The selfsame Rangers made a big splash, acquiring left-hander MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals for a package of five prospects headlined by Texas’ 2025 first-rounder Gavin Fien.
Joshua Rodrigues at Baseball Prospectus dug into the bat speed data behind the top hitters in this year’s free agent class to understand how things panned out the way they did for them. ($)
How did we get here with the Dodgers? Joon Lee breaks it down.
In back-to-back days our division rivals have added to their rosters looking to improve their chances for the coming season. Two days ago the Los Angeles Angels came to terms with third baseman Yoan Moncada, bringing back a decent hitter with major health questions hovering over him. Moncada was a potential target for the A’s to upgrade at the hot corner themselves but evidently one or both sides didn’t see a path to joining forces.
Then yesterday afternoon we got news that the Texas Rangers made a bold move to bolster their pitching staff, acquiring left-hander MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals for a massive, five-player package. Gore was considered one of the top trade target all offseason long and now finds himself in the AL West, where he’s set to face the A’s multiple times a year. It’s a small sample but in two career starts against the Green & Gold he’s pitched eight innings and allowed eight runs, so there’s that.
Texas surrendered their numbers 2, 6, 12, 16, and 18th top prospects to land the rights to Gore, who is under contract for just two more seasons. It was a massive package for a starter that has yet to fully reach his high ceiling. While the left-hander showed his immense potential in the first half last year with an All-Star selection, injuries and underperformance hindered him in the second half. Overall in his four-year big league career he’s sporting a 4.19 ERA, which is solid in its own right but not what the Nationals expected when they made him a central return piece for Juan Soto.
On the plus side for the Rangers he’s generally been durable and there’s nothing to suggest that’s going to change in Texas. Gore looks like a dependable arm that could have mid-rotation upside, but that’s a lot of prospect capital to cash in for that type of arm. That seems to be the going rate nowadays though. Texas may end up regretting giving up a few of those prospects down the line but for them, adding to a rotation fronted by JacobdeGrom is worth it, and they’re clearly expecting to contend again this coming year.
The A’s weren’t in on Gore by any means but his trade could have down the line implications for the Athletics. Baseball is a long season and the A’s have options for the starting rotation. At least to begin the year. As we have seen in recent seasons though that pitching depth can be tested early and run out by the time June rolls around. The A’s have understandably focused on different parts of the roster to upgrade (namely second base and the bullpen) but the starting staff has also been mentioned as an area that the team could use a boost.
There are still plenty of solid, durable arms on the free agent market that could provide a boost to an A’s team that has just two starters that pitched over 100 innings last year (plus JP Sears, but he’s no longer around obviously). Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs aren’t world beaters by any imagination but they do soak up innings, and the A’s will need more than just those two to last long in their starts.
The other rotation options are exciting in their own right, but haven’t pitched a full MLB season. Jacob Lopez is currently penciled in as the #3 starter, but he nearly reached his career-high in innings pitched last year at just 92 IP and also went down with an elbow injury near the end of the year. JT Ginn looked over his own elbow problem but also reached a career-high in innings pitched overall at 90 (plus 20 in Triple-A). Luis Morales looked fantastic in his short big league stint but pitched a career-high 89 innings in 2025. Luis Medina is coming off a lost season due to Tommy John surgery. Gunnar Hoglund and Mason Barnett can’t be counted on to provide innings this season and Hoglund has his own extensive injury history. Lots of interesting names, little in the way of sure things.
Removing Sears and Osvaldo Bido and the A’s are in need of nearly 200 innings pitched just from losing those two pitchers alone. We’re not even factoring in the potential loss of Severino or Springs to injury/trade. The Athletics have to know they can’t go into the season with the current group as is and expect to get through the year happy and healthy, let alone contend. Injuries/ineffectiveness will happen to multiple of those names mentioned above. The front office would be wise to bolster the starting staff before the remaining options find other homes, and now that Gore is off the table those other options may find their phones ringing more often than they have all winter.
Luckily for the A’s there’s still 20 days until pitchers and catchers report and plenty of viable options. Names like Chris Bassitt (an old friend!), Nick Martinez, Zack Gallen, Zack Littel, Lucas Giolito and Erick Fedde aren’t exciting names but you know the one thing they all have in common? They’re innings eaters, all of whom pitched at least 165 frames (except Giolito and Fedde, who pitched 145 and 140 respectively). And they would be all but guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation should they sign on with our A’s. There may be some favorites in there but frankly any will do. The Rangers weren’t happy with their starting rotation and they went out and added an upgrade. It’s time for the A’s to do the same with their own addition to an unproven starting staff, before the remaining innings eaters find their home for the coming campaign elsewhere. Time is ticking for the front office to get a move on.
