WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning during the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, September 27, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets played their final game of the 2026 season, putting an end to a team we’ve grown to dislike in various ways and will end up missing as the days and weeks of the offseason pass.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 27: A detailed picture of the scoreboard showing the Milwaukee Brewers as NL Central Division Champions before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on September 27, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This Milwaukee Brewers team is different.
I know people have been saying that for a couple of years now, but I really think this year is different.
This team does the little things. They play solid defense. They rarely make mental mistakes. They score runs and don’t rely on the long ball. They’re disciplined, both by themselves and by Pat Murphy, who has, on more than one occasion, benched a player for not showing hustle.
Rather than analyzing the team over the last 162 games, we can just look at this weekend’s sweep of the Cardinals.
The “why the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers can win the World Series” discussion begins even before Friday’s series opener against St. Louis. Just before the game, the team was forced to place first baseman Andrew Vaughn on the injured list due to illness. Shortstop Cooper Pratt was also scratched from the lineup, as a banged-up Joey Ortiz had to replace him.
Now, Vaughn and Pratt are by no means the leaders of this team, but they’re key pieces nonetheless. But here’s the thing about the Brewers — they’re built for absences like those. More on that later.
Looking at the first inning of Friday’s game, William Contreras — who was pulled late in Thursday’s game against Philadelphia after not hustling out of the box on a botched grounder — hit a grounder into the hole at short and slid into first base. Not only did he slide, but he slid headfirst. Any baseball person will tell you sliding into first is a big no-no, but here’s the thing — Murphy liked it.
William Contreras was pulled from yesterday’s game for not running hard so tonight he slid headfirst into first base in his first at bat pic.twitter.com/b9KhJhIVWp
It’s not often you see that kind of buy-in from a star player after he’s been benched. I would argue, rather, that most star players would have a negative reaction, especially at the major league level. But Murphy has proven over the last three seasons that he doesn’t care if you’re in your MLB debut or in your 13th season in the majors — you better be hustling and bringing your A-game.
Fast forward to the eighth inning of Friday’s game, and you’ll see another example of why this team is different. Remember how Pratt was scratched from the lineup and Ortiz had to replace him? Well, Ortiz looked a bit rough throughout the game (even while going 2-for-3 with a walk), and he was pulled in a 4-4 tie game. Pratt, who probably didn’t feel the greatest, took over, and while he grounded into a double play in his lone at-bat, the fact that he was able to come off the bench at all is a testament to this team’s depth and “next man up” mentality.
Speaking of next man up, in the bottom of that same eighth inning, with the game still tied at four runs apiece, here’s how the Brewers rallied:
Jackson Chourio single David Hamilton hit by pitch Garrett Mitchell sac bunt (reaches on error) Brice Turang two-run single William Contreras one-run single Jake Bauers sac fly Christian Yelich walk Pratt double play
How about that? Three hits — all of them singles — but four runs on the board. For most teams, that would be a strange inning, but for the Brewers, that’s basically an everyday occurrence. They finished the season with the third-best OPS in baseball (.744) and scored the second-most runs (832), and yet they had just 154 homers, ranking tied for 28th in the league (and just two ahead of the Blue Jays, who had an MLB-worst 152 homers). That’s insane.
Let’s jump to Saturday now.
Ahead of the second game, the Brewers named Christian Yelich team captain, the first time in franchise history Milwaukee has had a captain. Why? Because this team is different. There are several players who one could argue were deserving earlier in franchise history — Robin Yount and Ryan Braun are the first two that come to mind. But Yelich, who is in his ninth season with Milwaukee, is the first one to get that honorary “C” on his chest. And he deserves it, too.
In the game itself, Dustin May got the start, and he didn’t look great, going three innings with two runs allowed on three hits and a walk. But here’s where the next part of our “why the Brewers can win the World Series” argument comes in — Murphy then gave Kyle Harrison another chance.
Harrison can only be described as dismal since late August. Entering Saturday, his last six appearances (three starts) totaled 9 1/3 innings, allowing 25 runs (22 earned) on 31 hits, nine walks, and two hit batters while striking out 10. But Murphy, who clearly hasn’t fully settled his postseason pitching staff yet, continues to give the young lefty chances. And Harrison delivered.
Harrison went two scoreless innings, throwing 20 of 29 pitches for strikes and allowing just one baserunner via a hit by pitch. He struck out four to earn his 11th win of the season and first since August 18.
The lesson here is similar to the one about Pratt above — that “next man up” mentality is exactly what a team looking to win the World Series needs, and Murphy’s faith in his guys is just the cherry on top.
Then, in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game, Turang launched his 21st homer of the season, bringing in Chourio and giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead they would hold onto for the rest of the evening. Remember how I said the Brewers don’t hit lots of homers? Well, they still have a couple of home run threats — Turang, Chourio, Bauers, to name just a few — and there’s always a time and place for homers. Half of the battle in the postseason is delivering in clutch moments, and the Brewers have guys who can hit both singles and homers, meaning they’re ready for any situation. That’s something the rest of this postseason field might not bring to the table.
OK, last piece of the puzzle: Sunday’s game.
This is perhaps the biggest reason why the Brewers have what it takes to win a World Series: the monster that is Jacob Misiorowski.
Misiorowski went 5 1/3 scoreless innings in Sunday’s regular-season finale, wrapping up what is almost certainly an NL Cy Young-winning campaign. He finished the year among league leaders in virtually every category, including at the top of the leaderboard in strikeouts (252), ERA (1.80), WHIP (0.80), and batting average against (.157). He also drastically dropped his walk rate from a year ago, going from 4.23 BB/9 to 2.27 BB/9.
Lastly, late in Sunday’s game, Chad Patrick was struggling to maintain what was an early 6-0 lead. He entered to pitch the eighth and recorded just one out, allowing two walks and two hits, including a three-run homer to cut the lead to 6-4.
What do the Brewers have a lot of that many other teams don’t? Reliable length arms that can lock things down when other guys get in trouble.
Shane Drohan came in and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing no baserunners and recording a pair of strikeouts for his second save of the year. In fact, the Brewers had five wins this week, four of which had a save credited to them. Know how many different players got a save? Four. The usual closer, Trevor Megill, Drohan, Antonio Senzatela, and Aaron Ashby. For the season, 10 players had at least one save, and seven players had multiple. MLB bullpens only carry eight arms. That’s a well-balanced bullpen.
This weekend’s sweep of the Cardinals is a microcosm of the 2026 Brewers season as a whole. The Crew is balanced, hungry, and ready to win. They have several players who are in the very early stages of what are hopefully long careers — Pratt, Chourio, Luis Lara, Logan Henderson, Misiorowski, etc. — but they also have veteran leadership in the form of Yelich, May, Senzatela, JoJo Romero, and Brandon Woodruff, who you may have forgotten is still in that clubhouse, even if he isn’t on the field.
This Brewers team can win the World Series. Now let’s see if they can make it happen.
Draymond Green and Yaxel Lendeborg have had an eventful summer full of back-and-forth exchanges, but the veteran didn’t mince his words when discussing his initial impression of the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Green was effusive in his praise of Lendeborg after Jimmy Butler III’s players-only camp in San Diego before training camp begins on Sep. 29.
“He (Lendeborg) can play,” Green said on Saturday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show”. “He understands the game, he’s smart and this was really my first time getting eyes on him in-person consistently. Shoot the piss out of the basketball, like I was very, very, very impressed. I’m excited to see where he can take it.”
Green also clarified he did not want to burden Lendeborg with unnecessary expectations, stating the “NBA game is different” when going up against players like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard on a nightly basis.
The new teammates appear to have a strong relationship, but have traded barbs about their rival alma maters since Lendeborg became a Warrior. Green and Lendeborg attended Michigan State and Michigan respectively, with Lendeborg referring to the Spartans as “little brother” on draft night.
Lendeborg then called out Green for not responding to his introductory text message, to which Green responded with receipts on his show before jokingly threatening to haze the rookie.
Despite the banter, both share similarities from their collegiate accomplishments to their play style. Both players earned First-Team All-American honors in their final seasons, employing a defense-first approach to their games.
Lendborg, who turns 24 at the end of the month, was the oldest player in this year’s draft, and brings a level of experience that previous lottery picks, like James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga, did not have.
Golden State’s roster is veteran-heavy at the top, led by Steph Curry, Butler and Green, but Lendeborg is set up to make an immediate impact as a rookie.
The Warriors’ training camp is slated to start Tuesday, where Green and Lendeborg are hopeful to translate their online conversations into on-court chemistry.
The 2026 season is over and the next step for the Braves could not be more familiar and perhaps appropriate. The Braves will host their division rival, the Phillies, for a best of three Wild Card round setup at Truist Park this week. Both Tuesday and Wednesday games will occur at just after 2PM Eastern, with Thursday’s game to be determined (if necessary). For many reasons, it will certainly be an exciting atmosphere in which the Braves will hopefully find quick and frequent success.
Mark Bowman looks at a few key factors that came together over the final week of the season that could impact the Wild Card round for the Braves.
MLB News
Along with the Phillies, the Astros were the other team to finalize their playoff spot on the final day of the season by winning the NL West over the Rangers.
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 11: New York Yankees' bench coach Don Zimmer races towards Boston Red Sox' pitcher Pedro Martinez as Red Sox' David Ortiz (2nd l.) and manager Grady Little restrain Manny Ramirez in a fourth-inning fracas at Fenway Park during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Martinez had hit the Yankees' Karim Garcia with a pitch at the top of the inning; when Yanks' pitcher Roger Clemens then nearly grazed Ramirez, the bench-clearing brawl ensued. Zimmer, who was thrown to the ground by Martinez during the dustup, was taken to the hospital for observation, then released. The Yanks won, 4-3. (Photo by Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) | NY Daily News via Getty Images
Good morning! There is no baseball today. Normally that’s a sad phrase to read and write. But when you’re gearing up for the playoffs, a day of rest isn’t the worst thing in the world. Especially when you’re gearing up to face the Yankees in the playoffs.
Having said that, we can all acknowledge that these Sox-Yankees series don’t have quite the same bite that they used to. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The world is constantly changing. And the reason these series once felt so draining is that we used to be terrified of pinstripes. We used to watch with cosmic certainty that the Yankees would find a way to come out on top, no matter what.
Suffice it to say, that’s not the case anymore. I’m worried about the 2026 Yankees because they’re a good baseball team with a strong starting staff and they’re standing in between the Red Sox and the World Series. I am NOT worried about the 2026 Yankees because I’m convinced they are agents of Satan. Like I said, the world is constantly changing.
So how much do you really hate the Yankees today, and how have your emotions evolved?
Talk about the rivalry and whatever else you want in this space and, as always, be good to one another.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Sunday, September 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Dodgers finished the regular season with an even 100 wins, after a sweep of the San Francisco Giants over the weekend at Oracle Park. It’s the sixth time the Dodgers have won in triple digits under manager Dave Roberts, along with 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
In the first 132 seasons in Dodgers franchise history, before Roberts, the club won 100 games six times — 1899, 1941, 1942, 1953, 1962, and 1974.
Forty-nine of those 100 wins in 2026 came on the road, including all three in San Francisco over the weekend coming with the Dodgers wearing their gray jerseys with “Dodgers” on the front. Here’s the breakdown of the Dodgers’ 2026 road performance, broken down by uniform choices:
“They wouldn’t have traded for me if they didn’t believe in me,” he said. “And I’m just forever grateful for the people who helped me develop my game thus far. There’s so many biometrics and weight training involved, there’s no stone left unturned here. They really emphasize being an all-around player, and that means getting the most out of your swing, defense, baserunning and going into every at-bat with a plan. It just allows me to be confident in what I need to do to be successful.”
Clayton Kershaw will be part of the NBC Sports broadcast team for the wild card series between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Kershaw is an analyst along with Jim Deshaies and Mark Grant for the series, with Dave Flemming on play-by-play.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have 3 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Jersey #3 is one of the more popular numbers to be worn.
Let's take a look at who wore 3, and where they are now
František Kučera - 2001 - Drafted by Chicago in 1986.
He played 48 games as a Jacket and had seven points in the first year of the Blue Jackets' existence.
He retired in 2004 after returning to his home country of Czechia.
Jaroslav Špaček - 2002-2004 - Drafted by Florida in 1998.
Špaček played 153 games for Columbus and had 72 points in the early years of Columbus.
His son, David Špaček, was born in Columbus and was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2022. He will start this season with the AHL's Iowa Wild. David was born in Columbus.
Nowadays, the elder Špaček is the Director of Youth Hockey for HC Plzeň in Czechia.
Marc Methot - 2009-2012 - Drafted by the Blue Jackets in the 6th round of the 2003 NHL Draft.
Methot played six years and 275 games for the CBJ, totaling 51 points on the Columbus blue line. He was the definition of a defensive defenseman.
On July 1, 2012, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for future CBJ Captain Nick Foligno. After the trade to Ottawa, he would play another 349 NHL games.
He retired during the 2018-19 season after playing 9 games.
Jordan Leopold - 2015 - Drafted by Anaheim in 1999.
Leopold played 18 games for Columbus after being traded from the St. Louis Blues on November 15, 2014. On March 2, 2015, he was dealt again, this time to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Justin Falk. He retired after the 2015 season.
He has been an assistant coach for Andover High in Minnesota for the past couple of years.
Seth Jones - 2016-2021 - Drafted by Nashville in 2013.
Jones played 381 games for the Jackets after coming over from the Nashville Predators. He scored 50 goals and totaled 223 points during his time in Columbus. Jones is currently second all-time in CBJ history in goals by a defenseman, second in assists, and second in points. He's also 7th in all-time assists and 10th in all-time points.
He was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021 in exchange for Adam Boqvist. Chicago traded him to the Florida Panthers in 2025, where he went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones was described by Elite Prospects as "A defenseman with an excellent frame. Jones' athleticism allows him to be a very good skater for a player of his size. He has excellent mobility and is solid both offensively and defensively. Jones gives a smart first pass and is also capable of utilizing his skating ability to bring the puck up himself. He has good hockey sense and is an asset on the power play thanks to his mobility, puck-handling, and a very dangerous slap shot."
Jack Johnson - 2025 - Drafted by Carolina in 2005.
Johnson played 486 games for Columbus after being traded from the LA Kings for Jeff Carter. He scored 36 goals and had 156 points in seven years.
He's bounced around since leaving Columbus, but finally won a Stanley Cup in 2022. He found his way back to Cannon City in the summer of 2024. Unfortunately for Johnson, he only played in 41 games for Columbus last year and had 6 points.
He and Head Coach Dean Evason didn't see eye to eye, leading to Johnson being scratched for most of the season. Johnson's family even boycotted the family day held ahead of the 2025 Stadium Series Game at Ohio Stadium.
Charlie Coyle - 2025-Current - Drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2010
Coyle was traded to the Blue Jackets in the summer of 2025. His first season in Columbus was the second best season of his career. He scored 20 goals and totaled 58 points, which was just two points off from his career high.
He was kept at last season's trade deadline by Don Waddell, leading Charlie Coyle to feel very respected by the club. He signed a six-year, $36 million extension with the CBJ over the summer. He could've left, but he told the media that he felt the loyalty shown to him by Don Waddell was important enough to get him to re-sign
There are three days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Who was your favorite #3?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It might seem like football season just started, but the NBA is already back. Every team in the league will have opened training camp for the 2026-27 season by Monday, with media days servicing as the unofficial start of the new year. It feels like only yesterday when the New York Knicks outlasted the San Antonio Spurs in one of the wildest NBA Finals series in recent memory, but so much around the league has happened since then.
Let’s dive into some of the biggest themes in the league entering the 2026-27 season.
The NBA has 3 clear championship front-runners. Will one of them win it all?
The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks are going to be the top-3 teams in any preseason edition of NBA power rankings in some order entering the season. It feels likely that one of these teams will eventually be crowned the 2027 champion, but the league has been incredibly tough to predict in recent years. The NBA has seen eight straight unique champions dating back to the 2019 Toronto Raptors, and no team has won multiple championships or even made back-to-back NBA Finals trips over that time.
NBA history is defined by dynasties. That isn’t the case in the present era for several reasons, starting with the second-apron, which makes it incredibly difficult to keep together a great team for longer than a few seasons by functioning as a hard cap. The increased pace and space of today’s game also leads to added injury risk, with several recent champions losing their repeat bids to untimely injuries in the playoffs. The NBA wanted parity with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, and they got it.
I’m starting to favor the Spurs as my championship pick. Their young core should all continue to improve after winning 62 games and reaching the NBA Finals last year, which is terrifying. Victor Wembanyama is already one of the most dominant defenders of all-time, and he could be the consensus best player in the world by the end of the season. I also think adding Tobias Harris in free agency will help them a bit this year. San Antonio is my team to beat entering the season, but if recent NBA history has taught us anything, it’s that the championship race will eventually prove to be wide open.
4 teams I’m higher on for the playoffs than the regular season
Minnesota Timberwolves: I had the Wolves at the No. 4 seed in my West predictions, and even that felt a bit generous, but I like their playoff upside. The core trio of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels has been highly successful the last three years, and LaMelo Ball injects playmaking and pull-up shooting into the mix that adds high variance in a good way come playoff time. I’m not sure how any team beats the Spurs or Thunder in a seven game series, but having two super talented guards bomb threes off the dribble seems like a decent punch to throw.
Philadelphia 76ers: I had the Sixers at the No. 6 seed in my East predictions for the regular season, but I’m talking myself into their playoff upside. Philly won a series last year and got noticeably better by adding LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, and more over the offseason. James proved he can still turn it up in the playoffs last year, and Brown’s determined one-on-one scoring feels more functional during the playoffs than the regular season to me. Philly’s regular season defensive projection is the biggest reason I’m lower on them — along with injuries and unavailability for their core players — but Nick Nurse is smart, this team could still be really good come spring time.
Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the East. I’m worried Miami’s poor depth could hurt their regular season chances, but I’ll never be surprised when this franchise makes a Cinderella run to the NBA Finals.
Golden State Warriors: I had Golden State at No. 11 in West regular season projection, but I have them seventh among West teams in my championship chances rankings here. I don’t think Golden State is going to be any good this season, but if they do make the play-in, they should have Jimmy Butler back from injury and have the assets to add another key piece if they want to. I’m fading the Warriors in general, but Steph is always scary in the playoffs.
Who’s your 2027 NBA championship pick?
Let me know in the comments. NBA basketball is back, and it feels great.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on April 05, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.
Devin Booker
Shooting Guard, 6’5”, 206 lbs., 29 years old, 11 years of experience
Happy Media Day, folks!
Devin Booker has lived many lives during his Suns career. From a wide-eyed rookie absorbing everything he could from his “vets” to a grizzled veteran giving the next generation advice as they look to pave their own way. Oh, and he’s wearing number 15 now. Remember that? It’s been a long offseason.
He is still in his twenties somehow, but not for long. The Suns’ star turns 30 on October 30th, when the Suns are set to host the Denver Nuggets in their 4th game of the season.
We all know by now that Devin Booker is the Suns’ offensive engine. They go as he goes. He has been consistently one of the best scorers in the NBA, and quietly one of the most underrated playmakers.
Last Season
Devin Booker earned his 5th All-Star appearance of his career last season. Phoenix exceeded expectations as a team by a wide margin and secured themselves a ticket to the NBA Playoffs. Ultimately, Booker and company got swept by the Thunder, but they left the season with a reason for optimism.
Devin Booker has eight straight seasons averaging 25+ PPG, putting him in some historically elite company with the likes of LeBron, Giannis, and his former teammate Kevin Durant as the only active players with longer streaks throughout their careers.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
64
33.5
26.1
3.9
6.0
0.8
45.6%
33.0%
87.3%
118.7
117.5
+201
Contract and Roster Context
This is where the discourse will get interesting as the years go by. Devin Booker is making a lot of money, and he is going to make a whole lot more in the years to come. He will be one of the top-paid players in the association, and with that comes increased expectations and responsibilities.
Devin Booker originally signed a 4-year, $220,441,984 contract with the Phoenix Suns, all guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $55,110,496. In 2026-27, Booker will earn a base salary of $57,078,728, while carrying a cap hit of $57,078,728.
Booker signed a 2-year, $132,594,000 contract with the Phoenix Suns last summer, including $132,594,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $66,297,000, per Spotrac.
What He Brings
Devin Booker’s offensive gravity is easy to take for granted. Not just his ability to get a bucket in tight quarters, but his ability to draw the defense, make quick reads, and give his teammates a chance to capitalize.
Collapsing a defense and demanding attention oftentimes has a ripple effect that can go unnoticed on the box score. Luckily, there are other ways to track playmaking, driving, and potential assists created, as Shane Young notes in the tweet linked below.
His playmaking continues to be undersold in discourse when it comes to the top playmakers in the association. The gravity he possesses, along with the fortitude to make the right play when he’s being targeted relentlessly by defenses, needs to be talked about more.
Devin Booker’s final stats as a driver and playmaker this year:
• 1,006 total drives, 5th most in the NBA • 38% pass rate on those drives
• 785 potential assists and 12.3 per game, 13th among all qualified players. • 1,053 total points generated by assists • 77 secondary…
Phoenix needs a lot from Devin Booker. That comes with the territory of his massive contract. He must be a leader. He must take over games when needed. He must make others around him better and find creative ways to get them involved.
The Phoenix Suns need him to play like a superstar more than he plays like a star. That means showing up every night.
What Needs to Improve
By now, it’s obvious that Devin Booker has a few flaws. We all know by now that the opposing defense will game plan to slow him down in any way they can. Sending another body his way. Putting an aggressive point-of-attack defender on him.
At times, he can make what looks like careless turnovers against smaller guards with quick hands like the Jrue Holidays and Alex Carusos of the world. That’s just what those guys do. He can struggle to get his shot off against longer, more athletic defenders like Jaden McDaniels, for example. He also seems to struggle against Orlando, with their big wings and forwards thrown at him every possession. Cutting down on some of the unnecessary turnovers would be item number one to focus on. Number two would be a modest increase in 3PT%. And lastly, continued consistency in his defensive intensity. And a bonus take… if the jumper isn’t falling, attack the rim with more frequency. Downhill Book is a threat as a scorer and playmaker.
The defensive questions he faced earlier in his career have dissipated over time as well, as he’s proven to be a feisty one-on-one defender and smart team defender. The run with Team USA woke some people up to that, but his defensive growth was brewing long before that for those who paid attention. He will never be on an All-Defensive team, but he is solid. And when he turns it up a notch, he can be an impactful defender.
Steve Kerr on Devin Booker:
"He's probably the guy who's been most adaptable to go from a different role in the NBA to a new one here. He's such a big scorer in the league, but just like in Tokyo, he's adapted to being an on-ball guy, ball mover, the offense clicks when he's out… pic.twitter.com/rrVfUbjEj1
He and the rest of the league know who he is at this point. The question is… does he have another gear to showcase?
Prediction
This could be the best year possible for Devin Booker to take a stealthy leap. He is sort of flying under the radar on the national scale. Dillon Brooks draws the “villain” role and allows Booker to focus more on the game, whereas in the past there were times that Booker felt he needed to fill that role while also being the franchise player.
I’m excited to see how he leads this group. They have youth, athleticism, rim pressure, and a bit more continuity as a group. The lack of playmaking and floor spacing can be solved with the right offensive game plan and rotations. Good luck figuring that out, Jordan Ott!
Devin Booker dropped four spots (from a year ago) to the 20th-ranked player in the NBA, according to ESPN. I predict that they will need to correct that and place him back into the top-15 after a “late-career” breakout. But as noted, a breakout season for Booker doesn’t look like a ton of more points scored. It’s improved efficiency, continuing to improve his already elite playmaking, and serving as the engine for a Suns team that overachieves for a second straight season.
A successful season for Devin Booker is mostly predicated on team success. Yes, his individual numbers matter, but as we all know, if he’s finding ways to impact the game, the stats will come.
Could this be Devin Booker’s best season yet?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 27: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 10: Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Ousmane Dieng was one of Milwaukee’s breakout players last year. Dieng, a 22-year-old wing out of the French town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, wound up in Milwaukee after a series of deadline-day trade deals. The Bucks acquired him in a three-team transaction that sent Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony to Phoenix. Dieng hasn’t looked back since, starting hot and averaging 11.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG in 26.8 minutes per night with Milwaukee. He agreed to a three-year, $17.5m contract in June and is expected to be an exciting piece of the Bucks’ young core.
The Frenchman is tall at 6’9”, but weighs a slender 185 pounds, giving him the athletic and positional versatility to play as a jumbo wing or even a really, really tall guard. Dieng is also a solid athlete; despite his size, he moves quickly and fluidly, which allows him to stay in front of shifty guards and create for teammates.
Tactically, Dieng can create some exciting scenarios for new coach Taylor Jenkins. He featured as a secondary creator for much of last season alongside lead guards like Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., but when those guys were out toward the back end of the season, Dieng was the primary creator, averaging 6.3 assists in his final seven games. Dieng can physically overpower smaller point-of-attack defenders and shift past larger guys due to his mobility. He’s also been proficient as a pick-and-roll operator, with his highlight reel including many fancy dimes.
Dieng could be a major source of offence for Milwaukee this season, since he can score at all three levels. He leans heavily on his jump shot (which is partly because of his relatively lean frame, if we’re being honest). He struggled heavily with his three-ball as the season wore on, though, shooting just 20.3% from three during his last 12 games.
Relatedly, Dieng often takes low-percentage shots, and his diet of pull-ups and side steps further bogs down his shooting splits; turning his streaky jump shot into a consistent one would make Dieng a dangerous offensive weapon. He also finishes well through contact when he attacks the rim, but he avoids going there much of the time because of his relatively skinny frame.
Dieng had some very solid games for Milwaukee last season. Chief among them were a 19-point double-double against the Thunder and a 36-point, 10-assist outburst in a loss to Houston. However, these highs came with sluggish lows as he navigated tough shooting slumps and adjusted to greater responsibilities in Milwaukee.
All in all, Dieng’s contract, age, and portfolio for Milwaukee make him an intriguing piece for the future, but also give him trade value, as Jack noted in his trade value rankings. If, for whatever reason, Jon Horst decides to ship Dieng out before the trade deadline, he can expect a decent return.
Selected 19th overall by the Raptors in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Santa Clara forward enters Toronto with an intriguing combination of size, shooting, rebounding and defensive ability. Unlike some first-round picks, however, Graves does not need to become an immediate star.
If he can defend, hit open threes, rebound and make smart decisions, Toronto will have plenty to work with.
What Did He Do Last Year?
After redshirting his first year at Santa Clara, Graves appeared in all 35 games during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.6 minutes per game.
He shot 51.2 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line while adding 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
His season earned him West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and First Team All-WCC honours.
Graves also showed up when the stakes were higher, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward Allen Graves (22) reacts after making a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
What Makes Graves Intriguing?
Graves does not need the ball in his hands to be effective, which could make him a natural fit alongside Toronto’s higher-usage players.
At 6-foot-9, his ability to space the floor, cut, rebound and defend multiple positions gives him several ways to contribute. His 41.3 percent three-point shooting is particularly encouraging.
The Raptors will not need him to create every possession. If he can make open shots and take advantage of the attention given to players like Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, there could be a clear role for him.
What Can We Realistically Expect?
Expectations should remain reasonable.
Graves was the 19th pick and has just one college season under his belt. A realistic goal would be competing for a rotation role rather than immediately becoming a starter.
If he earns around 10–15 minutes per game, defends, rebounds and knocks down open threes, that should be considered a successful rookie season.
His Summer League performance provided some encouragement. Through his first four games, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from three, showing flashes of his offensive versatility.
Of course, Summer League is not the NBA regular season. The real test will be whether those skills translate against NBA competition.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 16: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors shoots a three point basket during the game against the Miami Heat on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion 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 Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Could the Raptors 905 Be Good For Him?
This may be one of the more important decisions Toronto makes with Graves.
If he is only playing limited minutes in the NBA, spending time with the Raptors 905 could give him an opportunity to handle the ball, create shots and make reads he may not get to make in a limited NBA role.
That does not mean Graves is not ready for the NBA. Sometimes, playing 30-plus minutes in the G League can be more valuable for development than playing 10 minutes in the NBA.
At the same time, if he proves during training camp that he belongs in the rotation, Toronto should not force him into the G League simply because he is a rookie.
The Biggest Thing To Watch
The three-point shot could determine how quickly Graves earns a role.
He shot 41.3 percent from three at Santa Clara, but NBA defenders close out faster and open shots are harder to find.
His ability to attack those closeouts will also be important. If he can put the ball on the floor and make plays when defenders run him off the line, he becomes much more than a spot-up shooter.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 13: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Verdict
The realistic expectation for Allen Graves should not be that he immediately becomes a star. It should be that he develops into a reliable NBA player.
His size, shooting, rebounding and defensive instincts give him multiple ways to stay on the floor, and Toronto does not need to rush his development.
If he earns a rotation role, great. If he spends time with Raptors 905, that should not be viewed as a setback.
Graves has the foundation of a modern NBA role player. Now he has to prove he can consistently translate it to the NBA level.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 27: A general view of Oracle Park as the San Francisco Giants play the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The 2026 San Francisco Giants season is officially over. For better, and mostly worse. I’ll have a lot more to say about this season as a whole in the coming days, as we all likely will, once the dust has settled.
But today, I wanted to check in and see what your initial reflections on this season are?
Personally, I feel relieved. I have loved this team since I was a child, and I have covered this team for 10 years and not one of those seasons has felt like such torture. On every front. Every part of this season has felt like misery to watch, write about, and I’m sure even to live for those involved in it.
So I am relieved. We are free of 2026 San Francisco Giants and I don’t know that I’ve ever been happier for a season to come to an end. That’s about all I’ve got at this point, so I’ll hand the metaphorical mic over to you guys.
What are your initial reflections on the 2026 season?
BILOXI, MS - SEPTEMBER 20: Andrew Fischer #25 of the Biloxi Shuckers looks on prior to the game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Biloxi Shuckers at Keesler Federal Park on Sunday, September 20, 2026 in Biloxi, Mississippi. (Photo by Sierra Gatz/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Welcome back to the Minor League Roundup!
As a reminder, you can find this roundup — covering… sorry, force of habit. With the Biloxi Shuckers’ loss in the third and final game of the Southern League Championship Series, the season is officially over for each of the Brewers’ affiliates, which means it’s time to take a look at what happened in the minors this season.
Notable Graduations: 23 starts into Logan Henderson’s career, he has yet to have a bad start. Henderson hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any given start in his entire career, which ties him with Zac Gallen for the record. His 0.844 WHIP is the lowest by a rookie starting pitcher (min. 50 innings) since Elmer Steele, who did it in 1908. No rookie has pitched as well as Henderson since a guy who made his major league debut for the Boston Americans. Hard to overstate just how incredible he’s been as a steady presence in a rotation that’s been beset by injuries and, at times, underperformance.
Other notable pitching prospects who graduated included Brandon Sproat, who flashed amazing stuff but will need to work on his control to become a viable major league starting pitcher, and Shane Drohan, who posted a 4.24 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through 123 innings this season. Despite having made his debut over two years ago now, Robert Gasser was still considered a prospect coming into the season, and he’s been an integral part of the rotation for much of the season. Recently, Gasser has seemed to flip a switch; since his emergency relief “start” on August 26, he’s put up a 1.67 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 32 1/3 innings, bringing his ERA for the season down to 3.38.
Luis Lara came out hot this season, earning himself both a call-up and a contract extension by mid-summer. In 60 games with the Brewers, he’s only slashed .246/.313/.326, but his defense in right field has been stellar — one of the reasons he’s been worth 1.1 bWAR in less than three months. The other prospect to earn an extension was Cooper Pratt, who looks to be cementing himself as the shortstop of the future. Pratt is hitting .281 with a .716 OPS and has been worth 1.6 bWAR in 221 at-bats with Milwaukee.
Looking at Triple-A stats at the end of the year is always a bit weird because the best prospects (and a good number of the AAAA guys) usually don’t spend a ton of time at the level. It’s rare that a top prospect spends a full year raking in Triple-A; as with Lara, the organization usually will want to see whether said prospect can replicate their success in the majors.
With that being said, there’s still a lot worth mentioning out of Nashville. Luke Adams was ranked as a top-10 organizational prospect prior to last season, is still ranked at No. 13, and just posted an OPS well over .900 in 212 at-bats. He doesn’t have much more to prove in Triple-A, which theoretically would make him a candidate to make the big leagues next year.
The reason he’s not getting more love is that the Brewers are stacked with corner infielders and corner infield prospects. To illustrate my point: in some organizations, guys like Tyler Black (and maybe even Brock Wilken) would have gotten a real shot in the big leagues. Because the Brewers are as deep as they are, playing time is harder to come by. At the same time, Adams has hit at every level despite a somewhat unconventional swing (that has gotten more conventional in recent years) and just posted a career-high 16 home runs (13 in Triple-A). Should he get an opportunity — whether due to injuries or potential offseason moves — it won’t surprise me if he takes advantage of it.
Luke Adams just hit his third homer of the game to make it 10-8 in the 9th inning
Another player I’d like to see more of in the big leagues is Coleman Crow, who led Sounds starting pitchers in both ERA and innings pitched. In his brief time with Milwaukee, he impressed, and he reminds me a little bit of guys like Chad Patrick and Drohan who weren’t super highly-regarded prospects, but developed into dependable swingmen. Crow’s curveball also might be one of the best pitches in the entire organization. One thing worth mentioning is that, at 5’10”, 175 lbs, he’s a good deal smaller than Patrick and Drohan, and most pitchers — more Tim Lincecum-esque, if anything. Still, that hasn’t stopped him so far.
Garrett Stallings, who also pitched well in limited time with the Brewers, served as a dependable option for the Sounds. Guys who can show up in Milwaukee and pitch three scoreless innings out of the pen don’t grow on trees, so it speaks to the Brewers’ pitching depth that he’s a Triple-A arm. Also, he’s a great guy:
Your Community Player of the Year is Garrett Stallings 👏 Garrett was an impact player on and off the field, frequently volunteering at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital and our Sertoma Club Clinic. If you caught a game in Hit City this year, you likely saw him at our Sunday… pic.twitter.com/ZzpIw31Ttz
Blake Holub also deserves some love, as a 2.10 ERA in 55 2/3 innings out of the bullpen is nothing to sneeze at.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Jeferson Quero and Jett Williams, two top-10 organizational prospects coming into the season, both had somewhat disappointing years.
As signaled by the acquisition of Bo Naylor, Milwaukee seems to lack confidence in Quero’s arm being what it was prior to the labrum injury he suffered after his first at-bat of 2024. He started 48 games at catcher compared to 70 at designated hitter and by the end of the year was pretty much only a DH. Quero allowed 98 stolen bases in 116 attempts, or over two stolen bases per game, which works out to a pretty abysmal 15.5% caught-stealing rate.
Williams’ season also ended up looking less-than-ideal due to injuries, but there’s more cause for optimism with him. He had just one plate appearance since July 7 due to elbow and ankle injuries; in other words, he essentially missed the last three months of the season. Williams ended his season slashing .233/.340/.384 (.724 OPS) over 81 games; not a terrible line, but also not an improvement on his time with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate (.718 OPS). Still, he might have ended up in Milwaukee anyway had it not been for the injuries.
Double-A Biloxi Shuckers
Record: 66-68 Standout performances:
1B Blake Burke: .285/.367/.603, 30 HR in 375 at-bats
1B/3B Andrew Fischer: .254/.389/.637, 28 HR in 248 at-bats
C Matthew Wood: .257/.398/.492, 18 HR in 303 at-bats
LF Josh Adamczewski: .278/.382/.465 in 241 at-bats
Biloxi had a few mainstays — among them No. 1 overall prospect Jesús Made — but there was a good amount of roster reshuffling down in Mississippi, which explains why the Shuckers won their division in the first half but finished the second half under .500.
Still, despite finishing the full season with a losing record, the Shuckers had the most successful season of any Brewers affiliate. Their first-half division title guaranteed them a playoff berth, and they swept the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the best-of-three division series to earn a spot in the championship series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, where they lost the decisive third game by two runs.
What made this team special? Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan said this year’s Shuckers were “probably the greatest collection of high-upside talent” he’d ever seen on one club. This season, Biloxi rostered baseball’s No. 1 prospect (Made), the minor league home run leader (Andrew Fischer), the Southern League MVP (Blake Burke), and all four finalists for the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.
Made spent the entire season as the Southern League’s youngest player and still hit .271/.344/.430 with 14 home runs, 37 steals, and 91 RBIs, breaking Jackson Chourio’s franchise record of 90. The underlying numbers are even better: a 10.2% walk rate and a 14.3% strikeout rate as a teenager in Double-A is ridiculous. No more ink needs to be spilled on him; he’s the No. 1 prospect in baseball for a reason. Hopefully fans will get to see him in Triple-A to start next season.
Jesús Made delivers a pair of run-scoring hits in the playoffs 🔥
The refrain you’ll see with regard to Fischer is that he strikes out too much. That’s true — Fischer is the final boss of three-true-outcome prospects. If he makes the majors, he’ll be a rare case; Joey Gallo is pretty much the only player to strike out that much (33%) in the minors and become an established major leaguer, and even then, he didn’t last all that long.
Then again, Fischer also walked 102 times, hit 48 home runs (plus two more in the playoffs), and posted a 1.067 OPS in his first full professional season. His 48 regular-season home runs are the most by any minor leaguer since Ron Kittle hit 50 in 1982, and second only to Gorman Thomas (51 in 1974) among Brewers minor leaguers. He also led all qualified full-season minor leaguers in slugging (.654) and OPS. Maybe he’s just a unicorn? Nothing he’s done so far suggests that he isn’t…
Burke won Southern League MVP even though he was promoted to Nashville on August 10. Yeah, you read that right: Burke won MVP despite not being in the league the last month and a half of the season. In 96 games with Biloxi, he hit .285/.367/.603 with 30 home runs, leading the league in average, slugging, and OPS and setting Shuckers single-season records for homers and OPS. He needed only 88 games to reach 30 home runs, the fastest any Double-A hitter has done it since at least 2005. Burke also stole 29 bases and flashed the leather a few times at first base. I’m planting my flag: even though he struggled in Triple-A (.193/.299/.336 in 119 at-bats), I think Burke is the Brewers’ first baseman of the future.
Also of note: Made, Fischer, and catcher Darrien Miller were the three Shuckers sent to Nashville for the Brewers’ “stay ready” camp after the season ended, which is a nice little nod to how the organization views them.
Josh Adamczewski has raked everywhere he’s been, so it’s not necessarily a surprise that he had another great season. A 15th-round pick in 2023, he hit .331 with a 1.036 OPS for Wisconsin, got promoted in mid-June, and then hit safely in each of his first 12 games with Biloxi. He finished with a .278/.382/.465 line at Double-A and made the Southern League All-Star team. Across both levels, he hit .300/.417/.509 with 18 homers and 78 walks. Baseball America now has him at No. 88 overall, and he should be higher going into next season.
Josh Adamczewski (@Brewers No. 3 prospect) wallops his first homer of the playoffs to get the Double-A @BiloxiShuckers on the board in Game 1 of the Southern League Finals
Matthew Wood also merits a mention. The 25-year-old catcher, a fourth-round pick out of Penn State in 2022, didn’t make the Brewers’ top 30 list heading into the season, but he was one of the Shuckers’ best players this year. Not only did he post an .890 OPS with 18 home runs, but he also kept hitting in the playoffs, homering and driving in four runs in the game that clinched the division series against Pensacola, then doubling in Game 1 of the championship series.
The obvious caveat is age. Twenty-five is on the older side for Double-A, so it’s fair to want to see him do it in Triple-A before getting too excited. Still, remember what I said about Quero? Milwaukee’s catching situation beyond next season is murkier than it’s been in a while, and a left-handed-hitting catcher whom scouts have long considered capable of sticking behind the plate is exactly the kind of player who could sneak into the picture.
The career year continues for Matthew Wood! His 18th blast of the year goes 450 feet and gets us on the board!
On the mound, Manuel Rodríguez was the Shuckers’ workhorse. The 21-year-old went 13-4, a new Shuckers record for wins, albeit with a 4.74 ERA. With that being said, his ERA in High-A last year was 3.01, and he led the entire organization with 133 innings, so the Brewers clearly see something in him. A 21-year-old throwing 133 innings with fairly respectable numbers is impressive in its own right.
By the end of the season, Biloxi’s rotation featured three starters ranked as top 20 organizational prospects. Bishop Letson and Josh Knoth are ranked No. 8 and 9, respectively, by MLB Pipeline, while J.D. Thompson comes in at No. 18. Letson’s surface numbers (4.85 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) aren’t pretty, but he finished strong. He posted a 1.69 ERA over his last three starts, then threw seven shutout innings with 11 strikeouts in the Shuckers’ Game 2 win against Rocket City.
Knoth missed all of 2025 after Tommy John surgery and came back to throw 87 2/3 innings with a 4.11 ERA and 87 strikeouts, including a 2.77 ERA in three late-season starts with Biloxi. For a pitcher coming off a lost year, it’s good just to see him stack innings, but his stats aren’t anything to sneeze at, either. Thompson, a 2025 second-rounder, missed time due to injury but put up a 3.98 ERA in 17 starts between High-A and Double-A.
Josh Knoth just turned 21 and put up a strong start in the first game of the Southern League Championship 🔥
Like Letson, both Knoth and Thompson finished strong this season after a couple of rough early outings, showing that they’re figuring it out. Knoth put up a 2.77 ERA in 3 Double-A starts prior to the playoffs. That’s all the Brewers — and Shuckers — want to see from three young, extremely talented pitching prospects.
High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Record: 80-69 Standout performances:
1B/3B Eric Bitonti: .270/.391/.525, 25 HR in 400 at-bats
2B Daniel Dickinson: .282/.428/.441, 60 SB in 390 at-bats
OF Braylon Payne: .277/.369/.561, 23 HR in 367 at-bats
OF Luis Castillo: .245/.357/.469, 20 HR in 310 at-bats
Wisconsin’s season was hard to evaluate because so much of its talent left town early. Fischer, Adamczewski, and Braylon Payne all started the year in Appleton before being promoted to Biloxi. Even so, the Timber Rattlers had one of the Midwest League’s better offenses.
The centerpiece of that offense should have been Luis Peña, MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 overall prospect, but unfortunately his season was defined more by what happened off the field than on it. Peña collapsed in the dugout, reportedly due to severe dehydration, in late April, and ended up missing a month. He had a second health scare a few weeks after his return, then missed another two weeks with a hamstring injury in June. When he played, he was very good, slashing .298/.384/.420 with 27 steals in 51 games.
Peña was promoted to Biloxi in mid-August, but fractured his fibula just a couple of weeks later while trying to steal third. The Brewers expect him to make a full recovery, but it will be anywhere from six to nine months before he’s back on the field, meaning he likely won’t be ready to play to begin 2027.
Eric Bitonti, ranked No. 26 in the system by MLB Pipeline, was one of the biggest breakouts in the farm system. He hit 25 home runs, all with Wisconsin, setting a new franchise record. He also hit .262/.378/.507 with 93 RBIs and 24 steals, all at just 20 years old. Bitonti’s raw power has never been in question; the question was whether he could do the other stuff well enough to stay on the field. This year, he did, and he played third base — not first — better than he ever has. All of that earned him a spot in Biloxi for the final week of the season. Frankly, I think he’s still underrated by Pipeline at No. 26.
Eric Bitonti was named to the Midwest League All-Star team as a 20-year-old 🏅
Bitonti showed off his 6' 5" frame at both 1st and 3rd base and continues to impress with his elite power (50% Hard-Hit) and lifting the baseball (60% Air rate) 💥
That home run record Bitonti broke? It was set by his teammate Payne, the Brewers’ first-round pick in 2024 and my pick for breakout player of the year. I’ve spilled a lot of ink on Payne already, but in short: he would have been a great prospect even if his power had never developed. It did.
Payne hit .277/.369/.561 with 23 homers in 77 games and made the Midwest League All-Star team. He didn’t slow down after his promotion to Biloxi, either, posting an .846 OPS in 25 games and homering in the playoffs. Put it all together, and you’ve got a speedy 20-year-old outfielder with 28 homers and 25 steals. He should be a consensus top-100 prospect going into next season.
Braylon Payne’s first postseason dinger leaves his bat at 117 mph 🔥
Former sixth-round pick Daniel Dickinson doesn’t get the same attention, but he stole 61 bases (!) with 11 homers and an .866 OPS, mostly with Wisconsin, before a late promotion to Biloxi. Also of note: Luis Castillo led the team with 90 RBIs and hit 20 home runs.
Marco Dinges kept hitting this year, with an .855 OPS in nearly 300 at-bats, but he almost exclusively served as a designated hitter this year, starting 19 games at catcher and 55 at DH. Something to keep an eye on: with Wood and Darrien Miller both playing well in Double-A, his only catching three games there makes sense, but he started more than twice as many games at DH as at catcher with Wisconsin.
While Wisconsin got plenty of standout performances at the plate, the pitching staff, which ranked 10th of 12 teams in ERA, was less impressive. The exception was Wande Torres. Over his last 12 outings with Wisconsin, Torres went 6-0 with a 2.32 ERA, striking out 76 and walking 20 in 62 innings, and he won the organization’s Pitcher of the Month award in both July and August. His full-season numbers (4.15 ERA, 126 strikeouts in 115 innings) undersell how good he was down the stretch.
Single-A Wilson Warbirds
Record: 80-69 Standout performances:
SS Brady Ebel: .261/.417/.420 in 383 at-bats
OF Handelfry Encarnacion: .250/.379/.405 in 432 at-bats
The Wilson Warbirds, formerly the Carolina Mudcats, had an eventful inaugural season. They went 64-66, but led the Carolina League with 13 walk-off wins. It’s worth mentioning that they were within a game and a half of a playoff spot in mid-August before losing their final 12 games. Like Wisconsin, the Warbirds could hit, finishing second in the league in runs.
Brady Ebel, the No. 32 overall pick in 2025, was named the top prospect in the Carolina League. Early on, that didn’t look probable at all, as Ebel went 2-for-35 over his first 10 games. However, after that, he slashed .261/.417/.420 with 10 homers, 96 walks, and 39 steals in 105 games before a late promotion to Wisconsin. Oh, and he led the entire organization in walks. A .417 OBP from a 19-year-old shortstop in his first full season is about as good a sign as you’ll get when evaluating a prospect. Pipeline clearly agrees, as Ebel is now ranked as the Brewers’ No. 4 prospect, behind only Made, Peña, and Adamczewski.
Brady Ebel flashes the leather 🌟
MLB's No. 99 prospect (@Brewers) makes a silky smooth play in his first action at shortstop for the High-A @TimberRattlers.
His younger brother Trey Ebel, the Brewers’ first-round pick this summer, joined Wilson after Brady’s promotion and walked 16 times in 13 games. Plate discipline apparently runs in the family. Also — in an instance of baseball being weird — Trey got to finish a plate appearance that Brady started. That plate appearance ended with a walk.
What do you make of a hitter with 23 home runs and a .173 batting average? That’s the question with Jose Anderson. The 19-year-old led the team in homers and RBIs (70) and hit three walk-off home runs, including an 11th-inning walk-off grand slam against Salem. He’d hit 19 homers in 140 games over the two previous seasons, so the power is real. However, unlike Fischer, he hasn’t proven he can hit for average or get on base — Anderson had a 10.5% walk rate this year.
Brailyn Antunez might have raised his stock more than anyone in the organization over the final month. After a promotion from the Arizona Complex League, the 18-year-old outfielder slashed .339/.450/.573 with seven homers in 124 at-bats and won Carolina League Player of the Month for August. It’s a small sample, sure, but it’s hard to ask for a better introduction to full-season ball.
Brailyn Antunez has been the most dangerous hitter in the Carolina League and was awarded the Player of the Month award for August 🏅
Antunez put up a 1.093 OPS on 5 HR and 5 Doubles (.628 SLG) in his first full month at the Low-A level as an 18-year-old 🔥#ThisIsMyCrewpic.twitter.com/gPBAViP7pA
As in Wisconsin, the pitching staff, which also ranked 10th of 12 teams in ERA, couldn’t keep pace with the offense. There were a few bright spots, though. Miqueas Mercedes led all qualified Brewers minor league pitchers with a 2.81 ERA, although he also walked 45 batters in less than 75 innings. Swiss Army knife lefty reliever Jose Meneses posted a 1.88 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings before moving up to Wisconsin. Jarrette Bonet, an undrafted free agent signed in 2025, led the team with 100 strikeouts; his 4.86 ERA isn’t great, but it’s a solid first full season for a UDFA.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning Frank Cairone, the Brewers’ 2025 supplemental second-round pick, who was seriously injured in a car accident in January. He was back on the mound in the Arizona Complex League by July, then pitched for Wilson before the season ended. The numbers don’t matter; it’s just great to see him pitching.
Play of the Year
While there were a number of deserving plays this year, only one made history:
PERFECTION!
THOMAS PANNONE COMPLETES THE THIRD PERFECT GAME IN NASHVILLE SOUNDS HISTORY & JUST THE FIFTH 9-INNING INDIVIDUAL PERFECT GAME IN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/ZutA0JBfYv
Some moments in baseball feel so cinematic they barely seem to be real, and this weekend we saw one such moment in the final start of Justin Verlander’s career. In A League of Their Own, Tom Hanks famously declares, “There’s no crying in baseball!” but this weekend proved that things were a little more like Moneyball. “How can you not be romantic about baseball?” As Verlander’s final career start came to an end, it wasn’t Tigers manager AJ Hinch who went to the mound to collect the ball from his starter, but rather Verlander’s eight-year-old daughter Genevieve. Verlander was clearly emotional, openly crying as he hugged his daughter before Hinch joined him on the mound and he shook hands and hugged his teammates before waving to the standing crowd at Comerica Park. It was, one might say, a perfect finale. Hollywood couldn’t have done it better.
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Verlander might not be the only ace calling it a career, though, as many speculate that Max Scherzer’s incredible final outing on Sunday in Toronto could very well be his curtain call as well.
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We look at that, and also the postseason picture below, because while some teams are packing it up and getting ready for next year, we still have plenty of postseason baseball to get through.
Neil Patrick Harris will lead a Broadway revival of “Damn Yankees,” this time featuring… the Orioles? (Here’s a direct link to the Bluesky post for those reading on Apple News.)
Pope Leo was coy when asked if he offered a little divine intervention on behalf of the White Sox. (Here’s a direct link to the Bluesky post for those on Apple News)
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And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.
