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With the current state of the Nationals being widely viewed as far from a legitimate contending window, fans should begin to get familiar with their next generation of top prospects. An impressive crop of talent tops the Washington prospect rankings, including SS Eli Willits, RHP Travis Sykora, and C Harry Ford, among others, but the system has already seen early success further down the list.

One player in particular who has made waves among Nats fans since his selection in the 2025 MLB Draft is right-handed pitcher Miguel Sime Jr., a flamethrowing starting pitcher.

Sime Jr., taken with the 111th overall pick in the draft out of Brooklyn’s Poly Prep Country Day School, lit up the pre-draft scene with multiple record-setting appearances in the MLB Draft League and the national travel baseball circuit. He consistently reached triple-digits with his fastball and was one of the most polarizing arms in the entire class.

The lack of polish with his secondary offerings and overall “pitchability” caused most scouts to view him as more of a project, but his 70-grade fastball alone makes his potential sky high. Washington was enamored enough with his arsenal to hand him a hefty $2 million signing bonus to secure his services, and they are banking on their ability to mold the teenager into an impact arm down the line.

The 18-year-old flashed at times in the Nationals’ minor league camp outings during 2026 Spring Training and was assigned to Single-A Fredericksburg to open his first professional season. He saw the first action of his minor league career on Easter Sunday, and, while not perfect, he put together a start that should already begin to draw more eyes to his development.

Facing the Augusta GreenJackets, the Atlanta Braves’ Single-A affiliate, he began his pro career with 2.1 innings of 1-run ball, striking out 6 batters, walking just 1, and giving up a single hit. The metrics looked the part as well, sitting around 100 MPH with his fastball and showcasing some early action with his offspeed pitches, including getting 2025 1st-round pick Tate Southisene to chase on a breaking ball out of the zone.

Sime Jr. isn’t someone who will impact the 2026 Nationals, or the 2027 Nationals, and likely not even the 2028 Nationals. However, he’s more than worth keeping tabs on, especially as Washington continues to revamp their pitching development program under new President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni.

The focus remains, at least this early in the season, on the performance of the MLB roster. With that being said, it’s no secret that not many analysts are projecting the Nationals to be a playoff team in 2026. All eyes are pointed toward the future, and the emphasis on the development of their prospects will only continue to grow under the new front office, with Sime Jr. a prime candidate to rise up the ranks if he can maintain the early growth he’s displayed.

In last week’s episode of the podcast, I remarked on the new Orioles slogan for 2026, fly different, and how important it is that the O’s actually do things differently compared to last season. Since then, they’ve gone 1-5 and things are feeling all too familiar from what we’ve now been seeing since around the All-Star Break in 2024. It’s not great.

For this week’s episode, I’m reacting to all the ugliness we’ve seen over the last week. It hasn’t been good. You could fairly put more than half of the Opening Day roster on the list of players who are stinking so far. It’s still early, so at least there’s that.

We’re going to find out pretty quickly whether these guys have sterner stuff than last year’s team. If they pull it together and avoid a deep early hole, then they’ve got something they weren’t able to do last year. If they just keep falling, especially with their next opponent being a presumably-weak White Sox team, well, we’ve seen that story before. It wasn’t fun the first time around and it would feel even worse the second time after they had an offseason to try to fix everything.

Check out the episode here:

If the embedded player isn’t displaying above, view this article in Incognito Mode or find it on the podcast page here.

This is my weekly podcast about whatever is going on lately with the Orioles. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to subscribe. You can get the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you prefer to access your podcasts.

How are you feeling about the way things have gone over the first nine games? Answers could make it into the mailbag section of the next episode of the podcast.

In last week’s episode of the podcast, I remarked on the new Orioles slogan for 2026, fly different, and how important it is that the O’s actually do things differently compared to last season. Since then, they’ve gone 1-5 and things are feeling all too familiar from what we’ve now been seeing since around the All-Star Break in 2024. It’s not great.

For this week’s episode, I’m reacting to all the ugliness we’ve seen over the last week. It hasn’t been good. You could fairly put more than half of the Opening Day roster on the list of players who are stinking so far. It’s still early, so at least there’s that.

We’re going to find out pretty quickly whether these guys have sterner stuff than last year’s team. If they pull it together and avoid a deep early hole, then they’ve got something they weren’t able to do last year. If they just keep falling, especially with their next opponent being a presumably-weak White Sox team, well, we’ve seen that story before. It wasn’t fun the first time around and it would feel even worse the second time after they had an offseason to try to fix everything.