"I think we're pretty confident that the Athletics thing is going to work out."@Brent_Rooker25 doesn't anticipate the A's being renamed to the Las Vegas Strippers. 😂 pic.twitter.com/roRieTZMNu
When the Rockies signed Prosecky to a slightly over-slot $300k bonus after drafting him in the sixth round in 2022, most observers thought the left-handed pitcher would be ticketed for the bullpen. After all, that’s where the 6’3” hurler had distinguished himself in college as Louisville’s closer. Instead, the now 24-year-old made the transition to the starting rotation in his first full professional season and has stayed there ever since. As a prospect, Prosecky pairs a deceptive low to mid-90s fastball with a high spin rate curveball, slider, and change-up.
Mid-season 2025 Rank: HM
High Ballot: 20
Mode Ballot: 21, 22, 24, 25
Future Value: 35+, starting pitcher depth
Contract Status: 2022 Sixth Round, University of Louisville, Rule 5 Eligible, three options remaining
MLB ETA: 2026
After a strong 2023 spent in Low-A Fresno, Prosecky was delayed by elbow inflammation in 2024 until mid-June, which limited him to 48 2/3 innings across 14 games for a combination of the ACL team, Low-A, and High-A. The good news was that he struck out a sterling 14.4 batters per nine innings, albeit against younger competition. Prosecky also received an Arizona Fall League valedictory, where he threw an additional 15 1⁄3 innings with poor run suppression numbers (7.63 ERA, 2.02 WHIP, and 5.3 BB/9 rate) and strong strikeout numbers (13.5 K/9 rate). All told, across 22 appearances in four leagues in 2024, Prosecky ended up with 101 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched (14.2 K/9 rate), 30 walks (4.2 BB/9 rate), and 37 earned runs allowed (5.20 ERA).
In 2025, Prosecky went back to High-A Spokane, where he was 0.8 years older than league average. He stayed healthy and threw 88 2/3 frames of 3.86 ERA ball in 18 starts with a 1.26 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 rate, and 4.2 BB/9 rate. That’s a significant K/9 rate drop, but the run prevention numbers improved enough to earn Prosecky a post All-Star break promotion to Double-A Hartford, where he was 0.7 years younger than league average. In nine starts with Hartford, Prosecky posted a 4.97 ERA (4.81 xFIP) in 38 innings built on his 1.55 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 rate, and 5.4 BB/9 rate. Overall, it was nice to see Prosecky succeed against upper minors hitting.
Here’s Prosecky striking out ten in a start for Spokane last year:
The 6-foot-3 left-hander does have the size and repertoire to potentially start, with a four-pitch mix. At his best, he runs his fastball up to 95-96 mph and can command it well, missing bats with it along the way. He has a slider that has late action with depth, a slower curve that he can use to steal a strike and an improving feel for his changeup as well.
Prosecky had thrown just 64 innings in college before topping 100 IP in 2023. The Rockies are hopeful that a now completely healthy Prosecky, who has generally been around the zone when he’s at his best, can hit the reset switch and start moving up the ladder again in 2025.
Prosecky only sits 91-93 mph, but hitters don’t seem to pick it up. The southpaw has a short, vertical arm stroke that helps his heater play as an in-zone bat misser despite below-average velocity. He hides the ball forever and it appears to jump on hitters very quickly. He throws a classic 12-to-6 curveball off of that, a pitch that’s virtually indistinguishable from his fastball until it starts to bend with huge, bat-missing depth. Those two pitches give Prosecky a lower-leverage reliever’s foundation. Prosecky’s arm stroke isn’t always well timed, and his strike-throwing results have been mixed during this try as a starter. In the 2024 Fall League, Prosecky was working with a second breaking ball, a slider in the 82-84 mph range that looked below average. There’s definitely more variance here than is typical for a guy who sits 92, but Prosecky is tracking like a low-leverage lefty.
Prosecky fails to light up the radar gun but gets by thanks to plus carry on a low-90s heater. With a four-pitch mix, Prosecky has more of a typical starter’s repertoire. What he lacks is reps, as a reliever in college who then missed time due to injury. Colorado sent him to the Arizona Fall League, where he continued to miss bats but also yielded runs in an environment more friendly to older hitters. A full-health season would see Prosecky end next year having handled a decent chunk of time in Hartford, continuing to miss bats. His floor is lofty as a bullpen piece, but as long as he seems startable he’s performed enough to merit the looks.
Prosecky was my sleeper for the Rockies last year, but after he went to an outside lab to try to boost his velocity, he came down with elbow inflammation and never got on track, throwing 63 innings total between the regular season and Arizona Fall League, with terrible results in the fall and in High A. Even when he did pitch, he was 90-94, down from 92-95 the year earlier; he barely used his slider; and his command was way off. When healthy, he’s got a four-pitch mix, with the slider his best offering and a changeup that could flash plus but didn’t sit there. There’s deception in his delivery to help the fastball play up as well, as long as he’s locating it. Let’s hope a full offseason of rest gets him back to his 2023 form, when he looked like he might be a mid-rotation starter.
It’s interesting to see the difference in evaluation on the curveball — for Law and MLB Pipeline, it’s Prosecky’s weakest pitch but for Longenhagen, it’s his best.
Prosecky has been a pleasant player-development surprise for the Rockies thanks to his jump up the pitcher role value spectrum and effectiveness in the role. He missed fewer bats in 2025 but took a step forward in run prevention at a higher level while throwing 126 2/3 innings. The Rockies didn’t protect Prosecky from the Rule 5 Draft this off-season but he wasn’t selected, so he will likely return to Hartford to begin 2026 and he will be a big league rotation option later in the season. I ranked Prosecky in the middle of my 35+ FV tier, 29th on my list.
Good morning! MLB Network just completed its annual exercise in ranking the top-100 players in Major League Baseball. You already know who number 1 is, and he doesn’t play for the Red Sox. But Garrett Crochet does, and he led the way for the Sox by coming in as the 12th-best player in the game. Rounding out the rankings for the Sox were Roman Anthony (41), Jarren Duran (58), Ranger Suárez (79), and Aroldis Chapman (81). Only four other teams in baseball have as many as five players on the list: the Dodgers (8), Yankees (6), Mariners, (5), and Phillies (5).
What’s interesting about the Red Sox rankings is that, with the exception of Crochet, the Sox contingent has a lot of variance. I would not at all be surprised if neither Suárez nor Chapman turned out to be top-100 players this year, while I also wouldn’t be surprised if Jarren Duran is on another team. As for Anthony, I would actually be disappointed if he’s only the 41st-best player in baseball. He has the potential to establish himself as a top-10 player as soon as this year and, if I had to wager on it, I’d tab him to finish at least in the top-30 in 2026.
Talk about what you want, think about whether your one of the top-100 anythings in the world, and be good to one another.
Pacers vs Thunder best bet: Pascal Siakam Over 22.5 points (-112)
The absence of Tyrese Haliburton has hurt the struggling Indiana Pacers, but Pascal Siakam has stepped into a top role and absolutely flourished.
The veteran is averaging a career-best 23.8 PPG, and he deserves to earn an All-Star nod in the Eastern Conference.
Siakam is having a solid January, averaging 25 points per night. He’s also cashed the Over in four consecutive appearances, most recently dropping 32 points in a loss to the Celtics on Wednesday evening.
The Cameroonian is playing even better on the road, averaging 25.2 PPG compared to 22.8 PPG at home. He also erupted against the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the campaign, scoring 32 points.
Siakam will do his thing here.
Pacers vs Thunder same-game parlay
Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.8 PPG this season, but he’s only scoring 16.5 PPG in January, and he’s been struggling lately. The big man has cashed the Under in points in five of his last six outings.
The last time Holmgren faced the Pacers, he played 39 minutes but scored only 15 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having another MVP campaign, averaging 32 PPG. He’s also shooting the three well, drainnig 39% of his attempts.
The guard was 2-for-7 from downtown earlier this season against the Pacers.
Pacers vs Thunder SGP
Pascal Siakam Over 22.5 points
Chet Holmgren Under 18.5 points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dort delivers
Lu Dort has cashed the Over in points in back-to-back games, scoring 13 and 18 points.
Pacers vs Thunder SGP
Pascal Siakam Over 22.5 points
Chet Holmgren Under 18.5 points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 1.5 threes
Lu Dort Over 9.5 points
Pacers vs Thunder odds
Spread: Pacers +750 | Thunder -1200
Moneyline: Pacers +16 | Thunder -16
Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Pacers vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Thunder have covered the Spread in 29 of their last 45 games at home (+11.40 Units / 23% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Thunder.
How to watch Pacers vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Friday, January 23, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN
Pacers vs Thunder latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Kevin Johnson died from “blunt head trauma and stab wounds” at a homeless encampment, according to the medical examiner.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Johnson, 55, was pronounced dead Wednesday morning after being found unconscious. His death was ruled a homicide and is being investigated.
A fourth-round draft pick by New England in 1993, Johnson spent time with the Patriots, Minnesota and Oakland before landing with the Eagles. He had 43 tackles, including seven sacks, and returned a fumble for a touchdown in two years with Philadelphia. He played 15 games for the Raiders in 1997.
