A Former Montreal Canadiens pick from the 2013 draft, Zachary Fucale, never really made it to the NHL, aside from a four-game stint with the Washington Capitals. He now plays professional hockey in Russia, in the KHL. However, he spends his summer in Montreal, where he is involved in the summer hockey scene. Fucale is one of the founders of the Living Sisu summer hockey league, and he’s also behind the Make Your Move Showdown.
Last year, the showdown allowed Canadiens’ fans to marvel at Ivan Demidov’s talent and this year, Fucale has managed to get another Habs prospect to attend: Alexander Zharovsky. Current Canadiens Zachary Bolduc will also be in attendance for the event, which will be held at the Centre d’excellence Sports Rousseau on July 11.
It will be a big hockey weekend in Blainville-Boisbriand, as the arena will also host a shootout tournament over the weekend, for which any hockey player can register. On Saturday evening, the amateurs will make way for professionals, alums, and NHL prospects. At 7:00 PM, Zharovsky, Bolduc, Bruno Gervais, Max Talbot, Thomas Bordeleau, social media sensations Swaggy P, and Eli Sherbatov will take to the ice for the showdown. Participants in the Maye Your Move Tournament will have free entry, but tickets to the event can also be bought for $20 here.
The evening was a resounding success last year, with some fantastically showy moves being made on the ice, and this year’s edition promises to be just as entertaining, on top of allowing fans to see just what Canadiens’ prospect Zharovsky can do. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so time is of the essence if you don’t want to miss the opportunity to be dazzled by Zharovsky’s hands.
I remember early in Wemby’s NBA career seeing him enter press conferences with a book. I have asked a few times what he was reading and considered reading along. I found his creating a book club with the Spurs to be on par with his personality.
As a high school teacher, I tend to look for summer activities to keep me from binge watching television for two solid months. So here is my proposal — let’s start a PtR book club.
Who’s with me?
My first proposal is Expensive Basketball by Shea Serrano. Previously I have read his 2017 book Basketball (And Other Things). Serrano’s writing is humorous and informative, hard to put down once you get into his flow. The chapters are short, most are 10-12 pages, so we can break it up over a few days/weeks.
The first chapter of Expensive Basketball is “The Erosive Terror of Tim Duncan,” which seems like a good omen.
If you are interested and have any books to add to the list for consideration, please join in the comments.
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Feb 17, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) looks on during the second half against the SMU Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
In a pool full of lottery guards in this draft, Mikel Brown Jr. may have the biggest upside of them all when looking at the talent that he possesses. Many look at what he did for Team USA in the U19s, and he was arguably the best player on the floor, even with AJ Dybantsa on the roster. He was able to show some of those skills with Louisville in his freshman year, but a lingering back issue held him back. Outside of the injury, Brown has the intangibles of a strong combo guard coming out of the draft.
What makes Brown stand out from the other projected lottery guards is his size, as he stands close to 6’5 with a 6’7 wingspan. Add his athleticism to that, and you have a guard who can score at all three levels, making it easy to shoot over some of his defenders and also finish at the rim. Brown has a nice twitch in his game that helps him get to the lane, and whether it’s a flashy move or a deceleration, he’s going to find a way to get to his spot.
His ball-handling might be the best in the class, which allows him to create his shot at a high level and score wherever he wants. The most intruging part of Brown’s game is his 3-point shooting, and his green light is undeniable. Whether it was a side step or a step back, he was going to launch the shot if he felt like he had the space. He took close to eight attempts per game and made 34% of them, and though his percentages could be better, the hope is that his decision-making gets better in the big leagues.
Brown’s 3-point shooting came most out of the pick-and-roll, and his quick release allows him to be more dangerous in those situations. In a league where perimeter shooting has become key, Brown can definitely make a difference on any team he goes to, but his upside in that area is why he could be one of the better guards in the draft.
The shooting is nice, but Brown’s playmaking also makes him special as a prospect. He has shown the ability to make simple reads, but he’s also not shy about making advanced passes to his players. He averaged 4.7 assists per game at Louisville, and there’s no doubt they trusted him with the ball in his hands. There are some things to worry about in that front, as sometimes he can try too hard to make the perfect pass, which in part led to his 3.1 turnovers per game.
In the NBA, defenses are only going to get tougher, which might make it hard to decide early on if Brown can be a lead guard in an offense or more of a combo guard.
Brown’s defense will also be something to watch out for, as he has the length to make an impact on that side of the ball, but his frame is what will need to fill out in order for him to take that next level. With his back injury, it might be beneficial for him to grow his lower body, but his upper body will help him against some of the more physical players in the league.
It’s uncertain where Brown could land in this draft: he could either go as early as No. 5, or he could still be there when the Hawks draft at No. 8. If he is still there for the Hawks, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were their pick. He gives the team another ball handler who can create their own shot and offers perimeter shooting, which is the Hawks’ bread and butter.
The Detroit Tigers dropped the second game of their three-game series against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Tuesday night, 4-2, in a game that saw them struggle against Hunter Brown in his return from the injured list. It certainly did not help that Colt Keith and Gleyber Torres were both absent from the lineup, while the defense also left something to be desired.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Motor City Kitties look to take the series rubber match with right-hander Casey Mize finally returning from his second stint on the IL this season with inflammation of his right groin. The 29-year-old had looked great in his return from his first trip to the IL, posting a 1.08 ERA and 1.61 FIP stretching over 16 1/3 innings and three starts, allowing eight hits and a walk while striking out 14 over that stretch.
For the Astros, fellow righty Peter Lambert will climb the hill to make his 11th start of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old has been solid so far in June, posting a tidy 2.31 ERA but an inflated 5.76 FIP over two starts stretching across 11 2/3 inning, allowing 10 hits — three of them home runs, all solo shots — and four walks while striking out 10, earning a win in the process.
Here is a look at their respective pitching summaries.
