Top 50 Milwaukee Brewers Prospects in 2026

Milwaukee Brewers
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 12: Jesús Made #12 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Milwaukee Brewers continue to have one of the best farm systems in Major League Baseball. In fact, they are ranked the best farm system by ESPN and The Athletic heading into 2026. The Brewers’ collection of talent is ever-growing, with some late offseason additions from the Freddy Peralta and Caleb Durbin trades.

It makes the challenge of ranking the top prospects in this system all the more difficult, but a challenge I gladly take on. This list will run 50 players deep, but honestly, it could go much further than that. There are simply that many quality young players in this system that deserve attention and recognition.

The Brewers graduated several prospects from last year, including Durbin, Jacob Misiorowski, and Chad Patrick. In 2026, they’re projected to graduate several more, including Robert Gasser, Logan Henderson, Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams, Jeferson Quero, Craig Yoho, and Tyler Black. All but Williams are already on the 40-man roster, but are still prospect eligible, so they will make this list.

Not only are the Brewers loaded with blue-chip talent at the top of the system, but they also have some really intriguing players with high upside throughout the lower levels and tons of depth across the board.

Honorable mentions: RHP Josh Flores, SS Daniel Dickinson, RHP Chase Bentley, SS CJ Hughes

All four of these 2025 Draftees were in strong consideration to make this Top 50 list until the Freddy Peralta and Caleb Durbin trades added several new names that needed to be included. All four will make their professional debuts this season and will likely push their way into the first midseason update of the Top 50.

Brewers Top 50 Prospects

1. Jesús Made, SS

    A consensus top-five prospect in all of baseball, the Brewers have hit the jackpot in the international market once again with shortstop Jesús Made. Made tore up Low-A and High-A last season with the Carolina Mudcats and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, earning himself a late promotion to Double-A Biloxi to finish out the year. Made is a five-tool player at a premium position with top-tier exit velocities. Although he had just six home runs last season, there is more power within him. He also possesses elite speed, stealing 47 bases last year. He’s likely to start the season in Double-A Biloxi and won’t turn 19 years old until May.

    2. Luis Peña, SS

    Luis Peña perhaps had more impressive surface stats than Made in Low-A Carolina, which certainly helped boost his prospect stock throughout 2025. He was promoted along with Made to High-A Wisconsin mid-season, and he ultimately struggled with such an aggressive promotion at 18 years old. Peña is a pure hitter and rarely strikes out. He may be a better hitter for average than Made, but without the same power potential. Still, there’s star-level upside up the middle here, or even a possible move to third base because his throwing arm is good enough for it.

    3. Cooper Pratt, SS

    Cooper Pratt’s 2025 season went under the radar a little bit. The surface numbers were down for the 2023 sixth-round pick, but he was also playing in a horrendous hitting environment in the Southern League. Pratt brings excellent defense at shortstop to go along with speed and power potential. He also displays a patient eye at the plate. This season, Pratt will start the year in Triple-A Nashville, where his hitting numbers should trend back up. If they do, and the Brewers have an opening pop up in their infield, we could see Pratt make his MLB debut sometime this season.

    4. Jett Williams, SS/2B/CF

    The Brewers acquired Jett Williams in the Freddy Peralta trade as they continue to stockpile top infield talent. Williams is the closest to being MLB-ready of this top group, as he has 34 games of Triple-A experience already under his belt. Williams had a strong 2025 season, slugging 17 homers between Double-A and Triple-A with the Mets, also stealing 34 bases with an .828 OPS. Williams has more pop than you’d expect from his 5-foot-7-inch frame. The 22-year-old former first-round pick can play all over the field, shortstop, second base, center field, and this spring, he’s learning third base as well. That versatility can get him in Milwaukee sooner than later.

    5. Brandon Sproat, RHP

    The other piece in the Peralta trade, Brandon Sproat gives the Brewers another MLB-ready rotation piece with a full slate of team control. Sproat throws six pitches in his arsenal: Sinker, sweeper, curveball, changeup, 4-seam, and slider. He sits at 96 mph on his fastball and can peak in the triple digits. Sproat made four starts with the Mets last year with a 4.79 ERA. He’ll need to tighten up his command a little, averaging nearly 4 BB/9 last year, but the Brewers clearly see a lot to work with in his expansive arsenal, and I’d expect him to improve under the tutelage of Chris Hook and the rest of Milwaukee’s coaching staff.

    6. Logan Henderson, RHP

    A JuCo success story the Brewers love to write, Logan Henderson was able to make his MLB debut last season and lived up to the hype with a 1.78 ERA in five starts. He was later sidelined with an injury and missed the push to the postseason, but Henderson is primed to factor in this rotation again. He’s adding a curveball back to his mix this spring after pitching primarily with a fastball-changeup combo. Two pitches might be able to get him through those five starts, but if he’s going to remain successful, he needs something moving glove side. Henderson also mixes in a cutter and a slider, but that changeup is his best pitch and re-introducing his curveball is his most important one.

    7. Robert Gasser, LHP

    Robert Gasser also has a couple of starts of experience at the MLB level and did well in them with a 2.67 ERA. He was taking the league by storm in 2024 when he suddenly required Tommy John surgery. He recovered and returned late last season, making two starts in the regular season and a couple of appearances in the postseason. Gasser has a five-pitch arsenal with a sweeper, sinker, 4-seam, changeup, and cutter. He doesn’t have the eye-popping velo, averaging just 93 mph on his fastball, but he mixes well and keeps hitters off balance.

    8. Bishop Letson, RHP

    Bishop Letson might have the highest upside of any of these pitchers atop the Brewers system, but he’s also currently the furthest away from reaching it of this top group of four. Letson missed a lot of time last year, from May until August, with a balky shoulder. He returned in the last few weeks and eventually got a taste of Double-A Biloxi, where he’s expected to spend this entire season. The 21-year-old stands at 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds, so there’s room to fill out the frame, which could lead to more velocity gains as he’s currently sitting 92-94 mph. Letson gets great extension down the mound, and his stuff, which includes a four-pitch mix of a 4-seam, sinker, slider, and changeup, is some of the nastiest in the organization.

    9. Jeferson Quero, C

    It seems like Quero has been a top prospect forever, even though he’s just 23 years old. A freak labrum tear in 2024 derailed his quick ascent to the big leagues. He finally returned to action last season after a hamstring injury also delayed his return. The concern with Quero is how his shoulder is responding after surgery. He had one of the most elite throwing arms from behind the dish before, and last year, his arm strength was down significantly. Perhaps being further away from that surgery will help his shoulder be stronger in 2026. Quero can hit for some power and a decent average, making him a solid starting catching option if his defense returns to previous levels.

    10. Andrew Fischer, 3B

    The Brewers’ 2025 first-round pick got off to a great start in pro ball in High-A Wisconsin, hitting .311 with a .848 OPS in 19 games. Fischer was regarded by many in the Brewers draft room as the best college hitter in the Draft last year. His combination of hitting prowess and raw power is one of the best in the system. The Brewers intend to develop Fischer at third base despite spending most of his draft year at first base for Tennessee. He’ll likely spend some time back in High-A to start the year, but it might not be long until he’s headed for Double-A Biloxi.

    11. Marco Dinges, C

    Marco Dinges had a breakout 2025 campaign, dominating the Low-A Carolina League and quickly getting promoted to High-A, where he continued to torment pitchers. He missed a little over a month with a hamstring injury, but finished the year with a .300/.416/.514 slash line with 13 homers across the two levels. The power is the true carrying tool for Dinges’ profile, but he also has a strong throwing arm that has worked well for him at catcher. The Brewers will continue to develop him behind the plate with a corner outfield spot as a potential fallback. He’ll start the year in Double-A most likely.

    12. Blake Burke, 1B

    It surprises me that Blake Burke hasn’t generated more attention for his season last year. Across High-A and Double-A, Burke hit .292/.379/.453 with 27 doubles, 16 homers, and 15 stolen bases. Firstly, for a 6-foot-3-inch, 236-pound first baseman, stealing 15 bases is an incredible feat. Secondly, power was his calling card, but Burke was hitting for a much higher average than expected, and then his power finally came through upon his promotion to Double-A. The Southern League is hard on hitters, but not Burke; he hit .300 with 11 homers in 37 games there. The one concern is 135 strikeouts in 567 PAs, which is just a shade under 24%. It’s not horrible, but something to watch.

