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Mets Daily Prospect Report, 7/3/26: Lots of losses

]Douglas Orellana #73 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the fourth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Clover Park on March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (42-42)

WORCESTER 7, SYRACUSE 5 (BOX)

Syracuse took a 5-3 lead into the top of the seventh, but their bullpen gave up four runs over the final three innings of the game without any response from their lineup. If you’re looking for a silver lining, Jorge Polanco hit a home run and drew a walk as the Mets’ designated hitter in this one. It’s worth pointing out that he’s had one or more days off between each of his rehab appearances since starting his second attempt at a rehab assignment on June 27.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (29-49)

BOWIE 8, BINGHAMTON 4 (BOX)

Binghamton trailed 2-0 when the eighth inning got underway, but they put up a four spot to take a two-run lead in the bottom of that inning. Douglas Orellana proceeded to have about as bad a night as a reliever can have, though, as he didn’t record a single out while giving up five runs—all earned—on four hits and a walk. Bowie tacked on a sixth run that was charged to fellow reliever Saul Garcia in the top of the ninth, and that was that.

Lost amid all of that was a very good outing from Max Green, whose story about overcoming the yips to pursue his dream is a good one.

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (32-45)

FREDERICK 9, BROOKLYN 4 (BOX)

Cyclones pitchers gave up at least one run in seven of the eight innings they pitched in this one, and Brooklyn’s four-run innings in the top of the fifth accounted for all of their runs while merely pulling them within one run of Frederick at the time.

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (35-41)

TAMPA 7, ST. LUCIE 5 (BOX)

With a 5-4 lead heading into the top of the ninth, St. Lucie saw relief pitcher Zack Mack give up three runs to swing the game in Tampa’s favor. This was not the best night for the Mets’ non-rookie-ball minor league teams.

Rookie: FCL Mets (XX-XX)

FCL METS 3, FCL NATIONALS 2/ 8 (BOX)

Rookie: DSL Mets Orange (14-10)

DSL METS ORANGE 11, DSL MARLINS 2 / 5 (BOX)

Rookie: DSL Mets Blue (9-13)

DSL COLORADO 5, DSL METS BLUE 3 (BOX)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Max Green

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Douglas Orellana

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Braves News: Andrew McCutchen signed, Jim Jarvis recalled, and more

May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Texas Rangers pinch hitter Andrew McCutchen (4) reacts after strike out during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves have reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen. The 39-year-old has spent the 2026 season with the Texas Rangers, where he appeared in 37 games and averaged a subpar .192 at the plate. He was released at the end of May and according to the transaction log, was picked up by Atlanta on Thursday.

The move is a low-risk depth addition for an Atlanta club that has been searching for offensive consistency during a wave of injuries. While McCutchen is well past his prime, the former MVP brings plenty of veteran experience and could provide organizational depth as he aims for another opportunity in the majors.

More Braves News:

The Braves announced a roster move Thursday morning that recalled INF Jim Jarvis and designated INF Rowdy Tellez for assignment. 

Atlanta suffered another series loss after dropping Thursday’s contest to the St. Louis Cardinals, 11-5.

Eric Hartman joined the 20/30 club after Wednesday’s contest. More in the minor league recap.

MLB News:

The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Jason Adam on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain. The move is retroactive to June 30.

From the Feed:

How many All-Stars do you think the Braves will have this season? Cast your vote here.

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A look at St. Louis Cardinals’ reliever George Soriano

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: imagn-28237564.jpg

Intro

Today’s article will do a bit of a deep dive on George Soriano. This guy has seemingly come from nowhere to become a stalwart in the Cardinal bullpen. Not dissimilar to Ryan Fernandez in 2024 or Matt Svanson in 2025, a guy who could reasonably be considered unheralded, but still becomes a key member of the cadre.

Authors Note: I’m travelling over the 4th, so I had to do this article a fair bit in advance. The stats I cite are going to be over a week old by the time you read this. I’m not sure if the VEB hex applies when I write the article or when I publish, but George could crater in between and foul up the data. Such is life.

How unheralded? He came into 2026 with a career fWAR of -1.0, backed by career ERA and FIP figures exceeding 5.00. Across 3 years with Miami, he progressed from bad to worse, ending last year with an 8.35 ERA. He found himself on the Nationals roster and ultimately dealt to St. Louis for Andre Granillo. What did the Cardinals see that prompted them to swap out a low-grade prospect for him?

Here in St. Louis, he has filled a variety of roles all the way from chase reliever to high leverage. It hasn’t been perfect, but he is outperforming his career norms by a fair bit. Interestingly, he is not far off his Zips projection, which projected a 4.19 FIP with a 21.3% K rate and a 9.5% BB rate. So, I’m curious. What gives?

We’ll start with back of the baseball card stuff. George is carrying a 3.16 ERA with a relatively pedestrian 20.8% K rate. His 8.5% walk rate is a marked improvement from his career 10% rate. He has accumulated .1 fWAR. Further down, he has qualified for 11 shutdown (SD) appearances, which is 70th percentile among relievers with 30 or more IP (George has 30.1 IP). He has 4 meltdown (MD) appearances which is tied with a bunch of guys right at average for the league. For comparison, Justin Bruihl and JoJo Romero pace the league with 10 and 9 MD appearances. Thus, why he is rising up the trust scale.

Sidebar: Riley O’Brien is second overall in baseball with 20 SD appearances, behind only Cade Smith of Cleveland.

What is underneath this improved performance?

If we wander on over to Statcast/Baseball Savant, some interesting details emerge. Morsels to chew on, as it were.

Pitch Mix

Note his pitch mix vs. left and right-handed batters. This will come up later. In general, he is more FF and CH heavy against LH hitters and more SL and SI heavy against RH hitters.

Since joining StL, they’ve had him de-emphasize his SI and ST (sweeper). He has cut the sweeper use from 16% to 10%, and sinker use from almost 20 to 12%. The SL usage has increase from 16% to nearly 25% and he has upped his four-seamer (FF) usage from 18% to more than 25%. Subtle changes, but they appear to have had some success. Pitch mix is one of the places the Cardinals tinkered, but not the only.

Pitch effectiveness

To the left you see the current run values for his entire pitch mix. Looking at the blue, you can see why the Cardinals wanted to de-emphasize the Sinker (SI) and Sweeper (ST).

Mechanics

One of the things I found striking was now much the Cardinals influenced his arm angle. That 34 degree angle is new this year, up from 29 degrees in 2025. That is pitching lab stuff. In ways, given how late in the off-season they acquired him, I am surprised they were able to implement what is a fairly radical change, and be successful doing it.

It’s not clear how the arm angle has affected his pitch metrics, which have not really changed a lot even though the arm angle did.

Pitch Movement

That mechanical changes have produced a pitch movement profile that leaves me scratching my head a bit.

His 4-Seam Fastball (FF) is pretty average in terms of movement, although it does have 87th percentile velo, averaging 96.7 mph. The four-seam grades at 87 Stuff+, but the Sinker grades out at a nice 108+.

That ChangeUp? It has somewhat below average arm-side run, but well above average drop. That pitch could almost be called devastating. That Whiff% has climbed for 19.6% in 2025 to 41.8% this season. That change is particularly effective against LH hitters, allowing him to navigate the left-right lanes. It grades out as a 116 on Stuff+. Impressive.

The Slider (SL) is an odd one. Used mostly against RH hitters, it produces a near 40% whiff rate, but that is in line with career norms. The arm angle change seems to have produced less arm-side run and a bit more drop. It grades out as a 96 by Stuff+.

I can’t figure his Sweeper. It doesn’t sweep, but still gets a 40%+ whiff rate. How? No Stuff+ grade. I think because the sample size is too small.

His very average Sinker (SI) gets clobbered at an xwOBA of .622. Seems contradictory to a Stuff+ of 108.

Spin

George seems to tunnel his pitches well, which can improve the effectiveness of the mix. The fastballs and the change come out of a pitcher’s hand looking the same from a spin standpoint but act quite a bit differently as they approach the hitter.

Oddly, his sinker comes out with all different spins, almost all around the watch face. I don’t know if he is still tinkering with it or what, but that is a lot of inconsistency and probably helps explain why it is a mostly straight pitch, yet oddly effective.

Overall

Putting it all together, we can look at his overall performance against the rest of the league.

His fastballs (4-seam, sinker) perform at an average rate in terms of run value. Neither good nor bad, as do the breaking pitches. The Offspeed pitches (Sweeper, Change) provide most of his positive value, ranking in the 85th percentile. I’d opine here is where pitch mix is key … an average fastball combined with near-elite offspeed can make an effective pitcher if deployed properly.

Note the 81st percentile FB velocity, but also note that much of his very poor 8th percentile exit velo comes … off his fastballs.

He gets excellent chase and whiff, as noted above. Oddly, for all the excellent whiff numbers his K% rate is pretty pedestrian a 20.8%, probably not enough for a leverage reliever.

Concerns

Beyond the hard hit data just above, a few other concerns pop out in his profile.

His 2026 BABIP is running an extremely low .241. Now, in 3 of his 4 seasons, he has run really low BABIPs, so that may be normal for him, but the number itself suggests some luck is smiling on him in 2026 and regression could bite him, particularly since he doesn’t strike a lot of guys out.

On that vein, his 21% strike out rate and 9% walk rate result in a ~12% K-BB%, which really isn’t good enough for a leverage reliever. 15% is the number I use as a floor for a pitcher expected to pitch well reliably.

Summary

We like to say relievers are volatile. Well, every player is volatile to an extent, relievers just seem to be moreso. George may be the archetype of one form of reliever volatility.

A pitcher equipped with largely average stuff, with some above average offerings and some below. Nets to a Stuff+ of 101. Some years, such a pitcher will have good luck in sequencing or random and others years it will horrid luck. 2025 appears to have been his horrid year and 2026 appears to be the year the GOB are smiling upon him.

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Blackhawks Are Hoping That Ian Cole & Cole Smith Keep Penalty Kill Up To Standard

The Chicago Blackhawks had one of the best penalty kill units in the NHL last season. At 83.6 percent, they finished in second place, only trailing the 84.6 percent put up by the Colorado Avalanche. 

The Hawks led in this statistic for most of the year, but they tailed off just a little bit after the trade deadline saw Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, Nick Foligno, and Colton Dach all leave. 

There are plenty of players on the team now, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene, and Alex Vlasic, amongst others, who can help keep it up to standard, but losing Ilya Mikheyev certainly hurts. 

Mikheyev, one of the best penalty kill forwards in the NHL, signed a four-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. There is no sugar coating it: this is a huge loss for the Blackhawks. 

To try and make up for this, Kyle Davidson and his staff signed veteran forward Cole Smith and defenseman Ian Cole. Both of these free agents will get their ice time at even strength, but they are going to be relied upon heavily on the penalty kill. 

During a media session during Development Camp, Davidson mentioned the PK as a reason for signing these two. They bring a sense of grit and physicality in all situations, but keeping the puck out of their net during opponent power plays will play a key role in winning. 

There are going to be a lot of young players competing for these jobs as well, but having guys like Smith and Cole to lean on will take the pressure off them when it comes to these specialty roles. 

Are the Blackhawks going to have a top-two unit again? Likely not. However, they may not fall as far back as people think, and these two new additions would play a big part in that.

If the young guys grow into their roles while Smith and Cole lead the way, and Spencer Knight stays locked in, it will remain difficult to score power-play goals against the Chicago Blackhawks. 

If the power play then improves with the addition of Bowen Byram, they could be a team that wins a lot more games due to their special teams. 

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Bernie’s Dugout Open Thread: 7/3-7/9

Sep 10, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; General view of the helmet used by the Milwaukee Brewers before the start of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images | Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Greetings, Brew Crew Ball community. Happy Fourth of July weekend! We’re now beyond the midpoint of the season, and just over a week away from the MLB Draft & All-Star break. The Brewers have weathered the first half of their gauntlet, but they still have the D-backs, Cardinals, and Pirates on deck for 11 games in the next 10 days.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-baseball sports, the Brewers, you name it. As long as it’s appropriate and is allowed by our moderators, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread:

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Orioles news: O’s projected to draft Drew Burress

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Outfielder Drew Burress #8 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets leads off first base during the Spring Classic college baseball game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on April 15, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

If you’re one of the many fans who have found the Orioles exhausting to watch for most of the season, at least we’re getting ample breaks from the team this month. The O’s weekend series with the Reds is bookended with off days yesterday and Monday — because traveling to Cincinnati is particularly arduous, apparently? — and after a six-game homestand, the Birds will take four days off for the All-Star break.

We’re just over a week until the unofficial end to the first half, and not a moment too soon. The Orioles, unless they go a perfect 9-0 in their next three series, are guaranteed to have a losing record entering the break. It’s not the kind of season that any of us hoped we’d be seeing, so close on the heels of an equally disappointing 2025 campaign. This year was supposed to be different. It hasn’t been, and that stinks. We’ve written plenty about that already and will have to do so for a while longer if the Orioles’ freefall continues.

But for now let’s focus on the future — specifically, the MLB Draft, which begins next Saturday, July 11. The Orioles hold the seventh pick, and MLB.com’s latest mock draft projects them to select outfielder Drew Burress from Georgia Tech. Wait, you’re telling me the Orioles might select a college outfielder? Imagine that! Other possible candidates for that spot, according to MLB’s Jonathan Mayo, are Justin Lebron, Tyler Bell, Ryder Helfrick, Chris Hacopian, and Derek Curiel. I’m not convinced that all of those are real names.

As for Burress, he’s a 5-foot-9 center fielder who’s ranked as the #6 draft prospect by The Athletic’s Keith Law. Burress “swings hard, with excellent bat speed,” according to Law, who notes that his average exit velocity was in the 90th percentile of college hitters. Burress has “easy plus power” that belies his small frame, and Law projects him as a 20+ homer a year player who could stick in center field but might have to move to a corner spot. Yep, sounds like the Orioles’ type.

Of course, it’s much too early to write down Burress in pen as the Orioles’ pick. There’s just over a week until the draft and six teams picking ahead of them, so there’s plenty of different directions the O’s could go with their selection. I just wish the draft weren’t the only thing that qualifies as excitement in Birdland these days.

Links

With the No. 7 draft pick, will O’s take a pitcher? It doesn’t seem likely – Steve Melewski

Yup, that also tracks.

Will Orioles ever see Gunnar Henderson return to ‘superstar’ numbers? | MAILBAG – BaltimoreBaseball.com

Superstar? First let’s see him at least return to league-average numbers, and go from there.

Beltway rivals O’s, Nats complete trade for 1st time ever – MLB.com

History in the making. I, for one, will never forget what I was doing when the Kyle Nicolas-for-Randal Diaz went down. I don’t know which player was the one the O’s traded and which one they acquired, but still.

Checking with Robertson on upcoming draft, and tossing out a few names – School of Roch

Shortstop Roch Cholowsky is so highly regarded that he won’t drop to the #7 pick, ruining the possibility of having two Rochs on the Orioles circuit. Alas.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Three former Orioles were born on this day: right-hander Tommy Hunter (40), lefty Jeff Rineer (71), and the late outfielder Al Pilarcik (b. 1930, d. 2010).

July 3 used to be a pretty good day for the Orioles. At one point the O’s won 15 consecutive games on this date from 1961 to 1974, including three doubleheader sweeps. Through 1974, they had a 19-3 record all-time on July 3. But since then they’re 18-30 on this date, and have lost five of their last seven.

Random Orioles game of the day

On July 3, 1992, the Orioles beat the Twins, 6-1, at the Metrodome. Hall of Famer Mike Mussina, then in his second season, came within two outs of a complete game, somehow holding the Twins to just one run despite giving up 12 (!) hits. He made big pitches when he needed to, I suppose. The Orioles broke a scoreless tie in the fifth on back-to-back sacrifice flies, then removed all doubt with a four-run seventh inning that included RBI singles by Glenn Davis, Randy Milligan, and Joe Orsulak, and a run-scoring double from Mark McLemore.

After that game, the O’s and Twins had identical 46-32 records, with the Twins sitting in first place and the Orioles one game out, but neither would end up making the playoffs.

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Phillies News: Zack Wheeler, Bryce Harper, the Defense

Jul 1, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

I don’t have a clever heat-related pun to use here. Did you know that the home run rate rises as the temperature does? You did? Well, that’s all I had. Onto the links.

Phillies news

Zack Wheeler was not happy that Don Mattingly pulled him in the fifth inning of his last start. The skipper lays out his case.

Will Bryce Harper join the Home Run Derby? Maybe!

Jay Jaffe of FanGraphs examines the worst defenses among baseball’s championship contenders. The fact that I’m putting it under “Phillies news” is something of a giveaway. ($)

MLB news

Even if you don’t like the Braves, you’ll like this charming story of English football fans throwing their support behind Michael Harris II.

Courtesy of ESPN, one player that every team should rate for (or trade away) at this year’s deadline.

The future is NOW. Well, not now. But the Futures Game is now. Well, not now. Next Sunday. Anyway, here’s a look at who’s playing in it.

The suspensions from the Nationals-Red Sox incident from earlier in the week have been handed down.

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Open Thread: The many shades of the Paul George trades

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics plays defense on Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 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

Earlier this week, it was announced that after days of trade talks, the Boston Celtics were finally able to unload 2024 Finals MVP and five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown. He is being sent to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, a 2028 first-round pick (or more favorable pick swap), an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030).

George, originally drafted tenth overall in 2010 by the Indiana Pacers, has been now been traded three times.

In 2017, he was traded by the Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo. In 2019, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round draft picks, and the rights to swap two other first-round picks. This week, he was moved to Boston in the aforementioned trade.

That’s quite a list of impressive players. NBA Champions, two Finals MVPs, four All-Stars, a Most Improved Player, steals leader, a two-time MVP, a scoring leader, a Clutch Player of the Year…and Danilo Gallinari.

Here’s how the 1st round picks conveyed:

2021- Tre Mann (18th pick) played three seasons was eventually packaged in a trade for Gordon Hayward.

2022- Jalen Williams (12th pick), the 2025 All-Star has been a major part of the team’s success.

2023- Picks did not convey.

2024- OKC traded this to Dallas for a 2028 first round pick swap.

2025- Thomas Sorber (15th pick) has yet to suit up as he tore his ACL before during an offseason workout and missed the entire season.

2026- Aday Mara (12th pick) was drafted as a direct response to facing Victor Wembanyama.

The dividends OKC received from the trade brought the franchise their first Oklahoma-based championship and continues to reflect well. Meanwhile, the Clippers never met their potential.

The 76ers signed PG13 after his stint with the Clippers. he played in only 78 games over two seasons. Riddled with injuries and a suspension for violating the league’s drug policies, George’s time in the City of Brotherly Love was mostly ineffective.

How will 36-year-old fare in Bean Town? Only time will tell.

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Chicago Cubs history unpacked — July 3

Free of charge for the discerning reader.

Happy birthday to Codi Heuer, and a mighty host of others.

Today in baseball history, in 1966 – Pitcher Tony Cloninger hits two grand slams and drives in nine runs, as the Braves rout the Giants at Candlestick Park, 17-3. Cloninger is the first National League player to slam two in a game, and the first pitcher ever, and his nine RBIs are a major-league record for pitchers, breaking Vic Raschi‘s mark of seven, and other stories as well.

Today in baseball history:

Today in Cubs history:

  • 1929 – The Cubs and Reds turn nine double plays, tying the Detroit–Washington 1925 mark. The 7-5 Chicago win is their seventh in a row, giving them a half-game lead over the Pirates.
  • 1960 – A day after his wedding in Chicago, Jim O’Toole pitches and loses, as the Cubs pound him for seven runs and nine hits in less than five innings. Chicago wins, 7-5. An unsympathetic manager Fred Hutchinson deadpans: “It was his turn to pitch. I didn’t tell him to get married.”
  • 1967 – At the launching pad in Atlanta, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Randy Hundley homer for Chicago, and Rico Carty and Felipe Alou answer for the Braves – all in the 1st inning, a major league record. Carty adds another homer later, but Glenn Beckert‘s three-run shot helps put the game out of reach. Ray Culp emerges the winner, 12-6.
  • 1970 – At Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Gene Alley and Roberto Clemente each hit two homers to help the visiting Bucs outlast their hosts, 16-14. This slugfest also numbers a game-tying, 2nd-inning grand slam by Chicago’s Billy Williams among its eight homers and 70 total bases. Mother Nature, however, has to get a good deal of credit for the day’s offensive production; clearly, the “Windy City” has earned its sobriquet today. “It blew fourteen miles per hour toward center,” reports the Chicago Tribune, “prompting Clemente to all but apologize for his first homer.” “I just tapped the ball,” Clemente tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “There was no way that ball should have gone out of here. The wind was blowing to left, to center, to right. Everywhere it was blowing, it was for the hitter.”

Cubs Birthdays:Codi Heuer*, Casey Coleman, Zach Putnam, Tommy Hunter, John Koronka, Moisés Alou, Matt Keough, Cliff Curtis.

Today in history:

  • 1775 – George Washington takes command of Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • 1861 – Pony Express arrives in San Francisco with overland letters from NY.
  • 1863 – Battle of Gettysburg, the largest battle ever fought on the American continent, ends in a major victory for the Union during the US Civil War.
  • 1886 – In Germany, Karl Benz first drives the first automobile in Mannheim at a top speed of 16 km/h (10 mph).
  • 1928 – John Logie Baird demonstrates the first color television transmission in London.
  • 1931 – German boxer Max Schmeling beats American Young Stribling by TKO in 15 in Cleveland in his first heavyweight title defense; first major fight broadcast live on national radio.
  • 2004 – Official opening of Bangkok’s subway system.
  • 2025 – Archaeologists announce the discovery of a 3,500-year-old ancient city in Peru named Peñico.

*pictured.

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Paul George doesn't mention Boston in farewell post to Philadelphia

Paul George doesn't mention Boston in farewell post to Philadelphia originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

If Paul George is excited about going to Boston, then he’s keeping that emotion close to the vest at this point in time.

The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star posted his farewell to Philadelphia to his Instagram page on Thursday night, bidding adieu to his home for the past two seasons. The near-200-word message seemed genuine, as George clearly built a strong bond with the city of Philadelphia and its fans in a short time.

Noticeably absent from George’s message, though, was a single word about his new NBA home in Boston.

The closest George came to mentioning the Celtics came toward the end of his message, when he said, “:As I begin the next chapter of my career, I leave with nothing but gratitude, respect and memories that I’ll carry with me forever.”

Such a decision differed greatly from Jaylen Brown, who managed to work in some enthusiasm for joining the 76ers in the biggest trade of the NBA offseason.

“I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia,” Brown wrote in his social media post. “Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how — through the work.”

Brown closed his message — which was, largely, a farewell to Boston — by writing, “PHILLY #THROWTHEBALLUP LET’S GET IT!”

The reasons for George not mentioning Boston at all in his post could or could not be meaningful.

On the one hand, if George was excited to be joining a historic organization and teaming up with an All-NBA star in Jayson Tatum, one might reasonably assume he’d say as much in a post like that.

On the other hand, if George’s primary intention was to give a proper goodbye and message of thanks to the people of Philadelphia, then there would have been no need to send any message to Boston.

There’s also the reality that George, a veteran of 16 NBA seasons who’s played for four teams and has now been traded three times, understands how the NBA works. It’s possible — likely, even — that the Celtics intend to start George for every game he’s available in the 2026-27 season. It’s also possible that Brad Stevens spins another deal before training camp begins.

George has been through enough in his NBA career to know that it may be best to just let the dust settle and then have some conversations with his new bosses in Boston before getting too attached to the city and the franchise.

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MLB mock draft 2026: Will White Sox Roch steady at No. 1 with star shortstop?

They’ve been scouted and scrutinized for months and years on end, and now you can add some pokes, prods and productive interviews to the list for the top prospects entering Major League Baseball’s draft.

The draft scouting combine was, for almost all draftees, the last major step leading up to the July 14 selection soiree in Philadelphia. While many prospects put on a measurables show – including an old friend of ours – the greater value from the days in Phoenix are the interviews and get-to-knows exchanged between front offices and draftees.

As clubs tweak their big boards and draft day arrives in less than two weeks, USA TODAY Sports takes a fourth crack at forecasting the first round:

UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky.

1. Chicago White Sox: SS Roch Cholowsky, UCLA

All indications are the White Sox are still deliberating this pick, and due diligence and bonus pool gymnastics – they have the third-highest lump to distribute, $17.592 million - will always transpire up until go time. In the end, the virtually minimal risk drafting a shovel-ready college shortstop instead of a catcher or prep shortstop should prevail.

2. Tampa Bay Rays: SS Grady Emerson, Fort Worth Christian HS

The first real fork in the road. Yet the Rays may not draft this high for many years and the window to grab such a tooled-up, high-ceiling talent like Emerson will be too difficult to pass up.

3.  Minnesota Twins: C Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech

Seemingly another coin flip, but we’re ready to move off college righty Jackson Flora, though it would be little surprise if the Twins stayed that course. The franchise knows about elite-hitting catchers as franchise cornerstones.

