OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 20: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense on Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game during Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren was considered a top-two defender in the NBA. He only trailed San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year, for the most total votes by 10, 200-190.
The pair of ‘cream of the crop’ shot blockers are going head-to-head in the Western Conference Finals as you read this. They have disliked each other since the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup in Riga, Latvia, when USA’s Holmgren won the gold medal over France’s Wembanyama. Holmgren won the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team.
The lanky challenger at the rim is coming off an NBA All-Star appearance for the first time in his career. He’s on the chase for a second-straight NBA championship, becoming only the fourth Zag to win an NBA title last summer (Los Angeles Lakers’ Adam Morrison in 2009 and 2010, Miami Heat’s Ronny Turiaf in 2012, and San Antonio Spurs’ Austin Daye in 2014).
Through 69 starts for the Thunder, the 7-1 talent averaged 17.1 points on a shooting split of 55.7 percent from the field, 36.2 percent on three-pointers, and 79.2 percent at the charity stripe. His 8.9 rebounds per game rank tied for No. 11 in the NBA, while his 1.9 blocks per game are tied for No. 2. Most importantly, the world’s up-and-coming basketball star listed a defensive rating of 104.1.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 points and 12 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder climbed out of a 15-point hole minutes into the game to beat the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in their series.
Jared McCain had 24 points and Jaylin Williams added 18 for Oklahoma City. The Thunder were without Jalen Williams, who sat out with left hamstring soreness.
Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s 76-23, including 15 points by Alex Caruso.
Victor Wembanyama had 24 points for San Antonio. Devin Vassell added 20 and De’Aaron Fox had 15 in his series debut.
The Thunder have won two straight after the Spurs’ double-overtime victory in Game 1. Game 4 is Sunday. Fox (sprained right ankle) and Dylan Harper (right adductor soreness) were cleared to play 45 minutes prior to tipoff.
Fox’s return sparked a historic start.
The Spurs raced to a 15-0 lead, the longest run to open a game in the conference finals since the play-by-play era began in 1997.
Fox opened the run by wrapping in a driving layup and Wembanyama followed by crossing over Isaiah Hartenstein to drill a 3-pointer. Vassell’s 3-pointer put the Spurs up 10-0, leading to an early timeout by Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
Hartenstein broke the drought with a runner over Wembanyama, but the center was immediately greeted with thunderous boos after his physical play against the Spurs in Game 2.
The Thunder went on a 13-2 run when Wembanyama went to the bench and closed the first quarter trailing 31-26.
It was a pattern the Spurs could not overcome.
The series continued to be chippy with emotions boiling over early in the second half. Stephon Castle hit the court on back-to-back dunk attempts. The second resulted in a flagrant 1 foul against Ajay Mitchell and technical fouls on Mitchell and Vassell after the two exchanged words following the foul.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams extended Oklahoma City’s first lead to 35-31.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 points and 12 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder climbed out of a 15-point hole minutes into the game to beat the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in their series.
Jared McCain had 24 points and Jaylin Williams added 18 for Oklahoma City. The Thunder were without Jalen Williams, who sat out with left hamstring soreness.
Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s 76-23, including 15 points by Alex Caruso.
Victor Wembanyama had 24 points for San Antonio. Devin Vassell added 20 and De’Aaron Fox had 15 in his series debut.
The Thunder have won two straight after the Spurs’ double-overtime victory in Game 1. Game 4 is Sunday. Fox (sprained right ankle) and Dylan Harper (right adductor soreness) were cleared to play 45 minutes prior to tipoff.
Fox’s return sparked a historic start.
The Spurs raced to a 15-0 lead, the longest run to open a game in the conference finals since the play-by-play era began in 1997.
Fox opened the run by wrapping in a driving layup and Wembanyama followed by crossing over Isaiah Hartenstein to drill a 3-pointer. Vassell’s 3-pointer put the Spurs up 10-0, leading to an early timeout by Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
Hartenstein broke the drought with a runner over Wembanyama, but the center was immediately greeted with thunderous boos after his physical play against the Spurs in Game 2.
The Thunder went on a 13-2 run when Wembanyama went to the bench and closed the first quarter trailing 31-26.
It was a pattern the Spurs could not overcome.
The series continued to be chippy with emotions boiling over early in the second half. Stephon Castle hit the court on back-to-back dunk attempts. The second resulted in a flagrant 1 foul against Ajay Mitchell and technical fouls on Mitchell and Vassell after the two exchanged words following the foul.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams extended Oklahoma City’s first lead to 35-31.
Kendrick Perkins thinks this is all a LeBron James charade.
As rumors swirl about what the future holds for James, Perkins said on ESPN’s “sports talk show “First Take,” that the 41-year-old Lakers star already knows what his next move will be.
“Look I’ve been knowing LeBron all my life. He moves like the president,” said Perkins, who teamed briefly with James on the Cavaliers in 2015.
Kendrick Perkins shared his thoughts on LeBron James’ free agency. NBAE via Getty Images
“He already has a plan in place. He knows what he’s doing. He knows what his next move is.”
As the NBA Finals approach, one of the biggest topics of the offseason has been whether or not James will retire, play for another team or sign up for another season in Los Angeles.
James hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down after averaging 21 points and 6.1 rebounds as the Lakers were swept out of the second round of the playoffs by the Thunder.
James, himself, said on his “Mind the Game” podcast this week that his decision is coming sooner than later following a family vacation scheduled to begin this Memorial Day weekend.
LeBron James is mulling his NBA future AP
"We took the bait. He threw his fishing pole out there… He caught the attention that he wanted." @KendrickPerkins on LeBron James talking about his future in the NBA pic.twitter.com/3goY2eI23L
Perkins however, thinks the decision has long been made.
“He already knows that,” Perkins said. “Like this right here, was just throwing the bait out to get more national media attention real quick, to get people talking about it. And here we are talking about it again. He’s already got his plan.”
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: Bryce Johnson #29 of the San Diego Padres hits a single during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on May 20, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Athletics (26-24) at San Diego Padres (29-20), May 22, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
Watch: Padres.TV
Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.
Listen: 97.3 The Fan
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DENVER, CO - May 16: Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) pitches in the first inning during a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 16, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies are better than they were a year ago.
That is true. It is also not especially comforting after the last two nights.
On Wednesday, the Rockies carried a one-run lead into the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers and lost 5-4. On Thursday, they wasted an impressive first career start from Zach Agnos in a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Two games. The same frustrating result.
The season splits make the frustration easy to understand. Colorado is 5-14 in May and has been outscored 122-74 this month, so this has not all been heartbreak. They have had their doors blown off, too. But the pain comes from the games that were there to be won. The Rockies are 5-8 in one-run games, have blown 12 leads, and have four walk-off losses without a walk-off win of their own. Some nights get away early. The ones that stick are the ones they fail to finish.
After Thursday’s loss, Warren Schaeffer did not dress it up. Arizona executed. Colorado did not.
And, yes, that is pretty much it.
The Rockies did not lose because of bad luck, bad vibes, or some complicated baseball mystery. They lost because Arizona made the pitches and plays when it mattered, and the Rockies did not.
Tonight, the Rockies enter at 19-32 and get another chance against an Arizona team that comes in at 26-23 and has won five straight. Colorado is 1-3 against the Diamondbacks this season and has been outscored 21-12 in the series.
Taking the ball for Colorado is 36-year-old veteran righty Tomoyuki Sugano 菅野 智之, who enters at 4-3 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Sugano is coming off his 150th career win in professional baseball after beating this same Arizona team in his last start. The Diamondbacks made Sugano work, but he kept the ball in the yard and gave Colorado a chance. He went 5.0 IP, allowing seven hits and two earned runs with two walks and one strikeout.
Sugano does not miss bats, and the underlying numbers are still flashing warning signs, including a .310 xBA, .589 xSLG, and 7.37 xERA. But he generally avoids walks, and when he keeps the ball in the park, the Rockies have been able to live with the contact.
On the mound for Arizona is 28-year-old right-hander Michael Soroka, who enters at 6-2 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. In his last outing, Soroka faced the Rockies at Coors Field and gave Arizona 5.2 innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, two walks, and no home runs while striking out eight. Soroka threw 98 pitches and used a five-pitch mix, led by 38 slurves, 21 four-seam fastballs, and 19 cutters.
The slurve is the pitch that makes his arsenal work. He has thrown it 33.0% of the time this season, and it has produced a 36.9% whiff rate. The four-seamer has been more vulnerable, allowing a .349 batting average and a 47.8% hard-hit rate.
Against Soroka, the assignment is simple: do not let the slurve control the at-bat, and do not miss the fastball.
For Colorado, the rest of the formula is unforgiving: Sugano has to thread the needle, the defense has to be sharp, and the bullpen has to execute well enough to give the Rockies another chance to finish one.
The long-term project is still the long-term project. Nobody needs to pretend otherwise.
But even bad teams should want to win.
And after the last two nights, a win would feel awfully good.
Derrick White reaches in to try to steal the ball from Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham during a game at TD Garden. | Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Derrick White is officially a member of the All-Defensive first team for the first time in his career.
The Celtics guard, who made the second team in 2022-23 and 2023-24, joined Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson and Rudy Gobert on this year’s top squad.
He received 58 first-team votes and 30 second-team votes, edging out Toronto’s Scottie Barnes by 18 points to claim the final spot.
White, 31, led all guards in the NBA with 1.3 blocks per game, racking up the most in a season (98) since Dwyane Wade in 2008-09. The 6-foot-4-inch White also added 1.1 steals per night and stabilized a unit that allowed the fewest points per game (107.2) in the NBA.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team.
With Jayson Tatum out for most of the season, and Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet all heading elsewhere, White embraced even more responsibility and handled the additional spotlight well.
Neemias Queta received one first-place vote and six second-place votes to finish 19th overall with 8 points. Jaylen Brown was right behind him with two first-place votes and three second-place votes for 7 points.
Jul 7, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Kodai Senga began his road back to the Mets by pitching in his first rehab start with Port St. Lucie on Friday night.
While he didn't go long, pitching just 3.1 innings, Senga was okay in his first game action in almost a month.
The right-hander's night started rather precariously. He walked the leadoff man -- thanks to an ABS challenge -- and two batters later, Senga was faced with two runners on thanks to catcher's interference. Senga would get a groundout and fly out to end the first inning. After a clean second inning, Senga would allow the first run after a leadoff single, who advanced to second on a throwing error, and a two-out single plating the runner from third. A stolen base later, and a single pushed across the inning's second run.
Senga ended the third with a groundout and came back out for the fourth where he struck out the first batter he faced before being pulled.
It'll likely be some time before Senga is ready to rejoin the Mets. Before he landed on the IL with lumbar spine inflammation on April 28, Senga was just not getting it done. He was unable to pitch more than 3.1 innings in his last three starts before being shut down.
The Mets will take their time with Senga as they hope to get the right-hander healthy and pitching well before potentially rejoining a rotation that recently lost Clay Holmes. New York could also have Senga rejoin the team and pitch out of the bullpen, but it's unclear the path the organization will take or how Senga will fare in that role.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello Shakers, I’ve put this here to so people can discuss the Conference Finals games without having to hunt down which post people are chatting on.
So far it’s been a lot of fun. Two games, three overtimes. (And one less interesting game.)
Game one of OKC vs San Antonio also saw a comeback, and Victor Wembanyama at his most alien. It ended up being a thrilling double overtime victory for the Spurs, with a three point make from Wemby late that is annoyingly iconic.
We saw an amazing comeback from the Knicks, who looked rusty after their time off, but turned on the jets late and blew the knickers off the Cavs. That same game was also a 22 point fourth quarter collapse by the Cavaliers which felt painfully familiar. I don’t think anyone, including the Cavs, thought they’d win in overtime, and they didn’t.
Game two with OKC and San Antonio was literally a slugfest, with OKC doing an astonishing amount of pushing, grabbing and straight up hugging of Wemby. I’m not sure how any of that fits in with the NBA’s “freedom of movement” guidelines, but OKC seems to get away with a lot of stuff that would be a foul from most other teams. They really do feel like a modernized version of the Jerry Sloan Jazz, right down to being from a place most people prefer not to live. “Can’t call ‘em all.” teams are incredibly cynical and tedious, and as much as it would pain me, I’d like OKC to go away more than the Spurs.
Game three of Knicks and Cavs just looked like the Knicks were better, though it took an odd offensive explosion from Josh Hart to make it happen. The Knicks have enough good defenders to stifle Harden and Mitchell and dare someone, anyone, else on the Cavs to beat them. Also, no guard on the Cavs can do much of anything about Jalen Brunson. We’ll see what Saturday brings in The Land.
Tonight’s game is in San Antonio, and we’ll see what sort of shenanigans are allowed from OKC. Possibly not as much in the vital win for OKC in game 2.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Jamal Cain #8 of the Orlando Magic during a game at Kia Center on March 21, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While Luka Dončić ended the season sidelined with a hamstring strain, the majority of his first full season as a Laker was a success.
With the season over, Luka discussed his relationship with the franchise during his exit interview.
“I feel very comfortable,” Dončić said. “I like living here. I like playing for the Lakers. It’s one of the best organizations in the world. Just being a Laker, it means a lot to me. Like I said, I feel very good here.”
It’s not hard to love living in Los Angeles, but it‘s reassuring to hear that Luka is enjoying it.
As the franchise player, Luka’s happiness with the team is the most important thing the Lakers must maintain. So, it should be a relief to fans that all of Dončić’s words and actions indicate he is happy in LA.
Throughout his year and a half with the franchise, Luka has done things big and small to support his teammates and the community he plays in.
Last summer, when he had the option to either stay under his contract or extend and commit to the Lakers, he chose the latter. And this year, he’s been in regular contact with new majority owner Mark Walter as the team continues to build around Luka.
Many aspects of the Lakers’ roster need to be adjusted to turn them from pretenders to contenders. But the great news is that they have their superstar in place, and he’s happy to call LA his home and the Lakers his team.
May 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (59) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
The Athletics started this weeklong Southern California road trip on the right note, winning three of four against the woeful, last-place Los Angeles Angels. The series win was anything but easy, though, as the A’s needed 10 innings to win each of the final two games.
Tonight, the first-place Athletics head further south to begin a three-game Memorial Day weekend series against the San Diego Padres, who will be a much tougher opponent.
It will be Padres’ closer Mason Miller’s first time facing his former team since he was traded last July. Miller’s success has carried over to his new team, as he is 1-1 with a 0.79 ERA and 15 saves in 22 appearances this season. The 27-year-old flamethrower has accumulated an incredible 45 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched, cementing his reputation as one of the most unhittable pitchers in the league.
While the A’s bullpen could desperately use Miller’s elite repertoire, the team likely made the right decision by trading him last summer. His talent is too good to be wasted on a club that was not playoff-bound, and if top shortstop prospect Leo De Vries — the centerpiece of the return package — reaches his All-Star-caliber ceiling, he could ultimately provide the A’s with a greater long-term impact than a closer who only pitches one or two innings per game.
Tonight, the A’s will send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the mound as they try to extend their winning streak to four games. The 33-year-old enters his 11th start of the season with a 3-4 record, a 3.93 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 47 strikeouts across 55 innings pitched. Springs took the loss in his last start against the San Francisco Giants despite allowing just two runs, one earned on five hits over six innings. After going winless so far this month, the A’s southpaw looks to continue pitching well and earn his fourth win of 2026 this evening.
Here’s the A’s starting nine for the game tonight:
Right fielder Carlos Cortes remains in the leadoff spot, a switch made a few days ago that has worked wonders for the A’s lineup. Batting first baseman Nick Kurtz second or third gives him more opportunities to hit with runners on base, creating additional RBI chances for the team’s hottest hitter. Tonight, Kurtz and catcher Shea Langeliers swap spots in the order.
The A’s are still searching for more consistent production from designated hitter Brent Rooker and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom. Meanwhile, Henry Bolte gets another start in center field, with the slumping Lawrence Butler once again relegated to the bench.
This A’s lineup will face Padres’ right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler. The 31-year-old has struggled through his first nine starts with San Diego, posting a 3-2 record with a 5.01 ERA and 37 strikeouts across 41.1 innings pitched.
However, Buehler appears to be turning things around lately. In his last start against the Seattle Mariners, he earned the win after allowing two runs on five hits over five innings of work. The outing before that, he tossed six innings of two-run ball. While Buehler may not be the same pitcher he was during the early years of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the veteran right-hander still has the ability to stymie an opposing lineup on any given day. Will Buehler make it three-straight quality starts or will the A’s offense strike early and often to avoid having to face Miller in a save situation?
Springs will face off against this Padres’ lineup on Star-Wars Night at Petco Park:
Starting off, it is important to note that Fernando Tatis Jr. has yet to hit a home run this season. Hopefully his home run drought continues against the A’s this series. The A’s will see several former players in San Diego’s lineup, including designated hitter Miguel Andújar and left fielder Ramon Laureano. Tatis is not the Padres’ only superstar off to a slow start. Third baseman Manny Machado is also struggling, batting .178 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs.
Springs and the A’s relievers who follow him will need to carefully navigate the top six hitters in the Padres’ lineup, as San Diego’s lineup becomes significantly weaker from spots seven through nine. Padres starting center fielder Jackson Merrill is not playing tonight due to sore ribs, though he is expected to return in the coming days
This will be a much tougher series against a team widely expected to contend for a National League playoff spot this season. If the A’s can win tonight, it would set the tone for the rest of the series and signal that the “Green and Gold” should not be taken lightly. Let’s go A’s!
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio Spurs guards De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Friday, but the Oklahoma City Thunder's Jalen Williams was ruled out.
All three were listed as questionable but their status was updated 45 minutes before the scheduled start of Game 3 with the series tied.
Williams played in Game 1 after missing the previous six postseason contests with a hamstring injury. The 6-foot-6 wing exited Game 2 with tightness in his left hamstring.
Recurring hamstring injuries in both legs limited Williams to 33 games during the regular season.
Fox missed the first two games of the series after his right leg was rolled on by Minnesota guard Ayo Dosunmu in San Antonio's semifinal-clinching victory May 15. Fox finished that game but did not play Monday or Wednesday due to an injury Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said will likely linger as long as they are in the postseason.
Harper made his first two postseason starts in place of Fox but exited Game 2 shortly after landing awkwardly and grabbing his hamstring with 4:50 left in the third quarter. His injury was diagnosed as right adductor soreness.
“I can tell you there’s games that people are playing right now that wouldn’t be playing in the regular season, and, so, that’s what I mean by different,” Johnson said. “I think there are levels of competitiveness and urgency and as of right now we’re at the height of that. So, you just try to make sure you keep some of these guys from themselves and their own competitiveness and desire to be out there because, again, their well-being is still the priority.”
DENVER, CO - May 19: Colorado Rockies left fielder Mickey Moniak (22) prepates to bat in the first inning during a game between the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 19, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies made roster moves on Friday night prior to their scheduled game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Outfielder Mickey Moniak has been placed on the 10-day injured list with right ankle tendonitis. He sustained the injury colliding with the outfield wall while the Rockies were in Pittsburgh. Moniak joins fellow outfielders Jordan Beck and Brenton Doyle on the Injured List.
“He suffered that in Pittsburgh when he made a collision with the wall,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He’s been battling it since then and it’s been tough for him to hit, so we just want to get it right and move forward. He had something similar to this back in 2024, so we’re just going to try to nip this in the bud and hopefully he’ll be back in 10 days.”
Moniak’s injury may help to explain his recent slump. Since the final game of that Pittsburgh Pirates road series, Moniak is just 2-for-23 with a double in eight games. Prior to that he had been hitting .315/.358/.693 with eight doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, and 26 RBIs as one of the Rockies’ best bats.
In a corresponding roster move, the Rockies have recalled outfield prospect Sterlin Thompson from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.
Thompson (no. 13 PuRP) made his Major League debut last weekend, entering as a pinch hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also made two starts before being optioned back to Triple-A, ultimately going 1-for-8 with one strikeout. Thompson is currently hitting .341/.485/.485 with five doubles, a triple, and four home runs with the Isotopes this season. He has also drawn more walks (31) than he has struck out (30).
Baker, 26, was originally selected by the Phillies in the 11th round of the 2021 draft out of Chipola College in Florida. He has largely pitched for the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Double-A Reading Fightin’ Phils since 2022 with a career 5.28 minor league ERA in 196 total appearances.
Purely a reliever, Baker currently has a 2.65 ERA this season in 14 appearances and has 25 strikeouts to five walks in 17 innings with Double-A Reading.
NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous pick as Defensive Player of the Year this season, and the only unanimous All-Defensive team selection as well.
The San Antonio star — as expected, given how the DPOY voting went — appeared on all 100 first-team ballots and made first-team All-Defense for the second time in his three NBA seasons. The team was announced Friday night.
Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren, Detroit's Ausar Thompson, Minnesota's Rudy Gobert and Boston's Derrick White rounded out the first team. Gobert is now a nine-time All-Defensive team pick, while Holmgren, Thompson and White were all first-time selections to the first team.
The second team was Toronto's Scottie Barnes, Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace, Miami's Bam Adebayo, New York's OG Anunoby and Atlanta's Dyson Daniels.
Gobert and Daniels are the only players that have made the All-Defensive team in each of the last two seasons.