    13. Luis Lara, OF

    Your reigning minor league Gold Glove winner in center field, Luis Lara put up a very good season in Double-A last year at age 20. Lara hit .257 with a .369 OBP, 32 doubles, and 44 stolen bases. Power is not Lara’s game, standing at 5 feet, 8 inches and 167 pounds, but getting on base and stealing bases is, and he does that very well. The switch-hitter doesn’t strike out much but is patient at the plate, and his elite defense gives him a very high floor. Lara will be in Triple-A this year at 21 and could be the future in center in Milwaukee.

    14. Josh Adamczewski, SS/2B/LF

    Of all the top hitting prospects that started last year in Low-A Carolina, Josh Adamczewski was the most impressive of them for a long stretch. A back injury kept him out for around two months, but upon returning, he continued to rake. Adamczewski finished the season with a .320/.420/.490 slash line with 18 doubles and five homers. He then went on to the Arizona Fall League, where he raked some more with four homers and a .953 OPS in 20 games. He also worked on a position change to left field. Given the amount of infield talent above him on this list and further along in development, a move to the outfield may be necessary.

    15. Luke Adams, 1B/OF

    Luke Adams continues to simplify his pre-swing mechanics and just put up numbers. For three straight years, Adams has slugged 11 home runs with a batting average between .225 and .235 but an OBP above .400. How, you ask? A whopping 85 hit-by-pitches in that time helps, along with a 17% BB rate. The Brewers are trying to encourage him to be more aggressive at the plate to further tap into his immense raw power, given his 6-foot-4-inch, 210-pound frame. A strong AFL stint has Adams potentially in Triple-A and on the doorstep of the majors. It’s a high ceiling here, but also a low floor.

    16. Tyson Hardin, RHP

    Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Brewers have taken a late-round draft pick from Mississippi State and turned him into a stud pitching prospect. While Tyson Hardin may or may not end up with a similar career arc to Brandon Woodruff, he’s certainly improved his stock as much as anyone over the last year. Hardin has a four-pitch mix with average fastball velocity but excellent movement and traits that help it play up. His slider is his best secondary pitch. Hardin could stick as a back-end starting pitcher and will likely hit Triple-A this year.

    17. Brady Ebel, SS

    The Brewers used the compensatory pick they received for losing Willy Adames to nab another young shortstop with Brady Ebel. Ebel was on the Brewers Area Code Games rosters as an amateur, so they knew him well when they signed him to a $2.75 million bonus. Ebel’s profile seems very similar to Brice Turang back when he came out of the SoCal prep ranks, with not a lot of present power but good feel to hit and excellent defense at shortstop, but there have also been some Corey Seager comps, which isn’t too shabby either. He’ll start in Low-A Wilson.

    18. Craig Yoho, RHP

    Craig Yoho was generating as much hype as a relief prospect could heading into 2025. He earned a couple of trips to the majors but struggled with command and ultimately spent most of the year in Triple-A. Provided the command improves, Yoho should graduate and earn a regular spot in the Brewers bullpen this year. He works with a fastball-changeup combo; the fastball sits around 93 mph, but his changeup is just filthy, generating 18 inches of induced horizontal break. Likely a middle reliever, Yoho could also work his way into a setup role.

    19. Brock Wilken, 3B

    Back-to-back years with unlucky and fluke injuries have delayed the rise of 2023 first-round pick Brock Wilken, who was thought to be a quick mover through the minor leagues. Wilken was having a strong season in Biloxi before a dislocated kneecap sidelined him. Wilken has power in spades and could be the future at the hot corner in Milwaukee. He won’t hit for a high average, but Wilken draws his walks and hits bombs. A move up to Triple-A Nashville could help his numbers improve even more, and we could see him in Milwaukee before too long.

    20. JD Thompson, LHP

    A pitchability lefty, JD Thompson was the Brewers’ top pitching selection in last year’s draft out of Vanderbilt. Vandy is historically a great program for pitching development, and Thompson comes with a nasty four-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the low-90s, reaching 95, but the movement it generates is filthy. He also has a slider, curveball, and changeup. He should remain a starter as he develops. He’ll likely begin in Low-A Wilson.

    21. Mike Boeve, 1B/3B

    Boeve was one of the few Brewers prospects who had a truly down season in 2025. He had shoulder surgery following the 2024 campaign, and it took him a while to recover. Once he did return, he was limited to a DH role, but he just wasn’t hitting like he was before the injury, as it was still bugging him. After hitting .338/.415/.471 the year before, Boeve limped to a .239/.336/.341 slash line in 2025. I’m still a big believer in Boeve’s bat, and now that he’s 100% from after that surgery, I expect him to have a huge bounce-back in 2026.

    22. Shane Drohan, LHP

    Acquired in the Caleb Durbin trade, Shane Drohan might be a very underrated acquisition. He’s 27 years old and hasn’t made his MLB debut yet, which likely contributes to him being underrated, but he feels like someone the Brewers will be able to unlock. He’s had some injuries in the past, delaying his development. Drohan’s stuff ticked up last year in Triple-A, and he was able to improve his command. He has starter potential, but given the sheer number of starters the Brewers have, it’s more likely he makes his impact in 2026 out of the bullpen.

    23.Coleman Crow, RHP

    The Brewers added Coleman Crow to the 40-man roster in November, and even though it’s a crowded rotation picture, Crow is right in the mix. Acquired from the Mets in the Tyrone Taylor/Adrian Houser trade, Crow returned from TJS last season and lit up Double-A, making 12 starts with a 3.24 ERA and 64 Ks in 50 IP. Crow’s stuff was trending up before his surgery, and the Brewers got him, banking on that to continue, and so far it has. Look for him to compete for a rotation spot midseason.

    24. Tate Kuehner, LHP

    Tate Kuehner was an underrated NRI this spring, and it shows just how close he is to the majors. Kuehner dominated Double-A with a 2.50 ERA in 21 starts before a late promotion to Triple-A. A senior sign out of Louisville in 2023, the 25-year-old Kuehner has transitioned to being a starter and moved quickly. Don’t be surprised if Kuehner gets to the big league roster this year. He’ll start in Triple-A.

    25. Brett Wichrowski, RHP

    Wichrowski has seen his velo tick up since becoming a professional and had a pretty solid season in Double-A last year, posting a 3.44 ERA in 99 1/3 IP. The strikeout numbers aren’t very high for the stuff that he has, and he also allows around 4 BB/9. Wichrowski carries some reliever risk, and given the sheer depth of starting pitchers the Brewers have in the upper levels, that may end up being his ultimate home.

    26. Bryce Meccage, RHP

    A prototypical projectable prep righty, Bryce Meccage had a solid first season in pro ball in 2025, pitching to a 4.35 ERA in Low-A while making 19 starts. The stuff is electric, reaching the mid-90s on his fastball with a high-spin curveball and slider, and a changeup that lags behind. Meccage will take a little bit to develop, but he’s going to turn 20 years old in March and will likely spend the year in High-A Wisconsin.

    27. Ethan Dorchies, RHP

    Another projectable prep righty, Ethan Dorchies took a big jump in his first pro season over some of the others from his 2024 draft class. Armed with a low-90s fastball, slider, cutter, and a nasty splitter, Dorchies carved up the ACL and then Low-A to the tune of a 2.74 ERA. Standing at 6 feet, 5 inches, Dorchies generates elite extension down the mound, which the Brewers love almost as much as they love high-spin breaking balls. He’ll need to continue to add velocity as he matures, but he’ll play all of 2026 at just 19 years old.

    28. Manuel Rodriguez, RHP

    Manuel Rodriguez doesn’t get talked about enough as a pitching prospect. He has elite command, allowing just 1.5 BB/9 over his career, and posted a 3.01 ERA last year across High-A and Double-A in his age-19 season. Rodriguez doesn’t have high velocity, which is why there is some concern about how good he’ll be as he rises through the minors, but he’s still so young. Rodriguez will be in Double-A this year, and if his stuff takes another step forward, watch out.

    29. Braylon Payne, OF

    The Crew’s first-round pick in 2024, Braylon Payne had a solid first pro season in Low-A Carolina, showcasing surprising exit velocity numbers. Known as a speedster, Payne stole 31 bases but was also caught 10 times. What’s concerning to me is the 103 strikeouts in 342 PAs. That’s a 30.1% K rate in Low-A, which generally is not a great indication of future success. He’s still just 19 years old, and the Brewers knew he was a long-term project, but those whiffs need to be improved.

