MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 14: Pete Nance #35 of the Milwaukee Bucks boxes out during the game against the Chicago Bulls on October 14, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks have made the first of two moves needed to trim their roster to 15 standard contracts ahead of the 4:00 p.m. CT deadline on October 19, requesting waivers on Pete Nance, Johni Broome, and Jake Stephens. The Bucks announced the news via a media release and also on X:
We have requested waivers on Pete Nance, Johni Broome and Jake Stephens.
Nance is once again the odd man out, being cut at least in part because of his non-guaranteed contract. On the court, he’d become a fan favourite and solid glue guy who always made the right play. Playing a career-high 47 games (including six starts) last season for Milwaukee, Nance averaged 5.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 1.0 APG on .515/.420/.364 splits. His standout performance came in April against the Houston Rockets, where he hit 5/9 three-pointers on his way to 23 points and three rebounds.
While Nance isn’t exactly young and full of upside—he turns 27 in February—he made great strides with the Bucks and was an ideal third-string big, especially as a stretch four. But with so many guaranteed contracts on the team and consolidating trades few and far between, Nance’s time on the standard roster has come to an end. Hopefully, he returns to the team on a two-way deal.
In addition to waiving Nance, the Bucks have also waived Broome and Stephens. Broome signed a training camp deal with Milwaukee on October 6 and was never really expected to challenge for the regular season roster. He featured in one preseason contest, putting up four points and three rebounds against the Chicago Bulls. Stephens, a 26-year-old 7-footer, signed with the Bucks in September and made two preseason appearances, averaging 1.5 PPG and 1.0 RPG in 5.3 MPG.
The Bucks now have 16 players on standard contracts, meaning they must still waive another player—or make a two-for-one trade—prior to opening day.
The Dodgers face several questions after an early postseason exit in the National League Championship Series.
The dynasty that the Dodgers have put together is in jeopardy of ending within the next few seasons if the front office can’t assemble another winning roster. Kyle Tucker, who was signed to a four-year, $240 million deal ahead of the 2026 season, addressed fans as the future of the franchise is in limbo.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (23) reacts after a double during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLCS. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Through every high and low, thank you to our fans for riding with us all season. We appreciate the love and support more than you know. This isn’t the end — we’ll be back,” Tucker wrote in an Instagram post.
For most of 2026, the four-time All-Star was far from full form. Tucker ended the regular season with a .233 batting average, 17 home runs and 70 RBIs. He entered October with a .715 OPS, the lowest mark since his debut season in 2018 when he played 28 games.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker hits a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the NLDS, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. Wally Skalij for the CA Post
Tucker’s struggles became a point of contention among the fan base, but the star outfielder came to life in the postseason. The 29-year-old averaged .333 with a .967 OPS in October, which was perhaps the only highlight of his inaugural Dodgers season.
Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker wanders in between innings of the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
The Dodgers, who face an uncertain future after the failed quest for a three-peat, will need Tucker to play at All-Star strength the entire 2027 season as one of the many veterans on the roster. While Tucker’s performance next year can’t be known, one thing is certain, the Dodgers will surely try to get younger this winter.
ST.
LOUIS – Once Ivar Stenberg fulfilled his dream – like older
brother and St. Louis Blues propect Otto Stenberg – of being
drafted into the NHL, the
brothers immediately went to the calendar to see when the first
meeting would happen.
Oct.
8 was the first date. It was the Blues’ home opener and the second
road game for the San Jose Sharks.
But
alas, it didn’t materialize, and the Stenberg reunion is still on
hold.
For
how long? That will be up to when the Blues get their Stenberg back
to the NHL.
Ivar,
the younger 19-year-old brother and No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft,
is locked into the Sharks’ roster. He assisted on San Jose’s
winning goal in overtime against the Blues.
But
he’s also very biased, and why shouldn’t he be, considering what
his 21-year-old brother has meant to him, especially that day when
Ivar donned the Sharks logo for the first time.
“It
means very much for me,” Ivar
said when the Sharks were in St. Louis.
“He’s a really good guy and a really good person I talk to every
day.
“We’re
texting every day. Sometimes talking but most of the time texting
just asking each other stuff.”
Ivar
and Otto Stenberg, a first-round pick (No. 23) in the 2023 draft, have
played on programs in their hometown of Sweden, including Stenungsund
HF U16 and Frolunda HC U16 and U18’s. It’s the culmination of
where Ivar said Otto fueled his push to reach the highest level.
“Yes,
he’s older and I’m younger and smaller. We always play together
and we’ve
play
against each other,” Ivar
said.
“We were doing everything together. We haven’t done that together
in a while but … he’s
meant everything.
It’s crazy. I don’t think I would be here without him and my
family, but especially seeing him and how hard he works every day and
how much work he puts in every week is good to see when you’re
young.”
San Jose Sharks left wing Ivar Stenberg (right) controls the puck against Adam Jiricek (36) and the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center on Oct. 8. (Jeff Curry-IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
And
the best message Ivar received?
“Just
play your game but also have fun,” he
said.
“Don’t think too much. Work hard. You’ve got to work hard. …
He’s always taken good care of me. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Ivar
said he knows there will come a day when the brothers will oppose
each other but there was some disappointment it didn’t happen when
he came to town.
“It
will be fun. He deserves to be up and I think with all the training
he put in this summer, I think he’s ready,” Ivar
said.
“I think he deserves that.
“…
I
think he’s ready this year. I don’t know how they’re thinking
(but) he’s my brother and I think he’s really good.”
Otto
has a goal and three assists in five games with Springfield of the
American Hockey League this summer after playing 32 games with the
Blues last season (10 points; three goals, seven assists).
The
Blues don’t face the Sharks again until March 11 in St. Louis. Who
knows what the two respective rosters will look like by then, but if
Otto is up with the Blues by then, the brothers will know the date,
and they’ll know and understand the meaning.
“That’s
going to be special for sure,” Ivar
said.
‘Kind of crazy. I’m looking forward to it.”
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The Lakers played five preseason games. They had more practices than they’ll have all season. So, what have we learned about the team over the last few weeks?
With nine new players, the Lakers will have some kinks to work out. But there’s a lot to be excited about as Luka Doncic attempts to win the Purple-and-Gold their 18th title.
1. The Big 3 has a ton of potential, but it’s going to take time
Right now, patience is key.
Don’t forget that it took the Lakers until last spring to figure out how to be successful with their Big 3 of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James.
Well, that process has begun all over again. James is out. And Walker Kessler is in. So, the calendar has been reset.
The Lakers are hoping they can figure things out much quicker this time around. Everyone has distinct roles. Kessler should perfectly complement Doncic and Reaves with his elite rebounding and rim protection.
That said, don’t expect them to figure things out overnight.
Kessler looked impressive in his preseason debut after playing in only five games last season because of season-ending shoulder surgery. He finished with 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, nine rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal in the Lakers’ 101-89 exhibition loss to the Warriors on Tuesday.
But Kessler was clearly shaking off rust against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the Lakers’ 121-106 exhibition loss on Friday. He was outscored by the three-time MVP 17-6, and Jokic finished with twice as many assists (eight) as Kessler (four).
That said, it’s obvious that Kessler is going to be a difference-maker for the Lakers when he finds his rhythm following what amounted to be a 347-day stretch between NBA games.
He’s well-liked. He’s a defensive powerhouse. And he’s incredibly driven after the Lakers emptied their cupboard to acquire him, giving up two first-round picks and two first-round picks swaps in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz on top of a four-year, $130 million deal.
“The support system around me with my teammates, the coaching staff, front office, they’re fantastic,” Kessler said. “They’re very vocal about, obviously being a Lakers big, there’s a certain legacy with that, but not to look at it as pressure, more so as an opportunity. So that’s kind of the attitude I’m going in with it.”
Walker Kessler (14) of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot during a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
2. Time to get excited about Mamu
Sandro Mamukelashvili raises the Lakers’ offensive ceiling.
He has surpassed expectations this preseason. He has been one of the biggest standouts.
He averaged 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 55.6% from the field and 54.2% from beyond the arc.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised him for being a “really quick decision-maker.” Reaves added that “good things happen” when he brings the ball up the floor.
“He’s a good basketball player, so we’re very excited for what he brings to the team,” Reaves said.
Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
3. Ziaire Williams has a lot of potential
Williams only played in two preseason games because of a left foot contusion, but he made quite an impression.
He shot 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. He averaged 13.5 points. And he showed glimmers of what he can do on the defensive end.
If the 25-year-old can become the reliable, athletic and lockdown perimeter defender the Lakers have desperately wanted, he could change their ceiling.
