Category: Baseball

It has been a fun year for Cardinals prospect watchers. With one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, there is something exciting happening almost every day. Sadly, we only have six to eight weeks left of minor league baseball to enjoy. Today I want to highlight the handful of prospects that will have the opportunity to further cement themselves in the Cardinals’ future plans as we reach the stretch run. Just for fun, I will highlight the players I am betting on to finish the season with a flourish. 

Please note: The statistics in this article do not include games played Friday night.

Waiting for the Call

The Cardinals have six rookies on the active roster, including JJ Wetherholt, Bryan Torres, Blaze Jordan, Jimmy Crooks, Luis Gastelum, and Nathan Church. Despite the influx of youth, there are still four legitimate prospects I would expect to debut in some capacity. We have talked a lot about these guys already, so I will keep this brief, but this group of players will keep the remainder of the season interesting, even if the Cardinals’ playoff chances fizzle. 

Joshua Baez and Leonardo Bernal are already on the 40-man roster and a phone call away. They might not be 100% ready, but the Cardinals need to see what they have going into 2027. Cade Winquest has flown under the radar since being returned by the Yankees. His ERA of 5.74, more than two runs higher than his xFIP of 3.50, has obscured the fact that he has been dominant in Memphis. With Luis Gastelum promoted to St. Louis, Winquest is the most exciting reliever on the farm with a chance to make a real impact this season. 

Player to Bet On

Quinn Mathews has gone from one of the hottest prospects in baseball in 2024 to a huge question mark thanks to his continued struggles with command. He is one of the most fun guys to watch when he is on, and one of the most frustrating when his control abandons him. Well, he may have finally turned the corner. Mathews has an 18/3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last three starts. Over his last eight starts, he has pitched 45.1 innings and walked only 16 batters. This improvement in walk rate is no fluke. Over his first ten starts, Mathews threw only 40.6% of his pitches in the strike zone (MLB average is 47.6%). In the following eight starts, his Zone% was 48.3%. Most of this improvement has come from a four-seam fastball that he is now landing in the zone 55.1% of the time. He has improved his command without sacrificing velocity or allowing harder contact. Quinn is ready. 

Making up for Lost Time

The guys in this group will all have incomplete grades for their 2026 campaigns due to time missed. However, they are all back now, and there is still enough time to turn the season into a positive. 

Brandon Clarke has thrown the loudest three innings of any pitcher I can remember thanks to topping out at 103.1 mph in his first inning at Palm Beach. With some of the best pure stuff in minor league baseball, he will rocket into national top-100 prospect lists if he finishes the season strong and healthy. Cooper Hjerpe is striking out 44.1% of Double-A batters through his first seven innings pitched. His fastball velocity has fully returned as he averaged 92.1 mph in Statcast-tracked games. If he irons out the command, he could get a shot in St. Louis late this season. Ixan Henderson is finally back and has already ramped up to 48 pitches in his Low-A rehab start earlier this week. Henderson is Rule 5 eligible this fall, so hopefully he can finish out the year flashing the stuff that made him one of the biggest risers in the system last year. 

Players to Bet On

Yairo Padilla has only 51 plate appearances at Low-A due to a shoulder injury this spring, but he has been fantastic thus far with a 157 wRC+. To get the negatives out of the way, the concern with Padilla’s offensive game is his difficulty in elevating the baseball. This trend has held in his first taste of full-season ball. His groundball rate of 53.6% and his Launch Angle Sweet Spot of 21% would both rank as some of the worst in baseball. 

The rest of his offensive game has been extremely impressive for a player who is just barely 19. His max exit velocity of 109.3 mph and his 90th-percentile EV of 105.7 are both close to major-league average. He is also running an elite 96% contact rate on pitches in the strike zone. If he keeps up his current rate of production for the last six weeks of the season, he will start to make noise on national top-prospect lists. Sure, the sample size has been tiny, but the results have been extremely exciting so far. 

Deniel Ortiz is flying under the radar a bit with the Springfield Cardinals. Rainiel Rodriguez (rightfully) gets most of the attention, and Won-Bin Cho and Jesus Baez have grabbed headlines with incredible power binges. Ortiz carries a 99 wRC+ through his first 97 Double-A plate appearances, but there are still extremely positive signs in the early going. Ortiz’s plate discipline was excellent last season, and that has carried over to Springfield as he has maintained a 91st-percentile Chase%. The biggest concern for Ortiz coming into the season was his contact ability. So far, he has increased his contact rate from 71.8% to 79.1% while moving up a level. 

His power has not shown up yet, but he is recovering from a hand injury, so that is not surprising. I am not worried about the power. Ortiz posted a max exit velocity of 110.1 mph with a 90th-percentile EV of 105.3 mph at Palm Beach. Like Rainiel Rodriguez, he makes his money getting the ball in the air to the pull side. Despite the overall lack of pop, he still ranks in the 86th percentile in Pull Air% so far this year. 

If the contact rate gains hold through the end of the season, Ortiz may be the second-most-complete hitting prospect in the system after Rodriguez. 

Finishing the Breakout 

Tanner Franklin and Yoiker Fajardo came out of the gates hot for Peoria and have put together impressive seasons. Could either of them be in line for a few starts in Springfield to close out the year? Franklin may be getting close to his innings limit as he has already set a career high with 62.1, so that may be a factor. Fajardo threw 72 innings last year and just passed that total in his last start. He has been incredible in his last five starts, striking out 39.1%(!) of the batters he has faced across 22.1 innings. If he is promoted, he will be the youngest pitcher to appear in a Double-A game this season. 

Player to Bet On

Sebastian Dos Santos was one of my favorite prospects entering the season, and he has done nothing but deliver in 2026. The switch-hitting shortstop laid waste to the Florida Complex League with six home runs in 27 games to earn a promotion to Palm Beach. Dos Santos has held his own in Low-A as one of just 22 18-year-olds to play in full-season ball this year. His 99 wRC+ is seventh among the group. He has been a bit passive with a 38th-percentile Swing%, but his average exit velocity, Chase%, and Contact% are all above average for the league. Dos Santos has already popped a 109.5 mph max exit velocity, which is incredible for a player his age. Unlike Padilla, Dos Santos excels at hitting the ball in the air with a 38% Launch Angle Sweet Spot. 

Conclusion

All these players are fun and extremely important to the Cardinals’ future, but if I were forced to pick one to make waves down the stretch, give me Sebastian Dos Santos. I think we are a little spoiled by the Rainiel Rodriguez experience last season. Dos Santos is not quite on that level yet, but he is one of the most impressive teenage performers the Cardinals have had in some time. His blend of power, discipline, and contact ability at such a young age is extremely rare. He has a chance to be the next big thing in the Cardinals’ system, and I am betting he finishes 2026 with a bang. 

Ronald Acuña Jr could be back with the Atlanta Braves as soon as today. Ronald is returning to the Braves after straining his left hamstring in consecutive months. They have been much more careful with Sean Murphy, Ha-Seong Kim and Ronald after shorter IL stints earlier this season. In light of his numerous lower body injuries, I was wondering if they might ease him back into the lineup. I was also wondering if this option is even considered by the Braves and Acuña.

One of the big themes of the last two months is the rally of save the bullpen. Right now, no reliever pitches three days in a row. In some cases, some relievers are not allowed to go on consecutive days. And we saw this last night. Elieser Hernández pitched 3 innings of 3 walk/2 strikeout ball (to be fair, one walk was intentional). He hadn’t pitched since July 12th in Gwinnett, and hadn’t pitched in the major league in two years. It’s fair to say he was rested, and he carried the Braves through the late innings as Raisel Iglesias and Didier Fuentes did not appear. It might also be fair to say that he will enter the DFA cycle later today.

For the great lengths that the Braves are going to preserve their bullpen throughout the season, they aren’t bothering to rest the everyday players. Austin Riley has started every game but one, and has been asked to work through his struggles. Mauricio Dubon has started 98 games. Matt Olson is going to play every game as well, as they won’t pull him off his streak. It seems that the only way for everyday players to get a rest is to pull a muscle.

In the first 8 games of Ronald’s return after his first 2026 IL stint, he put together a .167/.306/.206 with a 53 wRC+. His xwOBA wasn’t terrible at .304, but it did take him a week to get back in the swing of baseball bats. So they may not miss a lot if the Braves ease him back into playing everyday. Maybe they could put him at DH for a couple of days, then gave him a full day off, followed by two of the next three games in the field.

So how much should Ronald Acuña Jr play in his first week back? I’m not sure of the answer, but I think we all know what will happen.

Good morning Birdland,

These Orioles sure do know how to wear out any goodwill they have built up with a quickness. Coming back from a successful road trip, which concluded with a streak-stopping win up in Boston, the O’s began their brief homestand with a brutal 7-6 loss to the visiting Braves. Yours truly was on recap duty for the humiliation.

There was good stuff buried within the loss. Trevor Rogers was great again, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand seems to have taken over the role of everyday third baseman, for the moment anyway. Outside of that, it was tough. The bullpen wasn’t good enough. Jackson Holliday made a bad error. Craig Albernaz was misguided in pitching to Matt Olson. And the lineup, overall, failed to cash in on their many, many opportunities.

You never want to lose a game like that, but particularly this close to the trade deadline when you are already a few games outside of the final wild card spot. This team just doesn’t have that sort of wiggle room. The front office will have to choose a direction within the next couple of days. Falling too much further behind could be all they need to decide on selling.

For those amongst the fan base hoping that the silver lining of a losing season would mean that Mike Elias gets the boot, you may have to find something else to cling onto. Orioles control person David Rubenstein spoke to the media on Friday at Kyle Bradish’s contract extension press conference, and he was very complimentary of Elias. He described the team’s president of baseball operations as “terrific,” and said that he was “very, very happy” with the job Elias has done.

There are points in Elias’ favor, of course. He opened up the team’s operations in Latin America. He has gotten his owner to commit long term to several key players. And the team, at one point anyway, was playing really good baseball on the field. The last two seasons, however, have shaken that confidence. Injuries are a reasonable, but frustrating, excuse that every team deals with. At some point, they need to win more games, and the person in control of baseball decisions is who that falls to.

Links

Amid critical Trade Deadline stretch, Rogers hopes to stay and ‘help the boys win’ | Orioles.com
If the Orioles do decide to sell, Rogers might be the player they get the most for in return. He is back to pitching like an ace, which he also did for most of 2025. Will teams view him as such? Maybe not quite, but at least a playoff-caliber starter. That should be worth quite a bit on the trade market.

Jon Meoli: Why the Orioles’ trade deadline plans hinge on Trevor Rogers | The Baltimore Banner
As Meoli explains here, the Orioles need to play really good baseball from now through the end of September in order to even make the playoffs. Previous versions of Elias would have already started preparing to sell in the next week or so.

Orioles’ Bradish reflects on extension: ‘This is where I want to spend my future’ | Baltimore Baseball
I am personally very excited about the Bradish extension. The guy is so good, and while he is not technically homegrown (drafted by the Angels) he is as close as it gets. The Orioles have groomed him and helped him beat the projected ceiling of being a relief arm to become a Cy Young caliber starter. Between him and Shane Baz, they have two spots on the rotation sorted for the next half decade.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Doug Drabek turns 64 today. He concluded his 13-season big league career with a tough 1998 campaign in Baltimore. That year he had a 7.29 ERA over 108.2 innings.
• The late Mickey Scott (b. 1947, d. 2011) was born on this day. The southpaw spent parts of two seasons in the Orioles bullpen, tossing 24.2 total innings for the team between 1972 and ‘73.
• The late Whitey Lockman (b. 1926, d. 2009) was born on this day. He played in 28 games for the 1959 Orioles, a relative blimp in his 15-season big league career.

This day in O’s history

The Baseball Reference tool that tracks events in baseball history was down when writing this, but maybe it’s back up by now. In any event, here are some happenings from beyond Birdland on this date:

1965 – Bob Dylan performs his first concert with an electric guitar. This takes place at the Newport Folk Festival.

1976 – Viking 1 takes the famous Face on Mars photo

1978 – Louise Joy Brown, the first human to be born after conception from in vitro fertilisation, arrives.

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It’s a battle of the aces tonight at PNC Park when Shota Imanaga and Paul Skenes go head-to-head.

The Chicago Cubs are +117 moneyline underdogs tonight, but my Cubs vs. Pirates predictions are picking them over the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are overvalued at -122.

Keep reading for my free MLB picks for Saturday, July 25.

Who will win Cubs vs Pirates today: Cubs moneyline (+114)

Paul Skenes’ resume speaks for itself, but the Pittsburgh Pirates ace is not himself this season.

Skenes’ ERA is up to 3.43 compared to his 2.35 career average, and he’s not getting nearly as many swings and misses. His Whiff % is down to the 68th percentile in MLB after ranking in the 83rd last season.

Meanwhile, Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga is trending up with a stingy 1.62 ERA over his last three outings. He’ll dominate a Pirates lineup that’s missing three everyday players and ranks 19th in runs scored and 20th in SLG since the All-Star break.

Play the Cubs up to +110.

COVERS INTEL: Imanaga has a 0.28 career ERA in five starts against the Pirates. He pitched six scoreless, hitless innings vs. Pittsburgh on April 10.

Cubs vs Pirates Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-116)

Skenes has a lofty 5.27 ERA over his last five starts, and the Pirates cashed the Over in each of those games.

Both bullpens are also shaky, with Pittsburgh’s relief corps owning the 10th-highest ERA in MLB (4.40), slightly worse than Chicago’s (4.04).

It feels like this line was set with prime Skenes in mind, but that’s probably not who the Cubs will face tonight.

The Over is the play up to -120.

Cubs vs Pirates weather

Temperatures will be 80F at first pitch, with minimal winds blowing out to center field. Slight boost to the batters.

Cubs vs Pirates odds

• Moneyline: Cubs +117 | Pirates -122
• Run line: Cubs +1.5 | Pirates -1.5
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5

Cubs vs Pirates trend

Chicago is 12-3 in its last 15 road games against Pittsburgh. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Pirates.

How to watch Cubs vs Pirates and game info

Cubs vs Pirates latest injuries

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It's a busy day in the Majors, and I've found value on the mound and at the dish. 

Let's dive into my favorite MLB player props and MLB picks for Saturday, July 25, including Casey Mize, CJ Abrams, and Sonny Gray. 

Best MLB player props today

Player	Pick	Odds
Casey Mize	Under 1.5 earned runs	+101
CJ Abrams	Over 1.5 total bases	+111
Sonny Gray	Under 2.5 earned runs	-145

Casey Mize Under 1.5 earned runs (+101)

Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize has been dominant lately, posting a 2.22 FIP across his last four outings while surrendering just 0.40 HR/9. In fact, the righty hasn't given up a homer in back-to-back starts. 

Mize is also pitching well at home this season, compiling a 2.17 FIP. He held the Los Angeles Angels to one earned run in his last appearance, and Mize faces a Kansas City Royals lineup with a 90 wRC+ in the last week and minimal power at the moment. 

I'll play this pick up to -120. 

• Time: 1:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Royals.TV, DSN

CJ Abrams Over 1.5 total bases (+111)

CJ Abrams is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now. The Washington Nationals slugger has a .440 average and .560 ISO across his last six games, going deep four times during that span. 

Abrams has cashed the Over in total bases in six of his last seven contests. No one has been able to slow him down since the All-Star break. The youngster will face Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Mitch Bratt tonight, and he has a 9.10 FIP in his last two outings. 

But Bratt doesn't typically stay in long, and the Diamondbacks bullpen isn't exactly lights out, posting a 4.75 xERA in the last week. 

I'll play this pick up to -120. 

• Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: DBacks.TV, Nationals.TV

Sonny Gray Under 2.5 earned runs (-152)

The Boston Red Sox hand Sonny Gray the baseball today against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he's in a prime position for another gem. The righty has been carving up opponents, sporting a 3.18 FIP over the last month while giving up just 0.71 HR/9. 

Gray has surrendered Under 2.5 earned runs in five consecutive appearances, consistently pounding the strike zone and inducing weak contact. He'll face a Jays lineup that is in horrendous form, posting a mere 69 wRC+ in their last 10 games. 

Expect Toronto's struggles to continue. It will be another gem for Gray. 

I'll play this pick up to -160. 

• Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Sportsnet, NESN

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The Detroit Tigers head into today's matchup with the Kansas City Royals as a heavy -168 moneyline favorite behind Casey Mize. 

After winning the first two games of the series, my Royals vs. Tigers predictions are targeting another victory for Detroit. 

Find out more in my MLB picks for Saturday, July 25. 

Who will win Royals vs Tigers today: Tigers moneyline (-168)

Casey Mize has been utterly dominant lately for the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander sports a 2.22 FIP across his last four outings while allowing just 0.40 HR/9. 

Michael Wacha hasn't been awful for the Kansas City Royals, but he is vulnerable right now. The right-hander owns a 4.83 xERA in his last four appearances, allowing 1.85 HR/9. 

The Tigers are swinging it relatively well, carrying a 100 wRC+ and .182 ISO in the last week. They should be able to do some damage off Wacha and K.C.'s vulnerable bullpen, who have a 6.29 FIP in their last 26 1/3 frames. 

I'll play this pick up to -170. The run line is also a solid option if the moneyline becomes out of sight. 

COVERS INTEL: Mize has compiled a 2.17 FIP at home this season compared to a 3.06 FIP on the road. 

Royals vs Tigers Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-121)

There's obviously some vulnerability for the Kansas City 'pen, but they've allowed fewer runs lately, surrendering four in this series so far.

Detroit's relief corps has a 4.70 xERA in the last week, but they've held opponents to a 4.9% barrel rate and just 0.61 HR/9. 

While the Tigers are in respectable form offensively, they're not tearing the cover off the baseball, and Wacha isn't exactly getting lit up at the moment.

Mize, meanwhile, is lights-out at Comerica Park, and he often pitches into the fifth or sixth, limiting Detroit's bullpen exposure. 

K.C. also carries a 90 wRC+ in their last seven contests with a .158 ISO. 

Hammer the Under to -130. 

Royals vs Tigers weather

Conditions should be pleasant at Comerica Park this afternoon, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing from the mid-70s into the low 80s. Winds look light, and rain does not appear to be a concern. Overall, weather should have minimal impact, though the warmer afternoon air could slightly help carry.

Royals vs Tigers odds

• Moneyline: Royals +156 | Tigers -163
• Run line: Royals +1.5 (-133) | Tigers -1.5 (+127)
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+113) | Under 8.5 (-117)

Royals vs Tigers trend

The Tigers have hit the Under in 26 of their last 40 games at home (+10.75 Units / 24% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Tigers.

How to watch Royals vs Tigers and game info

Royals vs Tigers latest injuries

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The Los Angeles Angels are a mess, and are likely best served by opening the floodgates this trade deadline. They leaked on Thursday that they are interested in trading shortstop Zack Neto, but perhaps the single most-likely-to-be-dealt player on the entire market is lefty starter Reid Detmers.

Detmers just turned 27 and is under team control for two seasons after this. He’s always been decent enough, with a pair of two-win seasons and a strong bullpen year in 2025 that was cut short by elbow injury. This year, it’s a bit of a coming out campaign for Detmers, with a 3.27 FIP and 3.32 xERA contributing to a 3.0 fWAR across 120 innings so far in 2026.

If he played for a functioning franchise, he’d probably be approached with an extension — 3.5-4 win seasons from guys in their age-27 seasons are nothing to sneeze at. But this isn’t a functioning franchise, and the returns from dealing away a player like this are probably more in line with the direction that a (in theory) rebuilt front office would want to go. Once again, teams like this are an object lesson that Yankee fans, for as frustrated as we can get with them, have it better than most.

Detmers features one of the best arrays of breaking pitches in the sport, especially his slider, which he’ll often front door against southpaws and run hard away from right handed batters. It’s been a +14 (!!) run pitch for him this year, running a 35 percent whiff rate. His curveball, which has seen usage drop off this year, gets a whiff 38 percent of the time, and you wonder if the right idea is to lean into pitching backwards even more. Neither of his four-seam nor sinking fastball are all that good, and that may be what keeps him outside the inner circle of elite starters. Then again, the Yankees have had success developing all kinds of fastballs making him the kind of pitcher that fits Matt Blake’s pitching lab — play up the breaking balls that are working, and add some shape to a fastball while in a rotation that features some damn good heaters.

The added benefit of trading for Detmers is that you also functionally trade for a reliever at the same time. We’ve batted around all year which guy in the rotation is best suited to shore up a bullpen that desperately needs some reinforcement, and landing Detmers, who would be a better option than both Ryan Weathers and Will Warren, in my opinion lets you transfer one of those two to the relief corps. Even if you don’t want to do that, you give the rotation margin for rest. You may want to give Max Fried or Gerrit Cole the odd day off, or save Cam Schlittler’s arm in a random September start and hope that helps him in the postseason, and an additional very good pitcher gets you that room to breathe.