    30. Eric Bitonti, 1B/3B

    Similar to Payne, Eric Bitonti is a high risk-high reward type of player who is a long way from reaching his potential. The power is certainly present with Bitonti, slugging 19 homers last season with a .762 OPS. However, like Payne, the concern is the strikeouts. Bitonti punched out 169 times in 505 PAs, a 33.4% K rate. That’s way too high for Low-A. He will likely be sent to High-A this year, and if those strikeouts don’t come down, he’ll continue to drop down this list.

    31. Carlos Rodriguez, RHP

    Carlos Rodriguez throws a kitchen sink arsenal without an overpowering fastball. He mixes well and could fit as a back-end of the rotation starter, but the Brewers’ rotation depth has made it difficult for him to stick in the majors. He’s likely on the outside looking in on that rotation again in 2026 and will need to bide his time for an opportunity.

    32. Josh Knoth, RHP

    Knoth missed all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery. A projectable righty drafted in 2023, Knoth should return to the mound early this season and showcase his high-spin curveball and slider to go with his mid-90s fastball. Knoth has some of the highest upside of the Brewers’ crop of projectable righties, but he still has a long way to go and will be just 20 years old this season.

    33. Jayden Dubanewicz, RHP

    If you’re tired of reading the phrase “projectable righty,” well, too bad, here’s another one. Jayden Dubanewicz was a 16th-round pick in 2024 but signed for fourth-round money and pitched really well across the ACL and Low-A last year. He stands at 6 feet, 3 inches, and 160 pounds, giving him plenty of room to pack on muscle and add velocity. Dubanewicz has a three-pitch mix of a fastball, slider, and changeup.

    34. Frank Cairone, LHP

    The Brewers CB-B pick in last year’s Draft, Cairone was all set for his first spring training and pro debut this year until a scary head-on car crash left him hospitalized for several days. He has since been recovering and is back to some light baseball activities, but getting back on the mound in game action is going to be delayed until later this year. Cairone, a prep lefty from New Jersey, has a four-pitch mix, including a 3,000 RPM slider. He gets great extension down the mound and is the type of projectable young lefty that the Brewers thrive on developing.

    35. Tyler Black, 1B/LF

    Drafted in the same class as Sal Frelick, Tyler Black showed a lot of hitting ability coming up through the minors, but has only gotten limited MLB action and is without a real path to playing time in Milwaukee. He’s not strong enough defensively at second or third base, limiting him to first base or left field. Black won’t have much power, but hits for a good average and can steal bases. He’s likely just an average hitter with little pop, but without strong defense, it’ll be tough for him to break through here.

    36. Tyler Renz, RHP

    Back to the projectable righty well, Tyler Renz got the highest signing bonus of the 2024 Day 3 crop, signing for third-round money despite being an 18th-round pick. Renz also carved up the ACL and Low-A like the other names on this list. His fastball is in the low-90s, but at 6 feet, 4 inches, and 190 pounds, there’s room to fill out and add more velocity as he matures. Renz will return to Low-A and could take some more big steps forward this year.

    37. Ricki Moneys, SS

    One of the top international signings the Brewers made this January, Ricki Moneys has a superstar name already and the upside to go along with it. Moneys has big-time bat speed and power, and if the 17-year-old infielder can consistently tap into that power as he develops, then he has a bright future. He has the defensive chops to be able to stick at short, but likely will be moved off the position at some point, especially given the shortstop depth in this organization.

    38. Diego Frontado, SS

    Another one of the top Brewers international signees, Diego Frontado received the largest bonus the Crew gave out this year at $1.6 million. Frontado is a great athlete who’s more hit-over-power at the plate. He also possesses great speed, and defensively, he should be well-suited to stay at shortstop. Frontado will spend his age-17 season in the DSL, where he and the rest of the international class will get their first taste of pro ball.

    39. Jaron DeBerry, RHP

    DeBerry was a money-saving signing in 2024, getting just a $25,000 bonus despite being a third-round pick. That hasn’t stopped him from showing why the Brewers wanted him in the first place. He quickly worked his way up to Double-A in his first pro season and covered more than 100 IP. DeBerry has a three-pitch mix that all generate a ton of spin, extends down the mound, and pitches from a low arm slot.

    40. Brian Fitzpatrick, LHP

    Standing at 6 feet, 7 inches, Brian Fitzpatrick was a 10th-round pick in 2022 and has steadily risen through the ranks as a reliever. He reached Triple-A last year and will likely start the season in Nashville’s bullpen once again, and if he continues to pitch well, he could earn a call up this season.

    41. Handelfry Encarnacion, OF

    Just 18 years old, Handelfry Encarnacion has emerged as one of the top players from the Crew’s 2024 international class that are not named Jesús Made or Luis Peña. He did well in his stateside debut last year in the ACL, but struggled upon his promotion to Low-A. He’ll return to Low-A this year.

    42. Melvin Hernandez, RHP

    The Brewers signed Melvin Hernandez in the 2023 international class from Mexico. He turned in a stellar 2.00 ERA over 121 2/3 IP last year for Low-A Carolina with just a 1.6 BB/9. He stands at 5 feet, 11 inches, and just 139 pounds, so to say there’s room to put on some weight would be an understatement. Hernandez won’t turn 20 until July.

    43. JoséAnderson, OF

    José Anderson has a ton of power from the right side, but he struggled overall with a promotion to Low-A Carolina, hitting just .193 with a 29.6% K rate. He’ll repeat in Low-A at age 19 with the hope he’ll make some more consistent contact to tap into that power even more.

    44. Griffin Tobias, RHP

    Another projectable young righty for the Brewers, Tobias didn’t have as much immediate success in his first pro season as some of the other arms, so he falls further down the list. There are good ingredients here to work with in his three-pitch mix. He’ll likely be back in Low-A to start 2026.

    45. Dylan O’Rae, 2B/OF

    Dylan O’Rae missed the entire regular season in 2025 after undergoing wrist surgery. He’s a speedy contact hitter at his best who can play up the middle. O’Rae was healthy for the Arizona Fall League and hit .302 with a .783 OPS. He’ll likely return to Double-A in 2026, and his ceiling is probably that of a utility player.

    46. Pedro Ibarguen, OF

    Ibarguen bounced back after a tough 2024 season and put together a .290/.408/.407 slash line across the ACL and Low-A in 2025. He doesn’t have a ton of pop, but still will be just 19 years old until July and will return to Low-A this year.

    47. Ethan Murray, 2B

    Murray was a fifth-round pick and did pretty well last year across Double-A and Triple-A. He has some pop and speed and posted a .726 OPS. He can play all over the infield and is likely a utility player if he makes the big leagues. He’ll start the year in Triple-A.

    48. KC Hunt, RHP

    An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State, KC Hunt had a breakout 2024. He wasn’t quite able to repeat that performance last year, but still ate up innings and got some solid results. Look for Hunt to get a chance in Triple-A with back-end starter upside but also a high floor out of the bullpen.

    49. Jacob Morrison, RHP

    A third-round pick out of Coastal Carolina, Jacob Morrison stands at a towering 6 feet, 8 inches, and 245 pounds. He was a big piece of Coastal’s run to the CWS finals last year. Morrison has a four-pitch mix and figures to stick as a starter with mid-rotation upside. He’ll make his pro debut this season.

    50. Ryan Birchard, RHP

    Birchard is in a long line of JuCo arms the Brewers have taken in recent years. He spent last year with High-A Wisconsin and had some mixed results. The major problem is walks. He allowed 6.3 BB/9, and until he reins in that command, he won’t be able to climb up this list. He should be in Double-A this year.

    Monday Rockpile: Brenton Doyle looks to reset in 2026

    SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Outfielder, Brenton Doyle get ready for batting practice during spring training for the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 19, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images

    Shortly before the 2025 All-Star break, a combination of personal tragedy, injury, and on-field struggles had Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle on the back foot.

    The Rockies’ most-valuable player in 2024 with 4.0 wins above replacement per Baseball Reference, Doyle ended the first half as baseball’s least valuable qualified player. Worth -2.0 rWAR as late as July 5th, both his bat and his glove suffered under the weight of poor performance.

    The two-time Gold Glove winner out of Division II Shepherd University had been proclaimed the Rockies’ potential franchise center fielder before the season started. Before the trade deadline there were serious concerns about his future in Rockies purple.

    “It was a bumpy year for me,” Doyle told Purple Row on Saturday, “and just being able to reset after those lows and get back to those highs was the biggest thing and finding ways to do that.”

    Doyle indeed found the highs again in the second half. He turned things around both at the plate and on defense in the final 56 games of the season to finish with a positive wins-above-replacement score.

    Looking much more like the Brenton Doyle of 2024, the center fielder looks to continue his “reset” and help the Rockies find their way forward in 2026 after an organizational overhaul.

    “I just want to win some games,” Doyle explained of his goals for 2026. “Honestly, my personal goals are always going to intertwine with the team goals, and that’s to win more more games for this ball club.”

    The Rockies finished 2025 with a brutal 43-119 record. Losing only 100 games would mark a substantial improvement for a rebuilding ball club looking to establish a solid foundation.

    As part of the off-season program, manager Warren Schaeffer wanted some players—such as Kyle Karros and Ryan Ritter—to bulk up.

    “Guys lose weight, especially here in altitude, and when a young player loses his weight, and he’s not accustomed to playing a long season with that toll on your body, it’s just not a good combination,” Schaeffer explained at the end of the 2025 campaign.

    For Doyle, that’s already part of his regular routine. Patrolling the cavernous outfield at Coors Field is an exhausting job. Doyle lost over 20 pounds during his Gold Glove rookie season in 2023 and was reported to have lost over 10 pounds during the course of the 2025 season.

    “I always try to work on my speed, putting on weight,” Doyle said. “I lose so much playing center field during the season. So [I worked on] packing on some good weight and just always trying to stay fast.”

    During the off-season, Doyle also worked with his personal hitting instructor Kevin LaChance in Virginia. LaChance is a former minor league player and is currently a minor league hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This coming season he will be the hitting coach for the High-A Great Lakes Loons.

    Doyle has experimented with and adjusted his hitting mechanics since his rookie year, often in real time during the regular season. He credited mechanical adjustments made mid-season last year with helping him find his form at the plate again.

    “It just eliminated the move I naturally make in my swing,” Doyle said. “And maybe that’s helped me get to some pitches (against right-handers) I was a tad bit late on in the past … It was something I did throughout my whole minor league career, and then last year I made a swing change. And then this year, I went back to what was more comfortable for me, and it’s been good.”

    Doyle hit .282/.307/.462 through the last 56 games of the 2025 season with 11 doubles, eight home runs, nine stolen bases, and 27 RBIs. He felt confident enough to not make any additional major changes over the off-season.

    “Nothing too major this year, just some very, very subtle changes,” Doyle said of his work with LaChance.

    Now that spring training is fully underway, Doyle has praised the new coaching staff assembled by Schaeffer and new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta.

    “It’s been awesome,” he said. “I’ve had some really good conversations with with them. We have a really good plan in place and and we’re all on the same page, which is awesome.”

    A major part of that plan in place is a focus on fundamentals. This includes Doyle’s work with new first base outfield coach Doug Bernier alongside the rest of the outfield group.

    “A lot of stuff we’ve been working on has been reaction stuff. So just making sure we’re making the right first quick step, [and that] moves are super efficient. That’s basically been the focus of the work so far.”

    Doyle made his first appearance of the Cactus League on Saturday afternoon against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He started in center field and went 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs.

    “I just had a good game playing against the guys I was facing,” Doyle said after the game. “I [was trying] to stay as stubborn as possible up there at the plate, getting the pitches I wanted to swing at and put some good swings on everything I fired at.”

    Brenton Doyle is one of just a handful of Rockies guaranteed a single starting spot for the upcoming season, but his future with the Rockies has yet to be set in stone. He could be extended as the franchise center fielder for the foreseeable future, or he could be traded at the deadline to clear way for younger players and help restock the farm.

    Whichever path the 2026 season leads him down, his reset from a miserable start to 2025 will continue to be a critical part of the Rockies’ season.


    Karros’ goal? Becoming one of MLB’s top third baseman | MLB.com

    After making his debut last season, prospect third baseman Kyle Karros is off to a solid start this spring. However, he isn’t aiming for just solid. Karros would like to continue the Rockies’ tradition of turning out superstar third baseman.

    Slugging Rox prospect Condon impressing Schaeffer with versatility | MLB.com

    Top prospect Charlie Condon made his Cactus League debut over the weekend in an unexpected way: by starting in right field for the first time in his professional career. Condon had two hits on the day and impressed skipper Warren Schaeffer with his preparation.

    “I figured I wasn’t going to be playing only first base while I was here at camp,” said Condon, who also logged 11 games in left field and five at third base last season. “This offseason, I did some outfield work — drop-step stuff — just knowing that.”


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

    Kansas City Royals news: Vinnie is looking to get off to a good start

    SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    Anne Rogers writes that Vinnie Pasquantino knows he has to get off to a good start this year.

    While the hamstring strain Pasquantino suffered at the end of Spring Training last year may have had an impact, he was more concerned about the swing decisions he was making during that month.

    “It’s not about getting hits or results but more about what it looks like,” Pasquantino said. “That’s what I didn’t like about that month — why am I swinging on all these backfoot sliders? Why am I swinging at this? Why am I swinging at that? It was more about what I can do to clean up the decision-making earlier in the year. It seems to be that when it gets later in the year and we’ve seen so many pitches, that piece gets a little bit easier.”

    She also writes about the roster battles in camp, such as the fifth starter spot in the rotation.

    “That’s been one of my things that I think I haven’t utilized enough,” Kolek said. “And then just quality two-strike pitches, whether it’s spin to my glove side or changeups, just the ability to execute those at a higher level and have more competitive pitches over the plate and near the zone.”

    While Noah Cameron is viewed as having the advantage for the fifth spot in the rotation, the Royals do want to give Kolek, Falter and Bergert, along with the other starters building up, a true chance at earning a spot. Falter is out of Minor League options, so he could find a spot in the bullpen. If Kolek and/or Bergert aren’t in the MLB rotation, the Royals probably want them starting in Triple-A to preserve the depth.

    Bailey Falter has a different perspective now that he has become a father.

    “Obviously I’d like to land one of those starting rotation roles,” Falter said. “But honestly, after having my son, it doesn’t matter to me. Whatever the team needs. If you want me in the bullpen, you want me to start, you want me to piggyback, it doesn’t matter. Whatever I need to do to help this team win the division, win the pennant, get to the postseason. Whatever the team needs, I’m cool with it.”

    Jaylon Thompson writes how Lane Thomas is looking to get right with regular playing time.

    “(I just want) to be consistent again,” he said. “I’ve dealt with a lot of injuries the last two years — in 2024 and 2025. Just want to be consistent on the field every day and, you know, be myself again.”

    Thomas has an avenue to get consistent at-bats. The Royals like to utilize their entire roster and that gives him a chance to stick in the lineup.

    The Royals were all hugs when they played Freddy Fermin and the Padres.

    Team USA’s hockey win over Canada for the gold had the Royals talking hockey.

    Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep writes what Kolek can do to make the rotation.

    Preston Farr at EightOneSix gives his Royals minor league predictions.

    Dan Laurila at Fangraphs quizzes Jeff Montgomery about his career.

    Cleveland signs first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a minor league deal.

    Twins pitcher Joe Ryan has lower back inflammation and will get an MRI.

    The Cardinals sign infielder Ramon Urías to a one-year deal.

    Boston is looking for left-handed relief depth.

    The Dodgers claim outfielder Jack Suwinski off waivers from the Pirates.

    Ronald Acuña Jr. will bat lead-off for the Braves this season.

    Jorge Polanco wants to talk to Keith Hernandez about playing first base.

    Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski dies at age 89.

    A Yankees spring training game is marred by leaking sewage at the field.

    A newly discovered T206 Honus Wagner card goes for $5 million at auction.

    A look back at how the Seattle Pilots became the Milwaukee Brewers.

    Kiley McDaniel at ESPN ranks his top draft prospects.

    Norway tops the Olympics medal count, but the US wins its most golds ever.

    Indiana could be luring the Chicago Bears across the state line.

    Americans spend less of their income on food than ever before, so why doesn’t it feel that way?

    Why do small dogs shiver so much?

    People are buying iPods again.

    Your song of the day is James Brown with People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul.

    Brycen Mautz is your #13 St. Louis Cardinals prospect

    SPRINGFIELD, MO - JUNE 11: Brycen Mautz #49 of the Springfield Cardinals walks off the field during the game between the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Springfield, Missouri. (Photo by Shanna Stafford/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

    Brycen Mautz is a hard player to place, because scouts don’t really seem to believe in him, believe that he has enough good pitches to start, and yet statistically speaking, it seems hard not to believe in him. In a hitter friendly league, he struck out over 28% of batters, didn’t walk many, and had a reasonable groundball rate. His only real flaw was he allowed a few extra homers over what you’d like, but I refer you back to the hitter friendly league. He’ll be 24 in AAA and on the doorstep of the majors. He’s also on the 40, so if he performs, we’ll probably see him in the majors this year. Here is the list right now:

    1. JJ Wetherholt
    2. Liam Doyle
    3. Rainiel Rodriguez
    4. Quinn Mathews
    5. Jurrangelo Cjintje
    6. Joshua Baez
    7. Leonardo Bernal
    8. Jimmy Crooks
    9. Brandon Clarke
    10. Tink Hence
    11. Tekoah Roby
    12. Tanner Franklin
    13. Brycen Mautz

    Comparable Player Poll

    Today, we’re tackling two players who will be in Memphis in the upcoming season (well probably in one player’s case) and yet few expect to actually make much of a difference in 2026. Both have at one time been considered legit prospects and have fallen out of favor for different reasons. They differ in that one is an outfielder who can maybe play center and the other is a first basemen that can maybe play third.

    Chase Davis had a 105 wRC+ in Springfield, although it came with an elevated K rate and not much power. Fangraphs gives him a 55 future grade on his defense so it is within the realm of possibility that he comes a defense-first player. But it’s defense in the minor leagues, so who knows. He will be 24

    Blaze Jordan had a 167 wRC+ in AA on his third attempt at the level, getting promoted by June to AAA. While he played reasonably well initially, his numbers tanked as a Cardinal and he ended up with an 83 wRC+ in AAA for the season. He will not strike out nor walk very much, so the question is how much power he’ll have at next level. He will be 23.

    VOTE HERE

    New Add

    If you had told me that I’d add Chen-Wei Lin into the polling on the 14th vote, I would have expected people to have been clamoring for him to be on the voting at least a little bit. But nobody has complained. I even put him in the comparable player poll, so it’s not like he was forgotten. Anyway, I thought it was about time for last year’s #11 prospect to be on the voting, despite somewhat of a down year.

    Jesus Baez, IF – 21

    Stats (High A): 416 PAs, .244/.327/.397, 10.3 BB%, 18.5 K%, .153 ISO, .270 BABIP, 116 wRC+, 121 DRC+

    Scouting (FG): 30/45 Hit, 35/50 Game Power, 50/55 Raw Power, 40/40 Speed, 40/45 Fielding

    The biggest weakness, near as I can tell, is that Baez is immature. He is also about to be 21-years-old. I’ll be very interesting to see how Baez pans out specifically because I kind of want to know how much weight to put on when a scout like Keith Law essentially goes after his character. It’s one sample, so I shouldn’t use his example for all prospects like him but nonetheless I really am not sure how to handle it.

    Nathan Church, OF – 25

    Stats (AA): 129 PAs, .336/.380/.563, 6.2 BB%, 7.8 K%, .227 ISO, .327 BABIP, 157 wRC+, 136 DRC+

    AAA: 242 PAs, .335/.400/.521, 9.9 BB%, 10.3 K%, .186 ISO, .338 BABIP 144 wRC+, 132 DRC+

    MLB: 65 PAs, .179/.254/.250, 4.6 BB%, 27.7 K%, .071 ISO, .237 BABIP, 46 wRC+, 78 DRC+

    Scouting: 55/55 Hit, 35/35 Game Power, 40/40 Raw Power, 55/55 Speed, 45/45 Field

    Will Nathan Church get the spring training boost after hitting a homer? If that exists, I imagine one plate appearance probably isn’t doing it. But it will be curious to see if spring training does in fact impact how people vote. Ignore the 45 fielding rating, that seems to be really outdated, can’t imagine they’ve seen Church field recently or… look at his numbers? I don’t know.

    Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP – 19

    Stats (CPX): 6 G, 20.2 IP, 31.6 K%, 9.2 BB%, 51.2 GB%, .205 BABIP, 0.44 ERA/2.41 FIP/3.29 xFIP

    Low A: 13 GS, 51.1 IP, 27.8 K%, 9.4 BB%, 50 GB%, .326 BABIP, 2.98 ERA/2.50 FIP/3.14 xFIP

    Scouting: 40/45 Fastball, 55/60 Slider, 30/50 Change, 35/50 Command

    Roster Resource currently lists Fajardo in Low A, which I assume is because of his age. He certainly played well enough to get promoted though. But it also might just be because someone has to pitch in Low A. The amount of starting pitching prospects who could pitch in High A to begin the season is a greater number than can actually start in High A at the beginning. Or so I would think. I expect him there soon enough in any case and expect him to throw a lot of his innings at High A.

    Ixan Henderson, 24 – LHP

    Stats (AA): 25 GS, 132 IP, 25.2 K%, 9.6 BB%, 37.1 GB%, .278 BABIP, 2.59 ERA/3.16 FIP/4.00 xFIP/4.51 DRA

    Scouting: 50/60 Fastball, 45/50 Slider, 30/40 Change, 40/45 Cutter, 40/50 Command

    I’ve mentioned this before and I don’t know how accurate the scouting is, but I am surprised his pitch profile supports a potentially great reliever if this starting thing doesn’t work out. I viewed him from the outside as similar to a Max Racjcic, where he might be a long reliever, but it doesn’t seem like high leverage is in his future. But a 60 potential fastball with a 50 potential slider is a strong 1-2 punch, especially with command. And sometimes all you need is a strong 1-2 punch in the bullpen to be great.

    Cooper Hjerpe, 25 – LHP

    Didn’t pitch

    Scouting: 55/55 Fastball, 55/60 Slider, 50/50 Change, 45/50 Cutter, 45/50 Command

    I hesitate to say this about a pitcher drafted in 2022 who has a career professional high of 52 innings, but he had his Tommy John surgery in April of last year, so he should be able to pitch quite a bit this year. With a normal recovery, you’d think he would be able to match his career high in professional innings. He is on the 40 man roster, so a good recovery and we might see him this year. Totally makes sense why you wouldn’t trust this though.

    Chen-Wei Lin, 24 – RHP

    Stats (Low A): 12 GS, 38.2 IP, 27.2 K%, 17.2 BB%, 50 GB%, .283 BABIP, 4.89 ERA/3.69 FIP/4.17 xFIP

    High A: 4 GS, 9.2 IP, 41.7 K%, 18.8 BB%, 50 GB%, .412 BABIP, 9.31 ERA/4.80 FIP/2.76 xFIP

    What a crazy season. Limited by injuries – you’ll notice the innings per start is pretty low – he struggled with control all season. Walked a lot of guys. But he also struck out a lot of guys and I actually find it crazy that he struck out 20 of the 48 batters he faced in Springfield. Other things went wrong, but that’s a lot of strikeouts. I’d like his stats a lot more if he had thrown 5 innings per start.

    Ryan Mitchell, 19 – OF

    I do not have stats to share with you – I’m sure I can find high school stats, but they aren’t a lot of use on this kind of list. It doesn’t appear Fangraphs has given him scouting grades, I can’t find MLB Pipeline (and I don’t like how they give grades anyway, too high generally). I have access to Baseball Prospectus’ top 20, and while they don’t give Mitchell a scouting grade, I thought just sharing their blurb would suffice:

    “Mitchell, a toolsy overslot second-rounder, didn’t play after the draft. For much of his high school career, he would rotate so early that he was more or less standing up when making contact, but his swing became one of the most fun to watch in the class. He dips down a bit and explodes from the lower half. There is some risk he won’t be able to get around against higher velocity fastballs, but his contact rates on the circuit were adequate, and there’s enough athleticism, present bat speed, and physical projection to expect some power. Defensively, he has good actions but could be forced to second base in pro ball. There aren’t any elite tools here, but he presents a pretty well-rounded infield profile and had an arrow up coming into the draft.”

    Deniel Ortiz, 21 – 1B/3B

    Stats (Low A): 320 PAs, .285/.406/.446, 15.3 BB%, 27.5 K%, .162 ISO, .386 BABIP, 145 wRC+, 119 DRC+

    High A: 130 PAs, .336/.438/.500, 13.8 BB%, 22.3 K%, .164 ISO, .436 BABIP, 168 wRC+, 97 DRC+

    We’ve been through this. Only so many ways I can say the same thing. Ortiz does not have scouting, because Fangraphs does not consider him a prospect. Which is slightly weird given how much he demolished the two leagues he was in. I would have to think if he has a similar 2026, that he would then get an actual scouting grade. But yeah, you really have to lean on the stats on this one.

    Yairo Padilla, 19 – SS

    Stats (CPX): 38 G, 148 PAs, .283/.396/.367, 12.2 BB%, 14.2 K%, .083 ISO, .340 BABIP, 119 wRC+

    Scouting: 25/55 Hit, 20/55 Game Power, 40/60 Raw Power, 50/40 Speed, 30/40 Field

    Presumably, Padilla will be spending the 2026 season in full-season Low A. That means he’ll be at Palm Beach, an incredibly hard place to have power. I would not not necessarily expect his potential power to show up and really any increase in power, however marginal, should be seen as a huge positive given the difficult run environment he will be entering. But yeah as things stand, it doesn’t seem like 2026 will answer the question on Padilla’s power and if it does, he’s going to be way higher on this list next season.

    Tai Peete, OF – 20

    Stats (High A): 529 PAs, .217/.288/.404, 8.7 BB%, 30.6 K%, .187 ISO, .282 BABIP, 79 wRC+, 79 DRC+

    Scouting: 20/30 Hit, 30/50 Game Power, 50/60 Raw Power, 60/60 Speed, 45/55 Fielding

    And here we have, we hope, a future Josh Baez. A player who cannot make any contact, but has still managed to maintain some pop. He differs from Baez because he spent last season in High A at age 19. Baez didn’t reach High A until he was 21. I think that gives some perspective on his poor offensive numbers and that he still has quite a bit of time to figure things out.

    VOTE HERE

    How worried are Giants fans about a work stoppage after the 2026 season?

    SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 04: A detailed view of helmets and bats of the San Diego Padres is seen in the racks prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on June 04, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    Good morning baseball fans!

    As we approach the beginning of the season, we’re going to be doing some questions for y’all about your thoughts about the San Francisco Giants and baseball in general!

    Today’s question: How worried are you about a work stoppage?

    The current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1st of this year, which means that we could be right back in another lockout in this upcoming offseason.

    I am, by no means, an expert in this topic, though we do have some of those among the community, so I’m definitely looking forward to getting those perspectives from you all.

    But I will say that I am quite worried about another work stoppage. It seems pretty much inevitable after the way the last one played out after the 2021 season, and the fact that the divide between the players and owners has only seemed to grow since then.

    I think it’s quite likely to be another ugly mess. But there is still plenty of time for it to be avoided, if it possibly can be. So I’ll try to retain some optimism.

    How worried are you about a work stoppage?

    Draymond Green hilariously roasts Kendrick Perkins' Warriors, Steph Curry remark

    Draymond Green hilariously roasts Kendrick Perkins' Warriors, Steph Curry remark originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

    The long history between Warriors forward Draymond Green and former NBA center Kendrick Perkins continues to live on.

    With Golden State’s star guard Steph Curry expected to be sidelined for at least three more games with right patellofemoral pain syndrome, Perkins suggested that the Warriors simply should rest their stars for the rest of the season.

    “Shut ‘em down for the remainder of the season,” Perkins expressed on “The Road Trippin’ Show.” “Let’s be real, this Warriors team is not going anywhere. Draymond Green, I don’t know where his mind is at, but it’s definitely not on the game of basketball. He looked horrible [on Thursday against the Boston Celtics].

    “Shut Steph down. Let those guys play it out. See what guys fit. Right now, I would let the rest of the Warriors team outside of Steph play this season out and audition to see if they want to be here.”

    Of course, Green did not back down and hilariously responded to Perkins’ comments that were most specifically directed at him.

    “In the world we live in, these guys need something to talk about every day,” Green stated on “The Draymond Green Show”. “And so, they make the biggest deal out of [something with] no deal.”

    In the Warriors’ last two games before the All-Star break against the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 9 and the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 11, Green finished strong, combining for 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.

    Unfortunately, the 35-year-old had a rough game in Golden State’s 121-110 loss to the Celtics on Feb. 19, scoring zero points in just 19 minutes played.

    “Going into the All-Star break, everybody was like, ‘Oh my god, man, Draymond turned back the clock. Draymond played great,” Green said. “And then one game after the All-Star break, you have a rough game, and then this guy goes, ‘I don’t know where his head is at, but it ain’t on basketball.’ You’re not allowed to have a bad game anymore. I think it’s very interesting.”

    Green then turned his attention to Perkins, who only averaged more than 10 points per game in a season once in his 14-year NBA career.

    “Needless to say, yeah, Perk, you never had bad games,” Green responded to Perkins’ comments. “Perk, we’ve seen you play, big fella. We saw you, big dog, you played. To go in on a bad night, Perk, you played.

    “We got the clips. We got clips of your screen-setting. We got clips of your jump shots, Perk. We got clips of your jump hooks. You played big Perk. Careful, man. We can start pulling clips now, big Perk…You know how it goes to have one bad game. I can promise you, big Perk, I ain’t where you were at the end of yours.”

    During the 2025-26 season, Green is averaging 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, but is shooting at an abysmal rate of 40.9 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range.

    The Warriors certainly will need every bit of help they can get to make a playoff push with 25 games left to play in the regular season, and that starts with Green and Curry, who have been the pillars of the team and the organization for over a decade.

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    Canadiens' Phillip Danault Benefiting Big Time From Trade

    Back in December, the Montreal Canadiens acquired center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. This was after the Canadiens were heavily linked to the 32-year-old forward.

    There was no question that Danault needed a change of scenery, as he struggled mightily with the Kings this season before the trade. In 30 games with the Kings, he had zero goals and just five assists. This was after he had eight goals and 43 points in 80 games this past season with Los Angeles. 

    While Danault started the season ice-cold with the Kings, there is no question that he has been bouncing back nicely during his second stint with the Habs so far. 

    The trade to Montreal has given Danault a nice boost, as he has recorded three goals, six assists, and nine points in 21 games. He also recorded a point in each of his two final games ahead of the Olympic break.

    The Canadiens have also benefited by bringing back Danault, as he has once again been a nice part of Montreal's forward group and penalty kill.

    Overall, it is clear that both the Canadiens and Danault are benefiting from reuniting. It will be interesting to see how Danault performs during the final stretch of the year for the Canadiens from here. 

    Which Mets player will have the biggest bounce back season in 2026?

    PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Kodai Senga #34 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets Photo Day at Clover Park on February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    This post is part of a series of daily questions that we’ll ask the community here at Amazin’ Avenue throughout the month of February. We hope you find the questions engaging and that our prompts can spark some fun conversations in the comments. We’ll see you there and plan to have staff chiming in, too.

    Which Mets player will have the biggest bounce back season in 2026?

    Moses Moody's mom shares throwback foreshadowing Al Horford as Warriors teammate

    Moses Moody's mom shares throwback foreshadowing Al Horford as Warriors teammate originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

    A childhood photo is bringing things full circle for Moses Moody.

    Moody’s mom, Rona, shared a throwback image on social media from Chris Paul‘s 2015 “CP3 Camp,” showing a 13-year-old Moody posing in front of a display featuring Al Horford’s wingspan.

    At the time, Horford was in the middle of his prime with the Atlanta Hawks, fresh off multiple NBA All-Star seasons and widely regarded as one of the league’s most versatile big men.

    Moody, meanwhile, was just beginning his own basketball journey.

    Six years later, the Warriors selected Moody with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He quickly carved out a role as a steady presence on the wing, contributing to Golden State’s 2022 championship run and continuing to develop into a key rotation piece.

    Horford’s path, too, eventually brought him to the Bay.

    After stints with the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder — including an NBA title with Boston in 2024 — the veteran big man signed with the Warriors ahead of the 2025-26 season.

    That move ultimately connected the two in a way neither could have imagined back in 2015.

    What once was a simple camp photo now stands as a rare full-circle moment — a young Moody posing in front of an NBA star, years before becoming his teammate on the same court.

    And while the moment centers on Horford, it carries another subtle layer: the photo was taken at Paul’s camp — years before Moody and Paul briefly shared a locker room during the Warriors’ 2023-24 season.

    Now, the picture looks less like a coincidence — and more like a preview.

    Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

    Open Thread: How De’Aaron Fox has reinvented himself in San Antonio

    SAN ANTONIO, TX -FEBRUARY 21: Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings is called for a technical foul after pushing De'Aaron Fox #4 of the Sant Antonio Spurs in the second half at Moody Center on February 21, 2026 in Austin, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    Since February 3, 2025, De’Aaron Fox has been a member of the San Antonio Spurs, before that, he spent the entirety of his career with the Sacramento Kings.

    On Saturday night, the Spurs hosted the Kings in the second of their games taking place in Austin.

    Before the game, Kings head coach Doug Christie was asked about the transition Fox has made in taking his game to South Texas. Christie served as an assistant to the Kings from 2021-2024 before taking the head coaching position in 2024.

    “When he first came in he was all speed, everything was speed, speed, speed, and then he started to find his game. I think watching him [in Texas], he has so may different weapons and he’s an unselfish player, so that plays right into wheelhouse. His ability to use his speed to get downhill to create advantages….it just takes his game to a different level. There was a steady progression to his game. Watching him, defensively, being on a team like this with a rim protector and multiple guys on the perimeter who play defense allows him to gamble a little bit because of his quickness and his anticipation skills. I thought there was a steady climb in where he was going and what he was doing. He iss a three-point threat in the open court and in one-on-one situations.”

    Fox has had to transition from being the leader of the Kings and face of a franchise to playing next to a generational player.

    In fact, even as his role seems to diminish, his statistics have not. He is averaging almost three less shots per game and consequently two-points less per game. And he’s only shaved about a minute if playing time from his average. But overall, his rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, and personal fouls are right in alignment with his career averages from his time in Sacramento.

    In other words, Fox hasn’t changed, his surroundings have. And having this leading man and supporting cast has elevated his team overall. Add in a certain level of health that has upheld the Spurs throughout this season, the second best schedule in the Western Conference does not seem as farfetched as it did only a few weeks ago.

    Older Spurs fans might remember how David Robinson handed the baton to Tim Duncan, allowing Duncan to become the face of the franchise and focal point to the team’s offense. Robinson’s willingness and humility not only elevated Duncan at a healthy pace, it built the foundation for multiple title runs.

    Although Fox came in after Victor Wembanyama was drafted, his humility and selflessness resonates with the Spurs culture. Mitch Johnson recognized it immediately.

    “It’s been incredible to see…a twenty-eight-year-old All-Star in his prime that wants to sit next to the face of the franchise, who’s twenty-two and still figuring out as good as he is, and want to complement him and be enthusiastic about growing with him.”

    Johnson went on to complement how Fox allows Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to make their own mistakes as part of their growth. In moments where Fox could feasibly take over the game, he stays back so that the team as a whole can grow into the champions they hope to be.

    “I really, really appreciate his willingness to try and grow with the group, even though he’s probably a little bit ahead in terms of just experiences.”

    Fox, although not initially listed as a 2026 All-Star, Fox was chosen by Adam Silver as a replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo, an acknowledgement of the Spurs place in the standings not belonging to one singular player.

    Fox also hit the game winner for USA Stripes in the All-Star competition.

    On a court with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Donovan Mitchell, Fox was fed the ball and trusted by a team of all-time great players.

    A vote of confidence at that level says it all.


    Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

    Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

    If you expect Kyrie Irving to be himself again, you might be dissappointed

    It has been nearly a full year since Kyrie Irving has played in an NBA game. With his shutdown for the remainder of the year now official, he will not play his next game until at least 19 months post-ACL surgery. That is a lot of time. 19 months ago, the Mavericks were fresh off a run to the NBA Finals. Cooper Flagg was well away from playing his first game at Duke. There was a different president 19 months ago. All of this is to say, when Kyrie Irving suits up (hopefully) on opening night in October, he will not be the player he was against the Sacramento Kings on March 3 of last year. In fact, he may never be that player again. And to expect the Kyrie Irving of old would be misguided. 

    Irving turns 34 on March 23. In the history of the NBA, there have only been three players who are Irving’s height (6’2”) or shorter to average more than 20 points per game at age 34 or older: Lenny Wilkins, Steph Curry, and Damian Lillard. All three guys are generational talents like Irving is, but none of them were coming off a major injury. In fact, Lillard sustained a major injury (torn achilles) after playing at that level and age for the entire year. When Irving went down, he was averaging almost 25 points a night in 36 minutes. To get back to that point, he would have to be the outlier that Curry is, who averaged over 29 points in his age-34 season. It just doesn’t happen, and the surgical aspect of the situation substantially reduces the likelihood of a return to form.

    Recently, another guard who sustained a major injury last spring, Jaden Ivey, spoke with reporters about the impact of his leg surgery after his latest DNP:

    Ivey, 24, was a former top-five pick. He averaged 17.1 points at Purdue his sophomore year and got his average up to 17.6 points per game in his third NBA season before sustaining a broken left leg in January 2025. Now, after starting just five games this season, he says his old self is “dead”. It was a somber reminder that real life is not NBA 2K, and these recoveries can take a serious mental toll on players. I am not saying that Irving feels the same way, but if major surgery can impact a guy as young and talented as Ivey, then no one is safe from the ramifications. Not only is history working against him, but the mental hurdle Irving has to overcome is massive, and it only grows as the time between on-court appearances increases.

    Despite all of this, there is a little sun peeking through the clouds. Even though Ivey and Irving are small guards who rely on quickness and ball-handling to be effective, there are key differences between them. For one, they did not have the same surgeries. Ivey broke his fibula, which is a much less common injury than the ACL tear Irving sustained. What was once a death sentence, recovering from an ACL injury now feels pretty systematic. And aside from being the better player, Irving has the number one resource for recovering from surgery at his disposal. Klay Thompson missed nearly three full seasons of his prime due to two separate injuries that he sustained back-to-back. If anyone can get Irving to the place he needs to be, both mentally and physically, it is Thompson. So, although Irving will probably never be the player he was, there is reason to hope for it, as my fellow contributor Michael Harris detailed.

    I personally do not think Irving will get back to that level. My expectation is very low for his production next season and beyond. I do not view him as a piece of Cooper Flagg’s future, nor a piece you should move mountains to keep. But I will happily take any and every moment above expectation he gives us. Now that Dallas is out of cap hell, Irving is a luxury the Mavericks can afford. He is a locker-room positive, has plentiful experience to pass on to Flagg and the Mavericks’ draft pick this season, and is a reminder of better times. If you expect to see the player we all saw a year ago, you will be disappointed. But if you expect nothing, Irving will have plenty of pleasant surprises. 

    What Zaccharie Risacher’s benching means — and what comes next

    PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 19: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 19, 2026 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

    Being selected first overall is the ultimate gift and curse.

    On one hand, you’ve shined so much in your pre-NBA career that a team believes you are the premier talent in your age group. You often arrive at a downtrodden franchise heading an effort to turn things around. Fans see you as a savior and a franchise pillar, the likes of Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, and most recently Cooper Flagg.

    But, if you’re unable to live up that lofty status, the four-letter B-word seeps into the conversation. That word may hound you for the rest of your career — even if you grow into a helpful role player who sticks in the league for many years.

    Ask any Hawks fan what they think of former number two overall pick Marvin Williams. They won’t point to five years as a starting small forward on Atlanta playoff teams in from 2008 to 2012. They won’t point to a body of work that includes a productive 15-year NBA career.

    The conversation centers on what he wasn’t. He just wasn’t either of the two All-NBA point guards that followed him on draft day back in 2005.

    Enter Zaccharie Risacher, number one overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

    It’s obvious he’s not having the offensive breakout everyone hoped for after closing last year’s rookie season on an absolute tear. And most recently, he’s been benched in the starting lineup for CJ McCollum (starting with yesterday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets — but possibly for the foreseeable future).

    Last season, after coming back from injury from January 30th until the postseason, Risacher scored 14.9 points in just 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 52% from the field and 42% from three. You could practically see the confidence grow with every shooting explosion. The tortured fanbase could finally feel justified in the organization nailing their bet on an unconventional pick in a down draft cycle.

    This season is a different story. Both his scoring impact and efficiency are down from his rookie season, and it hasn’t been offset by improvements in other ‘little areas’ of basketball.

    To be clear, this isn’t the end of his NBA career nor his time with the Atlanta Hawks. But it’s undeniable that his development hasn’t gone to plan.

    So, that begs the next question:

    What has gone wrong so far?

    This season has been a different case from his rookie season, when most rightfully expected him to take some time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA game. Some of his biggest issues in my eyes in 2025-26 have been:

    Not enough growth in his upper and/or core body strength

    His numbers finishing at the rim and through contact most distinctly bear this out. Per databallr, Risacher is getting to the rim 9.2 times per 100 possessions, placing him in the 88th percentile in the league. But his rim finishing shooting percentage is 3.2% worse than league average.

    Risacher’s passing vision is limited, and often it seems as if he predetermines when he’s going to try to get a shot at the rim regardless of the position of the defense. Jalen Johnson is in his direct line of view, but his attempt over/through two guys goes poorly:

    “When we get in the lane and break the paint, having our eyes out and passing the ball out allows us to get more catch-and-shoot threes,” coach Quin Snyder had to say about his team’s process before the Nets game. “They’re obviously highly efficient shots. When we’re getting our shot blocked when going to the rim, it’s a pretty good indication that maybe there was an opportunity to get off the ball earlier.”

    Or sometimes, he goes in expecting contact without the balance to finish if the expected contact doesn’t arrive:

    Lack of a functional handle when faced with ball pressure

    This was never a real draw to his game, though he’s at least shown he can handle the ball in the open court a bit. But in halfcourt settings especially, he has a tendency to fumble the ball at even the slightest bit of contact.

    These possessions, like recently against the Minnesota Timberwolves below, are all too common. Jaden McDaniels is a premier on-ball defender in the NBA to be clear, but Risacher never looked like he had any shot to get past him to the rim here:

    Shifting shot mechanics from shot to shot

    In fairness, he hasn’t looked completely lost as a shooter or anything. For his NBA career, he’s shooting 36% on threes on 8.6 three-point attempts per 100 possessions. But he self-creates fewer than 5% of his three-point attempts and makes for his career and is quite clearly a streaky catch-and-shoot guy. In short, he needs a high-level creator to set him up for good looks (more on that later).

    One big worry, however, is his oddly low free throw shooting percentage, a common leading indicator of true shooting talent, for example. Last season, he shot 71% from the free-throw line — just fine and no better. But this year, strangely, that number is all the way down to 60%.

    I’m no biomechanics expert, but it seems to me that his shot is very upper body-dependent, and his pushy release doesn’t look particularly consistent. I think it’s something that can be ironed out with repetition, because otherwise inconsistent mechanics is something that could cap his overall shooting talent.

    Not daring enough to play-make for others, movement shoot, or cut

    There are a lot of ways to make yourself useful on offense without a high-level handle. You can read the floor and make quick passes upon receiving the ball. You can move and cut off the ball.

    But after flashing these tools last season, Risacher hasn’t built upon this foundation.

    The area I think he should tap into more is moving off ball around screens into catch-and-shoot opportunities. That’s simply a more dangerous play type than a standstill catch-and-shoot possession — you can threaten the defense into reacting to your movement even if you don’t touch the basketball.

    It’s too much to ask him to be Kyle Korver or anything, but at his height and with his mobility, this should be more of a weapon in his arsenal.

    His assist to turnover ratio is up from his 1:1 ratio last season, but I think he can continue to be more ambitious with his passing in coach Snyder’s ‘0.5 second’ system.

    It’s a similar story with his cutting frequency. Per the NBA’s tracking numbers via Synergy, Risacher has been right at 8% of his possessions ending from a cut in each of his first two seasons. No growth from year 1 to year 2.

    In short, the best way to optimize his offense is to be a jack of all trades. Someone multi-faceted — dangerous to a defense in a variety of ways.

    His fit on offense was predicated upon having Trae Young as the focal point

    Young is one of the best creators in the NBA. Young found Risacher often last season, and Risacher responded by shooting 38% from three when sharing the court with him (including a small sample this season). Trae Young is now in D.C., and while Jalen Johnson has assumed responsibility as the head of the offense, his ability to find Risacher can’t quite compare.

    It’s possible that next season, they Hawks bring in another high-level playmaker to team with Johnson and Dyson Daniels — either via draft or free agency — and that acquisition could be a boon to Risacher’s offense. But in the meanwhile, he’ll need to find other ways to impact the game.


    Risacher was never going to be a typical high draft pick. Almost all of those players historically have on-ball creation skills to build an offense around. Zaccharie’s skillset always lent himself to being a glue guy — someone whose offensive values comes from being set up by others, whether as a catch-and-shoot guy or off screening or off cutting.

    There are also two angles to this conversation: the foresight angle and the hindsight angle.

    Throughout the draft evaluation process, there was no real consensus in a draft class that was light on talent as compared to other drafts. We here at Peachtree Hoops still never felt as through Risacher was the guy even despite this, due to concerns with his low ceiling, rawness, and the opportunity cost to add a two-way center at a position of need.

    Even in hindsight, though, things have clearly gone a good bit worse than envisioned. The trio of AlexSarr, Stephon Castle, and Donovan Clingan, for example, have flashed levels of productivity Risacher hasn’t (with Reed Sheppard, a.k.a. the Mahomesian prospect, in that conversation as well).

    But that decision was made almost two years ago at this point. It is what it is.

    So now what?

    I’d be remiss to not mention that there are areas in which Risacher has shown clear improvement. His defensive impact is very apparent on a team lacking size at the small forward position. He’s a legitimate disrupter defending both on and off the ball, averaging more steals and blocks (2.8 ‘stocks’ per 100 possessions) than in his rookie season.

    Risacher injects energy in the fight for rebounds (a big weakness on this squad). His assists per 100 possessions are up while his turnovers per 100 possessions are down. His +/- impact is there. I promise you, it hasn’t all been bad.

    But when his offense is just barely functional to this point, that hangup remains an anchor on any other value that he provides.

    I still believe he can be a very helpful and impactful role player, but it’s time to stop envisioning Risacher as a foundational player to the franchise.

    Not only does he require a significant amount of continued development just to reach the point where he can be a starting wing on a competitive team, there has been nothing to suggest that his ceiling is any higher than that.

    Additionally, a different front office head than the current one ultimately spearheaded that pick. The current general manager, Onsi Saleh, has less incentive to force a square peg into a round hole.

    “[The starting lineup change] doesn’t reflect in any way my personal belief in Zacch,” coach Snyder had to say after the Nets win on Sunday. “It actually could be a positive for him to be in the game at a different stage. Different matchups with guys. I think that was the case [today]. He looks relaxed. He competed. Zacch’s about all the right stuff. His development is something that’s going to continue to happen whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.”

    Again, I still think the 20-year-old still has a productive NBA career ahead of him, but in my opinion the Hawks should continue to develop him while also regarding him as no more than a rotational wing signed to a mid-value contract over the next two future seasons — that is, assuming his fourth-year team option is picked up.

    The story of his career is still being written, and I would implore you to not write off someone who doesn’t even turn 21 for a couple of months. But it’s not too early to adjust expectations accordingly — a process both the franchise and the fanbase may have already kicked off.

    When did you become a true Rays fan, and why?

    17 May 1998: Infielder Wade Boggs of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in action during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Devil Rays won the game, 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport | Getty Images

    Was it as simple as you were living nearby?

    I grew up on the Space Coast, just 2 hours away from Tampa and seemingly 3 from St. Petersburg, in a family that stayed loyal to the Braves over the Marlins over the years — but I was the perfect age to become a Rays fan, with my interest in Sports born the same year the Devil Rays thew their first pitch.

    Given their proximity and availability on television, it was an easy decision for the family to go all in on the Devil Rays.

    Chicago Cubs history unpacked — February 23

    On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths.

    “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire.

    Today in baseball history:

    Cubs Birthdays:Eric Yelding, Brian Duensing. Also notable: Sparky Anderson HOF.

    Today in history:

    • 1455 – Johannes Gutenberg prints his first Bible [estimated date] .
    • 1540 – Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s expedition sets off from Mexico in search of the Seven Cities of Gold (Cibola).
    • 1782 Engineer James Watt’s patent for a rotary motion for the steam engine (his sun-and-planet gear) is granted.
    • 1847 – Battle of Buena Vista, Mexico; Zachary Taylor leads mostly volunteer troops against larger Mexican Army force; Mexico retreats, both sides claim victory.
    • 1886 – The Times of London newspaper publishes the world’s first classified ad.
    • 1896 – Tootsie Roll introduced by Leo Hirshfield.
    • 1904 – US acquires control of the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million.
    • 1941 – Plutonium is first produced and isolated by American chemist Glenn T. Seaborg at Berkeley
    • 1954 – First mass inoculation against polio with the Jonas Salk vaccine takes place at Arsenal Elementary School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

    Common sources:

    *pictured.

    Some of these items spread from site to site without being fact-checked, and that is why we ask for verifiable sources, in order to help correct the record.

    Phillies news: Jose Alvarado, Don Mattingly, Rhys Hoskins

    CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a spring training baseball game at BayCare Ballpark on February 22, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    As many people are now snowbound again thanks to a blizzard in the region, I’d invite you to partake in some of the latest news around the team.

    On to the links.

    Phillies news:

    MLB news: