Category: Baseball

Now that we’ve looked at the players who were on a single ballot, those receiving multiple votes (2-5 ballot players and PuRPs 43-36), plus the Honorable Mention PuRPs for mid-season 2026, it’s time to examine the players that made the list. As a reminder, in this edition of the PuRPs poll, 29 qualifying ballots were cast, with 30 points granted for a first place vote, 29 for second, etc.

For each player on the PuRPs list, I’ll include a link to individual stats and contract status (via Baseball-Reference), PuRPs voting stats, a note on the 2026 season to date, and a scouting report from national prospect writers where possible. I’ll also include where I put each player on my ballot. All ages are as of the date the article is posted.

Remember that the statistics pages are not the end-all, be-all when evaluating these players. Context is hugely important (such as the player’s age relative to the league’s average or the league average offensive numbers), as is the fact that injuries to prospects can affect both their tools and their stats. I’ll make sure and note where this is the case.

30. Ashly Andujar (113 points, 17 ballots) — Preseason Ranking: 20 — High Ballot 17, Mode Ballot 28

How did he enter the organization?

2024 International Free Agent, Dominican Republic

Why did he make the PuRPs list?

Andujar was the headliner of Colorado’s international free agent class in January 2024, earning a $1.7 million bonus as the 18th ranked international prospect at MLB.com as a well-rounded offensive and defensive player with good bat to ball skills who was likely to stay as an up the middle defender.

The 19-year-old 6’1” switch-hitting shortstop spent his first professional season in the Dominican Summer League as expected (since he was one of the youngest players in his signing class) and was above average offensively (105 wRC+). The Rockies liked what they saw enough to bring Andujar stateside to the Arizona Complex League in 2025, where he was 2.6 years younger than average, and he looked like a natural on a strong ACL Rockies team. In 217 plate appearances, Andujar again had good contact numbers without much power, hitting .319/.370/.356 with seven doubles and seven steals (which is a 97 wRC+).

In 2026, Andujar began the season back in the Complex League in May, hitting .260/.339/.300 in 62 plate appearances across 15 games before Ethan Holliday’s season-ending injury opened up a spot at shortstop in Low-A Fresno. Andujar moved up to Low-A, where he is 3.1 years younger than league average, in late May and he’s looked young for the level. In 273 plate appearances with Fresno, Andujar has a .247/.306/.344 batting line, including his first three homers as a professional (a below average 69 wRC+). Defensively, he has committed 13 errors at shortstop in 52 games at the position with Fresno.

This year Andujar was younger than the pitcher facing him in over 97% of his plate appearances. That’s one of the reasons Andujar’s offensive performance, despite a lack of thump, isn’t a disaster (another is a strikeout % around 18% with a walk % of 8%). The trajectory of his season was encouraging as well: he went from a .593 OPS in June to .677 in July and .712 so far in August.

Here is a recent slo-mo look at Andujar’s left-handed swing:

Here is some video of Andujar before he signed with the Rockies, including some looks at him at shortstop and his swing from both sides of the plate:

What do the scouts say?

Keith Law of the Athletic wrote this about Andujar in February while ranking him 13th in the system:

Andujar is a switch-hitting shortstop with plus defense and maybe 20 power right now. He hasn’t hit a home run as a pro yet in 104 games and his career ISO is .049, with that boosted a little by his above-average speed. He does have good bat-to-ball skills, and if he can gain enough strength to hit some hard line drives, he could end up a regular in five years or so. It’s more likely he ends up a utility guy who can offer plus defense all over the infield but doesn’t hit enough to stick as an everyday player anywhere. He only turned 18 in July, so even if he keeps running back to the dugout after most of his at-bats, time is on his side.

FanGraphs ranks Andujar 18th in the system as a 40+ FV prospect with a plus run grade and a 55 future hit and field tool evaluation:

Andujar signed for $1.7 million as part of Colorado’s 2024 international class. International scouts liked his glove and feel to hit, and both of those have translated to pro ball. Last year, he hit .319 and ran an 80% contact rate as one of the youngest players in the ACL. Defensively, he has above-average range at short and a strong arm.

How much power can Andujar develop? Physical projection looms large for every teenage prospect, but the gap between where he is now (thin with 20 pop) and where could go (he’s a projectable 6-foot-1 who could grow into anything from 30 power to 50) makes him a prospect of extreme variance. Presently, his lack of strength is apparent from the way he needs extra hand movement to generate the modest bat speed he has, and his flat swing produces plenty of singles but not much else. There’s real upside here if he grows into even fringy power, though, and even some of the messier parts of his offensive game, like the indirect start to his bat path, may fall into place as he gets stronger. And in any case, with his contact skill, speed, and defensive chops, he doesn’t have to do much damage to profile as an everyday bat. Were I scouting for a team, I’d put a low-conviction 50 on him, with nods to a volatile offensive future and the long developmental timeline ahead. For us, he belongs in this FV tier as a slow-burn person of interest.

When’s he going to get to the Rockies and how good will he be once he’s there?

As an up-the-middle player who was a seven-figure international signee, Andujar is joining a recent tradition of PuRPs, including Adael Amador and Robert Calaz. Also fitting that category is Dyan Jorge, whose all-around game except a lack of power is reminiscent of Andujar’s batting lines so far. Then again, Jorge didn’t even sign until he was 19 and didn’t make it to the ACL until he was 20, so Andujar has more runway ahead of him.

The scouts are consistent — Andujar needs to build more strength for his offensive game to translate to the big leagues. He’s a long ways away, but his athleticism provides a good foundation for him as a potential regular, so long as he doesn’t end up a Punch-and-Judy hitter. The potential and performance so far were enough for me to rank Andujar 25th on my list in the 40 FV tier.

29. Roynier Hernandez (115 points, 10 ballots) — Preseason Ranking: NR — High Ballot 13, Mode Ballot 13, 17

How did he enter the organization?

2022 International Free Agent, Venezuela

Why did he make the PuRPs list?

Hernandez signed for a $100k bonus out of Venezuela in 2022. Hernandez possesses a compact, line-drive swing that is built for contact — he relies on finding holes and using his 5-foot-10 frame to stay short to the ball. After hitting .339 in rookie ball in 2023 and .305 in the ACL in 2024, the 21-year-old lefty-batting, righty-throwing second baseman made his full-season debut with Low-A Fresno in 2025 and continued to hit well with a .293/.358/.366 line (106 wRC+).

This year, Hernandez was promoted to High-A Spokane, where he is 1.5 years younger than league average, and has stayed there outside of a weeklong visit back to Low-A Fresno in late July. Hernandez entered this year with zero professional homers, but he’s changed that in a big way this season with seven long balls among his 26 extra-base-hits en route to a .294/.406/.417 overall line in 402 plate appearances, good for a 115 wRC+). Notably, Hernandez has walked more times this year (64) than he’s struck out (59) — he’s about even in those categories across his entire professional career. On defense, he has committed 11 errors in 73 games at second base.

Here is some video of Hernandez in Fresno last year, including some slo mo looks at his swing near the end:

What do the scouts say?

FanGraphs ranks Hernandez 38th in the system as a 35+ FV player, highlighted by future 55 hit and field tools:

Of all the interesting infielders Colorado had at the lower levels last year, Hernandez has a case for the best hit tool of the group. He hit .293/.358/.366 with an 85% contact rate as a 20-year-old at Low-A Fresno, good for a 106 wRC+, with strong pitch recognition and bat-to-ball skills. For a guy who hasn’t homered in more than 1,000 career plate appearances, he’s not completely punchless either, as his 30% hard-hit rate and 101 mph EV90 attest. But his swing is flat and the path is long in a way that directs a lot of his contact into short left field. Singles hitters have a pretty low ceiling if they’re not complete freaks in the Luis Arraez mold, and it’s taking nothing away from Hernandez to take the under on that.

Defensively, Hernandez is a smooth fielder at second and has dabbled at third as well. If he could play short, he’d grade out as a traditional 40 utility infielder. His arm is light, though, which makes this a tricky skill set to fit onto a roster. His ability to hit and cover a middle infield spot should carry him to the upper levels, where he projects as an up-down guy, with paths for more if he finds a way to get to more power.

When’s he going to get to the Rockies and how good will he be once he’s there?

Hernandez offers something that has been all too rare among Rockies prospects: high-level bat-to-ball skills and a disciplined eye. He’s a reliable glove with high baseball IQ, though his lack of elite twitch means his long-term fit is likely as a utility infielder and as a 35+ FV player for me, off my top 30 list. Hernandez will be Rule 5 eligible after the season, the Rockies will need to decide if that profile is worthy of a 40-man roster spot.

28. Konner Eaton (128 points, 18 ballots) — Preseason Ranking: 28 — High Ballot 21, Mode Ballot 24

How did he enter the organization?

2024 6th Round, George Mason University

Why did he make the PuRPs list?

Eaton — a 23-year-old lefty pitcher who signed for a full-slot bonus of $378.9k after getting drafted in the sixth round in 2024 — has intriguing size and athleticism. He throws in the lower half of the 90s and boasts a slider whose late horizontal movement is effective against hitters from both sides of the plate. Eaton has a durable frame (6’3”, 210 pounds) that projects well as a traditional starting pitcher. His delivery is athletic, though he has worked on simplifying his mechanics since turning professional to improve his overall strike-throwing ability.