The downside is cost. Detmers’ skill and team control means he’s going to be pricey, and you almost drool at the potential he could reach in a pitching lab like the Brewers’. The bidding for Detmers will rival any other player on the market, and if the Angels are able to play that well — a significant if — they should be able to kick start a rebuild off the return.

The Atlanta Braves’ weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles started off strong after Friday’s 7-6 win in extra innings. Matt Olson was the man of the hour and gave Atlanta the lead in 10th, courtesy of his three-run homer. 

Things were shaky for Atlanta in the bottom half of the 10th inning, but fortunately the Braves were able to hold on and win the series opener. The series continues tonight at 7:05 ET as Bryce Elder gets the start.

More Braves News:

AJ Smith-Shawver continues to progress after a solid outing for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. More in the minor league recap. 

The FCL Braves are done for the season, and here is how 2026 shaped up. 

MLB News:

Toronto Blue Jays 3B/OF Addison Barger will undergo season-ending elbow surgery. It has not yet been determined if he will have Tommy John or the internal brace procedure. 

From the Feed:

Cast your vote for Braves Player of the Game here!

Sometimes ups outnumber the downs. Not in Nottingham.

This little ditty from Disney’s Robin Hood is brought to you by a terrible last three days for the Cleveland Guardians. But, don’t worry, folks. At least we aren’t the Mets. Or something.

The Guardians lost 11-3. Sean Armstrong pitched horribly and seemingly got hurt.

Rumors abound on Twitter that the Guardians won’t be able to sign second round pick Logan Schmidt. In which case they will get the 60th pick in next year’s draft. Sure, why not? Add it to the mix.

AROUND MLB:

Tigers beat the Royals, but the Twins and White Sox managed to lose, thankfully.

Kyle Tucker picked a good time for his first home run of July, hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning which game the Dodgers breathing room for their third straight win on Friday night, beating the Mets to improve to 5-2 on the road trip.

Tucker’s previous home run came on June 27, one day shy of four weeks prior, with Tucker hitting .239/.313/.268 in the 80 plate appearances between long balls.

Roki Sasaki was sharp on Friday, striking out nine Mets while allowing one run in seven innings for the victory. Since the right-hander appeared to be tipping his pitches in a bad start against the Padres on July 2, Sasaki has a 1.93 ERA with 19 strikeouts against only four walks in 18 2/3 innings over his last three starts. Asked if Sasaki’s noticeably larger glove helped resolve the pitch tipping, he told reporters Friday, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times, “Probably my face kind of got smaller … That’s why the glove looked bigger.”

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Friday, “He doesn’t seem like he’s searching anyore.”

Links

Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen session on Wednesday in Philadelphia, and he’ll throw another bullpen session on Saturday at Citi Field. Though there doesn’t appear to be a set timetable for his return to pitching, according to Roberts, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

I still think he is very honest with us about how he’s feeling and we’re aligned with that,” he said. “Every player wants to get back out there and do what they do. But I think he understands that it’s not about July, it’s about October. We’ve already taken a lot of time to get him back to full health so we’re not going to start (him in a game) earlier than we need to.”

With the August 3 trade deadline looming, Kiley McDaniel at ESPN profiled the prospects who might be traded from each major league team. He noted the outfield depth specifically and that Josue De Paula is likely the only truly untouchable prospect in the system, and called Mike Sirota, Eduardo Quintero, (shortstop) Emil Morales) and Zyhir Hope as unlikely to be traded.

Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic dug deeper into the Dodgers outfield prospect depth, profiling nine different outfielders in the Dodgers minors.

Today’s Reflections

This group of starting pitchers are earning a middle name of “But One Pitch”. Shota Imanaga avoided getting that tag in his last outing, but Colin Rea didn’t Wednesday. Rea’s pitching line would have been six baserunners over five innings with five strikeouts. He did earlier give up a solo home run, and would have been that’s fine. It’s always the multiple-run homer that’s the problem, and Rea’s fatal pitch that led to a three-run homer ultimately put the game out of reach. One has to wonder if the former swingman is starting to get figured out. The counter to that would be it was just one pitch (or two pitches). After that home run, he struck out the next batter to end the inning, then went 1-2-3 with a strikeout in the fifth. I dunno.

Nevertheless, even if Rea held the Tigers to just one run, that’s all the Cubs’ hitters were able to manage anyway. Seiya Suzuki put them on the board with a solo home run in the first, and that was it. Only Ian Happ showed any life, going 2-3 with a double and a walk, plus he added an excellent play in left on a sinking liner and added a snap throw to strand a runner. Other than a Michael Busch single, that was it for the Cubs — for hits or walks. They did manage 12 strikeouts (good job, boys). Obviously, the offense needs more consistency game-to-game.

The bullpen needs a shoutout. Wednesday saw a parade of single innings by Ryan Rolison, Gavin Hollowell, Caleb Thielbar and Tyler Ferguson. The group allowed a run on three hits, no walks and struck out seven over the four innings pitched. An RBI double allowed by Ferguson took the shine off an excellent bullpen outing. At least it wasn’t a three-run homer.

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Wednesday’s Stories

• Sean Sears (Chicago Cubs On SI): Takeaways After Cubs Lose Ground with Strikeout-Filled Loss to Tigers. “The Cubs’ offense fell asleep and dropped the series with the Tigers after 5-1 loss on Wednesday.”

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Cubs cool off after hot start as bats struggle to solve Montero. “The off night for Chicago’s lineup made two mistake pitches from righty Colin Rea — both resulting in homers — more damaging.”

Trade Talk involving names:

• Cory Sparks (North Side Baseball): Robbie Ray Is Exactly the Kind of Pitcher Cubs Should Be Pursuing Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline. “A rental starter with a proven track record of eating tons of innings is what defines Robbie Ray. It’s also what makes him the perfect trade deadline target for the Cubs.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Cubs “Seemingly Would Be Interested” in an Emerson Hancock Trade. “The Mariners have lots of controllable starting pitching, the Cubs have lots of need for that.”
• Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon (The Athletic {$}): What we’re hearing about potential Mariners’ trade pieces and more intel from around MLB. “Plus some pitching targets for the Cubs, how the White Sox could offset Kyle Teel’s absence and more.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): REPORT: Cubs Have Exactly What the Angels Are Looking for in a Trade for Reid Detmers or Jose Soriano. “In short, they are both controllable (i.e. non-rental) arms enjoying very good seasons in Anaheim.”
• James O’Donnell (Yardbarker): Cubs Must Choose Between Soriano and Detmers Now. “The Chicago Cubs face a massive choice right now.”
• Ryan O’Rourke (Cubbies Crib): Hunter Greene trade buzz comes with one obvious problem for the Cubs. “Forget about the right-hander landing on the North side of Chicago.”
• Zoe Grossman (Chicago Cubs On SI): Ranking the 5 Best Cubs Starting Pitching Targets at the MLB Trade Deadline. “Which rumored starting pitching targets would be the best fit for the Cubs?”
• Jake Rogers (Yardbarker): Cubs Predicted to Swing Big Trade for Multi-Time All-Star. “The Mets appear headed toward seller status, creating an opening for Chicago to act.”
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs could capitalize on Dodgers’ and White Sox’s sudden trade deadline needs. “A pair of contenders have questions behind the plate and the Cubs may have an answer.”
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Sudden Mets’ change of tune creates ideal Cubs’ 2026 trade deadline target. “Chaos in New York could give Chicago exactly what it needs to go on a second-half run.”
• Paul Magno (Yardbarker): Chicago Cubs possible trade deadline target would be so Cubs-like. “So, the pressure is on for Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.”
• Josh Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs could pluck from Blue Jays rotation with Toronto nearing trade deadline fire sale. “A bet on his experience.”
• Tim Capurso (SI.com): MLB Trade Deadline: Four Deals Involving All-Stars We’d Love to See. “We matched up All-Stars with trade partners in the Rays, Yankees, Cubs and Phillies in deals that we’d like to see go down before the Aug. 3 deadline.”
• Eddie Lennon (LastWordOnSports): 3 Trade Destinations for Josh Hader at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline. “Josh Hader isn’t expected to be traded, but contenders would line up if the Astros made him available.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): The Cubs Need Pitching: I Ranked the 10 Best Targets They Can Actually Get. “By Jed Hoyer’s own admission, the Cubs will probably not be among the most aggressive buyers at the deadline, at least in terms of rentals.”

Trade Talk general conversation:

• Zack Peterson (Yardbarker): MLB Trade Rumors: Milwaukee Brewers could put pressure on Chicago Cubs. “The latest rumors ahead of the early August trade deadline surround the Brewers and the chance for them to add an elite pitcher. Possibly two. That would put the pressure on the Cubs even more.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs News: Former Brewers infielder signs, Colin Rea’s struggles, Ben Brown. Moves and analysis.
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Can Cubs ‘chip away’ at Brewers’ division lead enough to boost front-office aggression at trade deadline? “There are different levels of buying and selling at the trade deadline. While the Cubs will be buyers, just how aggressive will they be? And what can the team do to boost the chances of Jed Hoyer’s front office going big?”
• Andrew Wright (Yardbarker): Cubs manager Craig Counsell has simple message for front office ahead of trade deadline. “With the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline less than two weeks away, managers of those clubs involved in being buyers are beginning to express their trade deadline wish lists.”

PCA-Mania Stories:

• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): At the trade deadline, the Cubs shouldn’t take Pete Crow-Armstrong’s season for granted. “Crow-Armstrong’s rapid development into a superstar should be factored into the club’s plans for the Aug. 3 trade deadline, because you never know when another spectacular season like this will come around.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Seeing one Cubs star in another: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s improved plate discipline earns Anthony Rizzo comp. “Crow-Armstrong’s improved on-base ability has been a big part of his MVP-caliber campaign, and it’s earned him a comparison to another Cubs star, the champion first baseman Rizzo.”
• Nick Deeds (Cubbies Crib): Shohei Ohtani injury update suddenly puts Pete Crow-Armstrong in position to do the unthinkable. “Is M-V-Pete back on the menu?”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): How a refined approach and more walks are helping drive Pete Crow-Armstrong’s stellar Chicago Cubs season. “An improved plate approach, featuring a 7.3 BB% increase from last season, makes Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong’s success feel more sustainable.”

Assorted Stories:

• Casey Drottar (MLB.com): After rocky start to ’26, Hoerner ready to flip the script in 2nd half. “After opening ‘26 with one of the best months of his career, Hoerner fell into a funk, batting just .202 over 63 games between May 1 and the All-Star break.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): ‘My Way’ scores Seiya Suzuki’s latest hot streak: Are Cubs approaching ‘final curtain’ with free-agent-to-be? “Suzuki is walking up to the plate to Frank Sinatra’s classic, which starts with lyrics about the end being near. Could the Cubs find themselves without their valuable slugger, slated to hit free agency after the season?”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs call up fallen top prospect in awkward trade deadline timing. “Cool, but why?”
• Jason Ross (North Side Baseball): James Triantos Finally Gets the Call to Join Cubs, Bringing Lots of Versatility to Chicago. “The Cubs are reportedly calling up the versatile James Triantos. What can fans expect to see from the rookie?”
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): David Peterson Has Melted Right into Cubdom, Thanks to Changes That Started with Mets. “The Cubs acquired David Peterson cheaply. They surely hope to land someone who slots in higher than he does, before the MLB trade deadline. But the best version of the team still includes Peterson as a starter, and the best version of Peterson is ready for that role.”

Food For Thought:

Jackie Scott is a native of Virginia and received her early training singing in the baptist church. Music played an important part in the worship experience and after singing gospel for 20 years, she felt a call to the blues. Her first introduction to live blues took place at a Buddy Guy concert followed by seeing BB King live. After seeing such phenomenal performances she was convinced singing the blues was what she wanted to do. Her quest to learn more about the blues lead her to the steamy windows of the windy city, Chicago.

After visiting Chicago to attend a wedding, she heard Chicago blues live in its element and was determined to capture the sound that swept her off her feet. That decision lead to many future trips to Chicago, honing her craft as a vocalist and entertainer. Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown, Alberta Hunter and Big Mama Thornton are some of the many influences that have allowed Jackie to carve out a unique style of her won.

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.

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Saturday's MLB slate features 15 games, with several short favorites and plus-money underdogs creating value across the moneyline market. Detroit and Milwaukee are among the stronger favorites on the board, while Miami, Pittsburgh, Oakland, and the White Sox offer potential upset opportunities.

Here are my MLB moneyline predictions for every game on July 25. Find more daily betting analysis with our latest MLB picks.

MLB moneyline picks for July 25

Matchup	Pick
Royals vs Tigers	-163
Diamondbacks vs Nationals	-117
Angels vs Giants	-117
Blue Jays vs Red Sox	-117
Padres vs Marlins	+116
Yankees vs Phillies	+100
Guardians vs Rays	-118
Cubs vs Pirates	+116
Braves vs Orioles	-108
Athletics vs Twins	+132
Astros vs White Sox	+113
Rockies vs Brewers	-203
Dodgers vs Mets	-136
Reds vs Cardinals	-117
Mariners vs Rangers	-102

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 7-25.

Expert MLB moneyline picks for July 25

Royals vs Tigers: Tigers (-163)

Tigers win probability: 62%

Detroit owns the edge almost everywhere that matters. Casey Mize has quietly put together a strong season with a 2.79 ERA, while the Tigers boast the better pitching staff and allow more than a run fewer per game than Kansas City. The Royals have struggled to prevent traffic on the bases all year, and against a quality team like Detroit, that usually catches up. I'll back the Tigers at home.

Diamondbacks vs Nationals: Nationals (-117)

Nationals win probability: 54%

Washington continues to be one of baseball's most productive offenses, leading the league in runs while ranking near the top in virtually every major hitting category. Foster Griffin has also been outstanding this season, and although Arizona owns the better overall pitching staff, the Nationals' offensive firepower gives them the edge. I'll trust the stronger lineup to outscore the Diamondbacks at home.

Angels vs Giants: Giants (-117)

Giants win probability: 54%

Robbie Ray gives San Francisco the clear pitching advantage against Ryan Johnson, and that's enough for me in a matchup between two inconsistent offenses. The Giants have produced more consistently at the plate, rank inside the Top 10 in slugging, and should create opportunities against an Angels rotation that has struggled all season. With the better starter and home-field advantage, San Francisco is the pick.

Blue Jays vs Red Sox: Red Sox (-117)

Red Sox win probability: 54%

This projects as one of the tighter games on the board, but Boston gets the nod behind Sonny Gray and one of the American League's better pitching staffs. Toronto ranks last in baseball in runs scored and OPS, making it difficult to back regardless of who's on the mound. With Gray enjoying a tremendous season and the Red Sox playing at Fenway Park, Boston is the side.

Padres vs Marlins: Marlins (+116)

Marlins win probability: 56%

Miami is worth backing at home behind Eury Perez, who has been the steadier starter in this matchup. The Marlins have quietly been the superior offensive club, ranking inside the Top 10 in batting average and on-base percentage, while San Diego sits near the bottom of the league in several offensive categories. Miami's more balanced profile gives it the edge in a competitive matchup.

Yankees vs Phillies: Yankees (+100)

Yankees win probability: 50%

The Yankees bring the league's top pitching staff into Philadelphia, and that's enough to lean toward New York in what the market views as a coin flip. The Yankees also own the more dangerous lineup, ranking among baseball's best in home runs, slugging, and OPS. With New York holding meaningful advantages on both sides of the ball, I'll take the Yankees at even money.

Guardians vs Rays: Rays (-108)

Rays win probability: 51%

Tampa Bay has quietly been one of the more complete clubs in baseball, ranking near the top in batting average, on-base percentage, and WHIP. Nick Martinez has also been excellent this season, while Cleveland continues to struggle offensively and sits near the bottom of the league in most hitting categories. The Rays check more boxes entering this matchup and deserve the slight edge at home.

Cubs vs Pirates: Pirates (-117)

Pirates win probability: 54%

Pittsburgh owns one of baseball's most dangerous offenses, leading the league in batting average while ranking second in runs scored. Paul Skenes also gives the Pirates an important starting-pitching advantage over Shota Imanaga. Chicago is certainly capable of generating offense, but Pittsburgh owns the stronger lineup and the better starter, making the Pirates the preferred side at home.

Braves vs Orioles: Braves (+104)

Braves win probability: 49%

Atlanta holds the edge in overall roster quality and offers value as a slight underdog. The Braves rank inside the Top 10 offensively while pairing that production with one of baseball's better pitching staffs. Baltimore has been more inconsistent on both sides of the ball, while Bryce Elder has been the steadier starter compared to Brandon Young. At plus money, Atlanta is the better investment.

Athletics vs Twins: Athletics (+133)

Athletics win probability: 43%

The A's are one of the more appealing underdog options on the board. Minnesota has not separated itself statistically, and while both pitching staffs have struggled, the Athletics match up well offensively, ranking inside the Top 10 in batting average and on-base percentage. The A's don't need to be the better team over a full season to justify the play. It only needs to outperform a 43% implied probability.

Astros vs White Sox: White Sox (+113)

White Sox win probability: 54%

Chicago gets the nod at home in what appears to be a relatively even matchup. Sean Burke has been more reliable than Hunter Brown this season, and the White Sox own the stronger overall pitching profile. Houston brings more home-run power, but the offensive gap between these teams isn't substantial enough to overcome Chicago's advantage on the mound. I'll back the White Sox as a home underdog.

Rockies vs Brewers: Brewers (-203)

Brewers win probability: 67%

Milwaukee is the strongest favorite on the slate for good reason. Colorado owns one of baseball's worst pitching staffs, ranking last in ERA, WHIP, and hits allowed, while the Brewers counter with one of the league's best run-prevention units. Milwaukee's offense should receive plenty of scoring opportunities against Ryan Feltner and an unreliable Rockies bullpen, making the Brewers the clear moneyline choice.

Dodgers vs Mets: Dodgers (-138)

Dodgers win probability: 58%

Los Angeles continues to separate itself as baseball's most complete team. The Dodgers rank first in OPS and on-base percentage while also leading the majors in runs allowed and hits allowed per game. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives them another advantage on the mound against a Mets lineup that has struggled for much of the season. At this price, Los Angeles remains a playable favorite.

Reds vs Cardinals: Cardinals (-117)

Cardinals win probability: 54%

St. Louis has been the steadier club this season, and Andre Pallante has provided more dependable innings than Hunter Greene. Cincinnati continues to struggle preventing baserunners, ranking near the bottom of the league in ERA and WHIP. While the Reds possess greater home-run upside, the Cardinals' more balanced offensive approach and stronger pitching profile give them the higher floor at home.

Mariners vs Rangers: Mariners (+100)

Mariners win probability: 50%

Seattle's pitching gives the Mariners the edge in this near pick'em matchup. They enter with one of baseball's best ERAs and WHIPs while facing a Texas club that has been merely average offensively. Bryan Woo and Nathan Eovaldi have produced similar numbers, but Seattle's deeper run-prevention profile provides more confidence over nine innings. At even money, I'll back the Mariners.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

For most of my life, baseball was simply a game: a glove, a bat, a ball, and a field. I lived for Game 7 home runs and revered Cooperstown. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were larger than life, the Yankees were the Evil Empire and the Rockies were still new.

I never thought of baseball as a business until I became a business owner myself. Employing people and making decisions about wages, risk, and resources taught me how incentives shape behavior — and how systems create unintended consequences.

I see baseball differently now.

While each pitch still exists on its own, it is also connected to salaries, service time, bonus pools, revenue sharing, and the rules governing how 30 organizations compete for talent.

Those rules are being renegotiated.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, and another work stoppage is widely expected. Major League Baseball has proposed its first salary cap since 1994, when owners sought to keep team payrolls between 84% and 110% of the league average.

The MLBPA went on strike that August, the World Series was canceled, and the dispute lasted 232 days. Owners withdrew the cap proposal in February 1995, and the strike ended shortly after.

The Players Association has promised to reject the current proposal.

The disagreement is easy to frame as another baseball civil war: Owners want control, players want money. The reality is that both sides want both. Owners want greater control over labor costs and how organizations compete. Players want control over their careers and a fairer share of the value they create.

The useful question is not which side contains the better people. It is what kind of baseball each side’s self-interest would produce.

Why a cap won’t fix the cost of being wrong 

MLB connects a salary cap to hope, fairness, and competitive balance. But the reality is that money affects both the opportunities available to a club and the cost of being wrong, and a cap-and-floor system cannot fully resolve that tension on its own.

As of this writing, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers own the two best records in baseball despite operating with radically different payrolls.