Johnson later played in the Arena Football League for Orlando and Los Angeles. The L.A. native played collegiately at Texas Southern.
Investigators believe Johnson had been living at the encampment at the time of his death. Friends said Johnson had health issues later in life that contributed to his situation.
The people have spoken and newcomer pitching prospect Khal Stephen is our No. 8 Cleveland Guardians prospect. Stephen won convincingly, earning 40% of the vote, beating out Juan Brito (24.3%), Jaison Chourio (12.9%) and Jace LaViolette (11.4%). He is making his CTC prospect list debut.
Stephen was a second round pick (No. 59 overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State.
He didn’t pitch the year he was drafted, but Toronto debuted him at full-season Single-A last year, where he shredded opposing hitters. Over the course of eight games (seven starts), Stephen posted a 2.06 ERA with a ridiculous 1.97 FIP over 39.1 innings while striking out a whopping 31.4% of hitters while walking just 4.6% of them.
This earned Stephen a promotion to High-A, where Stephen continued to dominate. He dropped his ERA to a miniscule 1.49 while retaining an elite 2.70 FIP and an absolutely redonkulous 0.85 WHIP over nine starts spanning 48.1 innings. Despite the quick promotion, Stephen was named the Northwest League Pitcher of the Month for June
Stephen was promoted to Double-A, making one start and immediately being placed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement following his first start there. One week later, he was traded to Cleveland in a one-for-one deal for former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber. Stephen was activated three weeks later and made four starts with Double-A Akron. Three of the starts were spectacular, allowing one run in 4.0 innings twice and tossing 3.0 scoreless innings once. Unfortunately, one of those starts was a disaster, allowing six earned runs in 0.1 innings, which inflated his numbers at the level before the season ended.
Stephen possesses excellent control, striking out 110 batters versus 20 walks across three levels in 2025. He sits in the low to mid 90s and touches 96 with his fastball and every one of his pitches have the potential to be plus. I could easily see him being a mid-rotation starter for Cleveland for years to come if he stays healthy. Look for Stephen to begin 2026 repeating at Double-A, but if performs well, he could be promoted quickly and could make his MLB debut at some point this summer or fall if he continues to impress.
Now, it’s time to determine who is number nine in the Guardians’ loaded farm system! Your options are below:
Was lined up to make his MLB debut in 2025, but multiple injuries prevented the switch-hitter from getting his opportunity and it’s possible he could be passed up completely.
Impressed at the complex league, then hit the ground running in a late season promotion to Single-A before running out of steam late in his age-17 season. Loaded with potential.
Chourio was lining up to be Cleveland’s top prospect after a sensational 2024, but he was slowed in 2025 by a nagging shoulder injury and had a very average season. He’s looking to bounce back in 2026.
Acquired from Pittsburghin the Spencer Horwitz trade, Hartle was one of Cleveland’s most successful starting pitchers in its minor league system in 2025. Stands 6-foot-6, but doesn’t have a ton of velocity.
Cleveland’s first round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the 6-foot-6 LaViolette instantly becomes one of the top power hitting prospects in the system. Strikeouts and contact have been an issue, however.
One of Cleveland’s most impressive hitters in its minor league system during his stint at High-A Lake County as a 20-year-old. Rosario has a unique combination of speed and power, but will need to overcome his strikeouts.
Acquired in the Josh Bell trade, Watson had his best season in 2025 after switching to the outfield from shortstop. Possesses a unique blend of speed and power mixed with great athleticism.
Evgeni Malkin has been crystal clear in his comments to the media about two two subjects this season that he’s openly talked about, at times unprompted.
He doesn’t want this 2025-26 season to be his last in the NHL
He doesn’t want to leave the Pittsburgh Penguins for a different team
There’s been nothing in the way of smokescreens or subtext with the messaging. What you see is what you get. Malkin has mostly gotten his way professionally in the last 20 years but the team hasn’t been as quick to get on that page.
Kyle Dubas and company have slow-played the situation. Dealing with a 20-year franchise legend can be a delicate process, as seen in Malkin’s last contract negotiation in 2022 where it took until the 11th hour to get an agreement for a four-year contract that the team almost reluctantly handed to him.
Pittsburgh’s stance this time around was understandable. Malkin will turn 40 this year, he was coming off his worst full season in 2024-25, producing only 50 points in 68 games. He’s had a couple of knee surgeries. That’s not a case where a team is going to rush into a signing, especially one like the Pens who have a stated goal to get younger. There wasn’t any movement on the contract this summer. Dubas addressed the matter at the start of training camp:
“He’s in a great mood every day,” Dubas said. “No change on [the contract] front. I spoke with him and [agent J.P. Barry] in the summer when stuff started percolating there. At the time in every one of their careers, I’ll sit when time permits….The [Olympic] break provides a key opportunity for that…I expect him to have a great season.”
With that stance, it shouldn’t be overlooked that Dubas essentially added to the list of his recent accomplishments in a subtle way by stoking the competitive fires in Malkin. That shows a crafty impact as a manager to go beyond a major trade or free agent move to enhance performance. Sometimes pulling a lever like “go have a great season and we’ll touch base with your agent at the Olympics after we see how things are looking” can help a team as much as anything. Dubas didn’t rush to re-sign Malkin, yet he also didn’t close the door completely either. He just made Malkin do the work to walk through it.
It was a challenge Malkin took to heart, accepted and has made his mission to complete. Despite missing time with a shoulder injury, he has been sensational this season when he’s been in the lineup to the tune of 39 points in 35 games, often performing as one of the best players on the ice on any given night.
Those performances included last night’s 6-2 win over Edmonton where Malkin produced a goal and an assist. He playfully shrugged off retirement notions again:
“I never say I want to retire. It’s all you. I feel great, and I like how we play. It’s always fun to win.”
It’s not difficult to see the goal constantly in mind to not have this year be his final one has inspired Malkin. He’s played his normal center position, then willingly shifted to the wing while jokingly volunteering to line up at defense or even goalie if that was what it took for the team to be successful.
Turns out his forward position has more than sufficed. Any doubts on whether or not he’s still got it were emphatically wiped away last night in the sequence where Malkin poked the puck away from no less than Connor McDavid, took off down the ice (despite being at the end of a shift lasting 1:20) and scoring on the breakaway.
“But I hope you see…it’s not easy. I try to do my best because I knew I wanted to play one more year. I want to show I’m still a good player. I want everybody to see that I can play next year. It’s my goal right now.”
At this point it ought to be an open and shut case. Pittsburgh is going into the offseason with over $50 million in salary cap space. It doesn’t truly matter to anything beyond the bottom line whether they pay him $5, 10 or $15 million next season, they can easily fit him at any price (though here’s betting an extension will be closer to the lower-end of that spectrum).
Malkin’s season has been an inspired effort to prove himself all over again, to meet a challenge and earn a spot with the Pens in 2026-27. He’s passed those tests with flying colors. The NHL’s Olympic break starts in two weeks, it’s almost time for Dubas and the Pens to hold up their end of the bargain and reward the icon with a well-earned ticket to play in Pittsburgh next season.
At the big league level, he was roughed up for 14 R (13 ER) in just 6.0 IP, with a trio of long balls yielded – and walked more (8) than he struck out (7). Down at AAA Louisville, he was tagged for 91 R (80 ER) in just 112.2 IP, his 102/58 K/BB far from anything worth writing home about.
Still, there’s a ton there to like. He’s a guy who has thrown as hard as 101 mph in his career, and he has a full five-pitch mix when things are going well. Over at Reds Minor Leagues, Doug Gray even openly wondered if a mid-season alteration to how he used that mix was behind some of his late season struggles, and that will certainly be something to watch with Derek Johnson as Petty revvs up for the 2026 season down in Goodyear, Arizona.
Petty also doesn’t turn 23 until shortly after the season begins, and there’s still ample time for development from him if he can rediscover the kind of consistency needed to be a big league starter. And if that doesn’t pan out, he’s still got the kind of arm that could make him follow the path of, say, Connor Phillips to the back of the bullpen.
Petty checks in 9th in this year’s CPR, and did so with a pretty overwhelming portion of the vote this round.
Acquired in return for Danny Jansen at the 2025 trade deadline, Arienamo was promoted straight to Double-A by the Rays, and his success at that level carried over into the Venezuealan winter league, where his 1.112 OPS and 13 HR were each the second highest marks in the league and earned him the ROY award. He’s considered to have a high baseball IQ, strong motor, excellent bat control, and defensive flexibility, any one of which could earn him an entertaining major league debut.
A sixth rounder from 2023, Nichols entered the Rays organization with low mileage and control issues, a match made in development heaven. Fast forward to 2025, and his 68% strike percentage ranked 10th best among all minor league pitchers with 100 innings, according to Baseball America. His breaking ball is a big fish in a little pond thanks to its two-plane movement. By my eye, he has a mid-90’s dead zone-ish fastball with easy, over the top heat, and a classic but inconsistent change up. Despite all his gains in control it’s his command that might hold him back, but he fills the zone and might be able to eat innings, which is enough for a back end starter floor. If you’re buying stock, he’s Kimberly-Clark.
Rank
Player
Position
Votes
Total
Percentage
Last Season
1
Carson Williams
SS
14
25
56%
1
2
Brody Hopkins
RHP
19
25
76%
8
3
Jacob Melton
OF
14
28
50%
N/A
4
Theo Gillen
OF
14
26
54%
13
5
Ty Johnson
RHP
12
25
48%
15
6
Daniel Pierce
SS
13
23
57%
N/A
7
Jadher Areinamo
INF
15
28
54%
N/A
8
TJ Nichols
RHP
13
28
46%
N/R
The runoff between Areinamo and Nichols was well rewarded with a very close vote. There seems to be an open question if Areinamo’s ceiling justifies his ranking, but in my view the floor is on par with what many Top-100 prospects eventually deliver, which leads us to where we are today. The next round adds two pitchers: Harrison and Urbina.
Candidates
Caden Bodine, C 22 | S/R| 5’10” | 200 A (BAL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K
Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to 60 grade bat-to-ball skills, and comfortably-plus blocking and receiving behind the plate. There is some concern that his smaller frame limits him to fringe power, but those concerns are off-set by solid plate discipline from both sides of the plate; his sweeter swing is left handed. All catching prospects will see their value proposition shift with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership, and receiving give him real value, projecting him as a solid major league contributor.
Acquired in the Brandon Lowe trade, Brito has three plus pitches with a fastball that touches 100 with cut-ride, and two breakers in a mid-80s curveball with surprising depth and a mid-80s slider he commands best. He also mixes in a developing low-90s cutter and a scattershot but intriguing mid-80s changeup with strong velocity and movement separation, with some added deception from his smaller frame helping limit hard contact. The concern is control, as he’s posted below-average strike rates in A-ball across 2024–25 and lacks consistent feel outside the slider, leaving him to project as a slightly wild, high-leverage reliever for now. Still, with multiple plus pitches, improved durability, and meaningful command gains, he has mid-rotation starter upside, giving him possibly the widest range of outcomes on this list. Baseball Prospectus describes him as having “Shohei Ohtani’s stuff with Johnny Cueto’s body.”
Slater de Brun, OF 18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187
Drafted 37th overall in 2025, through a draft pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially re-acquired in the Shane Baz trade. Like many Rays outfield prospects he’s not expected to develop much power, but compensates with an ability to hit to all fields, and has the benefit of years to develop. His hit tool rates plus thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double-plus speed elevates both his baserunning and range in center; he has a solid arm and can stick long term. The key to his development will be improving pitch selection to maximize his power potential. Despite not yet playing in a pro game, he’s a good bet to skip the complex league and debut in Charleston this season.
Michael Forret, RHP 22 | 6’3” | 190 A+ (BAL) | 1.51 ERA, 2.45 FIP, 59.2 IP (16 G, 15 GS), 33.5% K, 7.5% BB AA (BAL) | 1.88 ERA, 2.03 FIP, 14.1 IP (3 GS), 15 K, 3 BB
A product of the State College of Florida Manatee – Sarasota (formerly Manatee Junior College), Forret was a well above slot ($450k) 14th round draft choice in 2023 and arrives via the Shane Baz trade. Despite missing some time to a back injury in 2025, his array of fastballs and breaking balls already look major league ready. He seems adept at trying new things, as he picked up a whiff-worthy kick change in 2024, and is already tinkering with a Rays-like sweeper, both through his offseason program at Tread Athletics. He has a low release point (below 6 feet) but a rising fastball, and has — to quote Eric Longenhagen — “sensational feel.” Forret pitches with efficiency and variety, and could climb the ladder quickly in 2026.
Harrison entered the season as Baseball America’s top pitcher in the system thanks to a cleaned up delivery and high heat. He ran into some bumps in the road by running up his pitch count against batters, but he still made it over 100 innings in 22 starts. A power pitcher through and through, his hard slider flirts with cutter classification and could evolve into two distinct pitches down the road. It will be interesting to see how his change up plays as he’s challenged at higher levels, but for now he has premium stuff and the upside of a rotation anchor. (video)
Isaac had his season cut short large-in-part due to the discovery of a brain tumor, disrupting an otherwise great start to the season that duplicated his cup of coffee in Double-A as a 20-year old, despite some minor arm injuries along the way. He has the best power projection in the system, and if he can hold his own for a full season in 2026 — particularly against southpaws, which is somewhat of a concern — the former first round pick (29th overall, 2021) could see his status restored near the top of the Rays prospect rankings.
Morgan continued to hit without power in 2025, a great discouragement for some evaluators, but his present 50-grade hit tool and feel for the zone allow a major league projection. He continued his improved, quieter two-strike approach in 2025 that built on his success retooling his swing in the AFL last year. The Rays gave Morgan 14 starts in Left Field last season, and Baseball America called the defense “playable,” but his value is tied to his plus-plus defense at First.
Santiago Suarez, RHP 21 | 6’2” | ? A+ | 2.88 ERA, 2.07 FIP, 40.2 IP (10 GS), 26.9% K, 3.6% BB AAA | 5 ER (9 H, 2 BB, 3 HR) 11.0 IP (2 GS), 9 K
Suarez climbed the ladder to Triple-A to finish a short season, as some triceps/shoulder issues hampered his 2025, but when called upon this Venezuelan strike-thrower has earned the trust of his managers to go out there and pitch. He has two plus fastballs, with easy heat but average ride on the 4-seam, and a hard cutter with tight bite. His only complimentary pitch thus far is a 12-6 curve, which makes it a fairly vertical arsenal. He gets good extension, although I’d be remiss to not mention the double pump in his plant leg that on first glance looks like noise, but has led to evident repeatability. What Suarez boasts in control he might lack in command. Right now it’s a supinator’s profile with an average arm slot. To progress he either needs to add some east-west depth to his arsenal (à la Chris Bassitt), or find ways to unlock the spin rates a touch more (Shane Baz). I’d expect him to slot into Montgomery’s rotation as one of the younger starters for his level.
Brendan Summerhill, OF 22 | L/R | 6’3” | 200 A | .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+) 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 6 BB, 5 K
Following an All-Star performance at the Cape Cod summer league, Summerhill exhibited some of the best bat-to-ball skills in NCAA as a junior at Arizona. His draft stock took a minor hit due to injury (broken hand from from punching a cooler) and was drafted 42nd overall, but Summerhill rebounded well with a dominant stop at Charleston to finish the year. Summerhill has plus barrel control, allowing for a high-contact approach for his long swing. He has plus speed as well, which provides a chance to stick in center. Evaluators would like to see more power to complete a five-tool profile. Even if the power doesn’t materialize, it’s an above average contributor’s projection.
Jose Urbina, RHP 20 | 6’3” | 180 A | 2.05 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 92.1 IP (19 GS), 26.4% K, 8.2% BB A+ | 2 ER (2 HR), 4.0 IP (1 GS), 5 K, 0 BB
Good pitchers grow and adjust, and Urbina has done that consistently at an age young for his level. Physically he has grown in strength, sitting at 96 with the fastball after flashing high octane in 2024, and technically he has grown, refining his dialed up slider and his two-plane curveball into complementary pitches — which lack plus command but are thrown with feel. He shouldered a starter’s workload at 19, and was awarded one additional start at High-A, where he allowed two solo shots and struck out five. Overall, the age, body, and body of work have him on the trajectory of top prospect lists in the near future.
Jake Cronenworth has been talked about as a potential trade piece for the past couple of seasons. He has value in that he can play multiple positions and is steady at the plate. For now, Cronenworth is projected to be the second baseman for the San Diego Padres on opening day although that could change in the coming weeks. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at Cronenworth and what he can bring to the 2026 team as part of his ongoing Padres roster review.
Lightning vs Blackhawks best bet:Lightning -1.5 (-105)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 13 of their past 14 games, with 10 of those victories coming by at least two goals. Not only do the Bolts enter this matchup in stronger form, but they are also more rested, having not played since Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back that included travel from North Carolina to Illinois. With Spencer Knight having started the previous night, Chicago is expected to turn to backup goaltender Arvid Soderblom.
Soderblom has struggled mightily this season, posting a 5-8-1 record with an .868 save percentage and a 3.97 goals-against average.
Across the ice, Andrei Vasilevskiy is slated to start for Tampa Bay. Entering this matchup in dominant form, Vasilevskiy is 9-0-1 over his past 10 starts with a .926 save percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average.
The Lightning are also the superior team across the board, outranking Chicago in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60), and expected goal share.
Lightning vs Blackhawks same-game parlay
Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel looks to keep his hot hand going against his former team. Hagel has scored seven goals over his past eight games.
Meanwhile, linemate Nikita Kucherov also enters this contest in strong form, having scored five goals over the same stretch.
Tampa Bay has won 13 of its past 14 games, with 10 of those wins coming by at least a two-goal margin. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Lightning vs Blackhawks
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Friday, January 23, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Lightning vs Blackhawks latest injuries
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Patrick Reed moved into the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday and has a familiar foe trying to chase him down over the weekend.
Rory McIlroy sounds up for the fight, too.
“I came from 10 behind a couple years ago to win,” the No. 2-ranked McIlroy said defiantly. “I think I’m seven back at the minute.”
McIlroy sure will need to improve to reel in Reed, the former Masters champion who kept his card clean and shot 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round at Emirates Golf Club.
Reed, a LIV Golf member who plays frequently on the European tour, made four birdies and a 40-footer for eagle at the par-5 13th. The American was on 9-under 135 for the week.
McIlroy birdied the par-5 18th to shoot 69 and repair some of the damage from a 72 in the first round.
Few know the course better than McIlroy, the record four-time champion — including in 2024 when he was 11 shots back heading onto the 18th hole on the Friday yet still won, and in 2023 when he outlasted Reed in a memorable final-round duel that got personal.
Throw in their loud singles match at the Ryder Cup in 2016, won by Reed, and they certainly have some history.
“If I go out there tomorrow, maybe in slightly better conditions in the morning, and post a low one, then I’ll be right in the mix come Sunday,” said McIlroy, who was tied for 20th.
Reed, who has placed second and 10th in his two other appearances at the Dubai Desert Classic, said he was happy with his game, having started with a round of 69 in much tougher conditions.
“The good thing is today I felt like (I'm) hitting the ball exactly where I need to and I feel like I’m hitting some solid putts,” Reed said.
Andy Sullivan finished birdie-eagle to shoot 65 — the lowest round of the day — and was alone in second place, one stroke ahead of Italian pair Andrea Pavan (68) and first-round leader Francesco Molinari (72).
Johnson misses cut
Dustin Johnson, the longtime former No. 1, was the biggest name to miss the cut after a second straight 74.
The American is becoming an afterthought in golf after moving to the breakaway LIV circuit in 2022, the same year as Reed, and has slid to No. 639 in the world ranking.
Fleetwood languishing
No. 3-ranked Tommy Fleetwood is another headliner in Dubai, where he now lives, but only just made the cut after struggling to a 72 to be 10 shots off the lead.
Better placed was Tyrrell Hatton, the defending champion who shot 69 and was in sixth place, four strokes off the lead.
Hatton, another LIV golfer, chipped in for eagle at the short par-4 No. 17 for his highlight of the day.
After blowing a fourth quarter lead and losing in OT in Philadelphia last night, Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets (26-16) are in the Motor City tonight to face Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons (32-10).
Durant scored 36 and Amen Thompson added 17 in the loss for the Rockets. Joel Embiid had a night for Philly scoring 32, pulling down 15 boards and handing out 10 assists.
The task is no easier tonight for the Rockets. It’s the second half of a back-to-back and the opponent are the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. They lead the conference in rebounding (46.3 per game). Cunningham, who is averaging 25.7 points and 9.8 assists, is the unquestioned leader of the Pistons but his availability is a question mark tonight (illness). Detroit owns a sparkling 17-4 record at home this season.
The Rockets sit fourth in the Western Conference. Following last night’s loss in Philly, Houston has now lost five in a row. Houston is the top rebounding team in the Western Conference (49.0/gm) led by Alperen Sengun (9.2reb/gm).
The Pistons won the first meeting of the season between these teams, 115-111 on October 24. Cunningham had 21 points and 9 assists to pace Detroit. Durant had 37 for Houston in the loss.
Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including thelatest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Rockets at Pistons
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Time: 7PM EST
Site: Little Caesars Arena
City: Detroit, MI
Network/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
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Game Odds: Rockets at Pistons
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Houston Rockets (+140), Detroit Pistons (-166)
Spread: Pistons -3.5
Total: 216.5 points
This game opened Pistons -3.5 with the Total set at 217.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Rockets at Pistons
Houston Rockets
PG Amen Thompson
SG Josh Okogie
SF Kevin Durant
PF Jabari Smith
C Alperen Sengun
Detroit Pistons
PG Cade Cunningham
SG Duncan Robinson
SF Ausar Thompson
PF Tobias Harris
C Jalen Duren
Injury Report: Rockets at Pistons
Houston Rockets
Aaron Holiday (back) is OUT for tonight’s game
Steven Adams (ankle) is OUT for tonight’s game
Fred VanVleet (knee) is OUT for tonight’s game
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham (illness) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Duncan Robinson (back) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Ronald Holland (back) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Caris LeVert (illness) is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Rockets at Pistons
The Pistons are 17-4 at home this season
The Rockets are 11-13 on the road this season
The Pistons are 22-20 ATS this season
The Rockets are 20-22 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 17 of the Pistons’ 42 games this season (17-24-1)
The OVER has cashed in 19 of the Rockets’ 42 games this season (19-21-1)
Reed Shepherd has hit at least three, 3-pointers in each of the Rockets’ last 4 games (15-30)
Tobias Harris has not taken a single free throw in the Pistons’ last 3 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Rockets and Pistons’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Pistons on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Pistons -3.5
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 216.5
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