Williams is the type of player the Lakers need. And the competitive Lakers can give him the opportunity he has always wanted following two seasons with the flailing Nets. This has the potential to be a great marriage.
Pat Cummins doubts it will matter how the Australians approach Kagiso Rabada in his return to Test cricket in Gqeberha on Sunday given the sight of the Baggy Green is enough to incite an inspired response in the Protea superstar.
Marques Ackerman loves nothing more than fighting fire with fire and will provide a significant boost to South Africa’s middle-order, Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma said on Saturday in Gqeberha.
They waived Bruce Brown on Saturday, meaning it will be center James Wiseman who takes the 14th and final roster spot.
They only had room to keep 14 players on the roster in order to stay under the second apron. It set up a competition in training camp and the preseason among five veterans — Wiseman, Brown, Drew Eubanks, Tony Bradley and Ochai Agbaji — for that spot.
That competition came down to Wiseman and Brown as the final two.
New York Knicks guard Bruce Brown (1) and Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (30) battle for the ball during the second half of a preseason game in Toronto, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP
Ideally, the Knicks would have liked to keep both Wiseman and Brown. But that would have required making a trade to clear up cap space and they have so far been unable to find a deal, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported.
The Knicks can still bring Brown back if they are able to make a trade. The two most likely candidates are Pacôme Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, though they’d likely have to give up draft capital in order for a team to take on Dadiet’s contract, and Kolek has little value around the league.
So for now, Brown is free to sign elsewhere.
Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, now gets a shot to resurrect his career with the defending champions. He played a total of just five games the last two years after tearing his Achilles in the first game of the 2024 season.
New York Knicks center James Wiseman (35) dunks the ball in the second half of a preseason game at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in New York. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
After failing to live up to expectations with the Warriors, Wiseman had brief stints with the Pistons and Pacers. Given his athleticism and former stature as a top prospect, he had the most upside in the competition — but also represented the biggest unknown.
He will fill the role that Ariel Hukporti — who left for the 76ers, but is out for the year after tearing his Achilles in the preseason — served last year as the third-string center. With Towns’ bad habit of getting into foul trouble, it’s a role that certainly is important.
Knicks coach Mike Brown, who was an assistant with the Warriors when Wiseman was there, has been a fan of Wiseman’s.
“He’s young, he’s talented, he’s raw, still,” Brown said. “I think he’s still trying to establish a foothold in this league. But with the God-given attributes he has, in terms of athleticism and length and quickness, [that] can bode well for him on both ends of the floor. And at 25 years old, he hasn’t even reached his prime, especially knowing he hadn’t played a ton of basketball.”
Bruce Brown, who has been a useful bench piece in the league, became a victim of the NBA’s apron system — which has made it harder for the middle class of players and veterans like him to fill bench roles. The Knicks, with their starting lineup all commanding significant money, had little money to spend on bench players and remain under the second apron. Many contenders like the Knicks are forced to fill out their bench as cheaply as possible.
“I was very surprised,” Brown previously told The Post about the lack of interest in him during free agency. “I played every single game last year, played meaningful minutes the whole year. Thought I did decently or good enough in my role that I was given. But when free agency started, that wasn’t the case.”
The Knicks had clear interest in him, however.
But, unless they manage to make a move, the apron system means they can’t keep him.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr appeared to do a double-take after spotting his “doppelgänger” sitting in the stands across from him during a preseason game.
As Golden State took the court against Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Kerr’s lookalike was seen finding his seat a few rows behind the Warriors bench.
Steve Kerr’s lookalike appeared at a preseason game in Las Vegas Tuesday. X/Polymarket HoopsThe real Kerr appeared to stare into the stands. X/Polymarket Hoops
A viral video posted on X shows Kerr turning around and staring into the stands where his twin was seated.
Fans had a good laugh at the double-up.
“I was like ‘Why in the hell is Steve making his way to a floor seat with a beer, what in the hell announcement did I miss???!!!’ a user wrote on X.
“Steve Kerr probably thought: ‘What am I doing in the audience!?’ another joked.
Steve Kerr was visibly confused seeing a complete doppelganger of himself at a game pic.twitter.com/mcADHYNkDY
During that game, Kerr acknowledged his lookalike.
“We had eyes quickly and then he gave me like a fist pump… it was nice for him to be that gracious to do anything. I didn’t expect anything,” Gillis told Fox Sports at the time.
Roger Federer poses for a photo with Steve Gillis. Courtesy Steve GillisKerr has managed the Warriors for over 12 years and led them to four NBA championships. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Tennis legend Roger Federer also happened to be at the game, approaching Gillis and snapping selfies with him.
“He takes three selfies with me. And then he pats me on the shoulder and says, ‘Thanks.’ …The fact that he was so gracious and nice about it, I’m thinking, ‘I wonder if he knew I wasn’t Steve Kerr?'” he said.
Kerr has managed the Warriors for over 12 years and led them to four NBA championships. He also won five titles as a player and holds the highest three-point shooting percentage in NBA history.
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The Knicks were unable to finalize a trade to make room on the roster and were forced to waive guard Bruce Brown ahead of the regular season, the team announced Saturday.
New York liked Brown, who survived preseason cuts following Thursday's preseason finale, but it needed to trade a player on a standard contract to remain below the second apron if it wanted to keep both Brown and James Wiseman -- the final roster spot selection.
Unfortunately, the Knicks couldn't find a trade partner.
It wasn't for a lack of trying, though. SNY's Ian Begley reported earlier in the week that New York would "explore all avenues" to keep Brown and Wiseman and mentioned that it was "logical to assume" that Pacome Dadiet would be a player the Knicks would try to move. Tyler Kolek's name was also mentioned as a possible trade candidate.
Since New York couldn't send any money in a deal, it needed to include draft picks (the Knicks have 11 second-round picks over the next seven drafts). But even that substantial capital wasn't enough to make a trade, which meant New York had to say goodbye to Brown.
In theory, the Knicks could still make a trade after the first game and then bring Brown back. But for the season opener, Brown will not be a Knick
Brown, 30, has played eight NBA seasons with six different teams, most recently with the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 7.9 points and 2.1 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. In preseason with the Knicks, the veteran saw action in three games (one start) and totaled 11 points, five rebounds and three assists across 38 minutes on the court.
Wiseman saw action in four preseason games with the Knicks and combined for 32 points and 17 rebounds in 46 minutes. He also added three blocks. His best game came in his lone start against the Toronto Raptors, where he had a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) in 24 minutes.
A former No. 2 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft, Wiseman got off to a strong start with the Warriors before a severe knee injury cost him a year and a half and derailed his career. He returned to Golden State in 2022-23 in a much more limited role before he was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he excelled once again for the remainder of the season.
Following another year with the Pistons as a bench player, Wiseman joined the Indiana Pacers but tore his Achilles in the first game of the season and was out for the year. Last season, Wiseman played in just four games.
Still, at just 25 years old, the Knicks saw potential in the 6-foot-11 big man and signed him to an Exhibit 9 contract prior to training camp and he impressed enough during the preseason to beat out players like Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley.
The Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Avalanche in the first period, then allowed five unanswered goals to lose 5-2. It's their second straight loss, and the schedule won't get any easier on Saturday.
The Penguins will play a rested Vegas Golden Knights team that has won seven of their first nine games and has scored 36 goals.
Jack Eichel is off to an outrageous start, compiling five goals and 16 points in nine games. He's been a force in all three zones and will handle the top responsibilities in this game.
Mark Stone has also been fantastic, scoring six goals and racking up 11 points in nine games. He registered a hat trick against the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
Mitch Marner has two goals and nine points in nine games and has been a perfect fit with them since last year. Don't forget about Tomas Hertl, Ivan Barbashev, Brett Howden, and Shea Theodore, either. They can impact the game instantly.
Adin Hill will start in goal for the Golden Knights. It will be his fourth start of the season.
As for the Penguins, Sergei Murashov will start in goal after having Friday off. Here's what the rest of the lines and pairs are expected to look like:
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Koivunen-Novak-Malkin
Kuzmenko-Kindel-Robertson
Dewar-Lizotte-Soderblom
Defensive pairs
Carlile-Karlsson
Girard-Korczak
Stastney-Letang
Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during a preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The regular season for the Phoenix Suns is right around the corner, with only a few days remaining before the 82-game marathon begins. And if you were to ask people around the league, particularly those outside the Valley of the Sun, how they believe Phoenix will perform this season, many would probably point to the 38.5-win total set by FanDuel as an appropriate expectation. Why? Because much of the conversation surrounding the Suns has centered on their depleted center position following Mark Williams’ injury last month. Granted, that line was established before Williams suffered the injury, but his absence has since become another justification for national pundits projecting a relatively modest season for Phoenix.
With Williams sidelined, we’ve been given an opportunity to watch two young players compete for the chance to earn the starting center position. And who does the Suns community believe should get the nod? According to our latest Bright Side Reacts survey, 67% believe Khaman Maluach, the second-year big man out of Duke, should be the starting center for Phoenix.
Personally, I think this is a tricky decision. Oso Ighodaro brings a level of stability to the starting lineup, and he’s somebody whose presence tends to elevate the players around him. For a group that’s going to need additional facilitation and connectivity offensively, I believe Ighodaro starting is probably the most likely outcome we’ll see from head coach Jordan Ott.
But Ott has demonstrated throughout the preseason that he’s willing to give Maluach an opportunity as well. In two games against the San Antonio Spurs, a team featuring Victor Wembanyama and all 7’6” of him, Maluach received the starting nod. And in the preseason finale? Man Man got the start again.
Does that mean he’s outplaying Ighodaro and earning the position? Or is Ott simply gathering as much information as possible before making his final decision? Because if Maluach does end up starting for the majority of the season, it represents an excellent opportunity for his development. He’s a lottery pick with the potential to take a meaningful leap in his second year, but that growth isn’t going to happen without consistent opportunities to play meaningful minutes.
I know I shouldn’t put too much stock in the preseason because, after all, it’s the preseason. But in my opinion, Maluach impressed. He adds a layer to the defensive side of the ball that we haven’t seen in Phoenix in quite some time. He’s a true big body in the middle who can deter shots and secure rebounds, providing a physical presence that this team has desperately needed. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. He’s 20 years old. Nobody’s expecting him to go out there and be prime Shaquille O’Neal. But he’s got the effort, the drive, and the attitude. He possesses the intangibles that can allow him to become successful as he continues developing his game.
We’ll monitor his “restocks” per 36 throughout the season, using rebounds, steals, and blocks per 36 minutes to track his defensive production. And how did he look during the preseason? Pretty damn good.
For a point of reference, Victor Wembanyama averaged 19.2 restocks per 36 minutes last season, and during this preseason, he posted 17.7. Across five preseason appearances, Maluach finished at 16.2.
It’s not a guarantee of anything moving forward, and there’s plenty of development still ahead of him. But it’s a darn good sign and a step in the right direction.
All of that being said, I believe the Suns will ultimately remain flexible based on the matchup. If size is going to be a significant challenge, Maluach probably gets the start. But if Phoenix is preparing to face a team like the Golden State Warriors (who they’ll host for their home opener next Saturday), I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ighodaro get the nod because of what he provides in terms of mobility, facilitation, and defensive versatility.
Ultimately, I think what the fan base wants, and something I wholeheartedly agree with, is for Maluach to develop into somebody who makes this decision a no-brainer. We want him to earn the starting position and excel in that role. Because if that happens, the Suns will have found tremendous value in what could very well be their last lottery selection for the next decade.
Time will tell. And with the regular season beginning Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, we won’t have to wait much longer to see how Jordan Ott approaches the decision.
CORAL GABLES, FL - MAR 12: Miami right-handed pitcher Alejandro Rosario (24) pitches in the first inning as the Miami Hurricanes faced the NC State Wolfpack on March 12, 2023, at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Last offseason, the Nats traded MacKenzie Gore in exchange for five prospects. Four of those prospects have already played, and have shown varying levels of promise. However, there was a 5th who had to miss all of last season with Tommy John Surgery. The story of Alejandro Rosario is mysterious, but he posted that he was back on the mound for the first time in over 600 days.
Remember RHP Alejandro Rosario? Top pitching prospect acquired in the Gore trade. He's back on the mound for the first time in over 600 days. Pitching here at the #Nats facility in West Palm Beach. pic.twitter.com/XgcciAJgED
Rosario was always the wild card of the Gore deal. He has had a strange and volatile baseball career so far. Coming out of high school, Rosario was a known commodity. However, he decided to forgo the draft in favor of pitching at the University of Miami. He struggled at Miami, posting an ERA over 7 in his sophomore and junior seasons.
Despite that, Rosario still got drafted in the 5th round by the Rangers in 2023 due to his pedigree and stuff. The gamble the Rangers made on Rosario immediately looked like a wise one. He shredded the lower minors in his first season of pro ball. Rosario posted a 2.24 ERA with 129 strikeouts to just 13 walks in 88.1 innings in 2024.
Alejandro Rosario | RHP | 24 yo
Before his elbow injury in 2024, Rosario posted absurd K/BB numbers that landed him on top 100 lists.
A+, AA (2024): 2.24 ERA | 0.93 ERA | .207 BAA 88.1 IP | 129 SO | 13 SO
Those numbers made him a top 100 prospect. There were not many holes in Rosario’s profile at the time. His fastball sat around 96-97 and could touch 100. The right paired that with a filthy splitter that took major strides forward in pro ball. That pitch sat around 90 MPH and was a wipeout offering. His last pitch is a nasty slider that flashed plus.
The raw stuff was impressive, but I would argue his command was even better. Rosario had some strike-throwing problems at Miami, but he pounded the zone in the pros. He walked less than 4% of hitters in 2024. That combination just overwhelmed minor league hitters.
5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 9 K for Alejandro Rosario in the @GoWoodDucks shutout win on Saturday.
— Rangers Player Development (@TEXPlayerDev) May 26, 2024
However, Rosario has not thrown a pitch since that season, which makes him a very boom or bust prospect. Before the 2025 season, Rosario suffered a torn UCL which required Tommy John Surgery. The issue is that Rosario did not actually undergo Tommy John Surgery in 2025.
It is unclear why that did not happen. I am not sure if we will ever know the full details, but it seems like there was some other issue that prevented the surgery. It might have been medical or something else, but the surgery did not happen.
Even after Rosario got traded to the Nats, there was mystery surrounding whether he got the surgery. It was reported he got the surgery in the winter, but it turned out that was not the case. Eventually, Rosario finally got the surgery though.
With the news that Rosario is throwing again, it seems like the recovery is going well. Heading into next season, this will be one of the more fascinating storylines to follow. Rosario is also Rule 5 eligible this offseason, so the Nats have a decision to make there as well.
Obviously, this is far from a guarantee, but if Rosario looks like he did in 2024, he will be the best player from the Gore package. Sure, he turns 25 in January, but the combination of stuff and command is rare. Of all the minor leaguers, he might be the one I am most intrigued by.
There are so many possibilities here. Maybe the best role for him could be in the bullpen, at least to start. After all, it will take him a while to build up from an innings perspective. However, there is a world where Rosario could have a Cade Cavalli like trajectory where he is a top of the rotation arm in a couple years.
It is nice to finally have news about Rosario. Hopefully, there are no ill effects from the surgery and he can thrive again. One of the reasons Toboni wanted a volume focused package for Gore was so he can take a gamble on Rosario. This is a mysterious situation, but there is monster upside in Alejandro Rosario.
TUSCON, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Demetrio Crisantes #1 of the Salt River Rafters throws to first base during the game between the Scorpions and the River Rafters at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Tuscon, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
The MLB playoffs are not the only professional baseball going on right now. Here in Arizona, the Arizona Fall League (AFL) is showcasing some of the game’s top prospects in a rather more… relaxed setting, shall we say. There are six teams in the AFL, each being a combination of prospects from five different MLB teams. They play against each other for a period of about a month, at venues around the Valley, along with an All-Star game and a Championship Game at the end of the year. Arizona’s prospects play at the team’s spring home of Salt River Fields, as part of the Salt River Rafters.
Nine games into the season, the Rafters are 6-3. That’s good enough for second-place, but only half a game separate the leaders, the Scottsdale Scorpions, from the Rafters and the Surprise Saguaros. It has been a very offensive-minded league, with teams averaging 6.11 runs per game. But that’s absolutely par for the course: last year’s figure was almost identical at 6.13. The Rafters are middle of the pack on both sides of the ball, currently ranked third by OPS (.754) and fourth by ERA (5.42). However, they do have the best fielding percentage at .981, having made only six errors – that’s one-third of the total made by the Saguaros (18 across their nine games).
Eight Diamondbacks prospects are present on the Rafters roster, three position players and five pitchers. Leading the way is Demetrio Crisantes, Arizona’s No. 1 prospect and their only representative in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, where he is No. 84 overall. He got off to a hot start, going 8-for-17 across his first four games, including a 4-for-5 night against the Mesa Solar Sox, where he had a double, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, and stole a base. However, things have become considerably tougher since, Crisantes adding just one more hit in 15 at-bats, with five strikeouts. His line is now down to .281/.324/.438, though the .762 OPS is still the best among the D-backs hitters.
Also seeing time is outfielder Nathan Hall, who perhaps has the weirdest line of any hitter in the AFL to date. He hasn’t hit much, going 3-for-22 with five K’s. But he has amassed eleven walks in that time: so while his BA is an underwhelming .136, his OBP is a perfectly respectable .424. Not many players have an OBP more than twice their SLG (.182). We’ll see if it lasts. Finally, there’s third baseman Yassel Soler. While ranked as the system’s No. 30 prospect by MLB Pipeline, he has just a .377 OPS, having gone 3-for-20 with two walks and no extra-base hits. However, worth noting Soler is still just 20 years old, making him very young to be facing some of the game’s top pitching prospects.
On the pitching side, things are a little tougher to monitor, because we are looking at some extremely small sample sizes. Nobody has yet reached even three innings of work, basically meaningless for sabermetric analysis. Of the five pitchers sent by Arizona, only Patrick Forbes is a starter, and the team is being very cautious about his appearances, because a strained flexor limited him to less than 30 IP this year. Our 1st-round pick from 2025 (#29 overall) is this likely limited to five or six AFL outings. So far, he has started once, allowing a single run over 2.2 innings, but getting good reviews from Jack for his sweeper. Wes covered Forbes in more detail last month.
Among the relievers, most excitement is probably going to lefty Joe Ariola. A 7th-round pick in 2025, he went through four levels in 2026, finishing at Double-A Amarillo. It’s his crazy K-numbers which jump off the board: 64 strikeouts in only 34.2 innings and 140 batters faced. In the AFL, he has appeared three times, allowing one hit over 2.1 innings, with no walks and three strikeouts. Again, given the quality of the opposing hitters, that’s impressive. The other lefty is Luke Craig, another man looking to make up for lost time. Since signing in July 2024, he has just 31.1 IP due to Tommy John in early 2025. He has given up two runs in two innings here, but I’ll settle for “staying healthy”.
Connor Foley is another who had impressive K-numbers, with 46 across 26 IP between Rookie and A-ball. That may explain why the RHP got a bonus of $1 million from the D-backs, despite falling to Arizona as a fifth-round pick. But he didn’t start pitching until he was a senior in high school, so is a work in progress, with 1.1 scoreless innings in the AFL reaching 98 mph. Finally, there’s John West – at 6’8” and 265 lbs, he’s likely on his way to becoming Mark Grace’s favorite ballplayer. West is more likely to become an “innings eater”, but allowed two home runs while recording four outs over his only AFL appearance to date.
One other thing of interest in the AFL, is a rule change being tested out at Salt River Fields. It has previously been a Petri dish for things like pitch timers and ABS challenges, but this one seems to be less warmly received. Fangraphs reports, “Dark green hash marks have been painted on the outfield grass and at points along the arc where the infield dirt meets the outfield grass. Defenders have to stand within a certain distance of these hash marks when a pitch is thrown.” The aim is, as with the ban on shifts, to increase offense. But Keith Law was not impressed: “The solution still rests with the pitchers, not rearranging the deck chairs in the outfield.” What do you reckon?
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When it came to the Pittsburgh Penguins, The Athletic's Josh Yohe picked defenseman Owen Pickering as the Metropolitan Division's club top trade candidate.
"Pickering, a 2022 first-round pick, has never made a dent in the NHL and appears to be buried in the AHL. The 6-foot-5 defender had a good training camp and could be available for a certain price," Yohe wrote.
The Penguins trading Pickering would undoubtedly be a significant move. The 22-year-old blueliner was a first-round selection made by the Penguins, after all. Thus, it would be notable if the Penguins ended up parting ways with him in a trade.
However, if the Penguins do not envision him becoming a long-term part of their NHL roster, it would make sense for them to trade him. The young defenseman would have the potential to be a valuable trade chip for the Penguins due to his good upside. It also does not hurt that he is a big defenseman, which NHL teams always value.
Pickering has played in 29 games over two seasons with the Penguins, where he has posted one goal, three points, 14 hits, 21 blocks, and a minus-8 rating. He has not played a game at the NHL level this season.
In five games this campaign with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pickering has recorded one goal and a plus-4 rating. This is after he had seven goals and 28 points in 68 games with the AHL club during this past season.
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