Check out the episode here:

If the embedded player isn’t displaying above, view this article in Incognito Mode or find it on the podcast page here.

This is my weekly podcast about whatever is going on lately with the Orioles. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to subscribe. You can get the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you prefer to access your podcasts.

How are you feeling about the way things have gone over the first nine games? Answers could make it into the mailbag section of the next episode of the podcast.

1993
The divisional championship season began with a night game in Minnesota, and a big 10-5 win over the Twins. Tim Raines had a three-run home run, and scored two runs. The White Sox would wind up winning the division by eight games, compiling 94 victories. Jack McDowell picked up the first of his 22 wins on the year in a six-inning effort.

2002
Mark Buehrle cruised to an easy win in Kansas City, allowing five hits over six innings of a 14-0 whitewash. Paul Konerko scored three times, and he and Magglio Ordoñez drove in three runs apiece. Down 9-0 to start the eighth inning, the Royals summoned the youngest pitcher in the majors, Miguel Asencio, into the game for his MLB debut. Asencio walked Kenny Lofton on four pitches, then did the same to Ray Durham, Frank Thomas, and Ordoñez. All 16 of Asencio’s pitches were outside the strike zone.

The rookie was removed, replaced by Cory Bailey. Bailey managed to throw a strike — but then walked Konerko to surrender another free run.

2003
After starting the season 0-3, the White Sox won two and then pulled back to .500 with a crazy win over the Tigers, ensuring a sweep. Detroit led, 2-1, in the eighth when Chicago ran off nine runs to pull ahead by the eventual final of 10-2.

The nine Sox runs were scored on just four hits; Magglio Ordoñez had the first hit of the inning (single) and the last (three-run homer).

For Detroit, the loss made them the first team in 40 years to start two seasons in a row with an 0-6 record.

2009
For the first time in new Sox Park history (and the first time since 1982) the White Sox home opener was snowed out.

Players arrived at the park to three inches of snow, with Alexei Ramírez playing and throwing snowballs in what he said was his first experience with it. Groundskeeper Roger Bossard and his crew arrived at the park at 6 a.m. to shovel and hose down the snow to melt it into the drainage system.

The White Sox won the rescheduled opener the next day, 4-2, but dropped the next two of the opening home series to the Royals en route to a 79-83 season.

2011
Adam Dunn underwent an emergency appendectomy with the White Sox on the road in Kansas City, just days after Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday suffered same.

Dunn had gotten off to a terrific start for the 2-2 White Sox, slashing .286/.474/.571 with a homer and five RBIs. Although he pronounced himself fit to at least pinch-hit just a day after his procedure, Dunn would sit out a week and see his hitting evaporate in his first season after signing a mulit-year deal with Chicago. His average dipped as low as .149 before settling at .159. Dunn’s -2.9 WAR remains the worst single season in White Sox history, and some 16% worse than his nearest challenger, and ranks as the 13th-worst in MLB history among hitters.

2012
What a difference a year makes.

Adam Dunn, coming off of the worst season in White Sox history and one of the worst of any MLB hitter, ever, homered on Opening Day to tie a record held by Frank Robinson for most in history (eight). While the White Sox lost against the defending World Series champs in Texas, 3-2, Dunn would go on to swing his season WAR back up 4.5 from 2011 and finish at 1.6. His 41 homers in 2012 would stand as the second-most of his career and remain tied for sixth in White Sox history.

1993
The divisional championship season began with a night game in Minnesota, and a big 10-5 win over the Twins. Tim Raines had a three-run home run, and scored two runs. The White Sox would wind up winning the division by eight games, compiling 94 victories. Jack McDowell picked up the first of his 22 wins on the year in a six-inning effort.

2002
Mark Buehrle cruised to an easy win in Kansas City, allowing five hits over six innings of a 14-0 whitewash. Paul Konerko scored three times, and he and Magglio Ordoñez drove in three runs apiece. Down 9-0 to start the eighth inning, the Royals summoned the youngest pitcher in the majors, Miguel Asencio, into the game for his MLB debut. Asencio walked Kenny Lofton on four pitches, then did the same to Ray Durham, Frank Thomas, and Ordoñez. All 16 of Asencio’s pitches were outside the strike zone.

The rookie was removed, replaced by Cory Bailey. Bailey managed to throw a strike — but then walked Konerko to surrender another free run.

2003
After starting the season 0-3, the White Sox won two and then pulled back to .500 with a crazy win over the Tigers, ensuring a sweep. Detroit led, 2-1, in the eighth when Chicago ran off nine runs to pull ahead by the eventual final of 10-2.

