PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 24: Jack Brenner #2 talks with Tervell Johnson #89 in the dugout during the 2026 Draft Combine at Chase Field on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With their 7th round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Wisconsin prep catcher Jack Brenner. Brenner is a sleeper catcher with a promising bat for the position and a chance to develop further as a cold weather prep.
Bio
Name: Jack Brenner
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Fond du Lac, WI (Fond du Lac HS)
School: Oklahoma
Height: 6’0
Weight: 180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Rankings
Baseball America: 209
Perfect Game: 169
Pipeline: NR
ESPN: 158
Overslot: 144
My Own: 222
Consensus: 199
Hit 55
Brenner is most known for his feel for contact. He’s the type of player who will take plenty of walks and not swing and miss often. It’s definitely an advanced approach for a player this young. Brenner was in the 98th percentile of contact rate last summer on the showcase circuit over 53 plate appearances where he slashed .439/.516/.707.
Power 45
Brenner will need to both grow into a little bit more power, and potentially make some adjustments with his approach in order to incorporate more power in his game. He has a chance to grow into average raw power, but it would likely play down without some changes to the contact oriented approach.
Speed 50
The speed is presently above average, though figures to slow down a bit as he fills out – especially if he sticks behind the plate. Still this is a very athletic player for a catcher.
Glove 50
He’s still a work in progress as a catcher, but that is in part due to the fact he hasn’t played a ton of catcher yet. He’s played all over, including a significant amount of time at shortstop. The feel for his receiving and blocking skills are a positive starting point for him, but it will take refinement to be a solid big league catcher. If catcher doesn’t work out he’s got a chance to be a versatile utility player with the athleticism and arm to handle a number of different positions.
Arm 55
It’s a strong arm that has produced sub-2.0 second pop times and would also be more than enough for other positions.
Overall Thoughts
This is a strong pick. Brenner has excellent contact ability, room to add some power, athleticism, and a real chance to stick at catcher. He is likely years away, especially if his future is behind the dish, but he will have the ceiling of being a big league starter. It’s tough to say where he would start his pro career, as he has the advanced bat to handle Augusta – but there is a chance he gets sent to the FCL in order to continue refining the defense as well.
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 28: Jordan Martinook #48 of the Carolina Hurricanes against Dawson Mercer #91 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Lenovo Center on March 28, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Metropolitan Division got a bit of an overhaul this offseason. I know I’m not breaking any news here, as this site and plenty of other outlets have discussed the changes in the Metro since the end of this past season. Not only that, but change is a constant in the NHL, so it would be bizarre if any given division didn’t look significantly different from one season to the next. Still, just because specific changes have been documented and general changes are expected doesn’t mean they aren’t worth going over in depth.
And that’s what we’re going to do today. Each and every team in the Metropolitan Division looks different heading into 2026-27. Some teams underwent more significant changes than others, some got better, and some got worse…at least on paper. Let’s roll through the Devils’ divisional rivals and see where they stand after the bulk of the offseason work has been done. Then we’ll take a look at New Jersey and try to figure out where they lie in the pecking order of the division hierarchy.
(All cap space numbers come from the invaluable PuckPedia)
Carolina Hurricanes
2025-26 Season Results: 53-22-7, 113 points; Won Stanley Cup
We start with the champs. The Carolina Hurricanes finally got over the hump in the Rod Brind’Amour era and won a Stanley Cup. I would argue that it was set up perfectly for them to win, with a hilariously easy field to get through, but it’s undeniable that they were one of the best teams in the entire league and could’ve easily won the Cup even if the competition was stiffer. In any case, flags fly forever, and the Hurricanes are the champions. The Devils have had such a difficult time playing against Carolina over the past few seasons, and now they have to deal with their boogeyman hoisting a trophy in their faces.
As far as their offseason goes, it has been very, very quiet in Raleigh. That’s due to a number of factors, such as a weak free agent class, a decent-but-not-vast amount of cap space to work with, and the fact that Carolina’s roster is already pretty set heading into next season. They did not make any notable additions, unless you count the signing of Juuso Valimaki or the re-signing of Nic Deslauriers. They also didn’t draft anyone that will make an immediate impact on their NHL roster this season. And on the flip side of the coin, Carolina did not lose anyone of note either, with one obvious exception: Frederik Andersen. The veteran goalie was lights out in the postseason for the Hurricanes until the Stanley Cup Final, where after Game Two, he was replaced by Brandon Bussi, who took Carolina the rest of the way. Andersen ended up signing in Edmonton, so the Hurricanes goaltending is currently in the hands of Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov.
There is one more potential subtraction though: Alexander Nikishin. The Russian defenseman is a Restricted Free Agent, and there are rumors swirling that Carolina might be looking to trade him. If he leaves, that would certainly count as a notable subtraction, but as of this writing, he is still an RFA under team control. It’s a situation that bears monitoring.
Outside of that, while it’s not a full blown subtraction, it’s worth noting that Seth Jarvis underwent shoulder surgery in late June and is expected to miss 4-6 months. If it’s the early part of that timeframe, he should only miss about a month of action. If it’s the the full six months, that would put his return around Christmas, which would be a significant chunk of the season. Though I believe Carolina is a deep enough team to weather his absence and get him back up to speed before the postseason.
There wasn’t much movement in Carolina this summer, but that’s what happens when you have all of your most important players locked down to long term, team-friendly contracts for the foreseeable future.
Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Season Results: 41-25-16, 98 points; Lost first round to PHI
Notable Additions: Hendrix Lapierre, Kaedan Korczak, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nicholas Robertson
Notable Subtractions: Anthony Mantha, Ryan Shea, Parker Wotherspoon, Noel Acciari, Stuart Skinner
Against all odds, the Penguins finished second in the Metro this past season. Entering the year, many around the NHL expected Pittsburgh to be a bottom-five team in the league. They surprised everyone by riding a shockingly good offense (290 goals, third in the league behind only the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes) and a wave of loser points (most in the Eastern Conference) to a playoff berth. They fell to their in-state rivals in the first round when the goal-scoring dried up, but it was still a wildly successful season for the Pens when taking preseason expectations into account.
Perhaps their most notable bit of business over the offseason was inking franchise legend Evgeni Malkin to a one-year extension, keeping him in Pittsburgh for at least one more season. They also made trades for intriguing youngsters such as Hendrix Lapierre, Nicholas Robertson (still an RFA as of this writing), and Kaedan Korczak. Meanwhile in free agency, they brought in Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor van Riemsdyk. As far as subtractions, they lost Ryan Shea, Noel Acciari, and Stuart Skinner to free agency, and they shipped Parker Wotherspoon to the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade that brought Korczak to Pittsburgh. Anthony Mantha, who shocked everyone with 33 goals and 64 points last season, remains unsigned right now, so he could theoretically slot into the notable addition OR notable subtraction category.
Pittsburgh did a lot of shuffling at the margins of their lineup. And while I’m not sure their offense will be as potent as it was last year, they might still have enough in the tank to compete for a playoff spot again. They also have a lot of cap space with which to make even more moves if they so choose.
Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 Season Results: 43-27-12, 98 points; Lost second round to CAR
Notable Additions: Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit, Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, Jack Studnicka
Philadelphia was another surprise playoff team this past season. While I don’t think most people thought they would be as bad as the Penguins, there weren’t many that thought they would finish where they did. And not only did the Flyers surprise a lot of people by making the playoffs, they even won a round while they were there! Although it was against a potentially fugazi Pittsburgh team, and the Flyers promptly came crashing back down to Earth in a second-round sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes. Still, it was a wildly successful season for them.
By far the most notable move of the Flyers’ offseason is one that didn’t actually work out: their signing of Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $18M AAV offer sheet. It was a bold move by a team that so desperately needs high-end talent. Philadelphia has done a good job filling out their roster with solid support pieces and depth players. But the most important part of any team, the game-breakers at the top, is not something that the Flyers currently possess. Their offer sheet to Carlsson was aimed at fixing that, even if it was a gross overpayment. Anaheim recently matched the offer sheet though, so Philadelphia will have to hunt for their franchise center somewhere else.
Aside from the Carlsson saga, Phildelphia added Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the offseason, and they signed Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, and Jack Studnicka in free agency. In addition to trading for Woll, the Flyers also addressed their goaltending by signing team MVP Dan Vladar to a five-year, $5.5M AAV extension. Vladar almost singlehandedly carried the Flyers to a playoff spot with his play post-Olympics, and Danny Briere rewarded him with a long-term deal. They also inked Tyson Foerster to a major eight-year, $7.1M AAV to an extension as well.
As far as major subtractions go, Garnet Hathaway was the only notable loss, going to the Florida Panthers in a trade. Other than that, Phildelphia will be rolling with much of the same lineup that got them to the second round this past season.
Washington Capitals
2025-26 Season Results: 43-30-9, 95 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, Vincent Desharnais, Boone Jenner, Justin Holl
Notable Subtractions: Connor McMichael, Brandon Duhaime, John Carlson
Now we get to the team that had, in my opinion, the most impactful offseason among Metropolitan teams.
The Washington Capitals were the top team in the Eastern Conference two seasons ago. They lost in the second round to Carolina, but things were looking up. Then this season, regression to the mean bit them hard, as they posted 95 points and missed the postseason altogether. 95 points is obviously not a bad season, but it was a far cry from their magical 2024-25 and obviously not good enough in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Since their Stanley Cup season of 2017-18, their core has either aged out (Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby) or is about to get there (Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson). To stay competitive, Washington has tried to retool on the fly. This has resulted in them acquiring players such as Jacob Chychrun, Dylan Strome, and Logan Thompson in recent years. And this summer, they took some pretty big swings again. It started with a trade with the St. Louis Blues for star winger Jordan Kyrou. Washington had to send out talented youngster Connor McMichael in the deal (as well as a first round pick), but Kyrou is a strong player who should be worth that price. The very next day, The Caps were at it again, swinging a sign-and-trade for Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. Instead of getting to unrestricted free agency, Tuch agreed to an eight-year, $10.5M AAV deal as part of the transaction. The biggest fish on the free agent market never actually got to free agency, landing instead in our nation’s capital.
Then in free agency, Washington signed former Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, as well as Vincent Desharnais and Justin Holl. While certainly not on the level of players like Kyrou and Tuch, these moves should theoretically solidify the Captials’ depth.
As far as subtractions go, we already mentioned McMichael. He’s the biggest piece that walked out the door this summer. Aside from him, Brandon Duhaime left in free agency, and even though he was already gone by the time the summer rolled around, it’s worth mentioning that long-time franchise staple John Carlson is no longer a Capital, having been traded at the deadline and signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason. It’s also worth mentioning that Rasmus Sandin underwent surgery for a torn ACL in late-April. You may recall that the Devils’ own Johnny Kovacevic went down an eerily similar path recently, getting surgery to repair a major knee injury in late April of 2025. Kovacevic was not able to return until mid-January of 2026, so one would expect Sandin to miss roughly the same amount of time himself.
Columbus Blue Jackets
2025-26 Season Results: 40-30-12, 92 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Valeri Nichushkin, Ryan Lomberg, Phoenix Copley
It’s been two seasons in a row now of Columbus just missing the playoffs. Two years ago, they made an inspiring run at it in the face of unspeakable tragedy when we lost Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in the summer of 2024. Then this past season, they once again came close but eventually fell short, thanks to a major collapse to finish the campaign (2-8-1 over their final 11 games). It’s been tough sledding for the Blue Jackets to get back to contender status, and they suffered through a tumultuous offseason this summer.
Much like the Flyers, the most notable “move” they made was one they didn’t make. Reigning Norris trophy winner and franchise icon Zach Werenski has been at the center of tons of drama this offseason. Reports surfaced that he wanted a trade. Then reports surfaced that Columbus had a deal in place with the Dallas Stars that would’ve sent Werenski there in exchange for Thomas Harley, only for Werenski to veto the move thanks to his no-move clause. Then after all that, both Werenski and the Blue Jackets released statements establishing Werenski’s commitment to the Blue Jackets and that he wants to stay in Ohio.
Very normal stuff.
Meanwhile, Kirill Marchenko’s future is up in the air as well. The 25-year-old winger has one year left on his deal before reaching RFA status, and he has indicated that he does not have interest in re-signing long term in Columbus once his deal is up. So now the Jackets have to figure out what to do with him too.
As far as actual additions go, the Blue Jackets’ biggest move was trading for Val Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche. He’s not what he once was, and he comes with significant character concerns, but on the ice, Nichushkin should be able to help their middle six. They also brought in Ryan Lomberg and Phoenix Copley in free agency.
And as if the looming clouds of Werenski and Marchenko leaving weren’t enough, the Blue Jackets lost their captain, Boone Jenner, to Washington in free agency. They also watched Mason Marchment and Danton Heinen walk out the door, two wingers of varying effectiveness (although Heinen is still a free agent so Columbus does have the chance to bring him back if they want to).
Now, you might have noticed that the Jackets have a boatload of cap space. Just over $23M to be exact. But keep in mind, that’s a bit misleading, as Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger are RFAs that need new deals. Sillinger won’t break the bank, but Fantilli will cost a healthy amount. The former third overall pick hasn’t fully lived up to his pre-draft hype yet, but this is still a player with a 30-goal season and two 50-plus point campaigns under his belt. With the prices being thrown at many other players this offseason, Fantilli could easily command eight figures as a very young RFA. So expect that $23M in cap space to dry up in a hurry.
New York Islanders
2025-26 Season Results: 43-34-15, 91 points; Missed postseason
Yet another year where the New York Islanders could not buy a goal despite playing strong defense (although, really, it’s more accurate to say it was strong goaltending). They were top-five in the league in fewest goals against (236), but 25th in the league in goals scored (229). Despite a dazzling rookie season from first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders suffered through a middling season and missed out on the playoffs.
It was a relatively quiet offseason as far as bringing in new players. Matias Maccelli is an interesting bet that could help their middle six. And old pal Vitek Vanecek provides goaltending depth behind starter Ilya Sorokin. But that’s about it for major acquisitions.
Taking a look at their subtractions, Columbus wasn’t the only team in the division that saw their longtime captain leave this offseason. A staple on Long Island for years now, Anders Lee signed a three-year deal with the Utah Mammoth in free agency. For the first time in a career that started in 2012-13, Lee will wear another team’s sweater this season. Aside from Lee, David Rittich is gone as well, leaving for the Devils on a one-year contract.
New York Rangers
2025-26 Season Results: 34-39-9, 77 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Joe Veleno, Joonas Korpisalo, Alberts Smits
Notable Subtractions: Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Quick, Brett Berard, Adam Edstrom, Will Borgen
The New York Rangers had a very similar offseason to the Washington Capitals. It was a transformative one that saw the team make a couple of big moves. And it was also a season where the team had to say goodbye to a franchise staple at the trade deadline.
The biggest move by far for New York this offseason was the trade for Vegas’ Pavel Dorofeyev. The deal that the Rangers got the 37-goal scorer to agree to came in at seven years, $11M AAV. It is an open question if he can produce the kind of goal-scoring numbers he put up in Vegas without elite playmakers such as Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. But the Rangers, who are starved for players who can turn the red light on, needed to act, and Dorofeyev was one of the top options on the market. If Dorofeyev can prove he’s not totally reliant on elite linemates to do the heavy lifting for him, this will be a great deal for New York.
Elsewhere, the Rangers also sent a first round pick to the Vancouver Canucks for Marcus Pettersson, traded Vincent Trocheck to Utah for Sean Durzi, acquired Joonas Korpisalo from Boston, and signed Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joe Veleno in free agency. The Rangers had some major holes to fill in the middle of their lineup, and they acquired a lot of players that they hope can fill those holes.
Finally, the Rangers are the only team in the division that drafted high enough this summer to actually land a player that might contribute in 2026-27. With the fifth overall pick, New York selected Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits. He’s a big, toolsy blueliner who might be NHL ready this year, though even if he is, how well he’ll fare in the league as a teenager is anyone’s guess.
The major subtractions have to start with Artemi Panarin, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the deadline. Panarin is inarguably one of the best free agent signings of the salary cap era, and while his production and play driving were down this season in New York, his on-ice value will certainly be missed. Also gone is Trocheck, as mentioned. He was another aging player that was losing effectiveness, but he was still a steady middle six center that New York has to replace. Jonathan Quick is also gone as the backup to Igor Shesterkin, with Korpisalo taking his place.
There were a ton of moving parts in Manhattan this offseason. Whether the Rangers got demonstrably better as a result of all those moves remains to be seen.
Taking a look at all the moves that each Metropolitan Division team made this offseason, this is how I’d rank the Metro as things stand right now:
Tier 1: Hurricanes
Tier 2: Devils, Capitals
Tier 3: Islanders, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Blue Jackets
I don’t think anyone would argue that Carolina remains the class of the division, and they should have a great chance at repeating at Cup winners. Below them, I think I would slot the Devils in the next tier with the Capitals. While I do think that Washington would be better served in the long run by tearing it all down, I can understand not wanting to do that while Ovechkin remains on the roster. Not to mention that they seem to think they can get back to contender status with this retool on the fly approach with or without Ovechkin. Selling futures for players like Kyrou and Tuch will help them greatly over the next two to three seasons. However, I am predicting that, right around the close of the decade, the constant acquisition of effective but aging players will catch up with the Capitals, and they will plummet down to the bottom of the standings with very little postseason success to show for it. They will be a very competitive team and a likely playoff squad in the short term though, so for 2026-27, I have them right behind Carolina.
Then the rest of the division comes in below that. I debated putting the Flyers in Tier 2 with the Devils and Caps, but I think Dan Vladar’s hot streak covered up a lot of holes this team has. While I do genuinely believe they’ve built some very strong depth, the Flyers sorely lack the star power that any contender needs. The Leo Carlsson offer sheet was a valiant attempt, but it didn’t work out for them. They still have plenty of cap space to work with, but until they actually land that game-breaking talent, they will be relying on Vladar to do a lot of the heavy lifting for them, and I’m not so sure he’s the wisest bet long term.
I think the Penguins also benefitted from a great deal of good luck in 2025-26, and they’re due for a step back. The Islanders should be roughly the same, the Blue Jackets might be a little bit better but not by much, and the Rangers should be improved, but they were one of the worst teams in the league last year so even improving as much as they theoretically did should only get them to middle of the pack status.
As for the Devils, I have written recently that while I don’t think new GM Sunny Mehta has done much to raise the ceiling of this team in the short term, he has done a good amount to raise the floor. He’s gotten rid of some negative value contracts in Jacob Markstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov, not to mention getting strong value for Simon Nemec instead of signing him to a deal that, in my opinion, Nemec will not live up to. He also filled out the depth by landing Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist in the Markstrom deal with Florida. And even though the Barrett Hayton offer sheet didn’t work, I still have a degree of confidence that the team as currently constructed has enough depth to get the offense back on track. The goaltending is a bit of a concern, but if the Devils really do decide to roll with three goaltenders this season, I do think they can squeeze enough solid play out of Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich to get them to the postseason.
Keep in mind, the Devils went a disgraceful 7-17-2 against the Metropolitan this past season. If they want any shot at getting back to the playoffs, they need to greatly improve their play against divisional foes. So keeping tabs on what the other teams in the Metro have been up to this offseason is of utmost importance, and it’s worth seeing how well the Devils will match up with them with the changes they’ve made.
The major caveat to all this, of course, is that things can still change before next season begins. As things stand now, I think New Jersey should be right in the mix for second or third in the division, but it’s possible other teams make moves that propel them into Tier 2 alongside New Jersey and Washington. Or perhaps New Jersey makes a move or two themselves that helps to separate them from the pack a little bit. We usually don’t see many moves in July or August, but maybe we are entering a new era of year-round transactions being a thing.
Your Take
What do you make of the Metropolitan Division as things currently stand? Aside from Carolina, who do you see as the biggest threat? Do you agree that New Jersey is right there with Washington in the second tier? If not, how would you tier things out? As always, thanks for reading!
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers placed veteran reliever Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder injury.
Martin, 40, has allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in making four appearances after being activated on July 4 from the IL following the same shoulder issue. He has pitched in 16 games this season, going 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA and giving up 25 hits in 14 innings.
The Arlington High grad made 49 appearances last season beginning his second stint with his hometown ballclub, earning two of his 16 career saves over parts of 11 major league seasons.
In the corresponding roster move, Texas recalled right-hander Emiliano Teodo from Triple-A Round Rock. Teodo, 25, was 3-3 at Round Rock with a 3.76 ERA in 35 relief appearances.
LAS VEGAS — Entering what feels like a make-or-break season for his Knicks career, Pacôme Dadiet understands the assignment.
“[Become] more efficient at the 3-point line,” the 20-year-old forward said over the weekend, “and play harder.”
Dadiet has been, to this point, a disappointment as New York’s lone first-round draft pick in the past four years. His career 3-point efficiency sits at a paltry 21.9 percent. Scouts have noted his low motor, with Dadiet’s relaxed movements reminiscent of another former Knicks first-round pick: Kevin Knox.
Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
With that in mind, Dadiet’s goal to “play harder” is noteworthy. It would help his defense and rebounding, which also have underwhelmed. As one NBA general manager jokingly texted last year during Las Vegas Summer League: “I wouldn’t trade a croissant for Pacôme Dadiet.”
Even with all the signs of a bust, the Frenchman remains on the Knicks roster — guaranteed at roughly $3 million — because of the tantalizing potential. He has the ideal build and skill set for a forward, standing at 6-foot-9 with all the proper mechanics on his jumper.
He’s also young enough to believe a giant leap still is possible.
It’s why people inside the Knicks are predicting a breakout for Dadiet, who nonetheless struggled in the opening two games of this year’s summer league with 16.5 points per game on 36 percent shooting — and 15.4 percent from beyond the arc.
It’s all significant now for Dadiet, whose contract includes a team option for next season with an Oct. 31 deadline. If the Knicks don’t pick up that $5.3 million option — and it would be impossible to justify picking that up right now — Dadiet will become a trade candidate and a free agent next summer.
“I have a better feeling of what the expectations are,” Dadiet said. “So trying to put that into my workouts. Also, I know when to take time off [and] when to work; feeling more experienced.”
What are those expectations?
“It’s more like playing hard [and being] somebody who can make shots, [make] open shots, play defense,” he said.
Dadiet certainly has the blueprint for success on a championship squad. He has watched and absorbed masterful playoff performances from Knicks wings Mikal Bridges and, especially, OG Anunoby.
They played off the ball, played defense and thrived.
Pacome Dadiet has been underwhelming in his Knicks opportunities thus far. NBAE via Getty Images
“I’ve been watching them a lot,” Dadiet said. “I know [playing off the ball] is important to our schemes, so just try to be better.”
To stick around, Dadiet has to capitalize on his chances. They’ve been sporadic for him in the NBA.
He shockingly started his 2024-25 rookie campaign in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, but that lasted just a couple of games before Dadiet was relegated to the bench. He was a starter in the preseason last year under Mike Brown but struggled during the games in Abu Dhabi and never recovered.
People around the league believed Dadiet’s preseason chance last year mostly was about showcasing him for a trade.
A deal never developed, and Dadiet is now part of a young group the Knicks will try to lean on to get through the regular season. After Thibodeau was fired, the Knicks put out the message they’re emphasizing development and even hired a player development coach, Billy Lange.
It’s especially important since building out depth is more difficult while under the mandate of avoiding the second apron of the luxury tax. Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil all have been drafted over the last three years. It’d be great for the Knicks if one pops.
Dadiet is overdue and grasps that 3-point shooting and effort are the way forward.
The LeBron James free agency saga has been drawn out for weeks now. If James does sign with the Warriors, what does that mean for forward Moses Moody and his future with the franchise?
Moody suffered a torn left patellar tendon in March, which required surgery and caused him to miss the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season.
A potential LeBron signing would confirm the agenda for Golden State is to win right away. With a timetable uncertain for Moody’s return to the floor, a trade is possible to maximize the Warriors’ potential during the 2026-27 season.
Another factor is that Moody and James are represented by the same agent: Rich Paul. Paul has been active in the media recently since James announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I don’t call Rich every day,” Moody said. “I’m not in it like that, because I ain’t got nothing to do with how it’s gonna go down. So I’m just watching. … Whenever something needs to be talked about, it will.”
Some of the top potential suitors for James include the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors. James recently spent some time with Draymond Green, who couldn’t help but try to recruit LeBron to the Bay. Green shared how the experience went on “The Draymond Green Show.”
Draymond on hanging out with LeBron James
"I'd be remissed if I don't take the opportunity to throw my pitch in there, I'd be crazy if we're together for x amount of days and at no point am I like 'yo, we need to chop it up, what the hell going on? what we doing?' of course I… pic.twitter.com/C5GBVyw6Fy
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) July 12, 2026
LeBron’s decision doesn’t affect just him. Many role players like Moody will have their fate decided by the outcomes of NBA free agency. Once the first domino falls, then the rest will follow in line.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 19: A detail shot of baseballs in a cart during the MLB Home Run Derby X quarter finals at The Ballpark at America First Square on Friday, September 19, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to another week A’s fans!
The first half is officially in the books. The Athletics’ season began well enough as the club was in first place as late as May. Unfortunately a rough June and July has seemingly sunk the A’s playoff hopes as the club’s nine-game losing streak has dropped them to 41-55, good for fourth place and eight games back in the AL West. They’re a closer 6 1/2 games out in the Wild Card hunt but with seven teams ahead of them. With the third-worst record in the American League its seeming that the squad will be sellers this deadline.
On the bright side of things the A’s added lots of talent this weekend through the MLB Draft. The club added a high-ceiling outfielder and a couple interesting college arms to a farm system that needs all the talent they can get. There’s plenty more intriguing players that have joined the system and it’s likely that one of those late-round picks ends up being the best player in the class. That randomness is just how the game works sometimes.
Anyway, there’s no baseball games today but there is some evening entertainment for us tonight. The Home Run Derby is set and the field is wide open. There’s no clear-cut favorite this year but it’s going to be a star-studded lineup for us fans to watch. In Philadelphia it’d be fun to see one of the two Phillies in Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber take the crown and win it in front of the home town team. Who do you all got taking it tonight?
The Derby begins at 5 p.m. Pacific time. Have a great day everyone.
The big 3 arms from this draft (Edwards, Gaeckle, Dudan) will really be a test for the A’s pitching development. All are super interesting, but carry significant reliever risk. It will be fascinating to see if the A’s can turn any of them into quality mlb starters
STATELINE, Nev. – Yaxel Lendeborg’s journey from college basketball to the Warriors was long and stellar yet perhaps under appreciated for his ability to adapt to his surroundings. He was a transformer in the purest sense.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Lendeborg spent two seasons at University of Alabama-Birmingham, where his dominating play at power forward and center made him the most coveted big man to enter the NCAA transfer portal in April 2025.
Lendeborg chose the University of Michigan, where coach Dusty May scanned his rebuilt roster and opted to move Lendeborg to small forward. Alongside fellow transfer students Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr., Lendeborg became a super-size wing.
After moving from the paint to the perimeter in his final college season, Lendeborg was the best player on a Wolverines team that rolled to a national championship.
Jay Bilas, a college basketball analyst at ESPN since 1995, believes Lendeborg’s adaptability was a factor when Golden State selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“I think it’s difficult for the average player,” Bilas told NBC Sports Bay Area. “But for the star player . . . that’s one of the beautiful things about Yaxel Lendeborg. He’s willing to do what’s asked of him. UAB said ‘Hey, we need you to operate more in the middle and play a 5 spot and guard the 5.’ He essentially played the 3 — or hybrid 3-4 – at Michigan. And he did it. And by all accounts was a great teammate.”
In Lendeborg’s final season at UAB, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. He was one of only two players in NCAA Division I history finish a season with more than 600 points, 450 rebounds and 150 assists. The other is Larry Bird, who accomplished the feat in 1978-79.
With Lendeborg’s name on the board when the Warriors were on the clock on the night of the draft, he was the obvious choice for a team with many needs and a veteran core desperate for effective support.
“We’ve been following Yax for a few years now,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said after the draft. “And I think the biggest thing that sticks out about him is he’s a winner. Speaks no further than winning the national championship this year at Michigan.
“But at prior levels, focused on winning, multiskilled, versatile player that we think can play both sides of the ball. He’s got tremendous size. He’s got a great feel for the game. He’s a tremendous teammate. We think he’ll fit in really well here.”
The Warriors project Lendeborg, 23, will be no less than a rotation player as a rookie, with the likelihood of earning some starts.
“I felt like it was a perfect match because Yaxel Lendeborg is not only an outstanding player; he’s got tremendous versatility and he’s built like a tank,” Bilas said. “Because of his versatility, people would say he’s a ‘Swiss Army knife.’ He’s a Swiss Army tank. But he’s plug and play.
“He’s going to be 24 before the season starts, so he’ll be he’ll be ready to go on day one.
You don’t have to wait; it’s not like you’re taking an 18- or 19-year-old freshman that might take a little bit of time to develop. He’s ready now. And he’s really smart. And it’s not all about him. He’s a team guy, so he’ll fit in really nicely with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the whole crew. Draymond Green. He fits the maturity of that team.”
Lendeborg has appeared in four NBA Summer League games, two in the California Classic at Chase Center and two more in the Las Vegas Summer League. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game. Moreover, he usually has been the most impressive player on the floor.
Lendeborg is not a perfect player. His athleticism and lateral movement are good but not elite. He’ll turn 24 on Sept. 30, which doesn’t hurt Golden State’s team-building approach, as he’ll still be in his mid-20s when Curry and Green leave the franchise.
The Warriors already know they have a young player who can fill several needs. It’s a plus that he can provide help at every position on the frontcourt.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 28: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits during the national anthem before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James is 41 years old and still seizes the epicenter of the NBA offseason discourse. He is a gargantuan figure, almost larger, if not bigger, than the sport of basketball itself. Therefore, it is assumed that where LeBron goes, he will be the sun of any team’s solar system.
A common complaint amongst NBA pundits about another potential reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers is that LeBron’s positional fit is, if anything, more awkward than others’. While LeBron will be the biggest name on the roster wherever he lands, at this phase of his career, LeBron cannot be the end-all, be-all of the roster. The good thing for both LeBron and the team is that his game is so versatile it seamlessly integrates into whatever the roster requires of him.
LeBron’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers really took an interesting turn when Luka Dončić arrived. While it definitely extended the window for LA, it left LeBron in a position we hadn’t really seen him in his 23 years in the league: a clear second banana.
Instead of inviting criticism, it actually drew the King more praise — highlighting that this new role was a perfect transition for an aging mega-star. LeBron is one of the smartest players in league history. He knows what the team needs and what leads to winning. Instead of being the focal point, he showed that he can expand his game to help maintain a dependable floor of production while also driving winning through contributions that extend beyond the box score.
LeBron’s greatest offensive strength this past season wasn’t any one skill; it was his capacity to be whatever the Lakers needed on a given night. He could function as the engine of the offense, initiating nearly every action, or recede into a complementary role, leveraging his screening, cutting, spacing, and connective passing to elevate the players around him. Few stars possess that kind of stylistic flexibility without sacrificing their effectiveness.
That versatility became especially valuable as the Lakers’ personnel shifted throughout the year. Rather than forcing the offense to conform to him, James continually reshaped his game to fit the roster at hand, ensuring the team retained its identity regardless of who was available.
By the time the playoffs arrived and injuries thrust him back into the spotlight, he effortlessly expanded his responsibilities, controlling tempo, diagnosing coverages, and creating advantages wherever they presented themselves. His ability to toggle between superstar creator and elite complementary piece wasn’t simply a luxury; it was the foundation that kept the Lakers competitive under constantly changing circumstances.
In Cleveland, LeBron would be able to continue this role on a greater scale, as Cleveland’s roster is more balanced. With James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, they would carry the bulk of time on-ball, allowing LeBron to choose his spots. The presence of dynamic bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen allows LeBron to have plentiful options while also having elite lob threats and, in the case of Allen, an excellent screener. Knockdown shooters like Sam Merrill and Max Strus are archetypes that have always had success with LeBron throughout all iterations of his career.
The basketball concerns floating around about LeBron being an awkward fit with the Cavaliers are underselling the fact that the Lakers have asked him to be the ultimate basketball chameleon over the last season and a half. LeBron can insert himself into any offense in the league and find his best way to ingratiate himself with any roster. Cleveland offers him the most coverage of responsibility to be the guy of any of the realistic options out there. It already is apparent that Cleveland’s stars are welcoming and not daunted by the prospect of the King joining the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers aren’t desperate for the 2010’s version of LeBron James; this isn’t 2014 when he brought with him a level of competency that the franchise was lacking. This team has been a constant postseason presence since 2022, having just made their first non-LeBron run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The potential reunion is one where LeBron can insert himself into the Cavaliers lineup, and it’s not like the messiah arrived. It instead feels like the ultimate complementary piece that completes the Cavaliers roster.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 17: Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros sits in the dugout during a game agaisnt the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (45-47) won 3-1 (BOX SCORE)
Blanco started for Sugar Land and tossed 4.1 scoreless innings. Sugar Land got on the board in the third inning on a Biggio RBI double. The pen was solid allowing just one unearned run as the Isotopes tied it in the 7th. In the bottom of the 9th, Sugar Land walked it off on a Meyers 2 run home run as they won 3-1.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (40-47) lost 11-3 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the first inning on an Encarnacion steal of home. Hertzler got the start and went 2 innings allowing 3 runs. Gillis pitched in relief but had his first rough outing in a while allowing 7 tuns over 5 innings. The offense got one in the third on a Sisneros groundout and another in the 5th on an Austin sac fly but that was it as the Hooks fell 11-3.
Brett Gillis, RHP: 5.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Nic Swanson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (30-56) lost 10-4 (BOX SCORE)
Howard started for Asheville but struggled allowing 4 runs over 3.2 innings of work. The offense got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a Powell sac fly and a run on a passed ball. The pen struggled for Asheville allowing another 6 runs as they found themselves down 10-2. The offense got 2 runs back in on Daudet and Batista RBI singles but that was it as they fell 10-4.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (42-42) lost 18-1 (BOX SCORE)
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning on a Cauro RBI single. Things went downhill fast after that. The pitching staff had a rough game allowing 18 runs over 8 innings. The offense was quiet the rest of the way collecting just six hits as they fell 18-1.
Note: This was Newman’s first game in Fayetteville since June 3rd.
The LeBron James sweepstakes have continued into a new week, and the timeline for a final decision remains unclear.
Likewise, James’ camp hasn’t dropped many explicit hints as to who has the best chance of landing the 22-time NBA All-Star.
The Warriors still do appear to be in the running, though, as ESPN insider Shams Charania joined “NBA Today” on Monday to share the latest news around James’ decision and when it might come.
“Every day, LeBron James inches closer and closer to a decision,” Charania explained from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “It’s decision time for LeBron James because all the information, for the most part, is in. [General managers], presidents, owners — they’ve all been heard from. They’re continuing to have conversations with agent Rich Paul here this week as well. Players have also reached out to LeBron James to recruit him, and yes, all the voice notes have also been listened to, and rosters have been set around the league. The decks have been set.
“And the leading suitors have been Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota. And what we know definitively is LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere where he can compete for a championship, somewhere where he feels like he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he feels he can uplift. And the big thing here is, this is not going to be a financially driven decision, so that gives LeBron James the ability to hear from teams that have the minimum, have other exceptions, have salary-cap space as well, and also be allowed to take his time through this decision.”
None of this news is particularly new, but perhaps Golden State continuing to be one of the “leading suitors,” according to Charania, is a good sign. After all, several reports last week suggested the Warriors were falling behind in the race to sign James.
Who knows, maybe Draymond Green’s pitch to his good friend in Puerto Rico last week has made James lean more in the Warriors’ direction.
Johni Broome turns 24 years old next week. The reality is that players of Broome’s age don’t have a lot of time to prove their worth in the NBA. When you’re an older draft pick, you either quickly assimilate to life in the association, or you’re quickly phased out. There will always be veterans available for at or near league-minimum prices that can round out a roster and play serviceable minutes in the regular season at the very least. Most teams will quickly move on from a recent draft pick who is approaching his mid 20s if that player is nothing more than a G Leaguer who occasionally sneaks his way into the bottom of their NBA rotation.
The cold reality for players like Broome who play (at least) four years of college basketball is that they’re not given as many chances in the NBA players who were drafted at 19 or 20. That makes what was essentially a non-existent rookie season for Broome in the NBA to be that much more concerning. It’s also resulted in this year’s NBA Summer League being the beginning of a pivotal 2026-27 for Philadelphia’s second-round pick one year ago.
Broome had 19 points and 13 rebounds this past Thursday against Detroit. He then posted 23 points and 11 boards on Saturday against Indiana, despite a disappointing fourth quarter vs. the Pacers. His combined plus/minus rating in the two games is a +18. The obvious takeaway here is this is exactly what Broome should be doing in these games, as should any player that’s playing in the NBA Summer League for the second time.
Time will tell if these are significant improvements for Broome or if he just isn’t an NBA player. Broome was a high-level achiever in college so the fact that he’s performing at a high level against similar competition shouldn’t necessarily be a surprise. Despite some good statistical performances, it should also be pointed out that Broome is 2-of-12 from the three-point line in two games so far in this year’s Summer League. For a player who lacks top-end athleticism, his offensive ability was going to have to be aided by some good outside shooting and that hasn’t looked good so far this summer for the second-year player out of Auburn.
So where does Broome go from here? Well, at the bare minimum, he’ll need to churn out more good performances this week as Summer League continues. Then the real test for Broome will come in training camp in September and the handful of preseason games Philadelphia will play in October. If he can crack the rotation for Philly early in the season after that, how is that going to change? Once the regular season starts and the games start counting for real, developing a 24-year-old recent second-round pick isn’t going to be a priority.
Broome’s time to show the Sixers’ coaching staff he belongs in the NBA is now and in September and October. Should he earn his way into a bench role for Philadelphia this season, perhaps the leash will get a little bit longer and he could perhaps stabilize himself as an eighth or ninth man in a rotation. We’ve all known about the Sixers’ struggles to rebound well and maybe being a good rebounder becomes the best path to playing time for Broome come the fall, especially if his jump shot never gets better.
Right now, it just feels like Broome is meeting the minimum standard of what he should be doing. But can at least some of it carry over into a regular role with the Sixers in 2026-27? The clock’s ticking.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Ebuka Okorie #23 of the Detroit Pistons plays defense during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2026 NBA Summer League on July 12, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While we saw Okorie struggle in his second game by shooting 5-for-17 from the field, he was still able to find ways to impact the game with 14 points, three rebounds, six assists, and seven steals.
Scoring
If he has the ball in transition, good luck stopping Okorie. He was able to get into the paint plenty yesterday, including knocking down multiple and-one layups.
Okorie struggled finishing around the rim yesterday. Some were tough looks that didn’t fall and others were well-defended by Cleveland. He got stuffed at the rim on this possession, but still ended up finding Brice Williams for an open trailing three.
Here’s another where the opportunity to get a shot up vanished in front of his eyes. A couple of his drives and shots at the rim, like this one, looked forced – his shot selection should improve as he adjusts to the NBA game.
Cleveland prevented him from getting all the way to the rim on this possession, so instead of forcing up a tough shot, he was able to find an open Lanier for the knockdown three.
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 21: Tate Southisene #19 of the Atlanta Braves runs to first during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Stripers extended their winning streak to four games after a well fought game featuring strong pitching and the long ball. Let’s take a look at how the Stripers got it done.
Drue Hackenberg got the start and was extremely strong – allowing just a single hit over five innings of work. His one blemish came in the fourth inning when Hackenberg allowed back-to-back walks before allowing a sacrifice fly to score. Outside of that, Drue was completely in control. Drue featured his two-seam, four-seam, curveball, changeup, while sprinkling in his cutter. After a rough 2025, Drue hasn’t allowed more than four earned runs in a single start and has done a great job of re-establishing his value in the Braves pitching depth chart. After five strong innings the Stripers turned to Elieser Hernández (2IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K) who was just as strong – getting through two perfect innings as he leaned heavily on his four-seam and cutter. Following Elieser was Connor Thomas who was also absolutely fantastic as he absolutely pounded the zone with 9 strikes on 10 pitches while recording two strikeouts. Closing out the game, with the game pretty firmly in hand, was Anthony Molina (1IP 2H 1ER 0BB 1K) who allowed a run to score while inducing a double play.
Offensively, the recipe for success was a lot like the last game as Patrick Clohisy and Rowdy Tellez continued to show out. Fast forwarding to the fourth inning, the Stripers found themselves down 1-0, before loading the bases when Patrick Clohisy tied the game with an RBI single. Two batters later Rowdy Tellez drove in two with a two RBI single. One inning later, Cal Conley connected on his second home run of the seasons driving in Aaron Schunk and DaShawn Keirsey Jr., extending the Stripers lead to 6-1. One inning later it was once again Rowdy Tellez who drove in the last run of the game for the Stripers with this absolute bomb of a home run coming in at 110.4 MPH and going 430’ – extending his streak to three straight games with a home run.
The suddenly surging Columbus Clingstones picked up their seventh win in their last 10 games with another strong starting pitching performance, and timely hitting.
Cedric de Grandpre got the start for the Clingstones and was absolutely dynamic – striking out seven across six innings of work. Cedric continued to utilize his four-seam/two-seam/cutter fastball repertoire to great success as he never really ran into much trouble in the start. His only blemish cam in the third inning when he allowed a run scoring single with two outs. After that, Cedric would retire the next ten hitters to get the Clingstones through six innings. He would be replaced by Braden Scott (0.1IP 4H 3ER 0BB 1K), making his Clingstones debut, and he struggled – allowing back-to-back singles before eventually surrendering a three run home run and another single. He would be replaced by Luis Vargas (1.2IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K) who was the opposite, immediately retiring the first two batters he saw to end the threat, before striking out the side in his next inning of work. Isaac Gallegos (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) picked up his first save of the season for the Clingstones with a perfect ninth.
Offensively, it was Jordan Groshans who got the fun started for the Clingstones very early on – hitting a two run home run in the first.
— Columbus Clingstones (@GoClingstones) July 12, 2026
This was Jordan’s 17th home run of the season which has been one of the best of his career, and has been an absolutely fantastic signing for the organization. Logan Braunschweig would drive in the third run of the game for the Clingstones in the fourth inning with an RBI single that drove in Will Verdung to extend the Clingstones lead to 3-1. They would tack on an additional three runs in the fifth inning highlighted by an Archer Brookman two run home run. The final run of the game for the Clingstones came in the seventh inning with a Drew Compton RBI single that drove in Luke Waddell.
As a team the Clingstones went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position, stranding seven on base.
(42-42) Rome Emperors 7, (41-44) Hudson Valley Renegades 4
The Aiven Cabral show continued, while Tate Southisene got it going offensively in a thrilling victory for the Rome Emperors.
Cabral did what he has done all year, absolutely pounding the zone with his pitch mix and allowing just two hits across five innings, while striking out five. Outside of a third inning double Aiven was in complete control of the game. He was efficient as he needed just 63 pitches to get through his outing. On the season Aiven has now made 15 appearances across two levels, and his ERA is now a ridiculous 1.88 on the season, with a WHIP of 0.99. Even without a standout pitch, he lives in the zone and induces a ton of weak contact with all three of his pitches. He was replaced by Tyler Schoff (1.1IP 3H 4ER 3BB 0K) who struggled in his fourth appearance for the Emperors. Brody Fowler (1.2IP 0H 0R 2BB 4K) , the Braves 17th round pick from 2025, had one of his best outings of his careers – striking out four across 1.2 innings of work. Justin Long (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) picked up his third save of the season with a perfect inning of work.
The fun got started early for the Emperors as John Gil walked, and stole his 38th base of the season, before Owen Carey connected on his sixth home run of the season – giving the Emperors a 2-0 lead.
They would be held scoreless until the seventh inning when Dallas Macias drove in Dixon Williams to push the Emperors lead to two runs, at 3-1. One inning later, the Emperors found themselves down and it was once again Owen Carey that came up with the big hit – this time a run scoring single that drove in Tate Southisene, to tie the game at 4-4. One inning later it was Tate Southisene’s time to shine as he drove in two on his second triple since joining the Rome Emperors.
The GreenJackets fell, running into the buzzsaw that is Evan Siary, in a shutout loss to the Crawdads.
Kendy Richard got the start for the GreenJackets and was OK, allowing three earned runs across four innings of work while giving up a pair of home runs. Kendy has an up-and-down season, finding more success coming out of the bullpen, but overall did enough to keep the GreenJackets in the game. He was replaced by Luis Arestigueta (3.2IP 3H 3ER 2BB 0K) who has had a very odd 2026. After having strong success to start his career, Luis has found himself moving between Augusta and the FCL Braves as he’s struggled to generate whiffs and consistently find the zone. To his credit, Luis did allow just three earned runs while providing some length so it was a step in the right direction but it still has been a rough 2026 in a year he had some loftier expectations. Cristobal Abreu (1.1IP 2H 1ER 0BB 1K) worked the final stretch of the game and allowed one earned run over his inning+ of work.
Offensively it was a complete struggle as the GreenJackets had just two opportunities with runners in scoring position the entire game, to which they unfortunately went 0-for-2. The top four of the lineup (Guanipa, Essenburg, Lodise, Miller) went a combined 0-for-15, with Essenburg drawing a walk, but the totality of the group striking out seven times. The pitching hero from two games ago, shortstop Joe Olsavsky, was the only hitter to not strike out, as he and Tanner Smith were the only two players to reach base twice.
SAN DIEGO, CA - CIRCA 1982: Dale Murphy #3 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the San Diego Padres during an Major League Baseball game circa 1982 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. Murphy played for the Braves from 1976-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With All-Star festivities kicking into high gear, we continue our series featuring 2x MVP Dale Murphy. Murphy would play 15 seasons for the Braves, with half of those resulting in All-Star Game selections.
In the 80’s only one player hit more home runs than Dale, that being Mike Schmidt. Dale Murphy joins us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes.
Q: It was almost a given back in that era that you’d be selected by the fans. You appeared in 7 All Star games in the 1980’s. What do you remember about that 1986 game?
A: What’s funny is that for that particular year and game at the Astrodome, my stats weren’t really that good so I kind of felt weird about starting that game. But you mentioned the fans, they voted me in as a starter. It was always an honor.
Q: You got to face Roger Clemens, who was appearing in his first All-Star Game and was in the zone. What do you remember about that confrontation?
A: I only saw one pitch from Clemens as I remember, and I grounded out to short. I had two at bats that night, and then Chili Davis came in for me.
My second at bat was against Higuera. I actually told Whitey Herzog that I was good with just the one at bat, but he kept me in.
Q: Historically though, you had some big games in the Dome. That night was the exception to the rule. Did you like playing at the Astrodome?
A: I’m not sure I could say I ever fully enjoyed playing in the Astrodome though (laughs). Playing there was always tough and it was a credit to those Astros teams. Facing the likes of Nolan, Scott and J.R. it didn’t get tougher than that in the mid-eighties.
Plus, the dome had a problem with the ceiling. If you weren’t careful, it would be hard to pick up a fly ball in the outfield.
Q: What was the coolest thing about that night?
A: Far and away getting to meet at the time Vice President Bush before the game. He came through the club house and all of us had a chance to speak to him. That was really special.
Q: What’s life like for you now?
A: I’m no longer chasing fly balls; I’m chasing down my grandkids here in Atlanta. (laughs)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 11: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks on stage during the 2026 MLB Draft at Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Day Two of the draft, the Astros made sixteen selections. Below is some information on the picks.
On Day Two of the draft, the Astros made sixteen selections. They started the day going back to back to back pitchers in the 5th, 6th and 7th rounds. Gavin Eddy was the Astros 5th rounder and he had a 2.87 ERA this season for Cal while pumping mid 90s heaters and a strong breaking ball. In the 6th they took Michael Addari out of Illinois State. He posted a 2.27 ERA with 73 K over 67.1 innings. The 7th round selection was Bryan Carney out of University of Olivet. He was dominant there posting a 1.35 ERA with 122 strikeouts over 73.1 innings. The thing that stood out about all three of these selections is all of them were at least 6-5 and had above average extension, a trait the Astros clearly value.
The Astros went with a couple of position players with their next picks selecting Aaron Piasecki in the 8th and Ryan Pruitt in the 9th. Piasecki was great for Troy hitting .337 with 10 home runs and elite contact rates. Pruitt, out of South Florida, appears to be another prospects with speed and contact skills. They ended the first half of the draft getting right-hander Taz Butler out of Kansas State.
In the 11th round, the Astros took a swing on a junior college pitcher Peyton Fiene out of Odessa Junior College. He has a big time arm touching 96 mph while also adding three solid off-speed pitches. He is only 20 years old and has a huge ceiling. In the 12th they got an outfielder in Owen Nowak, who was dominant for Middle Tennessee State hitting .316 with a ridiculous 36 walks to just 11 strikeouts over 57 games.
The Astros took a big swing in the 13th round selecting shortstop Jack Beck out of Columbia Central HS in Tennessee. He had a breakout combine where he showed off his plus raw power connecting on 21 balls over 100 mph (113 mph max) and hitting the longest home run at 466 feet. He has huge upside. In the 14th round they took a right-hander in Brady Thomas who is 6-5 and hit and pitched for Jacksonville State.
They took another top prep prospect in the 15th in James Tronstein who also possesses excellent tools, though he might be a fall back option in case the other don’t sign as he has a strong commitment to Vanderbilt. The Astros took their first catcher in the 16th round, though he played right field too, in Rashawn Galloway. He has some monster pope and had a nice season for Texas State hitting .318 with 27 doubles and 12 home runs for the Bobcats. In the 17th they selected Ben Tyron from Dallas Baptist, another infielder with good walk to strikeout ratio and some sneaky pop.
The Astros continued their run on position players taking Petey Soto in the 18th round out of Utah Tech. Soto is a slick defender who hit .347 with 6 home runs and 13 stolen bases over 59 games. They took another catcher in the 19th in Noah Miller out of Michigan. His playing time was sparse but he was a big time prospect coming out of high school. They concluded their draft selecting Mick Uebelhor out of Western Kentucky. He pitched in relief in college and struck out 59 batters over 44.2 innings while posting a 3.43 ERA.