After seeing some action in his draft year up to High-A Spokane, Eaton was assigned back to High-A Spokane in 2025. The left-hander was a rotation stalwart for Spokane, starting 23 games and throwing 121.1 innings with a 3.56 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 rate, and 3.1 BB/9 rate. That includes quality starts in seven of eight starts between mid-June and early August. In mid-August, Eaton was promoted to Double-A Hartford, where he was 2.7 years younger than league average. He took the mound for another four starts in the Eastern League, throwing 18.2 innings with a nice 11.6 K/9 rate, albeit a 5.30 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 4.8 BB/9 rate.

This year, Eaton returned to Hartford, where he is 1.9 years younger than league average. He’s made 18 starts and thrown 80 innings with a 4.73 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 rate, and 5.2 BB/9 rate. Eaton has struggled of late though, with five of his last six starts not lasting past three innings, including a nine run shelling last week. That streak notwithstanding, Eaton has five quality starts on the year and has held his own against more advanced hitting.

Here’s a look at Eaton’s 2025 highlights:

What do the scouts say?

Eaton is currently ranked 19th in the system by MLB Pipeline as a 45 FV prospect with a 55 grade on his slider and 50s on the fastball and changeup:

Eaton is now showing an ability to throw three pitches for strikes and that, along with showing acumen for finishing hitters, gives him a chance to start. His fastball sits around 93 mph and he can reach back for 95-96. He’ll carry his velocity deep into starts, and the pitch has occasional cut or tail to it. His mid-80s slider is his best pitch, eliciting a miss rate north of 40 percent last year. He’ll manipulate its shape, sometimes throwing it with sweep, sometimes with the tilt and depth of a more traditional slider. A big reason for his success thus far has been his conviction in throwing his low-80s changeup more.

The big left-hander struggled with the strike zone throughout his college career, a big reason why the Rockies weren’t the only ones thinking he belonged in a bullpen. It’s not pinpoint command, but he’s around the zone enough where the organization thinks he might have the ability to stick in a rotation for a long time. 

FanGraphs ranks Eaton 27th in the system as a 40 FV prospect, highlighted by 50 grades on the slider and change-up:

Eaton has a well-rounded mix of average stuff and strike-throwing. He has both fastballs, and while he touches 96 mph with the four-seamer, both have round-down shape limits their utility. His change and slider are both average and play a little ahead of that grade due to his ability to move them around the plate. The southpaw is also good at some of the old school stuff, like sequencing and changing speeds. In my looks, his control tended to be great right until it fell apart completely, and between that and the lack of an out pitch, he looks like more of a one-time-through guy than a reliable starter. There’s also a chance everything plays a half-grade better than this projection in short stints.

Keith Law of the Athletic listed Eaton as a player of note back in February:

Lefty Konner Eaton misses bats with a plus slider, sitting 91-94, probably ending up in the bullpen because the slider is really his only weapon right now. He was excellent in High A and then struggled with his command and control in a brief stint in Double A. He does have a good delivery and may have more in the tank.

When’s he going to get to the Rockies and how good will he be once he’s there?

Eaton has proven so far in his professional career to be able to soak up innings, while his improving control has made staying in a starting rotation much more likely than it appeared when he was drafted. His profile is one of a back-end rotation pitcher from the left side, which to me is a 40 FV player who just missed my top 30. Eaton has fit well in Double-A and I could see him as a big league candidate by the end of next season.

27. Welinton Herrera (134 points, 17 ballots) — Preseason Ranking: 17 — High Ballot 15, Mode Ballot 25

How did he enter the organization?

2021 International Free Agent, Dominican Republic

Why did he make the PuRPs list?

Herrera is probably the Rockies’ top relief prospect, though he will miss a large chunk of time after tearing his UCL in early June with the big league club. The 22-year-old 6’0” Dominican lefty boasts a plus to plus-plus mid-90s fastball coming from an uphill angle and will again contend for a Major League bullpen slot once he returns from injury. Herrera, who signed in January 2021 for $200k, was a pop-up arm in 2024 in his first taste of full season ball after two years in the DSL and a season in the ACL.

In 2024 in Low-A Fresno, Herrera, employing a low arm slot from the left side and mid-90s velocity, was immediately dominant. He struck out an absurd 62 hitters (against only nine walks) in just 34 innings (16.4 K/9 rate) with a 2.38 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 23 appearances at Fresno. Herrera was promoted to High-A Spokane in late June. Against higher-level opposition, Herrera’s rate stats were less strong (4.76 ERA, 3.75 xFIP, 1.41 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, 4.4 BB/9) in 23 appearances totaling 28.1 innings.

In 2025, Herrera went back to Spokane, where he quickly showed he had mastered the level. In 15 appearances and 18.1 innings, Herrera collected 10 saves with a sparkly 0.49 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 14.2 K/9 rate, and 2.9 BB/9 rate. The Rockies promoted him to Double-A Hartford in mid-May, where he was 3.7 years younger than league average. In 37 appearances totaling 46.1 innings with Hartford, Herrera added seven more saves with a 3.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 13.6 K/9 rate, and 3.7 BB/9 rate against upper minors hitters. He also represented the Rockies at the prestigious Futures Game in July, where he got the final out to record the save for the NL squad. Herrera finished his 2025 with a strong stint in the prestigious Arizona Fall League and Herrera was added to Colorado’s 40-man roster shortly thereafter.

In 2026, Herrera was jumped up to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he faced hitters who were on average 5.6 years older than him in a tough pitching environment. He made 16 appearances totaling 22.2 innings with a 5.16 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 13.5 K/9 rate, and 5.6 BB/9 rate. Herrera was called up to the Rockies in late May, where he seemed poised to stick in the bullpen long term after three scoreless appearances where he allowed only two hits and one walk in 2 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, Herrera suffered the UCL injury and now faces a long way back.

Here’s some video of Herrera from the Arizona Fall League last year:

What do the scouts say?

Herrera was ranked 10th in the system by Baseball America before the season and was listed as having the best fastball in the system.

Keith Law of the Athletic ranked Herrera 14th in the system in February:

Herrera’s fastball is 97-100 and he lived off the pitch in High A until the Rockies told him he had to throw his slider more, after which he was a little more balanced and dominated through the rest of the year in Double A. His profile is straight relief, probably the one-inning variety only, but he throws plenty of strikes and it’s a pretty easy delivery for that velocity. He could easily help the Rockies this year.

FanGraphs ranks Herrera as a 40+ FV player, 19th overall in the system, putting a 70 grade on his fastball’s future effectiveness with 55 future grades on the slider and change-up:

Herrera is a six-foot, three-pitch lefty. After years at the lower levels, his dominant 2025 season put him on the prospect radar. Herrera posted a 2.64 ERA with a 36.4% strikeout rate and a 4:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, mostly at Double-A Hartford. His dominance earned him a spot in the Futures Game and the AFL, where he was wild. Control is a big question: Herrera is athletic and powerful for his stature, but he’s close to a max-effort guy with an unbalanced finish and a long stroke with recoil at the end. If he can stay around the plate, he’ll generate plenty of misses and chases, because the stuff is good. His tailing fastball has late life, and the slider either has very tight depth or runs away from lefty bats when he locates low and away. Even the change, which he rarely uses, looks nifty at its best, with bat-missing sink when he isn’t missing badly. He has late-inning ceiling if his command exceeds this projection; more likely, he settles in as a solid lefty reliever.

Herrera is ranked 23rd in the system by MLB Pipeline as a 40 FV prospect with a plus grade on both the fastball and the slider:

When you combine a funky delivery with velocity, you might get a very valuable left-handed reliever. Herrera cranked his fastball up to 99 mph in 2025, averaging around 95 and he throws it from a low three-quarters slot that allows it to carry above barrels, resulting in a lot of misses and chases. He leans on the heater, sometimes too much, and will have to keep using his slider more, because it has the chance to really have teeth. He threw it around 86 mph across all stops last year with depth to it when he finishes it and it missed bats at a 44-percent rate, according to Synergy. He actually has an upper-80s changeup that could be useful against right-handed hitters, but it’s not as consistent.

Herrera will still only be 23 for all of the 2027 season, when he’ll hopefully be able to return to the mound post-injury. If he can continue to hone his craft in areas like holding runners and fielding his position, not to mention committing to throwing that slider, he still has high-leverage reliever upside when healthy.

When’s he going to get to the Rockies and how good will he be once he’s there?

The overall value that can be added by a relief arm is limited, but Herrera seems like a potential late-inning reliever (and he’s a lefty to boot) once he returns from his injury next year. That performance and proximity, tempered by the injury, is why I have Herrera as a 40 FV player who was the last cut from my list.

26. Robert Calaz (163 points, 16 ballots) — Preseason Ranking: 6 — High Ballot 10, Mode Ballot 24, 26, 28

How did he enter the organization?

2023 International Free Agent, Dominican Republic

Why did he make the PuRPs list?

At the end of 2024, Calaz seemed to be on a rocket ship toward the big leagues after a season in which he was named the MVP of the Arizona Complex League and tore up the Low-A California league in a small sample. The next two seasons haven’t quite gone as planned for the the 6’2” toolsy right-handed 20-year-old Dominican outfielder, who has struggled mightily as one of the youngest players in High-A this year. Calaz, who was 24th on MLB.com’s international amateur free agent prospect rankings for 2023, received Colorado’s top international signing bonus in the 2023 January period at $1.7 million, which is similar to what fellow PuRP Sean Sullivan received as a second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Calaz began his professional career with a bang in the Dominican Summer League, producing a 149 wRC+ and playing center field with a bit of right field mixed in. In 2024, Calaz came stateside to play with the Arizona Complex League and flat-out murdered the ball with a monster .349/.462/.651 line, good for a 172 wRC+ in 210 plate appearances. He led the ACL in several major offensive categories (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS/HR/RBI/TB) en route to a well-deserved league MVP award. The Rockies promoted Calaz to Low-A Fresno after the ACL season in early August, where he was 3.1 years younger than league average. That didn’t stop Calaz — he hit .327/.386/.571 with two homers, two triples, two doubles, and three steals in 57 plate appearances (147 wRC+).

In 2025, the Rockies chose to send Calaz back to Fresno for a longer run, where he was still 2.2 years younger than league average. The season started inauspiciously, as Calaz suffered an injury in the first game of the season that knocked him out for three weeks. In 424 plate appearances, Calaz hit .259/.338/.399 with ten homers among his 29 extra-base hits. He performed above average offensively (105 wRC+), but not nearly as high as Rockies fans were expecting considering his performance in 2024 at the same level. Additionally, Calaz struck out in 26% of plate appearances (9% walks), which is pretty high for low minors pitching (though he improved his contact % from 66% to 70% year over year).

This year, Calaz moved up to High-A Spokane, where he is 2.5 years younger than league average, and has really struggled. In 349 plate appearances so far, he is hitting just .205/.284/.301 with four homers and 10 steals — just a 48 wRC+. He has struck out in 31.5% of plate appearances against 8.6% walks while contact % dropped back to 67%. It is of course important to remember that Calaz has only faced a younger pitcher than him in 2.5% of plate appearances this year, but at some point he will need to figure out how to beat pitching that can execute a scouting report. In the field, Calaz split time between all three outfield positions, totaling two outfield assists and three errors.

Here is a look at Calaz from 2025 in Fresno, including some slow-mo looks at his swing:

What do the scouts say?

Baseball America ranked Calaz 9th in the system before the season:

Calaz stands 6-foot-2 with room to add more strength to an already-mature frame. He brings explosive raw power to the plate, though his game remains a bit unrefined. Swing-and-miss concerns have followed him since signing—a common caveat with young, power-first hitters—but they’ve become more pronounced. Calaz’s swing starts with an extremely high hand-set, and he sometimes rests the bat on his shoulder before using a waggle to start his trigger.

Keith Law of the Athletic ranked Calaz 11th in the system in February:

Calaz got a lot of attention after he hit .349/.462/.651 in the Arizona Complex League in 2024, but he did so mostly on physical ability rather than a feel for the game, and that deficiency caught up to him in Low A last year. Still just 19, he hit .259/.338/.399 in Fresno with a 26 percent strikeout rate driven by high whiff and chase rates, including a 34 percent swing-and-miss rate just on fastballs. He wasn’t ready for the level and probably needed short-season ball — he would have put up stupid numbers in Grand Junction — so take some of that with a grain of salt, but his baseball instincts just aren’t that advanced yet. He’s going to be big and strong with 30-homer upside in an outfield corner, with a lot of work to do on approach to get there.

MLB Pipeline ranks Calaz 24th in the system as a 40 Future Value player, highlighted by a 55 power grade and 50 grades on the arm and fielding:

Just 20 for all of the 2026 season, there’s still plenty of time for Calaz to figure things out at the plate. He’s a strong, right-handed hitter with a ton of raw power, but he needs to figure out a gameplan to stick with in order to get to it. He likes to attack pitches early in the count and showed he could still do damage if he got a pitch to hit in the first two or three offerings, but if he chased early and fell behind, he was done. He needs to learn he can have impact in all counts and cut down his chase because when he does connect, he still registers elite-level exit velocities.

While Calaz saw considerable time in center field at the outset of his career, he’s starting to slow down as he fills out his frame. He’s working on his conditioning and nutrition, but it’s looking like right field, where he saw a lot of time in 2025, is the best spot for him long-term. He has the power potential to profile there if he can find a bit more discipline at the plate. 

FanGraphs ranks Calaz as a 35+ FV player (35th in the system), highlighted by a plus-plus future grade on his raw power and a plus arm:

Calaz was a big-bonus prospect in the 2023 international class, signing for $1.7 million thanks to a powerful frame and the chance to grow into 70 raw. He had a great debut season in the DSL, ripped through the ACL in 2024, and after a great two-week cameo in Low-A to round out that season, he entered 2025 with no small amount of hype. On the surface, his .259/.338/.399 line, good for a 105 wRC+, is perhaps a tad disappointing but not especially illuminating. Beneath the surface, red flags lurk everywhere.

While Calaz held his own in the Cal League, his lack of feel in the box looms as a real problem. He’s an aggressive swinger with poor pitch recognition and strike zone judgement. His contact rate was just 66% last year, and he whiffed more than 30% of the time on both fastballs and breaking balls. He’s a see-ball, hit-ball hitter, and across several looks over the two seasons, he’s shown no growth in his ability to make adjustments mid-at-bat. His uphill swing is powerful, but also stiff and grooved; he’ll hammer a mistake in his wheelhouse to the moon, but there are a lot of ways to get him out.

While Calaz saw time in center field again last year, he’s slowed considerably in pro ball, and is ticketed for right. He’s presently poor there, as he often struggles to field bouncing or rolling balls, much less track stuff adeptly in the air. He has a cannon for an arm and a shot to be playable overall with a lot of reps, but as with his bat, he’s a long way off. Overall, his power and arm strength give him paths to help, most likely in a bench role. On both sides, though, his feel for the game is very raw and needs significant growth if he’s to have any chance of tapping into his power.

When’s he going to get to the Rockies and how good will he be once he’s there?

Calaz is much more likely to be in a corner outfield role and has some big plate approach and contact rate questions. Calaz is clearly a high-ceiling player who seems increasingly unlikely to actualize it absent an overhaul to his offensive approach. Still though, plus right-handed power is tough to come by, and the big signing bonus Calaz got is proof positive of its market value. Calaz is still young and has time to make corrections, but 2027 will bring a Rule 5 decision and he’ll no doubt be back at Spokane until he can prove some level of mastery there. I ranked Calaz 28th on my list as a 40 FV player because the ingredients are there for a monster but the recipe is yet to be found.

Stay tuned for the next installment of the mid-season 2026 PuRPs list!

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Your 2026 New York Mets: It might look like [the Mets] are taking a step back, but [they’re] not.

“Every season that you lose a lot of games, it might look like you are taking a step back, but we’re not because there’s other things happening around it or behind it that are propelling us forward.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]

Do you think the ‘bad times’ and this season has changed Francisco ‘Mr. Smile’ Lindor’s vibe…

“When I signed up here, it was to be in the good times and bad times and to win.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]

…of course not…

“We have the right guys. Stearns is the right guy. That is No. 1. We have one of the best owners in sports history, because [Cohen] is going to go always with the energy that needs to be put into the team. When you are in a big market there is not such a thing as rebuilding. There is a little bit of transition, that is it. You can’t afford to rebuild in big markets, so I think we are working toward the right place. We have not taken a step backwards.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]

…so to follow Lindor’s optimistic outlook on life, it’s Silver Linings Week…

The Mets have pitchers on the roster; some that are young, some that are old.

“You have the players you want to build around. You have the young pitching staff, along with a couple of pitchers that are a little bit older. -Francisco Lindor [MLB]

Also, it is accurate that Marcus Semien literally has two more years of his contract.

“You have got Marcus [Semien], who has still got a couple of years.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]

The Mets do still have a Minor League system and Bo Bichette.

“You have Bo [Bichette, who can opt out after this season] — it’s going to be up to him if he stays. You have the young players, and then you look at the Minor League system, and you feel that we got better [at the Trade Deadline], so I believe that we are working forward.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]

You know what, winter is long and full of no Mets baseball so enjoy getting to watch Nolan McLean starts…

“It was fairly executed [McLean said of the home run pitch.] I wasn’t trying to really punch him by any means for the strikeout there, but I would have liked it slightly more elevated. He made a good swing on a pitch that was pretty close to the outside corner, so I tip my cap.” -Nolan McLean [MLB]

…Carson Benge’s arm [Per Baseball Savant: 96th percentile arm value and 98th percentile arm strength]…

“I’ve always been blessed with an above-average arm, and it really helped that I also pitched in college to build up more arm strength. Having a strong arm makes a difference, and I think it’s really helped me this season to help get adjusted to the big leagues.” -Carson Benge [MLB]

…having new names to care about while drinking coffee and reading the Mets Daily Prospect Report…

“I just want to thank the organization for the opportunity. It’s been great with the guys. I’ve been getting along with everybody and I just feel like this right here is just a great opportunity.” -Jefferson Rojas [MLB] [I have to note that this quote cited that the quote was via “translator/Binghamton catcher” Chris Suero which makes me want to root for Suero to make it to the bigs one day even more]

…basically, enjoy what’s left of Hot Girl Bat Summer…

“The boys are swinging some hot bats, the bullpen is doing their thing, and the starters are always going to do their thing. It’s been fun, we’re rallying around each other, and we’ve just been playing some really good ball.” -Brett Baty [SNY]

…and, sure, enjoy the excitement of Luis Robert Jr…uh, um… being here.

“[Unable to sell Luis Robert Jr., president of baseball operations David Stearns spoke on Deadline day about] the excitement of still having him here for the next two months of the season.” -Anthony DiComo [MLB]

Let’s hear from Interim Manager Andy Green for some more Silver Linings

/Bandit Heller voice/ I agree, he has been doing great.

“[McLean’s] doing great. Eighty-five pitches, six innings and one run and one hit? That’s a good day’s work for him in August in his first year.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [MLB]

He will keep grinding.

“Some pitches in the heart of the plate have gotten hit pretty hard. [Dedniel Núñez] is going to be fine. The opportunity to get out there and continue to pitch, he’s going to get that. When we look forward to next year, he’s going to be a big part of what we do. He has good stuff. He has kind of paid for middle-middle mistakes right now. He will keep grinding and get it right.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [New York Post]

That was not his best stuff but he did continue to grind.

“It was a gritty performance for [Zac Thornton]. That was not his best stuff. It wasn’t his best strikes and he continued to grind.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [New York Post]

This game does not define him.

“I appreciate what [Robert Stock] has done to get here, and this game does not define him. It’s a rough outing, and it happens to pitchers all across the game all the time. He has talent. He earned a right to a second start.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [New York Post]

He does know he’s a part of the organization and that he’s going to be out there consistently, but not…umm…not that consistently but…uhh… yeah, that opportunity to play consistently, there is a ton of talent…umm…there. [It wasn’t Andy’s best quote and he didn’t quite stick the landing but he continued to grind and this quote DOES NOT define him]

“[Luis Robert Jr.] knows he’s a part of our organization. He knows he’s going to be out there consistently — not quite every day, but he’s going to be out there really consistently. And that opportunity to play consistently, there’s a ton of talent there.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [MLB]

/Count Rugen voice/ Get some rest, if you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything.

“When it comes to the numbers, sometimes you can’t really control all of that. But I think if I can stay healthy, the rest will take care of itself.” -Luis Robert Jr. [MLB]

“There has been good and bad from this whole process. I think when you have been out as long as I was it kind of takes a little longer to find your rhythm, to kind of find that execution. I haven’t been executing my fastballs as well as I wanted to.” -Dedniel Núñez [New York Post]

“It’s a great environment for myself. First of all, my body feels great. I’m able to go out and perform even in short innings, regardless of the situation.” -Kodai Senga [MLB]

I’m going to follow Kodai Senga’s example. Like Lindor, he’s finding the positive during a year that hasn’t quite gone the way he would’ve liked.

“Whenever it’s a first for anything, you don’t really think much of it in the moment or while you’re still playing. But when you skip ahead in years and retire, then I think it has a lot more meaning. So I wanted to have [the baseball from his 1st career save].” -Kodai Senga [MLB]

When I first met Blake Butera, we were in his small Spring Training office in West Palm Beach. The main thing I remember is the scented candles, a sign of his youth.

Over the last few weeks, through a series of questions before and after games, I’ve tried to get a better sense of how Butera thinks about the job.

Butera has become a more seasoned and experienced manager since arriving in Jupiter, Florida for Spring Training, but fundamentally, he is still the same person. He still has the same goals and mentality, but Butera, who turned 34 last week, has learned about the realities of managing a big league club.

As Butera put it, he has “been able to see things through a different lens” as he has gained experience. From bullpen management to knowing when to pull starters, Butera feels like he is learning something every game.

For this whole organization, they are constantly thinking about the process. That is something being done from the top down, and something Butera is constantly trying to do.

But it can be challenging for him. His head knows that he needs to be process oriented, but his heart lives and dies with every result.

With how the Nats season has gone, that has surely been on his mind often. There have been plenty of meltdowns this year, but Butera said, “As long as the process is good, you can live with the outcome, at least that is what I tell myself.”

That last part was telling. Butera may be the same person every day, but losing is something that clearly pushes him to the edge.

That combination of consistency and competitiveness is part of what has endeared him to his players. Jake Irvin told me that Butera is “very focused and diligent in his work.” He also mentioned that his new manager is the same guy every day.

But more importantly, Irvin pointed to the trust Butera has built. “The best managers I have had put trust in their players and communicate well,” Irvin said. “Blake has done both those things.”

Butera is a hands-on presence in a clubhouse that desperately needed that. He is constantly asking how to put his players in the best position to have success. That can even mean delivering hard truths to players. Irvin told me that Butera “tells you the truth whether you want to hear it or not.”

Butera is someone you would firmly characterize as a new school manager. However, Thursday revealed an old-school side of him that still matches with his player-first mentality.

He told me that if Cade Cavalli still had a no-hitter going, he would have been out for the ninth inning even if he was above 100 pitches.

For a few years now there have been a lot of debates about whether to let guys throw well over 100 pitches in pursuit of history. Earlier this season, the Marlins pulled Eury Perez after seven perfect innings.

Butera made it clear that was not his philosophy.

“If there was still a no-hitter, Cade would be pitching until he said he could not pitch anymore.”

Despite being a young, analytically minded manager, Butera appreciates the history of the game. He made it clear that he was not the type of manager to stand in the way of a no-hitter.

There have been times where Butera’s bullpen management has been questionable. It is something where he may even second guess himself. He is constantly thinking about the process and how he can get better. But there is another side to that.

You could see how desperate he was to get a victory during the team’s recent seven-game losing skid. That frustration boiled over when the normally even-keeled Butera got his first ejection as an MLB manager.

In a presser, Butera told a story about how his wife was upset that there wasn’t anything “juicier” that led to the ejection. She asked him what the umpire said that made him so mad, and Butera explained that he was just yelling at the dugout.

His wife was confused about how that made him so mad.“You don’t get it,” Butera told her. That angry side of Butera is not the norm. Most of the time he is calm and calculating. But it gets at the tension that has become more apparent as his first season has gone along.

Butera may not cut the most imposing figure and still looks at least five years younger than your average 34-year-old, but the competitive fire is burning.

He is a fresh-faced 34-year-old who loves talking about cutting-edge analytics in his office with scented candles. However, he is not the type to pull someone from a no-hitter and had the loud endorsement of a Hall of Famer in Mike Piazza.

Blake Butera is a process-oriented manager, or at least he tries to be. In a 162 game season, you can’t live or die by every result. But that can be tough for Butera, who leaves no stone unturned in his goal of winning as many games as possible.

Maybe that is why the most revealing thing Butera said was not that he can live with a bad outcome when the process is good. It was what he added afterward. “At least that is what I tell myself.”

The Kansas City Royals dropped a series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco find plenty worth discussing in both the struggles and the small victories along the way.

Jac Caglianone remains the most compelling storyline on the roster right now. He is hitting for average and looking increasingly comfortable at the player while playing first base, and Jacob and Jeremy dig into the ongoing debate about which position actually maximizes his value to this team. It is a conversation about more than just defense but where he plays affects the entire lineup construction moving forward.

Carson Roccaforte is making waves with legitimate home run power, and Sean Gamble continues to impress in his second-half turnaround. The headline name, though, is Angeibel Gomez at just 17 years old and already drawing comparisons to Juan Soto. Jacob and Jeremy place his early performance in the context of the Royals’ historically uneven track record developing outfielders, while acknowledging that the depth and quality of this farm system feel different than in years past.

Injury updates round out the roster conversation, with Vinnie Pasquantino back from injury and Maikel Garcia’s status also addressed. Statistical trends across the roster get a look as well, including the team’s surprising leader in OPS.

Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online:

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– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com
– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social

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– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod

This series wraps up Cubs vs. Cardinals for this year (barring an unlikely postseason matchup). After struggling vs. the Cardinals in their first two series of 2026, the Cubs took three of four in St. Louis last month and so the season series is tied at five wins each.

For more on the Cardinals, here’s Doc Holliday, manager of our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos.

Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy have emerged as top of the rotation talent. Pallante may be the most effective arm on the staff right now after May got traded and Michael McGreevy had a couple of less-than-ideal starts. Meanwhile, Matthew Liberatore has been a dumpster fire and he’s the scheduled starter on Friday. Major control issues. He had one start out of his last four that was strong when he had everything working. That has been the exception and not the rule. He’s the weak link which again is why Friday afternoon’s game is crucial.

Riley O’Brien has gotten his control back and has been effective in his most recent save attempts. Caleb Ferguson was a mistake pickup at the trade deadline who might not be on the roster by the time the Cardinals arrive in Chicago.

The Cardinals’ offensive story is a mixed bag. Alec Burleson has returned to his Silver Slugger-level self and has been a RBI monster this past week. He had three home runs a few games ago and was key to the victory over the Phillies on Wednesday. Jordan Walker hit his first home run since the All-Star break recently. He has not regressed to 2025 Jordan Walker and continues to make hard contact. JJ Wetherholt has been struggling at the top of the lineup as his average is now down in the .240’s, but there were signs today that he might be coming out of the slump. Ivan Herrera has also become red-hot. He’s horrific as a defensive catcher, having not thrown out even one runner this year, but as a DH he’s amazing. Newcomer Everson Pereira, who the Cardinals claimed a few days ago from the White Sox, has made a great first impression. Made one of the best plays we’ve seen this year in center field Tuesday night as he slammed into the wall at full stride to rob the Phillies of a scoring chance. Then he hit a solo blast in the late innings to ice Tuesday night’s victory.

St. Louis will arrive in Chicago with momentum. There’s a vibe similar to what the team had early in the season, but I suspect Friday’s game will be key. I’m expecting an exciting weekend. The Cubs have the chance to torpedo the Cardinals chances at making a run at the third Wild Card spot. If St. Louis can somehow manage to win the series against Chicago, could be the springboard to a serious September run.

Fun facts

After losing two of three games when they hosted the Cardinals for the first time this season, July 3-5, the Cubs were 50-40 and the Cards were 47-40.

Since then, the Cubs are 21-11; the Cardinals, 14-20. Instead of leading the Cards by 1.5 games, the Cubs are up by 9.0.

The ancient rivals have played 2,536 games, the second most the Cubs have played against any opponent, behind 2,631 against. the Pirates. Their 1,286 wins over the Cards are their second most, too, just five fewer than their 1,291 vs. the Pirates. 716 of the Cubs’ win have come at home, their most vs. any guest. They have won 700 against the Braves and 691 against the Pirates.

The Cubs have split 10 games against the Cards this year. They won the series, 8-5, a year ago, by sweeping the last three games of the season at Wrigley, by 12-1, 7-3 and 2-0. They had won two of three earlier in the year and three of four in the second series of 2024, so the Cubs are 9-4 in their last four at home in the rivalry. 

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Friday: Clay Holmes, RHP (0-1, 9.00 ERA, 2.000 WHIP, 7.33 FIP in one start with Cubs; 4-5, 2.86 ERA, 1.165 WHIP, 3.48 FIP in 10 starts overall) vs. Matthew Liberatore, LHP (5-9, 5.15 ERA, 1.522 WHIP, 4.70 FIP)

Saturday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (8-1, 3.50 ERA, 1.218 WHIP, 3.95 FIP) vs. Michael McGreevy, RHP (4-9, 3.64 ERA, 1.222 WHIP, 4.25 FIP)

Sunday: Shōta Imanaga, LHP (8-9, 3.74 ERA, 1.100 WHIP, 4.56 FIP) vs. Hunter Dobbins, RHP (2-3, 3.40 ERA, 1.311 WHIP, 4.21 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Apple TV (how to watch)

Saturday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Sunday: 2:15 p.m. CT, ABC-TV (full national broadcast, no blackouts). Also available streaming on the ESPN App (subscription required).

Prediction

The Cardinals just took two of three from the Phillies at home, but the Phillies have been in a slide in general lately, while the Cubs have been hot. That should be enough for the Cubs to take two of three here.

Up next

The Cubs host their crosstown rivals, the White Sox, in a three-game series at Wrigley Field beginning Monday evening.

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (61-55) won 4-1 (BOX SCORE)

Alexander started for Sugar Land and pitched well allowing one run over 6 innings while striking out 8. The offense got on the board in the 6th inning on RBI doubles from Brooks and Cole. In the 7th, Alexander added a 2 run double to extend the lead. The bullpen was solid tossing 3 scoreless innings as they closed out the 4-1 win.

Note: Alexander has a .882 OPS this season.

• Ray Delgado, 3B: 1-for-5, R, 2 SB
• Joey Loperfido, DH: 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB
• CJ Alexander, 1B: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI
• Trenton Brooks, LF: 1-for-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB
• Zach Cole, RF: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
• Braden Shewmake, SS: 1-for-4, 2B

• Jason Alexander, RHP: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (WIN)
• Kai-Wei Teng, RHP: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (SAVE)

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (52-59) lost 5-1 (BOX SCORE)

Gillis started for the Hooks and allowed a run retiring just two batters before being pulled. He was relieved by Swanson who allowed 3 runs over one inning of work. The offense got on the board in the 4th inning on a Janek RBI double. The bullpen allowed another run and the offense was unable to score again as the Hooks fell 5-1.

Note: Santos has a 3.60 ERA this season.

• Trevor Austin, LF: 2-for-4, R, SB
• Walker Janek, DH: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, SB
• Jason Schiavone, C: 0-for-3, BB, SB

• Brett Gillis, RHP: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• Nic Swanson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
• Alex Santos II, RHP: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
• Jose Guedez, RHP: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
• Amilcar Chirinos, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
• Hudson Leach, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

A+: Asheville Tourists (37-72) lost 8-3 (BOX SCORE)

Asheville got on the board in the first inning on a Thomas lead-off home run. After the Emperors scored two runs in the second inning, Asheville responded with one on a Powell RBI single. Shoemaker tossed two hitless innings as the starter, but allowed two runs as he walked five. Cruz struggled in relief allowing 5 runs over 2.2 innings. Asheville got a run back in the 7th on a Powell RBI single but that was it as Asheville fell 8-3.

Note: Thomas has a .869 OPS this season.

• Justin Thomas, CF: 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB
• Caden Powell, LF: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
• Anthony Huezo, RF: 2-for-5, 2B
• Jack Moss, 1B: 2-for-4, SB
• Freuddy Batista, DH: 1-for-2, 2 BB
• John Garcia, C: 2-for-4, R, 2B, 2 SB
• Hector Salas, 3B: 1-for-3, R, BB, SB

• Adam Shoemaker, LHP: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
• Anthony Cruz, RHP: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
• Grayson Saunier, RHP: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Francisco Frias, RHP: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (56-52) won 7-4 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning scoring two runs on a Luciano 2 run double. They got two more runs in the 2nd inning on a Ramirez RBI single and a run on a fielder’s choice. Verdugo got the start and pitched well, allowing three runs, two earned, over 5.1 innings while striking out six. The offense responded with three runs in the bottom of the 6th inning on a walk to Ramirez and two runs scoring on wild pitches. The bullpen was solid allowing one run over 3.2 innings as they closed out the 7-4 win.

Note: Fielder is hitting .278 with the Woodpeckers.

• Kam Durnin, SS: 2-for-5, R, SB
• Logan Hughes, LF: 1-for-3, R, 2 BB, SB
• Waner Luciano, 3B: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
• Carlos Cauro, C: 1-for-3, R, BB
• Ben Tryon, 1B: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
• Jadyn Fielder, RF: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2B, BB
• German Ramirez, SS: 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB
• Aaron Piasecki, DH: 0-for-3, RBI, BB

• Ryan Verdugo, RHP: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (WIN)
• Carson Estridge, RHP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Brady Thomas, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• Brandon Cassedy, RHP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Jackson Nezuh – 7:05 CT

CC: TBD – 6:35 CT

AV: Kellan Oakes – 5:35 CT

FV: TBD – 6:05 CT

Worcester Red Sox 10, Buffalo Bisons 3 (BOX)

The Woo Sox pounded out 10 runs and 13 hits on Thursday night in an emphatic victory over the Bisons (TOR). Franklin Arias led the way with three hits, three runs, two RBI, and his fourth home run at Worcester. He has 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 90 games combined in the minor leagues this season.

The chirping is getting louder on social media, asking for Arias to get the call in 2026. Unfortunately, with the looming lockout, it’s difficult to see top prospects who are not on the 40-man roster getting the call this season. Minor leaguers will still be able to play next year if the lockout spills into the season, and Arias doesn’t need to be protected from the Rule Five draft until after 2027.

I know that we don’t shout out the Triple-A players in their thirties too often, but it’s easy to forget how recently Mickey Gasper played a significant role with the major league team. Gasper had two doubles and an RBI on Thursday, and his slash line in 233 plate appearances at Worcester this year is .340/.451/.571, with a 161 wRC+. The guy shows up for work every day and will be ready for the call when needed. I expect to see him hitting .300 somewhere at the age of 40.

Kristian Campbell also had a couple of doubles to stay hot, and Nathan Hickey had two hits, three RBI, and finished the game on the mound (allowing two runs).

Gage Ziehl (1-0, 0.00) will get his second start since being promoted to Worcester on Friday at 6:45.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 6, Portland Sea Dogs 2 (BOX)

I’ve looked at quite a few line scores in my day. It’s not often that I see a “6” in the final column of a professional baseball game.

That seems suboptimal when trying to win a ballgame. Believe it or not, five of the six Binghamton (NYM) runs were unearned, with starter Hayden Mullins allowing one earned over five innings and striking out eight. Miguel Bleis and Johanfran Garcia each hit solo homers, with Brooks Brannon contributing three doubles on the day.

The Sea Dogs have yet to name a starter on Friday at 6:00.

Hub City Spartanburgers 6, Greenville Drive 3 (BOX)

The Drive were never really in this one, as the Spartanburgers (TEX) went out to a 6-0 lead after six innings. Starter Jacob Mayers allowed one earned run over 3 2/3 innings but was saddled with the loss.

DH Ronny Hernandez homered in the loss, his twelfth, and had both of the team’s RBI. Yophery Rodriguez contributed two hits as well.

Jason Gilman (0-1, 5.40) gets the ball on Friday at 7:05.

Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Salem RidgeYaks 3 (BOX)

The RidgeYaks got off to a tough start against the Shorebirds (BAL), who tallied five runs in the bottom of the first to chase starter Williams Montero from the game. Reliever Berny Ortiz calmed things down in relief, throwing 3 1/3 shutout innings.

At the dish, Andruw Musett had two doubles and three RBI, accounting for all three of the Salem runs on the day.

On Friday, Leighton Finley (6-4, 4.87) will take the mound at 7:05.

Major League Baseball officially awarded the 2028 All-Star Game to Oracle Park in San Francisco, diverting from its loosely rotational plan of taking the Midsummer Classic from city to city to facilitate the possible use of its players in the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The game returns to San Francisco for the first time since 2007, and commissioner Rob Manfred has acknowledged the relatively quick return to the Bay Area for the big game would boost the chances MLB players could toggle from the All-Star break to the Summer Games in Los Angeles, with the baseball portion held at Dodger Stadium.

Creating a multiple-week block of high-ratings exhibition baseball will result in a longer midseason shutdown, but players have expressed interest in participating in Olympic ball. Their participation has become a bargaining point in negotiations with the league ahd the MLB Players' Association during collective bargaining talks.

This will mark the fourth All-Star Game in San Francisco, with the first two held at Candlestick Park. The 2027 game will be at Chicago's Wrigley Field, while Toronto, Baltimore and Boston have expressed significant interest in hosting games in the near future.

A season after the Mets (and every other team but the White Sox) passed on slugging Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami, New York is showing interest in reigning NPB MVP Teruaki Sato.

The Mets are "scouting and considering" Sato, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. 

It hasn't yet been confirmed that the star third baseman will be posted by the Hanshin Tigers this offseason, but Jorge Castillo of ESPN reported in May that teams are "preparing" for Sato to be available.

Sato, 27, hit .278/.345/.579 with 40 home runs, 34 doubles, and 102 RBI in 139 games in 2025 for Hanshin.

He's taken it up a notch this season, slashing .318/.404/.622 with 27 homers and 28 doubles in 103 games, though he has struck out 116 times.

Sato would very likely have to slide over to first base in a world where he lands in Queens and Bo Bichette doesn't opt out of his contract.

New York's current in-house options at first base for next season include Jared Young and Jorge Polanco. But Polanco has been abysmal at the plate this season, with his Achilles issue limiting him to DH duties since he returned from the IL.

Regarding Bichette, he has opt-outs after this season and the 2027 season. However, it's difficult to envision him exercising it this offseason, with him set to get an AAV of $42 million in both 2027 and 2028.

Bichette has been a lot better since his tough start, hitting .307/.349/.458 (.807 OPS) with seven homers and 11 doubles in 232 plate appearances dating back to June 11. But his OPS for the year is still just .690.

As far as Sato, Heyman notes that the Yankees, Dodgers, and Phillies are also "linked" to him.

Sato continued his huge season on Thursday night, when he crushed a 480-foot homer.

Teruaki Sato destroys a 480 ft MOONSHOT 🚀

111.9 mph off the bat for his 24th bomb 💣 pic.twitter.com/2L2hDxEI3k

— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) August 11, 2026

It was a day of high-scoring wins across the three highest levels of the Dodgers minor league system and a blowout loss for the Tower Buzzers.

Player of the Day

It had been a while since the name of James Tibbs III was mentioned in the running for Player of the Day. Yet here he is once again, the standout player in the Comets’ blowout win at home, hitting two home runs.

Tibbs hadn’t hit multiple long shots in the same game since the end of May, and with his four RBI, the corner outfielder moved to a team-leading 88 on the season.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

In one game, James Tibbs III hit more home runs (2) than he had since the start of July, commanding a great Comets effort in a 9-to-3 win over the Isotopes. Also pitching in on the power department, Zach Ehrhard and Ryan Ward both left the yard in this win.

Settling in nicely after nearly two years away from the mound, Gavin Stone was terrific, with a solo homer being the only hit he allowed in three innings of work, punching out five. Kyle Hurt and Ben Casparius also had scoreless appearances, with the former earning the win.

Double-A Tulsa

Capitalizing on big rallies of seven and four runs in the third and sixth innings, respectively, the Drillers beat the Travelers 11 to 8 despite getting out-homered two to nothing. Elijah Hainline was a key factor in both of those innings, driving in three runs, including a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth.

Tulsa starter Zach Root’s six earned runs allowed were the most he has had all season long, coughing up a 7-1 lead alongside reliever Myles Caba. However, Carson Hobbs, Kelvin Ramirez, and Lucas Wepf were able to shut things down in the backend of the bullpen with a combined 5.1 scoreless innings to give the offense enough time to retake the lead.

High-A Great Lakes

Scoring seven of their eight runs in the first two innings, the Loons built enough of a cushion early on to earn the win over the Cubs. Leadoff hitter Charles Davalan started things off with a solo shot and added another one in the fourth, the only two homers that the Loons hit.

Adjusting well to his time in High-A, Mairo Martinus was another key performer offensively with a pair of doubles—the only Loons player with multiple RBI besides Davalan. Across two levels this season, Martinus has a .890 OPS in 102 games.

The Cubs slowly but surely built a comeback effort against Sterling Patick and Justin Chambers, but Davis Chastain got the job done in the ninth to earn the save, his fifth of the season.

Single-A Ontario

When your leadoff hitter strikes out three times in just four at-bats, that’s probably a sign of a struggling offensive effort, such as it was in the Tower Buzzers’ 10-2 loss against the Quakes. Ontario’s offense was dominated by starter Derek Clark, who struck out 12 through seven innings of two-run ball.

Take the contributions of Brayan Vergara to close the game as well, and the Tower Buzzers struck out 17 times. On a positive note, though, Joendry Vargas left the yard for his 10th homer of the season; no surprise it was a solo shot given the Tower Buzzers’ offensive struggles in this one.

Transactions

The Loons activated catcher Anson Aroz off the injured list and placed right-hander Hyun-Seok Jang on the IL. The Tower Buzzers activated right-hander Mason Estrada off the IL. The Dodgers sent righties Jonathan Hernández and Landon Knack to Triple-A, and the Comets were also assigned catcher Chadwick Tromp.

Thursday’s scores

• Oklahoma City 9, Albuquerque 3
• Tulsa 11, Arkansas 8
• Great Lakes 8, South Bend 6
• Rancho Cucamonga 10, Ontario 2

Friday’s schedule

• 4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Isaac Ayon) vs. South Bend (Alfredo Romero)
• 5:00 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Luke Fox) vs. Arkansas (Kade Anderson)
• 5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Tyler Glasnow) vs. Albuquerque (Mason Adams)
• 6:30 p.m. PT: Ontario (TBD) at Rancho Cucamonga (Mikey Cascino)

Entering the season, the Athletics hoped to take the next step toward division and playoff contention. The team got off to a promising start, spending a couple of weeks atop the American League West. However, the Green and Gold could never break free from a .500 record. That proved to be the high point of the season, as everything has gone downhill since.

From the middle of June, the club has nosedived to the bottom of the league, seemingly unable to escape a nightmare of its own making. A horrid pitching staff, coupled with injuries to several of the A’s key position players, has doomed the Green and Gold to another frustrating and embarrassing campaign.

In the modern era, the worst run differential belongs to the 2025 Colorado Rockies, who finished at −424. It would not be surprising if the 47-74 A’s came close to that mark—or even their own franchise record of -339, set by the 2023 club. Entering this weekend’s series against the Texas Rangers, the A’s have an MLB-worst -180 run differential.

Outfielder Carlos Cortes has pitched eight times this season, a testament to how often the A’s have found themselves down double-digit runs. Half of the team’s bullpen consists of guys claimed off other teams’ waiver wires, which helps explain why the group has posted the worst ERA in the majors.

Right-hander Luis Severino signed the largest free-agent contract in A’s history two winters ago, a decision that has turned into a bust. He spent last season complaining about his working conditions. This year, Severino has barely been able to work, as he has been sidelined since late May with a shoulder injury and shows no signs of returning anytime soon.

Speaking of right-handers with electric stuff, the team has also failed to unlock Luis Morales’ potential. The Cuban native showed his immense ability in his MLB debut last year but has struggled to replicate that success this season, both in the majors and at Triple-A.

The problems go beyond the players on the field. The Tampa Bay Rays have a lower payroll than the A’s, yet have the best record in the sport. While the A’s have fallen behind in the analytics and baseball development stuff because of owner John Fisher’s penny-pinching ways, the Rays have continued to invest in those areas to compete with bigger-market clubs.

That is why the club must not only hire the right general manager this offseason but also give that person the resources to bolster this roster by any means necessary. Hopefully, the two sides will figure out a new CBA deal in time to have a full 2027 baseball season. The Athletics need to show signs of progress next year. After everything the remaining A’s fans have endured, they deserve to cheer for a winning, playoff-contending team before this Sacramento era ends.

A’s Coverage: 

• The A’s expected to be better than this by now – here are 3 ways to fix them
• A’s Swept Again in 8-4 Series Finale Loss
• Athletics Outright Jonathan Ornelas
• Perkins confident he can be the pitcher he wants to be in season’s final weeks
• Pair of Waiver Claims Could Become Key Pieces of A’s Bullpen
• A’s Blown Out By Rays 12-4
• Wilson’s errorless streak survives a scare after further review
• Why The New GM Needs To “Clean House”
• Almost Everything Has Gone Wrong for the Athletics
• Feinstein discusses new role as A’s interim GM
• Sage-burning A’s cope with departure of GM as spiraling season continues
• Mason Edwards Headlines Athletics’ Pitching Play In 2026 Draft
• Late Comeback Helps A’s Beat Red Sox 4-3
• Athletics Claim Taylor Rashi
• A Seemingly Rock Bottomless Glass
• MLB Trade Grades: A’s Have Quiet Trade Deadline
• A’s Top Prospect Jamie Arnold Sets Career High in One of His Best Double-A Starts
• A’s First-Round Pick Drew Burress Already Showing Prodigious Power in Single-A
• Fustercluck 2026: The Real Reasons For A Disappointing Season
• Signs Of Hope And Signs Of Hopeless
• Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko says feeling in his legs returning
• Cuban’s investment group purchases minority stake in Athletics
• Chan Ho Park joins A’s group; 1st Korean to buy stake in MLB club

MLB News and Interest:

• NEW Top 100 and Top 30 Prospects lists are here!
• Everything to know about tonight’s MLB at Field of Dreams Game on Netflix
• Benches clear, Martin ejected after hitting Stewart in the helmet with a pitch
• Buster Posey’s Giants legacy is on the line as adulation is shifting to anger
• Reds’ Greene could miss 2027 season after Tommy John surgery
• Paul Skenes exits after 65 pitches amid latest velocity drop
• MLB Farm System Midseason Talent Rankings For August 2026
• Tigers Place Riley Greene On Injured List
• Blue Jays claim Paul Sewald after veteran DFA’d by Diamondbacks
• Freeman smiles through ‘total body soreness’ after scary tumble into opposing dugout
• Alex Bregman’s first 3-homer game helps Cubs rout Nationals
• Yandy Díaz Reaches Vesting Option Threshold
• Rays, Jorge Mateo Agree To Major League Deal
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

A’s minor-league left-handed pitcher Corey Braun and outfielder Breyson Guedez are two players standing out at the lower levels of the A’s farm system.

This season has taken an unfortunate but predictable turn for the worse. Hopefully the A’s can turn things around and start winning more games during the final stretch.

What a special scene. Imagine the Athletics playing in a showcase game like this one year.

The Braves have a quartet of solid pitchers going on Thursday night, and Davis Polo topped the bunch by completing 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven batters. Polo has had a wonderful season in returning from Tommy John surgery and has been one of the best pitchers in the system for the past month and a half, and has earned a breakout status amongst prospects.

(59-57) Gwinnett Stripers 3, (41-74) Norfolk Tides 2

Box Score

Statcast

• Brett Wisely, SS: 2-4, BB, RBI, .275/.393/.412
• Patrick Clohisy, RF: 3-5, .413/.481/.620
• Owen Murphy, SP: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 3.52 ERA
• Rolddy Munoz, RP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 3.35 ERA

Owen Murphy had a solid final line against the Norfolk Tides on Thursday night, though he may have gotten away with more than better lineups in the league would have let him. Murphy’s fastball was the only reliable weapon he had throughout the game as he was scattered with all of his pitches, missing dangerously high on secondaries and finding a way to get away with it throughout the evening. The one exception was a changeup he left glove side and up to a left-handed hitter that got hit for a solo home run. For the second straight outing Murphy’s average fastball velocity was a little bit down from where it has been for most of the season, but the numbers are still within his normal range and he held velocity into the fifth inning with a drop in the sixth that was only represented by two pitches. For Murphy those secondaries up in the strike zone can work given his fastball-heavy approach, as hitters expecting fastballs may get fooled by non-fastballs dropping, and his slider did put up a good performance throughout this game. However this was a case of Murphy missing his spots with every pitch and only getting a few nice fastballs in there at the top or just above the zone. As mentioned in the last recap of Murphy’s outing he deserves some leniency for the rest of the season given how much of a jump in his workload he has faced this season, and he’s held up remarkably well to that as most pitchers have more setbacks.

Gwinnett got most of their offense out of the way early and then went quiet on the scoreboard despite scattering hits throughout the game. Patrick Clohisy was unsurprisingly a major contributor, punching a one out single the opposite way in the third inning that kicked off their biggest rally. The Stripers strung together three singles with two outs, capped by a bloop hit to score Rowdy Tellez from second base, and took an early 2-1 lead that held until Murphy coughed up that home run. Gwinnett managed 13 hits despite only getting three hard hits balls in the game, but it was one of those days that the ball was falling even if they couldn’t come through in the later innings against the bullpen. Clohisy had three hits himself all without getting a hard hit ball, though in his first two at bats against the Tides starter he showed a great approach even if he didn’t hit the ball solidly. His last matchup against the starter was much uglier as he swung at two breaking balls that bounced before chipping one the opposite way off the end of the bat for an out. Clohisy looks lost on sliders below the zone right now regardless of if it’s a lefty or righty on the mound, but is getting enough of them in the strike zone and making contact that he’s finding an avenue to success. After both sides went scoreless in the tenth inning it came down to Luke Williams for the Stripers in the 11th inning, which didn’t bode well for Gwinnett. Williams came into the at-bat with four strikeouts and nine whiffs on the day, then fell down 0-2 after swinging through two straight fastballs. Williams then somehow put this horrendous day behind him and hit a hanging slider for a single, driving home the go ahead run. Bailey Falter struck out the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the 11th, then forced a fly ball right at Clohisy to end the game.

Swing and Misses

Owen Murphy – 11

(51-55) Columbus Clingstones 6, (45-66) Birmingham Barons 7

Box Score

• John Gil, SS: 2-4, BB, .294/.375/.353
• Eric Hartman, LF: 2-5, RBI, .200/.349/.229
• Owen Carey, RF: 1-4, 2B, .219/.342/.438
• Brett Sears, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 3.55 ERA

It was the first game for the Clingstones that Gil, Hartman, and Carey all put it together at once, but in the end it was still not enough for the pitching staff to hold onto the lead. I say they all put it together, but it was still not a great day from Owen Carey. Carey had a great swing in the fourth inning and split the gap for a double that ended up being a huge hit in the game. Carson Taylor followed it up by driving in both runners to put Columbus on top, but that was the end of the good hitting from Carey. He struck out swinging in his other three at bats, and strikeouts have been an issue for him since being called up. Strikeouts have been a bit elevated for all three, which I supposed is to be expected for making the transition to Double-A the first time. Gil has been the best of the three in that regard which isn’t a surprise given their relative histories offensively, and he has come along nicely with six hits in his last four games. Gil hasn’t really had a signature performance but has consistently gotten on base at a high clip, with him failing to get on at least one time only once in the nine Double-A games he has played. Gil pulled a couple of line drives hard in this game, and even though he’s not elevating as well as he did in Rome he has maintained his pace of hitting a ton of line drives and giving himself chances for hits. Gil had a big one in the top of the ninth inning with Columbus trailing by four runs with two outs, and that helped set the stage for a late rally. Hartman followed that up with his best hit when he laced a single to center to score Dalton McIntyre, and Jordan Groshans delivered with the Clingstone’s biggest hit. Groshan’s reached for a slider and muscled a three-run home run out to left field, tying the game up at six runs apiece.

What was a bad final line for Brett Sears really boils down to a terrible single inning of work after four innings of slicing through the Birmingham lineup. Sears started out shaky with a walk and a hit batter to lead off the first inning, but after that he locked it down and carried momentum over the next four innings. Sears was a little bit less fine with his pitches than he was in his great stretch during July, but commanded the ball well until he didn’t anymore. Sears hit two batters and walked two others in the fifth inning, gave up a double on a slider thrown in about as bad a location as you can put one, and ended up allowing three runs in the fifth inning to give Birmingham the lead. Sears lost every bit of touch he had in an instant, and wasted a solid outing. In the tenth inning LJ McDonough had the unfortunate task of trying to strand the runner at second after the offense failed to score, and he lost it in one of the worst ways possible. McDonough got his outs and had a chance to end the game, but threw two wild pitches that let the Barons runner advance in to score and win the game.

Swing and Misses

Brett Sears – 13

Anderson Pilar – 9

Samuel Strickland – 5

(52-55) Rome Emperors 8, (37-72) Asheville Tourists 3

Box Score

• Luis Guanipa, CF: 1-5, 2B, BB, 3 RBI, .186/.205/.326
• Conor Essenburg, RF: 0-4, BB, .176/.317/.294
• Alex Lodise, SS: 0-3, BB, HBP, .264/.394/.415
• Zach Royse, SP: 6 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 4.62 ERA

The Emperors faced off against an old friend in Adam Shoemaker, who reminded us of the good old days by walking five batters in two innings. He started the game off with a strikeout of Luis Guanipa, and while he did chase out of the strike zone it was a solid at-bat and Shoemaker has a great slider that is tough for any batter when he locates. Guanipa also got a called second strike in the at bat on a borderline slider down and in and probably felt he had to protect that spot. Conor Essenburg then fought a ball into right field and was robbed of a hit by a diving play and Alex Lodise drew a two-out walk. After a defensive lapse allowed Dixon Williams on base the Emperors had a chance to get a run early, but a shoestring catch on a hard hit liner from Cody Miller ended the inning. In the second inning Shoemaker ran out of charm, and walked four hitters including a free pass to Guanipa that forced home the first Rome run. Essenburg smoked a ball in the fourth inning that got tracked out for a fly out, and had a walk later in the game. So despite a hitless game Essenburg looked solid at the plate and had the contact to make a bigger contribution even if it didn’t show in the stat line. Alex Lodise didn’t have a particularly great day at the plate but had a fly out to the wall in the fifth inning and yet again no strikeouts. Lodise has had a couple of rough games in a row but continues to have infinitely more success at hitting breaking balls both in and out of the strike zone. Guanipa had one of his best days in terms of seeing the ball at the plate. He had that strikeout in the first but overall made the right decisions on when to swing and hit a ball hard off of the wall the other way for a double. But there are also at bats like in the fourth inning where I truly don’t understand what he is trying to do. A first pitch slider up in the strike zone is a great pitch to swing at, but pushing it the other way on the ground with a slow swing is not it and another example of the complaints I’ve had with him lately. Still he has had some hard hit balls the last few games which is a good sign for him, so I’m hoping this is the start of an upward trajectory for him.

Zach Royse was not quite his normal self in this game, though despite the unfriendly confines he did just enough to keep this game from being a disaster. Throughout the season Royse has made a pattern of looking good early and hitting a wall later in the game after guys get multiple looks at him, but he didn’t have much of a feel for his command early in this outing. He allowed a run and a walk in each of the first two innings, including a leadoff home run, and he never fully settled into the game. What he did was pound the strike zone after his early struggles, and even if this led to some more hits he made the Tourists batters put the ball in play and got solid work from his defense. By focusing on landing his sinker at the bottom of the strike zone he was able to get quick outs in the middle innings and extend his outing to six innings without allowing another run. It wasn’t clean and he allowed nine hits in the game, but he pitched to what he had working even when his slider wasn’t consistently getting the results he is accustomed to.

Swing and Misses 

Zach Royse – 10

Jarret Whorff – 2

(58-51) Augusta GreenJackets 7, (62-49) Charleston RiverDogs 2

Box Score

• Carter Beck, CF: 1-3, 2 BB, .353/.436/.353
• Junior Tilien, 2B: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, .143/.217/.286
• Davis Polo, SP: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 3.19 ERA

Davis Polo keeps churning out great starts for Augusta, and it’s long since been time for him to move up to Rome and get a challenge. Polo really didn’t have his best stuff early, and the RiverDogs were on his changeup but couldn’t square it up. Polo was very predictable with his sequences and locations this outing, which isn’t really anything shocking at this level, and early on he had some high misses with the changeup that limited how much he was able to get whiffs on the pitch. Everything else was working, but with a heavy lefty lineup and Polo’s reliance on his changeup that made it hard for him to get ideal results early in the game. As he settled in that pitch really started to fade below the zone or off the plate arm side and he was churning through this lineup. It was some of the best command he’s shown in any start over the final four innings or so, with him able to hit the sinker at the bottom of the zone and tunnel the changeup off of that, or move the fastball high in the strike zone to get whiffs there as well. His slider didn’t feature as much, but when he did have a righty up he pitched well with it and didn’t make any mistakes up with the pitch. There’s only positives to take out of this for Polo. The sequencing thing is a coaching decision to help guys at this level develop, and in terms of execution Polo did his job.

This lineup has become an older group of guys quite quickly, which has robbed which has robbed it of the consistent intrigue it had prior to this month. The major exception is Carter beck who got on base three times and stole three bases. Beck didn’t even have to take his bat off of his shoulder for his two walks and has been dicing fastballs all across the field for his hits. Beck hasn’t looked to pull the ball in the air as much as I expected and most of his results are coming against fastballs right now, though we’re still well in small sample territory. 15th round pick Caleb Klein had a three hit game to add to a magical start to his professional career. Klein has been a bit of a whiff machine early on, but everything he has made contact with has found a hole somewhere and he has four multi-hit games in six appearances.

Swing and Misses

Davis Polo – 15

Yander Pinero – 5

This is a series that, on paper, is not setting up well for the Orioles. Their underwhelming performance of late has dropped them to the bottom of the AL East, though they are still within two games of the final wild card spot. Meanwhile, the Rays have surged to a nine-game winning streak that has them 6.5 games clear of the Yankees in the division, and well atop the junior circuit at large.

These four games will be played in St. Petersburg, where the Rays have been dominant all season long. They own a 41-18 record at home, the best mark in the sport. The Orioles, on the other hand, are 26-33 on the road and 27-28 against teams above .500.

Tampa’s offense comes into this series on fire. They just scored 30 runs in their three-game sweep of the Athletics, though that came on the heels of a stretch where they failed to score more than four runs in four consecutive games. Offense is not the team’s ultimate strength. They are 13th in MLB in runs scored on the year, but several of their big names have succeeded in August, including Chandler Simpson (161 wRC+ since August 1), Junior Caminero (153 wRC+), Jonathan Aranda (124 wRC+), and Yandy Díaz (111 wRC+).

The goal for the Orioles must be to get to the Rays bullpen sooner than later. The unit’s 4.46 ERA since the start of August ranks 24th in MLB, and many of their peripheral numbers are similarly subpar. They could get a boost this weekend with a return of the injured Manuel Rodríguez, who is yet to pitch this year and has already appeared in seven rehab games. Old friend Cole Sulser may also return from back spams, which put him on the shelf at the end of July. For what it’s worth, Tyler Wells has thrown 4.1 scoreless innings so far as a Ray while Bryan Baker has been one of the league’s best closers (1.55 ERA, 34 saves) this season

Adding to the uncertainty of this series is the Orioles pitching situation. They are yet to announce any of their starters for the series. That indicates that a roster move is coming, likely involving Chris Bassitt. The 37-year-old has made three rehab starts, including six shutout innings on August 7. It seems like he will start the opener of this series, but that has not been confirmed yet.

Game 1: Friday, August 14th, 7:10 p.m., MASN

TBD vs. LHP Steven Matz (5-4, 5.46 ERA)

Bassitt has not pitched in a major league game since June 3. His time with the Orioles has been a struggle. He has a 5.27 ERA over 12 appearances and 56.1 innings. He has been sharper during his minor league rehab games, and seems eager to help the team get back into contention. The team’s positive outlook on his health is likely what made the trade of Dean Kremer easier to pull off.

Matz will serve as the opener here. He has not thrown more than two innings in an appearance since late May, and this will be his first start at all since June 2. He has been quite good recently, allowing no runs over his last six appearances. That has dropped his season ERA from 6.29 to to 5.46.

Game 2: Saturday, August 15th, 6:10 p.m., MASN

TBD vs. LHP Ian Seymour (9-3, 4.08 ERA)

This would be Kyle Bradish’s turn in the rotation. He bounced back from a tough start against the Phillies to allow just one earned run over six innings in a tough luck loss to the Rangers. He has already made two starts against the Rays, both back in May. He served up three earned runs over 11.1 innings back then.

Seymour has been a useful piece that Kevin Cash has moved between the rotation and the bullpen several times this year. He has a 4.43 ERA as a starter and a 3.81 ERA as a reliever and has improved as the season has worn on. He has appeared in three games against the O’s this year, tossing 4.1 total innings without allowing an earned run.

Game 3: Sunday, August 16th, 12:15 p.m., Peacock

TBD vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (5-9, 5.33 ERA)

This will probably be a Trevor Rogers start, though it remains to be confirmed. The lefty has labored a bit recently. Over his last three starts he has allowed 11 runs (eight earned) over 16 innings. But his peripherals are good. In those same 16 innings he has struck out 19, walked two, and only given up 15 hits. His FIP of 3.08 may be a better reflection than his 4.50 ERA over that stretch.

Peralta had a tough time with the Mets, and things haven’t gotten any better with the Rays. He has allowed 10 runs, all earned, over 9.2 innings in his two starts with the new club. His top line stats are worse than all of his expected numbers, but he has still been nowhere near the Cy Young level he pitched at in Milwaukee. The Rays probably aren’t too worried about it right now as long as he trends up closer to October.

Game 4: Monday, August 17th, 6:05 p.m., MASN

TBD vs. TBD

This is a wraparound series that ends on Monday. Neither team has announced a starter for the finale.

How many games do you think the Orioles will win in this series? Let us know in the comments.