The Royals are making noise on the global stage — and baseball itself may be on the verge of change.
In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco break down a dramatic World Baseball Classic run, highlighted by Venezuela’s upset over Team USA and standout performances from Kansas City Royals players. The hosts dive into Salvador Perez’s leadership and clutch moments, as well as Maikel Garcia’s breakout tournament, cementing his status as a rising star after an MVP-caliber showing.
Back in Arizona, the focus shifts to the future of the organization as Royals prospects shine in Spring Breakout action, including standout performances from recent draft picks and emerging arms pushing their way into the conversation. The episode provides a detailed look at Kansas City’s developing pipeline and what it could mean for the team’s long-term competitiveness.
Beyond player performance, Jacob and Jeremy explore the future of baseball itself, breaking down experimental rule changes in the minors — including second base positioning adjustments, pitch clock tweaks, and potential challenge systems for check swings and pitch communication issues. The discussion examines what changes could realistically make their way to MLB and how they might impact the game’s pace, fairness, and fan experience.
From international dominance to organizational depth and the evolution of the sport, this episode delivers a complete snapshot of where the Royals — and baseball — are headed.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 16, 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 Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have officially listed center Kristaps Porzingis as out for Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks with lower back tightness. So Porzingis will not face the team that traded him just over a month ago. Jonathan Kuminga, on the other hand, will play after sitting out the Hawks game on Friday.
Porzingis left the Dubs 115-101 loss to the Pistons on Friday night in the second quarter after visibly reaching for his back. He told reporters after the game that it was a mild back spasm and he did not expect it to be a major issue. However, he was skeptical that he would play the second half of the Warriors back-to-back. Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Quinten Post all remain questionable to play.
The timing of Porzingis’ injury is particularly frustrating for the Warriors. Porzingis’ struggles with chronic illness held him out of 10 of Golden State’s first 11 games after he was acquired via trade in February. However, he had appeared in six of the Warriors last eight games as of yesterday. As the Dubs try to build some momentum leading into the play-in tournament, Porzingis finding a rhythm remains critical for the Warriors to have any puncher’s chance. Not that Dub Nation has high expectations left for the team this season.
Porzingis has appeared in just 24 games this season, 17 with the Hawks and seven with the Warriors. He is averaging 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game on 44.6%/33.9%/82.8% shooting. He will hope to return to the Dubs rotation on Monday when the Warriors face the Mavericks.
It’s fair to wonder if the Cleveland Cavaliers will ever be healthy enough to build playoff momentum, and tonight they’ve got to deal with an in-form New Orleans Pelicans team.
New Orleans’ rough season is trending up, with a 5-1 mark in the past six games, and my Cavaliers vs. Pelicans predictions expect Dejounte Murray to trouble the Cleveland backcourt here.
Check out my NBA picks for a March 21 matchup with plenty of storylines to monitor, including the status of Donovan Mitchell, who’s listed as questionable.
Cavaliers vs Pelicans prediction
Cavaliers vs Pelicans best bet: Dejounte Murray Over 16.5 points (-125)
The New Orleans Pelicans would surely be much closer to the play-in spots if Dejounte Murray had been available all year. They’re 5-4 in his nine outings since returning from an Achilles injury, and he’s averaging 20.7 ppg this month.
Murray sat out Thursday’s win over the Clippers, but he’s gone past this points prop number in four straight games, headlined by 35 points against the Rockets last week.
Though there are other mouths to feed in the New Orleans offense, look for Murray to be in attack mode here against the Cleveland Cavaliers’ shaky perimeter defense.
Cavaliers vs Pelicans same-game parlay
The last three meetings between these teams have nailed the Over, and Murray and James Harden are two playmakers who can get us there again tonight.
Murray has jacked up 50 shots across his past three outings, while Harden is averaging 8.0 apg this year and dished nine dimes against the Bulls on Thursday.
Cavaliers vs Pelicans SGP
Dejounte Murray Over 16.5 points
James Harden Over 7.5 assists
Over 236.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Evan Almighty
Whether or not Donovan Mitchell suits up tonight, the Cavs will rely on Evan Mobley to deliver his best, particularly with Jarrett Allen out.
He’s quietly had a great month, with 21.3 ppg and 10.4 rpg, and he’s racked up 15 assists across his last three contests.
Cavaliers vs Pelicans SGP
Evan Mobley Over 20.5 points
Evan Mobley Over 10.5 rebounds
Evan Mobley Over 2.5 assists
James Harden Over 7.5 assists
Cavaliers vs Pelicans odds
Spread: Cleveland -4.5 (-110) | New Orleans +4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Cleveland -190 | New Orleans +160
Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)
Cavaliers vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Over is 21-14 for the Cavs on the road this year. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Pelicans
Location
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Date
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-OH, GCSEN
Cavaliers vs Pelicans latest injuries
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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros at bat during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 10, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here’s our mini primer on the A.L. West with longtime National MLB writer, Kyle Glaser.
We start of course with the Astros, who are looking to reclaim the division.
Has the Astros window for titles closed?
Has the window closed for Houston?
I wouldn’t say the Astros are completely out of the running, but there is no question they’ve lost a lot of talent in recent years and are no longer the dominant team they once were. Their success this year will depend heavily on if Yordan Alvarez can stay healthy and if Tatsuya Imai and Mike Burrows fortify the rotation as hoped. If that happens, they’ll be fine. If not, it could be a long season.
It’s still such an enjoyment to watch the daily enthusiasm that Jose Altuve approaches the game with. Do you think if he continues to be productive, we’ll see him as a first ballot member at Cooperstown?
First ballot will be tough unless Altuve reaches 3,000 hits, and even then I expect some voters won’t vote for him because of the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. That said, with a strong finish to his career, I think it’s very likely he will be elected to the Hall of Fame, even if it isn’t on the first ballot.
If the Astros get off to a slow start, could Joe Espada be on the hot seat?
Espada will be on the hot seat this season even though he doesn’t deserve to be. Let’s not forget he’s led two flawed, injury-riddled teams to 88 and 87 wins, respectively, in his first two seasons as a manager. But Astros owner Jim Crane is notoriously demanding, and it would not shock me if he fires Espada if things don’t go according to plan this season. It would be a mistake for him to do so, but there’s no question it’s a very real possibility.
Is the most exciting player in the division Julio Rodriguez? Is he the one guy you’d personally pay to see?
Julio Rodriguez is the most exciting player in the division and one of the 5-10 most exciting players in all of baseball. Cal Raleigh is coming off a historic season, Nick Kurtz is an unbelievable offensive talent and let’s not forget Mike Trout is still around, but no one else can impact a game offensively, defensively and on the basepaths like Rodriguez. I expect him to come out extra motivated after how close the Mariners came to reaching their first World Series last year and deliver an MVP-caliber season.
Doesn’t it “feel” like it’s been much longer than Fall of 2023 since the Rangers won the World Series?
There’s no question the Rangers’ last two seasons have been a disappointment and they’re in a very different place as an organization. They really need their young players like Wyatt Langford, Josh Jung, Evan Carter, Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker to deliver strong, consistent, healthy seasons. Otherwise, it’s hard to see things meaningfully changing for them this year, even with the additions of MacKenzie Gore and Brandon Nimmo.
Does A.L. West place multiple teams into the post season or just the division winner?
I think it will be close, just as it was last season when the Astros missed out on a wild card spot because of a tiebreaker. I expect the Mariners to run away with the division and assert themselves as arguably the best team in the American League. I can see the Astros contending for the final AL wild card spot, and don’t rule out the Athletics if you’re looking for a sleeper team. Their offense will be one of the best and most exciting to watch in baseball, and even with a lot of question marks on their pitching staff, they’re going to win some slugfests.
The Michigan State basketball coach has led the Spartans to 28 straight NCAA tournament appearances, with an overall record of 60-26 in March Madness games.
On Saturday, he'll have a chance at his 17th Sweet 16.
The No. 3 seed Spartans will have to get through No. 6 Louisville first in Saturday's East Region second round game in Buffalo.
The Cardinals will once again be without star freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr. A back injury kept him out of Louisville's first round win over South Florida and will keep him sidelined through the tournament's first weekend.
Louisville led comfortably for most of its win over USF until some late, nervy moments. Isaac McKneeley led the Cardinals with 23 points, which included going 7-of-10 from behind the arc. As a whole, Louisville shot 52% from behind the arc. The Cardinals will need that type of hot shooting to knock off the usually rugged Spartans.
Here's what you need to know for today's second round showdown:
Coen Carr had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead four Michigan State players in double figures, and Jeremy Fears added 12 points and a school NCAA tournament record 16 assists as the Spartans advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 77-69 win over Louisville.
The Spartans, the East Region’s No. 3 seed, used hot shooting beyond the arc in the first half and used spurts of 8-0 and 7-0 to take an early 10-point lead.
Louisville, who played without Mikel Brown, Jr., out with a back injury, hung around as Michigan State was sloppy with the ball, as the Spartans, who averaged 11.5 turnovers a game, turned it over 12 times in the first half, and took a 36-31 lead into the break.
The Cardinals (24-10) relied on the three-point ball all season long but were betrayed by the rim, hitting only 13-36 from downtown and shooting 41% for the game.
Michigan State used a 13-3 run in the second half, capped by Jaxon Kohler’s 3-pointer, which gave the Spartans their biggest lead at 63-50. Trey Fort had 12 points and Kohler had 10 for Michigan State, who had 21 assists on 25 made field goals.
Fears recorded his second straight game with 10 assists in this year's NCAA Tournament, setting a Big Ten record.
Ryan Conwell scored 21 points, and Adrian Wooley added 17 points for Louisville. Isaac McKneely, who hit seven three-pointers and scored 23 points in the Cardinals’ first-round victory against South Florida, had only nine points.
Michigan State (27-7) advances to the East Regional in Washington, D.C. and will play the winner of UConn and UCLA on Friday.
Louisville won't go away as every time Michigan State pushes the lead near double figures, the Cardinals improved shooting gets them back in the game. Aly Khalifa hit a three point to cut the lead to three, but Trey Fort answered with a three of his own on the Spartans next possession.
Michigan State carelessness with ball keeping Louisville in game
Michigan State center Coen Carr started the second half with his own dunk fest, taking an alley-oop for one basket and a highlight breakaway slam to push the lead to 42-33. Carr has 11 points and has added seven rebounds. The Spartans average 11.5 turnovers a game, and they have already coughed the ball up 12 times with more than 15 minutes left in regulation.
In the first half of runs, Michigan State used spurts of 9-0 and 8-0 to take a 36-31 lead at halftime over Louisville in the second round of the East Region.
The Cardinals fell behind by 10, but despite missing at one point 10 of 11 shots, they used a 7-0 run of their own to get back in the game.
The up-and-down pace is expected as Louisville used 10 players and Michigan State played nine in the first half.
Adrian Wooley had nine points, and Ryan Conwell added nine points and four rebounds for Louisville, who shot 36% and went 4-18 from 3-point land. Coen Carr led the Spartans’ balanced scoring attack with seven points and seven rebounds as they went more than four minutes without a point before Trey Fort’s four-point play to push the lead back up to eight with 3:46 left.
Michigan State shot 46 percent in the first half and had 12 assists on its 13 made field goals.
Moneyline: Michigan State (-210); Louisville (+170)
Spread: Michigan State (-4.5)
Over/under total: 151.5
Mikel Brown Jr. injury update: Will Louisville star play today vs Michigan State?
Prior to the Cardinals' first round game against South Florida, Louisville announced Brown wouldn't play in the opener and would also miss the second round game, should they advance.
Brown, who's projected to be an NBA lottery pick later this year, has been sidelined for the Cardinals' past five games (and 13 total this season). Pat Kelsey said Brown re-aggravated a back injury, which surfaced in mid-December, by taking some hard falls during a Feb. 23 loss at then-No. 19 North Carolina.
NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond has been fined $25,000 for what the league described as an objectionable gesture while on the court.
NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones announced the penalty Saturday.
The incident occurred with eight seconds left in the third quarter of the 76ers’ 139-118 victory at Sacramento on Thursday.
After knocking down a 3-pointer, Drummond appeared to make a shooting motion toward the Kings’ bench, according to a published report.
Drummond finished the game with 13 points, including going 3 for 3 from behind the arc, and 11 rebounds.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros smiles during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Astros manager Joe Espada made the declaration before today’s spring training game vs. the Mets.
Today, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada declared the team would open the season with a 5-man rotation, a reversal from earlier statements about using a 6-man rotation this season.
Astros manager Joe Espada said the club will open the season with a five-man rotation.
While the Astros can still employ a 6-man rotation at various points this season, it does perhaps signal a lean towards more traditional relievers on the team to start the season, before swapping arms and moving to a 6-man rotation later on.
The Astros signed Tatsuya Imai from Japan this offseason, and he is used to only pitching once per week on the NPB schedule. It is one of the biggest reasons the Astros will likely use a 6-man rotation this season, to keep things as close to “normal” for Imai in his first season in MLB.
Most likely projection for the Astros initial 5-man rotation would be Hunter Brown, Mike Burrows, Tatsuya Imai, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr.
It will be worth watching to see if pitchers like Spencer Arrighetti, A.J. Blubaugh, and Ryan Weiss pitch out of the pen to start the season, or go to Triple-A Sugar Land to stay stretched out. All three would be unlikely to be in the bullpen at the same time, as at least one of them would be the proposed sixth starter, and would need to be stretched out to go 5 or more innings.
The Mets continue the winnowing of their major league camp, optioning catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets currently have 38 players in big league camp.
Senger, who made headlines last winter for his tale of working at Whole Foods in the offseason, appeared in 33 games for the Mets in 2025, filling in for Francisco Alvarez when he was both injured and in Triple-A, working on his swing. He batted .181/.221/.194 with four home runs in 78 plate appearances.
This roster move is good news for Mets fans, as it means that the club is not worried about Francisco Alvarez, who was pulled from Thursday night’s game with back tightness. Alvarez is in the lineup today for the Mets’ home game against the Astros at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.
This spring, the Mets had a number of catchers in camp alongside Senger, Alvarez, and Luis Torrens, including veterans Austin Barnes and Ben Rortvedt, as well as prospects Kevin Parada, Jose Aular, and Chris Suero.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Codi Heuer #54 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the 2025 Texas Rangers season having come to an end, we shall be, over the course of the offseason, taking a look at every player who appeared in a major league game for the Texas Rangers in 2025.
Today we are looking at pitcher Codi Heuer.
Codi Heuer made one appearance for the Texas Rangers in 2025. The Rangers purchased his contract on June 1, when they needed a fresh arm in the pen when Nathan Eovaldi went to the i.l., and designated Tucker Barnhart for assignment to make room for him on the 40 man roster. He recorded the final four outs in a game in Tampa on June 3, striking out one and allowing a homer, and was optioned to AAA the next day. On July 31, needing to clear a 40 man roster spot, the Rangers traded Heuer to Detroit for cash.
Not much there at first glance. Nonetheless, Heuer’s appearance with the Rangers is notable, as a study in perseverence.
Codi Heuer was originally a sixth round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2018 out of Wichita State (go Shockers!). Never a highly regarded prospect, he nonetheless ended up being part of the ChiSox bullpen in 2020, putting up a 1.52 ERA in 21 games and pitching in two of Chicago’s Wild Card Series games against Oakland.
In 2021, he wasn’t as successful, putting up a 5.12 ERA in 40 games for the White Sox before being traded, along with Nick Madrigal, to the Chicago Cubs for Craig Kimbrel. Heuer put up a 3.14 ERA in 25 games for the Cubs post-trade, picking up a save against the Pirates in his final appearance in 2021.
Little could Heuer have guessed it would be the last major league game he would appear in for over three years.
In spring training of 2022, Heuer was diagnosed with a damaged UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery. After missing all of 2022, he started a rehab assignment in early May, 2023.
Heuer made 15 appearances for the Iowa Cubs, and seemed to be close to being activated from the injured list when he went out for rehab appearance #15. In that game, though, he faced two batters before being pulled. It turned out he had re-injured his elbow — this time, suffering a fracture. 14 months of rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, followed by six weeks of game appearances at AAA, and just when it seemed like he was going to be back in the majors, he ended up instead back where he started — needing to rehab for another year-plus from an elbow injury.
Heuer became a free agent in November, 2023, and signed a two year minor league contract with the Rangers in April, 2024. He spent the season rehabbing, the second time in three years where he didn’t throw a competitive pitch.
Spring training, 2025, Heuer was a non-roster invitee to the major league camp. He was assigned to Round Rock to start the year and did solid work out of the pen before being summoned back to the major leagues.
That outing on June 3, in Tampa, was a pretty big deal. Heuer had to have wondered, time and again, if he’d ever make it back to the big leagues. He had to have thought, particularly after the second injury, if another grueling year of rehab was worth it. He wasn’t a star, someone who would be sure of making big money upon his return. No, he was a fringe player, someone whose reward, if he was able to make it back, was likely to be the life of a AAA veteran, toiling away and hoping for an opportunity to reclaim a role as a major leaguer.
But he persevered. He stuck with it. And he made it back to the top of the mountain. He deserves a tip of the cap for that.
Heuer made a pair of major league appearances for Detroit after the trade, but spent most of his time at Toledo, the Tigers’ AAA affiliate. He was released in September, and was signed to a minor league deal by the Cleveland Guardians. He most likely will be with Columbus, the Guardians’ AAA affiliate, to start the year.
I’ll be rooting for him to be called up at some point in the 2026 season.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 12: Houston Astros pitcher Mike Burrows (50) throws the ball from the mound during a MLB spring training game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 12, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Houston Astros (10-13-3) travel to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Mets (12-10-2) in Grapefruit League play.
RHP Mike Burrows (1-0) will make his fifth start of the Spring as he takes on Mets RHP Jonah Tong (0-1).
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: New addition RHP Mike Burrows has had an impressive Spring for the Astros. In his four starts, he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA while allowing just six hits in 12.2 innings of work with 15 K’s.
The Astros acquired Burrows this offseason from PIT as part of a three-team, six-player trade. In that deal, the Astros traded OF Jacob Melton and minor leaguer RHP Anderson Brito to the Rays, while the Rays traded IF Brandon Lowe, OF Jake Mangum and LHP Mason Montgomery to the Pirates.
Burrows pitched most of the 2025 season with the Pirates, making 23 appearances (19 starts) and going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA (42ER/96IP), striking out 97 hitters in 96.0 IP.
Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals continue the run toward the end of Spring Training with a game versus the Miami Marlins today starting at 12:05pm for the final game this year at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. According to MLB.com, the Miami Marlins will have Janson Junk start the game. It’s Mason Molina taking the mound for the Cardinals.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Rasheer Fleming missed his second free throw in the final seconds against the San Antonio Spurs, you could not help but feel for him. Those are the moments that stick with you, especially early in a career. Those are pressure free throws, the kind you do not fully understand until you are standing there with everything on the line. At the same time, he earned that moment.
San Antonio knew what they were doing. They forced the ball into his hands and put him in that situation on purpose. They understood he is a 54% free throw shooter and played the percentages. This time, the odds went their way.
The hope is that it does not linger. Confidence is fragile for young players, and moments like that can either build you or shake you. Based on what he said after the game, it does not feel like it rattled him too much, which is a good sign.
“They both felt good. I was calm,” Fleming told Suns beat reporter Duane Ranken after the game on Friday. “The noise wasn’t affecting me. I think they were good shots. Just rolled in and out. I’ve been in that situation in college. I wasn’t feeling pressure to shoot them. I just couldn’t hit them. It’s definitely a learning experience because this is my first time it’s happened to me in the league. Just keep working on my shooting.”
“It felt good,” he added when asked about being in the game late. “I didn’t feel the need to shy away from the ball. If I’m in that situation again, I’ll be ready to shoot them again. I’m not shying away from the ball.”
That being said, it is interesting to think about what he could look like as a starting power forward. The best-case scenario coming out of Friday night is that he takes that moment, absorbs it, and builds on it. Because up until that free throw, he was having a stellar game. A highlight dunk over fellow rookie Carter Bryant, a strong defensive stand against Victor Wembanyama; it all felt like another step forward in his development.
This defensive possession showcases the upside of Rasheer and how his length can impact anyone pic.twitter.com/Yac8YX9y07
And that is what makes this conversation so compelling right now.
We are late in the season. The runway is short. The postseason is approaching. So the question becomes, is this the time to adjust the lineup? Is this the time to shift roles? Is this the moment to give Rasheer Fleming the starting spot at power forward and move Royce O’Neale to the bench unit? It is not an easy call, but it is one worth asking.
The community has already weighed in and the response was clear. 61% voted in favor of Fleming stepping into the starting lineup for Phoenix.
And how can you blame people for voting that way? Rasheer Fleming has looked good. More than good. It feels safe to say he has exceeded expectations at this point in the season. He looks the part too, standing 6’9” with a 7’5” wingspan, which immediately gives you something this roster has been searching for. Size, length, and the ability to play that role naturally.
He brings more than that. He can space the floor, which matters in this offense, and he has the defensive tools to impact plays in a way that fits what Phoenix is trying to build. He is not trying to survive at the position; he is playing it. Jordan Ott has trusted him with real minutes, and over the last 13 games, he is averaging 18.5 minutes, 6.3 points, and 3.7 rebounds on 48/50/33 shooting splits. That free-throw number stands out, 4-of-12 since earning a consistent run, and that is an area that needs to improve.
At the same time, the shooting touch is real. When you look at his performance in March compared to the rest of his rookie class, he ranks as the second-best three-point shooter among them. That is not nothing. That is a skill that translates.
And the free-throw shooting should come around. He was a 74.3% free throw shooter in his junior year at Saint Joseph’s, which tells you the foundation is there. He needs reps, he needs rhythm, and he needs opportunity. These are all things he is starting to get now.
And this is where I differ a bit. I understand why people want Rasheer Fleming in the starting lineup, I really do, but I am not there yet. I am part of that 37% that believes Royce O’Neale should continue to hold that spot. It comes down to experience, and it comes down to timing.
What the Suns are doing with Fleming right now is the right approach. They are bringing him along, giving him real minutes, putting him in meaningful situations, and allowing him to grow without overloading him. There will be a time when he is the starting power forward. I believe that. It could be as soon as next season, and it could last for a while. I am a fan of his game and what he can become.
But right now, this moment, this stretch run, it calls for experience. Per FanDuel, this team is trending toward the seventh seed. That means Play In basketball. That means postseason intensity. That means possessions that matter more. In those moments, experience has value. Royce provides that. He spaces the floor, he understands where to be, and he is someone you can trust late in games.
He is also the trigger man. The guy inbounding the ball, organizing the action, making sure things get started clean. It might sound small, but it is not. You felt that absence in moments against San Antonio. Fleming needs reps, no question. He needs to feel pressure, like he did in that Spurs game. That is where growth happens. Keep giving him those opportunities, keep building him up. But starting is different.
He has played above expectations, and that is a great sign, but he has not taken that starting role yet. It still belongs to Royce. And while you can make the case that Fleming brings more defensively, I am not going to argue that, it is encouraging that we are even having that conversation this early in his career. His time is coming. It is simply not right now.
Stay the course. Keep developing him. Use him when needed. But lean on experience when it matters most.
Mar 15, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) singles during the third inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Levi Wells #93 of the Baltimore Orioles throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the second inningof a spring training game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 10, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With this afternoon’s game, the Orioles spring training season in Florida will be over. There are two more exhibition games to be played in Baltimore and in Washington, but those are not part of the Grapefruit League. The O’s bring a 10-13-3 record into this one, with two games that were canceled due to rain. Good thing spring training record doesn’t matter for anything, right? Right.
It does not seem that the Orioles are all that concerned in getting a final tune-up start for one of their regular season starting pitchers with this game. The team announced yesterday that the starter for this game will be prospect Levi Wells. Okay then. Good luck to him.
One thing I’m interested in today is whether the Orioles say anything more about Dylan Beavers’s knee discomfort. The outfield prospect was scratched from the starting lineup in yesterday’s game due to something in his right knee. If that’s more than a day-to-day situation, he might be starting the season on the injured list, which would certainly shake up all of the roster projections.
That may have been announced in the time between when I got this article scheduled and when it goes live. I thought I’d be able to get the relevant pre-game information into here before I had to leave the house and that has turned out not to be the case. Apologies also that there’s no starting lineup in here. I believe in your ability to find out that information elsewhere. If there’s bad news about Beavers, panic as appropriate in the comments. Or if there’s good news, celebrate as appropriate! Or if there’s no news, be uncertainly anxious as appropriate.
This game will be airing on MASN in the broadcast area, as well as on the flagship radio stations of 98 Rock/WBAL 1090 in their broadcast radius.
