The Field of Dreams Game is tonight, with the Minnesota Twins taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in Dyersville, Iowa. Minnesota is currently listed at -103 odds via Polymarket.
I have you covered for my Phillies vs. Twins predictions and MLB picks for Thursday, Aug. 13, spearheaded by Minnesota closing the gap in the AL Central race.
First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Field of Dreams, with the game airing LIVE on Netflix.
Who will win Phillies vs Twins today: Twins (-103)
Mr. Bradley could be in the better spot, as he’s quietly put together a very underrated season, sporting a 3.76 ERA, 3.55 xERA, and 1.25 WHIP. Nola, on the other hand, has struggled, allowing plenty of hard-hit balls while posting a 1.45 WHIP this season.
Both teams enter pretty hot, with both offenses sporting wRC+ marks above 115 and a wOBA above .337. This is going to be an all-out brawl from start to finish, but I like the Twins in this spot.
If Bradley can find his rhythm and hit his spots, expect the right-hander to have a fairly solid outing against the Phillies.
COVERS INTEL: Over his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, Minnesota infielder Royce Lewis is batting .357 with a .571 SLG and .971 OPS, while generating a 50% hard-hit rate and 15% barrel rate.
Phillies vs Twins Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-107)
Both offenses have started to heat up over their last six games.
The Twins own a 119 wRC+, .340 wOBA, .756 OPS and 10.7% walk rate over that span, while the Phillies have posted a 115 wRC+, .344 wOBA, .761 OPS and a shockingly low 15.9% strikeout rate during that stretch.
With humidity sitting above 90%, conditions should be favorable for hitters, so I’m expecting a higher-scoring affair.
Phillies vs Twins home run prediction: Kyle Schwarber (+276)
The one guy that stood out the most in this matchup is easily Kyle Schwarber, who has been heating up over his last 10 games.
During that stretch, the slugger owns a .500 SLG and .235 ISO while generating a 47.6% hard-hit rate and 14.3% barrel rate.
The Phillies slugger enters Thursday with the No. 1 matchup rating on Batters-Box. On top of that, he is covering more than 90% of Bradley’s entire pitch mix. Over the last three seasons, in 283 elite-rated games, the big fella has hit a home run 26.5% of the time.
Bradley has looked a lot better since joining the Twins. However, he has struggled against left-handed hitters. Overall this season, he has allowed a 45.2% hard-hit rate, 13.7% barrel rate, and 33% ground-ball rate.
Temperatures in Dyersville should hover in the mid-70s, with humidity around 90%.
Phillies vs Twins odds
Moneyline: Phillies -107 | Twins -103
Run line: Phillies -1.5 (+158) | Twins +1.5 (-175)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-107) | Under 8.5 (-103)
Phillies vs Twins trend
Philadelphia has hit the game total Over in eight of its last 14 games (+4.75 Units / 31% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Twins.
How to watch Phillies vs Twins and game info
Location
Field of Dreams, Dyersville, IA
Date
Thursday, August 13, 2026
First pitch
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Netflix
Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.47 ERA)
Twins starting pitcher
Taj Bradley (9-4, 3.76 ERA)
Phillies vs Twins latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Yankees couldn't complete the series sweep, falling to the Seattle Mariners by a score of 1-0 on Thursday afternoon in the Bronx.
Here are the key takeaways...
--Max Fried, who has been terrific since coming off of the IL, pitched 5.0 innings of one-run ball, but he didn't have his sharpest stuff. He only allowed five hits, one of which was a Weston Wilson solo home run in the top of the second inning, and struck out four while walking two. But he threw 88 pitches (55 of which were strikes), and he seemed to have a lot of trouble locating his breaking ball.
--After breaking out for 10 runs on Wednesday night, the Yankees bats couldn't do much of anything against Mariners starter Logan Gilbert. The righty went 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out seven and walking only one.
-- The Yankees caught a big break in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Jose Caballero was dead to rights trying to steal second base, but Colt Emerson dropped the ball on the tag. The inning stayed alive, but Amed Rosario was called out on strikes with runners on the corners to end the threat.
--The Yankees didn't have a ton of chances to score, but Trent Grisham didn't help matters in the bottom of the third, when what should have been a double was erased because Grisham popped up on the slide and was tagged out. The Yankees should have had runners on second and third with one out, but instead it was the second out of the inning, and the third out came quickly after.
The Yanks struck out 10 times and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
-- The Yankees' bullpen did a good job of keeping the Mariners at bay following Fried's outing. Ryan Yarbrough, Yerry De los Santos, and Fernando Cruz combined for 4.0 scoreless innings.
Game MVP
Gilbert, who put a zero on the board through 6.0 innings.
Highlights
Jazz and Lombard turn a double play after Naylor singled to leadoff the inning pic.twitter.com/mOx2hn0l9Y
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 13: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers tries to turn a double play around Angel Martínez #1 of the Cleveland Guardians in the eighth inning at Comerica Park on August 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tigers collected a win to edge their way into a Wild Card spot after beating the Guardians 3-0 to win the series two games to one. Next up? The division leading Chicago White Sox come to town on Friday night.
Nothing quite like afternoon baseball on a nice August day in Detroit. The Tigers were hoping to wrap up their series against the Guardians with a win, after dropping the second game on Wednesday night. To get the job done they had the reliable Keider Montero on the mound up against the sometimes scary Parker Messick for Cleveland.
Chase DeLauter got things going for the Guardians with a one-out walk in the first. He then stole second, but thanks to a fielding error from McGonigle, DeLauter ended up at third. I love Kevin but the fielding has been wildly inconsistent the last couple of days. The gaffe didn’t end up costing the Tigers, though, as the next two batters were out. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.
Montero was in a nice groove in the second, getting the Guardians out in order. In the bottom of the inning, Spencer Torkelson reached on an error by the pitcher, and ultimately wound up at second base. The Tigers weren’t able to take advantage of having a runner in scoring position though and Messick didn’t end up causing his own unearned run.
Brayan Rocchio got a one-out single in the third, but two outs quickly followed to leave the runner stranded. In the home half, Javier Baez got a leadoff double. Ben Malgeri was then hit by a pitch. The bases were soon loaded as Gleyber Torres walked. Not sure if that second inning error shook Messick’s confidence, but this certainly wasn’t the version of the pitcher we were expecting to see today. A Dillon Dingler groundout scored Baez, putting the Tigers on the board first. They had to settle for just the one run, but it was a good start.
The Guardians went 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers did much the same.
Another three-up, three-down outing for Montero in the fifth. Nice stuff from him today. And once again, the Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.
With two outs in the sixth DeLauter singled. Jose Ramirez then walked, and that was a situation where the Tigers would have loved to not have squandered all their ABS challenges because it shouldn’t have been a walk, but there was nothing to be done. Montero got out of the jam by inducing a flyout to end the inning.
In the home half with two outs Eduardo Valenica hit a solo home run to left field. The rookie continues to swing an extremely hot bat with five homers and a ludicrous 248 wRC+ in 46 plate appearances. Spencer Torkelson walked and that was it for Messick, who was replaced by Craig Yoho. Yoho got the final out of the inning.
Jo Adell grounded out to start the inning, but the Guardians challenged, claiming Torkelson came off the bag. It did look like Tork’s foot was off the bag when he caught the ball, but it was hard to say definitively. The Tigers got exceptionally lucky and the call was upheld for the first out of the inning. That was also it for Montero, whose final line for the game was 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K on 88 pitches. For a game without a single strikeout, Montero really dominated the Guardians, inducing a lot of weak contact to keep them off the basepaths. A nice outing from him. Tyler Holton came in to replace him. He got the final two outs of the inning. In the bottom of the inning Malgeri got a two-out single but the Tigers weren’t able to bring him home.
Angel Martinez got a leadoff single in the eighth. Steven Kwan then hit into a force out to eliminate Martinez and put Kwan on, but the next batter was an out to leave him stranded. In the bottom of the inning Franco Aleman came in, and man don’t you think the Brewers wish they had a guy named “Aleman” in their bullpen? Yes, I know it’s not pronounced Ale Man, but still…) Kevin McGonigle got a one-out single. McGonigle stole second, then a pinch-hitting Colt Keith took a walk. Torkelson then singled to bring McGonigle home. Tim Herrin was the new pitcher after that. Keith advanced to third on a passed ball, but the Tigers would have to settle for just the one extra run, as Herrin got the two outs to end the inning.
Can the narrative survive this terrible truth?
Spencer Torkelson is now 30-for-92 in 118 PAs with runners in scoring position this year. His 190 wRC+ w/RISP is the 4th best in baseball.
Up to this point the Tigers had managed to maintain a shutout without striking out a single batter, so it remained to be seen if Kenley Jansen could continue the trend and also keep the Guardians scoreless in the ninth. Malgeri made another nice play on the warning track to retire Jose Ramirez. Sometimes the best thing you can do to improve your high leverage relief is to play better defense. A foul pop-up between third base and home plate should have been an out but McGonigle or Dingler both pulled up just short and it dropped on the ground. That’s not what we were looking for, defensively, but Jansen still managed to get the final outs of the inning on a fly ball to Clark and a line drive straight to McKinstry in left to complete the win without a single strikeout.
That is the first shutout without a strikeout in the major leagues since Rick Porcello’s 95 pitch Maddux back on July 1, 2014. It’s only happened nine times since 1995.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 12: Jackson Kent #25 of the Washington Nationals pitches in his Major League Debut during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on August 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nats have had no answers for the Cubs’ fearsome offense so far this series. Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki and PCA have overwhelmed the Nats. However, they will get the chance to salvage a contest this afternoon. With their ace on the mound, this is a game the Nats need to have.
With a righty who is actually slightly better against lefties on the mound, Blake Butera has a different looking lineup. CJ Abrams and Abi Ortiz are the top two. However, righties like Dylan Crews, Andres Chaparro, Brady House and Andrew Pinckney are in the lineup. Jorbit Vivas is also in for the struggling Nasim Nunez. As mentioned, ace Cade Cavalli is on the bump.
The Cubs are also making a couple changes. With a righty on the mound, Michael Conforto is at DH. That moves Pedro Ramirez to second base, who gives Nico Hoerner a day off. Miguel Amaya will also do the catching. Deadline addition Kevin Gausman will make his second start for the Cubs.
Getting swept after finally getting a sweep would be a real bummer. The Nats need to do whatever it takes to avoid that. Limiting this Cubs offense will be tough, but it is necessary. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
Oct 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) reacts in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The way in which the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Milwaukee Brewers—who held home-field advantage in last year’s NLCS—is probably one of the primary factors behind this air of invincibility that they have carried ever since going back-to-back. While we could split hairs about the Dodgers’ offensive production in that series, averaging under four runs per game, they did pitch with such mastery that the series felt well in hand from the start.
One specific aspect of that series felt as though it led to being more closely watched than others. That NLCS provided the public with a rare opportunity of a matchup with a division of strengths that didn’t match the regular-season result. The David versus Goliath narrative was played up, and everyone waited to see if, with home-field advantage, the Brewers could rise to the challenge as they did through 162. The way in which that series unfolded served to justify numerous preconceived notions.
As the Dodgers welcome the Brewers into town for a weekend set, Milwaukee once again finds itself leading the NL Central, while possessing a better record than the Dodgers. And for all we know, these two teams could meet for the second time in a row in the NLCS, although the Braves and other NL playoff contenders might have something to say about that.
While other clubs that gave the Dodgers far bigger issues in last year’s postseason haven’t matched their production this season—Toronto is out of playoff contention and the Phillies are settling for a likely Wild Card spot—the Brewers are firing on all cylinders. The Freddy Peralta trade during the offseason hasn’t slowed them down one bit.
Because of the continued success of the Brewers current approach, it’d be relatively easy to create the expectation that since the Dodgers easily handled this type of team last season, they might do the same this year. While that could happen as Milwaukee still often relies on the sum of its parts over individual dominance, there have been noticeable changes in this team.
Few players in all of baseball have experienced a jump in production quite as high as Jacob Misiorowski, whose Cy Young case is by far the strongest in the NL. Misiorowski is the type of pitcher whose raw ability pops the first time you see him, something that landed him in the All-Star Game last year even though production alone probably didn’t warrant it. Still finding his footing in that first year, Misiorowski has developed into a level of ace that the Brewers haven’t had since Corbin Burnes’ Cy Young season. Peralta left the team, and yet the rotation is stronger, not only for all that Freddy hasn’t done this season but also for what other young pieces have been accomplishing.
Out for a significant period with a back strain, youngster Logan Henderson, who the Dodgers will see in the series finale on Sunday, has been superb when available. You also have a player who is an example of what makes the Brewers organization stand out in Kyle Harrison. Not one, but two teams acquired Harrison for his raw talent and couldn’t figure out a way to develop him; that’s until the Red Sox shipped him off to Milwaukee for Caleb Durbin and pieces, only to see him flourish into one of the more exciting young starters in the NL. A pitcher with a 22.9 K% before this season, Harrison has a 29.7 mark in 2026. More volatile than Henderson, Harrison is yet another starter who can take over a game when things go his way.
The focus on the pitching side for Milwaukee is only natural. If we project a matchup between these two clubs, it’s easier to imagine the Brewers’ staff occasionally dominating a Dodgers offense than to see the Brewers offense overcoming adversity against this staff of aces—particularly after the deadline delivered reinforcements with the addition of Tarik Skubal and the return of Blake Snell with Tyler Glasnow not far off.
Postseason baseball is always unpredictable, and that’s a point to reinforce more and more with the Dodgers coming off back-to-back titles. Even going beyond that, a cold, hard look at Milwaukee’s staff shows it possesses the high-end quality to ask major questions out of this Dodgers lineup, something to keep an eye on for the postseason.
Just after 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 3, less than three hours before the MLB trade deadline, Sammy Stafura was three hours into a seven-hour bus trip to Georgia with the Pirates' High-A affiliate, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, when he received the call.
That call was from the Pirates informing him that he had been traded to the Mets in the deal that sent Luke Weaver to Pittsburgh.
"I kind of blacked out," Stafura told SNY in an interview that will air in full on the next episode of The Mets Pod. "Wow, I’m really going to the Mets, this is crazy."
This led to a wild travel day for Stafura. He finished the remaining four hours on the bus with his now former teammates, then immediately hopped into an Uber for an hour and a half to ride Hartfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta. He had a three hour wait until a flight back to Greensboro, packed his things and then made the drive to Wilmington, Del. to meet up with his new team, the Brooklyn Cyclones.
The hectic day was all worth it, as Stafura now gets to suit up for the organization that he and his entire family are all diehard fans of. Born in Westchester County, Stafura’s earliest memory of going to Citi Field was at 5-or 6-years-old, with he and his family going to multiple Mets games per year.
As excited as Stafura was to learn he was traded to the Mets, his older brother Steven was perhaps even more excited.
"He was stressing for days," Stafura said. "He had a feeling something was going to go down. He was on Twitter just checking everything. He wasn’t even getting work done." Steven works with their father and younger brother. "When I called him, he was just pumped."
Stafura and Ewing not only share speed on the diamond, but they also share a relationship off the diamond that dates to high school and the travel ball circuit.
"We played each other a bunch in high school, so we knew each other," Stafura said. "Once we got to pro ball, it was a close world. It felt like we played each other every week, so we’d always grab breakfast together and hang out, just going through this grind together."
Along with the speed, I couldn’t find a scout who had any doubt Stafura could stick at shortstop -- most thought he is plus at the position. He has some experience at second base and his athleticism would theoretically play in center field as well. Stafura is a true up-the-middle athlete.
On the offensive side, Stafura has made some swing changes this year that has led to an uptick in bat speed and power with the exit velocity numbers to line up with above average, bordering on plus raw power. The 21-year-old has 20 home runs in 66 games on the season as of this writing.
He also cited a mentality shift that comes with maturing as a ballplayer, and that mindset is simple: He’s the best.
"It’s truly believing that I am the best player on the field, and I am way better than that pitcher every moment and every pitch," Stafura said, "It’s the approach of locking in your mind, because everyone’s got skill and talent. The one thing that separates a lot of people is the mental side."
Stafura, like every baseball player, is obviously not without flaws. He brings an aggressive approach to everything he does in the game, and that has led to a higher strikeout rate than you’d like to see. He has a 29 percent strikeout rate, and at times does chase breaking stuff away in the name of trying to do damage.
In talking to evaluators, it would probably be a detriment to attempt to drastically change Stafura's approach. The aggressive and high energy playing style is what makes him tick. However, if the strikeout rate can be reined into the 25 percent or better range, that could optimize his profile.
That profile looks the part of a future top 100 prospect. Any time there is a prospect who can combine plus speed and defense with above average, bordering on plus power at a premium position like shortstop -- even with the swing-and-miss questions -- that is an exciting prospect with big potential.
From a 5- or 6-year-old Mets fan to a high school kid sliding into the Mets' DMs on Instagram to try to throw out the first pitch, Stafura embraces the pressure that comes with being a Mets fan in the Mets' system.
If there’s one quote from the Stafura interview on The Mets Pod, which I implore you to check out when it drops, that summarizes the player that the Mets acquired, it's this one:
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Shay Whitcomb #14 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 10, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have been hesitant to use the waiver wire this year, but on their Thursday off-day they utilized the tool for the third time this season. San Francisco announced that they had claimed infielder Shay Whitcomb off of waivers after he had been designated for assignment by the Houston Astros. Whitcomb has subsequently been optioned to AAA Sacramento. To make space for him on the 40-man roster, the Giants moved Trevor McDonald, who is out for the year with Tommy John surgery, to the 60-Day Injured List.
Whitcomb, a 27-year old right-hander, was the Astros’ 5th-round pick in 2020. He was drafted with a reputation for having a good speed and power combo, but a questionable hit tool that, unfortunately, has never materialized. In 102 plate appearances in the Majors, the UC San Diego alum has hit just .167/.216/.292, with a 28.4% strikeout rate. Unfortunately, he’s also been trending in the wrong direction: his debut season in 2024 was far and away his best, while over the last two seasons he’s combined to hit just 7-56 with three home runs, no doubles, one walk, and 21 strikeouts.
He’s also regressed a bit in the Minors. Whitcomb posted a 134 wRC+ in AAA in 2024 before his call-up, and a 122 wRC+ at the level a year ago. This season, he’s hit a hair below league average, with a 97 wRC+. He has stolen 23 bases, which is encouraging, though he’s yet to attempt a steal in 57 MLB games.
Most importantly, Whitcomb can play anywhere on the diamond. In AAA this season, he’s played every position except pitcher and catcher. The bulk of his reps have come at shortstop, third base, and catcher, so it’s not hard to see him having a role in San Francisco this year, given that Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt are out for the year, Willie Adames is dealing with a back injury, and Heliot Ramos has been traded.
For now, though, he’ll stay in the Pacific Coast League and get acclimated with Sacramento. I’d expect him to be in San Francisco at some point in the next few weeks, though.
"These games are fun for me," Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said. "It's somewhere different. It's something that you remember more vividly than you would just another game somewhere else."
The Field of Dreams Game was last played in 2022, the second year in a row the made-for-TV contest was held after huge success and a thrilling New York Yankees-Chicago White Sox game in 2021. More than 25 Baseball Hall of Famers will be on hand for the event with the legends and current players expected to walk through the corn fields and emerge onto the field.
"It's going to be awesome," said Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. "I've never been out there before, so I'm excited to see the corn, see the field they actually filmed it at. Just to be in that atmosphere."
Follow for live updates:
Where to watch Field of Dreams game
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (pregame coverage begins at 6:30)
MLB lists the stadium's dimensions as 335 feet down both lines, 380 to the alleys and 400 to center field – with windows in the right-field wall looking out on the corn.
The Minnesota Twins, who are hosting this Field of Dreams game, have arrived on the field in Dyersville, Iowa. MLB Network reporter J.P. Morosi repots that the players are out on the field and starting to get ready.
Twins greats Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are expected to walk out of the corn before the game, but they took the chance to make some personal memories before that. They went to the field the movie was filmed on and recreated the final emotional season. Mauer and Morneau were caught on camera having a catch with their sons on the same grass Kevin Costner did in 1989.
Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer playing catch with their sons at Field of Dreams pic.twitter.com/3LgJHL2IVr
Mauer, the St. Paul kid who went into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, hit in the middle of the Twins lineup together for seven seasons.
Twins manager Derek Shelton: "I think if I told my wife we bought a farm and I was going to build a baseball field and cut out half our income by doing it, she'd look at me like I was crazy."
Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott did a little pregame sightseeing. They stopped at the white farmhouse, the one Kevin Costner's Ray Kinsella lived in before pregame work on Thursday.
Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott stopped by the famous white farmhouse before tonight’s MLB at Field of Dreams Game 🤩 pic.twitter.com/2OHjDeQwo4
Harper has played in a World Series and a World Baseball Classic, but he'd never been here to Iowa. The Phillies took in the sights before getting down to business.
Bryson Stott's cleats for Thursday night tell the story the movie told. Phillies greats including Tug McGraw, Roy Halladay and Harry Kalas step out of the corn, painted on the leather of his cleats. He brings along the memories of men who are not around to be a part of this special night. McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to end the 1980 World Series and gave the Phillies their first title. Halladay threw a perfect game and postseason no-hitter in the same 2010 season. Kalas called it all for 38 years.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 1: Robert Suarez #75 of the Atlanta Braves is seen in the dugout during a Washington Nationals mound visit during the seventh inning at Truist Park on August 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ahead of yesterday’s series finale against the New York Mets, Braves manager Walt Weiss spoke to media about some pitchers we’re hoping are making their way back to the big club this season.
Robert Suarez
With every “Tyler Kinley in extras” and “Iggy stressfully closes the door”, the absence of Robert Suarez has been more and more deeply felt. The mystery around the right forearm tightness that has sidelined him since mid-June has finally cleared somewhat: we have finally heard that the righty setup man starts playing catch this week. He was shown briefly on last night’s broadcast in the dugout.
We’re hoping for minimal setbacks as he makes the steps toward a throwing progression and rehab. It goes without saying, but it would be ideal to get him back to fortify our bullpen and to get some meaningful outs this fall.
Spencer Schwellenbach
For those already nervous about the timeline laid out for Schwelly to return in ‘26, the latest update doesn’t do much to assauge the concerns. Mark Bowman reported that Spencer still “hasn’t felt 100%” in the bullpen sessions he started at the end of July. It’s not definitive that he won’t return, but he would need to progress to facing live hitters sooner rather than later – it’s already mid-August.
AJ Smith-Shawver
AJSS is fine – better than fine, actually. He’s been dominating in Triple-A Gwinnett as he works on polishing up the arsenal and getting deeper into games. We’ll likely see him back up for good for the rest of ‘26 soon, maybe even as soon as next week’s funky road trip. His role with the team, however, is still in discussion. There will be a bit of a rotation logjam with both his and Reynaldo López’s expected returns, and Weiss has made it known that he doesn’t favor a six-man rotation. Who becomes a bullpen weapon? We’ll have to wait and see.
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 04, 2026: Demetrio Crisantes #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks warms up during the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Usually, these sorts of lists have minor, incremental changes from one release to the next. That’s usually informed by a promotion here and there and perhaps an occasional trade. A long-term injury can sometimes drop a prospect a bit. This update though, it’s pretty big. Arizona has promoted or traded a number of names from their top-30, have drafted a few names to add, and have also seen one of the bigger prospects on the list take a massive jump in the standings while last season’s top entry on this list has taken the biggest fall of all (Slade Caldwell falling from the pinnacle out of the top-20 entirely).
Did I mention that injuries can impact these lists? Because injuries can impact these lists. Like, a lot. This year’s Diamondbacks entry is proof of that. The organization should have been set up nicely by drafting the likes of Jordan Lawlar, Tommy Troy, Druw Jones, Slade Caldwell, and others. All four of those first selections have lost major development time to injury, preventing the likes of Jones or Caldwell from ever finding their groove. Numerous injuries on the 26-man roster have made it necessary for the Diamondbacks to promote aggressively from their farm system just to field a team. Five players on this list have already made their MLB debuts. Another handful have recently been promoted off this list having exhausted their rookie eleigibility. By the next time OPening Day rolls around, this list will likely look very different than it does right now.
Without further ado, here is the updated top-30 prospects list. Where applicable, I have listed the Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and Fangraphs rankings. Pipeline rankings do not include the addition of this season’s draft picks.
Standing 6’ 5” and throwing from the left side, Drake once, not long ago, represented the top arm in the system. Acquired at least season’s trade deadline, Drake brings above average command and improving velocity. Since being drafted, Drake has added roughly three miles per hour to the average velocity of his fastball. Problematically, Drake has not show the ability to maintain that velocity bump in 2026, where his velocity has now been somewhat all over the place. His fastball now has an uncertain range between 91-95 mph, with it looking more and more likely that he will finally settle in as a 91-93 mph arm that has a bit of reach-back available when necessary. Drake also sports a good curve, which is his best secondary pitch, while also featuring a changeup with about 10 mph of separation from his fastball. Drake works up around the letters to make his fastball play up. This results in Drake giving up a higher than average number of home runs. This has not been too much of an issue so far as he tends to miss up instead of down if he misses his spot. After some velocity and injury concerns, Kohl Drake was one of a number of players given the MLB nod ahead of schedule. The results have been mixed as Drake’s stuff is more of the good variety than it is of the great variety. He gets by mostly through unfamiliarity at this point, but has already flashed some signs that he could indeed stick as a back of the rotation starter.
9. Mitch Bratt – LHP (BA 12, MLB 8, FG 18)
Bratt’s fastball sits just 91-93 mph but he got a well above-average 31.8% whiff rate with it in 2025. He creates deception with the angles he throws from, and not only does he locate it well, but he is also fearlessly willing to attack hitters with it. He is just as aggressive with his mid-80s cutter, another pitch he uses to pound the zone and elicit whiffs (29.6%). He also throws a curveball and changeup, though the latter remains a work in progress, a tough pitch to master given his arm angle. He is an elite strike-thrower, issuing zero or one walk in 19 of his 24 outings in 2025. He earns high marks as a competitor and worker. That’s the good news, which is also a big part of the less than good news (but not necessarily bad).
This is where looking at minor league track records and extrapolating future success gets rough. Bratt is yet another prospect pressed into early service at the Major League level. Thus far, the results have been mixed, but largely positive. As expected, Bratt’s propensity to fill the zone with strikes (but not elite spin or velocity) has resulted in plenty of hard contact at the top level. His command is still elite, but his control has turned into something he is going to need to work on some more. The middle of the zone is not going to do Bratt any favours now that he is facing hitters who can identify the pitches more readily than those he faced in the minors. In the Majors, Bratt’s walk rate has exploded to over five. This, paired with a 1.34 HR/9 has resulted in some rough innings for the young lefty. Still, while pressed into service ahead of schedule, and facing some of the stiffest competition he could be asked to face, Bratt has acquitted himself nicely thus far, posting a 113 ERA+ across his first seven outings.
With upcoming potential roster crunch, it remains to be seen if Bratt, who profiles as a future #4/5 starter, will finish this season on the 26-man roster or not. Whether he does or not, he will almost certainly be on the shortlist for pitchers to fill out the rotation next season, as the rotation will feature at least the departures of Zac Gallen and Michael Soroka.
8. LuJames Groover – INF (BA 5, MLB 5, FG 8)
When Groover was first selected in the second round of the 2023 draft, he was considered one of the more polished hitters in the class. The questions regarding Groover mostly revolved around his ability to play the hot corner, a position he only moved to during his final season at NC State. Groover’s development was sidelined for a bit by a broken wrist suffered in one of his first professional games. While Groover got off to a bit of a slow start with the bat, his defense at third has improved dramatically and there is now a good chance he can stick at the hot corner. Over the last 18 months, Groover’s bat has taken off. Once he found his groove (no pun intended), Groover began to hit the ball with authority in the minors. Groover has a clean, direct bat path and little wasted movement in his swing. He has low swing and chase rates and rarely swings and misses. His lack of impact has long been a concern for evaluators; those concerns were exacerbated after he slugged only .434 with just 12 homers in 470 at-bats at hitter-friendly Amarillo. Some in the organization trust more power will come as he adds strength and experience; others believe he needs to make trade-offs to create more leverage, possibly at the expense of batting average. He has improved at third but still projects as fringe-average there.
An injury-induced cup of coffee in the Majors earlier this season showed that Groover needs to show he can hit for more power—and hit righthanded pitching better—in order to profile as an everyday player at either corner. But his hit tool gives him a good foundation and should earn him plenty of opportunities to improve moving forward. The current lack if in-game power is likely the reason that Groover does not land on most top-100 lists.
7. Jansel Luis – INF (BA 11, MLB 6, FG 2)
Given the way in which Mike Hazen has gone about stocking the organization from top to bottom, it will likely surprise no one to hear that Jansel Luis is an athletic, toolsy, switch-hitting infielder. Luis employs a simple swing from both sides of the plate and collects hits by virtue of his good hand-eye coordination. However, his propensity to swing at most anything he can reach does his overall production no favors. Not only does he feature a poor chase rate, he also swings at a high number of pitches in the zone, including some that aren’t in his best interest to attack. The overall result of this aggressive approach is it impacts his quality of contact, and his raw power might be a grade higher than what he exhibits in games as he simply does not barrel the ball as much as he probably should. After hitting .304 in High-A Hillsboro in 2025, he has come down to earth as he faces stiffer competition in Amarillo, where he has yet to be able to take advantage of the hyper-offensive conditions of the park and league. Luis still does not have a settled position defensively. He has the arm necessary to man third. He can and has played short and second. Some feel his best position may still b a move to the outfield. For now, it seems the Diamondbacks are more concerned about getting Luis’ bat going again, as he is getting plenty of looks at DH for now.
6. David Hagaman – RHP (BA 4, MLB 3, FG 10)
Hagaman has had loud stuff dating back at least to college, but he not only took it up a notch in 2025, he also paired it with a newfound ability to pump quality strikes, something the Arizona farm system can appreciate, given its many struggles in that area. His fastball averages roughly 94 mph with 18 inches of carry and comes at hitters from an elite level of extension of seven feet. His heater tops out in the 97-98 mph range, but evaluators say they wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually sits comfortably in the upper 90s as his arm strength and endurance increase. Hagaman’s curveball is a hard one, coming in at up to 86 mph, but he maintains consistent depth with it. His mid-80s changeup has late movement and looks a great deal like a hard sinker. He also throws a slider that flashes average. He attacks hitters and shows no fear of being in the zone. The 6-foot-4 righthander has a loose, stable delivery that allows him to get down the mound with ease. Hagaman did not throw more than five innings or 65 pitches in an outing in 2025, so he will need to show he can maintain both his caliber of stuff as well as the same quality and quantity of strikes over a full season. So far in 2026, it has been more of the same though. Only recently promoted to AA Amarillo, Hagaman dominated Hillsboro and will now need to start putting in the work necessary to get stretched out more as he is still a five and dive pitcher at this stage. Expect Hagaman to be assigned to Amarillo again next year, but to be on track for a mid-season promotion to Reno if he can get his arm stretched out enough before being placed on the doorstep to the Majors.
5. J.D. Dix – SS (BA 10, MLB 4, FG 1)
Dix was taken with the 35th pick in the 2024 draft and was subsequently convinced to forego his commitment to Wake Forest. Dix has the size, athleticism, hands, and footwork that can play anywhere on the dirt. Most evaluators feel he has plenty of arm and range to stick at shortstop long-term. However, given Arizona’s glut of infield prospects, Dix’s positional flexibility will only help him. Still not old enough to legally drink, Dix is just finally growing into his impressive 6’2” body. Dix filled out nicely over the course of the last year and it has resulted in Dix flying up the prospect rankings. Dix is a switch-hitter who swings more comfortably from the left side. Dix already demonstrates above average gap-to-gap power, leading many to see the potential for him to reach true plus gap-to-gap power as he finishes filling out and he continues to work with professional trainers and conditioning coaches. Dix is currently showing off all his tools in Hillsboro, where he has been playing second base. Diamondbacks fans are already familiar with having a slick-fielding, switch-hitting, power bat at second base. Should Dix not find a home at shortstop for some reason, he could continue that legacy. Enjoy a highlight from the eve of the last season’s trade deadline.
Helfrick was the surprise pick by Arizona with the 15th overall overall selection in the draft. Helfrick is a glove-first catcher out of James McCann’s alma mater, the University of Arkansas. Helfrick was a highly-regarded high school prospect in Northern California who elected to head to the competitive SEC rather than remain in California where there was also premium competition. After struggling as a freshman, he had a power-hitting breakout as a sophomore before then struggling with Team USA during that summer. He then made the necessary adjustments to hold his place on the squad as a junior, with a .283/.417/.562 line and slightly fewer strikeouts than the year before. Overt physicality, power, and steady catching defense (especially his framing) give Helfrick a floor of sorts as a quality back-up catcher who can control the running game. It is not uncommon for big league catchers to hit around .200 and little to be thought of it. That seems to be a likely outcome for Helfrick, who swings over the top of a lot of soft stuff in the bottom of the zone. However, with professional coaching and an opportunity to refine his craft full-time could result in Helfrick becoming a more dangerous sort of player. Helfrick possesses borderline light tower power which should allow him to crush quite a few high fastballs to his pull side and slug impressively, even though he will probably strike out 30% of the time in pro ball.
On defense, Helfrick’s size and strength help make him a quiet, subtle receiver around the edges of the zone, and he’s a skilled, mobile ball-blocker. He has an above-average arm that, unfortnately, currently plays down somewhat because his exchange mechanics take too long. This is a very coachable issue and should be easily remedied early in his professional development. Luke Stevenson went 35th overall in 2025 after striking out more often than Helfrick did as a sophomore, and Helfrick is a better defender, giving him extra padding for his potential floor.
3. Kayson Cunningham – SS (BA 3, MLB 2, FG 5)
Taken with Arizona’s first pick in last season’s draft, Kayson Cunningham represents yet another dynamic infielder with high upside and above average tools across the board save his arm, which is average. Cunningham had the distinction of being the starting shortstop for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team on a team stacked with impressive prep shortstop talent. A strong argument can be made that Cunningham was the best pure hitter to be found anywhere in his draft class, an early evaluation that seems to be holding up a year on. After tearing up Visalia for about half a season, Cunningham has taken his talents to Hillsboro, where he has settled in nicely. He likely finishes this season in A+ ball and will be an interesting decision for he next season’s roster assembly. He could repeat A+ for a bit to make sure he gets plenty f runway to finally take off. Or, if he continues to be essentially a league average hitter in A+ ball, he might get a bump up to AA Amarillo to see if his bat can be sparked awake by getting to face tougher competition. Thanks to a quick and efficient left-handed swing, Cunningham has explosive hands, quick enough to snatch fastballs at the top of the zone. Cunningham also exhibits great body control, allowing him to be adept at adjusting the posture of both his upper and lower body to move the barrel all over the place. Cunningham has very special feel for hitting and brings a surprising amount of power for his 5’10” size. Cunningham has all the tools necessary to remain at short, but his average arm profiles him better for second base (a problem to be sorted at a much later date). Cunningham also features very good speed, getting out of the box quickly and moving well in the field. While it is not currently a big part of his game, he profiles as a 20 steal threat.
2. Demetrio Crisantes – 2B (BA 1, MLB 1, FG 3)
At this point last season, I and a few others decided to aggressively rank Crisantes on the strength of his plate discipline and his batted ball numbers. All he has done since then is rake. He is now by and large considered Arizona’s top prospect. Crisantes is going to go as far as his bat will take him. He is an average fielder at second, but makes all the plays one would expect. He lacks any true standout tool in the field, but he does all the little things the right way, maximizing the results from his average fielding, arm, and speed. At the plate, Crisantes makes borderline elite contact on swings in the zone, which is a good thing as Crisantes loves to swing at strikes in the zone. Crisantes features a very simple, repeatable and direct swing that starts with a minor leg lift to as he begins his load. With a good understanding of the zone and an aggressive in-zone approach, Crisantes not only has an above average hit tool, but projected plus power. Injury derailed Crisantes’s development in 2025, limiting him to only 151 plate appearances. Returning from injury, Crisantes picked up right where he left off. Crisantes managed to remain above average at the plate after his promotion to AA Amarillo. His performance there incentivized the organization to promote him yet again, to AAA Reno. In Reno, Crisantes has finally hit his first major challenge. While his overall numbers are down since the promotion to Reno, there is still plenty to like. Crisantes has become more patient since his promotion. He isn’t getting the walks he used to, but he is also striking out far less. He has become better at offering at pitches inside the zone and has chased outside less frequently. With AAA being Crisantes’ third level of competition faced in 2026 alone, it is unsurprising that he finally found a level that will take a bit of an adjustment period. Assuming no team pries Crisantes away via trade, the Nogales, Arizona native will open his next campaign in AAA again. How long he remains in AAA will depend almost entirely on him. If he continues to refine his craft the way he has so far, he’ll be making things difficult for the decision makers by this time in the next full season.
1. Tommy Troy – OF/INF (BA NR, MLB NR, FG NR)
Listen, I get it. Most everyone has removed Tommy Troy from prospect rankings at this point. However, when crunching the numbers over the last few weeks, one thing jumped out at me. Tommy Troy does not yet have enough at-bats to lose his rookie eligibility – not yet. Given that Troy is only just now in Bridge Camp , getting himself ready for a rehabilitation stint in the minors, there is a very real possibility that the upcoming roster crunch results in Troy not seeing another Major League at-bat in the 2026 season. If that remains the case, then Tommy Troy will actually enter the next baseball season with his rookie eligibility intact. With that being the case, he’s still marginally a prospect in my book. With two more starts, Troy likely accrues enough at-bats to lose eligibility. However, with the roster crunch and his pre-injury struggles, I think, at this point, it is more likely than not that Tommy Troy heads back to Reno once he is deemed healthy enough to resume full baseball activity.
That said, Tommy Troy has passed the eye test and appears to be MLB-ready. Don’t let the 83 wRC+ fool you. Troy has looked comfortable at the plate and has kept the defense on their toes. Troy has wheels and he knows it. He uses that fact to draw defenses in with the threat of bunting to hit. But Troy also has decent pop in his bat – especially against fastballs, even elite ones. Troy’s reputation for being a fastball killer turns out to be well-earned. On the other hand, Troy is still struggling with elite spin on breaking pitches, especially hard sliders. It is an issue that MLB pitchers have exploited thus far. Then, just as it looked like Troy might be making the necessary adjustments, he fell injured – again.
Honorable mentions: Christian Mena, Yu-Min Lin, Dylan Ray, and Gavin Conticello
This list will no doubt change after the Arizona Fall League plays and Mike Hazen makes his offseason moves to restock the 26-man roster. I expect those moves and some graduations from and drops off to have this list looking very different come time for the March update.
TORONTO, ON - MAY 11: A general view of the outfield atmosphere is seen before an MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays on May 11, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Game four of four. Might as well make it a sweep, since it is just sitting there. Speaking of sitting there, I think I’m going to be doing that at a near by bar for today’s game. I feel like lunch out today.
Max, we could use a great start. Everyone else is giving us a great starts.
They still haven’t made a decision on starter Saturday. Could be Simeon Woods Richardson or Lazaro Estrada, or someone else. I would suggest doing some light throw, just in case it is you.
Spencer Arrighetti is to throw a bullpen tomorrow. I’d imagine a rehab start would follow.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 24: Jorge Mateo #2 of the Atlanta Braves warms up before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 24, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following the loss of infielder Ben Williamson to a likely season ending hamstring strain, the Rays have signed INF Jorge Mateo to a major league deal. Mateo is expected to fill Williamson’s role in the right handed side of a second base platoon role, while also serving as the back up short stop. The move also allows rookie Carson Williams to return to Triple-A for every day playing time as he looks to sure up his control of the strike zone against off-speed pitches.
Mateo was released by the Atlanta Braves on August 9th, who signed with them as a free agent following five seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, after he struggled mightily while batting at Truist Part (43 wRC+ in 53 PA at home, 106 wRC+ in 84 PA away). That could just be an anomaly, however, as Mateo is being signed for his defense and speed, not his bat.
To make room on the roster, the Rays have designated RHP Trevor Martin off the 40-man roster, due to right handed relief being the greatest position of depth on the 40-man roster.
Martin made his major league debut this season and pitched 11.1 innings in relief, allowing eight runs (five earned) and four walks against seven strikeouts. In 27 games at the Triple-A level he held a 3.09 ERA and 3.91 FIP with a 25.0% K-rate and 11.2% BB-rate. A third round pick in the 2022 draft, the Rays converted him to starting pitching as a professional from a collegiate relief role, but he has been a relief prospect since the start of the 2025 season. FanGraphs recently rated him No. 40 in the Rays organization pre-2026 draft thanks to his climbing velocity and recent addition of a splitter. If the Rays are lucky, they just might be able to pass him through waivers and stash the big man back in Durham.
Here is the team’s press release:
The Tampa Bay Rays have signed infielder Jorge Mateo (HOR-hay muh-TAY-oh) to a major league contract and recalled right-handed pitcher Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Durham. To make room on the active and 40-man rosters, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Michael Grove and infielder Carson Williams to Durham and designated right-handed pitcher Trevor Martin for assignment. Mateo will wear No. 9.
Mateo, 31, appeared in 65 games with the Atlanta Braves this season, batting .240/.285/.380 (31-for-129) with six doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, eight walks, 29 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases on 11 attempts. The right-handed batter hit .316 (25-for-79) with eight extra-base hits and 11 RBI across his first 37 games through the end of May, a stretch he concluded by tallying RBI in each of his final four games to end the month, including consecutive games with a home run for the second time in his career from May 30-31 at Cincinnati. His average sprint speed of 30.3 feet per second leads all major league infielders and ranks third overall behind the Athletics Henry Bolte (30.6) and Texas’ Cam Cauley (30.5), according to Baseball Savant. Additionally, Mateo’s average arm strength of 88.3 mph is ninth fastest among major league shortstops.
Since the beginning of the 2022 season, the six-foot, 200-pound infielder’s 16 defensive runs saved are tied for 11th most among major league shortstops despite playing fewer innings at the position than each of the 10 players ranked ahead of him in that span. Mateo has batted .350 (21-for-60) in 18 career games at Tropicana Field, tallying eight doubles, one triple, five RBI, four walks, nine runs scored, and a .907 OPS. It marks the highest career batting average at the ballpark by any active player (minimum 50 at-bats).
The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native signed with the Braves on Jan. 20, was designated for assignment on Aug. 3, and was released on Aug. 9. He spent the previous five seasons (2021-25) with the Baltimore Orioles after the club acquired him from the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2021 trade deadline. In 2022, Mateo became the third player (fourth instance) in Orioles history to lead the American League in steals after swiping a career-high 35 stolen bases, joining Brian Roberts (2007) and Luis Aparicio (1963-64). He began his major league career by playing 22 games with the Padres in 2020.
In 555 career games spanning seven seasons (2020-26), Mateo has slashed .223/.268/.365 (319-for-1,432) with 77 doubles, 12 triples, 34 home runs, 132 RBI, 81 walks, 212 runs scored, and 116 stolen bases.
GETTING TO THE TOP: The Cubs are 37-16 since June 11, the best record of any team. With their loss last night, the Red Sox are 37-17. The Rays are 34-21; the Brewers, 33-22. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
COMING FROM BEHIND: Last night’s win was the Cubs’ 37th of the season after they trailed at some point, most by any team. The Diamondbacks have 36 comeback wins. The Cubs’ 37 wins have come in 50 different games in which they erased a deficit. They have won 10 in a row, 12 of 13 and 22 of 24, beginning on June 11, when they rallied to win at Colorado, starting their current surge. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
DURING THE DAY: The Cubs are only 8-11 in day games on the road this season, but they are 7-6 in days games on the road following night games. They are 9-2 on Thursday, their best record on any day of the week. They are 14-6 on Wednesday and 12-7 on Tuesday. They are 5-1 on the road on Thursday, also their best. They are 8-3 on Wednesday and 7-3 on Tuesday. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Shawon Dunston’s two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth completes a Cubs comeback from a 5-1 deficit and they defeat the Pirates 9-8 at Wrigley Field. It happened 40 years ago today, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1986.
Lineups were not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for today’s lineups.
Kevin Gausman, RHP vs. Cade Cavalli, RHP
Kevin Gausman was solid in his first Cubs start last Friday in Kansas City.
He has not faced the Nats since 2024 and so only three of the current Nationals have faced him. CJ Abrams, who is having a really good year, is the only Nat who has hit him at all — 4-for-6. So, stop Abrams and Gausman can probably handle the rest of the Nats lineup.
With Foster Griffin traded, Cade Cavalli takes over as the Nats’ best starter. He’s had a solid year and has allowed three or fewer runs in all of his last 11 starts.
He was the Nats’ Opening Day starter against the Cubs and allowed three runs in 3.2 innings on a chilly, windy day at Wrigley Field March 26, which probably has little or no predictive value for today’s game.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
DYERSVILLE, IA - AUGUST 11: A general view of MLB Field at Field of Dreams during the MiLB Field of Dreams game between the St. Paul Saints and the Iowa Cubs on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Tonight, Major League Baseball returns to Dyersville, Iowa, for the Field of Dreams Game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. It’s fantastic that the event has returned, as the 1989 film is one of my favorites and has inspired memories and reflections of my own.
Childhood memories
One summer day in the early 2000s, my oldest brother had the impulse to build a baseball field. So, he tied the closest thing we had to a steel drag mat to our dad’s ancient Subaru Leone (I think that was the car) from the 80s and drove it around the empty acre of dirt next to the house.
While he was in the car, my job as the youngest brother was to wander the field and pick up as many large rocks as I could carry in my shirt and use them to weigh down a line of boards flat on the ground that served as our outfield fence. We then created a backstop by propping up a chain-link fence on three poles, and tried to compile a mound of dirt as best we could to pitch from.
Despite a total lack of measuring that left us with a tiny right field—and an abundance of weeds, rocks, Chico bushes, and ankle-twisting rodent tunnels—it was our own Field of Dreams.
It wasn’t heaven, but it was perfect.
I have so many memories of taking batting practice out there with my brothers and the slog of tracking down every ball we hit, only to inevitably lose one somehow (legend says there are still baseballs out there to this day). It also served as our annual home run derby venue, where we obliterated the surplus of rotten apples that fell off our trees. I also spent many years using an old wooden shovel handle to smack rocks I tossed up to myself to work on my hand-eye coordination while my dog Misty chased them.
That field helped forge my love of the game, and inspired so many pursuits in baseball, including writing for Purple Row.
Baseball marks the time
I recently watched Field of Dreams on a whim in preparation for the game, and one of the moments that always stands out is the monologue by James Earl Jones’s character, Terrance Mann.
“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again.”
Baseball has always been a significant part of my life. My dad loved the game and passed that on to my three brothers and me. The oldest and I became the fanatics and played the game, while the other two became casual enjoyers of the sport.
The sport is always a constant through the good times and the bad. When my dad first learned of his cancer diagnosis in 2024, Rockies baseball helped him endure that time. After he passed, baseball has continued to serve as a healing salve for me.
To me, the essence of the speech in the movie is that baseball is about hope and believing that things can be better than they were yesterday. It stands as a constant testament to the inherent childlike simplicity of throwing, hitting, and catching a ball. Baseball is what dreams are made of.
It’s a game that can heal people, giving them a sense of community and the courage to believe. The best adage in sports is that there is “always next year.” Seems like every year, no matter how foolish it may be, I enter a Rockies season with a decent amount of optimism that things could be better. I see others who share that same sentiment time and time again. Whether or not that is true depends on your perception, but 2026 has shown that things can still be bad, yet much better than the previous year.
If you build it
So as the Phillies and Twins step onto that cornfield diamond in Iowa tonight, I won’t just be watching a game between two major league teams. I’ll be thinking of a dusty acre, an old Subaru Leone, a wooden shovel handle, and a father who shared his love of the game. The Rockies—and baseball itself—might break our hearts now and then, but every pitch brings a chance to remember where we came from and believe in what comes next. That’s the magic of the game. It marks our time, keeps our memories alive, and always promises that tomorrow could be better.
Whether it’s played in a pristine, corn-rimmed stadium in Dyersville or on a rocky patch of dirt next to the house, baseball has a way of holding up a mirror to our lives. Tonight’s Field of Dreams game is a reminder of why we fall in love with this sport in the first place. For baseball fans—and for anyone who has ever built a field in their own backyard—sometimes the score matters a lot less than the sanctuary the game provides. There’s always next year, always next season, and always another dream waiting out in the corn.
The Cincinnati Reds have lost ace Hunter Greene not only for the rest of the 2026 season, but likely all of 2027 as well.
Greene underwent his second Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, Aug. 13, after doctors discovered the damage to his right elbow was too extensive for them to opt for a less-invasive internal brace procedure that could have allowed him to return to action for the second half of next season.
The expected recovery time for the full elbow reconstruction is 12-18 months, which would probably mean he wouldn't return to the mound until the start of the 2028 season.
Greene, 27, is one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball, but injuries have been a problem for him throughout his major league career.
He has never made more than 26 starts or pitched more than 150⅓ innings in any of his five seasons with the Reds. He hit both of those career highs in 2024, when he went 9-5 with 169 strikeouts and a 2.75 ERA. That success earned him his only All-Star berth and an eighth-place finish in the NL Cy Young balloting.
Greene was shut down during spring training and had surgery to remove bone chips in his pitching elbow.
He allowed eight runs in 3⅓ innings when he made his season debut in June, followed by a fantastic second start against the Chicago Cubs − tossing seven scoreless innings and struck out 12. However, the elbow soreness soon returned and the Reds put him back on the injured list at the end of the month with a 2-2 record and 6.83 ERA.
Hunter Greene contract
Greene signed a six-year, $53 million extension with the Reds in 2023. Scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the 2029 season, Cincinnati has a $21 million team option for 2029 with a $2 million buyout.
2026: $8.3 million
2027: $15.3 million
2028: $16.3 million
2029: $21 million (club option, $2 million buyout)
COVERS INTEL: Over his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, Minnesota infielder Royce Lewis is batting .357 with a .571 SLG and .971 OPS, while generating a 50% hard-hit rate and 15% barrel rate.