Records and 2026 total payroll allocations through July 22, 2026, via Spotrac:

The Dodgers’ spending helps explain why MLB is pushing so aggressively for a cap. Milwaukee’s success does not make an equally strong case for a floor, however. It shows that payroll is only one part of competitive capacity.

On the surface, a cap and floor could increase parity by narrowing the spending range. But until the enforcement mechanisms are public, we cannot know whether those limits would function as hard boundaries or simply as costs teams could price into their decisions.

Clubs would still take calculated risks on both ends. The Dodgers may decide that exceeding a limit — and accepting the resulting penalty — is worth the competitive advantage. Milwaukee or Colorado may remain near the floor because spending substantially beyond it would expose them to risks they have less financial flexibility to absorb.

That difference would remain when contracts go wrong. Los Angeles can carry a failed deal, absorb salary in a trade, or buy another solution. A similar mistake could restrict a lower-revenue club.

Money does not guarantee good decisions. It creates optionality: the ability to recover when a decision fails.

A cap and floor could reduce the largest payroll disparities, but they would not make every organization equally capable of surviving mistakes. The system would still favor financially powerful clubs and organizations that allocate their resources intelligently.

MLB also argues that its proposal would raise compensation for younger and ordinary players who may never reach lucrative free agency. That deserves serious consideration. But improving minimum salaries, pre-arbitration compensation, and early-career security does not inherently require suppressing elite salaries or broadly restricting contract length and market freedom.

A cap and floor may change the outer boundaries. The more important questions concern how money is distributed, where it is reinvested, and how effectively clubs develop talent.

Competitive balance is not primarily a payroll-number problem. It is a resource-allocation, reinvestment, and talent-development problem.

A credible path is not a promised arrival 

A fair system should give every club a credible path to contention. It should not guarantee success.

Every organization should have enough resources to build a legitimate roster, invest in development, retain key players, and participate in the market. But shared money should come with meaningful expectations that it will improve the baseball operation. Revenue sharing without accountability can strengthen a business without making the team more competitive.

The MLBPA has publicly proposed increasing support for lower-revenue clubs while requiring that shared money be used to compete. Its proposal includes benefits for clubs that win, penalties for teams that fail to spend revenue-sharing payments on payroll, and other rewards for clubs active in acquiring players.

The enforcement mechanisms have not been made public, and that matters. A requirement is only as meaningful as the spending it recognizes, the accounting it permits, and the consequences for ignoring it.

For a recipient such as the Rockies, the question is not only how much support arrives, but also what the final agreement requires the organization to do with it.

Losing is allowed. Collecting assistance without making a genuine effort to compete should carry consequences.

The standard should be proof of effort, not proof of success: reinvestment in scouting, development, talent retention, organizational depth, and the major-league roster.

The CBA can require investment and accountability. It cannot require competence.

Lower-revenue clubs will still depend on careful commitments and a steady supply of affordable homegrown players.

But that development system is also up for grabs.

The amateur doorway

MLB has proposed reducing the amateur draft from 20 rounds to 12 and eliminating eligibility for high school seniors and junior-college players. The union wants to retain 20 rounds, preserve those entry points, and expand eligibility to college sophomores.

MLB’s reasoning is understandable. Older college players are easier to evaluate, require less development, and may reach the majors sooner, while colleges absorb more of the early cost and uncertainty.

That may be more efficient for clubs, but it also changes where access to professional baseball begins.

The draft has long provided several entry points: high school, junior college, and four-year college programs. Removing two would make college baseball a much larger gatekeeper.

Name, image and likeness compensation complicates the issue, but the high school players capable of commanding major NIL opportunities are probably the same players likely to receive significant draft bonuses. They will be found under either system.

The greater concern is the uncertain 18-year-old: the late bloomer, multi-sport athlete, raw pitcher or undersized shortstop. Under MLB’s proposal, that player would have to remain visible and continue developing elsewhere before a professional organization could select him.

That means more private instruction, showcases, travel, and early specialization. Moving development outside professional baseball does not eliminate its cost. It transfers that cost to families with far less ability to absorb it.

A draft system should find talent. It should not require families to purchase visibility.

A deeper draft and minor-league system also have value beyond the number of players who eventually reach the majors. A late-round pitcher with premium velocity gives hitters experience against an advanced skill. A strong defender or capable catcher can improve the development environment for everyone around him, even if his own major-league future never arrives.

A player can fail as a prospect and still contribute to player development.

Reducing the draft would remove many players who never produce major-league value. It could also narrow the talent pool and thin the competitive environment that helps more promising players develop.

Baseball cannot tell lower-revenue clubs to build through player development while narrowing the doorway through which developmental talent enters the organization.

What it means for Colorado

Milwaukee offers a useful model. The Brewers remain competitive without the margin of the league’s wealthiest clubs because they know which traits they trust, develop around a recognizable philosophy, and take calculated risks before the market reaches the same conclusions.

They recently guaranteed more than $80 million to 21-year-old prospects Cooper Pratt and Luis Lara before either appeared in the majors. The contracts carry risk, but they reflect organizational conviction: Milwaukee identified players it believed in, guaranteed meaningful money, and secured years of cost certainty if those evaluations prove correct.

That is the kind of intelligence a fair system should reward.

The lesson for Colorado is not to copy Milwaukee’s roster. It is to build an organization that knows what it believes.

The Rockies have remained financially viable without becoming consistently functional. The franchise can generate revenue, appreciate in value, and remain stable despite decades of dysfunction.

Colorado does not need to manufacture a market. It already has the ballpark, geographic reach, and fan base. The arrival of Penner Sports Group adds something the franchise has rarely possessed: a deep-pocketed partner with experience building a modern sports organization.

That does not guarantee better baseball. The Monfort family still controls the club, and money cannot substitute for scouting, development, or judgment. But the Rockies are no longer operating with the same ownership structure, capital constraints, or organizational isolation that defined most of their history.

Historically, poor baseball performance in Colorado has rarely become financially painful enough to force meaningful change. A new CBA could alter that calculation by attaching conditions to shared revenue and creating incentives for clubs to turn assistance into competitive growth.

Exactly how those conditions and incentives would work remains unsettled.

But shared revenue should function as a bridge:

Receive support>Reinvest it competitively>Grow local revenue>Become less dependent on support.

A competitive Rockies team could increase attendance, sponsorship value, media interest, and regional attachment. But short-term improvement is not organizational health. Colorado must first build the infrastructure to sustain it: scouting, development, organizational depth, disciplined extensions, and flexibility when choices fail.

The timing may work in Colorado’s favor. The major-league roster is young, payroll commitments are relatively limited, and the next competitive window is likely to open under a new economic structure.

A new agreement could give the Rockies better resources, stronger incentives, and a more credible path to contention. It cannot scout for Colorado, solve pitching at elevation, or decide which players are worth building around. Those responsibilities still belong to the organization.

That is the balance baseball should pursue: give every franchise the means and reason to compete, then leave enough room for judgment, development and imagination to separate them.

On the farm

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes vs. Round Rock Express — postponed

Friday’s game between the Albuquerque Isotopes and Round Rock Express was postponed because of inclement weather and unplayable field conditions. The game will be made up Saturday as part of a doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m. MDT.

Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels 7, Hartford Yard Goats 0

Jean Carlos Sio’s three-run homer in the second inning ultimately provided all the offense Richmond needed. Hartford did not generate much at the plate, but the few openings it created were wasted. Cole Messina led off the third with the Yard Goats’ first hit, Dyan Jorge, Roc Riggio and Aidan Longwell collected three straight singles in the fourth, and Mike Antico opened the fifth with another single. None of it produced a run.

Hartford finished with five singles, went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight. Konner Eaton allowed three runs, two earned, across three-plus innings. Richmond added three runs against Davison Palermo in the fifth and one against Sam Weatherly in the eighth as the Yard Goats fell to 49-44.

High-A: Tri-City Dust Devils 9, Spokane Indians 5

Everett Catlett gave Spokane six strong innings, allowing two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks. The Indians trailed only 2-1 before the game unraveled in the seventh. Kevin Bruggeman’s first home run of the season started a seven-run Tri-City inning against Justin Loer, and the Dust Devils kept piling on with an RBI triple, three walks, two singles and help from a Spokane error.

Spokane answered in the eighth. Tommy Hopfe doubled and scored on an Ethan Hedges single before Tanner Thach hit his third High-A home run of the season (14th overall), a three-run shot that cut the deficit to 9-5. The first five Indians reached in the inning, but the rally stopped there. Hopfe finished 2-for-5 with his 12th homer and 17th double, while Roynier Hernandez reached four times. Spokane fell to 45-49.

Single-A: Fresno Grizzlies 6, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3

Fresno trailed 3-1 entering the bottom of the sixth before the offense flipped the game with five runs. Clayton Gray opened the inning with a single and Carlos Renzullo followed with his second home run of the season to tie it. Wilder Dalis doubled later in the inning before Kyle Fossum, Cam Hassert and Jeremy Ciriaco delivered three consecutive RBI singles to put the Grizzlies ahead 6-3.

Brady Parker allowed three runs on two hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. Dylan Crooks stranded an inherited runner and worked two scoreless innings for the win, lowering his ERA to 2.06, before Seth Clausen retired all five batters he faced with three strikeouts for his 10th save and a 1.38 ERA. Fresno improved to 52-42.

When Will the Rockies Get Former Gold Glove Winner Brenton Doyle Back From Injury? | SI.com

Now healthy enough to resume playing, Brenton Doyle has begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque and is hoping to return to Denver as quickly as possible. With the Rockies’ outfield suddenly crowded, the two-time Gold Glove winner says he is prepared to help in whatever role is available.

Here are the biggest movers on each club’s refreshed Top 30 list | MLB.com

MLB Pipeline examined the prospects making the biggest moves on each organization’s updated Top 30 list. For the Rockies, Cristian Arguelles has surged to No. 6 after carrying his dominance from the Dominican Summer League into the Arizona Complex League, while Jackson Cox has climbed into the top 10 after returning from Tommy John surgery to lead all minor leaguers in strikeouts.

Now an MLB selection, Ben Davis recounts playing in front of the ‘best fans in the country’ | 247sports.com

In this article from 247Sports.com, Ben Davis looks back on the emotion of being selected by the Rockies in the fourth round and ahead to the start of his professional career. The hard-throwing right-hander also reflects on his decision to return to Mississippi State for his final college season and thanks the coaches and fans who helped prepare him for pro ball — and who will continue cheering him on as he takes his first steps into it.

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks! 

The Mets’ 2026 season is the gift that keeps on giving. In the team’s series-opening loss to the Dodgers last night at Citi Field, Juan Soto was pulled from the game with left calf tightness after just two plate appearances as a designated hitter. The team said that he’ll undergo an MRI today, and interim manager Andy Green acknowledged that it’s possible that Soto lands on the injured list.

Back in early April, Soto suffered a right calf injury and spent three weeks on the injured list. On the same day that he returned, Francisco Lindor suffered a calf injury of his own, one that turned out to be more severe, as he spent two months on the injured list. The fact that the Mets’ two best position players have so rarely played together this season—having come into the year as two of the most durable players in the sport—kind of sums up the season. If both had been healthy all season, you’d have reasonably expected them to combine for something like 11-12 WAR, and here we are in late July with them having combined for just 3.7 fWAR and 3.4 bWAR.

When he has been healthy, Soto has been the best hitter in the National League. In 359 plate appearances, he’s hit .283/.408/.539 with a 159 wRC+. Only two American League hitters—Yordan Alvarez and Ben Rice—have been better by wRC+ at the time of this writing.

If everything goes right, 10 years from now Aiden Ruiz hopes he will be “on a similar path as Francisco Lindor, a Hall of Fame shortstop.” 

The Queens native took a step toward that goal Wednesday, signing a $3.5 million deal with the Pirates after they selected him in the second round of the MLB draft. 

“My parents were crying, my siblings were crying. It’s just something we all dreamed of for me,” Ruiz told The Post about getting drafted. 

“Everybody was all in, and there’s no way I would have accomplished it without them.” 

Ruiz and his family grew up in New York after his late grandfather, Sandalio, left Puerto Rico for a new life. 

It was there Sandalio shared his love of the game with his family, inspiring them all to pick up the bat at some point. 

Ruiz’s dad, Sam, played in the minor leagues and his brother for Division III Northern Ohio, while both his mom and sister played softball. 

The 19-year-old said despite being a Mets fan, if his grandfather were there to see his name called, he would have thrown off his Amazin’ hat to don the Pittsburgh black and yellow. 

New York is also where Ruiz played for Stony Brook School on Long Island, slashing .403/.547/.625 with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBIs, 21 walks and 23 stolen bases on his way to a NYSAIS state championship his senior year. 

His impressive play led to a commitment to Vanderbilt, which he will pass up on in favor of joining the Pirates system. 

The shortstop said playing in New York “put a chip on [his] shoulder” and added grit to his game because “Northeast players are not found enough.” 

Living in the baseball-crazed city gave him the chance to watch legendary players take the field for the Mets and Yankees every summer as well. 

One of those superstars, Lindor, is now his mentor. 

The two are represented by the same agency and train together in the summer at Lindor’s former Florida high school, Montverde Academy. 

Ruiz said they talk a lot about fielding, something that has helped the shortstop play “future Gold Glove-caliber defense,” according to MLB.com. 

Now signed with the Pirates, the 19-year-old has added a few more mentors in the form of teammates. 

Notably, Konnor Griffin, the 20-year-old shortstop and former No. 1 overall selection in 2024, already has met with Ruiz. 

Though they play the same position, Ruiz doesn’t see their relationship as a competition and is just focused on perfecting his own game. 

“What separates Konnor Griffin from other kids that are his age is knowing that you belong there, seeing his confidence and the way he walks, the way he talks,” Ruiz said. 

If given the chance, Ruiz added he would play anywhere for the Pirates, as long as he can help add to the “winning culture” and learn from the veterans on the team.