DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dives for a loose ball against Cameron Johnson #23 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Boston Celtics could’ve secured a four-game road trip sweep over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, had it not been for their second-half tumble. Defensive lapses, a no-show from the reserve unit, and countless missed opportunities doomed the Cs.
But instead of sulking in the aftermath, Jaylen Brown took a different, more constructive approach to digesting the team’s 103-84 defeat in Denver.
“I think we’ll be pleased by how many open looks we had,” Brown told reporters, per CLNS Media. “It’s not like our offense didn’t create the advantages we were looking for. We got a bunch of great shots, it felt like. It just didn’t go down tonight.”
Boston fell victim to a collection of factors that snowballed into a storm greater than the blizzard they avoided back in New England this past weekend. Even so, there was a bright side worth pinpointing, as Brown did. The Celtics consistently generated quality looks throughout the second half, which made the result all the more frustrating. Shot creation wasn’t the issue. Shot conversion, however, was.
They finished 12-of-43 from 3-point range (27.9%), with Brown, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Payton Pritchard — all reliable perimeter threats — accounting for 13 of those misses. Of those attempts, 10 came on quality or wide-open looks. Over time, those misses dug a deeper divot, eventually forcing Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to pull the plug and sit his starters on the bench for the final 5:33 of the fourth quarter.
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 25: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brown doesn’t believe any of that is worth overanalyzing as the team heads back home.
“It’s a long season. It’s a journey,” Brown told reporters. “One game doesn’t make or break us. Tonight, we could’ve played better, we could’ve converted a little bit more — second night of a back-to-back. We don’t hang our heads, though. We move on to the next.”
Leaving regret in the rearview mirror has become one of this season’s greatest strengths for the Celtics. It’s a principle that Mazzulla has preached since the start of the campaign, and one the team has consistently embraced. Whether during their most dominant performances and their ugliest slip-ups, the Celtics have continued to put that short-term memory into practice — pragmatically.
Boston won’t dwell on a single play, no matter how costly, but that doesn’t mean that details are ignored. Film gets reviewed. Mistakes get addressed. There’s a balance, and everyone in the locker room understands it.
Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić finished scoring 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but it was far from pretty. Jokić opened the night 4-of-11 in the first quarter, and nearly half of his 28 shot attempts came from beyond the arc. The three-time league MVP wasn’t the sole difference-maker responsible for dragging the Celtics and tilting the game, even though his double-double suggests it.
For the most part, Boston’s defense held its own against Jokić.
“I think we did a pretty good job on him,” White told reporters, per CLNS Media. “… He’s really good and does a little bit of everything for them, so I think our big did a pretty good job on him.”
The Celtics have 24 hours to unwind and reassess before hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Until then, they’ll roll with the approach that’s brought them this far in moving on from their Denver collapse. They’ll search for whatever opportunities remain in place to improve, make use of their miscues against the Nuggets, and establish the best way to strategize. It’s a collective effort.
“It would’ve been great to finish out strong in the road trip with a win,” Brown told reporters. “But 3-1 on a West Coast swing, coming straight out of the All-Star break, is not half bad. So, we just got to continue to get better little by little. I like where we’re at as a group. I think we’re playing some really good basketball. I think our guys have developed in areas that we continue to push along, so we just got to keep that up.”
Boston still owns the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, with a one and a ½ game lead over the New York Knicks. The race for the top spot also remains within reach, as the Celtics trail the Detroit Pistons only by five games. So while their 20th loss of the season was a tough one to stomach in real time, Boston remains in a favorable position worth highlighting.
“I like where we’re at as a group,” Brown told reporters. “I like where we’re at as a team.”
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dives for a loose ball against Cameron Johnson #23 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Boston Celtics could’ve secured a four-game road trip sweep over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, had it not been for their second-half tumble. Defensive lapses, a no-show from the reserve unit, and countless missed opportunities doomed the Cs.
But instead of sulking in the aftermath, Jaylen Brown took a different, more constructive approach to digesting the team’s 103-84 defeat in Denver.
“I think we’ll be pleased by how many open looks we had,” Brown told reporters, per CLNS Media. “It’s not like our offense didn’t create the advantages we were looking for. We got a bunch of great shots, it felt like. It just didn’t go down tonight.”
Boston fell victim to a collection of factors that snowballed into a storm greater than the blizzard they avoided back in New England this past weekend. Even so, there was a bright side worth pinpointing, as Brown did. The Celtics consistently generated quality looks throughout the second half, which made the result all the more frustrating. Shot creation wasn’t the issue. Shot conversion, however, was.
They finished 12-of-43 from 3-point range (27.9%), with Brown, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Payton Pritchard — all reliable perimeter threats — accounting for 13 of those misses. Of those attempts, 10 came on quality or wide-open looks. Over time, those misses dug a deeper divot, eventually forcing Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to pull the plug and sit his starters on the bench for the final 5:33 of the fourth quarter.
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 25: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brown doesn’t believe any of that is worth overanalyzing as the team heads back home.
“It’s a long season. It’s a journey,” Brown told reporters. “One game doesn’t make or break us. Tonight, we could’ve played better, we could’ve converted a little bit more — second night of a back-to-back. We don’t hang our heads, though. We move on to the next.”
Leaving regret in the rearview mirror has become one of this season’s greatest strengths for the Celtics. It’s a principle that Mazzulla has preached since the start of the campaign, and one the team has consistently embraced. Whether during their most dominant performances and their ugliest slip-ups, the Celtics have continued to put that short-term memory into practice — pragmatically.
Boston won’t dwell on a single play, no matter how costly, but that doesn’t mean that details are ignored. Film gets reviewed. Mistakes get addressed. There’s a balance, and everyone in the locker room understands it.
Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić finished scoring 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but it was far from pretty. Jokić opened the night 4-of-11 in the first quarter, and nearly half of his 28 shot attempts came from beyond the arc. The three-time league MVP wasn’t the sole difference-maker responsible for dragging the Celtics and tilting the game, even though his double-double suggests it.
For the most part, Boston’s defense held its own against Jokić.
“I think we did a pretty good job on him,” White told reporters, per CLNS Media. “… He’s really good and does a little bit of everything for them, so I think our big did a pretty good job on him.”
The Celtics have 24 hours to unwind and reassess before hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Until then, they’ll roll with the approach that’s brought them this far in moving on from their Denver collapse. They’ll search for whatever opportunities remain in place to improve, make use of their miscues against the Nuggets, and establish the best way to strategize. It’s a collective effort.
“It would’ve been great to finish out strong in the road trip with a win,” Brown told reporters. “But 3-1 on a West Coast swing, coming straight out of the All-Star break, is not half bad. So, we just got to continue to get better little by little. I like where we’re at as a group. I think we’re playing some really good basketball. I think our guys have developed in areas that we continue to push along, so we just got to keep that up.”
Boston still owns the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, with a one and a ½ game lead over the New York Knicks. The race for the top spot also remains within reach, as the Celtics trail the Detroit Pistons only by five games. So while their 20th loss of the season was a tough one to stomach in real time, Boston remains in a favorable position worth highlighting.
“I like where we’re at as a group,” Brown told reporters. “I like where we’re at as a team.”
The knockout playoffs are complete after a whirlwind round of action. Bodø/Glimt’s fairytale continues while the holders struggled again
Bodø/Glimt’s 2-1 defeat of Inter at San Siro continued this season’s miracle. The post-match discussion between Inter coach Cristian Chivu and his opposite number, Kjetil Knutsen, was one of admiration, an acknowledgment the Norwegian team had been too good for the runaway Serie A leaders. Even though Inter were without Lautaro Martínez, their standard bearer, a comeback seemed likely as they dominated the early stages. But they found no way through, eventually falling victim to the high-quality, high-speed attacking that had left them with a 3-1 deficit to overcome from the first leg.
The Vegas Golden Knights picked up a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 25. Former Philadelphia Flyers forward Tanner Laczynski certainly ended up playing a role in Vegas' win over Los Angeles, as he had a strong game offensively.
Laczynski demonstrated his playmaking skills against the Kings, as he recorded his first-career three-assist game at the NHL level. All three of his helpers were primary assists, too, so he helped set up his teammates nicely in this matchup.
With his big performance against the Kings, Laczynski has now set new career highs with five assists and five points in just 10 games this season with the Golden Knights. Thus, this was easily the best offensive performance of the former Flyers forward's career thus far.
Laczynski was selected by the Flyers with the 169th overall pick of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. In 38 games over three seasons with the Flyers from 2020-21 to 2022-23, Laczynski had two goals, four points, 38 hits, and a minus-5 rating.
Proteas’ Markram leads nine-wicket win over West Indies
A rampant India piled up a record total and handed Zimbabwe a 72-run shellacking in a Super 8s contest to revive their Twenty20 World Cup title defence. Sent in, the hosts blasted 256 for four, the tournament’s highest score this year, after Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya struck blistering half-centuries.
It rained 17 sixes and as many fours at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium as India’s top order feasted on a modest Zimbabwean attack made even blunter by their sloppy catching.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees forces out Joey Wiemer #21 of the Washington Nationals at first base in the fifth inning during a Grapefruit League spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It had been a positive start to the spring for the Washington Nationals, but they got a reality check last night. They suffered their first defeat of the spring, losing 7-0 to the Yankees in a sloppy contest. The Nats were credited with three errors, but that is being generous. It really could have been five or six.
Last season, the Nats were one of the worst defensive teams in baseball. Even while the Nats were winning games early this spring, the defense looked suspect. Last night it ended up costing them. Blake Butera has already made defense an emphasis this spring, but clearly it needs to be an even bigger focus.
One thing Butera is going to really need to focus on is pitchers defense. It has been a consistent problem throughout camp, and it was on display again last night. Clayton Beeter and Andrew Alvarez both made throwing errors last night. In our piece yesterday, we mentioned pitcher defense as an area that had to improve.
The pitchers fielding has been horrific so far this spring
Yesterday the offense was very stagnant as well. The Nats only had one hit. However, offense is a secondary concern to me right now. It is still early in camp right now and guys are still finding their swings. As long as some of the big names on the team show life by the end of spring, it is not a big deal.
The Nats also faced some world class pitching last night. New Yankee Ryan Weathers looked absolutely electric in his spring debut with the team. He was pitching with a point to prove, showing a fastball that reached 100 MPH. Weathers’ stuff looked better than ever and he was hitting all of his spots. The Nats also saw some of the Yankees’ better relief pitchers such as David Bednar and Fernando Cruz.
I care much more about the fielding problems than any offensive concerns. Fundamentals should be the focus of Spring Training, and those have been lacking so far for the Nats. It is still February, but the Nats have a long way to go on the defensive side of the ball.
Keibert Ruiz also had a rough night behind the plate. He was not credited with any errors, but his blocking did not look good and he misplayed a ball hit to him. In an open competition, that is not a great look for Ruiz, who has struggled defensively for years. The Nats traded for Harry Ford this offseason, and he should have a chance to win the job out of camp.
Another player who has really struggled to start camp is Dylan Crews. Last night, he struck out twice and made an ugly error where he just dropped the ball. Crews has not lived up to his pre-draft hype so far, making 2026 a massive year for him. He has not been making the kind of statement you would like to see so far this spring.
