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Wizards Draft History: The Best and Worst of the Last 20 Years

Will AJ Dybantsa be the Washington Wizards next No. 1 overall pick? | Getty Images

For most of the past two decades, the Washington Wizards have been bad. During that 20-year span, they’ve managed an above .500 record just six times. Their cumulative regular season winning percentage was 40.2% — second worst in the league. Only the Sacramento Kings (39.6%) were worse.

And the Kings had to play in the tougher Western Conference.

To be that bad for that long is difficult. The draft was designed to help losing teams obtain the best new players. Unfortunately, the worst teams are typically bad because the people in charge of choosing the players do a poor job of evaluating the relative merits of available players.

Which is a kinda convoluted way of saying bad teams stay bad because they keep picking the wrong guy. A look back through the past 20 years of Wizards’ draft history underscores the point. No every draft year, of course. There were some years and selections where Washington either got the best guy, or the guy they picked turned out no worse than anyone chosen later.

And there were some gobstopping, future-ruining, scream-into-the-void blunders. The kind of mistakes that inspired the #SoWizards hashtag and locked in a small but devoted band of weirdo fans wh0 knew to expect the worst and revel in it.

Washington Wizards general manager Will Dawkins has the chance to select the team’s next franchise player in the 2026 NBA Draft. | Getty Images

The newest executive team led by Michael Winger, Travis Schlenck, and Will Dawkins are trying to change all that. The tear-down portion is over. With five youngsters added to the draft over the past three years, the rebuild is underway. FanDuel odds suggest they’ll kick things into high gear by picking high-scoring BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the number one overall pick.

Here at Bullets Forever, we’ve published some work looking at this year’s talent-loaded draft pool, and more is on the way. Today, let’s take a look back at bests and worsts of the past 20 years of Wizards drafts.

2006

At 18, Ernie Grunfeld selected Ukrainian forward/center Oleksiy Pecherov. The theory wasn’t bad — sweet-shooting 7-footer. In reality, he wasn’t really an NBA player. What made this a bad pick: Washington could have had Rajon Rondo (21st) or Kyle Lowry (24th). In the second round, the Wizards chose Vladimir Veremeenko, who never played in the NBA. They could have taken Leon Powe (bad knees and all), who went with the next pick, or Ryan Hollins (the pick after Powe).

Grade: D

2007

The pick was Nick Young, who a) was kinda almost not bad some of the time, and b) could not reasonably be considered a miss, even though he went 16th overall. It’s pretty stunning that no one picked in his vicinity performed any better. The closest “shoulda picked that guy” I could see was Tiago Splitter, who went 12 picks later. In this draft, Grunfeld saved his whiff for the second round. He picked Dominic McGuire 47th. Marc Gasol went 48th.

Grade: C-

2008

JaVale McGee had outlandish talent and athleticism. The outlandish antics got him traded. | NBAE via Getty Images

The pick was JaVale McGee 18th overall. McGee was a unique pairing of immense talent and cartoonish personality. He was absolutely robbed of a dunk contest win when judges chose Blake Griffin despite McGee pulling off three dunks that maybe five people on the planet could have done. Guys taken a little later who would have been better picks: Ryan Anderson (21), Nicolas Batum (25), George Hill (26). They sold the 47th overall pick, which annoyed me in 2008 but in retrospect was inconsequential. They missed on no one.

Grade: C+

2009

When I mentioned gobstopping, franchise changing blunders, I had 2009 in mind. With an alleged goal of assembling a championship contender, Grunfeld traded the fifth overall pick for Mike Miller and Randy Foye. Each departed the team after one season. By trading the pick, they missed the chance to select Ricky Rubio (Minnesota took him fifth), or Stephen Curry (7th), or even DeMar DeRozan (9th). Ouch. The blundering continued in the second round. They sold the 32nd overall pick for cash when they could have picked DeJuan Blair (37th), Pat Beverly (42), Danny Green (46), or Patty Mills (55).

Grade: F-

2010

John Wall was one of the best players in Washington Wizards history until his career got sideswiped by injuries. | NBAE via Getty Images

Washington won the draft lottery and made John Wall the number one pick. Wall turned into a mutli-time All-Star and one of the better players in franchise history. I could kinda-sorta see arguments that the Wizards should have chosen Demarcus Cousins (5th) or Paul George (10th) instead of Wall, but I wouldn’t make those arguments myself.

Due to some trades, the Wizards also had picks 17 and 23. They chose French big Kevin Seraphin 17th and Trevor Booker 23rd. Booker was pretty good — no one picked later was any better. Seraphin was terrible (except for those hook shots), but the theory was pretty good, and he wasn’t much of a miss. The only guys who were good who went after him were Eric Bledsoe (18) and Booker. Bledsoe should have been the pick, and a Wall-Bledsoe backcourt could have been interesting.

Grade: A-

2011

This was a disastrous draft. With the sixth overall pick, Washington took Jan Vesely when they could have had Kemba Walker (9th), Klay Thompson (11th), Kawhi Leonard (15th), or Nikola Vucevic (16). With the 18th pick, they took Chris Singleton (who had a don’t draft grade in YODA) when they could have selected Tobias Harris (19th), Kenneth Faried (22nd), Reggie Jackson (24th), or Jimmy Butler (30th).

In the second round, they chose Shelvin Mack, who was the team’s most productive selection from this draft…and who they kept cutting to keep less productive players. Instead of selecting someone they kept deciding they didn’t want, they could have picked Chandler Parsons (38), Jon Leuer (40), Davis Bertans (42), or Isaiah Thomas (60). Thomas, by the way, had a first round grade in YODA.

Grade: F-

2012

With the third pick, the Wizards took Bradley Beal, who started as a standard-issue shooting guard and developed into a high-level offensive weapon. I’d accept arguments that they maybe should have taken Damian Lillard in that spot, though I would not have made that pick myself. In the second round, they picked Tomas Satoransky 32nd, who wasn’t bad…but they could have had Jae Crowder (34th), Draymond Green (35th), Khris Middleton (39th), or Will Barton (40th). Not an egregious miss, but still a miss.

Grade: B+

2013

Hindsight is 20/20: when the Wizards picked Otto Porter, they could have chosen Giannis Antetokounmpo. | Getty Images

For a second straight year, the Wizards had the third overall selection. This time, they picked Georgetown forward Otto Porter. While there were some (including Wall) who seemed more interested in chronicling things Porter could have theoretically done better, what he did was actually pretty damn good. The big miss: Giannis Antetokounmpo, who went 15th and became an all-time great. Ouch.

They traded their second round pick for Glen Rice Jr., who had a nice summer league. They didn’t miss a whole lot — Nate Wolters was chosen in that spot and didn’t do much in the NBA. They could have taken Mike Muscala, who was a decent backup big, or Raul Neto, who came to Washington later and had his best season.

Grade: C

2014

This draft rankled me. First, just before the 2013-14 season, they traded their first rounder plus an injured Emeka Okafor for Marcin Gortat. As a pure trade, it was fine. That they needed to make it was galling because they’d used every player acquisition resource available to them that summer to not address the glaring need for another big man — absurd because Okafor was 30-years-old. That’s an age when most players can be relied upon to get injured and get worse. Had they kept the pick, they could have had T.J. Warren, Jusuf Nurkic, Clint Capela, or a chubby, ground-bound Serbian kid who’d go on to be a three-time league MVP (Nikola Jokic, who went 40th!).

They had the 46th pick, which they sold to the Lakers for cash. They picked Jordan Clarkson. Something of a miss for Washington, though not a bad one.

Grade: C-

2015

In this draft, Grunfeld traded up to 15 so he could select Kelly Oubre Jr. I supported the move at the time — Oubre was long, athletic, and played hard. Some players picked later arguably had better careers, like Terry Rozier (16), Delon Wright (20), Bobby Portis (22), and Tyus Jones (24). I wouldn’t consider Oubre a miss, though. He was about as good as any of those guys and no one was significantly better. In round two, they chose Aaron White, who never played in the NBA, and still was no worse a pick than anyone who went later.

Grade: B+

2016

Once again, Grunfeld traded the team’s first round selection for a veteran — this time acquiring Markieff Morris. While Morris never was any better than average, he still proved to be a good value for the pick. First, because a “typical” 13th overall pick is going to produce over time at about the level Morris did, and second because they didn’t really miss out on anyone. The draft in that 13-17 range was blah. The “misses” came later — Malik Beasley (19), Caris LeVert (20), Pascal Siakam (27), or DeJounte Murray (29).

Grade: C

2017

It’s hard to say Kevin Durant was one who got away from the Wizards when he wouldn’t even take the meeting. | NBAE via Getty Images

For two seasons, Washington had been avoiding adding payroll in this offseason so they could have lots of cap room to chase free agent prizes like Kevin Durant or Al Horford. For some reason, no one in the front office — including the team’s owner, who was on the league’s ownership committee negotiating a new national TV deal — seemed to consider how that new TV deal would change the league’s financial landscape. That offseason, half the league had max cap room. The Wizards couldn’t get a meeting with Durant, and Horford chose Boston. They turned to a Plan C, which involved heaping large contracts on…lesser…players — Ian Mahinmi, Andrew Nicholson, and Jason Smith.

Nicholson was so bad, the Wizards paid the Nets their first round pick to absorb Nicholson’s contract and rent Bojan Bogdanovic for a few lackluster months. That pick became Jarrett Allen. It could have been OG Anunoby (23), Kyle Kuzma (27), Derrick White (29), or Josh Hart (30).

In round two, they traded the 52nd overall pick for backup guard Tim Frazier, which was fine. They didn’t miss anyone by trading the pick.

Grade: F

2018

With the 15th pick, the Wizards chose Troy Brown Jr., who seemed pretty interesting for a couple seasons. Then he lost confidence and retreated and ended up out of the league in short order. They could have taken Donte DiVincenzo (17), Kevin Huerter (19), Grayson Allen (21), or Anfernee Simons (24).

In round two, they inexplicably chose Issuf Sanon with the 44th pick. It’s not so much that better players went later (though they could have drafted De’Anthony Melton or Shake Milton), it’s that Sanon had shown nothing in his professional career overseas to suggest he would ever be an NBA player.

Grade: D-

2019

With the 9th pick, Tommy Sheppard and the Wizards chose Rui Hachimura, who had some good moments in Washington but got less productive the longer he stayed. Sheppard finally traded him to the Lakers for a bushel of second round picks, where Hachimura has been better playing in the space created by LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. The Wizards dodged a bullet by not picking Cam Reddish (10). They could have selected Cameron Johnson (11), PJ Washington (13), Tyler Herro (13), or Brandon Clarke (21).

With the benefit of hindsight, Herro should have been the pick. At the time, everyone was looking at the short arms and average height and wondering how successful he could be. Johnson or Washington could have been better choices, especially Johnson. While I had Clarke rated high in YODA, I fully understand not picking him that early in the draft — he was a weird combination of wing size, elite athleticism, and a big’s game. And he was older for a prospect. Overall, Hachimura was an okay pick.

In round two, they chose Admiral Schofield 42nd overall. Schofield had wing height and a football player’s build. The theory was he could become a three-and-D type. The reality was that he was too stiff and lacking in lateral agility or vertical pop to be strong at the D part, and his shot wasn’t good enough for the threes part. They could have taken Talen Horton-Tucker or Terance Mann, but I wouldn’t call the Schofield selection a whiff even though he failed.

Grade: C+

2020

Reportedly, the Wizards promised Tyrese Haliburton they would pick him 8th overall. On draft night, Deni Avdija, who they thought would go earlier, was still available, so they broke the promise and chose Avdija. While Avdija has grown into a very good player, the Wizards would have been better off keeping the promise and picking Haliburton — who in five seasons was All-NBA twice, All-Star twice, and was the best player on team that reached game seven of the NBA Finals.

In the second round, Washington for some reason traded the 37th overall pick in a deal that netted them Cassius Winston, who’d been a good college player but was not a serious NBA prospect. It’s tough to be good in the NBA when you’re small and slow and don’t jump well. The Wizards could have taken Tre Jones (41), Nick Richards (42), Isaiah Joe (49), or Sam Merrill (60).

Grade: D

2021

Once again, the Wizards picked a decent player. Once again, they left better players on the board. In this draft, they chose Corey Kispert 15th overall. Alperen Sengun went next. Sengun was followed by Trey Murphy III. Jalen Johnson went 20th. Ugh.

The Wizards had another first round pick, which for some reason they traded to get Isaiah Todd and Aaron Holiday (a replacement level guard). Todd never came close to being an NBA player. The pick they dealt became Isaiah Jackson. They could have drafted Quentin Grimes, Cam Thomas, Santi Aldama, Herb Jones, or Miles McBride.

Grade: D-

2022

This one might have been the worst draft in franchise history other than Kenny Green (who didn’t even make the team) over Karl Malone. With pick No. 10, the Wizards chose Johnny Davis. They bypassed Jalen Williams (the terrific one who played great in the NBA Finals for OKC), Jalen Duren, Mark Williams, Tari Eason, Christian Braun, and Walker Kessler. Wow. Many — MANY armchair draft analysts were screaming for Jalen Williams at that spot. The professionals picked a guy who could not compete at the NBA level.

In round two, they chose Yannick Nzosa 54th, and though Nzosa never played in the NBA, they missed on no one.

Grade: F-

2023

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 10: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In his first draft with the team, general manager Will Dawkins traded up a spot to select French wing Bilal Coulibaly. While Coulibaly has had his ups and downs, as well as injuries and “injuries,” it’s difficult to argue anyone selected after him has been significantly better.

In round two, the team shuffled some picks and ultimately chose Tristan Vukcevic, a decent shooting big man with leaden feet and inattentive defensive presence. They could have taken GG Jackson (eh), Toumani Camara, or Trayce Jackson-Davis. Fun fact: I was pleased when I thought the Wizards had picked Jackson-Davis 57th overall. Alas, they’d traded the selection to the Golden State Warriors.

Grade: B+

2024

The Wizards used three first rounders:

  • 2nd overall: Alex Sarr — potential franchise player and likely to be the best player from this draft
  • 14th overall: Bub Carrington — competitive gamer, though not very effective overall. They could have picked Kel’el Ware, Jared McCain, or Yves Missi instead.
  • 23rd overall: Kyshawn George — competitive gamer who mixes commendable effort and positive plays with ambitious mistakes and ill-tempered fouls. No one picked later is any better.

The Wizards traded out of the second round. They had sufficient resources to have landed Ajay Mitchell or Jaylen Wells.

Grade: A

2025

Two first rounders in this one:

  • 6th overall: Tre Johnson — good shooter who lacks dimension to his game. It’s too soon to say for sure, but it’s arguable that Jeremiah Fears or Cedric Coward would have been better choices.
  • 21st overall: Will Riley — My assessment of Riley’s rookie year wasn’t as positive as others thought, but he has promise. While it’s too soon to say for sure, I didn’t see anyone picked after him who was better.

In round two, Washington traded out of the 32nd pick where they could have drafted Noah Penda or Micah Peavy, and they chose Jamir Watkins at 43. Watkins was an older prospect, who plays hard, works on defense, and needs to improve his shooting to earn a role. Still, no one picked later has been any better.

Grade: C+

A few observations:

  1. The impact of major blunders is profound. It would have been one thing to say pick Rubio at five instead of Curry. It was something else entirely to spend the fifth pick and gain no long-term value. Getting nothing from Vesely at six was crippling.
  2. The quality of Washington’s drafting dropped when the team replaced Grunfeld with Sheppard and improved markedly when Ted Leonsis hired Winger, Dawkins, and Schlenck.
  3. This year’s draft is LOADED at the top. In Ye Olde Draft Analyzer (YODA for short), my stat-based draft prospect evaluation tool, I have four players with scores consistent with being the number one pick in most drafts, and 12 players with scores that would put them in the top five in most drafts. For context, Sarr, who went second overall in 2024 and had the top score in YODA that year, would rank fifth in this year’s draft. Tre Johnson would rank 17th. Coulibaly: 12th. And so on.
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Trade Talk: A potential swap with the Sacramento Kings to move up in the NBA Draft

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 10: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings looks on prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 10, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks will be earnestly rebuilding their team around Cooper Flagg this offseason. Big changes are already underway following the hiring of Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz (as President and GM, respectively) and the departure of Jason Kidd. With the NBA season officially no more than five games from being over at this point, it’s time to start looking at what Dallas can do to reshape their team going into the 2026-2027 season.

In staff discussions at Mavs Moneyball, we often prognosticate on various trade scenarios, leaving nothing off the table of possibilities. So long as the trade would actually work in reality, we entertain it. Wanting to bring these ideas and discussions to a wider audience, I’ve elected myself curator of the crazy (but far more often, thoughtful) trade ideas that frequently fly about our internal discussions. With that, I welcome you to a new series – Trade Talk.

The parameters are simple. The trade proposal must go through a legitimate trade machine, such as that found on Spotrac.com, and must actually work in reality under NBA trade rules. There will be no trading Mark Cuban for the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain. I’ll select some of the trade proposals we bandy about and we’ll debate the value of each. First up is MMB’s Jack Nowicki’s proposed trade with the Sacramento Kings.

The trade proposal

The Mavericks use their traded player exception (TPE) to take on Malik Monk. Their reward for this service is a swap of Dallas’ #9 pick for Sacramento’s #7 pick in the 2026 draft. Sacramento also gets some cash considerations for their part.

The discussion

Mike: This is an interesting one, because it seems so rare that TPEs are actually ever used. Getting a player that scored 12.5 points per game and knocked down nearly 40% of his threes last season, without giving up any player assets doesn’t sound like a bad exchange. That said, the real value in this trade you’ve proposed seems to lie elsewhere, yes?

Jack: Absolutely. While Monk could be a useful player next season, the real prize is moving from pick #9 to pick #7. The purpose for this small trade-up is if the Mavericks fall head-over-heels for a guard who is unlikely to fall to their current pick. Obviously, we don’t know who this could be, but knowing Ujiri, it would not surprise me if he loves Keaton Wagler and Mikel Brown Jr. For the Kings, they sit in a unenviable situation where they are simultaneously very expensive and years away from contention. Trading Monk allows the Kings to duck the luxury-tax and build future cap flexibility. The issue with trading Monk is that the Kings will be hesitant to part with any future draft assets, meaning they have few ways of getting out of his money – that’s where this trade-down becomes a solution. If the Kings aren’t sold on the options at #7, this trade gives them the flexibility they require while keeping a pick within the top-10. This move highlights how the TPE could become very valuable and why the Mavericks should get creative this offseason.

Mike: I agree that the key to this is who is still standing when the #7 pick comes up. Monk would cost Dallas $20 million this year, then $21 million the following year in the likely event he picks up his player option. At that point, he may add value as an expiring contract in a future trade, but he comes at a relatively steep price until then. I like how the Anthony Davis trade gave the Mavs better cap flexibility, so I’m hopeful they’ll utilize it in the most favorable way.
If Dallas really does their homework and knows for sure “their guy” is gone when the #9 pick is selected, then I’d be more inclined to do this trade. I think Dallas really needs to nail their first pick in this draft and the shift of two spots that you’ve proposed could certainly help them do that.

Jack: One other thing to highlight is that Monk is not an outright negative player. He has major flaws, but would bring a spark of ball-handling and shooting off the bench that could be very useful for this team. He also can be an effective offensive player whether he has the ball or not, meaning he could play next to another guard.

Mike: True. That could come in handy in a number of ways. He’s arguably an upgrade over both Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard, and could take some load off Kyrie Irving as he’s working his way back into the swing of things. Monk might not be the best or cheapest guard option, but well said – he’s certainly serviceable and his 40% three point shooting would be huge for the Mavs.

Sound off in the comments section below with your thoughts on this proposal as constructed, or perhaps how it could be altered or abandoned altogether.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

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DitD & Open Post – 6/8/26: Clearing Room Edition

MONTREAL, CANADA- APRIL 5: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the New Jersey Devils passes the puck to Dougie Hamilton #7 during the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre on April 5, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Arianne Bergeron/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

“The New Jersey Devils need to make some changes this offseason, but they will have to clear some cap space to do so. General manager Sunny Mehta will enter the offseason with $13.125 million in cap space, and that’s without a contract extension for Arseny Gritsyuk. Fortunately, there are a few cap-clearing candidates that Mehta can move to give the Devils a bit more financial flexibility if he wants to add players such as Mason McTavish or Dylan Larkin.” [Devils on the Rush ($)]

“…The Devils should certainly be calling Detroit about Larkin. He’s an excellent hockey player, and one the Devils would be lucky to get if the price was right.” [Devils’ Advocates]

“At 23 years old, 6-foot-3, and carrying a generous $7.75 million cap hit through 2031 in the rising cap era, Knies has emerged as one of the NHL’s more intriguing young wingers. His blend of size, physicality, and growing offensive production makes him the type of player who can anchor a top-six group for years. For teams like the Devils, who are perpetually hunting for that blend of youth and heft up front, the conversation naturally turns to whether they could step up and get a deal done. The short answer? They absolutely have the pieces.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]

Hockey Links

Vegas takes Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final:

Connor McDavid wins the Ted Lindsay:

Milan Lucic makes retirement official:

“Listen, no one can know yet how this Larkin situation will play out. But one thing I won’t do is doubt Yzerman’s ability to pull a rabbit out of a hat in this particular set of circumstances.” [The Athletic ($)]

“From Sunday’s 32 Thoughts podcast: out of nowhere, an unexpected name surfaces in Toronto’s coaching search — Joe Pavelski. According to multiple sources, the Future Hall-of-Famer is on the Maple Leafs’ radar as the team begins the next phase of its interview process, with one describing him as a ‘Martin St. Louis-style candidate.’” [Sportsnet]

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

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2025-26 Season in Review: Ben Kindel

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 02: Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel (81) skates with the puck during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators on February 2, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Vitals

Player: Ben Kindel
Born: April 19, 2007 (Age 18 season)
Height: 5’ 11”
Weight: 182 pounds
Hometown: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Shoots: Right
Draft: 2025 first round (11th overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Statistics: 77 games played, 17 goals, 18 assists = 35 points ; 6 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists in playoffs.
Contract Status: Kindel has two years left on his entry level contract valued at a miniscule $986,250 against the salary cap.

Story of the Season

When the Penguins drafted Ben Kindel 11th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, there was frustration among the fan base at what appeared to be a reach by Kyle Dubas, forgoing some more popular names still on the board in favor of selecting Kindel at this spot. As it turns out, Dubas and his scouting department did their homework and Kindel quickly made everyone forget about their angst from draft night.

Throughout the course of the summer and into the fall, it became clear that Kindel had something special about him and was going to figure into the Penguins rebuild in a significant way, but no one expected his impact to happen this soon. He stood out among the other prospects at development camp and the Prospects Challenge, but training camp is where he made his case to be on the opening night roster.

Even when Kindel made the team out of camp, most figured it was just going to be for a nine-game trial run before returning to the Calgary Hitmen for another WHL season to continue his development. That plan quickly went out the window and it was clear Kindel was set to be in Pittsburgh for the long run.

In just his third NHL game, Kindel scored his first career goal, the lone Penguins tally in a 6-1 loss to the New York Rangers. He will forever hold the distinction of being the first player from the 2025 draft class to score an NHL goal, beating out top overall pick and eventual Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer by a few minutes.

Even as Kindel blew through his nine game window and it was clear he was going to be with the team for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign, it was still expected that he was going to have his work load managed as he acclimates to playing in the NHL.

That turned out to not be the case as well, with Kindel playing 77 games as a rookie, recording 17 goals and 18 assists. His 17 goals made him just the 12th player over the last 20 years to reach that number as an 18 year old, joining the likes of Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, and fellow 2025 first round pick Shaefer just to name a few.

While many figured Kindel to be a major piece of the Penguins future, he actually turned out to be a major part of their present as well. As the season went along and it was clear the Penguins were going to be in position to at least contend for a playoff spot, Kindel kept getting opportunities to prove himself and he kept making the most of every chance he got.

Although the season ended in a six game playoff series loss to the Philadelphia Flyers where Kindel did not record a point, he will enter his second NHL season in 2026-27 with valuable experience under his belt and a clear role with the Penguins as not just a part of the future, but with what the franchise is trying to accomplish right now.

Monthly Splits

via Yahoo!

It was a pretty consistent run across the board for Kindel in his rookie season when breaking it down by month. January was his strongest month with 10 points in 15 games and his solid March output was big for the team during its toughest stretch of the season and missing key pieces from the lineup. It’s not every day an 18 year old becomes a lineup mainstay in the NHL, but Kindel did just that and was performing on a consistent basis all season long.

Regular season 5v5 advanced stats

Data via Natural Stat Trick. Ranking is out of 18 forwards on the team who qualified by playing a minimum of 150 minutes.

Corsi For%: 52.4% (4th)
Goals For%: 50.0% (13th)
xGF%: 51.5% (10th)
Scoring Chance %: 51.5% (7th)
High Danger Scoring Chance%: 53.2% (6th)
5v5 on-ice shooting%: 8.7% (16th)
On-ice save%: .895% (12th)
Goals/60: 0.73 (12th)
Assist/60: 0.73 (15th)
Points/60: 1.45 (14th)

While Kindel’s score effects don’t jump off the page here, it’s a solid base to build off of for a 19 year old who will be entering his second NHL season in 2026-27 in a few months. If that shooting percentage trends upward then everything else should jump right along with it. He creates a ton in the high danger areas on the ice and helps drive possession overall.

Charts n’at

Via Advanced Hockey Stats and NHL Edge

It’s tough to not preface every statement with “he’s only 18” but my goodness, this type of offensive and defensive impact from an 18-year old center that wasn’t even a top-5 pick is almost unheard of. Kindel’s still got growth opportunities in terms of finishing and finding a comfort level on the power play, he’s got one heck of a base to work from at even strength.

Kindel is an active player all over the place. The goals and assist totals are nice but far from his only contribution. His defensive aptitude with puck touches are high. He’s good at exiting the zone, he’s pretty decent at entries. Rush offense, particularly setting up teammates is a hallmark of Kindel’s game. A lot of fine details under the hood that demonstrate value to the team. Even when going through some rookie struggles and cold production streaks that type of detail-oriented value add made him a lineup regular throughout the season and reliable player to send on the ice.

All around fun stuff here, as mentioned above Kindel is an active player that gets coverage all over the rink. He trusts his shooting talent with plenty of mid-range shots and has a pretty good one from the left side of the ice with the right handed blade seeing a lot of the net to score on 23.5% of his shots from that area.

One area of improvement detailed in these stats would be getting a little more efficient and frequency towards the front of the net. In this league players have to get to that area near the goal to boost their stats. Kindel frequently had some big bodies like Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau to fill that role, in the future seeing if he can attack the net more will be a big signal and shift towards unlocking even more.

Level of skating ability was something of a knock, if not question mark on Kindel during the draft process. He’s certainly not a burner that is going to pull away from opponents with straight-line speed, but he’s young and fresh enough to have plenty of jump and crafty enough to maneuver his way to being effective as a skater. Again, with age, experience and adding some muscle, this is an area that already is pretty decent but could be expected to show improvement as he continues to grow as a player.

In addition to being a good passer, responsible defensively and decent skater, Kindel’s wrist shot is another tool in his toolbox. (As you can tell, it’s a pretty full toolbox). He knows how to subtlety manipulate his shooting angle by drawing the puck in to fool goalies enough on the direction and timing of his shots, in the style like so many of his young contemporaries tend to do. Kindel won’t be confused for Auston Matthews as a total master of that skill, but he was able to find the time/space to get quite a few shots away to beat goalies from distance as a rookie and presumably will be able to use that experience for the future.

Highlights

Questions to ponder

You’ll hear a lot about a sophomore slump for Ben Kindel next season, so whether or not he can avoid falling into one will be the big question worth answering for him. Everything we saw from him in 2025-26 points to a long and productive career, but there will be bumps in the road and he will have to learn to adjust and work his way through those moments.

At one point this past season, Kindel went 19 games between goals, but once he broke out of that slump, he scored in three straight games along with four in six as well. It was a tough stretch of hockey for the rookie, but he never gave up on himself or got too down. The goal scoring touch returned and he gained his confidence back.

Expectations will be rightfully high for Kindel entering next season, but even the best players can go through slumps or dry spells. It will be how he reacts to those moments and learns from them that will ultimately determine how his 2026-27 plays out and what we are saying about his future this time next year.

Ideal 2026-27

Continued development should be a key focus for Kindel next season. He’s already established himself as an NHL player and has a full season plus playoff experience under his belt at just 19 years old. He’s coming off one of the best goal scoring seasons for an 18 year old in the last two decades, so building off of that will be incredibly important for himself and the franchise this coming season.

Where exactly Kindel will slot into the lineup remains to be seen and we should have a better idea of how it will all shake out once the summer slows down and rosters become clearer post free agency. If the plan is for Kindel to be a top-six player starting next season, then getting him as much ice time with a preferred set of linemates will be crucial to his continued development.

Bottom line

When Ben Kindel was drafted, there was angst among the fan base at the supposed reach for him at the 11th pick. That angst was washed away quickly when it became clear exactly what the Penguins were getting in Kindel. Of the ten players drafted before him, just six played an NHL game this season, only three played in 12 or more games, and one of those players is a potential generational talent.

Removing Shaefer from the equation, Kindel led all first round picks in games played, goals, assists, and points. His rookie season was a smashing success by every metric and he’s only going to get better as a player. There were ups and downs throughout the season, including the previously mentioned 19 game goal drought, but those are the types of growing pains you get with an 18 year old in his first professional season.

Final Grade

A.

What Ben Kindel did as a rookie at just 18 years old is not typical in the NHL. He exceeded every expectation by just making the team out of training camp, then just continued to trend upward as the season went along. His linemates varied throughout the season but he proved he could play with just about any body Dan Muse placed next to him.

When he was drafted, Kindel was seen as a major piece for the Penguins future as the plan was still to rebuild in 2025-26. That rebuild may now be ahead of schedule and Kindel is a major reason why, showing everyone why the Penguins valued him so highly to take him 11th overall.

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Morning Skate: Roller coaster

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 16: Tanner Jeannot #84 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring against Akira Schmid #40 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to a new week, folks!

It’s the first full week in June, if you count a full week as being from Sunday to Saturday, which I think is how it works?

Either way, we’re moving toward the first day of summer, but we still have plenty of on-ice action to discuss.

A wild Final thus far

For a neutral observer, this year’s Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes has been a blast to watch thus far.

A late Vegas game-winning goal in Game 1, an OT win for Carolina in Game 2, then a chaotic Game 3 that had just about everything: a natural hat trick, a blown four-goal lead, and a ping-pong OT winner.

After all that, Vegas has a 2-1 lead and it remains anyone’s series, but the entertainment factor has been through the roof.

And while I’m sure many of you scoff at the mere mention of the NBA, that final has been very entertaining as well.

It’s a nice treat for sports fans until we have to settle into the darkness (in Boston, at least) of baseball season.

Hey, at least the World Cup is coming!

Lucic calls it a career

Two-time Boston Bruin Milan Lucic officially announced his retirement on Sunday, ending a 17-season NHL career that spanned a handful of organizations.

Lucic finished with 233G-353A-586PTS in 1,177 games.

He was a force to be reckoned with in his prime years with the Bruins and was pretty much worth the price of admission on his own during that time with an ability to fight, hit, and score.

Lucic’s second stint with the Bruins ended when he was placed on indefinite leave after he was charged with domestic assault, charges that were later dropped due to inadmissible evidence/lack of testimony.

Lucic briefly played in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) over in the United Kingdom, but that didn’t last long.

Odds and ends

  • Joe Pavelski, who I honestly thought was still playing, is apparently a name that has come up during the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching search.
  • Jeremy Swayman finished third in Vezina Trophy voting, with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning taking home the top spot.
  • Fans of every NHL team not named the Detroit Red Wings are currently conjuring up the wackiest possible trade proposals for Dylan Larkin. I think Spooner, Khokhlachev, and a first gets it done.
  • Jay Leach, whose contract wasn’t renewed by the B’s after this season, landed on his feet (and in New England, no less): he was named head coach of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday.

The Final doesn’t resume until Tuesday night, though there’s some NBA action on Monday if you’re interested.

What’s on tap for today?

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Knicks watch party to be held at Bryant Park after NYC axed planned event outside MSG

Bryant Park has been added as an extra Knicks watch party location for Monday night’s NBA Finals Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs, it was announced early Monday.

The addition was made after the NYPD and Secret Service axed the planned watch party outside of Madison Square Garden due to heightened security requirements for President Trump’s planned attendance.

Bryant Park will serve as a Knicks watch party location for Monday night’s NBA Finals match-up, giving thousands of fans the chance to come together and watch the hometown heroes battle the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3. Rawf8 – stock.adobe.com

“These watch parties have become a celebration of New York City itself,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“From every borough and every neighborhood, this city has come together to cheer on the Knicks and share in a moment that belongs to all of us. That’s why we’re adding Bryant Park as an additional watch party location, so even more fans can be part of this incredible Knicks Finals run.”

The watch party will be free and open to the public, with a maximum capacity of 5,000 attendees. Registration in advance is required.

New York Knick’s fans outside Madison Square Garden during game 2 of the NBA Finals with the Knicks playing the San Antonio Spurs. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post

Knicks watch parties will also be held at Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl so fans across the Big Apple can watch the team make their first run at an NBA championship since 1973.

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Are we in for a Connelly Early bounceback for the Red Sox tonight?

Boston, MA - June 2: Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early reacts in the sixth inning. The Boston Red Sox played the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on June 2, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

Hello and happy Monday, folks—and happy World Cup kickoff week, too.

The tournament starts on Thursday, but the Red Sox’s series in St. Pete against the Tampa Bay Rays starts tonight at 6:40 p.m. EST. Toeing the rubber for Boston will be left-hander Connelly Early, who’s been by-and-large very good in 2026 in spite of a pretty bleh outing last time out against Baltimore. The O’s hung four runs on him across 5.1 innings, and that damage was enough to secure the win for them. Still, Connelly’s got an impressive 3.26 ERA on the year.

So, simply put: do we think Early’s gonna get right back on the saddle at the Trop tonight? Personally, I do—the Rays have a team OPS that’s considerably worse against lefties compared to righties. But that’s just my take; let me know what you think below.

Be good to each other and go Sox.

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Knicks vs. Spurs Game 3 predictions: Will Spurs get back in NBA Finals?

The NBA Finals head to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will have a chance to close out the series at their home arena after winning the first two games on the road at the Frost Bank Center.

The Knicks' last NBA finals appearance was in 1999 against the Spurs, who went on to beat New York 4-1. The Knicks won their only two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will have to crawl back into the series, in search of the franchise's first title since 2014.

Here’s what NBA experts think will happen in Game 3 of the series:

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson dribbles the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle in the second half during game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026.

Knicks vs. Spurs Game 3 predictions

USA TODAY Staff: Knicks will continue to pull away

Most of the USA TODAY Sports staff believes the Knicks will continue to run away with the series in Madison Square Garden.

Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks 110, Spurs 101

Mark Giannotto: Knicks 108, Spurs 105

Scooby Axson: Knicks 115, Spurs 111

Victoria Hernandez: Knicks 112, Spurs 108

Jon Hoefling: Knicks 111, Spurs 109

Andres Soto: Spurs 111, Knicks 108

James H. Williams: Spurs 115, Knicks 108

Sports Betting Dime: Spurs 116.5, Knicks 115.1

The website predicts that San Antonio will win Game 3 against New York, taking the Spurs with the points. It has the point total going over.

ESPN: Knicks given best chance to win in Game 3

The website gives New York a 58.2% chance of beating San Antonio in Game 3 and being within one game of winning the championship.

How to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals

  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Madison Square Garden (New York)
  • TV: ESPN
  • Stream:Fubo, YouTube TV

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Finals Game 3 predictions: Will Spurs or Knicks win?

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Nine MLB standouts who could be first-time All-Stars in 2026

There will be an infusion of new blood when Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game descends upon Philadelphia next month.

So many of the main characters and stalwarts from recent years – think Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Tarik Skubal, Mookie Betts – have been slowed by injury or poor performance. Yet the show must go on and, unsurprisingly, a slew of players – some rookies, others very veteran – have stepped forward to replace them.

Ready for American League starting pitcher Cam Schlittler? How about NL starting center fielder Michael Harris II?

Sure, plenty can happen between now and early July, when the full roster will be announced. Yet with fan voting now open and early surprises starting to solidify, USA TODAY Sports examines nine players on track to earn their first invites to the Midsummer Classic:

Andy Pages made his MLB debut in 2024 for the Dodgers.

CF Andy Pages, Dodgers

It’s so very Dodgers that as they come under fire for All That’s Wrong With The Game – good luck finding an MLB press release about the impending lockout that doesn’t invoke their name – that their best player is making just $800,000.

OK, we’ll allow that Shohei Ohtani is their “best” player, but nobody in the big leagues has produced 3.8 WAR without both pitching and hitting. With that in mind, behold Pages, with 14 homers and an .852 OPS, five outs above average defensively and a trove of clutch at-bats that have kept the Dodgers atop the NL.

It will be a typically large Dodgers contingent on hand, with the likes of Max Muncy and Justin Wrobleski as equally deserving as Freddie Freeman and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But Pages will be flying the charter.

CF Oneil Cruz, Pirates

Remember this guy? Stands 6-7, slated to be Pittsburgh’s answer to Elly De La Cruz as a massive and massively talented shortstop before he was relegated to the outfield?

Well, Cruz is more than justifying the great expectations heralding his arrival.

The big fella is on pace for a 30-homer, 40-steal season and, with his long levers and elite bat speed, ranks in the 100th percentile for both average exit velocity (96.4 mph) and hard-hit rate (59.2%). Sure, the big hacks and larger strike zone have resulted in a majors-leading 98 strikeouts, and he’s a below-average center fielder.

But with a .350 OBP and a did-you-see-this element to his game, this guy should get Cruzed to Philly.

C Shea Langeliers, Athletics

Just a remarkably steady climb for a player who endured a trade from Atlanta and a move down I-80 to Yolo County in his first few seasons with the A’s. Langeliers leads AL catchers in home runs (16), OPS (.880) and average (.281), all while handling an inexperienced pitching staff that’s already deployed 10 starters this season.

RHP Nick Martinez, Rays

Perhaps this will be the winter Martinez again receives a multiyear contract after two seasons of accepting the qualifying offer from Cincinnati and then a one-year, $13 million deal with Tampa Bay.

It was once again a shrewd pitching investment for the Rays: Martinez is second to Schlittler in the AL with a 2.29 ERA and has given up two or fewer runs in 11 of his 12 starts.

2B Ernie Clement, Blue Jays

It’s tempting to call this a 12-month All-Star nod, piggybacking off Clement’s excellent 2025 followed by his record-setting 30-hit postseason. But let’s check the tape: Clement leads the AL with 77 hits, ranks fifth in the majors with a .306 average and first with 19 doubles and naturally leads all AL second basemen in almost every meaningful statistical category.

He remains an excellent defensive second baseman while filling in at shortstop against left-handers, and should piggyback his eye-opening World Baseball Classic nod by joining this AL super team.

LHP Eduardo Rodríguez, Diamondbacks

Wait a minute: Rodriguez, a World Series champion with Cy Young Award votes on his resume, has never been an All-Star?

Perhaps that’s about to change.

It’s been an injury- and illness-laden journey for Rodriguez, 33, the past six seasons, but he’s absolutely found his groove in Arizona, where he’s fifth in an overly loaded NL ERA race and has posted three starts of seven innings and no earned runs.