The nine Sox runs were scored on just four hits; Magglio Ordoñez had the first hit of the inning (single) and the last (three-run homer).

For Detroit, the loss made them the first team in 40 years to start two seasons in a row with an 0-6 record.

2009
For the first time in new Sox Park history (and the first time since 1982) the White Sox home opener was snowed out.

Players arrived at the park to three inches of snow, with Alexei Ramírez playing and throwing snowballs in what he said was his first experience with it. Groundskeeper Roger Bossard and his crew arrived at the park at 6 a.m. to shovel and hose down the snow to melt it into the drainage system.

The White Sox won the rescheduled opener the next day, 4-2, but dropped the next two of the opening home series to the Royals en route to a 79-83 season.

2011
Adam Dunn underwent an emergency appendectomy with the White Sox on the road in Kansas City, just days after Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday suffered same.

Dunn had gotten off to a terrific start for the 2-2 White Sox, slashing .286/.474/.571 with a homer and five RBIs. Although he pronounced himself fit to at least pinch-hit just a day after his procedure, Dunn would sit out a week and see his hitting evaporate in his first season after signing a mulit-year deal with Chicago. His average dipped as low as .149 before settling at .159. Dunn’s -2.9 WAR remains the worst single season in White Sox history, and some 16% worse than his nearest challenger, and ranks as the 13th-worst in MLB history among hitters.

2012
What a difference a year makes.

Adam Dunn, coming off of the worst season in White Sox history and one of the worst of any MLB hitter, ever, homered on Opening Day to tie a record held by Frank Robinson for most in history (eight). While the White Sox lost against the defending World Series champs in Texas, 3-2, Dunn would go on to swing his season WAR back up 4.5 from 2011 and finish at 1.6. His 41 homers in 2012 would stand as the second-most of his career and remain tied for sixth in White Sox history.

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The San Francisco Giants enter a home series with the Philadelphia Phillies faltering, having dropped three consecutive games.

However, I believe San Francisco can get back on track tonight. See why with my Phillies vs. Giants predictions and MLB picks for Monday, April 6.

Who will win Phillies vs Giants today: Giants (+105)

These teams have played vastly different schedules to start the year, creating value on the home team.

The San Francisco Giants are just 3-7 but have faced three quality teams (Yankees, Padres, Mets) and will be playing their fifth consecutive home game. 

The Philadelphia Phillies are 5-4, but their series wins came against two of the worst teams in the league (Rockies and Nationals). It’s not an ideal travel spot, coming off an uninspiring 4-1 loss in Colorado. 

Adrian Houser’s 117 Pitching+ in his Giants debut will play in pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

COVERS INTEL: Much was made about Phillies starter Andrew Painter’s impressive MLB debut (1 ER, 4 H, 8 Ks). Keep in mind that was against a poor Nationals lineup, however.

Phillies vs Giants Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-102)

There’s too much talent and past production in San Francisco’s lineup for these results to hold for too long, but right now they paint an undeniable picture — this lineup is riding the struggle bus. 

The Giants are 23 points worse in wRC+ (45) and 58 points worse in wOBA (.229) against RHP than any other team. They’ve plated three or fewer runs in in eight of their 10 games. 

Both starting pitchers had a 117 Pitching+ in their respective debuts, and both bullpens are due for positive regression with Top-12 SIERA marks but Bottom-10 ERAs.

Phillies vs Giants odds

• Moneyline: Philadelphia -116 | San Francisco -102
• Run line: Philadelphia -1.5 | San Francisco +1.5
• Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8

Phillies vs Giants trend

The Phillies have cashed the Under in 44 of their last 79 away games. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Giants.

How to watch Phillies vs Giants and game info

Phillies vs Giants latest injuries

Phillies vs Giants weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The San Francisco Giants enter a home series with the Philadelphia Phillies faltering, having dropped three consecutive games.

However, I believe San Francisco can get back on track tonight. See why with my Phillies vs. Giants predictions and MLB picks for Monday, April 6.

Who will win Phillies vs Giants today: Giants (+105)

These teams have played vastly different schedules to start the year, creating value on the home team.

The San Francisco Giants are just 3-7 but have faced three quality teams (Yankees, Padres, Mets) and will be playing their fifth consecutive home game. 

The Philadelphia Phillies are 5-4, but their series wins came against two of the worst teams in the league (Rockies and Nationals). It’s not an ideal travel spot, coming off an uninspiring 4-1 loss in Colorado. 

Adrian Houser’s 117 Pitching+ in his Giants debut will play in pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

COVERS INTEL: Much was made about Phillies starter Andrew Painter’s impressive MLB debut (1 ER, 4 H, 8 Ks). Keep in mind that was against a poor Nationals lineup, however.

Phillies vs Giants Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-102)

There’s too much talent and past production in San Francisco’s lineup for these results to hold for too long, but right now they paint an undeniable picture — this lineup is riding the struggle bus. 

The Giants are 23 points worse in wRC+ (45) and 58 points worse in wOBA (.229) against RHP than any other team. They’ve plated three or fewer runs in in eight of their 10 games. 

Both starting pitchers had a 117 Pitching+ in their respective debuts, and both bullpens are due for positive regression with Top-12 SIERA marks but Bottom-10 ERAs.

Phillies vs Giants odds

• Moneyline: Philadelphia -116 | San Francisco -102
• Run line: Philadelphia -1.5 | San Francisco +1.5
• Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8

Phillies vs Giants trend

The Phillies have cashed the Under in 44 of their last 79 away games. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Giants.

How to watch Phillies vs Giants and game info

Phillies vs Giants latest injuries

Phillies vs Giants weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

It's a full MLB slate today, and we're kicking off the week with some MLB best bets based on prices at the prediction market Polymarket, which allows bettors all across the country to join in on the baseball action.

Our expert MLB picks are below, with a distinct National League flavor to our April 6 plays.

MLB expert picks for today

Pick	Odds
Josh Inglis: PIT ML	-127
Jon Metler: COL ML	+163
Neil Parker: PHI ML	-113

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

Josh Inglis' expert pick: Pirates moneyline

Price: 56¢ (-127) at Polymarket

The Pirates draw one of the best matchups on the board against Germán Márquez, who was hit hard in his debut, allowing eight hits in just nine outs, including two home runs. THE BAT projects Márquez to allow the most earned runs of any starter today, with a fair price on the Pirates moneyline at -178. With 14 mph winds blowing out and Márquez’s fly-ball profile, Pittsburgh is in a strong spot to generate offense. On the other side, Bubba Chandler brings elite velocity and should be able to keep a light-hitting San Diego Padres lineup in check.

Jon Metler's expert pick: Rockies moneyline

Price: 38¢ (+163) at Polymarket

The Rockies cashed a parlay for me yesterday, and I wasn’t expecting to back them again on the moneyline today... but here we are — Go Rockies! The Houston Astros are sending Cody Bolton out for his first career start due to Hunter Brown’s injury. Even if Bolton manages to navigate Coors Field, he’s a career reliever, which means Houston will likely lean heavily on its bullpen — just one day after playing a 10-inning game against the Athletics in Sacramento. This sets up as a tough scheduling spot for the Astros, and the price on Colorado feels too strong to pass up. The Rockies are trading at 38% on the moneyline, but I make them closer to 44%.

Neil Parker's expert pick: Phillies moneyline

Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket

The San Francisco Giants check in last in baseball in wOBA and wRC+ against righties, and they’ll face an elite young pitcher in Andrew Painter, who impressed in his MLB debut with eight strikeouts and a 31% Called Strike + Whiffs rate. In the opposite dugout, the Phillies sit fifth in wOBA and wRC+ against right-handed arms, with San Fran sending veteran Adrian Houser to the bump. He sports a run-of-the-mill 4.29 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 4.51 xFIP across 413 1/3 innings since the beginning of 2022, so I'm expecting the Phillies to put enough runs on the board to pull away.

More MLB best bets for today

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

It's a full MLB slate today, and we're kicking off the week with some MLB best bets based on prices at the prediction market Polymarket, which allows bettors all across the country to join in on the baseball action.

Our expert MLB picks are below, with a distinct National League flavor to our April 6 plays.

MLB expert picks for today

Pick	Odds
Josh Inglis: PIT ML	-127
Jon Metler: COL ML	+163
Neil Parker: PHI ML	-113

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

Josh Inglis' expert pick: Pirates moneyline

Price: 56¢ (-127) at Polymarket

The Pirates draw one of the best matchups on the board against Germán Márquez, who was hit hard in his debut, allowing eight hits in just nine outs, including two home runs. THE BAT projects Márquez to allow the most earned runs of any starter today, with a fair price on the Pirates moneyline at -178. With 14 mph winds blowing out and Márquez’s fly-ball profile, Pittsburgh is in a strong spot to generate offense. On the other side, Bubba Chandler brings elite velocity and should be able to keep a light-hitting San Diego Padres lineup in check.