There is still a long way to go, but I do not think Crews has done enough to be above starting the season at AAA. If Crews continues to struggle and one of the Nats many outfielders outperforms him badly, there should be a conversation. Crews never truly mastered the AAA level, so maybe going down there would not be the worst thing.
Of course, it would take Crews really struggling and someone else really stepping up for that to happen. However, I do believe that is a conversation worth having. Paul Toboni should be able to start with a clean slate. He was not the guy who drafted these players, so he should not feel any loyalty to them. The best man should win. There is still almost a month of Spring Training left, so Crews has plenty of time to redeem himself.
It is still very early in the spring, and the Nats are 4-1 so far. There were some concerning things on display last night, but I do not want this to be all doom and gloom. We should expect some ugly performances from time to time. This is a young team that is not built to win this year.
The Nats getting shelled or shut out every once in a while is not a big deal to me. However, I want them to control the things they can control. That means cleaning up the defensive mistakes and playing smart baseball. You do not need to be the most talented team in the league to play clean baseball. Hopefully we see defensive improvement as we approach the regular season.
San Jose saw four of its players compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan over the last couple of weeks, including forward Pavol Regenda for Slovakia, forward Alexander Wennberg for Sweden, forward Philipp Kurashev for Switzerland and forward Macklin Celebrini for Canada, who won silver.
Now, the full team is back and ready to trek along for the remainder of the season, starting with a six-game homestand beginning Thursday, Feb. 26 against the Calgary Flames.
"It's just the same approach every day, no matter what situation you're in," Celebrini told USA TODAY Sports. "That's what I found at the Olympics. It was the biggest stage I've ever played on, and the biggest games I've ever been a part of. So, I think it was just, come back to my same routine, doing all the same things to get prepared, and then whatever happens on the ice, happens."
The Sharks remain hopeful they'll continue playing into late April.
There has been a lot of buzz generating around the Bay Area over the resurgence of a Sharks team that has been in the draft lottery year in and year out and hasn't sniffed the postseason since 2019.
Still, heading back into the regular season with a 27-24-4 record (58 points), San Jose finds itself on the outskirts of a wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky told USA TODAY Sports that they aren't overlooking games, or looking too far down the road. The team is focusing its attention not on the last months of the season, but on how to improve every single day.
"When you walk in the building it says on the left side of the wall 'Focus on Today.' That's what we ask of our players and that's what we'll continue to do," Warsofsky told USA TODAY Sports.
"We gotta focus on today and that was our practice," he said. "(Thursday), we'll get ready for the Calgary Flames. We can't get wrapped in 'we have a six-game homestand, we gotta go 6-0'. Can't do that. Mentally, as (a) human being you get overwhelmed."
Warsofsky, 38, is in his second season as head coach of the Sharks.
He was an assistant coach before being promoted, becoming the youngest NHL head coach in June 2024. Although young, Warsofsky is ensuring that the team remains level-headed and focused on little tasks that make a huge impact.
"So, we're going to focus, we're gonna have a morning skate tomorrow, it's gonna feel good. There's meetings and (we'll) prepare our players and making sure we execute it and get excited to play in front of our fans," Warsofsky said. "But we can't get wrapped up in the homestand. Today we had practice, we were focused on that and had a good practice."
Celebrini has been one of the bright spots for the Sharks. He is in his second year after being selected with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL entry draft. Beyond being an Olympic selection for Team Canada, he finds himself in the top five of the NHL scoring leaderboard.
His production has been a big part of the Sharks' turnaround. In his rookie season, the Sharks went just 20-50-12 (52 points).
The 19-year-old phenom echoed some of the same sentiments as Warsofsky regarding the team's focus on the present, rather than looking too far into the future.
"It's a mentality for every game you want to win," Celebrini said. "Especially how important it is for us. Like I said, we're not going to try to look too far ahead, but, I mean, we know. We know how important all these games are."
That mentality is contagious amongst the entire team, setting up for an interesting finish to the season.
After seven years outside the field, the Sharks feel like now's the time to end their playoff drought. Regenda doubled-down, and said that is the goal.
"Everybody wants to win," Regenda told USA TODAY Sports. "Everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to make the playoff. And that's our goal."
Having an opportunity to play for his home country, Slovakia, provided Regenda with a newfound confidence that he needed as the Sharks lean on him and other players down the stretch.
"(I've gained) a little confident in (myself)," Regenda said. "I can play with the big guys. That's my goal, you know, come to the games, be confident and play my game, and, you know, help the team as much as I can."
Regenda said the team is happy to be back on the ice together after the break and is excited about the next couple of games, adding that "nobody wants to lose."
Sep 24, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Petey Halpin (0) scores in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
With seven teams in its minor league system, Cleveland has 165 players under contract heading into the 2026 season, so it’s a bit unfair to stop counting prospects at just the top 20.
Every year I pick some other non-top 20 prospects to keep an eye on and the track record has been pretty solid thus far. In last year’s article, I picked four players who made it to this year’s top 20 prospects and two more made it to the show (George Valera and Petey Halpin).
Here are some prospects who just missed the cut from Covering the Corner’s top 20 and deserve some recognition as well. Prospects are listed by their proximity to MLB.
Catchers
Jacob Cozart, 23, C
Drafted in the second round out of NC State in the 2024 MLB Draft, scouts said Jacob Cozart was strong defensively. After struggling in a small sample size the year he was drafted, Cozart blossomed in 2025. putting up above average wRC+ numbers at both High-A and then at Double-A. To top that off, I’ve seen multiple scouting reports that are claiming he’s not only the best defensive catcher in Cleveland’s system, but Cozart is one of the best defensive catchers in minor league baseball. He threw out 37 attempted base thieves last year in 84 games played at catcher.
Bennett Thompson, 23, C
Thompson also was drafted in 2024 — in the 13th round as a more offense-first catcher. The offense impressed in 2025 as he posted a 118 wRC+ at Single-A Lynchburg, even stealing eight bases while slashing .269/.372/.352 and earning a cup of coffee at High-A Lake County to close out the season. He also threw out 32 baserunners, which wasn’t half bad.
Infielders
Christian Knapczyk, 24, 2B/SS
Cleveland’s fifth round pick in 2023, Knapczyk is a high-contact speedster. He improved his power numbers in 2025, blasting seven home runs at High-A, where he played good enough to earn a late season promotion to Double-A. Knapczyk hasn’t been super flashy, but he’s been above average at all three levels he’s played thus far, including posting a 102 wRC+ in his 25-game stint at Akron last year, where he walked an impressive 14.4% of the time while dropping his strikeout rate.
Juan Benjamin, 22, 2B/3B
A 2019 international signing out of the Dominican Republic, Benjamin has been a slow mover in Cleveland’s system, stalling at Single-A for two and a half seasons. Despite a sub-par 2024, his first season of his career that was below 100 wRC+, Cleveland promoted him to High-A Lake County for 2025 and it paid off. Benjamin flourished there, slashing .276/.365/.385 in 88 games with 18 stolen bases, good for a 116 wRC+ and lining him up to debut at Double-A this year.
Dean Curley, 21, SS
Cleveland’s second round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Dean Curley played just nine games with Lynchburg in the Carolina League last year, but he also played a part in the Hillcats’ run to a Carolina League championship in the playoffs. Before that, Curley slashed .315/.435/.531 with Tennessee while bashing 14 home runs. Curley likely will be the opening day shortstop for Lake County this year.
Luke Hill, 21, 3B
llege Cleveland’s fourth round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Hill got off to an extremely hot start after getting placed at Single-A Lynchburg, slashing an elite /.357/.459/.510 over 15 games. Hill has an excellent eye at the plate, walking more than he struck out in his final two college seasons and he kept that skill at Lynchburg, walking 17.7% of the time. He’ll likely begin 2026 at High-A Lake County.
Riley Nelson, 22, 1B
Cleveland’s fifth round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Nelson had a spectacular final season with Vanderbilt, slashing .344/.450/.526 and he carried that over to a 15-game run with Single-A Lynchburg, slashing .316/.381/.474, good for a 149 wRC+. Nelson also is expected to begin at High-A Lake County.
Dauri Fernandez, 18, 2B/3B/SS
Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2024, Fernandez hit the ground running with the Dominican Summer League at age 17 with a 112 wRC+. He blossomed in his stateside debut, slashing .333/.398/.558 over 43 games with an impressive six home runs, nine doubles and four triples, exploding his ISO to .224. He earned a seven-game cup of coffee at full-season Lynchburg. He was Cleveland’s most impressive hitter at the complex league. Keep an eye on this one.
Gabriel Rodriguez, 18, SS
Signed internationally in 2024, Rodriguez appears to have the chops to stick at shortstop and has shown an incredible ability to get on base. After posting a ridiculous .506 on base percentage in his debut season in the DSL, Rodriguez had his best hitting performance in the Arizona Complex League last year, hitting .294 while maintaining an elite .393 OBP. Unlike many of Cleveland’s undersized international prospects, Rodriguez stands 6-foot-1 and has room to grow.
Rodny Rosario, 18, SS
Signed out of Venezuela for $230,000 in 2025, Rosario had the best offensive season of any Guardians prospect between both of the organization’s Dominican Summer League teams, slashing .307/.452/.464 with an impressive six triples and a pair of home runs in his age-17 season. The switch hitter walked as much as he struck out and should move to Arizona this year.
Outfielders
Petey Halpin, 23, CF
A third round pick by Cleveland in 2020, Halpin has been slightly above average almost every season in the Guardians’ system. He hit a career-high 14 home runs in his Triple-A debut in 2025 and earned an opportunity at the MLB level in September, where he showcased above average defense, baserunning and an excellent ability to get on base in a small sample size.
Wuilfredo Antunez, 23, RF
A 2019 international signing out of Venezuela, Antunez has done nothing but hit at every level he’s ever played at, never posting a wRC+ below 120. He slashed .275/.354/.420 spending the entire 2023 season at Single-A Lynchburg and Cleveland repeated him there in 2024, where he again played well, putting up a 127 wRC+. Antunez saw a power spike in 2025, blasting a career-high 18 home runs split between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron, posting a wRC+ of 135 and 147 at each.
Tommy Hawke, 22, LF
Hawke was Cleveland’s sixth round pick in 2023 and spent his entire 2024 campaign at Single-A Lynchburg. He posted an elite walk-rate of 15.1% while swiping 37 bases over 88 games, slashing .263/.379/.347 with a 121 wRC+. Hawke is a contact-focused hitter, hitting just one home run last year. He’ll likely start 2025 at High-A.
Nick Mitchell, 22, CF
Acquired by Cleveland in the Andres Gimenez trade, Mitchell was above average repeating at Single-A Lynchburg, but impressed significantly after he was promoted to High-A Lake County, where he slashed .267/.380/.422, good for a 128 wRC+. While he only hit two home runs, Mitchell stole 30 bases and walked more than he struck out on the season.
Ryan Cesarini, 23, OF
Cesarini was selected in the 14th round of the 2024 MLB Draft and he was above average at Single-A Lynchburg last year with 33 stolen bases. He earned a late season promotion to High-A and played even better while there, slashing .292/.373/.469, good for an elite 138 wRC+. On the season, he stole 40 bases and smacked five home runs while almost walking more than he struck out.
Esteban Gonzalez, 22, OF
Gonzalez was a 2019 international signing out of Venezuela and he’s performed at almost every level, only requiring a repeat stint at the complex league in 2023, where he flourished. He was a staple of Lake County’s lineup in 2025, playing 110 games where he slashed .272/.336/.430 while stealing 24 bases and shellacking nine home runs.
Aaron Walton, 21, OF
Selected as a competitive balance pick in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft, Walton made a 16-game stint at Single-A Lynchburg, where he slashed .238/.324/.397 with a home run, five doubles and a triple while helping the Hillcats win the Carolina League championship. Before that, Walton was a standout junior prospect out of Arizona, where he showcased an impressive all-round game while putting up strong numbers with a .320/.437/.589 slash, 14 home runs and 19 stolen bases. He was hit by a whopping 24 pitches that season as well. He’ll likely begin the 2026 campaign at High-A.
Nolan Schubart, 21, OF
Cleveland’s third round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Schubart presents a stark change from the typical Guardians model, as he is the most strikeout-prone college hitter the team has drafted in recent memory. He’s also one of the most powerful sluggers, bashing a combined 59 home runs in his three seasons at Oklahoma State. He had an elite 1.351 OPS his sophomore season, but a 24.59% strikeout rate in college scared scouts. He whiffed 36% of the time in a 15-game stint at Lynchburg as well.
Robert Arias, 18, OF
Cleveland’s top international signing in 2024 out of the Dominican Republic, Arias showed great plate discipline in his Dominican Summer League debut, walking almost twice as much as he struck out. This past season, he again walked more than striking out, leading the team with 29 stolen bases in 46 games and slashed a solid .287/.389/.402. I expect him to make his full-season debut at Single-A this year to begin the 2026 campaign.
Did I miss any of Cleveland’s minor league players that you felt deserved a shoutout? Feel free to comment or share your opinion on the “best of the rest” below.
(Original Caption) Ft. Lauderdale, Florida: John Blanchard of the Yankees during spring training.
The next player in our Birthday Series, covering every type of New York Yankee we possibly can, is one I hold in special regard. Several years ago, we did a series covering the best complementary players in Yankees history, and he was one of the nominees: former outfielder and catcher Johnny Blanchard.
John Edwin Blanchard Born: February 26, 1933 (Minneapolis, MN) Died: March 25, 2009 (Robbinsdale, MN) Yankees Tenure: 1955-65
While everyone is always looking for that secret formula, the truth is there are many reasons behind a dynasty, and that has always been the case — the Yankees would know more than any other in baseball history. Among the many important points, organizational depth is key, one properly illustrated by the likes of Johnny Blanchard — a player who was never a feature piece of a Yankee team in any given season, but did his part and then some in a couple of World Series-winning teams.
A native of the small town of Robbinsdale in Minneapolis, Blanchard was a standout athlete growing up, earning the attention of scouts in multiple sports. The Minneapolis Lakers tried to keep him in-state as a basketball player, but Blanchard took the rather tempting offer from the Yankees for $20k to sign out of high school. A product of Central High School, Blanchard was one of the two more notable major leaguers to come out of the school that closed its doors in 1982.
Signed as an outfielder, Blanchard was developing in the minors when he paused his career for a two-year period to serve in the US Army in the Korean War in 1953 and 1954. Struggling heavily in his first taste of pro ball, Blanchard had found himself in 1952 with an outstanding campaign, securing a .996 OPS for the Toplin Miners before his time with the Army.
Returning to the Yankees in 1955, Blanchard managed to get a cup of tea with the big league club, one that proved misleading concerning his proximity to the majors. From 1955 to 1958, Blanchard split his time between Double-A and Triple-A, struggling to gain space in the big league club and also working through a particularly difficult transition from the outfield to catching — one made even harder for a player whose natural talents didn’t particularly stand out that much, at least according to Blanchard himself.
Little could Blanchard have guessed that the transition to the catching position would earn him a better shot at playing time from 1960 onwards — the Yankee outfield became more crowded with the addition of Roger Maris via trade with the Royals, one that sparked the beginning of a particularly successful era of Yankee baseball.
Following two underwhelming seasons as a backup catcher in 1959 and 1960, Blanchard delivered one of the more memorable backup campaigns in the history of Yankee baseball — the backup catcher taking full advantage of that powerful left-handed swing to hit a whopping 21 homers in just 275 at-bats, and four of them even came in a row. Despite coming off the bench, one could argue that Blanchard was one of the more impactful players of that championship-winning team outside of the Mickey Mantle-Roger Maris duo.
Helping a Yankee team that beat the Reds four games to one in the World Series, Blanchard made his first of several productive Fall Classic appearances. Blanchard went 4-for-10 with a pair of home runs, the only Yankee hitter to go deep multiple times in the World Series. The first of those homers was a crucial one in the path of the whole series — after splitting the first two games at home, the Yankees trailed 2-1 in Cincinnati in Game 3, and Blanchard hit a game-tying shot, quickly followed by Roger Maris also going yard in a 3-2 Yankee victory.
From then on, the Yankees cruised through a couple of blowout wins to win the series in five.
Although he was never quite able to repeat those regular-season numbers of 1961, Blanchard went on to put up three solid campaigns off the bench for the Yankees. New York made the World Series every year between 1961 and 1964 but only won a couple, and Blanchard never featured as much as he did in that first one against Cincinnati. However, to hold Blanchard to the standard of that outrageous 1961 campaign is a tad harsh to say the least. Between 1962 and 1964, Blanchard had a 107 OPS+ in over 700 plate appearances, an outstanding effort for a reserve catcher, one that any team would gladly take. With Yogi Berra manning the position, there wasn’t room in the Yankees roster for a larger role — it’s hard not to wonder what Blanchard might have done at his best if given the opportunity to start full-time.
A player coming from Minnesota, Blanchard learned to love being a Yankee more than the usual relationship between player and organization. One of his most memorable stories as a Yankee is that of his reaction following a trade in 1965, crying copiously at the thought of no longer wearing pinstripes. After playing for the Kansas City Athletics and Milwaukee Braves in 1965, Blanchard retired as a 32-year-old, clearly struggling more than you’d expect for a player of his age. That was by far Blanchard’s worst season, finishing it with a .532 OPS.
Many players’ love of the game leads to them occupying other roles upon retiring, but other than a failed comeback attempt a few years into his retirement, Blanchard didn’t. The retired ballplayer went on to work as a salesman in several different areas and was also involved in real estate.
Blanchard died of a heart attack on March 25, 2009, in his hometown of Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He’ll always live on in lore of the Yankees’ dynasty years.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Cooper Flagg is currently the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year. His Duke roommate, Kon Kneueppel, is behind him at around +220 (you bet $100, you win $220). Flagg is currently injured (and Dallas is tanking), and, as somewhat of a betting man myself, I wondered why I should not take the juice on Kneuppel in anticipation that Flagg doesn’t reach the 65-game threshold. This led me to a Marc Stein tweet where he explained that the threshold does not apply to the Rookie of the Year award. Why? Outside of MVP, you could argue that Rookie of the Year is the most coveted award in basketball. Unlike the other trophies, you only have one shot to win it. The NBA’s desire for players to play more is the genesis for this arbitrary number of games, and yet it does not apply to the award that theoretically should have the most participation. This is a sign of a fundamentally broken system, and instead of trying to assign more random parameters around qualification, they should scrap it all and let chaos win.
Cade Cunningham could win the MVP this year by default, essentially. This is not a knock on Cade, as he is the leader of the East’s best team currently. But at their current pace, the only top-five MVP candidate (by betting odds) outside of Cunningham that is on track to play 65-plus games this season is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on pace for just 67 and is also currently hurt. So we may see a year where Nikola Jokic, averaging a triple-double while leading the league in rebounds and assists, Luka Doncic, averaging 32.5 points, and Victor Wembanyama, blocking nearly three shots a game to go with his 24 points and 11 rebounds on a Spurs team that has improved its win total by seven games already, all do not qualify for MVP. And for what? To satisfy a made-up, health-related rule in a league that is increasingly more injured as the days pass? It is completely asinine. The voting has always been narrative-based and subjective, and now is the time to lean in and remove any objectivity so creativity can run free.
Adam Silver has said the NBA is a social league, and one that values internet clips and reactions. What if, instead of closed-door voting, they broadcast the deliberation? Imagine a room with Bill Simmons, Kendrick Perkins, and other NBA talking heads duking it out over why Nikola Jokic’s advanced metrics outweigh Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bucket-getting ability. Or maybe they throw Chuck Klosterman in there, and he dispels any Luka Doncic support, citing Nico Harrison’s probable cause for trading him. That would do numbers on social media, Adam! After all, the media ultimately writes the history books. The discussion around the games is done by the people who vote for these awards, so why restrict their subjectivity at all?
It’s time to get weird. The NBA’s half-baked attempt to put bumpers up on award voting has failed, even if all the aforementioned players reach 65 games played. That these conversations even happen is an indictment of this fragile algorithm. These awards ultimately matter only in debate circles and online forums, so trying to act like they are a sacred relic with high standards is counterintuitive to the goal. In fact, let’s go a step further. Each candidate should have to pitch their case to a Shark-Tank-esque panel of writers and analysts. You want clips, commissioner? How about one of Shaquille O’Neal saying “I’m out” after Victor Wembanyama points to his three-point efficiency at 7’4” as a pillar of his MVP argument.
There are better ways to decide these awards. If the rules apply to some, but not all of them, then it’s time to get rid of the rules. The NBA is an experimental league. We have seen this with All-Star weekend, the play-in tournament, and the NBA Cup. The awards should be the next thing to throw fun wrinkles at.
Cooper Flagg is currently the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year. His Duke roommate, Kon Kneueppel, is behind him at around +220 (you bet $100, you win $220). Flagg is currently injured (and Dallas is tanking), and, as somewhat of a betting man myself, I wondered why I should not take the juice on Kneuppel in anticipation that Flagg doesn’t reach the 65-game threshold. This led me to a Marc Stein tweet where he explained that the threshold does not apply to the Rookie of the Year award. Why? Outside of MVP, you could argue that Rookie of the Year is the most coveted award in basketball. Unlike the other trophies, you only have one shot to win it. The NBA’s desire for players to play more is the genesis for this arbitrary number of games, and yet it does not apply to the award that theoretically should have the most participation. This is a sign of a fundamentally broken system, and instead of trying to assign more random parameters around qualification, they should scrap it all and let chaos win.
Cade Cunningham could win the MVP this year by default, essentially. This is not a knock on Cade, as he is the leader of the East’s best team currently. But at their current pace, the only top-five MVP candidate (by betting odds) outside of Cunningham that is on track to play 65-plus games this season is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on pace for just 67 and is also currently hurt. So we may see a year where Nikola Jokic, averaging a triple-double while leading the league in rebounds and assists, Luka Doncic, averaging 32.5 points, and Victor Wembanyama, blocking nearly three shots a game to go with his 24 points and 11 rebounds on a Spurs team that has improved its win total by seven games already, all do not qualify for MVP. And for what? To satisfy a made-up, health-related rule in a league that is increasingly more injured as the days pass? It is completely asinine. The voting has always been narrative-based and subjective, and now is the time to lean in and remove any objectivity so creativity can run free.