4. San Francisco Giants: SS Jacob Lombard, Gulliver Prep (Florida) HS

Flora would make sense here as well but Buster Posey opts for the other potential franchise prep shortstop at the top of the round. It’d seem the last thing the Giants need is more risk with the high-ceiling Lombard, but the Miami-bound shortstop also represents opportunity.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Jackson Flora, UC Santa Barbara

They love their high-ceiling prep arms, but in this scenario, it’s too hard to pass on Flora after he slips past the Twins and Giants. Flora’s profile suggests a quick-to-the-majors path, not the worst thing for a club with three years left of Paul Skenes and a future rotation that could be built around last year’s top pick, Seth Hernandez.

6. Kansas City Royals: OF Eric Booth, Oak Grove (Mississippi)

A snug fit for both, as Booth’s skill set translates nicely to Kauffman Stadium, and he figures to be the last of the big half-dozen on the board when the Royals are on the clock.

7. Baltimore Orioles: OF Drew Burress, Georgia Tech

The college player from the Sun Belt type has defined Orioles first rounds and there are so many to choose from as they determine the direction the first-round river flows from here. Burress’ career 1.204 OPS with the Yellow Jackets – he tied Jason Varitek’s career home run mark with 57 – and ability to man any outfield position stand out.

8. Athletics: SS Justin Lebron, Alabama

Still a passel of college hitters to sift through and the A’s roll the dice on Lebron, weighing the fallen stock against the physical tools that may fully develop in Yolo County and then Las Vegas.

9. Atlanta Braves: LHP Gio Rojas, Marjory Stoneman Douglas (Florida) HS

There are scenarios where a team upsets the expected Big 6 and snags Rojas earlier, but he should slip through to become the next big young arm added to Atlanta’s stable of pitchers.

10. Colorado Rockies: C Ryder Helfrick, Arkansas

Pitching has been the focus of the Rockies’ bottom-up rebuild, but it will be too hard to bypass a thunderous bat like Helfrick, who finished up in Fayetteville with 18 homers and as many walks as strikeouts.

11. Washington Nationals: OF Derek Curiel, LSU

They’d prefer a higher-ceiling player here but go with an advanced pure hitter who raked (.349, .353 in two seasons in Baton Rouge) against SEC pitching.

12. Los Angeles Angels: RHP Cameron Flukey, Coastal Carolina

Perry Minasian is gone, but does his ghost linger? Arte Moreno certainly does and the marching orders, surely, would be to assemble quick-to-the-majors talent since they’re just that close to contending.

13. St. Louis Cardinals: INF Chris Hacopian, Texas A&M

Already mature in his development and possesses enough versatility and an excellent hit tool to transition smoothly to St. Louis.

14. Miami Marlins: INF Ace Reese, Mississippi State

We’ve matched Reese and the Marlins before and we bring ‘em back together after the combine. The Marlins do like pitching but there’s not a consistent enough arm here to bypass a solid collegiate bat.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger, Huntington Beach (California) HS

Might as well take a big swing here. Grindlinger just turned 17 and while he figures to land on the hitting side of the equation, the youth and upside affords Arizona the time to find out.

16. Texas Rangers: OF AJ Gracia, Virginia

Mature college bat fits the Rangers snugly and Gracia, who could go much higher if a club wants to save a few bucks, could move quickly toward Arlington.

17. Houston Astros: SS Tyler Bell, Kentucky

Like Gracia, Bell might hear his name sooner, but the Astros jump on the draft-eligible sophomore whose final season was slowed by a shoulder injury.

18. Cincinnati Reds: RHP Liam Peterson, Florida

They love their big right-handers and the Reds could have their choice of Flukey or Peterson, whose platform season did not match his significant stuff.

19. Cleveland Guardians: LHP Brody Bumila, Bishop Feehan (Massachusetts) HS

Elite athleticism and a 6-9 frame with a 100-mph fastball? Kind of surprised Bumila would last this long, but the Guardians should do wonderful work with the erstwhile prep basketball star.

20. Boston Red Sox: C Daniel Jackson, Georgia

Jackson’s provided his own helium with a 32-homer, 26-steal season that ended in the men's College World Series finals and he simply looks better the longer you regard him.

21. San Diego Padres: OF Trevor Condon, Etowah (Georgia) HS

They love their athletic high schoolers and in this simulation, Condon is available. Check back in a few years if he ends up more AJ Preller trade fodder.

22. Detroit Tigers: 3B Bo Lowrance, Christ Church Episcopal (South Carolina) HS

Plenty to dream on here: A 6-5 corner infielder with big power potential and a smooth lefty swing.

23. Chicago Cubs: LHP Mason Edwards, Southern Cal

No need to overthink grabbing a big lefty who strikes out 16 batters per nine innings with plenty of deception.

24. Seattle Mariners: RHP Cade Townsend, Ole Miss

A draft-eligible sophomore with a powerful repertoire, Townsend – or whomever the Mariners grab here – is in the right system to max out his skills.

25. Milwaukee Brewers: OF Aiden Robbins, Texas

He slashed .333/.426/.696 for the Longhorns, increasing his home runs from six to 24 in moving from Seton Hall to Austin.

26. Atlanta Braves: SS Tyler Spangler, De La Salle (California) HS

Armed with a nearly $16 million bonus pool and two picks in the top 26, the Braves can afford a bold venture. Spangler, who missed his senior year due to injury, certainly qualifies. A top 10 consensus pick preseason, he performed at the draft combine, though his numbers reflected the rust. How far above slot would it take to lure him from Stanford?

27. New York Mets: RHP Tegan Kuhns, Tennessee

The 10-slot penalty for luxury tax indiscretions are seen in real time here, but a good player will still tumble to the Mets. In this case, it’s Kuhns, who rode a mid-90s fastball and sharp curve into the first round.

28. Houston Astros: OF Zion Rose, Louisville

We’ll stick with the Rose-to-Houston narrative and, in this scenario, the Astros walk away with a pair of advanced collegiate bats from the state of Kentucky.

29. San Francisco Giants: LHP Logan Schmidt, Ganesha (California) HS

No way the Giants don’t come away with pitching in either of their two picks. Having opted for Lombard over Flora earlier, they play the long game with Schmidt, who reclassified from 2027 and holds a commitment to LSU.

30. Kansas City Royals: RHP Jensen Hirschkorn, Kingsburg (California) HS

Like Schmidt, Hirschkorn is an LSU commit. Like Burmila, he’s also a standout hoops player with a 6-7 frame that already produces a mid-90s fastball.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB mock draft 2026: Will White Sox Roch steady at No. 1 with star shortstop?

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Trent Noah may finally take the leap BBN has been hoping for

One of the many talking points of last offseason was Trent Noah and the shot-making ability he brought to the team through summer practices. Kentucky’s point guard at the time, Jaland Lowe, even went to the lengths of saying he was “the best shooter I’ve ever seen.”

But when it got to the season, people didn’t necessarily see it translate to actual gameplay. Noah finished the season averaging 3.0 points per game, on 36% from the field, and 33% from 3-point range for the Harlan County product.

Noah is a guy that Kentucky fans have appreciated sticking around. He wasn’t even recruited by the last set of coaches in Lexington, and then got pursued by Mark Pope as soon as he got the job two offseasons ago, flipped his commitment from South Carolina immediately, and hasn’t looked back. Noah has shown flashes at different points, including in the game against Tennessee his freshman year, when he finished with 11 points.

Heading into his third season, Kentucky fans have high hopes for Noah, hoping he can carve out a role and play significant minutes as he takes a leap. Mark Pope seems to be leading the pack of people who believe that will definitely happen.

In a recent interview with Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Pope made sure to point out Noah as someone making noise in summer practices again.

“Probably the guy that’s getting talked about the least that is showing out right now is Trent Noah,” Pope stated. “He is physical, and he can really shoot it. Part of the issue last year was when we lost our point guard spot, and we lost a real creator vibe on our roster. It hurt guys like Trent, who might not manufacture a lot of shots.

“But if shots can be manufactured for him, he’s going to make them all it feels like.”

Trent Noah will now be moved to more of a shooting guard role, and it will benefit him and those around him tremendously. Kentucky certainly isn’t lacking in the wing/forward positions. Guys like Milan Momcilovic, Justin McBride, Ousmane N’Diaye, Kam Williams, and Braydon Hawthorne will all be fighting for minutes in those roles. Noah will be able to have opportunities to get shots off this year, playing in a backcourt with two elite creators and being a threat to space the floor.

Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins both did their fair share of creating for others last season. Diallo averaged 4.5 assists per game, and Wilkins averaged 4.7 assists per game. That’s not even mentioning a veteran guard in Jerone Morton, who will help with that, and the emerging freshman guard Mason Williams.

Mark Pope also said in the interview that Kentucky currently has six guys who are over 70% in all of their practice reps shooting the ball from the three-point line. Presumably, Trent Noah is one of those six guys, and he may be destined for that big-time leap we have all hoped for heading into year three.

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YouTube Gold: The 1961 NBA All-Star Game Had A Tremendous Amount Of Talent

(Original caption) Bill Russell (#6) tied up Walter Dukes long enough to win a jump ball during the first quarter of the NBA all-Star game in Syracuse, New York, January 17th 1961. Charging in are Tom Gola (#15), Cliff Hagan (#16) and Paul Arizin (#11). The West won 153-131. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In the 1980s, the NBA, under David Stern, moved to a more star-oriented game, and you can’t really blame him. With guys like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan, to name a few, it was a marketing dream. All those players, and many more, were spectacular.

So when you see the older NBA, the one that reigned until the 1970s, it’s hard to recognize.

Take this clip from the 1961 NBA All-Star Game. This game had historical talents like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and others, and it just doesn’t look the same.

Yet Chamberlain had a 50” vertical, Russell once jumped clean over a defender on a fast break, and Robertson averaged a triple-double.

The priorities were different – flashiness, aka hot-dogging, was discouraged – but you saw signs. Bob Cousy couldn’t go to his left, but his passing vision was as good as anyone in the history of the game.

Elgin Baylor was full of clever fakes and drives, aided by an involuntary twitch that he put to good used.

Still, it wasn’t the same. Tommy Heinsohn, for instance, was a heavy smoker, and that limited his minutes. No one tries to do a powerful, intimidating dunk. Russell and Chamberlain get a few here, but they just drop it in. It’s all very utilitarian.

Make no mistake, though. Despite appearances, some of these guys, if you could move them forward in time, would be world-class basketball players. Chamberlain, West, and Robertson in particular could easily succeed today.

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Updated Pittsburgh Penguins depth chart after free agent rush

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 13: Sidney Crosby #87 talks with Bryan Rust #17 and Rickard Rakell #67 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game against the St. Louis Blues at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 13, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

With all the amount of player movement the Penguins have made in the few days since we last gave a look at the organization’s depth chart a whirl, let’s look at it again now that the early rush of free agency has concluded.

First line forwards: Sidney Crosby, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust

Nothing has changed officially, though one wouldn’t be blamed for wondering what bringing in wingers like Andrei Kuzmenko AND Nick Robertson mean for the possible future of players like Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell..As it stands, the Rakell/Rust duo have remained in tact in Pittsburgh and remained penciled in as key players for the Pens next year.

Other key NHL forwards: Evgeni Malkin, Egor Chinakhov, Ben Kindel, Andrei Kuzmenko, Tommy Novak

This essentially could be the core of the second and third lines of the team, as it stands today. Perhaps there is more movement to come and some names from this list are still to change. You wouldn’t think that would be Chinakhov or Kindel, but at this point who knows what the future might hold or big swings that the Pens might try to make. Kuzmenko stands in nicely as a Anthony Mantha type option for next season for a veteran secondary scorer, though there are very big shoes to fill there.

‘Fourth’ liners: Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte

Still the same base of a fourth line is still here. It will be curious to see who gets the first crack at rounding out the line, Soderblom got some looks with Lizotte last season during Lizotte’s injury, so he could be penciled in here reasonably enough. Seeing how much opportunity a young player like Rutger McGroarty or Avery Hayes gets to have a legit shot at sticking out of camp in this spot is already setting up to be a key storyline for the fall.

Fill out forwards (2 lineup spots, 2 more for scratches): Nick Robertson, Elmer Soderblom, Justin Brazeau, Hendrix Lapierre, Rutger McGroarty, Avery Hayes, Ville Koivunen, Filip Hallander, Tristan Broz

Now this is where something is going to have to give. Presumably the Pens acquired Robertson and Lapierre to play them, though neither have the style to be a fit in a defensive fourth line role the way that line has been previously constructed. Soderblom and Brazeau have strong cases to find a spot somewhere in the lineup regularly too, but there just isn’t enough spots currently open compared to the numbers on hand.

Then there’s a batch of young options right on the cusp of being NHL level players who all now look completely blocked out until future injuries occur. All this depth seems to indicate names from this list or from above have to be moved out in order to clear up the jam.

Left Defense: Sam Girard, Declan Carlile, Ilya Solovyov

The left side of the Pens’ defense lost Parker Wotherspoon and Ryan Shea but gained a player in Carlile who is about where Wotherspoon and Shea were in their respective careers 12 months ago as unestablished NHLers with some hopeful elements. This position is still very weak and ideally in need of a quality player to join up. Where and how the Penguins go about finding that, or if they even will be able to do so before the start of the season, who can say. At this point, the possibility looks very real for the less than ideal option of dressing four right handed defenseman going based on roster splits alone from this material on hand.

Right Defense: Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Kaeden Korzcak

The Pens spent over $7 million in cap space in recent days to round out the right side of their defense by trading for Korczak and signing van Riemsdyk as a free agent. That’s good news for them to shore up what once was a weak area, not so much for the immediate NHL outlook for Harrison Brunicke. And it’s also curious that they have four legitimate right shot, right side NHL lineup caliber defenseman at the moment…Whether that foretells a summer trade of someone in this group or a plan to use a right shot on the left side remains to be seen.

Goaltender: Arturs Silovs, Sergei Murashov/Joel Blomqvist

No change here, as expected Stuart Skinner went onto free agency and the Pens didn’t make any move to replace him with an external option. The big question in net worth watching will unfold over training camp to see what – if anything – that Blomqvist can do in order to win a roster spot for opening day. Based on the track Murashov has been on, it would figure he is comfortably in the pole position for that upcoming battle.

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Today on Pinstripe Alley – 7/3/26

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 01: Members of the New York Yankees high five prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Yankees ended June on as terrible a run as they could’ve, and now sit in a seven-game losing streak as they limp into the weekend. Perhaps the off-day will have rejuvenated them, or perhaps their next opponent will as the Twins roll into town. Even their perpetual punching bag across the 21st century may not be enough of a fix for how lackluster they look at the moment, but it couldn’t hurt to give winning a series against them a try.

Matt starts us off with a look at said Twins and the pitching matchups they’ll throw out against the Yankees, and then he’ll come back to cover the Rivalry Roundup as well on a night where the Rays gained a little more separation in the standings. Nick wishes a happy birthday to the GM himself in Brian Cashman, I’ll pop back in to talk about the latest Reacts results, and then Peter looks at Yovanny Cruz busting out a nasty splitter in the Sequence of the Week. Sam goes through the defensive plays of the month that the Yankees managed in June, and finally I’ll return again to answer your latest questions in the mailbag.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Time: 7:05 p.m. EST

TV: YES Network, Twins.TV

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. Surely the losing streak ends tonight, right?

2. Will we see Gerrit Cole look sharper tonight, or will the rotation continue to see its struggles pile on?