LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In Monday’s NBA Summer League play, Cam Boozer continued to impress. He racked up 21 points in 29 minutes, and also had 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists. Passing is a part of his game that people will eventually just see as part of what he does, but he’s really, really good at it.
Look at the following video. On the second play, he falls with the ball and makes the perfect pass, then removes to make the folllow-up. On the third clip, he makes a brilliant outlet. And as Cedric Coward said, it’s hard to believe he’s just 18. There’s more, too. In particular, watch his footwork. The guy is years ahead of schedule.
Khaman Malauch continues to show sharp improvement for Phoenix: instead of making a macho play and blocking the shot out of bounds, thus giving it back to Dallas, he tips it to himself, essentially stealing the ball. This is how you block shots.
This is what you love to see from Khaman Maluach. Alert as the low man, makes the rotation, and stays vertical on the shot contest. Lastly, secures the board. pic.twitter.com/eqK013kaRY
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 11: A detail photo of a custom engraved bat for number two pick Grady Emerson of the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express at Pennsylvania Convention Center on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The 2026 MLB draft has concluded!
Here we will be keeping track of each draftee taken by the Tampa Bay Rays over the course of the draft, their projected signing amount, and how much they actually signed for.
The Rays have a bonus pool of $19,09,300 that they are alloted to spend on the selections they made over the first 10 rounds of the draft; for every pick after the 10th round, any amount over $150,000 will be counted towards a team’s pool. If a team overspends, they would face the following consequences:
Carlos Lagrange of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders exits the field during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
We’re reaching an inflection point in the minor league calendar. None of the four full-season affiliates is going to play until Friday in a pseudo All-Star Break (remember when the minors used to have All-Star games?). The trade deadline is 2.5 weeks away. It won’t be long until several of these names are in different organizations. Replacing them will be a new crop of talent that includes 13 hitters in the 2026 draft class. Those who survive will likely be promoted to make room for them in A-ball.
This week, we saw a high-profile promotion, a high-profile rehab assignment, and some great individual performances across the system.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Record: 11-6 (48-43), 2.5 GB in the International League East after a 4-2 week against the Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays)
Run differential: +36 (+39)
Coming up: Home vs. Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox)
The RailRiders opened their week with an utter evisceration of the Bisons over the first three games, outscoring them 32-5 through Friday. Getting swept in a Saturday doubleheader took a little bit of steam out of them, but they outlasted Buffalo in an extra-inning affair on Sunday to secure the series win.
With George Lombard Jr. still sidelined this week, the offense got a needed jolt from guys who’ve spent extended stretches on the big league roster and were pushed down due to roster shakeups. Spencer Jones (7-for-22, HR, 2 RBI, 3 XBH, 4 BB) and J.C. Escarra (8-for-26, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 2B) have raked since their demotions, and when you combine their performance with the clutch hitting of guys like Jonathan Ornelas and Ernesto Martinez Jr., you suddenly get a good offense. Shoutout to Tyler Hardman, who’s quickly getting himself on a major league radar in his first Triple-A stint.
I get the feel that Tyler Hardman will most likely be with a different organization come the end of July and will most likely be called up to get every day 1B reps when he is. I think dating back to the beginning of June, he's made a lot of really impressive improvements in his… pic.twitter.com/8YLySgPmPl
The rotation is mostly whole again this week, but with a twist. The team appears to be switching around the likes of Dom Hamel, Alexander Cornielle, and Adam Kloffenstein on and off the Development List to get around the roster limit. The three prospects (Elmer Rodríguez, Brendan Beck, Kyle Carr) made another turn, and while the latter struggled on Saturday, the former two both got wins in solid, five-inning outings.
In the bullpen, the shuttle keeps moving. Yerry De los Santos and Yovanny Cruz have continued to produce as they wait their turn; Kervin Castro and Eric Reyzelman had positive weeks, and Double-A call-ups Chris Kean and Will Brian had scoreless outings. Bradley Hanner has arguably been the team’s best reliever, but he’s likely to exercise an opt-out and hit free agency this week.
Record: 7-11 (44-43), 4 GB in the Eastern League Northeast after a 2-4 week against the Reading Fightin’ Phils (Phillies)
Run differential: -6 (+30)
Coming up: Away @ Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox)
Somerset’s downturn over the last several weeks continued this week against Reading, with the team picking up wins only on Wednesday and Friday. In three of their four losses, they failed to score three runs.
The offense is still not having a fun time. Outside of the perennially raking Jace Avina, not many guys are stepping up. It doesn’t help that former Mexican League MVP Nick Torres was granted his release mid-week. The one guy who’s really emerged over the past few weeks has been an unexpected name in the 2025 draft: Connor McGinnis. The former 10th-round pick is slashing .390/.419/.683 with seven extra-base hits in the first half of July.
In the rotation, Xavier Rivas was tasked with the bookend starts and did terrific (more on him later). Jack Cebert had a so-so start to complete an inconsistent first half, Chase Hampton got roughed up on Thursday, Ben Hess went five innings in his longest outing since April, and Cade Smith allowed three runs with seven strikeouts in a choppy outing. This unit has a lot of potential, but there’s been a lot of inconsistency.
In the arm barn, Harrison Cohen got roughed up this week, but the stars continued to shine with Hayden Merda and Ben Grable (who got a brief cameo at the Futures Game), while guys like Tony Rossi and Geoffrey Gilbert are rounding into form after a promotion and an injury, respectively. Keep an eye on Kelly Austin, who’s had an inconsistent season but has good strikeout numbers.
Record: 11-10 (42-44), 2 GB in the South Atlantic League North Second Half after a 4-2 week against the Rome Emperors (Braves)
Run differential: +19 (+28)
Coming up: Away @ Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)
The Renegades rode great pitching to start the week, allowing just two runs in each of the first three games to sweep the first three, but they only managed to win one of the final three in what was overall a successful week at home against the visiting Emperors.
Kaeden Kent popped up on the injured list on Tuesday, suddenly taking Hudson Valley’s consistent leadoff bat out of the lineup. With him out, the weight of the lineup falls on Core Jackson and Wilson Rodriguez, but a pair of other red-hot bats are definitely pulling their own weight. Eric Genther (5-for-18, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB) was a big-time bat this week, and former top prospect Roderick Arias has been incredible all summer after a horrendous start.
The rotation welcomed fast-rising prospect Henry Lalane, who earned a mid-week promotion, to a group with an underrated amount of prospect value. Lalane allowed two runs in 4.2 innings with eight strikeouts in a game the bullpen blew. Bryce Cunningham struggled with command in four innings, Allen Facundo had a very similar outing to Lalane with eight strikeouts, Rory Fox struck out nine in another strong outing, Franyer Herrera tossed five solid frames, and Luis Serna was the star of the show. The Mexico native struck out 10 in seven strong innings on Wednesday.
The bullpen started strong in the first half of the week, but it got smoked on Friday and Sunday. The latter was more of Sean Paul Liñan as a piggyback, but Andrew Landry and Bryce Warrecker licked their wounds after an ugly loss on Friday. Thomas Balboni Jr., Wilmy Sanchez, and Kevin Stevens had the best weeks.
Record: 15-6 (46-35), 4 GA in the Florida State League West after a 4-2 week against the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)
Run differential: +29 (+52)
Coming up: Home vs. Bradenton Marauders (Pirates)
The Tarpons continue to be the gold standard in the Yankees’ system with the most well-balanced roster from top to bottom. They’ve also benefitted from not many promotions disrupting their vibes, but that could change as the new draftees arrive and the FCL season ends soon. They lost two of their first three games, but swept a Saturday doubleheader and won via shutout on Sunday.
The offense stayed consistent with Jackson Lovich continuing to rake while the Monteros, Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, and JoJo Jackson all complemented him in the lineup. Luis Puello has cooled off of late, and they’re not getting much from Engelth Urena and Brando Mayea, but they remain the third-best offense in the entire Florida State League.
Justin West opened the week with six shutout innings as he continued a strong recent stretch, Thatcher Hurd went another five solid innings, Wyatt Parliament had a bounce-back start with five one-run innings, JT Etheridge tossed four shutout innings, and Tyler Boudreau went six strong innings. Sabier Marte was called up for his Single-A debut on Saturday and got shelled, while the team placed Brennan Stuprich on the injured list.
It was opposite day for the bullpen. Their three best relievers in the first half were probably Pedro Rodriguez, Jose M. Rodriguez, and Jose Martinez, but all three got shelled this week. Meanwhile, long-struggling pitchers Jose Ledesma and Jordarlin Mendoza did great. Brian Hendry also pitched an inning, and I openly wonder if he’s transitioning to a reliever to expedite his trip up the minor leagues.
Record: 27-25, 7.5 GB in the FCL North after a 4-1 week.
Run differential: +11
The season is just about over for the FCL Yanks. There are only eight games left, and they trail the FCL Orioles by 4.5 games for the final wild card spot. They got off to a nice start on an unlikely climb this week with four wins, but there’s a long way to go.
The most prolific home run hitting team in rookie ball has a lot of names to talk about, but there’s one big storyline to watch in the final week and a half. Wilberson De Pena has tied the all-time FCL record in home runs with 15 and is three off from the all-time rookie ball record of 18. Can he get there?
The other big news was the return of George Lombard Jr. in a rehab assignment on Monday afternoon in the backfields of the FCL Phillies’ complex in Florida. Of course, he blasted a 106-mph homer in his first at-bat since spraining two of his fingers in June.
🚨George Lombard Jr CRUSHES 2nd pitch of his rehab for a solo shot!
The two most notable pitchers on the staff got promoted to Tampa, including stellar Tennessee UDFA reliever Austin Breedlove. The new names to watch? Edinzo Marquez, Enixon Sanchez, Jerson Alejandro, and Danny Flatt.
DSL Yankees: Record: 19-10, 1 GA in DSL East after a 4-0 week Run differential: +107
DSL Bombers: Record: 13-18, 7.5 GB in DSL Southeast after a 2-3 week Run differential: -25
The DSL Yankees are the best team at that level. They’ve finally taken the lead in the DSL East division and their offense is right at the center. They’re averaging over 10 runs a game with a team OPS of .954, buoyed by a Big Three of Isaias Castillo, Juan Torres, and Stiven Marinez. They even got the best DSL pitcher in the system, as Fredy Penuelas has a sub-1 ERA in 30 innings.
The DSL Bombers are down in the doldrums. Their average game sees them commit three errors, score a bunch of runs on 10+ walks, and lose via pitching implosion. So it goes.
Rivas made the rare two-start week, tossing a quality start on both Tuesday and Sunday. It’s rare that a lineup does worse the more they see a pitcher in quick succession, but Rivas managed to do that to Reading this week. He started with a basic six-inning, two-run showing on Tuesday:
But his masterpiece was on Sunday, where the former 16th-round pick out of Ole Miss tossed six no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts to close the week. Unfortunately, his bullpen not only soiled the no-no, but the shutout and the win.
Since a disastrous 11-run outing in late May, Rivas has a 1.41 ERA across 32.2 innings with 46 strikeouts to 13 walks. He’s slowly turned into a real starter after being reduced to a piggyback or four-inning starter to start the season, and that could mean his stock is up both internally and externally.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the 2026 All-Star player photoshoot at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Juan Soto talked to the media ahead of tonight’s All-Star Game. He discussed which Mets players he thinks he will be part of next year’s All-Star team, how it feels to represent the Mets in the game, helping A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge, the players he looked up to growing up, the player he’s most looking forward to catching up with during the festivities, and his message to kids who want to be All-Stars.
Soto also said the Mets are not yet eliminated and he and his teammates will keep grinding.
Soto being voted an All-Star team proves this is the place he deserves to be.
Bryce Harper was very complimentary of his former teammate, calling Soto “one of the best to ever do it.” Cody Bellinger was equally complimentary, calling Soto the “best bat in the game.”
Justin Verlander reflected on his time with the Mets.
Started from the top, now we’re here: The Mets began 2026 with an 86.6% shot at the postseason according to FanGraphs, and they enter the second half with a 0.8% chance. If you’re an optimist, you may view this as proof that they’re still not out of it.
And with that, the Mets will gear up for the trade deadline as their focus shifts to 2027.
The second half will be all about roster construction and will require improvements from their vets, starting with Francisco Lindor.
The Mets are facing the worrying reality of squandering another historic offensive season from Soto, though Joel Sherman thinks there may still be some reason for hope.
Danny Abriano argued that taking Devin Williams out of the closer’s role now makes no sense.
Around the National League East
Bryce Harper revealed the one player in baseball history he’d love to suit up with, and it happens to be a player who is currently active.
Harper denied he gave FanDuel the consent for a personalized video he made for a customer, who has since alleged that the sportsbook took advantage of his gambling addiction.
Kyle Schwarber felt the love in Philly despite getting walked off in the Home Run Derby.
Around Major League Baseball
Down to his final swing, Jordan Walker hit four straight homers to stun Kyle Schwarber and win the Home Run Derby. He became the first Cardinals player to do so.
It was a memorable Home Run Derby, and here are some incredible facts and stats to prove it.
Here’s a round-by-round breakdown of the Home Run Derby in case you missed it (or don’t have Netflix and couldn’t watch).
The full All-Star Game starting lineups were revealed ahead of today’s game.
All-Stars talked about their opposition to a salary cap but believe there is still time to reach a deal.
No. 1 overall pick Roch Cholowsky is going to sign with the White Sox for for $10.35 million, breaking the record of $9.3 million which was set by Chase Burns & Charlie Condon in 2024.
The Yankees agreed to terms with first round pick Hunter Dietz.
The Bronx Bombers are eyeing upgrades at catcher and the bullpen at the trade deadline.
The Athletics dismissed pitching coach Scott Emerson. Their bullpen coach, Dan Hubbs, will serve as interim pitching coach for the remainder of the season.
Linus also looked at the top ten Mets draft picks of all time by bWAR.
I offered a history of all the Mets who have previously participated in the Home Run Derby.
This Date in Mets History
Bobby Valentine picked up the 1,000th victory of his managerial career on this date in 2001 thanks to a combined one-hitter from Glendon Rusch and Armando Benitez.
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 13: Ken Griffey Jr #24 of the Seattle Mariners, John Kruk #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Barry Larkin #11 of the Cincinnati Reds poses together for this portrait prior to the start of the 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star game July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The American League beat the National League 9-3. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the Jays won the 1992 World Series, Cito Gaston was named manager of the American League team for the 1993 All-Star Game. Three Jays—Joe Carter, John Olerud, and Roberto Alomar—were selected as starters by fan vote, a testament to the enthusiasm of Blue Jays fans. Cito further demonstrated his loyalty by adding four more Jays to the roster: Paul Molitor, Devon White, Pat Hentgen, and Duane Ward. This move didn’t sit well with fans of other teams, but Cito has always stood by his players.
The game took place at the new and impressive Camden Yards in Baltimore. The Orioles had a strong team that year. Cal Ripken was selected by the fans, and Cito also included Mike Mussina on the roster. In hindsight, knowing how events would unfold, Cito might have chosen someone else for that spot.
I got to ask Pat Hentgen about that game and not getting to pitch, and he said this:
Yeah, that was when Cito called us into the office prior to the All-Star game and said, ‘Hey listen, you guys are young; I’ve got some other veteran guys that made the All-Star team, I’m going to pitch them and save you for backup in case we go extra innings. So you basically are not going to pitch. The way I see it, you are young, and you’ll be back another one. I remember walking out of his office thinking, ” Darn, I can’t believe he is thinking that.” But he was right. At that time, did I think I’d make another one? I wasn’t so sure; I didn’t know. You have many doubts as a professional athlete. Not everyone is super super confident. He was right, I made another one and pitched in 94 and 97. That 93 one was a great experience.
Now Pat uses the term ‘we’, which, though he doesn’t say it, suggests to me that Mike Mussina got the same talk. Mussina was in his second full season in the majors. Cito always preferred veteran players. Hentgen was disappointed to be told that he wasn’t likely to play in the game. Mussina would have the additional disappointment of not playing in the game in front of his hometown fans, though he had played in the 1992 All-Star Game. What are the chances of him getting into another All-Star game at his home field?
The game didn’t go into extra innings, and neither Hentgen nor Mussina were used. In Pat’s case, it was barely noticed. In Mussina’s?
Baltimore fans understandably wanted to see their pitcher take the mound. What’s harder to grasp is Mussina’s decision to warm up in the bullpen during the ninth inning without being asked by Cito. By doing so, he turned the crowd against Cito—and it worked. It was a questionable move. Cito’s response:
“By standing up, he (Mussina) showed me he’s a person with little class. Screw him. I just won’t take him next year”.
Cito didn’t follow through on his threat; he took Mussina to the 1994 All-Star Game and used him. Still, Oriole fans have never forgiven Cito, and the tension between him and Mussina lingered. Fans continued to wear ‘Cito Sucks’ T-shirts, and Cito even received death threats when the team visited Baltimore. Not exactly a proud chapter for anyone involved.
So, who was at fault? Honestly, both were. Cito should have put Mussina in—it was his home crowd, and All-Star Games are supposed to be for the fans. Cito wanted to save Mussina in case of extra innings, but with the AL leading 9-3 in the ninth, that was unlikely. I think Cito should have let Mussina pitch.
But Mussina wasn’t blameless either—his actions put Cito in a tough spot. Maybe youth was his excuse, but it wasn’t the right way to handle things. Once Mussina started warming up on his own, there was no way Cito would be pressured into using him. Mussina’s best approach would have been to ask his own manager, Johnny Oates (who was coaching on the AL staff), to speak to Cito. That might have worked—Cito is a reasonable guy.
In the end, the situation couldn’t have played out much worse. Mussina didn’t help matters after the game, saying:
“It was the biggest ovation I ever got for never being in a game,” Mussina said. “I knew I wasn’t going to get into the game. There was nothing said. They [the fans] all wanted to see me pitch. They’re die-hard Baltimore fans. They waited 35 years for this game.”
Oriole GM Frank Robinson had the proper response:
“I’m disappointed in the fan reaction. I don’t think it’s right,” said Robinson, who played in 11 All-Star Games and was honorary co-captain of this year’s AL team. “I’d like to have seen Mussina get in. But there was no reason for that. It’s an All-Star Game, an exhibition.
I don’t think anyone came out of this looking good.
How did the Jay players do in the game?
Roberto Alomar: Started the game, hitting leadoff. He went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the 3rd off Andy Benes.
Paul Molitor: Started the game, batting second. He went 0 for 1 with a walk.
Joe Carter: Started the game, hitting cleanup. He went 1 for 3 with a strikeout.
John Olerud: Started the game, hitting 5th. He went 0 for 2.
Devon White: Replaced Ken Griffey in the top of the 6th. He went 1 for 2, with a double, run, RBI and stolen base.
Duane Ward: Pitched the 9th (yeah, while Mussina threw in the bullpen). He got 3 quick outs, 2 strikeouts and a ground out.
The lone Oriole to play, Cal Ripken, went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
With the All-Star Break here, much of the baseball world has a bit of time away from the diamond. However, there are still some games going on in the minors. And for the Braves, that meant the return to action for Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim.
Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim today begin rehabilitation assignments with the FCL Braves.
Both Kim and Acuna Jr. had multiple at-bats on the day, and Kim hit a home run in his first plate appearance. While the results will hopefully come for Acuna Jr., it was just great to have him back in action. His return should be a big boost for a Braves team looking to make winning a habit once again.
It’s a fair question after watching him play for the Boston Celtics through three games at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Yes, it’s only the summer league, and we shouldn’t make grand proclamations after three games on the UNLV campus. But one thing is clear: Cenac has real potential and could play a role off the bench for head coach Joe Mazzulla’s club in Boston next season.
Cenac had 14 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in the summer league opener against the Toronto Raptors last Friday. He also hit an overtime-forcing 3-pointer from the corner in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. In Sunday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets, Cenac had two points and five rebounds but only played 19 minutes.
He bounced back in a major way Monday night against the Atlanta Hawks with 16 points, five rebounds and four blocks. He was scoring in a variety of different ways — midrange jumpers, driving to the basket, dunks in close, turnaround shots, etc.
His defense also was fantastic, and it’s been on full display throughout summer league. Cenac had two blocks in one 20-second sequence during the third quarter versus the Hawks. He now has nine blocks in three summer league games. He had 18 blocks all of last season for the University of Houston.
Cenac is able to impact a lot of shots with his 6-foot-11 frame and 7-foot-5 wingspan.
The athleticism that Cenac shows on both ends of the floor is impressive, and it’s something the Celtics needed to add to their group in the offseason. Both of their 2026 draft picks, Cenac and second-rounder Dillon Mitchell, have played with great athleticism at summer league so far.
The Celtics have a deep team. Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta are going to play most of the minutes at center. Luka Garza proved to be a competent frontcourt player last season, too. It won’t be easy for Cenac to carve out a consistent role unless injuries hurt the team’s depth.
But there’s a lot to like about Cenac’s skill set. He has the tools to become a valuable part of the Celtics’ rotation in the not-too-distant future.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets, from left, Shohei Ohtani #17, Freddie Freeman #5, Max Muncy #13, Andy Pages #44, Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18, and Justin Wrobleski #70 before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Five Dodgers are in Philadelphia for the All-Star game on Tuesday, two of them first timers in Andy Pages and Justin Wrobleski.
Sonja Chen of MLB.com covers why it should be Pages’ second All-Star nod.
“It should be his second. I think he should have had it last year,” said Freddie Freeman, who will be in the NL’s starting lineup alongside Pages at his 10th All-Star Game. “Andy has been great for a couple years now. So I’m glad he’s getting the recognition. I’m glad the fans are gonna get to see him in Philadelphia.”
Last year, the Dodgers centerfielder was one of three finalists for the fan vote to make the Midsummer Classic. He was not chosen by the fans, nor was he added as a replacement. Did that give him motivation to make it this season?
“I think it did affect me,” Pages said through interpreter Juan Dorado. “But obviously, coming into this year I’m trying to focus on the things that I can control, the things that I need to do, and kind of learn from what happened last year and put myself in a better spot this year.”
Andy didn’t talk much about it, but focused on being better and getting to the All-Star team, in addition to being better overall for the team. While he’s had his ups and downs, he’s proud of the work he’s put in that has resulted in him being the starting centerfielder for the National League.
“This is one of those things that … you feel proud of all the work you’ve done,” Pages said in Spanish. “It’s doing those little things that you think can make you better, keeping working and trying to do the best every day.”
Max Muncy is on his third All-Star team, but it’s been five years since his last appearance, and he’s had to work through some significant injuries in the meantime.
“It’s coming back from injuries, finding ways to stay healthy – regaining form I guess you’d call it,” Muncy said. “Just getting back to the player that I had been for several years before I started getting hurt. For me, it’s just a recognition of that.”
This time around, Muncy is very much looking forward to the family aspect of it, and for his kids to experience this with their dad.
Over the offseason, Muncy put a lot of effort into making sure his body was in the best shape for this season, knowing that being the Dodgers’ third baseman was his only path to staying on the team which whom he hopes to retire.
“The reality of the situation was if I want to continue being a Dodger I had to learn to play third base. There really is no ifs ands or butts about that. I had to get better.”
His offseason work has paid off, as Muncy leads all NL third basemen in slugging and OPS, and is tied for second in home runs with 17. He’s ranked third among third basemen in defensive runs saved, even with his two errors in his last two games.
“For me, it was never about getting the money. It was always about getting the opportunity to win,” he said. “That was the thing for me. If I’m going to play this game that I love, the reason I love it is because I love to compete, I want to be in the best spot to compete to win and there’s no better spot than here. That was always the deciding factor in those decisions. That’s why it’s always been a no-brainer for me. The money didn’t really matter. It’s the chance to compete and win and I get that every day here.
Bill Plunkett of the OC Register covers more of Muncy and manager Dave Roberts’ thoughts on his season and what he means to the team here.
Utah Jazz guard Trey Alexander was taken off the court on a stretcher after collapsing on the floor during an NBA Summer League game on Monday, July 13, against the Chicago Bulls.
Alexander collided with the Bulls' Caleb Wilson, drawing a foul on his drive to the basket. After the play ended, Alexander dropped to the ground clutching his side and appeared to be in substantial pain.
The G-league rookie of the year in 2024-25, Alexander just signed a two-way deal with Utah last week. The team did not provide any update on his condition, according to the Associated Press.
Alexander, 23, skipped his final season at Creighton to turn pro. He has played a total of 33 games in the NBA over the past two seasons with the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans.
It should be noted that players are listed with the Teams they were with on June 16, so techincally Tobias Harris is listed with the Pistons, but his addition to the Spurs in the upcoming season gives the Silver& Black eight players, the most for any team.
Victor Wembanyama is #2 on the list, just behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA was the league MVP and Cluth POTY lewading his team to 64 wins. Wemby was runner-up for MVP and the DPOY and bested OKC in the Western Conference Finals on his way to the NBA Finals. Something tells me these could be reversed next season.
Stephon Castle at #26 is described as wrecking ball defender. His placement feels right given the surrounding players.
Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox are #45 and #46 respectively. Looks like the authors — Bill Simmons, Zach Lowe, Danny Chau, Kirk Goldsberry, Rob Mahoney, Michael Pina, and Justin Verrier — didn’t want to pick a favorite given the “who should come start and who should come off the bench” discussions swirling after the the Finals. Alas, they couldn’t tie, so they gave Harper a small edge.
Vassell is such an overlooked player at times. Given the manpower in that starting line-up, it’s easy to focus on their last three years of draft picks and shuffle Vassell back. Good to see the writers acknowledge his greatness.
Having Julian Champagnie and Keldon Joshnon at #98 and #99 feels like a 1-2 punch to close out the Spurs on the list. All seven of the Spurs double-figure scorers made the list. All five starters (at the end of the season) were on the list. And Harris’ inclusion makes the Spurs the team with the most going inot next season.
Noteable non-Spurs.
At age 38, Stephen Curry is still in the Top 10.
Call it sour grapes (and the fact that I mainly only watch Spurs games) buy Karl-Anthony Towns at #12 felt too high. I’ll have to revisot his regular season stats, but the Knicks biog man was non-factor in their close out Championship Game 5 and scored only 5 measly points in all five 4th quarters during the Finals. Is he really the fourth best big in the game?
Ex-Spurs guard Dejounte Murray came in ay #89. I didn’t even know he was still playing. Thought injuries had sidelined him.
Memphis and Sacramento had no players on the list while Chicago, Dallas, and Brooklyn had one apiece.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s one hard and fast rule when it comes to evaluating player performance at NBA Summer League: it’s only okay to overreact if it strengthens your pre-existing beliefs and narratives. There are worse ways to spend one’s time in Las Vegas than searching for confirmation bias on the frantic courts of summer league.
In reality, the only universally agreed upon summer league truth is that it’s a very bad sign if second and third-year players are struggling as former first-round picks. For everyone else, what happens in Vegas should be taken with a grain of salt yet enjoyed to its fullest because it’s awesome to have NBA basketball back in July even if it’s only JV teams duking it out for a couple weeks.
Summer league is mostly about watching the NBA’s recent draft picks, but it’s always nice when young veterans show they might be taking a leap for the upcoming season. A year ago, Ajay Mitchell was on my too good for summer league list and then proceeded to have a breakout year for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are the players who look too good to be in Las Vegas this summer.
Will Riley, G, Washington Wizards
Riley measured above 6’8 barefoot at the combine ahead of the 2025 draft, and he’s reportedly gotten even taller since then. Now standing around 6’10, the 20-year-old wing showed off his deep bag of scoring moves with fearless takes to the rim, spot-up threes, and solid rebounding for his position in Las Vegas. Riley is really slippery off the bounce to beat the first line of the defense, and his long strides and extension finishes help him finish at the basket even with his thin frame. His shooting tends to run hot-and-cold, but he has real utility in his three-point shot both off the dribble and on spot-ups, and there’s no doubt he has NBA range on his jumper. Riley is just a really fluid athlete for his size with real shooting upside, and he has the awareness to relocate off the ball to put himself in a better position to score. There are suddenly a lot of mouths to feed in Washington, but Riley seems like a walking bucket who is just starting to scratch his long-term upside.
Slawson was a 2023 NCAA tournament hero for helping lead Furman to a first-round upset over Virginia, which helped him get selected No. 54 overall by the Kings. He’s bounced around the G League in his first few years as a pro with only 13 NBA games under his belt, but he’s coming off an excellent season for Pacers’ G League affiliate. Slawson is proving he deserves a real shot at an NBA roster spot with a fantastic showing in summer league that has displayed his downhill athleticism and defensive playmaking as a 6’8 forward. He had five blocks in the SummerPacers’ Vegas opener in a win over the Cavs, then turned up the heat on offense by scoring 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting in Indiana’s next game against the 76ers. Slawson’s defense will have to be his calling card to earn a roster spot, and he has all the tools you need at that end with a strong frame, a near 7-foot wingspan, and good instincts to both play the passing lanes and rotate for supplemental rim protection. Offensively, he’s best when he has a clear lane to the basket as a cutter or in transition. The three-point shot remains his swing skill, but after making 34.5 percent from deep in the G League last year, it’s clear he’s making progress. This summer league run has been another step forward.
Egor Demin, G, Brooklyn Nets
It’s time I fill out an apology form on Egor Demin. Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, I named Demin one of the most overrated prospects in the class, and gave the Nets a D for his selection at No. 8 overall in my instant grades. My main arguments against Demin were that I didn’t think he could score efficiently inside or outside the arc, and I didn’t think he had the frame to play through contact on either end. Well! Demin massively improved as a shooter as a rookie, going from 27 percent from three and 69 percent from the foul line in college to 38.5 percent from three and 83.1 percent on free throws as a rookie. A year in an NBA strength and conditioning program helped his body quite a bit too, and he continues to show the gains he’s made during summer league. Demin scored 20 or more points in all three of his summer league games this year on 61 percent true shooting. He looks improved attacking the basket off the bounce, and he’s showing he can hit the defensive glass, too. The Nets have done a really good job developing Demin’s frame, and it’s paying off on both ends. Demin deserves a lot of credit himself for putting in the work to improve his jumper. I’m happy to be wrong about this one because Demin is a cool player with a fun skill set who should be a nice piece in Brooklyn’s rebuild for a long time.
Beringer didn’t play much as a rookie after being the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 draft, but he’s in line for a bigger role this season after the Timberwolves traded away Julius Randle. The 6’11 big man only needed one summer league game to show off his spectacular athleticism and skill set improvements that should have Minnesota fans very excited for his sophomore season. Beringer runs the floor incredibly well for a center, and he has crazy bounce when he gets near the rim. It feels like a lock that he’s going to have a few of the NBA’s most impressive dunks this season, but his shot-blocking will be just as valuable backing up Rudy Gobert. The most surprising thing about his summer league performance might be the development of his handle: he looked comfortable attacking off the dribble far away from the hoop, showing good footwork and enough ball control to get to the basket. The Wolves need some big bodies to help protect Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball this season, and Beringer is showing he can be a contributor.
Tre Johnson, G, Washington Wizards
The Wizards vs. Jazz opener in Las Vegas was hyped as the first meeting between A.J. Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, but Johnson was the best player on the floor. The No. 6 overall pick from the 2025 draft showed what he could do in a high-usage role, splashing shots from deep, attacking off the dribble, and keeping constant pressure on the opposing defense with his gravity. Johnson’s ability to self-create threes off the dribble is going to be huge for his scoring utility as teams load up to stop Dybantsa, Trae Young, and Anthony Davis. If you crowd his dribble, Johnson has the quickness and the handle needed to beat his man to the cup and get the defense rotating. His playmaking and defense still needs some work, but he should take a step up after a decent rookie year in Washington.
Khaman Maluach, C, Phoenix Suns
Khaman Maluach's second straight double-double in Vegas
Maluach essentially got a redshirt in his rookie season in Phoenix, but the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft seems poised for a breakthrough this year. The former Duke center is absolutely gigantic at nearly 7’1 barefoot, 252 pounds, with a nearly 7’7 wingspan and 9’6 standing reach, and he looked like a man amongst boys in summer league. It’s impossible to keep Maluach out of deep post position on offense, and all it takes is a quick turn to the basket for him to be in position to dunk the ball. His length is even more effective on the defensive end, and he looked quicker to the ball with his ground coverage in Las Vegas. The thing that makes Maluach really exciting is his potential to shoot threes, and he continues to take and make them in summer league. His hands and passing are still a question offensively, but Maluach is so big with a rapidly rising skill level that he still has tons of upside for the Suns even after a quiet rookie year.
Cedric Coward, F, Memphis Grizzlies
Coward solidified his meteoric rise from DIII to lottery pick in his first season in the NBA by earning All-Rookie First-Team honors. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 draft is a long (7’2 wingspan) and strong swingman who locks down on the defensive end, shoots an easy ball from three, and adds value as a rebounder. It would have been easy for Coward to skip summer league after such a strong rookie year as a soon-to-be 23-year-old, but instead there he was defending full court, crashing the glass, and trying to add new elements to his game with pull-up threes. Coward feels like the perfect connective tissue between Cameron Boozer and Zach Edey in the Memphis frontcourt, and these early reps playing with Boozer could help jumpstart their chemistry next season. Memphis’ rebuild already looks promising, and Coward is a big part of it.
Maxime Raynaud, C, Sacramento Kings
Raynaud might have been the best second-round pick of last year’s draft, going from the No. 42 overall selection to All-Rookie Second-Team honors for the Sacramento Kings. The Stanford product has a diverse offensive game with impressive post moves inside, an easy shooting stroke from three, and the ability to make plays for teammates in dribble-handoff actions. He should be a true stretch five in time, but he needs to up his volume from behind the arc, and that shouldn’t be a problem after he again showed off his deep touch in Las Vegas. The real questions for Raynaud come on the defensive end, where he’s just not a very strong rim protector. The Kings are going to need to find playmaking defensive wings to insulate Raynaud on that end of the floor, but his offensive game is good enough to demand minutes for a Sacramento team that continues to rebuild.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Koby Brea #14 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on July 13, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As the Phoenix Suns tipped off their third Summer League game against the Milwaukee Bucks, a rolling monsoon made its way into the Valley of the Sun. Dust, wind, rain, lightning, thunder. ’Twas the first big storm of the summer, and it coincided with the storm brewing on the court in Las Vegas.
For the first time this summer, the Suns looked cohesive and connected in the opening quarter, scoring 19 points after totaling only 22 first-quarter points in their first two games combined. From there, the aggression and pressure continued. And as I watched, I could feel the overreactions boiling inside of me.
Because how can you not be excited about how comfortable and mature Khaman Maluach looks? How can you not be impressed with the way rookie Koa Peat demands the ball and makes a beeline toward the cylinder? How can you not be thankful that Koby Brea was knocking down three pointers? How can you not be pleased with how Rasheer Fleming’s defensive acumen appears to have progressed?
When the regular season arrives, the minutes for these players will most likely dwindle. Players ahead of them on the depth chart will receive more opportunities, and that’s fine. That’s what makes what the Suns are doing right now so impressive. They have a deep roster with a talented starting five and legitimate position battles behind it.
The youth movement on display in Vegas felt as impressive and mighty as the storm rolling across the desert Monday night. And like the rain, sometimes you have to wait for it. This was the first measurable rain in 100 days. It might be a couple of years before these young players truly make their impact in Phoenix. But if they continue to progress, they’re going to force the organization’s hand. They’re going to force some decisions.
And that’s where the excitement lives. Not in Summer League wins or stat lines, but in the pressure these players can create within the organization. Development changes timelines. Competition changes rotations. Young players who demand opportunities eventually receive them. The Suns don’t need Maluach, Peat, Fleming, or Brea to arrive tomorrow. They need them to keep pushing. Keep progressing. Keep making the decisions ahead more difficult. Because when that happens, the forecast in Phoenix begins to change.
Summer Bright Side Baller Standings
Two games. Two Bright Side Baller awards for Khaman Maluach. And you know what? I wouldn’t want it any other way…
Virginia outfielder AJ Gracia (29) swings for the ball during an NCAA Baseball Regional game between Southern Miss and Virginia at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Saturday, May 30, 2026. | Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Virginia baseball was far from perfect in Chris Pollard’s first season, but one thing nobody could dispute was their quality top end talent. Five Wahoos were selected by pro organizations in the 2026 MLB Draft last weekend.
A.J. Gracia did not have to wait long to hear his name called, as the Atlanta Braves picked the two-time all-ACC outfielder ninth overall. Gracia becomes the sixth all-time Cavalier to go in the top ten, and the first since Pavin Smith (7th to the Arizona Diamondbacks) and Adam Haseley (8th to the Philadelphia Phillies) in 2017. Some scouts have been skeptical of Gracia’s long-term outlook defensively, but his bat was too good to resist.
Eric Becker was also selected on day one, joining fellow UVA alumni Andrew Abbott and Ethan O’Donnell in the Cincinnati Reds organization as a second round pick. Becker’s stock dropped slightly as a result of a “down” junior season in Charlottesville. Still, he finishes his college career with a .348 overall batting average and 1.048 OPS.
The third ‘Hoo off the board was sixth-round selection Kyle Johnson, who will more than likely specialize as a pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Joe Tiroly, a seventh round selection by the San Diego Padres, and Tyler Kapa, the Miami Marlins’ 14th round pick, round out the list.
As far as committed high schoolers are concerned, call it a small victory for the UVA program. The only member of the 2026 recruiting class that will not make it to Grounds is, as expected, infielder Bo Lowrance, who went 40th overall to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, highly rated recruits such as RHP Wyatt Clatur, LHP Sean Loggie, and SS Will Yow (as confirmed earlier this offseason) all will join the Cavaliers roster for the 2027 season after going undrafted.
Grateful to have been part of Bo’s journey. The @Dodgers got a great player and a world class family! https://t.co/05TWxpC2p4
Catcher Jake Weatherspoon also did not hear his name called and may very well be returning next season. The JUCO transfer tallied ten multi-hit games and 13 extra base hits in 2026, slashing .272/.337/.429.
Elsewhere around the country, former Cavaliers pitchers Bryson Moore (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Evan Blanco (Athletics), as well as position players Henry Ford (Seattle Mariners) and Aidan Teel (Minnesota Twins) were all middle round draftees.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 12: Ike Irish #18 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during batting practice prior to the 2026 All-Star Futures Game Presented by Nike at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This week marks the All-Star break for more than just the major league teams. The minor league affiliates are off for the next few days as well, never mind that the leagues themselves don’t put on All-Star Games any more, like they used to. For a variety of reasons, there probably wouldn’t be all that many Orioles prospect All-Stars this year anyway.
These weekly updates focus on the team’s top prospects, particularly those on Camden Chat’s composite top 20 Orioles prospect list from before the season. They also include other guys who interest me who might develop into prospects over time. I do not tend to spend much time on non-prospect journeymen.
Here’s how things went this week:
Triple-A Norfolk Tides
Last week’s results: 3-2 vs. Syracuse (Mets)
Second half record: 5-11, last place (8 GB) in International League East
Norfolk combines a bottom-half pitching staff with a worst-in-the-league offense in terms of runs scored per game. No wonder this team is a brutal 33-58. The roster is largely a collection of journeyman guys who ostensibly exist as depth for the MLB roster except, if this is how they’re playing at Triple-A, they barely even count for that.
This is particularly relevant in the wake of the injury suffered by Blaze Alexander in the final game before the MLB break. Do the Orioles have an infielder they can bring up from the minors? Well, maybe. He’s the kind of no-longer-prospect I don’t usually talk about in these articles, but there is Christian Encarnacion-Strand, already on the 40-man roster and with most of his games this year played at third base. Encarnacion-Strand batted 5-15 across this week’s games, including two doubles and two homers. He’s OPSing .863 for Norfolk, though that does come with a suboptimal OBP (.309).
With Creed Willems on the injured list, there’s one actual prospect getting at-bats for Norfolk. That is Enrique Bradfield Jr., who continues to put up batting numbers that are fine as long as you ignore what his lack of power portends against MLB pitching. He had three hits and two walks in five games, including one triple, plus a stolen base, giving him 16 steals in 39 games. No question the guy is fast. Big question whether a .670 OPS at Norfolk is enough.
For the pitchers, Nestor German tossed seven shutout innings this week, while allowing just four hits and a walk. He sits at a 4.11 ERA for the season, which isn’t that exciting on its face, but it is .8 runs below the league average. That’s the equivalent of an MLB starting pitcher having a 3.41 ERA. German is at nearly a 10 K/9 and nearly a 3 K/BB. Don’t write him off just for his ERA starting with a 4.
Others of interest
OF Heston Kjerstad – I always want him to be something. He batted 5-13 over four games played, giving him a .766 OPS in 45 games with the Tides. Probably not enough for another MLB look unless there are big league injuries.
LHP Andrew Magno – Two runs allowed in 2.1 innings this week, not great, but the season ERA of 1.04 remains interesting. Sometimes people ask “Why isn’t this guy on the MLB team?” and probably one big answer is he’s walked 20 batters in 34.2 innings.
Second half record: 10-7, t-second place (3.5 GB) in Eastern League Southwest
The Double-A team is not quite as bad off as Norfolk: Their offense isn’t the worst in their league. They are a bit below average, same as their pitching staff. I had higher hopes for the team. As an Orioles fan, I’m used to disappointment. The only defense against that is not getting excited in the first place.
I’m obligated to lead with my guy Aron Estrada, even when the news is bad. The infielder had four hits in 22 at-bats this week, and drew only one walk, so that’s a .481 OPS over five games. The season line still isn’t bad for a 21-year-old at this level: .276/.317/.474. Fellow 21-year-old Thomas Sosa, an outfielder, fared better here, 6-22 including a homer, though he struck out seven times.
The Joseph Dzierwa excitement train did not run into too many problems this past week. He allowed a run over five innings in his lone start, a solo home run. Dzierwa also got a chance to pitch in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, retiring the only batter he pitched against. The week also featured an impressive eight shutout innings in a single start by Luis De León. If he was regularly firing off outings like that, he’d be a lot more exciting. Instead, 4.76 ERA in 70 innings. Love the 11.1 K/9.
Others of interest
RHP Juaron Watts-Brown – Would I even mention him if he wasn’t a hyphenated Brown? Maybe not. Struck out eight batters in five innings this past week. The season ERA of 6.24 in 12 starts is less fun.
C/1B Ethan Anderson – Hit the injured list with an ankle injury, a real shame since he’s rocked this year: .270/.369/.520 with 17 homers.
Last week’s results: 3-2 vs. Jersey Shore (Phillies)
Second half record: 11-9, t-second place (1.5 GB) in South Atlantic League North
The Keys had a guy in the Futures Game as well. That was Ike Irish. He batted twice and walked once. In three games with the Keys before heading to Philadelphia, last year’s first rounder had three hits, including a double, bringing him to an .843 OPS in 71 games.
Fellow first rounder Wehiwa Aloy took the lead in Irish’s temporary absence. Aloy’s six games over this past week saw him rack up nine hits, including two homers, giving him 13 for the season. The thing to watch with Aloy is the strikeouts. He added eight this week and has a 27.2% strikeout rate this year. It’s not Vance Honeycutt territory (he struck out ten times in 11 at-bats in three games) but it’s not what you want.
Among the starting pitchers, the best outing this week was thrown by Twine Palmer, acquired from the Astros last year. His handful of games with Delmarva after the trade last year were so bad, so to see him continuing to do well this year a level higher is nice. This week saw him strike out eight batters over six innings while allowing just a run on three hits and two walks. For the season, it’s a 3.56 ERA and 1.203 WHIP for Palmer.
Others of interest
LHP Boston Bateman – Three runs allowed in five innings this week, less than ideal. Six strikeouts with only one walk allowed. Walk rates are my concern for him (4.6 BB/9 for the season), so if he can keep those down, I think he’ll be OK.
LHP Caden Hunter – Last year’s sixth round pick allowed two runs in five innings; he’s got a 1.93 ERA in eight starts with Frederick. Again, watching the walk rate (also 4.6 BB/9)
OF RJ Austin – 7-15 including a double and a homer, and he walked twice, and he stole eight bases to up his season total to 26. It’s a .259/.361/.414 line in 46 games for last year’s third rounder.
Last week’s results: 2-4 vs. Kannapolis (White Sox)
Second half record: 8-13, fifth place (3.5 GB) in Carolina League North
The lowest-level full-season Orioles affiliate is like Norfolk, except which thing is bad is flipped: They have the worst pitching staff in the league in terms of run prevention and they’re near the bottom in offense. It’s added up to a brutal record for this team as well, one that’s continuing into the second half.
On Friday night, one of the exciting young players on this team, infielder Jaiden Lo Re, left the game early after a collision on the bases. He was back in action on Sunday, reaching base all five times he came to the plate while driving in three runs. Lo Re has a .952 OPS in 27 games here. Fellow 19-year-old infielder DJ Layton’s week included 5-17 hitting with four walks and a pair of stolen bases; his .257/.402/.391 batting line in 75 games is also interesting for this level.
Others of interest
RHP Christian Rodriguez – Seven shutout innings this past week, with five hits and a walk allowed. The Orioles picked him in the 10th round two years ago. He’s 24, old for this level. I think we’ll see some promotions once the draft picks start signing.
In last week’s minor league player of the week poll, you chose my guy Estrada as the winner, narrowly edging Rodriguez. Thanks for your support! Estrada is our ninth different winner of the weekly polls this season. Irish is the only guy to win twice. Other single week winners: Victor Figueroa, Payton Eeles, Braylin Tavera, Caden Hunter, Wehiwa Aloy, Jaiden Lo Re, and Joseph Dzierwa.
Will we add another repeat winner this week? The choice is yours.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 18: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (left) and Philadelphia Phillies Managing Partner and CEO John Middleton (right) applaud and the Phillie Phanatic reacts after the 2026 MLB All-Star Game logo is revealed during Philadelphia's 2026 All-Star Game Declaration on July 18, 2025, at Dilworth Park, in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
Tonight is the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, being held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The game will be broadcast nationally on Fox.
Getting the start for the National League will be the Philadelphia Phillies’ own left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who ended the first half of the season with a 2.62 ERA, 2.70 FIP, with 144 strikeouts to 25 walks in 127.1 innings pitched.
Starting for the American League will be Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease, who ended the first half with a 2.56 ERA, 2.18 FIP, with 148 strikeouts to 44 walks in 98.1 innings pitched.
Here are the starting lineups:
National League
Kyle Schwarber – Philadelphia Phillies – DH
Juan Soto – New York Mets – LF
Freddie Freeman – Los Angeles Dodgers – 1B
CJ Abrams – Washington Nationals – SS
Max Muncy – Los Angeles Dodgers – 3B
Ozzie Albies – Atlanta Braves – 2B
Brandon Marsh – Philadelphia Phillies – RF
Andy Pages – Los Angeles Dodgers – CF
Drake Baldwin – Atlanta Braves – C
American League
Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels – CF
Yordan Alvarez – Houston Astros – DH
Shea Langeliers – Athletics – C
Junior Caminero – Tampa Bay Rays – 3B
Bobby Witt, Jr. – Kansas City Royals – SS
Cody Bellinger – New York Yankees – RF
Ben Rice – New York Yankees – 1B
Riley Greene – Detroit Tigers – LF
Ernie Clement – Toronto Blue Jays – 2B
The San Francisco Giants have two players expected to appear in the game, RHP Logan Webb and second baseman Luis Arraez.