INF/OF Casey Schmitt, Giants

Wow, what a disappointing season for the Giants. Yet Schmitt has been a consistent power source through it all, with 15 homers, 28 extra-base hits and an .868 OPS.

It’s been a most pleasant surprise for a guy who has never been able to solidify a position nor play 100 games in a season. Now, he’s forced the issue even as top prospect Bryce Eldridge has arrived and Rafael Devers has started producing. An everyday player, and the Giants’ best representative in Philly.

OF Brandon Marsh, Phillies

Speaking of Philly...

It will be interesting to see how engaged the hometown fan base is at the virtual ballot box, with longtime faves Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber both worthy of selection, and though Schwarber has a more viable case, he’s blocked in fan balloting at DH by Ohtani.

Amid all that, let’s not forget about Marsh, whose damp mane and thick beard are familiar to fans after four straight playoff appearances.

The dude leads the majors in batting (.338), is OPS-ing .889 and for a while was the only guy keeping the Phillies afloat as manager Rob Thomson got fired and others struggled.

Sure, our preliminary plan is for the NL to carry a dozen or so outfielders, but alas: If ever there’s a time Marsh gets a nod, this would be it.

2B Brice Turang, Brewers

Yet another “Wait, he hasn’t been an All-Star yet?” Nope, that was the World Baseball Classic we saw Turang taking a star turn and emerging as one of the most respected ballplayers on that vaunted Team USA squad.

Now he and the Brewers are at it again.

The eternal “surprises” in the NL Central are 39-23 and Turang leads them with 3.0 WAR. With nine homers and 11 steals, he’s creeping toward a 30-30 season and his .881 OPS leads all major league second basemen.

With the Brewers’ fan base activated and the generally wiser habits of voters in the dot-com era, this should be an easy, righteous outcome in the voting booth.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB All-Star Game voting: 9 standouts who could be first-timers

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Madison Square Garden hosts first NBA Finals game since 1999: A look back

There are any number of reasons why New York's Madison Square Garden is called "The World's Most Famous Arena."

It's hosted classic boxing matches, from Joe Louis vs. Rocky Marciano to the "Fight of the Century" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

It's the birthplace of the Big East and the mecca of college basketball.

It's a legendary concert venue, hosting sold-out shows by Billy Joel, Phish, Harry Styles and so many more.

And its ice is where the NHL's New York Rangers finally ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought in 1994.

But nothing gets the joint jumping more than the New York Knicks and the NBA.

Unfortunately for New Yorkers, the Knickerbockers haven't hosted an NBA Finals game at MSG in 27 years. That all changes on Monday, June 8, when the San Antonio Spurs come to the Big Apple for Game 3.

Let's take a look back at what happened the last time the Knicks were the talk of the town.

Knicks make stunning run to 1999 NBA Finals

A lockout-shortened 1998-99 regular season spurred some unexpected results once the playoffs rolled around.

Not in the West, where the Spurs − led by big men David Robinson and Tim Duncan − tied for the league's best record and cruised into the NBA Finals.

In the East, however, the Knicks knocked off the top-seeded Miami Heat in the opening round. (Just the second time in NBA playoff history a No. 8 seed defeated a No. 1.) They went on to defeat the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers to reach the Finals.

But that's where the magical ride ended.

Knicks vs. Spurs: NBA Finals Game 5

San Antonio Spurs big men David Robinson, left, and Tim Duncan defend as New York Knicks guard Latrell Sprewell launches a last-second shot in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

As was the case during the entire 1999 Finals, defense ruled the roost that June 25 night at Madison Square Garden.

Duncan, Robinson and guard Mario Elie hounded the Knicks into 44% shooting from the field (1-for-9 from 3-point range) and held New York scoreless for the final 3:12 of the game for a 78-77 win.

Behind guard Latrell Sprewell, the Knicks jumped out to an early lead. The Spurs came back to open up as much as a nine-point lead in the third quarter, but a 16-3 Knicks run put them back on top.

That's when Duncan took over. He scored 14 of the Spurs' next 15 points and assisted on an Elie 3-pointer to tie the game at 75 with 3:36 left.

On the next possession, Duncan fouled Sprewell, who hit both free throws to give New York a 77-75 advantage. But the Knicks missed their final five shots and Avery Johnson's 18-foot jumper with 47 seconds left proved to be the difference.

Sprewell had a chance to win it at the buzzer but his baseline jumper didn't fall and the Spurs won the series four games to one.

Finals MVP Duncan finished with 31 points and nine rebounds, while Robinson had a double-double (15 points, 12 boards) to lead San Antonio.

Sprewell scored a game-high 35 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Allan Houston chipped in 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Finals at MSG: What happened last time Knicks, Spurs clashed?

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Cavs final report card: Koby Altman and front office

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on prior to a game against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We’re beginning our end-of-season review series for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This time, we’re going to go with the report card format.

As is the case with our postgame report cards, a “B” grade represents a player or group meeting their standards.

We’ll start with Koby Altman and the front office.

Key moves

  • Traded Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball.
  • Didn’t re-sign Ty Jerome
  • Re-signed Sam Merrill
  • Signed Thomas Bryant
  • Signed Larry Nance Jr.
  • Drafted Tyrese Proctor
  • Traded De’Andre Hunter for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis
  • Traded Darius Garland for James Harden

The Cavs had more postseason success this year than they have at any point since LeBron James left for Los Angeles. That’s an accomplishment.

The front office played a large role in that happening. They reshaped the roster at the deadline to one that could win multiple playoff rounds. However, that overhaul was only needed because of their missteps over the last few years. Additionally, the runway for success has been significantly shortened. They deserve criticism for that.

In many ways, the Cavs tried to build a roster to compete against the 2025 Indiana Pacers — a team they would never face again.

The plan last offseason was to increase their versatility at the expense of specialty players like Okoro and Jerome. This trade-off took away some of the intangibles that made the previous group special.

They weren’t the free-flowing motion offense that defined the 64-win version. Instead, they were mostly a jump shooting team that had very few on-ball playmakers. The Cavs didn’t lose their free-flowing offensive identity after the Garland trade — as he suggested last week — they simply never established it at all this year.

This season’s plan fell apart shortly after takeoff. Ball, Nance, and Bryant didn’t provide much versatility, with the main failure being Ball.

Injuries zapped Ball of being a productive player at all. He wasn’t able to get into the paint, and the outside shot abandoned him. Additionally, the defensive versatility wasn’t there due to his diminished lateral quickness. In the end, this all led to Ball not even being in the league by the end of the season.

These failed acquisitions, in addition to the team’s overall injuries, exposed the lack of playable depth during the regular season.

The front office made the best of a bad situation at the deadline. However, it was a mess they created over the past several years.

The Cavs made the wrong bet on Hunter at the previous deadline. He was supposed to solve the team’s ongoing issue at the wing and did for a short time, but it didn’t carry over to this year.

Hunter was bad this season for the Cavs. Fourteen points per game on .423/.308/.869 shooting splits isn’t worth $21.6 million for a team in the second apron. This is in addition to Hunter providing little to no value on the defensive end. Saving some money while finding much-needed depth was the right thing to do, but it was more of a band-aid than a solution to the real issue.

Now, they’re left in a worse spot on the wing than they were before the initial Hunter deal. The Cavs have fewer assets and are at risk of losing Dean Wade, their only truly capable wing defender, in free agency. There are limited avenues to improve on the wing outside of trading a member of the core four, or hoping LeBron decides to come home in free agency for less money than he’s worth.

The Harden trade was a somewhat similar situation.

The real issue was that this version of Garland isn’t worth a max contract based on how he’s looked after the toe injury. But even before the injury, there were reasons to be skeptical of his fit next to Donovan Mitchell well before this past trade deadline.

The front office continually dug its heels in with the previous core four group, despite warning signs that the talent didn’t mesh. Instead of moving Garland when he had more value — as he did in 2024 — they were forced to trade a hobbled version in addition to a second-round pick just to bring back a 36-year-old Harden.

On their own, none of the moves that the front office made this season were indefensible. Trading Okoro for Ball was a worthwhile gamble at the time, not re-signing Jerome made sense, and the moves at the deadline were correct in the moment. Only when you zoom out do the issues become clear.

The Cavs have the highest-paid team in the league, and still have a lot of the same issues that have haunted them each of their past postseason runs, despite winning three more playoff games this year. Except now, they have far fewer avenues to improve, and they have a much more condensed runway to compete.

Realistically, this group has two more years to be a threat to win the conference. That’s a timeline they imposed on themselves. And figuring out how to make the leap is harder now than ever.

The mistakes of the past caught up to the Cavs this year and could haunt them for the remainder of this era unless something drastically changes.

Grade: C-

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How should the Yankees align their outfield without Aaron Judge?

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 04: Cody Bellinger #35 talks to Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees during the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 4, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When the Yankees announced Aaron Judge would miss significant time with a right rib fracture, the most immediate concerns centered on the team’s offense. They’ve often struggled to score on the occasions when Judge has missed time, and with a number of bats playing below their standards to start the year, there was an understandable worry that the lineup would struggle without their captain.

But the impacts of Judge’s absence are far-reaching, and his injury also has forced the Yankees to answer interesting questions about their defensive alignment. How exactly should the Yankees align their outfield with Judge down?

There are seemingly endless permutations the Yankees can evaluate. The foundation of their outfield without Judge will consist of Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, with both players having the ability to play across the outfield, though Bellinger is the only one who has consistently played at multiple positions in recent years. Beyond those two, the Yankees have a number of players across the roster and returning from injury to consider, including Spencer Jones, Max Schuemann, infielders who can also play corner outfield like Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario, and the recovering Jasson Domínguez and Giancarlo Stanton (even if the latter is very unlikely to actually play the field coming off a calf injury).

So far, the Yankees have stayed committed to two-thirds of their Opening Day construction with Bellinger in left and Grisham in center. They’ve rotated options in right, with Caballero, Jones, and Schuemann all getting some time there in the last week. Domínguez’s impending return complicates things further; the Martian has struggled in the cavernous left field in Yankee Stadium, yet also has limited experience in the other corner.

What should the Yankees prioritize among all these variables? Bellinger’s excellence in left? Should they give Jones a run in center, the mammoth prospect having come through the minors with decent grades on his glove? And how should they handle Domínguez? His bat could prove useful with Judge out, but his defensive home is not easy to find.

The good news is the Yankees have options to weather the storm. The bad news (other than the fact that Judge will be out for several weeks) is that there’s no obvious way to align their outfielder without their captain. What would you do in Aaron Boone’s shoes?

It’ll be a fairly light day on the site today, with Sam previewing the series with the Guardians this morning, and Andrew recapping Sunday’s American League action. Later, the latest entry in our Yankee Birthday series will feature Tacks Neuer, and Madison will put out the call for the mailbag ahead of the 6:40 pm EST start for tonight’s game.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians

Time: 6:40 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Guardians.tv, FS1

Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH

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Twins Top 40 Prospects: June 2026

Editor’s note: welcome to the official Twinkie Town top prospects list. This is a living document we’ll update throughout the season as your one-stop shop for all things Minnesota Twins prospects.

Now over two months into the 2026 season, we are starting to get a good idea of where the Minnesota Twins organization is at. While the pitching side of the system is loaded with risky arms, the hitting side holds a wide variety of profiles, with a lot of the top talent being concentrated in Triple-A. This sets us up to see a handful of long-awaited debuts this summer.

To be eligible, a player must have less than 40 innings pitched or 150 plate appearances at the major league level. Connor Prielipp and Travis Adams are the two most recent Twins to graduate, while Andrew Morris and Kendry Rojas are likely to do the same within the next month or two. Without further ado, we begin.

1. OF Walker Jenkins (AAA)

The injuries have been incredibly frustrating for the 2023 5th overall pick as Jenkins has played just 82 and 84 games in his first two full seasons as a pro and is back on the shelf with a shoulder injury this season after crashing into the outfield wall in early May.

Still, the five tool potential that Jenkins possesses cannot be matched by any other prospect in the Twins’ system. His raw power is borderline plus, but his lower fly ball rates may limit his power output. Even if Jenkins is only hitting 10-15 homers a year, he has the talent to spray doubles all over the field while batting near .300 with a high walk rate. While he has a chance to stick in centerfield, he would fit seamlessly into a corner spot with his plus arm and above-average athleticism. 

In his last 6 games before hitting the injured list on May 5th, Jenkins slashed .429/.556/.762 with 6 walks and 4 strikeouts for a 235 wRC+. Jenkins is a complete prospect and an incredibly mature hitter at just 21 years old. With Emmanuel Rodriguez likely out of the picture for the foreseeable future, Walker Jenkins could debut soon after returning from injury.

2. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (AAA)

Emmanuel Rodriguez is averaging just 65 games played per season since reaching full-season ball in 2022 and could now be out for the rest of the summer due to torn ligaments in his thumb, but the upside on both sides of the ball is too high to let injuries get me down on him as a prospect.

His max EV of 118.3 MPH is the 3rd-highest in all of baseball this season. Rodriguez has become well-known for his patient approach at the plate, but he has become more aggressive in the zone this season while maintaining a low chase rate. The contact skills are the only question with his offensive profile, but with great swing decisions and some of the most impressive power this organization has ever seen, he should thrive if he can keep the strikeout rate in the 30% range. Like Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez is on the fence between centerfield and corner outfield, but an impressive arm and good legs give him a strong basis for success either way.

3. SS Kaelen Culpepper (AAA)

As the Twins’ 2024 1st round pick, Kaelen Culpepper has developed nicely over the past 2 years and is now on the brink of a major league debut. Culpepper is a talented hitter with good contact skills and average power, but has a tendency to chase. The bat projects to be an asset towards the bottom of the order, while a refined approach could truly make him an impactful hitter.

Defensively, it seems that the Twins are preparing to make Culpepper their next starting shortstop. While he doesn’t have the range of a truly elite shortstop, he has developed into a reliable fielder and has enough arm and athleticism to play a rock solid shortstop at the major league level. Culpepper also provides a speed element on the bases. He stole 25 bags last year and is well on his way to beating that this season. Culpepper has caught fire throughout May and into early June as his major league debut awaits.

4. C Eduardo Tait (A+)

It has been an underwhelming season for the power-hitting catcher thus far, as the swing decisions continue to be extremely concerning and the contact rates have taken a step back. Still, Eduardo Tait is putting up respectable offensive production as one of just seven qualified teenage hitters at the High-A level, thanks to his immense raw power. Tait has special power potential and is still in position to have a good offensive season if he can get his contact rates back to their career norms.

Tait also has a rocket arm at catcher and projects as at least a passable defender behind the dish. It has been a frustrating start to the season, but he is still well ahead of the development curve at 19 years old and has the potential to be one of MLB’s premier power-hitting catchers.

5. RHP Charlee Soto (A+)

It’s easy to forget about a low minors prospect after missing so much time due to injury, but Charlee Soto is finally working his way back after missing 13+ months. Soto didn’t start focusing on pitching until just before being drafted out of high school, but is already showing eye-popping velocity and a natural changeup feel.

The upper 80s changeup looks like a plus pitch while the mid 80s slider is well on its way to being above average as well. Early in 2025 before the injury, Soto was touching 100 mph, missing bats at the top of the zone and generating ground balls with his sinker. 

It’s an impressive pitch mix on a big, young, and athletic pitcher who has a ton of room to grow. This summer should give us a good idea of where he is headed as a prospect, and it has a chance to be a really exciting few months.

6. LHP Kendry Rojas (MLB)

Kendry Rojas struggled in his first stint in the Twins’ org last fall, finishing with a 6.59 ERA in 27.1 innings in Triple-A St. Paul. This year, Rojas came back as a completely different player. He added two ticks to his fastball and is now sitting 96. He’s throwing his slider harder and getting more spin while his changeup has found more depth.

Some inconsistent command has limited the success of his slider and changeup. Both can be excellent putaway pitches if he can hone in the location a bit better. Rojas is 23 and already making positive contributions at the major league level. He has mid-rotation potential if he can find more consistent command, otherwise he projects to be a really fun bullpen arm.

7. SS Marek Houston (A+)

The Twins’ 2025 first round pick has played pretty much as expected so far this season and looks primed for a call-up to Double-A Wichita soon. At 22 years old, Marek Houston possesses elite defensive traits and has a chance to develop into an impactful shortstop.

Offensively, Houston has posted good contact rates with a batting average over .300 this season. The hit tool will have to carry the load, because he lacks power. He has shown off a patient approach at the plate, but pitchers won’t be afraid to throw him strikes if he can’t consistently drive the ball into the gaps. While there are questions about whether he has a major league caliber bat, Houston’s defense will make him a valuable player if he can just be passable at the plate.

8. RHP Riley Quick (A+)

Riley Quick’s first season as a pro has gotten off to a bit of a slow start due to some minor finger issues, but he seems to be fully healthy now and is displaying the electric stuff that made him such a highly touted draft prospect. Only Paulshawn Pasqualotto has a higher K-BB% in the Twins’ organization right now.

Riley Quick’s mid-90s sinker does a lot of the dirty work, generating high ground ball rates as his primary pitch. He complements it with a trio of offspeed pitches, his best pitch being the mid 80s slider that sits around 2,800 RPM and gets sharp two-plane movement. His low 90s cutter complements the sinker extremely well, and his changeup in the upper 80s has been almost untouchable as a weapon against lefties.

Quick has struck out 43 batters in 28.1 innings of work between Single-A and High-A. He’s throwing a ton of strikes, and at 22 years old, Riley Quick is dominating the lower levels as expected. A move to Double-A should be coming this summer and will give us a much better litmus test.

9. LHP Dasan Hill (A+)

After being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2024 draft straight out of high school, the lanky lefty was really impressive in his first year of pro ball, posting a 2.77 ERA and 3.51 FIP in 16 starts at Single-A Fort Myers last year. While the eye-popping strikeout numbers have carried into High-A this year, so have the major command concerns.

Hill’s fastball is sitting in the 95-97 range and occasionally flirting with triple digits, but lacks carry and he has struggled to command the pitch. While the fastball will play at that velo and there is potential for it to become a plus offering with improved shape, the low 80s slider is the highlight of the arsenal. He also features a mid 80s changeup with great arm action and mixes in a loopy curveball.

While Dasan Hill has struck out 47 batters in 30 innings, he has also walked 27. His stuff is playing extremely well at the lower levels, showing flashes of complete dominance in High-A at just 20-years-old, and while the command issues are likely going to push him to the bullpen, the sky is the limit for Hill as a back-end reliever who can run it up to 100 from the left side with some tantalizing secondaries.

10. OF Hendry Mendez (AAA)

Rounding out the top 10 is breakout outfielder Hendry Mendez, acquired from the Phillies in the Harrison Bader trade last July, which already appears to be paying off for the Twins.

The 22-year-old is showing off a plus hit tool, batting north of .300 with elite contact rates this season. He pairs it with a patient approach but also finds his spots to attack. Mendez has a violent swing on a flat bat path that produces great bat speed while maximizing contact. While it creates extreme ground ball rates and will limit his power output at the major league level, there are no signs of it stopping Hendry from being a good big league hitter.

Mendez has the tools to be a .300 AVG/.400 OBP hitter who can still produce some thump. Defensively, there was talk about moving him to first base last fall and throughout the offseason, but the Twins have seemed comfortable enough throwing him out in left field. He is a solid athlete that can develop into a passable corner outfield defender. Either way, the bat has a chance to make a big impact and a MLB debut could be coming very soon.

11. RHP Ryan Gallagher (AAA)

Acquired in the Willi Castro trade at last year’s deadline, Ryan Gallagher resembles Simeon Woods Richardson a little bit with the low 90s fastball from a high release point, but I think Gallagher has better secondaries and potential for some added velocity. The fastball is below average but playable at the moment, sitting 91-94 with a little bit of loft. His best secondary is his changeup, which doesn’t get particularly sharp movement, but has great arm action and gets nearly 15 MPH of velo separation from his fastball. Also has a trio of breaking balls, none of which are particularly sharp, but he locates them well and they provide different shapes and velocities for hitters to think about. Gallagher is already having some success at Triple-A just two months into his second pro season. He is a starter-type arm in a system full of risky profiles, and I think he has a good chance to provide value at the back end of a big league rotation.

12. RHP Andrew Morris (MLB)

If this is his last month as a qualified prospect, it was a great run for the 24-year-old right-hander. However, it is time for Andrew Morris to move on, because he is looking like an anchor in this Twins’ bullpen for years to come. Morris was widely viewed as a back-end starter type over the last couple years, but has been pushed into the Twins’ bullpen this year with strong results. His fastball has played well, sitting 95-97 and running up to 100 with some ride at the top of the zone. He complements it with a couple of good secondaries, most notably the low 80s sweeper that generates nearly 16 inches of horizontal break. With good command and good stuff that is only getting better, Andrew Morris looks like a mainstay in this bullpen for years to come.

13. OF Yasser Mercedes (A+)

After struggling in his first full season at Single-A in 2025 but still showing off the exciting tools that made him a highly-rated international prospect, Yasser Mercedes has taken off this year. He possesses easy plus power with a strong feel for pulling fly balls. Patient approach generating above average walk rates, and has carried solid contact rates into High-A at 21 years of age. Big speed as well, as Mercedes stole 36 bags in 39 attempts last year and is off to an even better start in that category this season. Plus arm and athleticism that could keep him in center, but would play very well in a corner. He’s cooled down a bit with the move to High-A, but is too talented to not find it again soon. Walker Jenkins is the only player in the system who is closer to being a five tool prospect.

14. 3B/OF Brandon Winokur (A+)

An excellent athlete with plus power who was drafted out of high school in 2023, Brandon Winokur has hit tool concerns, but exhibits some of the best raw talent in the system. Got off to a slow start this year despite repeating High-A, but caught fire in May, posting an OPS north of .900 with some of the best strikeout and walk numbers of his career thus far. He has looked much improved at third base this season and fits well there with his rocket arm. Also playing significant time in center. Should see Double-A soon if the bat stays hot.

15. RHP Adrian Bohorquez (A+)

Bohorquez missed all of May with a forearm strain, but he is ripely 21 and has already started to find success in High-A. His fastball sits mid 90s and runs up to 99 with some life. He has a slider in the upper 80s and a curveball around 80, both of which are plus offerings with great spin and sharp break, running whiff rates around 40% in the low minors. He has a developing low 90s changeup/splitter that has had success against lefties. A control over command arm at the moment with a bit of an injury history. Significant reliever risk, but the stuff is absolutely legit.

16. RHP James Ellwanger (A)

Selected in the 3rd round of the 2025 draft, James Ellwanger hit the shelf early in the season with a significant elbow injury, but showed plenty of promise already, throwing 11.2 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts at Single-A. His fastball sits mid 90s and tops at 98 with poor shape but room for growth. His low 80s curveball gets big two-plane movement and has the potential to be a big whiff pitch. Power changeup in the low 90s with great dive, maybe his best pitch. Mixes in a hard cutter as well. Big velo and stuff, but command and injuries give him high reliever risk, where he could be an electric high-leverage arm.

17. RHP Marco Raya (AAA)

Raya had a rough month of April, but luck has not been on his side and he has found much more success in May, attacking the strike zone with some of the best stuff in the org. His mid 90s fastball has poor shape, but should be playable around the edges of the zone. The mid 80s sweeper is not only his best pitch, but is one of the best pitches in the entire org. He mixes in a curveball, changeup, and cutter that can all be weapons if he can command them. Still just 23 years old, Raya has the potential to be an electric reliever if he can find some consistency.

18. RHP John Klein (MLB)

John Klein’s fastball spiked up last year as he broke out in Double-A Wichita. His fastball has been fringy, sitting mid 90s with deadzone tendencies, but we’re yet to see him in a true one-inning relief role, where I think we could see him run it up to 100 and have some real success. His changeup has been his best putaway pitch and should be successful in the majors, sitting mid 80s with great depth. His curveball sits around 80 and gets solid two-plane movement. Cutterish slider grades out fairly well but has been crushed this year. At 24 years old, Klein is a strike-thrower with average stuff. Fastball development will determine how good he can be as he eventually settles into more of a traditional relief role.

19. SS/3B Quentin Young (A)

At just 19 years old, Quentin Young is putting up some of the most impressive raw power that we have ever seen at Single-A Fort Myers, and he’s making encouraging swing decisions in his first year as a pro. His hit tool is in critical condition, but the potential is immense if he can just make enough contact. He’s playing mostly short right now, but his rocket arm and good-not-great range and athleticism will likely push him to third base or right field. Extreme volatility, but the power potential is enough to put him inside the top 20.

20. 1B/OF Gabriel Gonzalez (MLB)

After an incredible 2025 season, Gabriel Gonzalez cooled off this spring and is showing shades of Brooks Lee as a hitter. The hit tool that is supposed to be the highlight of his skillset is looking average. Swing decisions are improving, but I still don’t see him doing much in the walk department. While he has average raw power, high ground ball rates are going to limit his true power output. Defensively, he is a fringy outfielder who is now spending most of his time at first base with the Saints. Still just 22 years old with plenty of time to grow, but his profile is one that tends to fail at the major league level.

21. OF Kala’i Rosario (AA)

Kala’i Rosario mashed all summer in 2025, but is back in Double-A this year with the logjam of outfielders in the upper minors. He has hit tool concerns, but is a patient hitter with plus power and showed off improved speed in 2025, stealing 32 bags. Rosario has a solid arm and is playable in right field. Projects as a solid platoon outfielder with some real offensive upside.

22. C/1B Enrique Jimenez (A)

Acquired in the Chris Paddack trade last July, 20-year-old Enrique Jimenez has done nothing but hit so far in the Twins’ system. He has some natural whiff given how much elevation he has in his swing, but he’s a pulled fly ball machine and has posted a massive power output because of it. He’s also a very patient hitter who has posted a walk rate over 22% with the Mighty Mussels. Jimenez is a bit short for first base at 5’9” but has a solid arm and there is hope that he can develop into a solid major league catcher.

23. 2B/SS Kyle DeBarge (AA)

Kyle DeBarge hasn’t had a good start to the season in Double-A and has seen spikes in strikeout and whiff rates, but he has a mature approach and continues to tap into more power. He’s been heating up throughout May, and assuming he will run into more contact, it could turn out to be a good summer for DeBarge. He’s a reliable middle infielder who can move around the field and provide value both defensively and on the bases. Being an average big league hitter would make DeBarge a lot of money.

24. OF Eduardo Beltre (A)

It is a lost season for Eduardo Beltre, who suffered a season-ending knee injury after just 16 games at Single-A. Still, there is a lot to be excited about as the 19-year-old has posted a max EV just shy of 110 while contact and swing decisions have been good enough to let the power play. Beltre is a solid athlete with a good arm and projects well as a corner outfielder.

25. RHP Jose Olivares (AA)

It was a tough spring for 23-year-old Jose Olivares, who began the season on the injured list and then was immediately pushed to Double-A for the first time after a quick rehab assignment in Single-A. Still, Olivares has an excellent mid 90s fastball with elite carry. He complements it with a solid cutter and changeup, both in the upper 80s. Mixes in an occasional curveball. He’s worked in a hybrid role this year, pitching roughly 3 innings every 4-5 days. Command has been the main issue for him this year, and while major league starter is pretty much out of the question at this point, he has big upside out of the bullpen, especially if we can see his fastball push into the upper 90s in one inning stints.

26. RHP Alejandro Hidalgo (AAA)

Alejandro Hidalgo’s stuff is looking better than ever in 2026 as he has struck out over a third of the batters he has faced between Double-A and Triple-A. His fastball has been barrelled this year, but it has strong characteristics in the mid 90s with carry. His changeup and cutter are both strong pitches that have generated elite whiff rates. While the results haven’t been there for Hidalgo, he is ripely 23 years old and has the potential to be a high-leverage bullpen arm.

27. RHP C.J. Culpepper (AAA)

C.J. Culpepper has settled into a bullpen role in Triple-A and been one of the more reliable relievers for the Saints lately. He has a lower release point that gives his mid 90s fastball extreme sinking action, generating high ground ball rates while his sweeper and slider have big whiff potential if he can locate them. While command is sporadic, Culpepper keeps the ball around the zone and has enough movement to consistently miss barrels. His movement profile and command tendencies remind me of Kody Funderburk, who has shown flashes of dominance, but hasn’t been consistent enough to maintain a big league role. We’ll see if Culpepper is any different.

28. 1B/3B Billy Amick (AA)

After a couple of injuries shortened Billy Amick’s 2025 season, he has transitioned really well into Double-A this year. Lots of strikeouts and whiff this year for Amick, but it comes naturally with the extreme loft in his swing. He’s getting the ball in the air more than ever this year, maximizing his raw power, which is flirting with plus territory. He’s also making excellent swing decisions and drawing walks at a good clip. 23 years old and could be headed to Triple-A this summer if he keeps hitting well. Corner infield defense continues to develop. Fringy third baseman who is more likely to settle in at first.

29. INF Bruin Agbayani (A)

Since being drafted out of high school in the 6th round last year, Bruin Agbayani has only played 15 games in the Twins’ system due to a couple of injuries, but he has already shown off intriguing tools at 19 years old. His contact skills are looking impressive, posting zone contact rates over 90%. He has an extremely patient approach and has an incredible 16 walks to 6 strikeouts so far in Single-A. He has shown very little pop, but at 6’2”, there is reason to believe he could grow into some playable power. He’s an above-average runner and has solid actions defensively, but likely ends up at second base or left field due to his below average arm.

30. C/OF Khadim Diaw (A+)

Khadim Diaw is repeating High-A after an injury-riddled 2025 season, and is a good athlete who looks like he could play a solid backstop while spending time in a corner outfield spot. He is a patient and contact-oriented hitter with limited power. His development as a utility catcher with some speed and a high-OBP skillset could make Diaw a fun and valuable player at the major league level.

31. RHP Matt Barr (FCL)

Matt Barr’s professional career started with a broken arm, but the 20-year-old righty possesses exciting stuff and will be a big name to watch the rest of the season. After dominating JuCo for two years, Barr committed to Tennessee but chose to sign with the Twins, who drafted him in the 5th round last year. He is a tailor-made high-leverage bullpen arm, having some command concerns but running his fastball into the upper 90s with a slider and curveball in the 3,000 RPM range.

32. RHP Santiago Castellanos (FCL)

While Santiago Castellanos has seen very limited action this year, he carved up the DSL at just 16 years old last year, posting a 2.79 ERA and 29.8% strikeout rate in 29.0 innings. He leads with a low 90s fastball with good carry and some armside run. He has the makings of some good breaking balls, featuring a sweeper in the upper 70s and a harder slider in the mid 80s. Also already has a good feel for his mid 80s changeup. Albeit undersized at 5’10”, a good feel for command and a strong four-pitch mix are making 17-year-old Castellanos an intriguing starting pitching prospect.

33. UTIL Ben Ross (AAA)

Ben Ross has found something offensively this season, dominating Double-A’s Texas League in April and carrying his success up to Triple-A with the Saints. While he’s making very strong swing decisions and posting career-high walk rates, Ross has fringy power and questionable contact skills. Much of his offensive success this year has come from consistently finding the barrel against inferior pitching, and I don’t see much offensive upside in the majors. The value here is coming defensively, where Ross has good speed and actions, playing all over the field at a high level. Ross is freshly 25 and if the Twins can find some utility in his bat, there is serious value here.

34. OF Jhomnardo Reyes (FCL)

It’s an aggressive ranking for the 18-year-old lefty outfielder, but Jhomnardo Reyes has been one of the best hitters in complex ball, showing off his impressive raw power along with much improved swing decisions and encouraging contact skills. He’s 6’3” with some speed and a good arm, suited well for corner outfield. The power potential is immense and may be enough to carry his profile, even if the hit tool doesn’t get there.

35. OF Kyler Fedko (AAA)

Kyler Fedko broke out in Double-A last year and has carried it to St. Paul this season. At 26 years old, he’s mashing in Triple-A thanks to an aggressive AirPull approach. He has average raw power with a fringy hit tool and an aggressive, chase-heavy approach. I question if his bat will translate to the major league level. Meanwhile, Fedko is an average runner who is a fine corner outfielder. Not much upside to dream on, and at 26 years old, there likely isn’t much room left for development.

36. OF Luis Fragoza (A)

Luis Fragoza is a guy that I need to keep a closer eye on throughout the summer. Signed in 2024 with really steady production in rookie ball. He got the call to Single-A towards the end of May and has absolutely crushed it. Steady and simple swing with some big loft and impressive power to all fields. He’s sitting on a 104 90th and 110 max EV in his first taste of Single-A at just 19 years old. He is running average contact rates and has been on the more aggressive side. He’s a solid athlete who has split time between all three outfield spots and will likely end up in a corner. Development of the hit tool will be key for Fragoza as a prospect, but the power is already very exciting.

37. RHP Reed Moring (A)

Of all the 2025 draftees pitching in Fort Myers right now, Reed Moring is the one that intrigues me the most. Moring never really pitched in length at UC-Santa Barbara, but is working 3-5 inning stints at Single-A now and is showing off a deep arsenal of quality pitches. He leads with a low 90s fastball with good carry. His mid 80s slider is sharp and has posted solid whiff rates despite being thrown in the zone a lot. Mid 80s changeup gets excellent depth and plays off the fastball very well. Mixes in a curveball and a cutter. Moring is struggling to find the balance between too many strikes and not enough strikes right now, but he’s 21 with promising stuff. If the fastball can sneak up into the mid 90s, then we’re really looking at a mid-rotation arsenal.

38. C/OF Ricardo Olivar (AAA)

Ricardo Olivar finished May with a significant knee injury and will be out for the foreseeable future, but was off to a strong start in his first taste of Triple-A at age 24. He’s a fringy catcher who has also spent a lot of time in left field. Offensively, he is an aggressive hitter with extreme chase tendencies. He has an impressive bat with above average contact skills and some solid pull-side power, but likely needs an altered approach if he wants to have success at the major league level. Olivar is a talented hitter, but with the knee injury, chase-heavy approach, and lack of a true position, all while creeping up on 25, there are a lot of factors working against him.

39. RHP Geremy Villoria (FCL)

Much like Santiago Castellanos, Geremy Villoria is a 17-year-old right-hander who has looked the part so far in rookie ball, although Villoria is a bit more of a projection. He’s 6’2” and has shown a good feel for command. Fastball is sitting around 90 with good carry and can morph it into a sinker with big armside run. He throws a slower slider around 80 with some sharp late break and strong spin rates. Solid feel for a mid 80s changeup with good depth. Villoria already has some strong traits, and if he can get the fastball closer to the mid 90s, there is mid-rotation potential.

40. RHP Jason Reitz (A)

Standing at 6’11”, Jason Reitz is such an absurd profile that it almost feels like it has to work. The fastball sits in the 92-95 range with deadzone tendencies. He has a handful of secondaries, including a pair of breaking balls in the mid 80s with average shape and spin. He also has tested a curveball in the low 80s, but the key to success may be his upper 80s changeup that strong movement on both planes and will be incredibly difficult to barrel at that attack angle. There are questions about his command and the stuff looks average right now, but Jason Reitz has a level of funk that can only be matched by a few pitcher in MLB. He creates tough angles that hitters aren’t comfortable with, and if the stuff can improve, that’s only going to help.

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Pirates Brandon Lowe avoids major injury, “good to go whenever”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 7: Brandon Lowe #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after a double during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There was a collective gasp from Pirates’ fans on Saturday evening when second baseman Brandon Lowe was unable to exit the field under his own power after a deflected foul ball met his kneecap in Atlanta. Luckily for Pittsburgh and for Lowe the temporary scare is as bad as it’s going to get as no major injury was sustained.

General Manager Ben Cherington revealed on Sunday ahead of the team’s contest against the Braves that Lowe had not suffered any kind of significant injury.

“Tests last night were negative for any sort of fracture,” Cherington said. “He got hit pretty good, he’s pretty sore and right now, we’re looking at this as a day-to-day thing and hopeful that we’ll see him back in there against the Dodgers at some point.”

Despite Cherington describing Lowes’ situation as day-to-day, it took less than 24 hours for “Bam Bam” to be right back in the mix. In a tight contest against the Braves, Lowe told Pirates’ manager Don Kelly that he was “good to go whenever” in the event that the team needed a pinch hitter. Kelly took Lowe up on his offer in the top of the ninth, as the injured second baseman pinch hit to lead off the Pirates in the last frame. Despite not being able to walk off the field less than a day before, Lowe came up big in his relief appearance, as he crushed a double into deep right field. Cruz was the pinch runner for Lowe, and despite the Pirates’ loss, the team wouldn’t have likely been in such a good position were it not for Lowe stepping up.

Kelly was complimentary of Lowe postgame.

“Huge after last night,” Kelly said. “He came up with a big hit.”

The team is hopeful that Lowe will be able to contribute in the team’s upcoming series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as he’s been one of the team’s top contributors on offense. This season the 31-year-old is slashing .252/.336/.522 and has 15 home runs. Without Lowe in the lineup, the Pirates would be missing their best power hitter of the season, and after being swept by the Braves, they need all the help they can get in the runs department.

Lowe avoiding a major injury is huge for his season and the success of the Pirates moving forward, especially considering the history he has with being sidelined. In 2023, Lowe had a very similar injury to his right knee when a deflected foul ball resulted in a fractured right-patella that ultimately ended his season prematurely. For the past four seasons in a row, Lowe has experienced some kind of injury that has kept him off the field for significant amounts of time. 2022 saw Lowe miss 97 games because of lower back tightness and a right tricep contusion.

The Pirates have a day off before their home series against Los Angeles gets underway, and Lowe is hopeful that the time off will have him feeling prepared to play against the Dodgers.

“This off-day lining up the way that it is is probably the best timing I could have ever hoped for, following something like this,” Lowe said. “Hopefully, my kids take it easy on me tomorrow and we show up on Tuesday ready to rock.”

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Rockets reveal new uniforms

The Rockets debuted new jerseys and a complete makeover late last week. This makes sense because the video was a follow-up to the Rockets account’s Twitter video, which featured Rudy Tomjanovich’s dinner and honored the ‘93-‘94 and ‘94-‘95 Rockets teams that wore the Ketchup and Mustard jerseys, making them a fan favorite remembered by Rockets fans worldwide, regardless of age. Finally, Ketchup and Mustard are back.

In addition to the Ketchup and Mustard jerseys, the Rockets also unveiled a new black alternate that will be their signature jerseys and a new pin-stripped version. The Rockets also changed their emblems, giving the famous Dunkstronaut and the trademark R a new border. I personally am glad they kept the Dunkstronaut.


“We heard our fans…Ketchup and mustard are back!” said Patrick Fertitta, Vice Chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets. “From the time my family bought the team in 2017, we’ve heard from countless fans about how deeply those colors are tied to their memories of Rockets basketball. We wanted to create something that celebrates the generations of fans who built Rockets basketball while inspiring the next generation of Rockets fans.”

The Rockets will continue to promote their new design by holding a celebratory event at The George R. Brown Convention Center on Friday from 10 to 8 in honor of the new uniforms. The first 100 fans who spend $100 or more will receive a free T-shirt. Rudy Tomjanovich, Steve Francis, and Vernon Maxwell, who will sign autographs from 12-1, 2-3, and 4-5, respectively, are just a few of the many Rockets icons that will be present to sign autographs.

Having stated all of that, what are your thoughts? Are the jerseys appealing to you? Do you not like the jerseys? Tell me, and don’t forget to return to The Dream Shake for all Houston Rockets news.