daley later called the appearance the greatest thrill of his career. The game was also notable as the final All-Star Game for Ted Williams and the first for Clemente and Brooks Robinson.

On August 27, 1962, Municipal Stadium hosted the 36th—and final—Negro League East-West All-Star Game, a 5–2 victory for the West. It was the only Negro League All-Star Game hosted by Kansas City, which is notable given that the Negro Leagues were formed just a few blocks north of the stadium at the Paseo YMCA. Willie Hardwick of the Kansas City Monarchs homered in the second inning to spark the West. The East squad struggled defensively, committing five errors that led to four unearned runs. Another Monarch, pitcher Sherm Cottingham, earned the win. During the fifth inning, former Monarch Jackie Robinson was honored with a key to the city, and Satchel Paige and several other former Monarchs were also introduced.

On July 13, 1963, Early Wynn of the Cleveland Indians pitched five innings against the Kansas City Athletics to secure his 300th career victory in a 7–4 win. At 43, Wynn was the oldest player in the majors and became just the 14th pitcher to reach the milestone. He made his major league debut in 1939 as a 19-year-old with the Washington Senators and missed the entire 1945 season due to military service. His best years came with Cleveland, where he won at least 20 games in four different seasons. Wynn spent five seasons late in his career with the Chicago White Sox before returning to the Indians for the sole purpose of winning game No. 300. The victory against Kansas City proved to be the final win of his career, leaving him with a 300–244 record and a 3.54 ERA. That Athletics roster included an 18-year-old Tony La Russa, who appeared as a pinch runner. Future Royal Moe Drabowsky took the loss for Kansas City.

In a desperate attempt to boost attendance, Athletics owner Charlie O. Finley declared September 8, 1965, “Campy Campaneris Night.” The promotion centered on Campaneris playing all nine positions against the Los Angeles Angels. The stunt drew 21,576 fans to Municipal Stadium, and the 23-year-old Campaneris delivered a memorable performance. He started at shortstop before moving, in order, to second base, third base, left field, center field, right field, first base, pitcher, and finally catcher.

Things grew heated in the ninth inning when future Royal Ed Kirkpatrick led off with a single. Kirkpatrick promptly stole second, moved to third, and then attempted to steal home. Campaneris caught the pitch from another future Royal, Aurelio Monteagudo, and applied the tag as Kirkpatrick barreled into him in an effort to dislodge the ball. Campaneris held on for the final out and appeared ready to brawl before being restrained by José Cardenal, who also happened to be his cousin. Campaneris was removed from the game and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with a shoulder injury. The Angels won, 5–3.

Next week, we’ll look at milestones achieved at Royals/Kauffman Stadium.