Adam Silver has said the NBA is a social league, and one that values internet clips and reactions. What if, instead of closed-door voting, they broadcast the deliberation? Imagine a room with Bill Simmons, Kendrick Perkins, and other NBA talking heads duking it out over why Nikola Jokic’s advanced metrics outweigh Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bucket-getting ability. Or maybe they throw Chuck Klosterman in there, and he dispels any Luka Doncic support, citing Nico Harrison’s probable cause for trading him. That would do numbers on social media, Adam! After all, the media ultimately writes the history books. The discussion around the games is done by the people who vote for these awards, so why restrict their subjectivity at all?
It’s time to get weird. The NBA’s half-baked attempt to put bumpers up on award voting has failed, even if all the aforementioned players reach 65 games played. That these conversations even happen is an indictment of this fragile algorithm. These awards ultimately matter only in debate circles and online forums, so trying to act like they are a sacred relic with high standards is counterintuitive to the goal. In fact, let’s go a step further. Each candidate should have to pitch their case to a Shark-Tank-esque panel of writers and analysts. You want clips, commissioner? How about one of Shaquille O’Neal saying “I’m out” after Victor Wembanyama points to his three-point efficiency at 7’4” as a pillar of his MVP argument.
There are better ways to decide these awards. If the rules apply to some, but not all of them, then it’s time to get rid of the rules. The NBA is an experimental league. We have seen this with All-Star weekend, the play-in tournament, and the NBA Cup. The awards should be the next thing to throw fun wrinkles at.
CHICAGO - OCTOBER 23: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls smiles during a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on October 23, 1996 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There is nothing like a good discussion amongst people when things are civil and both can present coherent and thoughtful views while also being willing to hear what the other has to say, even if you don’t agree with them.
However more often than not these discussions delve into arguments usually with either side digging in to their view and getting nasty and mean and then the insults come out and the name calling starts and next thing you know you are both frustrated.
Even though I am all for a good discussion, there are some arguments that people make that as soon as I hear them I just walk away before I get started because there is no point, since I already know that person isn’t open to hearing any opinion other than the one they just espoused.
So what is one of those arguments I am tired of?
It has to be the basketball G.O.A.T. conversation. In the past 10 years or so there has been a rise to declare LeBron James the G.O.A.T. over the real G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan. I have tried to defend his case but those who think it is LeBron have no desire to listen. So just for the sake of consistency, let me lay it out one more time:
NBA Championships: Jordan is 6-0, LeBron 4-6. Jordan never played a game 7 in a Championship game, which I think is as impressive as anything.
NBA Finals MVPs: Jordan 6, LeBron 4
NBA MVPs: Jordan 5, LeBron 4
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan 1, LeBron 0
NBA Defensive first team: Jordan 9, LeBron 5
NBA Scoring Champion: Jordan 10, LeBron 1
In these next stats keep in mind that Jordan played 14.5 seasons compared to James 23
NBA All-Stars: Jordan 14, LeBron 22 (though Jordan never pulled out of one hours before tip off preventing a substitution from happening)
NBA All-Star MVP: Jordan 3, LeBron 3
All NBA: Jordan 11 (10 first, 1 second), LeBron 21 (13 first, 4 second, 4 third)
Olympics: Jordan 2 golds in 2 trips, LeBron 3 golds and a Bronze in 4 trips
PPG: Jordan 30.1, Lebron 26.9 (yes LeBron has more points but he also has played 8.5 more seasons)
PPG Playoffs: Jordan 33.4, LeBron 28.4 (Again, I understand LeBron has more points but also played 113 more games than Jordan)
I could keep going but instead I am going to end with this story. I was at the dentist one day. The dental assistant was a Duke fan and she knew I went to UNC. She started talking about how Duke was better and I mentioned how none of Duke’s players were any good in the pros (this was back in the early 2000’s) due to injury or just being bad. Her response was well who does UNC have, Michael Jordan? I thought about this for half a second and just started laughing because not only did UNC have some of the best players in the league at that time with Antwan Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, and Vince Carter, but at the same time, even if they didn’t, they still had the Greatest of All Time…Michael Jordan.
Are you a Jordan guy or do you think its LeBron? Are there other arguments you are tired of? Let us know in the comments below.
CHICAGO - OCTOBER 23: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls smiles during a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on October 23, 1996 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There is nothing like a good discussion amongst people when things are civil and both can present coherent and thoughtful views while also being willing to hear what the other has to say, even if you don’t agree with them.
However more often than not these discussions delve into arguments usually with either side digging in to their view and getting nasty and mean and then the insults come out and the name calling starts and next thing you know you are both frustrated.
Even though I am all for a good discussion, there are some arguments that people make that as soon as I hear them I just walk away before I get started because there is no point, since I already know that person isn’t open to hearing any opinion other than the one they just espoused.
So what is one of those arguments I am tired of?
It has to be the basketball G.O.A.T. conversation. In the past 10 years or so there has been a rise to declare LeBron James the G.O.A.T. over the real G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan. I have tried to defend his case but those who think it is LeBron have no desire to listen. So just for the sake of consistency, let me lay it out one more time:
NBA Championships: Jordan is 6-0, LeBron 4-6. Jordan never played a game 7 in a Championship game, which I think is as impressive as anything.
NBA Finals MVPs: Jordan 6, LeBron 4
NBA MVPs: Jordan 5, LeBron 4
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan 1, LeBron 0
NBA Defensive first team: Jordan 9, LeBron 5
NBA Scoring Champion: Jordan 10, LeBron 1
In these next stats keep in mind that Jordan played 14.5 seasons compared to James 23
NBA All-Stars: Jordan 14, LeBron 22 (though Jordan never pulled out of one hours before tip off preventing a substitution from happening)
NBA All-Star MVP: Jordan 3, LeBron 3
All NBA: Jordan 11 (10 first, 1 second), LeBron 21 (13 first, 4 second, 4 third)
Olympics: Jordan 2 golds in 2 trips, LeBron 3 golds and a Bronze in 4 trips
PPG: Jordan 30.1, Lebron 26.9 (yes LeBron has more points but he also has played 8.5 more seasons)
PPG Playoffs: Jordan 33.4, LeBron 28.4 (Again, I understand LeBron has more points but also played 113 more games than Jordan)
I could keep going but instead I am going to end with this story. I was at the dentist one day. The dental assistant was a Duke fan and she knew I went to UNC. She started talking about how Duke was better and I mentioned how none of Duke’s players were any good in the pros (this was back in the early 2000’s) due to injury or just being bad. Her response was well who does UNC have, Michael Jordan? I thought about this for half a second and just started laughing because not only did UNC have some of the best players in the league at that time with Antwan Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, and Vince Carter, but at the same time, even if they didn’t, they still had the Greatest of All Time…Michael Jordan.
Are you a Jordan guy or do you think its LeBron? Are there other arguments you are tired of? Let us know in the comments below.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
I feel like this is an area where some interesting debate could take place.
Is it the frontrunner, Gavin Williams? Or do his walk tendencies disrupt that?
Is it a return to form for Tanner Bibee?
It it a fulfillment of potential for Joey Cantillo?
Is it a continuation of a strong rookie debut for Parker Messick?
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 23: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on November 23, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. They’ll return home for one game to host the Miami Heat before heading back out on the road to face the Boston Cetlics
The Sixers and Heat met earlier this season, with Miami coming away with a 10-point win. Kel’el Ware was a major factor, finishing with 26 points and 16 rebounds as the Heat dominated the glass. Jaime Jaquez Jr. also made his presence felt, adding 21 points in the victory.
Since then, it has been an up-and-down year for Miami. At 31–28, they find themselves hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference and once again looking like a play-in team. There are plenty of reasons for the uneven season. Injuries have played a significant role, with Tyler Herro sidelined for much of the year. The pairing of Bam Adebayo and Ware has also lacked consistency. One night it clicks, the next Ware barely sees the floor. On top of that, Miami stood pat at the trade deadline while other teams around them made moves to improve.
Still, this is a talented, well-coached group that competes on most nights. Their newest addition, Norman Powell, has put together an excellent season and earned an All-Star nod. With Herro back, the Heat have two dynamic scorers who can space the floor and carry the offense when needed.
Earlier in the season, when the Heat and Sixers matched up, Miami was trying to implement a drive-and-kick offense that was much more unorthodox than the standard pick-and-roll systems you typically see. It led to early success, with the Heat boasting a top-five offense and piling up wins. Since then, there has been noticeable pushback from a few players, and Miami has shifted back to a more conventional approach. The key to this matchup for the Sixers will be limiting second-chance opportunities, as the Heat simply had far too many in their first meeting.
Fortunately for Philadelphia, it appears Joel Embiid will be available this time around. Embiid was solid in their last matchup, scoring 27 points in 26 minutes. He moved well, and looked good in 26 minutes of play. The Sixers are coming off two strong, convincing victories and will look to extend their win streak to three after a post-trade deadline slide that had them drifting toward play-in territory.
The catalyst in both wins has been Tyrese Maxey, who is coming off a near triple-double with 32 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three stocks. If the Pacers game had been more competitive, he likely would have reached the milestone. Maxey has looked much more like himself, showing versatility in his shot selection with deep threes and tremendous finishes around the basket. His backcourt mate, VJ Edgecombe, has also been playing strong basketball. He was dominant from beyond the arc in the win over the Timberwolves and effective scoring inside the arc against the Pacers. The Sixers will need all the backcourt firepower they can get to match Miami’s.
Speaking of the backcourt, Quentin Grimes turned in another strong performance last game, and it could be a sign he is rounding back into the form we saw earlier in the season. He has now scored in double figures in back-to-back games and has looked noticeably more explosive doing it.
The Sixers need all the bench production they can get, and this feels like a matchup where Grimes will be especially important. His scoring punch, along with his ability to space the floor and make plays, will be key as Philadelphia looks to counter Miami’s shooting and ball movement.
Ahead of this matchup, Embiid is listed as probable, which is an encouraging designation. Johni Broome and Paul George remain out. For Miami, Herro appears good to go, along with Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell and Dru Smith. Nikola Jovic is the key player out, and Davion Mitchell is questionable with an illness.
This matchup carries weight for several reasons, starting with the standings. The Heat sit just 1.5 games behind the Sixers, with the Orlando Magic wedged between them. A loss would risk dropping Philadelphia into play-in territory, while a win would create some much-needed breathing room.
The season series also adds another layer of importance. After this game, the Sixers and Heat will meet only once more. A Miami win would secure the regular-season tiebreaker, which could loom large given how tight the standings are. If the Sixers take this one, the series would be split, setting up the March 30 meeting as the deciding game for the tiebreaker.
There is plenty at stake. The Sixers appear to have steadied themselves after what felt like their lowest point of the season. Now they have an opportunity to build on that momentum and secure a crucial win.
Game Details
When: Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