Detroit Tigers (30-43) vs. Houston Astros (34-41)
Time (ET): 2:10 p.m. Place: Daikin Park, Houston, Texas SB Nation Site:The Crawfish Boxes Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 75: RHP Casey Mize (2-3, 2.27 ERA) vs. RHP Peter Lambert (5-4, 3.47 ERA)
Jun 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) runs to first after hitting a single against the Miami Marlins in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Listen, I’m glad that the Phillies won and everything, but the thing I’m most glad about is that Kyle Schwarber was not subjected to anything crazy at first base. I know the team was trying to get Bryce Harper off his feet and that with Alec Bohm at third thanks to Trea Turner needing a day off, Schwarber needed to play first.
Happy birthday to Andrew Chafin, and a mighty host of others.
Today in baseball history, in 1915 – Zip Zabel comes out of the Chicago Cubsbullpen with two outs in the 1st inning to face the Brooklyn Robins. Zabel wins the game in the 19th inning, 4-3, in the longest relief effort in major league history, and other stories as well.
1943 – Boston Red Sox player-manager Joe Cronin inserts himself as a pinch-hitter in both games of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics – and hits three-run home runs in each at-bat, becoming the first major leaguer to pinch-hit home runs in both ends of a doubleheader.
1579 – English navigator Francis Drake lands on the coast of California at what becomes known as Drakes Bay, for ship repairs; claims area on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, and names it “Nova Albion.”
1631 – Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, then spends more than 20 years building her tomb, the Taj Mahal.
1775 – Battle of Bunker Hill (actually it was Breed’s Hill).
1885 – Statue of Liberty arrives in NYC aboard French ship “Isere.”
1954 – Rocky Marciano beats Ezzard Charles by unanimous points decision in his 3rd world heavyweight boxing title defense at Yankee Stadium, NYC.
1962 – US Open Men’s Golf, Oakmont CC: Jack Nicklaus wins his first major title by three strokes in an 18-hole playoff with Arnold Palmer.
1991 – The body of the 12th US President, Zachary Taylor, is exhumed to test how he died; rumors had persisted since his death in 1850 of arsenic poisoning – no evidence of this was found.
1994 – O.J. Simpson does not turn himself in on murder charges, forcing LA police to chase his Ford Bronco for hours before he eventually gives up (seen live on national TV).
2003 – “Moneyball”, a book about the 2003 Oakland Athletics baseball team and GM Billy Beane’s sabermetric approach, inspired by Bill James, is published.
2021 – US President Joe Biden signs into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act making June 19th a federal holiday commemorating emancipation.
Today in music history:
1957 – “So Rare” by Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra peaks at #2.
1965 – British rock band The Kinks arrive in NYC beginning their 1st US tour.
1966 – Peter Green, British blues-rock guitartist joins John Mayall’s Bluebreakers.
1967 – “Somebody To Love” by Jefferson Airplane peaks at #5.
1970 – British rock band Led Zeppelin begin their last European tour.
1971 – Carole King‘s album “Tapestry” goes to #1 on US album charts and stays there for 15 weeks.
1976 – New Wave band Blondie release their debut single “X Offender,” written by Debbie Harry and Gary Valentine.
1980 – Columbia Records releases Bruce Springsteen‘s fifth studio album “The River”; the 2-record set becomes a global smash, going top five in 8 countries.
1997 – Wynton Marsalis releases his “Blood on the Fields” album (first jazz work to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music – 1997).
2022 – “Running Up That Hill” single by Kate Bush goes to #1 on the UK chart; originally released in 1985, the song was featured in sci-fi television show “Stranger Things”, its record 44 year climb to the top also makes Bush (63) the oldest female artist to score a No.1.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 16: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles is hit by a pitch in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 16, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Ng/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The first inning was somewhat encouraging. Taylor Ward opened with a double and later scored on a Samuel Basallo single. But the entire lineup collected just one hit for the final eight innings. Brutal. It was an almost identical experience to the last time they faced Logan Gilbert, which was just a few days ago in Baltimore.
At least Brandon Young was good again, though not as dominant as he has sometimes been. Still, it was another quality start (six innings, three runs, four hits, four walks, two strikeouts) for the sophomore, who still sports an impressive 3.18 ERA on the year.
Because the Orioles offense was so bad, the game also wrapped up rather quickly. It took just two hours and 18 minutes from first pitch to final out. So if you did make the poor decision to stay up and watch this game, at least you still made it to bed at a somewhat reasonable time.
This west coast swing is just getting started, unfortunately. There are eight games left on this road trip, including two more in Seattle. Kyle Bradish will be on the bump tonight, and the Orioles could use a return to form for the righty. He has allowed 10 runs over his last two starts (eight total innings). They need more from him, though he is far from the only one that has hid the skids recently.
These next few days, much like the lengthy home stand a couple of weeks ago, feels make or break. If they can go .500 or so on this road trip, they will be in a good spot. If they fall apart, it could make sense to start looking towards July with a sellers’ eye.
Links
O’s get their closer back as Helsley returns from IL stint | Orioles.com In case you missed it, Ryan Helsley is back with the Birds. Anthony Nunez was sent down to Triple-A Norfolk to make room. The O’s closer says he is without pain and felt good during his two rehab outings. It’s tough luck for Nunez, who has had a rocky (but often impressive) first taste of the majors this year. He also has all of his options remaining, so he is the easiest member of the group to send down to Norfolk for now.
Digging into the mailbag | Roch Kubatko Nothing major in here, but it does include injury and rehab updates for several notable Orioles. The Orioles could use the help, though most of their success will be determined by the players already on the roster. They need their stars to perform more than they need their complementary players to get healthy.
Manny Machado: ‘I’ll always be an Oriole at heart’ | Baltimore Baseball Manny wasn’t here long enough to get his number retired, and he won’t go into the Hall of Fame as an Oriole. But his contributions to the organization are still sizable. He will likely get a spot in the Orioles’ Hall of Fame someday, and when people look back at his career it is undeniable that many of his biggest moments came in orange and black.
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Orioles birthdays
Shane Baz turns 27 today. The Orioles traded for him this past offseason, and then handed him a big extensions. So far, his performances have been mixed, though the potential remains evident.
The late Dave Pope (b. 1921, d. 1999) was born on this day. He spent parts of two seasons with the Orioles from 1955-56, playing in 98 total games in that time.
This day in O’s history
2005 – Orioles star Miguel Tejada plays in his 822nd consecutive game, tied for the ninth-longest streak in MLB history.
2008 – Top prospect Matt Wieters hits his first career home run as the Orioles beat the Mets 6-4.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Luis Lara and infielder Cooper Pratt come off the field together during spring training workouts Monday, February 17, 2025, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On April 3, 2026, the Brewers signed 21-year-old shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt to an eight-year, $50.75 million contract. The deal includes two club options worth an additional $30 million.
On June 9, 2026, the Brewers signed 21-year-old outfield prospect Luis Lara to a seven-year, $31 million contract. The deal includes three club options worth an additional $33 million.
Both of these deals are relatively unprecedented in franchise history. Up until Pratt and Lara signed their extensions, the only prospect that the Brewers had ever signed prior to making his major league debut was Jackson Chourio. Aaron Ashby and Freddy Peralta both signed team-friendly extensions extremely early in their careers, but both had already made their major league debuts.
Lara and Pratt both rank among the Brewers’ top five prospects, but unlike Chourio or Jesús Made, neither entered 2026 carrying the label of a can’t-miss superstar. Naturally, their extensions raise an obvious question: what does Milwaukee see in these two prospects that made the organization comfortable guaranteeing more than $80 million before either of them even appeared in a major league game? Furthermore, what do these two players’ extensions say about the Brewers’ front office philosophy?
Defense
In recent years, the Brewers have built their roster around players with high-end defensive prowess. Before Brice Turang developed into arguably the best hitter on the Brewers, he brought value with his Platinum Glove defense. Sal Frelick has taken a step back this year, but he ranked in the 79th percentile or better in fielding run value in both of the last two seasons and posted +7 Outs Above Average last year. Joey Ortiz has never been feared at the plate, but has earned a starting spot for years because he’s a great defender. Blake Perkins has carved out a roster spot year after year with his defensive acumen.
I could provide numerous other examples, but you get the point. Over the last decade, Milwaukee’s organizational philosophy has been straightforward: build around run prevention. The Brewers prioritize strong defense and pitching, then rely on a lineup that does just enough offensively to outscore opponents. That formula has helped them remain one of baseball’s most consistent contenders despite operating with a bottom-third payroll.
Both Pratt and Lara fit that profile perfectly. Pratt is a 2024 Minor League Gold Glove winner whose defense earns 60 grades for both fielding and arm strength from MLB Pipeline. Pipeline is even higher on Lara, giving him a 70 grade for his defense and 60 grades for both his arm and speed. Both players project as significantly above-average fielders in the major leagues and have been consistently great defenders in the minor leagues. Furthermore, while no prospect is a sure thing, defensive skills tend to be more stable and predictable than offensive production — something that most likely gives the Brewers a little more confidence in offering Lara and Pratt their extensions.
Offense
Pratt’s .735 OPS with Triple-A Nashville is the highest OPS he has posted above Single-A. He recorded a .700 OPS in High-A (albeit in only 90 at-bats) and a .691 OPS in Double-A last season. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but evaluators remain optimistic because of Pratt’s underlying skills.
Scouts like Pratt’s offensive profile first and foremost because of his bat-to-ball ability. Despite opening 2025 in Double-A, he cut his strikeout rate from 20% in 2024 to 15.2%. As FanGraphs noted in its coverage of the extension, the combination of strong plate discipline, high contact rates, and steadily declining strikeout rates is an especially encouraging indicator of future offensive success. Pratt is also 6’4″ and has consistently recorded strong exit velocities for his age, leading many evaluators to believe more power is to come.
Turang provides an interesting comparison point. When Turang was Pratt’s age, he posted a .715 OPS in Double-A Biloxi and a .695 OPS in 176 plate appearances with Triple-A Nashville. Turang’s power ultimately developed more than most scouts projected. The Brewers are likely betting that Pratt’s offensive game still has room to grow in a similar fashion. By the time Pratt turns 23 in August of next year, the same age that Turang was when he made his major league debut, he’ll already have over a season of major league experience under his belt (assuming he sticks in the big leagues).
Lara, meanwhile, has pretty much always been a good hitter in the minors. Lara’s batting average in his professional career is .270, and his OBP is .368. Outside of his 2024 season in High-A, he’s never hit below .257 in any given year. He’s always had excellent bat-to-ball skills and strong plate discipline, but the missing piece with Lara was his power tool. Lara had just 10 home runs in four years coming into this season. He’s already hit seven so far in 2026.
I have a deeper dive on Lara’s breakout coming soon, so I don’t want to give away too much here. The short version is that Lara, like Pratt, is still very young. Last year, he hit 32 doubles and three triples, but just two home runs. As a 19-year-old in High-A, he recorded 19 doubles while again hitting only two homers.
By offering Lara this extension, Milwaukee is likely betting that, like Pratt, he will continue to grow into more power as he matures physically and adds strength. His early-season power surge could be the final piece of his offensive profile, especially because gap (extra-base) power at a young age is often viewed as a precursor to future home run production — whether through added strength, swing adjustments, or simply physical maturation.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
The final thing worth considering is that even if neither player fully develops at the plate, these contracts are pretty unlikely to become burdensome.
Lara will make less than $5.5 million annually through his age-26 season. An above-average defensive outfielder with solid contact skills and modest power — a fairly conservative projection for Lara — is worth that kind of money, particularly to an organization like Milwaukee that places a premium on defense.
The same logic applies to Pratt. He’ll make under $5.5 million through his age-27 season, roughly in line with what players such as Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Mauricio Dubón, and Miguel Rojas earn today. All three have carved out solid careers as defense-first players who make consistent contact but provide limited power. None has ever hit more than 11 home runs in a season, yet each has generated enough value to justify his salary. If Pratt becomes that caliber of player, the Brewers will be perfectly happy with the deal. If the bat develops further, the contract could become a bargain.
The Brewers are also making these bets in a changing economic environment that could make both contracts look even more favorable over time. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between MLB and the MLBPA is set to expire after the season, and a salary floor is widely expected to be a topic of discussion during the next round of negotiations. In its initial proposal during the last CBA talks, the MLBPA introduced a Competitive Integrity Tax that would have effectively penalized teams for maintaining payrolls below $150 million. As of 2026, 13 teams — including the Brewers — would fall below that threshold.
Milwaukee’s current adjusted payroll sits a little above $121 million, meaning the club could eventually be forced to spend more than it traditionally has. More broadly, if a significant portion of the league is required to increase payroll, player salaries would likely rise as a result. If that happens, Pratt’s and Lara’s contracts could look even more team-friendly than they do today.
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So, what does all this say about the Brewers’ organizational philosophy?
If Lara and Pratt become above-average defenders and below-average hitters, their contracts won’t look terrible. President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold and the rest of the Brewers’ front office no doubt see the value in locking up two young players who already fit the Brewers’ run prevention-first ethos, but have significant room for growth.
On the other hand, if Lara and Pratt turn into above-average hitters while maintaining their defensive value, their contracts will be looked at as steals. The Brewers are a small-market team, and small-market teams have to take risks to remain competitive.
Prospects are never a sure thing. Maybe Lara and Pratt aren’t as good defensively as they project to be, or maybe they prove unable to provide even replacement-value offense. That’s possible, but it isn’t likely.
For Milwaukee, the risk is relatively modest. The reward, meanwhile, is the possibility of controlling two above-average everyday players through the prime years of their careers at well below market value.
Sep 10, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Xzavion Curry (49) looks on during batting practice before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Syracuse returned to .500 powered by a strong start by Xzavion Curry, who allowed three runs over seven innings, scattering 5 hits, issuing no walks, and striking out 7. The Tides took the lead in the top of the first and held the lead for the majority of the evening. In the eighth inning, Syracuse batted around, plating four runs in the process; there was unfortunately no one big hit, with virtually every hitter contributing in some way to the runs that the team scored.
· LF Nick Morabito: 1-3, R, RBI, BB, K, SB (19), E (2)
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies found themselves being no-hit for most of the ballgame. In the bottom of the seventh, they finally managed their first hit- a JT Schwartz home run, ending the no-hit bid and the shutout- and in the ninth, they showed a little spunk, loading up the bases, but the Fisher Cats were able to prevent Binghamton from scoring. R.J. Gordon and the bullpen behind him didn’t pitch poorly necessarily, but the offense simply didn’t show up. With the loss, that is 40 games that the Binghamton Mets have lost in 2026, the first minor league affiliate to reach that ignominious distinction.
The Cyclones had a shutout going, holding on to a comfortable four-run lead, but reliever Parker Carlson had a meltdown on the mound in the bottom of the seventh, allowing the two runners he inherited from Tanner Witt to score and then three more he put on base himself. Hoss Brewer allowed one more in the bottom of the eighth because why not? In the top of the ninth, John Bay and JT Benson both worked walks, putting the tying runs on base, but down to one out left, Nick Roselli foul tipped a ball into the catcher’s mitt to end the game.
The Tortugas scored three runs in the top of the first, smacking Conner Ware around a bit, but the offense had his back and put up a nine-spot in the bottom of the second, sending 13 batters to the plate in the inning. That second inning had a little bit of everything- Yohairo Cuevas got it started by reaching on a throwing error and later in the inning hit a two-run homer, the capstone runs of the inning. The St. Lucie bullpen kept Daytona in check for the rest of the ballgame, allowing just one hit, a pair of walks, and a pair of hit batsmen for the rest of the ballgame.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:W, 3-1 at Columbus Clippers
SS George Lombard Jr. 1-1, 2B, BB, picked off — left the game after an awkward play in the field where his hand came right into the runner as he was stealing second, super unfortunate LF Kenedy Corona 1-2, RBI, SF C Austin Wells 0-3, BB, K — first rehab appearance C Payton Henry 0-0 2B Marco Luciano 0-3, BB, 2 K RF Yanquiel Fernández 0-4, 2 K LF-SS Oswaldo Cabrera 0-4, K, GIDP — down to a .661 OPS, an injury may be the only reason we ever see Waldo again, unfortunately 1B Tyler Hardman 2-4, 2 K, HBP DH Ernesto Martinez Jr. 0-2, BB, K 3B Jonathan Ornelas 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K CF Duke Ellis 0-4, 2 K, SB
Brandon Beck 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 9 K (win) Bradley Hanner 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K Yovanny Cruz 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (save) — had the 14 fastest pitches of the game, with six at 100 mph or above and topping out at 101.7
Double-A Somerset Patriots:L, 6-7 at Portland Sea Dogs
LF Jackson Castillo 1-4, BB CF Garrett Martin 1-3, BB, K, SB 1B Nicholas Torres 0-4, 3 K, GIDP, missed catch error — not the best day for Somerset Patriots fundies RF DJ Gladney 1-3, BB, dropped foul error 3B Coby Morales 2-4, RBI C Miguel Palma 1-4, K, throwing error, passed ball 2B Connor McGinnis 1-4, HR, 5 RBI — launched a go-ahead grand slam in the third to give Somerset a 6-2 lead; it’s the 2025 10th-rounder’s first homer at Double-A SS Owen Cobb 0-4, 3 K, fielding error DH Cole Gabrielson 1-4, 2 K
Cade Smith 6 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 3 BB, 6 K, 2 HR Trent Sellers 2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB (1 IBB), 4 K, HR (loss) — blew the save on a solo homer in the ninth and then gave up two doubles for the Portland walk-off
🚨 GRAND SLAM ALERT 🚨
Connor McGinnis belts his FIRST career Double-A home run to take the lead in the third! 💪 pic.twitter.com/ncwUt2oFh2
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:W, 14-5 at Rome Emperors — seven homers overall for Hudson Valley (first seven-homer game for the ‘Gades since April 2023: two for Alexander Vargas and Benjamin Cowles each, plus Aaron Palensky, Luis Santos, and Aldenis Sanchez, just to give you a throwback)
2B Kaeden Kent 3-5, 2B, BB SS Core Jackson 1-4, HR, BB, 2 RBI, GIDP, 2 SB, throwing error DH Eric Genther 0-3, 2 BB, K, SB, HBP — only player not invited to the hit party 1B Kyle West 2-5, HR, 4 RBI, GIDP RF Wilson Rodriguez 1-4, HR, BB, 2 RBI 3B Roderick Arias 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, SF C Josue Gonzalez 1-5, 2B, 2 K LF Josh Moylan 3-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, K — two bombs for Moylan CF Camden Troyer 2-4, HR, BB, RBI — went back-to-back with Moylan in the seventh
Bryce Cunningham 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 5 K (win) — 55 strikes in a season-high 77 pitches Aaron Nixon 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, HR, HBP Brandon Decker 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K Hansel Rincon 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Low-A Tampa Tarpons:W, 15-9 vs. Fort Myers Miracle — Puello hit three homers and drove in seven
SS Jackson Lovich 3-6, HR, 4 RBI, throwing error — after Puello finished his hat trick, Lovich got in on the fun with a two-run shot (413 feet) for his 12th homer in 48 games 3B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 1-5, K 2B Hans Montero 0-3, BB, 2 K, HBP, throwing error CF Willy Montero 1-5, 3B, 3 K RF JoJo Jackson 2-4, BB, outfield assist LF Luis Puello 4-4, 3 HR, 7 RBI, BB, fielding error — holy moly what a day! Puello started with a 396-foot slam in the first to give Tampa lead, a 394-foot two-run shot in the fifth, and a solo shot to cap it in the seventh; now slugging .529 since mid-May promotion from Rookie ball DH Engelth Urena 1-4, BB, 2 K C Ediel Rivera 2-5, 2 RBI 1B David McCann 1-4, 3B, BB, 2 RBI, 3 K — two-run triple made it 6-3 Tampa in the fourth
Justin West 5 IP, 10 H, 6 R (5 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 3 HR (win) Jose M. Rodriguez 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K Parker Seay 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, HR Josh Tiedemann 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K
Florida Complex League Yankees:Suspended due to rain in the top of the third leading FCL Phillies 2-0, will resume on June 18th
3B Richard Matic 1-1, HR, RBI — led off game with a bomb DH Queni Pineda 0-1, K 2B Leni Done 0-1, K CF Jose Castro 1-1, HR, RBI — had a solo shot of his own in the first, his fifth in 17 games RF Francisco Vilorio 0-1, K SS Dexters Peralta 0-1, K LF Estivenzon Montero 0-1, K C Justin Capellan 0-1, K 1B Christofer Reyes 0-0
Brian Hendry 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K — pretty dynamite rehab appearance for High-A arm
Oppo 🌮 HRs by Richard Matic and Jose Castro put the Yankees ahead 2-0 in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/ikAVpMkZXQ
Dominican Summer League Yankees:W, 25-11 vs. DSL Twins — no typos here; the 11 is a weird football final score so I don’t know if we can truly make a Giants/Vikings joke, but this is a helluva effort
DH Isaias Castillo 1-6, 2B, BB, K SS Stiven Marinez 3-7, 2 RBI, K, SB — RBI knock in the sixth gave the Yanks their 20th run CF Yostin Pena 3-6, HR, BB, 6 RBI, K, SB — leader in the clubhouse with six ribbies on the day; his RBI single in the fifth capped an eight-run frame that made it 17-7 and helped Yanks pull away after Twins kept staying within a few runs 2B Juan Torres 2-6, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, K, HBP, SB — two-run blast in the first made it 3-0; it got sillier RF Manuel Aguilar 1-2, 4 BB, RBI, K, HBP, 2 SB, fielding error, outfield assist C Juan Martinez 1-1, BB, RBI — left at the start of the fourth C Edgar Jimenez 1-2, 2B, 3 BB, RBI 1B Cesar Lopez SB 3-5, BB, 3 RBI, K — drew the last of three consecutive bases-loaded walks in the fifth 3B Alfred Ciriaco 2-4, 4 RBI, K, HBP, SF LF Eliezer Adames 2-5, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB — DSL Yanks went a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts, and everyone in the starting lineup had a hit (and Adames’ RBI double in the seventh plated the 25th run)
Dalvin Taveras 3 IP, 7 H, 5 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 2 K Angel Salazar 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 4 K Luis Rodriguez 1.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K Luis Ilarraza 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 4 WP (win) — the most deserving pitcher to be sure, control be damned
Dominican Summer League Bombers:W, 14-4 at DSL Marlins — 39 combined runs for DSL Yankees affiliates, hell yeah
2B Daniel Santana 2-5, 3B, BB, RBI, SB SS Mani Cedeno 2-5, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 K, SF, throwing error — cashed in ribbies in three separate PAs 3B Carlos Bello 1-5, BB, 2 RBI, 2 SB RF David Carrera 2-3, 3 BB DH Alessandro Rodriguez 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI — two-run double in the first started the scoring PH-DH Eddison Charles 0-1, K C Poly Ojeda 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, HBP — three-run tank in the Bombers’ seven-run second to zoom ahead 9-0 1B Stalen Ramirez 2-3, 2B, 2 BB, CS LF Sebastian Pinto 0-2, BB, RBI, SF, HBP — sac fly made it 11-0 after three and a half innings CF Alfiery Matos 2-4, BB, K
Junior Tavera 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 9 K, balk (win) — racked up the K’s anyway Josue Silvestre 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, HBP Lenin Caceres 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 2 WP Ronald Tejada 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K
Jun 7, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) in the dugout during the game against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially f beloellw .500 for the first time since March 1, and althought they won last night to get back to even, they are in the middle of a bad slump of games. A lot of chatter has been about how pitcher Paul Skenes isn’t playing as well and may already be slipping as a pro. While the season has been far from perfect for Skenes, there are way bigger problems for the Pirates and their fans to worry about.
First let’s get the obvious out of the way first; Skenes is having a rougher start to this season than in year’s past. At one point in Skenes’ career, it would be weird to even associate the number “2” with the pitcher and his ERA, as he posted below 2.00 in each of his first two seasons. The 24-year-old righty currently has a 2.85 ERA with a 6-6 record. He’s also already given up eight home runs this season, and at times has racked up his pitch count, spending long times on the mound fighting in an at-bat. The sheer dominance that Skenes has had over opponents previously has seemed to waver this year, and for the first time in the majors he has looked human more often than not.
Even given his “shortcomings” Skenes is far from being “washed” or a liability in the Pirates’ rotation. The fact of the matter is that most big league pitchers would be thrilled to be having the season that Skenes is having. Despite the shaky start to 2026, Skenes still has the fifth lowest WHIP in baseball while also holding claim to the sixth lowest H/AB in baseball and the fourth most strikeouts with 99.
The Pirates as a whole are flawed, with a lot of the microscope being focused on Skenes because of his All-Star status. Pittsburgh has lost six straight Skenes’ starts. In this span, Skenes has a 2.50 ERA per game, which is certainly high for the reigning National League Cy Young Award recipient. However, the Pirates lineup also has a minus-27 run differential in that time frame, with run support being hard to come by when Skenes is on the mound.
In his most recent start against the Miami Marlins, Skenes struck out 10 batters, retiring nine a row and set a career high in whiffs with 23. In that contest, he gave up two runs, both of which were homers, and the Pirates’ bats couldn’t generate more than two runs in support.
Manager Don Kelly spoke postgame on the struggles the team has had during this stretch of Skenes’ starts.
“I think when you’re looking at it, we just haven’t been able to put a complete game together,” Kelly said. “Last year was maybe the run support. We’ve had starts throughout those six where we’ve scored runs, we’ve had starts that offense has been there and other things have happened. I don’t think we can point to one thing, and that’s consistent throughout all the starts.”
The ever stoic Skenes was not bothered by the lack of success or run support postgame.
“It’s baseball,” Skenes said. “I’ve dealt with it before. It’s a team sport. It’s just the nature of the game.”
The fact of the matter is everyone has gotten used to one version of Skenes, which at any given time is the best pitcher in baseball. It’s hard to remember in the moment, but ever since he came into the league, Skenes has been rewriting record books and setting new incredibly high standards for an ace in the Major Leagues. Just because he’s not performing like Superman every week does not mean he’s fallen off. The image and the standard that Skenes created for himself in his first two seasons is INCREDIBLY HARD to live up to all the time. Even at his absolute worst, you’d still want him to be your number one pitcher in the rotation. Has he fallen short of expectations? Sure, but it’s undeniable that he’s still performing in the top echelon of the best big league starters.
Skenes and the Pirates are in a rough patch, there’s no doubt about that. However, Skenes is still a generational type of player for Pittsburgh, and there are way bigger problems on the team than his still very respectable 2.85 ERA. Skenes will bounce back much faster than the Pirates as a team will because that’s what the best pitchers in baseball do. The blinders are on, he’s the man in the arena and we all need to pump the brakes on talks of slipping and falling short.
PHOENIX — This is the pitcher the Los Angeles Angels envisioned when they drafted him in the first round in 2020 as the nation’s finest left-handed collegiate starter.
This is the pitcher the baseball world envisioned when he pitched a no-hitter as a 22-year-old rookie.
And now, after his latest magnificent performance on Tuesday, June 16, this is the pitcher that everyone badly covets at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Say hello to Reid Detmers, who is now officially on baseball’s Most Wanted List.
Detmers, 26, is on an absolute pitching heater these days, shutting down the Arizona Diamondbacks, 7-0, in his latest dominant start, allowing just three harmless singles and no walks in seven innings. He generated only four swings-and-misses, but he kept the D-backs completely off-balance with his array of 94-mph fastballs, 85-mph sliders and 72-mph curveballs. They hit the ball hard only six times the entire game, with Detmers throwing 19 of his 24 first-pitches for strikes.
“It looks that he can throw any pitch at any time,’’ Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “He’s just consistently pitching ahead in the count. Earlier in the year, there were a lot of foul balls late in the count. Now, he’s starting to execute put-away pitches, put in a good spot where there’s a swing-and miss or put in play for an out weakly.’’
The result has been utter dominance. In Detmers' last six starts, he is 2-0 with a 1.36 ERA, yielding just 12 hits in 33 innings with 39 strikeouts and five walks. He has given up just one run in his last three starts, allowing just six hits in 20 innings for a 0.45 ERA.
"Pretty impressive," said Angels slugger Mike Trout, who homered, doubled and drove in three runs.
The best Detmers has ever been in an Angels’ uniform?
"He had a good run there in '22 for a stretch in the second half," Suzuki said, "so this is pretty damn close to it."
Well, considering he was 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA in eight starts for a two-month stretch in July and August 2022, with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 45.2 innings, this stretch might even be better.
It has elevated Detmers to being perhaps the finest starting pitcher on the trade market not named Tarik Skubal.
"I'm not paying any attention to that," Detmers tells USA TODAY Sports. "I don't see any of it, to be honest with you. I’m not on social media. It is what it is. It’s out of my control."
If Detmers keeps pitching like this, he might want to shut off his phone, too. He not only has become one of the most dominant left-handers in the game, but could be one of the best bargains for your buck at the trade deadline.
While Skubal is eligible for free agency this year and is seeking a record-setting contract exceeding $400 million for a pitcher, Detmers is earning just $2.7 million this year, and isn’t even eligible for free agency until after the 2028 season.
Little wonder why clubs already are checking in with Angels GM Perry Minasian.
Well, Minasian hates to be the bearer of bad news, but it's quite possible that Detmers isn't going anywhere at the deadline except making his next start in an Angels uniform.
If the Angels are ever going to win again, Detmers would be an integral part of their future, so why trade him?
Besides, if the Angels aren’t going to trade a megastar like Shohei Ohtani in his walk year, rejecting several lucrative offers that included potential stars like Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, and plan to keep Mike Trout through the rest of his playing days, why would they trade away a young star under club control?
The only time they have been a real seller at the trade deadline since their last playoff appearance was in 2022 when Angels owner Arte Moreno wanted to slash payroll. They dumped reliever Rasiel Iglesias, starter Noah Syndergaard, outfielder Brandon Marsh and utilityman Tyler Wade at the deadline, with catcher Logan O’Hoppe being the only quality piece in return.
So, while the Angels aren’t going anywhere this year, and will miss the playoffs for the 12th consecutive year, the best thing for their future is keeping a young potential star like Detmers.
It may have taken longer than the Angels thought, or Detmers desired, but this is the pitcher everyone envisioned when he became the only the 10th pitcher in history to throw a no-hitter in his first 11 career starts in baseball history in 2022. Yet, instead of blossoming, he took a step back, going 8-19 with a 5.30 ERA the next two seasons, walking 98 batters in 236 innings. He was relegated to the bullpen all last season.
This year, with renowned pitching coach Mike Maddux joining Suzuki’s staff, Detmers’ potential finally has emerged for the baseball world, and, yes, trade suitors, to see.
"I'm just trying to be the best pitcher I can," Detmers, 3-5, 3.68 ERA, said, "mostly just trying to get ahead, staying ahead, and then put them out of make them have weak contact. I wouldn't say I'm trying to do anything different than I have been in the last couple of years. But I've had pretty good command of the fastball lately, and that's helped a lot."
His fastball has been Greg Maddux-esque of late, giving up just one hit in two of the six starts during this stretch, striking out 14 in one game and not issuing a walk in three others.
"It's fun to watch, it's fun to play behind him every single day," Angels shortstop Zach Neto said, "and even when he's not pitching, he's one of the greatest teammates that we have in this locker room, just pushing every single one of us every single day to be better."
So, would the Angels really trade a guy like this?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There have been 75 first-round picks in the long, 80-year history of the New York Knicks.
Some of them have been iconic. Some of them made the Hall of Fame. Some of them went on to be known as something other than a Knick. And, as we all know, a lot of them were pretty forgettable.
There’s an exclusive list of those 75 within Knicks lore. In the first 79 years of the franchise, only eight of them had ever won a title with the franchise that drafted them, all between 1965-72:
Bill Bradley (2nd overall, 1965) Dave Stallworth (5th overall, 1965) Cazzie Russell (1st overall, 1966) Clyde Frazier (5th overall, 1967) Bill Hosket (10th overall, 1968) John Warren (11th overall, 1969) Dean Meminger (16th overall, 1971) Tom Riker (8th overall, 1972)
But now, as we bask in the glory of the end of a 53-year title drought, a ninth name has been added to the list.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 13: Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait after winning Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Pacôme Dadiet was born on July 27, 2005, in Aubagne, France, a decent-sized town of 50,000 in southern France, just a few miles from the Mediterranean coast and the city of Marseille. Basketball ran in the family. His older brother, Maxence, represents their dad’s home country internationally, representing Côte d’Ivoire.
As one of the four foreign-born players on the roster, his journey to this moment was a lot different than most. He didn’t go through the American AAU and high school circuits before embarking on a college career, he played for youth clubs as a teenager and built his NBA stock overseas.
In fact, from the age of 6, he played in the Saint-Charles Charenton development program, similar to the way the big European soccer clubs do with young players. By the time he was in his teens, he was rubbing elbows with some of the best young talent in France, including future teammate Mo Diawara and lottery pick Tidjane Salaün.
He moved on in 2020, joining the youth program of Centre Fédéral before eventually joining Paris Basketball in 2021-22, where he was a star for their U21 team at just 16. In that season, he was even recalled for eight games to play sporadic minutes for the premier club in LNB Pro A as one of the youngest players in Europe.
His upward trajectory was stalled when he looked to leave France as a whole, signing with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, but his debut was delayed several months due to a contract dispute. He was also relegated to their farm team, which played in Germany’s third level of competition.
In 2023-24, he finally got a chance to be a regular starter for a strong European club, and while his stats didn’t pop out, he fit the mold of what teams were looking for in an international player: a raw, versatile wing with all the right physical traits.
After Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly went in the lottery in 2023, there was a run on top French talent in 2024, with Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Salaün all going in the top 10. Add in the non-French prospects going in the lottery, like Matas Buzelis and Nikola Topić, and the conditions were right for Dadiet to slip into the first round, so after the Knicks traded out of No. 24 (and later No. 26), they decided to use their first first-round pick in three years on Dadiet at No. 25.
The Knicks have had a history of drafting French natives in the first round, a history that has, unfortunately, been pretty bleak. Frédéric Weis is one of the most infamous picks in franchise history, selected 15th overall in 1999 just after the team’s improbable run to the NBA Finals. We all believed in Frank Ntilikina, who was picked eighth in 2017, but he was out of New York after his rookie contract.
It didn’t help that the team’s aversion to the second apron contributed to them drafting Dadiet. He agreed to a buyout with Ratiopharm Ulm to immediately sign with the team instead of being a draft-and-stash, and as such, the team asked him to take just 80 percent of his Year 1 slot value, the absolute minimum, to save $900,000 against the salary cap.
He agreed to the move, one that’s relatively unprecedented, and it resulted in the Knicks being able to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns. How about that?
Dadiet had a quiet Summer League, and it was pretty clear that he wasn’t going to play much as a rookie, especially with Tom Thibodeau as coach. He was raw, he wasn’t really ready, and his minutes were limited, even if he was technically in the Opening Night rotation in the 2024-25 opener against Boston, albeit briefly.
In his first two seasons, it’s been more about what he’s done down in the G-League and over the summer. He had consecutive 30-point games down in Westchester in March while occasionally suiting up for the big league club.
Over the last two seasons, Dadiet has only played in 47 games, scoring just 78 points. He’s scored double figures just twice, and one was in a garbage-time barrage in Denver. Even in this postseason, where he’s played seven games and has put up a higher points-per-game average due to just how many blowouts the Knicks had, he didn’t log a minute in the NBA Finals.
He still has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but even as the first two years of his NBA career haven’t resulted in much, he’s made some history.
Because newly drafted players come into the league much younger than they did in the 1970s, Dadiet is the youngest NBA champion in Knicks history, barely beating out his countryman Diawara. He’s not able to buy a drink in the United States until late July.
He’s also added his name to the list of Knicks’ first-round picks to win a title, a list that includes a legend of the game in Clyde Frazier. He also now has a 12.5% chance of becoming a senator like Bill Bradley, if the rules follow accordingly.
Congrats, Pacôme!
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(P&T will be doing player-by-player article tributes over the next few weeks to commemorate the special team that ended our long, half-century nightmare)
I have a Bernese Mountain Dog named Bear. He’s an absolute doofus, a rescue that we foolishly adopted after he’d basically run the streets of a rural area for the first two years of his life. So he knows not personal space nor manners. He drools — and flings his drool — more than any dog we’ve ever had (and we’ve had some drooling gentle giants). He yelps like an absolute baby when you so much as tap his paw, yet barrels headfirst into you without pain whether your napping, cooking, reading or walking.
But…Bear would not intentionally hurt a fly. He loves EVERY human, dog, or car (because they contain humans, typically) that he sees and cannot fathom why they would not want to make his acquaintance. Bear does not understand his own size and cannot grasp why others might be intimidated and recoil from 100 lbs. of galloping black fur and drool.
Rescuer’s remorse? Not exactly. We’ve had big drooling giants before (Great Pyrs), but we definitely bit off a different breed with this one.
All of which is my slow offseason-day way of saying, when the Isles send out a press release headlined “Islanders Sign Bear,” I pause and chuckle.
Islanders News
J-G Pageau discusses his summer, on Long Island and with a trip to Italy. [Isles]
The Isles announced signing Ethan Bear to another one-year, two-way deal. He missed time with injuries last year but if healthy he could be a good veteran callup option. [Isles | Post]
Could a refurbished Belmont Park host an outdoor NHL game? Ask the Cheeseman. [Newsday]
Dan and Mike reflect on offseason news, the Cup final, and whether the Knicks’ stunning title after half a century changes our outlook. [Islanders Anxiety via LHH]
The first offseason buyout window has opened. Will Ondrej Palat get a call? [THN]
Elsewhere
Tuesday at the World Cup, Lionel Messi scored a hat trick, ho hum — albeit his first in a World Cup — while Norway dumped Iraq and France dispatched Senegal.
Mitch Marner opens up a bit about the “dark” days in Toronto, importance of mental health and family support. [ESPN]
Speaking of his old Leafs, they traded goalie Joseph Woll in a curious deal. [NHL] A third-pair defenseman, is apparently why. [Sportsnet]
Carolina’s Cup win is proof hockey analytics nerds and jocks can get along. Canes GM Eric Tulsky — who used to share neutral zone research here with us at Lighthouse as well as lots lots more on Broad Street Hockey — is quite the story. [ESPN]
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees runs to first base after hitting a solo home run in the second inning during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The White Sox deserve a lot of credit for already exceeding expectations this year, fresh off a 102-loss season in 2025 and of course the modern record 121-loss 2024. They’re neck and neck with the Guardians atop the AL Central, and a Wild Card spot is possible as well given how light the American League looks this year. That’s really great!
But the Yankees should still beat them, especially in the Bronx. And boy did they do that last night, handling the best that the South Side has to offer, righty Davis Martin. He’d allowed three homers in 78.1 innings thus far (a league-best 0.3 HR/9) while racking up 3.2 rWAR and a 2.41 ERA. Well, the Yanks doubled that total in one outing, as each of Spencer Jones, Ben Rice, and Paul Goldschmidt took him deep in a smooth 12-2 victory.
Let’s talk about Jones for a minute. His laser to right field was his first ever at Yankee Stadium, and combined with two walks, he’s up to a .239/.340/.391 triple slash and a 109 wRC+ in his first 53 career plate appearances — no small feat considering how overmatched he looked during his first promotion in early May.
We’re likely to see a decent amount of Jones over the next few weeks with Trent Grisham recently joining Aaron Judge on the injured list and no clear return in sight for Giancarlo Stanton. While the clock might still be ticking on Jones’ return to Triple-A—another demotion certainly seemed possible prior to Grisham’s injury since Jasson Domínguez was finishing a rehab apperance—he will likely end up with at least a representative sample of at-bats for 2026.
So what would you consider to be a successful first foray for Jones? I don’t expect high averages or even medium strikeout rates from the big fella, but to me, if he can run into a pitch every now and then, take his walks, and avoid whiffing on too many pitches clearly outside the zone, then he’s doing his job. I’ve calibrated my own expectations such that a 109 wRC+ is probably more than I honestly expect. I can’t do cartwheels, but I’d be metaphorically doing them if he did that while Grisham and Judge are out.
Even with their absences, the Yankees are fortunate to have a number of quality bats in the lineup, so Jones doesn’t have to put too much pressure on himself. He can focus on developing while also playing good defense and running the bases well. Those are somewhat-overlooked aspects of his game too, as it would be a disservice to asssume he’s lumbering around out there. The man can move!
Today on the site, John will discuss one of the more forgotten players on the roster, Ryan Yarbrough. Madison will run through Rivalry Roundup, Jonathan will celebrate an overlooked-but-quietly-important Yankee’s 65th birthday, Peter will break down Ben Rice’s go-ahead bomb in Toronto for his At-Bat of the Week feature, Kento will break down why Cody Bellinger’s contract might age better than he initially thought, and Estevão will look back at how the Yankees and White Sox have narrowly avoided playoff matchups over the years. Chicago is the only AL team who they’ve never faced in October.
