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Red Sox prospects update: ‘The Password' making a name for himself

Red Sox prospects update: ‘The Password' making a name for himself originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox farm system still has plenty of promising young talent outside of Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer.

Several players have emerged as candidates to take over the No. 1 spot in Boston’s prospect rankings once Anthony and Mayer officially graduate. Among them are slugging outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and middle infielder Franklin Arias, who both have worked their way into Baseball America’s most recent Top 100 list.

Who else could contend for that top spot? Who are the most intriguing pitchers in the minors? And who’s knocking on the door of the majors?

Learn more about the new-look top 10 Red Sox prospects (via MLB Pipeline) below:

1. Roman Anthony, OF

2025 stats: .288/.423/.491, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 51 BB, 56 SO (58 games at Triple-A Worcester); .193/.324/.333, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 10 BB, 17 SO (18 games for Boston)

Roman Anthony has finally arrived. And although the above MLB numbers don’t jump off the page, they don’t tell the whole story of his first taste of the big leagues.

Anthony, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, has hit the ball hard in many of his plate appearances so far with Boston. He started to find the gaps more during the Red Sox’ series against the Toronto Blue Jays, going 6-for-13 at the plate with three doubles. He recorded his first career three-hit game on Saturday.

It feels like Anthony’s breakout is imminent. Don’t be surprised if he surges into the American League Rookie of the Year conversation by the season’s end.

2. Marcelo Mayer, INF

2025 stats: .271/.347/.471, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 20 BB, 38 SO (43 games at Triple-A Worcester); .208/.262/.429, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB, 26 SO (27 games for Boston)

Like Anthony, Mayer is hitting the ball hard when he makes contact. However, he has struggled more than his fellow top prospect in the swing-and-miss department.

Still, Mayer has looked the part so far in the majors. His left-handed power has been on display with four homers thus far, including two in one game against Tampa Bay:

Mayer’s silky smooth infield defense has been the most impressive part of his game. The 22-year-old has perennial Gold Glove candidate written all over him.

3. Franklin Arias, SS

2025 stats: .302/.353/.410, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 20 BB, 27 SO (19 games at Low-A Salem, 45 games at High-A Greenville)

MLB ETA: 2027

Arias’ bat cooled off considerably in June. The promising 19-year-old slashed .169/.228/.265 this month after hitting .404/.438/.576 in May.

It’s likely a minor blip on the radar for Arias, who has emerged as a candidate for the No. 1 spot in Boston’s prospect rankings once Anthony and Mayer officially graduate. With elite bat-to-ball skills and impressive middle-infield defense, Arias looks like the real deal.

“He’s a really exciting prospect,” SoxProspects.com’s Ian Cundall said in a recent conversation with NBC Sports Boston. “He’s someone that, what really stands out is the hit tool. He’s arguably the best pure hitter in the system. … When you see him play, he’s just on base every time. He puts the ball in play, he gets on base.”

4. Luis Perales, RHP

2025 stats: N/A

MLB ETA: 2027

Perales has begun a throwing program after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. The 22-year-old flamethrower has tremendous top-of-the-rotation upside, but it remains to be seen if he’ll have the same stuff when he returns from injury.

5. Jhostynxon Garcia, OF

2025 stats: .275/.359/.486, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 33 BB, 67 SO (33 games at Double-A Portland, 33 games at Triple-A Worcester)

MLB ETA: 2026

Garcia, perfectly nicknamed “The Password,” has taken over for Anthony and Mayer as the star in Worcester. The 22-year-old slugger was promoted to Triple-A in mid-May and has done nothing but rake since, slashing .292/.363/.569 with nine homers and 23 RBI in 33 games for the WooSox.

Major League Baseball has recognized Garcia’s performance by naming him to the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. He will be Boston’s lone representative at the July 13 event in Atlanta.

6. James Tibbs III, OF

2025 stats: .246/.374/.452, 12 HR, 32 RBI, 48 BB, 57 SO (57 games at High-A Eugene, 11 games at Triple-A Worcester)

MLB ETA: 2027

The Red Sox acquired Tibbs from the San Francisco Giants as part of the Rafael Devers trade. The 22-year-old outfielder was picked 13th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, one slot behind the Red Sox’ selection of outfielder Braden Montgomery, who was sent to the Chicago White Sox in the offseason deal for Garrett Crochet.

Tibbs was red-hot with 12 homers in High-A before joining the Red Sox organization, but he has yet to find his groove at Double-A Portland. That’s likely to change soon as the former Florida State standout boasts impressive power that has been showcased for most of his collegiate and professional career.

7. Yoeilin Cespedes, SS/2B

2025 stats: .236/.288/.391, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 19 BB, 55 SO (60 games at Low-A Salem)

MLB ETA: 2028

Cespedes looked outstanding last year in rookie ball before suffering a season-ending hand injury. The 19-year-old hasn’t been able to find consistency at the plate since, though he has shown flashes of his potential with 13 doubles, four triples, and five homers this year in Low-A.

8. Dorian Soto, SS

2025 stats: .382/.413/.574, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 5 BB, 11 SO (18 games at Dominican Summer League)

MLB ETA: 2029

The Red Sox signed Soto — no relation to Juan Soto — as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in January. Now 17, the talented infielder is tearing the cover off the ball in the Dominican Summer League.

Soto is a switch-hitting shortstop listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, and he’s likely not done growing yet. If he lives up to his lofty potential in the minors, we could see Soto inside the top five Red Sox prospect rankings in no time.

9. David Sandlin, RHP

2025 stats: 4-3, 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 21 BB, 69 SO (13 appearances, including 11 starts at Double-A Portland)

MLB ETA: 2026

Sandlin has only gotten better as the season has gone on in Portland. The hard-throwing righty has allowed just one hit and zero runs across his last 10 innings of work.

Sandlin has a 2.18 ERA over his last six outings (five starts). It’s all starting to come together for the promising 24-year-old, who arrived via the John Schreiber trade with the Kansas City Royals in 2024.

10. Connelly Early, LHP

2025 stats: 6-1, 1.94 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 24 BB, 81 SO (12 appearances, including nine starts at Double-A Portland)

MLB ETA: 2026

Early has been one of the breakout stars of Boston’s farm system this year. The 23-year-old southpaw has made it look easy at Double-A, including during a brilliant performance Sunday in which he tossed six no-hit innings with seven strikeouts.

Early’s stellar outing earned him Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors. It may not be long before he earns a well-deserved promotion to Triple-A.

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Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski, Chase Burns part of an influx of talented young pitchers in the NL Central

Chase Burns arrived in the big leagues with a flourish, striking out the first five hitters he faced for Cincinnati in his debut against the New York Yankees.

He’s just the latest young pitcher in the NL Central to show his impressive potential.

Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, of course, finished third in the National League Cy Young race as a rookie last year. More recently, Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski threw 11 straight hitless innings to start his career and then beat Skenes in a head-to-head matchup. Now Burns, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, has reached the majors, and Skenes could have some help in his own rotation whenever Bubba Chandler — MLB Pipeline’s No. 2-ranked prospect — is promoted to the Pirates.

These pitchers have given the NL Central quite a shot in the arm after the Chicago Cubs have appeared in control of the division at various points. Milwaukee has won 22 of its last 31 and trails the Cubs by just two games now. Cincinnati has won 14 of its last 21. Even the last-place Pirates have played better than .500 baseball for over a month, and they just swept three straight from the New York Mets by a combined score of 30-4.

Four teams in the NL Central are at least four games over .500, and every team has an ERA under 4.00 — the only division that can say that. These young starters, who have joined more established pitchers like Freddy Peralta of the Brewers and Hunter Greene of the Reds, suggest the future is bright in the division — as long as you’re not a hitter.

SF slump

The Giants dropped two of three to the lowly Chicago White Sox immediately after losing three in a row to Miami. San Francisco is now 7 1/2 games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and has gone 4-8 since its big trade for Rafael Devers.

Devers has hit .217 since arriving from the Boston Red Sox.

Trivia time

Washington’s James Wood became the first player since Barry Bonds to be intentionally walked four times in a game. But which Hall of Famer drew five intentional walks in a game in 1990?

Line of the week

Sonny Gray — another NL Central pitcher — was sensational in St. Louis’ 5-0 win over Cleveland, throwing a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Gray had not thrown a complete game since 2017 and hadn’t thrown a shutout since 2015.

Gray did not have a walk, faced one batter over the minimum and threw only 89 pitches.

Comeback of the week

Miami trailed Arizona 7-3 before scoring three runs in the eighth, one in the ninth and one in the top of the 10th to win 8-7. Dane Myers stole second and third in the ninth before scoring the tying run on a sacrifice fly, and Agustín Ramírez put the Marlins ahead in extra innings with an RBI single.

Arizona’s win probability peaked at 97.4% in the bottom of the seventh, according to Baseball Savant.

Honorable mention: Baltimore fell behind 6-0 in the second before blowing out Tampa Bay 22-8. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Orioles became the first American League or National League team to win by at least 14 runs after trailing by six.

Trivia answer

Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs was intentionally walked five times on May 22, 1990, against Cincinnati. The Cubs won that game 2-1 in 16 innings.

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Mets' Jonah Tong and Carson Benge, Yankees' George Lombard Jr. named to 2025 All-Star Futures Game roster

Major League Baseball announced the full National and American League rosters for the 2025 All-Star Futures game, and the Mets and Yankees are well-represented.

For the Mets, starting pitcher Jonah Tong and outfielder Carson Benge will be part of the NL roster, while shortstop George Lombard Jr. will be part of the AL squad.

The 22-year-old Tong is in the midst of an unbelievable season for Double-A Binghamton, pitching to a 1.73 ERA with a ridiculous 115 strikeouts in just 73.0 innings (14.2 strikeouts per nine innings).

Tong pitched 6.2 innings of a combined perfect game for the Rumble Ponies on May 10, and he recently spoke with SNY's Danny Abriano about how his work this past offseason put him in this position, his evolving pitch repertoire, and more.

Benge, the Mets' first-round pick in the 2024 draft, posted an .897 OPS in 60 games for High-A Brooklyn this season before recently getting promoted to Binghamton. The early returns have been pretty solid for the center fielder, who has a .742 OPS over his first five games at the Double-A level.

As for Lombard, the Yankees' 2023 first-round pick was tearing it up for High-A Hudson Valley this season, slashing .329/.495/.488 in 24 games before his promotion to Double-A Somerset.

It's been a bit of an adjustment for Lombard at the next level, with him posting a .660 OPS in 48 games with the Patriots. But the 20-year-old remains one of the most exciting prospects in the Yankees' system, and is the potential shortstop of the future.

Here are the full rosters for the 2025 All-Star Futures Game, which will take place in Atlanta on July 12:

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The Angels have used only five starting pitchers this season. Why that's significant

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, throwing against the Boston Red Sox last week, has anchored a starting rotation that has only used five pitchers so far this season. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)

Kyle Hendricks knows what it takes to make it in Major League Baseball.

The 162-game trek of the regular season is familiar to the 35-year-old Southern California native across his 12-year career. With Joe Maddon as his manager for the first half of his career, Hendricks was provided room to screw up — messing around with his mechanics and pitch arsenal — to become a top-end starting pitcher that helped the Chicago Cubs claim the 2016 World Series.

“It established a lot of confidence in me,” said Hendricks, who started more than 30 games four times in five seasons from 2015-19. “The organization handing you the ball every fifth day, having that confidence in you to give the team a chance to win. That's how you learn.”

Learning has arrived in spades for the Angels pitching staff. The starting rotation owns a 4.22 earned-run average, fostering a crop of middle-of-the-pack pitchers that doesn’t feature a traditional ace, nor former Cy Young Award winners. (The Angels' overall staff ERA of 4.58 ranks 24th in MLB entering Monday.)

But there's something that makes this group stand out from the rest of the league: pitching every fifth day.

Read more:Angels miss chance to move above .500, losing to Nationals

The Halos feature the only pitching staff in baseball to have their season-opening rotation — of Yusei Kikuchi, Jack Kochanowicz, José Soriano, Tyler Anderson and Hendricks — make every start of the season as the All-Star break approaches. The Angels (41-42) set a team record over the weekend for most games to begin a season using no more than five starters, surpassing the mark of 80 games set in 1999.

The only other team close to the Angels? The Tampa Bay Rays, who have used just six pitchers to start — a singular spot start mixed in for the AL East contenders.

As the ulnar collateral ligament epidemic has grown over the last decade — forcing players with elbow injuries under the knife for Tommy John surgery — and as openers and bullpen games have become more normalized in MLB, having the same five pitchers throw every fifth day has become a rarity.

For instance, up the highway at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers have used 13 traditional starting pitchers in 2025.

“That's huge,” catcher Travid d’Arnaud said, adding that it's helpful for him and Logan O’Hoppe to work with the same crop of starting pitchers week-by-week, building camaraderie and chemistry. “Games started is one of the most valuable things you could do over a year, especially when you're getting 30 to 35 starts. For everyone to not miss one and just keep going every fifth day, especially when things aren't going well, I think that's when you learn the most, regardless of good or bad.”

Kochanowicz, for example, has a 6.44 earned-run average over his last eight starts and has only struck out 61 batters in 86 innings while opponents have hit .289 against him this season.

But for interim Angels manager Ray Montgomery, the ability for the 6-foot-7 sinkerballer to learn from failure and learn to adjust in the big league environment has caused Kochanowicz to show extra mettle on the mound.

Against the Red Sox on June 22, Kochanowicz faltered in the first inning, giving up three runs. But the second-year Angels starter pitched into the fifth, gave up just one more run, and worked longer than big-league veteran Walker Buehler did for Boston.

Kochanowicz, 24, didn’t have his best stuff, striking out one, but battled early adversity to keep the Angels in the ballgame — a game they’d eventually win, 9-5.

“I think this is the time of year to your point where they're going to see the difference,” Montgomery said, adding that every pitcher in the league is dealing with wear or tear in the middle months. “I think mentally is where you have to see it. And that's where I credit Jack … for getting even through five [innings]. Just that was a mental grind from him.”

It’s not just Kochanowicz. Soriano has produced a sneaky-good campaign in his third MLB season — and second in the starting rotation. The 26-year-old Dominican-born righty holds a 3.99 earned-run average across 17 starts. In four of his last six starts, he’s allowed one or fewer runs.

Going out every five days, no matter the results, has begun to show its dividends. Against the Athletics on June 10, Soriano struck out 12 in a seven-inning, one-run outing. Pitching versus the Astros on June 21, he struck out 10 across 6 ⅔ innings. However, there have been bumpy moments — like when he gave up eight runs in four innings on Friday against the Nationals.

“I just keep my head up,” Soriano said in Spanish through team interpreter Manny Del Campo when asked after the game about how knowing he’ll be back starting in five days helps him prepare after less-than-ideal appearances. “Don't get frustrated with those kind of outings and be good, and keep working hard and be ready for those big outings.”

Read more:Mike Trout and Kevin Newman power Angels to win over Nationals

The velocity is there for Soriano — averaging 97 mph on his fastball and sinker — but the pitchability is a skill that comes with time, Hendricks said.

The first-year Angel and long-time big leaguer added that routine building takes time and for Soriano and Kohcanowicz, they’ve been provided a runaway for experimentation — which can lead to success.

“It really helps their confidence,” Hendricks said. “‘You can see this year with Jack and José, they're just learning how to go about their routine. What they need in between starts — it changes depending on how you feel and what you're working on from the last start. So just to see all those adjustments that they're making is truly how you learn yourself.”

He continued: “I think they're doing so well right now, but it's going to be even better for them the longer they go in their careers.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Mike Krukow criticizes Giants for abysmal stretch vs. Marlins, White Sox

Mike Krukow criticizes Giants for abysmal stretch vs. Marlins, White Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow is calling out the team after their abysmal stretch against the Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox.

“When you become soloists because you’re trying to turn around the storm by yourself, it lingers. But it affects the other part of your game,” Krukow told KNBR’s Brian Murphy and F.P. Santangelo on Monday’s “Murph and Markus” show (h/t SF Gate’s Alex Simon). “This team is losing because it’s got its head so far up its rear end right now. The basepaths are ridiculous, the mistakes they’re making. We’re seeing pitchers balk in the middle of the motion. What is that all about?”

Krukow rightfully is upset, considering San Francisco went 1-5 against two of the 2025 MLB season’s worst teams while riddled with timely errors, questionable decision-making and poor production overall.

Giants reliever Ryan Walker committed two balks against the White Sox, and San Francisco utility player Brett Wisely was picked off twice — simply unaffordable errors that put bows on frustrating, winnable losses.

“It is just [an] epidemic. Their minds are not on the game,” Krukow added. “They’re thinking about their at-bats when they’re in the field. When they come out of the bullpen, they’re putting so much pressure on themselves to try and get this thing done. They’re trying to be perfect. They’re throwing their strikeout pitches first in the at-bat. They’re falling behind in the count. It’s just all crumbling. It’s all crumbling down.”

Ouch.

Krukow, though, offered harsh advice.

“They have to pull their brain and they’ve got to divide it properly among the things that happen in this game,” Krukow said. “They have to concentrate on hitting, and when you’re not at bat, you have to be able to concentrate on defense. And when you’re on the bases, you have to concentrate on the bases.

“Right now, it’s just bad. But it can get a whole lot better, that’s the good news.”

The Giants have to turn the ship around quickly. 

Losses loom larger in the crowded NL West; it was roughly two weeks ago when San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers were tied for the division lead during their first series meeting of the 2025 season.

Now, at 7.5 games behind the Dodgers, it’s time for the Giants to “pull their brain,” as Krukow said.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Mets don't need drastic roster moves to stop freefall, but more aggressive ones are required

The good news for the Mets?

It's impossible to imagine things getting worse than they were over the weekend in Pittsburgh, when New York was swept in shocking fashion while being outscored 30-4 by a bad Pirates team that entered the series having scored the second-fewest runs in the majors.

Here's some more good news:

Despite a 3-13 tailspin that has turned a season of dominance into one that's currently off the rails, the Mets are still in a really good spot.

They are right there in the NL East, just 1.5 games behind the Phillies.

And they are holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League.

That's where the good news ends.

At present, the Mets are a team whose starting rotation -- down four key members and still waiting on returns from Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga -- is on fumes. And the rotation failing to provide length is putting tons of stress on an overworked bullpen.

In two of the games against the Pirates, things were basically over after the early innings, with David Peterson and Frankie Montas getting hit so hard that Friday and Sunday's tilts quickly became non-competitive.

Jun 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park.
Jun 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Mets were in it until the end on Saturday, when the bullpen stumbled late and turned a tight game into a blowout.

The offense has been maddeningly inconsistent during this stretch, and seemed to be turning things around a bit after taking the final two games against the Braves during a four-game series last week at Citi Field. But the bats slumbered again in Pittsburgh, with a returning Mark Vientos still quite rusty.

So, what do the Mets need to do to turn around season that still has so much promise?

The first thing is to stop being almost robotically measured when it comes to the starting pitchers who are getting chances as the Mets await to returns of Manaea and Senga.

That starts with Paul Blackburn, who allowed three runs on six hits in 1.0 inning against the Pirates on Saturday. In his start before that, Blackburn surrendered three runs on six hits in 4.2 innings against the Braves. In the start that preceded that one, he lasted just 3.2 innings while giving up four runs (three earned) against Atlanta.

Blackburn is not offering length or effectiveness, with a 7.71 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in six games (four starts) this season.

Still, he's lined up to face the Yankees on Friday at Citi Field in the Subway Series opener. That Yankees team has scored 422 runs, good for second in the American League behind the Tigers (424).

There aren't any perfect options to replace Blackburn in the rotation. But there are two intriguing ones who just happen to be tremendous prospects with immense upside.

Nolan McLean, who last pitched on June 27, could be called up for Friday's game and not have to alter his schedule much. He has been terrific this season for Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, with a 2.25 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 76.0 innings (12 starts, two relief appearances).

Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park.
Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. / Jim Rassol - Imagn Images

Then there's Brandon Sproat, whose season in Syracuse has been up and down but who has been much better lately.

Sproat, intentionally pitching much more to contact this year instead of trying to blow everyone away, fired 6.0 scoreless innings on June 28 while allowing two hits, walking three, and striking out six. He has allowed two runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts.

The Mets should choose one of them to come up on Friday and start in place of Blackburn -- big stage be damned. A 40-man roster move would be needed, but New York has about a half dozen fungible spots that could be tweaked to make room.

Apropos of nothing, Jonah Tongshould also be in Triple-A. He's been toying with hitters in Double-A, to the tune of a 1.73 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 115 strikeouts in 73.0 innings.

Another thing the Mets should do is start using Jeff McNeilin center field every day.

They've had him out there much more often lately, but Tyrone Taylor got the start there on Saturday and went 0-for-4. Taylor's OPS for the season is down to .606. And while he provides incredible defense, the Mets need all the punch they can get in the lineup right now.

That should mean McNeil in center and Ronny Mauricio or Brett Baty at second base.

The bigger moves, which will be executed by David Stearns and Co. ahead of the trade deadline, will almost certainly have to wait. The market has been moving slower than usual over the last few seasons with more teams in contention than ever due to the added Wild Card spots.

As the July 31 trade deadline gets closer, the Mets should be in the market for help in the rotation and bullpen, a center fielder, and perhaps a third baseman.

Between now and then, it's fair to expect things to normalize a bit once the offense awakens and Manaea and Senga return. Jesse Winker should also beback relatively soon.

But as the Mets wait for all of the above, they need to act with a bit more urgency.

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This Lecture Is Aimed At Rangers Fans Who Are Singing The Blues

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Rangers Fans, it's time for The Maven and You-All to have a heart-to-heart talk.

For starters, we all agree that the 2024-25 season was a disaster. It's over and done with; so forget about it.

Just as history showed us how easily it is to go from Presidents' Trophy-winner to the doldrums in one easy year, so it is easy to reverse the decline. (Exhibit A: Washington Capitals).

The club has a new coach and a brand new start. Likewise it's time to refresh with Free Agency here and a summer left for wheeling and dealing. 

My Rangers fan buddy Todd Siben writes a compelling note from Boynton Beach, Florida that should inspire fans who are riding the Blueshirt fence. Listen up, please: Go, Todd, go!

"Back in the 1980's, when the Rangers languished in the lower echelon of the division and the Devils were a new franchise," says Pal Todd, "I jumped ship and considered myself a Devils fan.

"After that season ended, I had a conversation with a Rangers fan friend who scolded me for abandoning our team. He delivered a message that went something like this:

Why The Rangers Did Well Without A First Round Draft Pick Why The Rangers Did Well Without A First Round Draft PickI'm not going to sit here and tell you that it's a good idea NOT to have a first-round pick in the Entry Draft but – on the other hand – it's not the worst thing in the world either.

"'You don't jump ship at the first sign of adversity,' the guy said. 'You cheer your team through the good AND the bad.' And I learned a lesson from that."

That, good citizens of Rangerville, THAT'S my lesson to you. Plus, I'll throw one more line at you: PAIN AND PROGRESS ARE INSEPARABLE. 

With one notable exception: THE METS!

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Phillies get Bryce Harper back to open series vs. Padres

Phillies get Bryce Harper back to open series vs. Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It’s been a long month of June for the Phillies but offensive help is on the way.

The Phillies announced Monday that Bryce Harper has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list. He was placed on the IL retroactive to June 6 with right wrist inflammation and has missed 22 games.

Through 57 games this season, Harper is batting .258 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs and an .814 OPS.

To make room for Harper, Buddy Kennedy has been designated for assignment.

The Phillies open a three-game series against the Padres at Citizens Bank Park (6:35 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Here’s the lineup:

1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Kyle Schwarber, DH
3. Bryce Harper, 1B
4. Alec Bohm, 3B
5. Nick Castellanos, RF
6. Max Kepler, LF
7. J.T. Realmuto, C
8. Bryson Stott, 2B
9. Brandon Marsh, CF
Zack Wheeler, P

(More coming …)

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Royals at Mariners Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 30

Its Monday, June 30 and the Royals (39-45) are in Seattle to open a series against the Mariners (43-40).

Michael Wacha is slated to take the mound for Kansas City against George Kirby for Seattle.

Kansas City arrives in Seattle having lost seven of their last eight including two of three over the weekend to the Dodgers. After scoring but one run in last week's series sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Royals' bats awoke scoring 14 runs in the weekend three-game series against LA but still managed just a single win.

Seattle has won two of their last three including a 6-4 win yesterday at Texas. Donovan Solano paced the attack with three hits and four RBIs as the Mariners moved to three games over .500 for the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Royals at Mariners

  • Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
  • Time: 9:40PM EST
  • Site: T-Mobile Park
  • City: Seattle, WA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNKC, RSNW

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Royals at the Mariners

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Royals (+135), Mariners (-162)
  • Spread:  Mariners -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Royals at Mariners

  • Pitching matchup for June 30, 2025: Michael Wacha vs. George Kirby
    • Royals: Michael Wacha (4-7, 3.33 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/25 vs. Tampa Bay - 6IP, 3ER, 9H, 1BB, 9Ks
    • Mariners: George Kirby (1-4, 5.40 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/25 at Minnesota - 6IP, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 3Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Royals at Mariners

  • The Mariners have won their last 3 games against the Royals with George Kirby starting on the bump
  • This season George Kirby has an ERA of 5.47 and a WHIP of 1.56
  • Cal Raleigh was 3-10 and walked 6 times over the weekend against Texas
  • Bobby Witt Jr. was 6-14 with 1 home run and 2 doubles over the weekend against the Dodgers

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Royals and the Mariners

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Royals and the Mariners:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Seattle Mariners on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Kansas City Royals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Steve Cohen weighs in on Mets' horrid stretch: 'I didn't see this coming'

A few weeks ago, the Mets looked like a runaway train on their way to a season of dominance.

They had a record of 45-24, which was their high-water mark for the season, and had opened up a 5.5 game lead over the Phillies for first place in the National League East.

Since then, they've gone 3-13, due in large part to a starting rotation that has fallen apart and an offense that has been maddeningly inconsistent.

They're still right there in the NL East -- just 1.5 games behind Philadelphia -- and are holding the top Wild Card spot in the NL. So all is not lost.

But after the Mets got swept by the lowly Pirates in Pittsburgh over the weekend, while being outscored 30-4, alarm bells should be going off.

With that as the backdrop, owner Steve Cohen weighed in on the team's recent horrid stretch on Monday morning.

"Tough stretch, no sugarcoating it," Cohen wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I didn't see this coming. I'm as frustrated as everybody else. We will get through this period. Our injured pitching will come back over the next few weeks. It is unlikely the team's hitting with RISP will continue at this weak pace. Keep the faith!"

The returning pitching Cohen is alluding to is Sean Manaea (who is expected to make a rehab start this week before potentially being activated) and Kodai Senga (who is nearing a rehab assignment of his own).

Following a day off on Monday, the Mets host the Brewers for a three-game series starting on Tuesday before welcoming the Yankees for the Subway Series on Friday.

Meanwhile, one thing to not expect in the immediate future is any kind of shakeup with the coaching staff.

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Backyard Baseball 2001 Game Returns With 28 Original MLB Stars

Backyard Baseball ‘01 is set to re-launch next week on PC and mobile devices, featuring MLB marks and 28 of the 31 players who appeared in the original version, the franchise’s new owners announced Monday.

The Backyard Sports series has been revived under the Playground Productions label after extensive efforts to track down the rights to the groundbreaking PC titles and redevelop the original code. The newest game—available July 8—also required locating the pros who initially appeared in the game.

Some were easy to connect with. Others were harder to find. Playground Productions CEO Lindsay Barnett said the team reached former Marlin Álex González through players he’s currently coaching, for instance. 

“2001 is already some time ago, and some of these players don’t live in the U.S. Some of them don’t have managers or agents or social media,” she said. “So we got creative.”

In general, Barnett said, players were eager to lend their IP rights once again. In some cases, they leapt at the opportunity to show their kids, or grandkids, how big of a star they once were.

Three players ultimately declined to participate this time around: Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas and Barry Bonds. Bonds—notably—has not appeared in MLB video games since opting out of the MLB Players Association licensing agreement in 2003.

Playground Productions also got buy-in from MLB, allowing for renewed rivalries such as Melonheads vs. Marlins. 

“It just could not have been easier [working with MLB],” Barnett said. “They really love this brand.” She added that the league recognizes how valuable the original releases were to the sport’s efforts to grow.

“There were actually kids who learned about baseball through a very simple point-and-click game,” Barnett said. “Now that we get to bring it back, we can start to capture even more kids who can become baseball fans for life.”

Recently released versions, including Backyard Baseball ‘97 and Backyard Soccer ‘98, have found success on gaming platform Steam and iOS, largely by entertaining nostalgic millennials, including those hoping to share their childhood favorites with a new generation. Backyard Baseball ’97 also recently came to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. Mega Cat Studios has been responsible for game development.

Playground Productions is also creating an entirely new entry in the series. Though the group has not announced which sport it will feature first, Barnett said the company intends to continue the crossovers between original characters and real-life stars—that is, assuming she can get players on board.

In addition to Backyard mainstays such as Pablo Sanchez and Pete Wheeler, the MLB players available in the upcoming 2001 re-release are:

  1. Jeff Bagwell
  2. Carlos Beltrán
  3. Jeromy Burnitz
  4. Jose Canseco
  5. Marty Cordova
  6. Jason Giambi
  7. Álex González
  8. Juan González
  9. Nomar Garciaparra
  10. Shawn Green
  11. Vladimir Guerrero
  12. Tony Gwynn
  13. Derek Jeter
  14. Randy Johnson
  15. Chipper Jones
  16. Jason Kendall
  17. Barry Larkin
  18. Kenny Lofton
  19. Mark McGwire
  20. Raul Mondesi
  21. Mike Piazza
  22. Cal Ripken Jr.
  23. Alex Rodriguez
  24. Iván Rodríguez
  25. Curt Schilling
  26. Sammy Sosa
  27. Mo Vaughn
  28. Larry Walker

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Giants at Diamondbacks prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for June 30

Its Monday, June 30 and the Giants (45-39) are in Phoenix to take on the Diamondbacks (41-42).

Logan Webb is slated to take the mound for San Francisco against Ryne Nelson for Arizona.

The Diamondbacks were swept at home over the weekend by the Miami Marlins. Yesterday they lost 6-4 thanks to a five-run eighth inning rally by the visitors. Ketel Marte hit his 17th home run of the season, but it was not enough for the Diamondbacks who have now lost four in a row.

The Giants have lost two straight and five of six. Over the weekend San Francisco lost a pair to the White Sox. As was the case for Arizona, the bullpen imploded for the Giants. Chicago scored four in the seventh to wipe out a solid start from Justin Verlander (6IP, 1ER) and secure the win.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Giants at Diamondbacks

  • Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
  • Time: 9:40PM EST
  • Site: Chase Field
  • City: Phoenix, AZ
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSBA, ARID, FS1

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Giants at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Giants (-156), Diamondbacks (+129)
  • Spread:  Giants -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Giants at Diamondbacks

  • Pitching matchup for June 30, 2025: Logan Webb vs. Ryne Nelson
    • Giants: Logan Webb (7-5, 2.52 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/25 vs. Miami - 6IP, 2ER, 6H, 3BB, 6Ks
    • Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (4-2, 3.71 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/24 at White Sox - 5IP, 1ER, 1H, 3BB, 7Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Giants at Diamondbacks

  • The Giants have lost 4 of their last 5 games
  • The Diamondbacks' last 5 home games have gone over the Total
  • The Diamondbacks have failed to cover the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 against the Giants
  • Eugenio Suarez has hit in 3 straight (5-13) and 7 of his last 8 games (15-31)
  • Rafael Devers was 1-11 (.091) against the White Sox this weekend
  • Rafael Devers is 10-46 (.217) since arriving in San Francisco

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Giants and the Diamondbacks

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Giants and the Diamondbacks:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Arizona Diamondbacks at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Yankees at Blue Jays: 5 things to watch and series predictions | June 30 – July 3

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees and Blue Jays play a four-game series in Toronto starting on Monday night...

Preview

AL East race heating up

Don’t look now, but all of a sudden the AL East is getting close.

The Yankees maintained a solid lead in the division for most of the first half, but their recent rough stretch has seen that advantage shrink to just 1.5 games over the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Toronto is only 3.0 games back, and they are coming off a big series win over the Boston Red Sox, who have now dropped seven of their last 10. 

Sold out crowds are expected for all four games of this massive divisional battle, which should create a rocking environment, especially in the second game which is the annual Canada Day matinee. 

“That’s a big series,” Toronto skipper John Schneider told Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “You get four against the team that’s leading the division, and they’re good. They’re a tough matchup every time, no matter who’s on the mound -- it’s an important series for a lot of reasons.”

Aaron Judge’s historic season continues

Judge served as the DH on Sunday because his back was bothering him.

That proved to be no issue for the All-Star slugger, as he crushed a pair of two-run homers to help the Yanks secure the three-game series victory over the Athletics.  

He’s just the second player in baseball with 30+ homers on the season, and it marked his fifth consecutive year reaching that mark. It was also his 44th career multi-homer game, which passed Lou Gehrig for the third-most in franchise history. 

Even with a bit of a rough stretch, he’s now hitting .356 and is on pace for 59 long balls. 

“I never really worry about him,” Aaron Boone said. “It was a 3-2 hung slider that resulted in a no-doubter, then a really good swing on the second one and he put it into the bullpen off a guy who is tough on righties -- it was good to see him get some results.”

He’ll look to keep the good times rolling this week against the Blue Jays, who he’s posted the second-most homers (39) and a 1.006 OPS against in his career.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. emerging as a game-changer

Judge wasn’t the only Yankee to shine on Sunday afternoon.

Chisholm got the scoring started with a second inning homer into the bleachers off of old friend Luis Severino, and he added on just an inning later when he lined a base-clearing triple into the right-center field gap. 

He would reach base a total of three times on the afternoon as he stays red-hot.

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) celebrates with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) after defatting the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) celebrates with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) after defatting the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Chisholm has been a perfect complement to Judge since returning from the injured list earlier this month -- hitting .317 with four doubles, four stolen bases, six homers, 13 runs scored, and 15 RBI.

“That’s why we got him,” Judge said. “We go after guys who can make an impact and make us better. He can hit the long ball or he can have excitement with a bases-clearing triple -- I’m looking forward to a lot more of that.”

Mad Max on the bump 

Scherzer is scheduled to toe the rubber against Carlos Rodon in the series opener on Monday night. 

The veteran right-hander has been limited to just two outings this season after missing almost three months due to right thumb inflammation. 

He fared pretty well in his return to the big league mound -- taking home the no-decision after allowing just three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four across five innings in an extra-inning loss to the Guardians on Wednesday night. 

Scherzer was stretched out to 83 pitches and John Schneider said his thumb felt better following that outing than after his final minor league rehab appearance.

The rust should be off, and he should be close to a full workload in this one.

Watch out for Vladdy  

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. loves to see Yanks pitching.

The slugger has 21 homers and a .905 OPS in 92 career games against the division rivals. 

He’s crushed Monday’s starter Rodon, going 8-for-12 with three doubles against him. 

He has limited at-bats or has been held in check against the other three starters but has been swinging a relatively hot bat during the month of June and just lifted a homer during Sunday’s series finale in Boston. 

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Cody Bellinger

The sweet-swinging lefty is coming off a three-hit showing, and he's posted a .308 batting average in June.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Max Fried

Fried has been the ace all year long. He'll show up during the big game.

Which Blue Jays player will be a thorn in Yankees' side?

Bo Bichette

Bichette is having a bit of a down season by his standards, but like Vladdy he loves seeing Yanks pitching.

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Luis Severino addresses Athletics trade rumors, recent ballpark comments

Luis Severino addresses Athletics trade rumors, recent ballpark comments originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Athletics ace Luis Severino on Sunday addressed the trade rumors involving him and his controversial comments about playing at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

“I mean, if they trade me or not, I’m going to keep grinding, trying to be my best self, going out there,” Severino told reporters in New York before the A’s 12-5 loss to the Yankees. “I can’t do nothing about if they get mad or not. If you ask me how I feel about pitching at home, I’m not going to lie to you, because in the end, you guys are going to figure out if it’s a lie or not. So my job here is to pitch, and every time you ask me a question, [I am] honest with you guys, so that’s what I did.

“I was not trying to hurt nobody’s feelings by saying that. But I think I’m not the only one who feels the same way. As I said, I’m going to try my best to focus on what I need to do and improve. I feel pretty good; I feel healthy; I feel like the movement on my pitches is there. I just need to get in a good stretch.”

Severino, 0-7 with a 6.79 ERA at home during the 2025 MLB season, didn’t hold back. 

He clearly isn’t a fan of the big-league experience at Sutter Health Park, also the home of the Sacramento River Cats, the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. Severino, too, suggested that other A’s players feel similarly.

Severino’s latest comments align with what he told The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty on Friday before the A’s dropped the series-opener against the ace’s former team.

“It feels like a spring training kind of game every time I pitch, and every time other guys pitch,” Severino said about playing at Sutter Health Ballpark.

“We don’t have that at home right now,” Severino added about the environment in West Sacramento. “It’s not the same. It’s not the same atmosphere. We don’t have a lot of fans. Our clubhouse is in left field. So, when we play day games, we have to just be in the sun. There’s no air conditioning there, too. It’s really tough.”

The 31-year-old Severino couldn’t have changed his stance more since signing a three-year free-agent contract worth up to $67 million with an opt-out after the second season — an A’s franchise-record deal — in the winter. 

Then, Severino was optimistic about the A’s temporary home, and general manager David Forst was proud of what the partnership signaled toward MLB players skeptical about pro ball in West Sacramento. 

“We’ve sent plans to players so they can see what we’re building,” Forst said at Severino’s introductory press conference on Dec. 6. “We’re doing the best we can to make this a Major League facility. We’ve embraced it. The fact Luis is here today hopefully sends a message around the game.”

Well, Severino might not be around for much longer.

The vibes around Severino’s standing with the A’s are murky. And USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported on Sunday that the Green and Gold plan to move on from Severino.

“The Athletics, who gave starter Luis Severino a three-year, $67 million contract, are now open to trading him after he continues to bash the environment in Sacramento, agitating the organization,” Nightengale wrote. “He’s 0-7 with a 6.79 ERA in 10 starts in Sacramento and 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA in seven starts on the road. … “It may come as a surprise if he’s still with the organization come August.”

Severino’s time with the A’s might be coming to an end sooner rather than later. And maybe, it would be best for the two parties to split, as neither side has gotten what they wanted thus far.

The A’s are 34-52 with a month before the MLB trade deadline on July 31.

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Top Giants pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt selected to All-Star Futures Game

Top Giants pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt selected to All-Star Futures Game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Carson Whisenhunt, the Giants’ No. 2 prospect, is set to represent the organization on a bigger stage.

The 24-year-old left-handed pitcher was named to MLB’s 2025 All-Star Futures Game roster at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 12. 

Each year, top minor-league prospects compete as part of the All-Star festivities, and the No. 65 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft has done enough in Triple-A to get the nod.

Whisenhunt leads the River Cats with a 7-5 record this season, posting a 4.55 ERA while winning PCL Pitcher of the Week twice.

Like Whisenhunt, San Francisco’s top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, also was selected to the Futures Game next month. 

Eldridge, however, is nursing a “moderate” right hamstring strain and will rehab for at least another three weeks at the organization’s minor-league facility in Scottsdale.

In 16 games with the River Cats, Eldridge had a .710 OPS, three homers and 13 RBI.

Not only will the injury make Eldridge miss the seven inning outing, but it also will delay his push for a promotion this season.

The game will air on MLB Network on Saturday, July 12.

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