Jon Metler's expert pick: Rockies moneyline

Price: 38¢ (+163) at Polymarket

The Rockies cashed a parlay for me yesterday, and I wasn’t expecting to back them again on the moneyline today... but here we are — Go Rockies! The Houston Astros are sending Cody Bolton out for his first career start due to Hunter Brown’s injury. Even if Bolton manages to navigate Coors Field, he’s a career reliever, which means Houston will likely lean heavily on its bullpen — just one day after playing a 10-inning game against the Athletics in Sacramento. This sets up as a tough scheduling spot for the Astros, and the price on Colorado feels too strong to pass up. The Rockies are trading at 38% on the moneyline, but I make them closer to 44%.

Neil Parker's expert pick: Phillies moneyline

Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket

The San Francisco Giants check in last in baseball in wOBA and wRC+ against righties, and they’ll face an elite young pitcher in Andrew Painter, who impressed in his MLB debut with eight strikeouts and a 31% Called Strike + Whiffs rate. In the opposite dugout, the Phillies sit fifth in wOBA and wRC+ against right-handed arms, with San Fran sending veteran Adrian Houser to the bump. He sports a run-of-the-mill 4.29 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 4.51 xFIP across 413 1/3 innings since the beginning of 2022, so I'm expecting the Phillies to put enough runs on the board to pull away.

More MLB best bets for today

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The latest news on your Houston Astros and from around MLB:

This was the greatest defensive play I have ever seen Jose Altuve make.Range. Awareness. Accuracy. Timeliness. Pure Brilliance.

Jose Altuve’s resurgence showing at plate and in field:

Astros continue to make marks offensively:

Fresh off his first career save, Cody Bolton will start today for the Astros in place of Hunter Brown:

For the first time in over 30 years, the Chicago White Sox have swept the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cleveland is watching it’s franchise player become it’s franchise icon:

Cubs’ 2B Nico Hoerner has a career OPS of 104. Yet he just got the 4th largest guaranteed salary of a second baseman all time. Ken Rosenthal thinks it’s a great move by Chicago.

A young fan stood in the rain and watched Shohei Ohtani work out. Ohtani noticed.

There are 20 of the top 100 prospects currently playing in the majors. More could be coming soon:

The Marlins stun the Yankees with a huge 8th inning.

Nolan Schanuel walks off the Seattle Mariners in Los Angeles:

Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte walks off the Atlanta Braves in the desert!

It’s funny because it’s true:

Angels’ hitting coach Brady Anderson had some high praise of RF Jo Adell, who stole 3 home runs in one game Saturday, to Ken Rosenthal:

Does the MLBPA currently have the short end of the stick in negotiations for a new CBA with MLB?

Red Sox fans are angry with team ownership amid an MLB-worst 2-7 start, and let their voices be heard at Fenway Park Sunday afternoon.

First time I’ve heard that description:

The latest news on your Houston Astros and from around MLB:

This was the greatest defensive play I have ever seen Jose Altuve make.Range. Awareness. Accuracy. Timeliness. Pure Brilliance.

Jose Altuve’s resurgence showing at plate and in field:

Astros continue to make marks offensively:

Fresh off his first career save, Cody Bolton will start today for the Astros in place of Hunter Brown:

For the first time in over 30 years, the Chicago White Sox have swept the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cleveland is watching it’s franchise player become it’s franchise icon:

Cubs’ 2B Nico Hoerner has a career OPS of 104. Yet he just got the 4th largest guaranteed salary of a second baseman all time. Ken Rosenthal thinks it’s a great move by Chicago.

A young fan stood in the rain and watched Shohei Ohtani work out. Ohtani noticed.

There are 20 of the top 100 prospects currently playing in the majors. More could be coming soon:

The Marlins stun the Yankees with a huge 8th inning.

Nolan Schanuel walks off the Seattle Mariners in Los Angeles:

Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte walks off the Atlanta Braves in the desert!

It’s funny because it’s true:

Angels’ hitting coach Brady Anderson had some high praise of RF Jo Adell, who stole 3 home runs in one game Saturday, to Ken Rosenthal:

Does the MLBPA currently have the short end of the stick in negotiations for a new CBA with MLB?

Red Sox fans are angry with team ownership amid an MLB-worst 2-7 start, and let their voices be heard at Fenway Park Sunday afternoon.

First time I’ve heard that description: