The Wizards should draft AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick

PROVO, UT - FEBRUARY 7: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars calls a play agianst of the Houston Cougars during the half of their game at the Marriott Center on February 7, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

During Will Dawkins and Michael Winger’s introductory press conference in June 2023, the duo outlined a multi-year plan to resurrect a dormant franchise in need of a major reset.

After years of chasing NBA titles with a play-in roster, Wizards ownership promised a different approach — one built on trust between an owner tired of mediocrity and a front office eager to build a perennial contender in the nation’s capital.

“The eventual expectation is that we’re gonna build a generational contender,” Winger said in 2023. “There’s no excuse for the lone NBA team in D.C. not to be contending for championships. Eventually, we’re gonna hoist a trophy here in D.C.”

Winger said his staff had “full autonomy” to reset the team. And reset it did.

Three 60-loss seasons, four lottery picks and several savvy trades later, only one player — Anthony Gill — remains from the roster Dawkins and Winger inherited.

But the rebuild isn’t complete.

One decision stands between three years of tanking and a potential title contender. It’s a decision the Wizards are lucky to have, yet desperate to get right.

The prospect Washington selects with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft must carry the weight that selection bears and more.

They must want the ball when the game is on the line. They must possess the relentless drive to be great that is often the catalyst for legendary careers.

Most importantly, they must become the star the Wizards need to take them from a mere playoff participant to a feared title contender.

That player is AJ Dybantsa.

Why the Wizards should select Dybantsa at No. 1

There are several important metrics when evaluating NBA prospects, such as height, scoring ability, defensive impact and character. 

When it comes to the top pick, however, ceiling trumps all. That’s because when prospects are so closely aligned in the aforementioned categories like Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are, upside is the greatest tiebreaker.

While Boozer has the most polished game and Peterson is the silkiest scorer, Dybantsa possesses the skills and measurables of a future MVP candidate.

During his lone season at BYU, the 19-year-old forward scored a Division-I best 25.5 points per game while shooting 51% from the field. Dybantsa used his 7-foot wingspan to grab nearly seven rebounds per contest. His 3.7 assists per game showed a willingness to move the basketball into prime scoring positions when defenses loaded up to stop his scoring.

As the modern NBA shifted to a perimeter-oriented game, the college game followed. Most prospects in this year’s class reflect that shift, relying on 3-point shooting as their premier offensive threat.

But not Dybantsa, who owns a smooth mid-range jumper and puts relentless rim pressure on whoever dares stand in his way.

At 6-foot-10 in shoes, Dybantsa can rise and shoot over almost any defender — a rare trait seen in scorers like Kevin Durant and Victor Wembanyama. 

It’s why he prefers the mid-range jumper to the more popular 3-pointer. It’s also why he hits that shot at such an efficient clip.

Dybantsa shot 46% on mid-range jumpers as a freshman, which ranked in the 91st percentile among fellow prospects, according to draftballr.com. His eight mid-range shots per 100 possessions ranked in the 94th percentile.

This play against UConn, where Dybantsa gets to his spot, rises over an impeccable contest from 6-foot-7 Jaylin Stewart and sinks a mid-range jumper, encapsulates his talent.

Dybantsa vs. Peterson

Dybantsa and Peterson both project as offensive engines poised for long careers filled with thousands of buckets. But how they project to score those points differs dramatically.

During his freshman season at Kansas, Peterson primarily operated on the perimeter and in the intermediate scoring areas with 3-balls and floaters. Dybantsa did the opposite, instead relying on layups, dunks and mid-range jumpers for the bulk of his buckets.

The key separator lies in their ability to get downhill and finish at the rim — an area Dybantsa dominated while Peterson faltered.

Dybantsa shot 72.3% at the rim, which ranks first among ESPN’s consensus lottery picks, on more than eight rim attempts per 100 possessions. Of Dybantsa’s 604 shot attempts, 153 (25.3%) came inside of three feet.

The offensive-minded forward can draw contact as well. He attempted 13.1 free throws per 100 possessions, narrowly trailing Boozer’s 13.2 and Caleb Wilson’s 14.1, and finished his freshman campaign with a 49% free-throw rate.

Dybantsa’s 296 free-throw attempts led all Division-I players and more than doubled Peterson’s 132.

Peterson shot just 59.7% at the rim on 5.8 attempts per 100 possessions and finished with a 37.1% free-throw rate — nearly 12 percentage points behind Dybantsa. Furthermore, 41% of his shots came from 21 feet or more away from the basket and just 15% came from three feet or less.

Despite playing off ball at Kansas, Peterson’s camp believes he’s a point guard at the NBA level. But his low assist numbers — he averaged just 1.9 helpers per game compared to Dybantsa’s 3.7 — and subpar 1.o assist-to-turnovers ratio reflect a guard far from traditional NBA point guard standards.

His constant cramping issues and other nagging injuries, which caused him to miss 11 of his team’s 35 games, were certainly a factor. However, those health issues also represent the main concern for several evaluators who question Peterson’s long-term viability.

Peterson has Dybantsa beat in 3-point shooting and most defensive metrics. And at times, the Kansas product made college basketball appear too easy.

But Dybantsa’s long frame, freakish leaping ability and elite athleticism provide hope that his defense could dramatically improve with increased film study and reps next to top defenders like Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George.

And his mid-range talent and relentless rim pressure, combined with his availability — he missed zero games at BYU — athleticism and upside as an All-NBA forward who could one day lead the NBA in scoring, give him the edge over Peterson.

Dybantsa vs. Boozer

Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony reported that nearly every NBA team has Boozer atop their draft board. And for good reason.

The Duke forward dominated nearly every matchup with his bruising 6-foot-8, 253-pound frame. His soft touch around the rim, seasoned footwork and smooth outside jumper posed near-impossible tasks for most defenses.

But when games got tight, and Duke needed a bucket, Boozer often reverted to his post game, one heavily reliant on bullying his way into the paint against smaller defenders, trying to force the officials to call a foul if his contested layup didn’t fall.

That approach is less likely to work in the NBA. 

There’s no denying Boozer projects as a terrific professional with All-Star potential. He’ll likely average 20 points and 10 rebounds and drive winning in any situation he’s drafted into.

The issue is that he projects as more of a complementary piece than a No. 1 option. And for a Wizards squad filled with complementary pieces, Dybantsa better fits what they’re missing: An offensive engine with elite shot creation tools that can get a bucket when everyone knows who’s getting the ball.

The numbers tell the story.

Dybantsa ranked in the 99th percentile of Draftballr’s age-adjusted offensive box score impact metric despite a 33.5% usage rate, which ranked in the 100th percentile. BYU continued to pile more onto his plate, which only raised his level of play.

When BYU’s second leading scorer, Richie Saunders, tore his ACL on Feb. 14, the Cougars’ reliance on Dybantsa skyrocketed. Defenses gameplanned to stop him at all costs, and even that wasn’t enough.

Dybantsa scored 20 or more points in every game to close the season, including three contests with 35 or more and a 40-point showing in Round 1 of the Big 12 Tournament.

While Washington’s young core has received praise for its two-way impact, outside shooting and tremendous upside, one question has lingered: Who would step up as the team’s go-to scorer in key moments?

Enter Dybantsa, who, despite being the centerpiece of opponents’ game plans, averaged 31.0 points on 52.4% FG in three Big 12 Tournament games and dropped 35 points in BYU’s lone NCAA Tournament contest.

In big games and season-defining moments, Dybantsa doesn’t just want the ball. He demands it. And when he does, he meets the moment.

Just ask Texas coach Sean Miller, who seemingly ran out of adjustments in trying to stop BYU’s offensive engine.

“I don’t think we can [stop Dybantsa],” Miller said during his team’s NCAA Tournament victory over BYU. “There’s just very little you can do.”

Addressing the shooting concerns

The major question mark surrounding Dybantsa is his 33.1% 3-point clip, which ranks third-worst among Draftballer’s top-20 prospects.

But one collegiate season with poor outside shooting numbers doesn’t mean a prospect can never develop a 3-point jumper, nor does it mean that prospect can’t become one of the league’s premier scorers. Especially when that prospect possesses the athleticism, speed, rim pressure and two-point game that Dybantsa does.

Just ask John Wall, the Wizards’ No. 1 pick in 2010 who shot 32.5% from 3-point range at Kentucky before a lengthy NBA career that included five All-Star appearances. Or Derrick Rose, who shot 33% from three at Memphis before winning MVP as a 22-year-old with the Chicago Bulls.

Anthony Edwards was selected with the No. 1 pick despite shooting 29.4% from 3-point range at Georgia. Five years later, he made an NBA-best 320 threes at a 39.5% clip.

Other NBA All-Stars who shot sub-33% from three in college include Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo. What do those players have in common? They relentlessly attacked the rim, and when defenders took away their drive, they relied on an efficient mid-range game.

Dybantsa’s outside shooting numbers fall significantly behind those of Peterson (38.2%) and Boozer (39.1%). But other indicators, like his efficient mid-range jumper and touch in intermediate areas with floaters and push shots, showcase a shooting touch poised to stretch beyond the 3-point line with good coaching and lots of repetition.

The missing piece

Three years of losing have positioned Washington to achieve its ultimate goal: finding a centerpiece to build a perennial contender around.

Washington has done so in the inverse, spending the first three years accumulating talent to surround that centerpiece with.

Sarr is one of the league’s best young rim protectors. George and Coulibaly possess two-way potential as complementary offensive pieces who star on defense. Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington are 40% 3-point shooters who pose a threat from long range the second they cross halfcourt.

Will Riley flashed his shifty scoring ability in the latter months of an impressive rookie campaign. Justin Champagnie simply impacts winning on one of the league’s best contracts. The latest additions, Trae Young and Anthony Davis, add a veteran presence necessary for young teams to thrive.

It appears Washington is just one piece away. Winger said the Wizards aren’t looking for a “savior” with their top selection. But it’s no secret they lack a true No. 1 option.

Peterson has All-Star potential. And Boozer could become one of the league’s most dominant interior forces.

But Dybantsa possesses the greatest potential to become everything this rebuild was started for and more: A prospect with MVP upside, the missing No. 1 option to a puzzle that’s one piece away from its final form.

Orioles minor league recap 6/15: Bradfield Jr. and Kjerstad have multi-hit days in Norfolk

FREDERICK, MARYLAND - APRIL19, 2026: Victor Figueroa #24 of the Frederick Keys readies for the next pitch during a South Atlantic League game against the Hudson Valley Renegades at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Frederick, Maryland. The Renegades beat the Keys, 7-6 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rodger Wood/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds (STL) 11, Norfolk Tides 7

The Tides closed out the first half of the season at Harbor Park with a sloppy 11-7 loss on Sunday. New guy Chris Kachmar, in his third start since being signed on a free agent contract, pitched a stinker, allowing five runs on six hits in four innings for Norfolk. Cameron Weston wasn’t good, either, allowing three runs in one inning. José Espada and Enoli Paredes also caught the run-allowing bug, but Andrew Magno pitched a scoreless ninth. All nine Memphis starters recorded at least one hit in what turned into a 25-hit ballgame.

At least Norfolk managed 11 hits of their own. Christian Encarnacion-Strand blasted his 15th homer of the season and finished 2-for-5. Enrique Bradfield Jr., done with his rehab stint, went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and an RBI. Heston Kjerstad turned in another multi-hit game in the month of June, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Johnathan Rodriguez contributed a double and two RBI.

Box Score

Double-A: Altoona Curve (PIT) 7, Chesapeake Baysox 1 – F/7

Another rough one in Altoona, until this one got called early for rain. Ben Vespi got blown up with a four-spot in the first inning, allowing five hits, and Joseph Dzierwa was OK but not fabulous, allowing seven hits and three runs in five innings.

The Baysox managed a single run on an Anderson de los Santos home run. The 1B went 2-for-3 today. Aaron Estrada, Willi Vasquez and Adam Retzbach each had a single on a five-hit day for Chesapeake.

Box Score

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM)7, Frederick Keys 4

Although the Keys outhit the Cyclones 9 to 8, a five-run inning for Brooklyn off No. 9 prospect Boston Bateman—the May Minor League Pitcher of the Month, who entered at 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA—proved a hole too great to dig out of. Bateman surrendered five runs in 2.2 innings on five hits, including a home run.

For the offensively minded, there were a few high points. Slugging first baseman Victor Figueroa keeps hitting bombs, including his seventeenth on Sunday, and he singled in a second RBI. Elis Cuevas was 3-for-4, stole two bases, and scored two runs, partly manufactured by him. Catcher Ryan Stafford had two hits. Ike Irish and Wehiwa Aloy had 0-fers, unfortunately.

Box Score

Low-A: Columbia Fireflies (KCR) 8, Delmarva Shorebirds 5

Columbia scored all of its eight runs in the fifth inning or later. That’s to say, starter Esteban Mejía was very good, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing just a run. Dalton Neuschwander had the ugly box score, surrendering six runs (five earned) in 2.2 innings of relief, and Adrian Heredia surrendered a solo home run in the ninth. As for the earned-unearned run gap, it’s not often that you see a catcher make four errors in one game, but Delmarva’s Juan Ortega managed to do it (gulp).

On the offensive side, DJ Layton doubled and walked twice. First baseman Miguel Rodriguez hit a two-run double. Shortstop Jaden Lo Re had a 3-for-4 day and is OPS’ing 1.004.

Box Score

Today’s Schedule

Today is a scheduled off day for all four affiliates.

Monday Rockpile: Cole Carrigg reflects on his first week in the big leagues

Jun 9, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Cole Carrigg (16) advances in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) has made a statement in 2026.

Through 57 games, he was slashing .338/.414/.529 with 26 extra-base hits (15 doubles, five triples, six home runs) and 30 stolen bases in 37 attempts. That was enough for him to get the call, and he made his debut on June 9th.

“I didn’t really expect it,” Carrigg said on Friday. “[Pedro Lopez], our manager, was just kind of giving a speech sometimes, like he does, and then he just kinda dragged on about something that had to do with one of our conversations and I got a pretty good idea.”

He first called his dad, Mike, and then called his mom, Lisa, his brother and a few friends.

“[My dad] was pretty choked up,” Carrigg said. “He’s just super excited for me, and happy.”

When he got to Coors Field, one of his first stops was to meet with manager Warren Schaeffer.

“I just went in and right as I got there, I went into his office,” Carrigg recalled. “He was super pumped and excited to let me get out there and try to win some games.”

So far, Carrigg hasn’t skipped a beat, hitting a triple and two homers in his first five games. And to make things even more special, the triple was his first MLB hit. He’s the second Rockie to ever record a triple as his first MLB hit after Ryan Ritter did it on June 6, 2025.

Carrigg’s first homer came on two days later.

“The triple was really fun,” Carrigg reflected. “I was glad to get the first hit out of the way in the first game, and it was pretty fitting that I got to run around the bases for a triple, which was pretty nice. And then, honestly, the homer was probably the coolest moment in my life so far. It was an out-of-body experience that I can’t really explain.”

Carrigg had another out-of-body experience in Las Vegas, though, launching a three-run homer on Saturday night to give the Rockies the lead late (which they ultimately lost, and lost the game 7-5).

And, of course, it was “definitely cool” to put on the purple coat.

Before the game on Friday, manager Warren Schaeffer said he was “not surprised” that Carrigg has had early success.

“I mean, I thought that if he came up here and played like himself and his attitude was the same as it’s always been, then he would be just fine,” Schaeffer said. “And that’s exactly what I’ve seen. I’ve seen a fiery guy who hates to get out, who plays good defense. He’s ready to play at all times. He just can make an impact in so many different ways on the baseball field, and that’s what he’s done so far. So [I’m] very, very happy that we have Cole Carrigg here.”

Even though he was more nervous in the batter’s box, Carrigg didn’t show it.

“Definitely stepping into the batter’s box was more nerve wracking than stepping onto the field,” he said. “I feel like playing defense is, I guess, easier than hitting. And obviously, it’s pretty nerve wracking stepping into the box and you’re the only out there on offense.”

But his favorite moment of his first week in the big leagues came off the field.

“[My favorite moment was] probably my cart shower, when the guys threw me in the shower,” he chuckled. “It was just something that I did not expect to happen, and I had no idea what to expect. It was very interesting, but awesome.”

Overall, Carrigg’s biggest takeaway from his debut week is “the difference in the amenities.”

“Clubhouse, stadium, clubbies… everything’s just that much more professional,” he said. “It’s super cool being on a private jet instead of flying Southwest. It’s all the stuff that’s different.”

But going forward, Carrigg is most looking forward to “trying to keep winning series, and see if we can make a push and just keep winning ballgames. But I’m just happy to play with these guys.”


On the Farm

Triple-A:Tacoma Rainiers 3, Albuquerque Isotopes 2

The Rainiers (SEA) came out of the gates with a rally in the first that culminated in a two RBI single from Victor Labrada. The Isotopes countered by scoring in back-to-back innings via a two-out RBI single from Jose Cordova in the second and a leadoff homer from Richie Martin Jr. in the third. The final run was scored in the bottom of the third when Cal Raleigh (who is on a rehab assignment) was sent home thanks to an double from Labrada.

While the offense was largely done early, the pitching staff’s for both teams looked great throughout. For Albuquerque, Keegan Thompson started the game and allowed three runs (all earned) over four innings. Thompson was followed by a string of scoreless one inning outings from Parker Mushinski, Jordan Romano, Sammy Peralta, and John Brebbia.

A fairly uneventful game resulted in the Isotopes falling to 35-34, second in the PCL.

Double-A:New Hampshire Fisher Cats 7, Hartford Yard Goats 6

The Yard Goats lineup had success from the top to the bottom and combined for a total of nine hits and seven walks. Of particular note were Zach Kokoska’s first triple of the year, two hits from Andy Perez, and home runs from Roc Riggio (No. 14 PuRP) and Aidan Longwell. It was not, in the end, enough as the Yard Goats could not hold onto the lead they’d had since the second inning.

On the mound, every pitcher Hartford turned to allowed at least a run. Connor Staine started the game and had the best performance with five innings of three-run ball in which he struck out five. Then came an inning from Davison Palermo who allowed a run on a couple of walks and a sacrifice bunt. Next up was an inning from Griffin Herring (No. 10 PuRP) the end result of which was a Carter Cunningham two-run homer. Finally came in Cade Denton who, in the first of his two innings pitched would allow the go ahead run on a wild pitch. Denton was able to record five straight outs following that run, but the damage had already been done.

High-A:Spokane Indians 4, Eugene Emeralds 2

Spokane bested the Emeralds (SFG) in a quick afternoon match on the back of strong pitching and some well timed hits.

On the hitting side of things, Alan Espinal hit a home run in the fourth to drive in Jack O’Dowd. Following that homer the Indians didn’t record another hit until the seventh inning when back-to-back hits from Kelvin Hidalgo and Juan Castillo resulted in a run due to the Emeralds pitcher Cade Vernon flubbing a pickoff attempt. Then in the ninth, Espinal singled before Hidalgo and Castillo came through again to load the bases with a double and a walk respectively. A ground-out from Jacob Hinderleider was enough to score the Indians fourth and final run of the day.

Starting pitcher Everett Catlett was both efficient and effective. Catlett threw a total of 82 pitches and struck out eight over the course of six innings in which the only runs scored were on the solo home runs (both in the second inning). Covering the final three innings after Catlett departed were Justin Loer and Hunter Mann. They allowed a couple walks apiece but didn’t allow any of the resulting baserunners to come score which ensured Spokane’s 27th victory of the season.

Low-A:Fresno Grizzlies 5, Visalia Rawhide 1

The Grizzlies took an early lead and never looked back against the Rawhide (ARI). In the top of the first Ashly Andujar (No. 20 PuRP) tripled and then scored on a single from Roldy Brito (No. 11 PuRP). Fresno would score another run in the second on a home run from Luis Mendez. By the time the fourth inning came along Visalia had turned to reliever Ricardo Yan, who couldn’t find the strike zone, and both Mendez and Jeremy Ciriaco were able to draw a walk. A pair of wild pitches would then allow Mendez to score before a hit from Yeiker Reyes would drive in Ciriaco as well. They picked this up in the fifth when a Cameron Nelson single would drive in Matt Klein for the Grizzlies fifth and final run.

The real stars of the game were Grizzlies pitchers Ethan Cole and Bryson Van Sickle who combined to pitch all nine innings while striking out 12 and allowing only a single run. Cole took the ball to start the game and threw five and a third innings and allowed one run on five hits, three of which were doubles. Van Sickle relieved Cole in the bottom of the sixth and finished the next three and two thirds innings by striking out seven without allowing a hit.


‘Money’ man: Rockies’ Paul DePodesta reflects on Athletics days with Colorado in Vegas | Denver Gazette ($)

Kevin Henry caught up with Rockies’ PBO Paul DePodesta, who was in Las Vegas watching his current team play his former team. They talked about the state of both organizations, and especially how the Rockies are fighting despite numerous challenges.

Chase Dollander’s injury puts pressure on Rockies to make German Marquez-like trade | Denver Post ($)

In Patrick Saunders’ weekend journal, he flashed back to when the Rockies traded for Germán Márquez in 2016. It still goes down as one of the best trades in franchise history, but could the new Rockies front office engineer something similar if needed?

Young Rockies offense showing promise, even if wins aren’t piling up yet | MLB.com

Arion Armeniakos chronicles the Rockies young offense and how they’ve started trending in the right direction. On Saturday, TJ Rumfield recorded his 17th multi-hit game and Troy Johnston has 19. Kyle Karros hit his first career triple. Things are clicking, and hopefully they can all click at the same time soon.


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MLB News Outside The Confines: Scotland invades Fenway Park

Good morning. Here’s what all of you who have been watching the World Cup, NBA Finals or Stanley Cup have missed while you weren’t watching baseball.

There were also some boos for “Sweet Caroline” for reasons explained here. The English picked it up after the Red Sox played in the London Series.

Sometimes, for as crappy as sports can be, we’re reminded of the magic that it can do and how it can bring us together.

Kansas City Royals news: The injuries pile up

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 13: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals reacts as he injuries himself while pop flying out in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium on June 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Royals were glad to snap a four-game losing streak on Sunday, writes Jaylon Thompson.

“We’ve lost these games recently, and it’s been really frustrating, but these guys are competing their butts off,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

“Every one of these games in this homestand was a tough game one way or the other. … “The way these guys are competing and the attitude they are taking out there, I’m proud of them for that.”

Vinnie Pasquantino is expected to miss six weeks with his hamate injury, writes Anne Rogers.

“We’ll know a lot more as he starts the rehab process,” Quatraro said.

“I just told [Pasquantino] I was frustrated for him, especially because he’s got himself going. You never want to lose any of the guys to injury. It stinks because I know how hard he’s worked to get back and be productive. He’s gone through injuries before and it can be a real grind.”

More injury news:

Latif Love at the Star writes about Carter Jensen coming through on Saturday and hitting from the leadoff spot.

“I love it,” Jensen said about his move to the front of the batting order.

“I had to learn how to hit the leadoff spot. I hadn’t done it a ton, but having some experience helped. Talking to Mikey (Massey) and even talking to Bobby (Witt Jr.) and just picking their brains helped.”

Kameron Misner has enjoyed playing again in the state of Missouri.

“Good things happen when I barrel the ball, like anybody,” Misner said. “Just wanted to barrel the ball more consistently. And just play, have fun, barrel some balls and enjoy the game. … I have a lot of confidence in my play right now.”

Preston Farr writes about how the Royals are failing in hitting development.

Back to the original point, the hitters in the Royals farm system aren’t performing especially well. As an organization, they’re below average in many key categories such as whiff rate, chase rate, and overall contact. The change in hitting development leadership before this season only seems to have compounded the issues plaguing the system’s development. The Royals have essentially doubled down on Alec Zumwalt. This, despite Zumwalt treading hot water to varying degrees over the last calendar year. If the Royals truly needed to change course in the farm system, promoting those who will bring “continuity from the Major Leagues to the Minor Leagues” isn’t the way to do it.

What’s happening in the Major Leagues isn’t working. Translating that to the Minor Leagues is also bound not to work. 

Guardians All-Star Jose Ramirez is also out with a broken hamate bone.

Former Royals catcher Freddy Fermin lands on the 7-day concussion Injured List.

Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal loses in his return to the mound.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has a perfect game ruined by a Mookie Betts error.

The White Sox rally against the Dodgers in front of their third straight sellout crowd.

Marlins pitcher Max Meyer outduels Paul Skenes and moves to 7-0.

Some Giants pitchers inscribe Bible verses on their cap on Pride Night.

Who could the Phillies target in a trade for their injured outfield?

Which MLB team could end their championship drought like the Knicks did?

Rick Sweet is approaching the record for most wins by a minor league manager.

Troy eliminates Ole Miss for its first ever Men’s College World Series win.

With the NBA season now over, here’s an mock draft.

Former Mizzou star Aldon Smith was doing charity work before he was found unresponsive.

Japanese World Cup fans are the tidiest.

Tyra Banks sues Netflix, alleging defamation over the America’s Next Top Model documentary.

The feds approve Paramount’s purchase of Warner Bros.

Your song of the day is Jon Spencer Blues Explosion with Wail.

St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers great at one stat (or more!)

JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Quinn Mathews #60 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On the heels of a frustrating loss and a frustrating series, let’s look for positivity today. To achieve this, I will look towards the minor leagues. Instead of my usual minor league update – I’ll probably wait for the first half to be over – I will instead share great performances. Any hitter or pitcher who stands out purely from their performance. Their prospect status doesn’t matter, although obviously it’s better if there are some prospects in this article.

Here’s how to get highlighted today: do something exceptional. I am using qualified MLB rankings as my reference point. I will pick out specific stats and if you have a stat that would rank in the top 30 among qualified players, your stats get shared. For hitters, I will be looking towards elite walk rates, elite K rates, elite power, and of course an elite wRC+. For pitchers, it’ll be K%, GB%, FIP, and K-BB%. I am writing this intro before I’ve seen a single stat so I’m really hoping for some good representation.

Hitters – BB%

The 30th ranked hitter on the qualified leaderboard is Spencer Horwitz, with a 13% BB rate. So anybody with a walk rate equal or better to that is on this list. The Cardinals kind of promoted most of the Memphis list away from this list: Nelson Velazquez, Jimmy Crooks, and Bryan Torres would all be here without a promotion.

Bligh Madris (16.1%)

Overall stats (AAA): 52 G, 211 PAs, .275/.395/.468, 16.1 BB%, 21.3 K%, .193 ISO, .328 BABIP, 128 wRC+

This is timely. On the podcast, Jake Wood asked Alex Coil who was somebody fans were underrated, and with the caveat that he’s a journeyman type, he mentioned Madris. He’s the leader of the clubhouse in Memphis according to him. He’s 30-years-old and was not very good when he got the chance to play in the big leagues, so don’t expect a call-up, but let’s give a little shout-out to Madris here.

Ryan Campos (17.6%)

Overall Stats (AA): 49 G, 210 PAs, .275/.410/.443, 17.6 BB%, 21.4 K%, .168 ISO, .336 BABIP, 128 wRC+

Yeah the Cardinals have a unheralded catching prospect in Springfield who also is managing a .400 OBP on the back of walking a lot. Good luck getting through this group buddy.

Trey Paige (16.8 BB%)

Overall Stats (AA) : 173 PAs, .209/.353/.353, 16.8 BB%, 25.4 K%, .144 ISO, .269 BABIP, 92 wRC+

Orgazational soldier most likely, Paige is 25 in Springfield, but the walks are for real: he’s always had a high walk rate in his minor league career.

Chase Davis (16.7 BB%)

Overall Stats (AA): 156 PAs, .231/.359/.446, 16.7 BB%, 24.4 K%, .215 ISO, .262 BABIP, 110 wRC+

Currently injured, I can’t imagine Davis will have to spend a whole lot more time in Springfield. If he had a normal BABIP, he’d probably be in the wRC+ section too and he narrowly misses the ISO section.

In the spirit of using the qualified batters as a reference point, I didn’t want to share anybody with fewer than 100 PAs, but Jeremy Rivas has walked 17% of the time in his 13 games at Memphis. He narrowly misses the cutoff overall with a 12.8% BB rate between Springfield and Memphis combined.

Dakota Harris (15 BB%)

Overall Stats (AA): 52 G, 206 PAs, .240/.361/.404, 15 BB%, 23.3 K%, .164 ISO, .291 BABIP, 104 wRC+

This is a brand new development for the record. Harris didn’t walk at all before this season. He had a 4.4 BB% in his 2024 season across two levels and a 5.5% one at Springfield last year. I guess he watched Moneyball over the offseason, because holy hell is that a huge jump.

Zach Levenson (14.6 BB%)

Overall Stats (AA): 54 G, 212 PAs, .175/.311/.277, 14.6 BB%, 25.5 K%, .102 ISO, .227 BABIP, 64 wRC+

Well this is kind of a weird one. His K/BB numbers are honestly close to what I’d expect, but he has had no power and nothing is falling for hits.

Cade McGee (16.4 BB%)

Stats (High A): 50 G, 214 PAs, .239/.411/.448, 16.4 BB%, 25.7 K%, .209 ISO, .304 BABIP, 125 wRC+

That is a lot of walks, but his OBP is that high because he also has gotten hit by 14 pitches. He got hit by 7 pitches in 335 PAs last season, so it does not seem like a fluke.

Cameron Nickens (16 BB%)

Stats (Low A): 28 G, 116 PAs, .264/.431/.402, 20.7 BB%, 23.3 K%, .138 ISO, .350 BABIP, 141 wRC+

High A: 17 G, 72 PAs, .238/.306/.333, 8.3 BB%, 30.6 K%, .095 ISO, .333 BABIP, 63 wRC+

Last year’s 17th round pick, Nickens is probably someone I would never mention in a traditional minor league update, so I think it’s at least cool to highlight him here.

Ryan Mitchell (20.7 BB%)

Stats (Low A): 51 G, 237 PAs, .199/.367/.333, 20.7 BB%, 33.8 K%, .134 ISO, .307 BABIP, 107 wRC+

Barring a significant difference in the 2nd half of this season, I suspect Mitchell will probably repeat Low A next year. And that’s when I’m really going to be paying attention.

Ryan Weingartner (17.1 BB%)

Stats (Low A): 51 G, 234 PAs, .222/.368/.344, 17.1 BB%, 22.2 K%, .122 ISO, .278 BABIP, 108 wRC+

Last year’s 8th round pick. Really a lot of this post could just be considered an update on the 2025 draftees. This is where their age really shows, just having a better sense of the strike zone than the pitcher.

Jonathan Mejia (15.8 BB%)

Stats (Low A): 49 G, 215 PAs, .198/.330/.395, 15.8 BB%, 27.4 K%, .198 ISO, .241 BABIP, 103 wRC+

I’m going to stop at Mejia, because a 13% BB rate is actually not remarkable at all at this level, judging by the amount of players I could list. I think nearly 16% is probably still great though.

Hitters – K%

St. Louis Cardinal Alec Burleson ranks 30th – at least before today’s game is taken into account – with a 15.3% K rate. So anything below that is getting mentioned. Blaze Jordan and Torres would be here if they weren’t promoted.

Matt Koperniak (14 K%)

Stats (AAA): 40 G, 157 PAs, .255/.331/.343, 10.2 BB%, 14 K%, .088 ISO, .284 BABIP, 79 wRC+

He’s never been a big strikeout guy, but this would be his professional career low. Unfortunately, his power disappeared.

Cesar Prieto (14.3 K%)

Stats (AAA) : 39 G, 161 PAs, .313/.379/.590, 8.1 BB%, 14.3 K%, .278 ISO, .319 BABIP, 144 wRC+

I guess this is where I list Prieto’s stats, because he qualifies for both power, and overall hitting line. His xwOBA in AAA is just .306 though and of course he went 1 for 23 at the big league so far in his career with yes, zero walks.

Noah Mendlinger (9%)

Stats (AA): 43 G, 199 PAs, .277/.402/.377, 16.1 BB%, 9 K%, .101 ISO, .294 BABIP, 113 wRC+

AAA: 9 G, 24 PAs, .277/.408/.390, 16.6 BB%, 8.3 K%, .113 ISO, .291 BABIP, 158 wRC+

You can see why I chose to put him in the strikeout section right? This is a comically low K% and better yet, it’s reliable. His K% hasn’t touched double digits since 2024. I’m honestly curious at how this would translate to the MLB level.

Jon Jon Gazdar (12.3 K%)

Stats (AA): 49 G, 228 PAs, .232/.330/.340, 11 BB%, 12.3 K%, .108 ISO, .244 BABIP, 80 wRC+

Usually a guy on this list will have a much higher average, but it remains to be seen whether this low average is deserved or unlucky, because that sure is a low BABIP.

Michael Datallo (9.4 K%)

Stats (Low A): 24 G, 106 PAs, .374/.453/.495, 11.3 BB%, 9.4 K%, .121 ISO, .407 BABIP, 165 wRC+

Last year’s 9th round pick has certainly gotten off to an interesting start. You get the answer to the question “What if you took a no power hitter, but he never struck out and had a super high BABIP?” It looks like this.

Hitters – ISO

The 30th ranked ISO in baseball right now is a .230 ISO. We already know Prieto is on this list, so hopefully there are some legit power prospects on here. Just to reiterate that these are important stats, both Jordan and Crooks would have been on this list. Velazquez interestingly isn’t that close.

Joshua Baez (.313)

Stats (AAA) : 60 G, 271 PAs, .272/.339/.584, 7 BB%, 31.4 K%, .313 ISO, .333 BABIP, 131 wRC+

Is it weird that the walks are the thing holding me back from promoting him, not the strikeouts? I mean yes the strikeouts certainly play a part and I want it lower, but in combination with the walks, that’s not ideal. If Crooks had Baez’s walk rate, I don’t think he’d be up right now.

Won-Bin Cho (.230 ISO)

Stats (High A): 50 G, 210 PAs, .270/.395/.500, 15.7 BB%, 15.7 BB%, 25.2 K%, .230 ISO, .345 BABIP, 127 wRC+

Technically, he wouldn’t be on this list anymore because he is at exactly .230 ISO and he didn’t get an extra base hit yesterday, and technically he should be in the BB% section instead. But I am highlight Cho’s power because he has never had issues walking. He had a significant power issue. He might be in Springfield soon.

Tre Richardson (.396 ISO)

Stats (High A): 30 G, 118 PAs, .356/.441/.752, 11.9 BB%, 28.8 K%, .396 ISO, .439 BABIP, .356/.441/.752, 187 wRC+

He’s definitely too old for the level to treat him like a real prospect, but holy hell. This dude had five professional homers in previous 771 PAs. He has hit 11 in 118 PAs this season. This is insane.

Tai Peete (.256 ISO)

Stats (High A): 29 G, 140 PAs, .272/.350/.528, 10.7 BB%, 31.4 K%, .256 ISO, .382 BABIP, 116 wRC+

The Midwest League must be going crazy this year, because that batting line should produce much better than a 116 wRC+. Nonetheless, Peete is only 20-years-old doing this in Peoria. He still has strikeout issues, but we’ll worry about that later.

Jesus Baez (.251 ISO)

Stats (High A): 52 G, 234 PAs, .256/.308/.507, 7.3 BB%, 16.2 K%, .251 ISO, .244 BABIP, 95 wRC+

Yeah definitely, the league is going nuts. That should absolutely not be a below average line. Wow. For whatever reason, power is out of control in this league.

Hitters – wRC+

The 30th ranked hitter in baseball – as of yesterday when I’m writing this, not necessarily when you’re reading this – is Dillon Dingler with a 135 wRC+. Prieto is on this list too. Of the MLBers, Crooks, Jordan and Torres both would be on this list. Hey these guys sure got promoted for a reason. They were killing it.

Sammy Hernandez (186 wRC+)

Stats (High A): 85 PAs, .338/.494/.646, 22.4 BB%, 12.9 K%, .308 ISO, .360 BABIP, 186 wRC+

Hernandez has mostly functioned as the backup catcher, so he doesn’t fit under my 100 PAs threshold. But he could go 0 for 15 and still have above a 130 wRC+ after 100 PAs. He has had an unbelievable first half.

Jack Gurevitch (149 wRC+)

Stats (Low A): 28 G, 128 PAs, .274/.398/.538, 15.6 BB%, 30.5 K%, .264 ISO, .377 BABIP, 154 wRC+

High A: 25 G, 117 PAs, .313/.419/.535, 12 BB%, 24.8 K%, .222 ISO, .391 BABIP, 142 wRC+

After his underwhelming pro debut last year, it’s very encouraging to see Gurevitch build himself into a prospect worth following.

Datallo and Prieto both had a wRC+ greater than 135, but I listed their stats earlier. Tre Richardson also would have been on this list, but I wanted to single out his power. I use stats for combined levels, which is why Raniel Rodriguez is not on any list, if you were wondering.

Pitchers – K%

I’m running a bit long, so I am going to be more selective with my pitchers. For starting pitchers, I want a 30% K rate and for relievers, I want a 35% K rate.

Quinn Mathews (30.2 K%)

Stats (AAA) : 12 GS, 51.2 IP, 30.2 K%, 15.8 BB%, 47.4 GB%, .252 BABIP, 4.01 ERA/4.84 FIP/4.36 xFIP

See, this is why I like this feature. It emphasizes just how many strikeouts Mathews is getting. I wasn’t sure how many starting pitchers would be here, since a 25.6 K% is actually the 30th best performance.

Liam Doyle (30.8 K%)

Stats (AA): 11 GS, 43 IP, 30.8 K%, 11.8 BB%, 29.6 GB%, .381 BABIP, 5.86 ERA/4.38 FIP/4.65 xFIP

He is striking out batters, but he’s not getting many groundballs and his walk rate is a little elevated. Really, the groundballs is just insanely low right now.

Mason Molina (30.2 K%)

Stats (AA): 11 GS, 51.2 IP, 30.2 K%, 10.2 BB%, 32 GB%, .275 BABIP, 3.31 ERA/3.88 FIP/4.46 xFIP

Kind of an interesting quirk that both starting pitchers in Springfield with a greater than 30 K% have a very low GB%, which is a tough way to live in the Springfield park.

Randal Clemente (35.8 K%)

Stats (AA): 16 G, 18 IP, 35.8 K%, 24.2 BB%, 42.1 GB%, .514 BABIP, 10.50 ERA/5.91 FIP/5.01 xFIP

What a weird line. It’s gotten slightly less weird than the last time I shared his stats during the minor league update, but still pretty weird.

Jacob Odle (33.2 K%)

Stats (Low A): 9 G, 33 IP, 36.4 K%, 11.4 BB%, 50 GB%, .343 BABIP, 1.91 ERA/2.94 FIP/2.84 xFIP

Stats (High A): 3 GS, 10 IP, 23.4 K%, 23.4 BB%, 43.5 GB%, .250 BABIP, 5.40 ERA/9.58 FIP/6.90 xFIP

Odle has had two really bad starts in High A, and one really good start in High A. He has really taken to the extremes in each. In the first, he walked six batters. In the second start, he struck out 8. And in his most recent start, he allowed three homers. He has not heard of a ho hum start.

Xavier Cruz (44 K%)

Stats (CPX): 5 G, 15.1 IP, 43.5 K%, 12.9 BB%, 47.4 GB%, 3.52 ERA/5.88 FIP/3.01 xFIP

Stats (Low A): 1 G, 2.2 IP, 46.2 K%, 23.1 BB%, 66.7 GB%, .333 BABIP, 0.00 ERA/3.70 FIP/3.70 xFIP

That is a comically high K% and yeah it’s only been one Low A appearance, but holy cow. This dude wasn’t that good in the DSL last year as a 19-year-old. And now he’s striking out 44% of hitters he faces.

Dylan Dreissen (38.5 K%)

Stats (Low A): 17 G, 22 IP, 38.5 K%, 12.1 BB%, 46.5 GB%, .357 BABIP, 2.86 ERA/3.34 FIP/3.05 xFIP

Last year’s 18th round pick, Dreissen was a multi-inning reliever in college who was not particularly good. And that’s why they were able to nab him in last year’s draft in the 18th round. He’s got swing-and-miss, that’s for sure.

Cade Crossland (34.3 K%)

Stats (Low A): 12 GS, 50.2 IP, 34.3 K%, 16.9 BB%, 36.8 GB%, .247 BABIP, 3.91 ERA/4.23 FIP/4.34 xFIP

It’s hard to promote him with that walk rate, but it does kind of feel like someone who strikes out over a third of batters as a starting pitcher is just not dealing with a high enough quality of hitters for him.

Jack Martinez (32.5 K%)

Stats (Low A): 12 GS, 46.1 IP, 32.5 K%, 13.5 BB%, 31.3 GB%, .255 BABIP, 4.08 ERA/4.16 FIP/4.63 xFIP

He’s fairly old for this level, but it’s cool that the return for Nolan Arenado is striking out 32.5% of hitters he’s facing as a starter.

Pitchers – K/BB%

The 30th best K/BB% among pitchers was 21.2%, so anything above that I will highlight.

Cade Winquest (30.2 K/BB%)

Stats (AAA): 11 G, 12.2 IP, 35.8 K%, 5.7 BB%, 42.9 GB%, .346 BABIP, 5.68 ERA/4.00 FIP/3.10 xFIP

It hasn’t really shown in actual results quite yet, but Winquest is treating AAA like we would hope he would AAA. Tons of strikeouts, not many walks. If he keeps pitching like this, we’ll see him in St. Louis this season.

Ryan Fernandez (24.6 K/BB%)

Stats (AAA): 13 G, 14.2 IP, 29.8 K%, 5.3 BB%, 40.5 GB%, .229 BABIP, 3.07 ERA/3.59 FIP/3.19 xFIP

Fernandez is pitching pretty well in AAA and his K/BB% in the majors is also excellent. Let’s hope that continues.

Yhoiker Fajardo (23.2 K/BB%)

Stats (High A): 11 GS, 46 IP, 30.5 K%, 7.4 BB%, 41.3 GB%, .391 BABIP, 3.72 ERA/4.72 FIP/4.02 xFIP

He could have also gone on the K% list, but especially as a starting pitcher, I find landing on this list much more impressive. Almost as impressive as having a .391 BABIP and a 3.72 ERA, that seems difficult.

Payton Graham (24.4 K/BB%)

Stats (CPX): 4 GS, 12.2 IP, 38.9 K%, 8.3 BB%, 50 GB%, .263 BABIP, 1.86 ERA/2.09 FIP/2.77 xFIP

(Low A): 4 GS, 12.2 IP, 28 K%, 8 BB%, 19.4 GB%, .207 BABIP, 4.97 ERA/5.52 FIP/4.95 xFIP

Listing Graham breaks the spirit of this, because I think the complex games were essentially rehab for him, but I wanted an excuse to list his stats. Despite a fairly strong K/BB% in Low A, almost everything is hit in the air and he’s allowed 3 homers in his 12.2 IP.

Pitchers – GB%

Alright, we have two standards here. For starting pitchers, anything above a 48.4 GB%, and for relievers, it will be as high as a 55 GB%.

Hunter Dobbins (51.5 GB%)

Stats (AAA): 9 GS, 44.2 IP, 17.7 K%, 7.5 BB%, 51.5 GB%, .275 BABIP, 3.43 ERA/4.64 FIP/4.79 xFIP

I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll do it again. I don’t know what the MLB version of Dobbins looks like, but the version in Memphis looks a hell of a lot like Andre Pallante. Whether you consider that good or bad is up to you.

Leonel Sequera (50.3 GB%)

Stats (AAA): 12 GS, 51.1 IP, 25.1 K%, 9.3 BB%, 50.3 GB%, .393 BABIP, 8.59 ERA/6.63 FIP/4.45 xFIP

It is so weird to look at my identifying stat first, not knowing what his pitching line looks like, going through the list, thinking I’m about to have a good pitching line and then get hit with an 8.59 ERA. He’s not pitching as poorly as that would suggest.

Brian Holiday (55.8 GB%)

Stats (CPX): 4 GS, 9.2 IP, 30.6 K%, 5.6 BB%, 60 GB%, .333 BABIP, 4.66 ERA/5.09 FIP/3.08 xFIP

Low A: 3 GS, 13 IP, 16.7 K%, 6.3 BB%, 54.1 GB%, .118 BABIP, 3.46 ERA/6.16 FIP/4.91 xFIP

As maybe expected, a guy returning from injury is throwing up some meatballs it appears. He’s allowed 5 homers in 22.2 innings. Which is especially notable, because most everything hit against him is on the ground.

Pitchers – FIP

For starting pitchers, I just need an FIP lower than 3.09. For relievers though, I’m looking for a 2.55 FIP. Some of the run environments in the system make this a little bit of harshly high standard admittedly.

Pete Hansen (2.82 FIP)

Stats (AAA): 9 GS, 36.2 IP, 25.3 K%, 7.8 BB%, 46.5 GB%, .337 BABIP, 4.17 ERA/2.82 FIP/3.81 xFIP

We caught Pete at a good time. I don’t think he has a 3.09 FIP right now. Last night, he gave up a homer, walked one and struck out three. His FIP is so low because of the homers, I’m guessing it’ll see a big jump.

Hunter Kublick (2.76 FIP)

Stats (Low A): 10 G, 10.2 IP, 22.4 K%, 6.1 BB%, 52.9 GB%, .412 BABIP, 5.91 ERA/2.76 FIP/4.18 xFIP

Unfortunately, he’s on this list because he hasn’t allowed a homer. Not that you want someone to allow a homer, just kind of makes their FIP untrustworthy. But he’s doing two things right: not a lot of walks and groundballs aplenty.

And that’s the list. As I suspected the FIP numbers were a little bit unreasonable, but that’s not necessarily the go-to stat for minor league performance anyway.

Which series are Giants fans most interested in this week?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: A detailed view of bats belonging to Harrison Bader #9 of the San Francisco Giants is seen in the dugout prior to the start of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on May 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, baseball fans!

A new week of San Francisco Giants baseball begins today, so let’s take a look at what’s on deck this week.

While the week begins today, the baseball does not. The Giants have the day off, as they head to the east coast to begin a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves tomorrow. After that, they head to Florida to play the Miami Marlins this weekend.

Personally, it’s a tough choice to pick between these series. I think the Braves will be the more difficult opponent. But you can’t rule out the Marlins Death Fog as a factor. With that in mind, I think I’m most interested in the Braves series. Even if I think it’s unlikely the Giants will win the series. At least they’re more likely to leave that series in one piece.

Which series are you most interested in this week?

Sabres Have Their Ideal Trade Target In This Islanders Star Center

It was a special 2025-26 season for the Buffalo Sabres. This is because they not only made the playoffs for the first time since 2011 but also won the Atlantic Division. Now, the Sabres will be looking to build off their big year by putting together a strong off-season.

If the Sabres want to remain one of the NHL's top teams next season, they are going to need to make some upgrades to their roster this summer. One of their biggest needs is another top-six center. 

When looking at trade candidates around the league, New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal stands out as a prime potential fit for the Sabres. 

If the Sabres brought in Barzal, he could slot perfectly as their first-line center on a line with Tage Thompson and Zach Benson. Barzal's strong playmaking ability could make him a perfect linemate for a high-impact sniper like Thompson. Barzal would also give the Sabres another star to work with on their power play, which would be huge. 

With the Sabres becoming contenders, they should not be afraid to make a bold move for a star center like Barzal if the Islanders make him available. He would be a great fit on their roster and could the addition that helps Buffalo take another big step forward in 2026-27. 

Scottish football fans in town for the World Cup took over Fenway Park last night

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 14: Members of Scotland's "Tartan Army" march down Lansdowne Street to Fenway Park before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox on June 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hello and happy Monday, folks.

The Red Sox do not play today, and neither does the Scotland national football soccer team. However, their fans sure as hell have made their presence in Boston known—especially within and around Fenway Park.

Scotland The Brave being played in Boston—must be any ol’ weekday. If I had a nickel for every time I heard that tune on the bagpipes around here….

Anyways, a huge shoutout to the Tartan Army, man. My question to you: do you like the Tartan Army as much as I do? I mean, I’m loyal to the Irish, but we didn’t quality for the World Cup (WE ALMOST DID THOUGH), so I gotta pick and choose my spots.

Use this space to talk about what you want, be good to each other, and go Sox.

Jared McCain Takes In The US-Paraguay Match

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 30: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals on May 30, 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 Morgan Givens/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Jared McCain’s NBA career has had an odd start. The former Duke star was a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year last season when he had a knee injury in mid-December. He suffered a thumb injury this year, and Philadelphia had a deeper backcourt rotation as well, and he didn’t get that much time. Then, on February 4th, he was traded to Oklahoma City, and by the end of the season, emerged as a deadly weapon for the Thunder.

Maybe next year, we can see what he can do across a full season.

Now that he has some downtime, the Sacramento native and his OKC teammate, Jalen Williams, hit L.A. to take in Friday’s U.S.-Paraguay match in the World Cup. The U.S. rolled, of course, winning 4-1, so maybe they should ask the pair back for their next match as a good-luck charm.

Here are some more links about McCain and how well things have worked out for him in OKC so far.

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

DitD & Open Post – 6/15/26: The Champs Edition

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 14: The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after Game Six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Carolina Hurricanes won 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

The Hockey Guy provides assessments for where teams stand in their competitive windows, and he saves the Devils for last:

One can hope:

“General manager Sunny Mehta should pursue some of the bigger trade targets available this offseason, such as Jordan Kyrou, but there’s the salary cap to worry about, too. As such, there could be some under-the-radar, though potentially riskier, trade candidates that Mehta could pursue over the coming weeks. Let’s look at who those could be and why some of these trade targets offer buy-low, high-reward potential.” [Devils on the Rush ($)]

“If there’s one commonality between most of the armchair-GM trade proposals, it’s the repeated inclusion of the same Devils’ pieces: the 12th overall pick, Simon Nemec, and Dawson Mercer. A draft pick is what it is, and I’ve certainly laid out the Nemec of it all before, but I feel as though it would be a worthy endeavor to dive into what Mercer actually brings to the table as a player and determine whether or not he deserves to be in these trade conversations. Half of those I’ve spoken to believe him to be a strong, all-situations asset to the team; a player the Devils cannot afford to lose. The other half believes that he is what he is — a 20-goal, 40-point player — and that he’s best used as a trade chip by virtue of his trade value being higher than his on-ice value.” [Devils’ Advocates]

Hockey Links

The Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup:

“Twenty years later, the Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup champions again. Brandon Bussi stopped all 22 shots he faced, and the Hurricanes set off a Stanley Cup celebration with a heavy presence of their fans who made the trip here, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday.” [NHL.com]

Jordan Staal is awarded the Conn Smythe:

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

2025-26 Season in Review: Evgeni Malkin

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 31: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during the game against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 31, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Vitals

Player: Evgeni Malkin
Born: July 31, 1986 (Age 39 season)
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 213 pounds
Hometown: Magnitogorsk, Russia
Shoots: Left
Draft: 2004 first round (2nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Statistics: 56 games played, 19 goals, 42 assists = 61 points ; 6 games played, 2 goals, 1 assist in playoffs.
Contract Status: Malkin signed a one-year deal on May 26th to return to the Penguins in 2026-27 for his 21st NHL season after completing a four-year contract that wrapped up with the 2025-26 season.

Story of the Season

At 39 years old, Evgeni Malkin entered the 2025-26 season as the fifth oldest player in the NHL, preparing to play in his 20th NHL campaign in what will be a Hall of Fame career. While he may no longer be the player he was at his peak, Malkin proved to everyone that he still has something left to give, posting over a point per game season as he approaches his 40th birthday.

Malkin wasted no time getting his season rolling with a red hot right out of the gate that helped propel the Penguins up the standings and had people raising their eyebrows after preseason predictions had them as basement dwellers rather than playoff contenders.

Through the first month of play in 2025-26, Malkin paced the Penguins in scoring, producing 17 points in the month of October. There was a short period of time where he was leading the league in points courtesy of his hot start. That pace eventually cooled off, but Malkin made it clear he still had gas in the tank and could produce at a high level for the Penguins.

Coming off a 2024-25 season where he played 68 games, injuries (and a bad decision on his part) limited Malkin to just 56 games this past season. In December, the Penguins played 14 games, but Malkin appears in just two of those games, missing the rest due to injury. Malkin’s absence from the lineup coincided with one of the Penguins worst stretch of the season, surely not a coincidence given the level Malkin was playing at before going down.

In total, Malkin missed 15 games between early December and when he returned on January 8th but he wasted no time getting back on the scoresheet, recording a goal in his return to action and racking up 13 points across 12 games played in the month of January.

Of course not all of Malkin’s time out of the lineup was injury related. In an early March game against the Buffalo Sabres, Malkin slashed Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin across the neck and was handed a five game suspension for his actions.

Much like his return from injury in January, Malkin returned to the lineup on March 16th in Denver and did so with a bang against the Avalanche, recording a pair of goals and an assists in a shock 7-2 Penguins victory over the eventual President’s Trophy winners.

In the playoffs, Malkin found the back of the net twice to tie the team lead for goals scored in the Penguins six game loss to the Flyers in the first round.

Monthly Splits

via Yahoo!

October and January are the big months here that really stand out for Malkin this season. It should be noted those two months are when his legs were the most fresh, at the beginning of the season and coming off a long injury layoff that saw him miss 15 games. December and February were low volume in terms of games played because of injury and the Olympic break, but Malkin was still clicking at above a point per game pace even in those small sample sizes.

Regular season 5v5 advanced stats

Data via Natural Stat Trick. Ranking is out of 18 forwards on the team who qualified by playing a minimum of 150 minutes.

Corsi For%: 48.3% (14th)
Goals For%: 59.5% (3rd)
xGF%: 50.6% (13th)
Scoring Chance %: 50.3% (8th)
High Danger Scoring Chance%: 50.4% (16th)
5v5 on-ice shooting%: 12.2% (7th)
On-ice save%: .912% (5th)
Goals/60: 0.96 (8th)
Assist/60: 1.59 (2nd)
Points/60: 2.55 (5th)

Perhaps not the driver of play that he was at his peak, but Malkin’s scoring rates still remain among the highest on the team at 39 years old. His goal total improved slightly from last year, but it’s dishing the assists where he earned his money this season. Maybe Malkin does need to focus on shooting the puck more in 2026-27 with his GF% being that high and his shooting percentage being in the top half of qualified skaters.

Charts n’at

Via Advanced Hockey Stats and NHL Edge

2025-26 proved to be a major bounce back season for Malkin following his career-worst worst performance in 2024-25. The offensive impact this year was back in a major way and WAR rankings shine favorably on his game.

Malkin is always going to live in the Sidney Crosby shadow but has some incredible playmaking chops of his own. At this point he is a much more effective player setting up his teammates than taking the shots himself, and a shift to wing has freed him up to be more involved on the forecheck. Malkin also remained incredibly productive on the power play, leading the team in power play points per 60 minutes played and ending up with 26 PPP in his 56 games.

Malkin was able to increase his amount of shots from mid and high danger zones from last season, despite playing in 12 less games. That might say more about 2024-25 than this current year. Overall, through coaching inputs on zone starts and skill he’s still able to spend lots of time in the offensive end and as little as possible in the defensive part.

Age and a few knee surgeries have put a ceiling on what was once the most explosive skater of his generation back in his heyday. These stats show a real ceiling to how fast Malkin can be these days, right around the 20mph area. He still has the burst to remain worthy of playing in a league that gets a little faster each season, even as he slows, it’s just not quite the same as it once was and missing that high gear.

Highlights

Questions to ponder

Is 2026-27 Malkin’s last ride?

One has to wonder in this coming season will be the last for Evgeni Malkin in his Hall of Fame career. There were whispers last offseason that 2025-26 was going to be the end, at least for his time in Pittsburgh, but an impressive age 39 season left little to doubt that Malkin can still play and it led to a one year deal for 2026-27 and a 21st NHL season where he will be 40 years old.

Malkin was already among the oldest players in the league last season and he could climb even higher this season depending on other retirement decisions from those ahead of him on the list. At some point his NHL career will come to and end, but until that time comes, it’s best to just enjoy having Malkin in a Penguins uniform, the only uniform he should ever wear as an NHL player.

Ideal 2026-27

There were two 40 year old forwards in the NHL in 2025-26, Alexander Ovechkin and Corey Perry. Evgeni Malkin will be 40 when next season begins so they can serve as a good comparable for what to expect from Malkin as he laces up the blades for his 21st NHL season.

Ovechkin posted 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points while playing all 82 games. Corey Perry recorded 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 72 games played.

Malkin nearly equaled Ovechkin last season in total points despite playing 26 less games and he far surpassed Perry’s numbers in less games as well. Whether or not either of those guys play in 2026-27 remains to be seen, but we know Malkin will be in the league for another year.

Gone of the days of Malkin being a 30 goal scorer and even the 20 goal mark may be a stretch for him anymore, but what we do know is he can still distribute the puck to rack up assists. Given that he will likely still be in the Penguins top six and getting top power play time, a repeat of the season we just saw from Malkin, minus some injuries perhaps, will do just fine for the Penguins.

Bottom line

Evgeni Malkin entered 2025-26 with doubts about his future with the Penguins as he was entering the final season of his contract. As the season played out and it became apparent that Malkin still had much to give and his future in Pittsburgh was secured for another season with a well earned one-year contract that will see him play his 21st NHL season with the Penguins in 2026-27.

Injuries did force Malkin from the lineup more than in past seasons, playing his fewest amount of games since the 2021-22 campaign when he played in only 4q contests. Still though, when Malkin was on the ice he showed the talent that has made him a future Hall of Famer, scoring at over a point per game pace for the first time in four seasons.

There was some angst among the Penguins fan base about bringing Malkin back for 2026-27, but this season showed he can still produce and he’s not blocking anyone in the system. It was an easy call to give him a new deal and if he can put together a similar season at 40 years old, then it’s a win all around.

Final Grade

A-.

At 39 years old and in his 20th NHL season, Malkin posted a point per game and played a key role in helping the Penguins get back to the playoffs. His red hot start had the Penguins off and running and put them in good position to survive the rough patches that were to come. He did go down with injury that cost him a large chunk of games in the middle of the campaign, but he returned and produced straight away.

All in all, it’s hard to be too critical of a 39 year old who is still playing and contributing at the level of Evgeni Malkin did in 2025-26. He earned his new contract and here’s to hoping we see this version of Malkin again in the new season.

Joshua Jefferson is the type of connecting piece the Mavericks need next to Cooper Flagg

Feb 16, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) drives past Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

The back end of the 2026 NBA Draft is going to be quite the adventure for the league, including the Dallas Mavericks. The conglomerate of players who could go between picks 15 and 45 is truly fascinating. One of the players who seems to firmly fit in that range is Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson.

The basics

Joshua Jefferson (born November 21, 2003) was born and raised in Henderson, NV, just outside of Las Vegas. His father, Ben Jefferson, played football for the University of Maryland. As an offensive lineman, he went undrafted in the 1989 NFL Draft. Jefferson spent a few years bouncing around the NFL before eventually retiring in 1995. Joshua’s two brothers also played college football. Noah Jefferson played at USC and Florida Atlantic, while his other brother Cameron played for UNLV and Arkansas.

Choosing basketball was a good decision for Joshua, as he was the Southern Nevada Boys Athlete of the Year in 2022, as well as the MaxPreps Player of the Year. Jefferson helped lead his Liberty Patriots to their first ever state championship in 2022, defeating powerhouse Bishop Gorman 63-62 in overtime. Jefferson scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. The win ended Gorman’s run of nine consecutive state championships in class 5A.

Joshua Jefferson’s 2025-26 season by the numbers | CBB Analytics

Jefferson spent a full four-year term in college, starting off at Saint Mary’s. Jefferson was a productive player for the Gaels, including averaging 10 points and nearly seven rebounds per game in 2023-24. However, after a season-ending leg injury, Jefferson decided to hit the transfer portal, where he signed with TJ Otzelberger and the Iowa State Cyclones. Jefferson blossomed as a player in Ames, as he averaged 17 points, over 7.5 boards and nearly five assists per contest. With his eligibility exhausted, Jefferson is off to the NBA draft.

The good

When you talk about unique players, Joshua Jefferson truly has a unique offensive game. There are very few forwards in college basketball who have the blend of scoring and passing skill that Jefferson does.

Jefferson was such an integral part of the Cyclones offensive attack, as without him on the floor, the lack of creation was evident. Tamin Lipsey did a nice job of running the show at point, but the real sauce that made Iowa State go was Jefferson’s ability to be a hub from inside the arc. When he was operating at the nail and attacking downhill, Iowa State was at its best.

The unique trait that teams hope they can maximize is the passing. Jefferson is without a doubt the best passer in this class of forwards. The vision is excellent, and the craftiness and creativity to find the correct windows is exceptional. He can use both his right and left hand to get the ball to teammates on time and on target. In an NBA setting, allowing him to play in the short roll in advantage situations will be elite offense.

Jefferson does not have the athletic gift of speed or agility, but he is able to get to the rim and finish using a combination of size, feel and footwork. He goes to a little hook shot quite a bit, typically over his left shoulder but he is comfortable taking and making them with both hands. He’s not really ever going to be a “dump it down to him on the block” type, but if given the space to operate, he handles it well enough to get to where he wants to go.

Areas of concern

Jefferson shot it fine from three, as he’s been right around 35% from deep for the better part of three years now. However, he doesn’t always look willing to shoot them. For him to reach his potential in the NBA, having the three as a counter he believes in would go a long way.

Against top-of-the-line teams, Jefferson saw a bit of a drop in both efficiency and effectiveness. Some of that is to be expected, as the better teams figure to guard a bit better, but it was something to note. In fairness to him, teams LOADED up on him in conference play, daring anyone not named Milan Momcilovic to beat them from deep. Still, it’s worth noting.

Jefferson, as expected, tested like an average-to-slightly-below-average type of athlete at his position during the NBA Combine. In fairness to him, he’s coming off a tough ankle sprain he suffered in the NCAA Tournament, so perhaps he even tested worse due to that. Jefferson is not a slob or anything, he’s what I would consider passable as an athlete. He leverages his smarts and technique help him on the defensive end to compliment the size and movement skills he does have. But it isn’t a stretch to say that there will be some matchups that are tough for him to cover.

Fit with the Mavericks

There’d have to be some reshuffling of the forward room to make this fit. Namely, PJ Washington and Naji Marshall, two guys who figure to be featured heavily in trade discussions, would likely need to be moved to allow for a cheaper, cost controlled Jefferson. That said, if the front office is able to accomplish that, I think Joshua Jefferson would be a fantastic fit around Cooper Flagg and whoever they draft to compliment Kyrie Irving in the guard room. His IQ and playstyle would be a great ying to Cooper’s yang. Even if it requires moving on from a vet and moving up from pick 30, the Mavericks should try and pull it off.

NBA comparison

There’s some Collin Murray-Boyles here with Jefferson, which is ironic since Jefferson is the older player here. There’s a bit of extra seasoning to Jefferson’s game, largely seen in the passing and craft. Another good comparison is Kenrich Williams. Kenny Hustle was able to carve a career out for himself coming out of TCU, and Jefferson should be able to do the same, especially if the shot falls for him like it has for Williams at various times throughout his career. I think there’s real room for him to overachieve those if he hits his peak outcome.

Open Thread: David Robinson helps celebrate Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary

Per a Spurs press release:

“The San Antonio Spurs, alongside Friends of the Carver/IDEA and the David Robinson Fellowship Program, joined Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio on Friday, June 12, for a volunteer build day celebrating Habitat’s 50th anniversary. Nearly 250 volunteers participated in the effort, helping advance Habitat’s mission of creating affordable homeownership opportunities across the community. As part of the celebration, Spurs Sports & Entertainment and Friends of the Carver/IDEA announced a combined $100,000 commitment to Habitat’s 50th anniversary initiative, which aims to build more than 50 homes across San Antonio this year.”

Spurs legend David Robinson spent the morning landscaping, painting and beautifying three homes on San Antonio’s East Side.

“Habitat for Humanity has transformed lives in San Antonio for 50 years, and we’re honored to help celebrate that legacy,” said Patricia Mejia, Chief Impact and Inclusion Officer at SS&E. “Habitat’s commitment reflects our shared belief that strong communities are built through opportunity, partnership and people coming together to make a difference.”

Additionally, the Spurs provided 50 tickets to Game 5 of the NBA Finals to residents of the homes supported through the initiative.


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Phillies news: Justin Crawford, Andrew Painter, Cooper Pratt

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 6: Andrew Painter #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on after allowing a solo home run in the top of the third inning to Colson Montgomery #12 of the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park on June 6, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The White Sox defeated the Phillies 6-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I know this is not baseball, and you’re probably not interested, but it was incredible to see a World Cup match played in Philadelphia last night. I personally was unable to secure tickets, but just seeing the enthusiasm surrounding the match was something awesome to watch.

Compare that to the lethargy displayed by the Phillies yesterday and it’s the definition of two ends of a spectrum.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news: