Just after 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 3, less than three hours before the MLB trade deadline, Sammy Stafura was three hours into a seven-hour bus trip to Georgia with the Pirates' High-A affiliate, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, when he received the call.
That call was from the Pirates informing him that he had been traded to the Mets in the deal that sent Luke Weaver to Pittsburgh.
"I kind of blacked out," Stafura told SNY in an interview that will air in full on the next episode of The Mets Pod. "Wow, I’m really going to the Mets, this is crazy."
This led to a wild travel day for Stafura. He finished the remaining four hours on the bus with his now former teammates, then immediately hopped into an Uber for an hour and a half to ride Hartfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta. He had a three hour wait until a flight back to Greensboro, packed his things and then made the drive to Wilmington, Del. to meet up with his new team, the Brooklyn Cyclones.
The hectic day was all worth it, as Stafura now gets to suit up for the organization that he and his entire family are all diehard fans of. Born in Westchester County, Stafura’s earliest memory of going to Citi Field was at 5-or 6-years-old, with he and his family going to multiple Mets games per year.
As excited as Stafura was to learn he was traded to the Mets, his older brother Steven was perhaps even more excited.
"He was stressing for days," Stafura said. "He had a feeling something was going to go down. He was on Twitter just checking everything. He wasn’t even getting work done." Steven works with their father and younger brother. "When I called him, he was just pumped."
Stafura and Ewing not only share speed on the diamond, but they also share a relationship off the diamond that dates to high school and the travel ball circuit.
"We played each other a bunch in high school, so we knew each other," Stafura said. "Once we got to pro ball, it was a close world. It felt like we played each other every week, so we’d always grab breakfast together and hang out, just going through this grind together."
Along with the speed, I couldn’t find a scout who had any doubt Stafura could stick at shortstop -- most thought he is plus at the position. He has some experience at second base and his athleticism would theoretically play in center field as well. Stafura is a true up-the-middle athlete.
On the offensive side, Stafura has made some swing changes this year that has led to an uptick in bat speed and power with the exit velocity numbers to line up with above average, bordering on plus raw power. The 21-year-old has 20 home runs in 66 games on the season as of this writing.
He also cited a mentality shift that comes with maturing as a ballplayer, and that mindset is simple: He’s the best.
"It’s truly believing that I am the best player on the field, and I am way better than that pitcher every moment and every pitch," Stafura said, "It’s the approach of locking in your mind, because everyone’s got skill and talent. The one thing that separates a lot of people is the mental side."
Stafura, like every baseball player, is obviously not without flaws. He brings an aggressive approach to everything he does in the game, and that has led to a higher strikeout rate than you’d like to see. He has a 29 percent strikeout rate, and at times does chase breaking stuff away in the name of trying to do damage.
In talking to evaluators, it would probably be a detriment to attempt to drastically change Stafura's approach. The aggressive and high energy playing style is what makes him tick. However, if the strikeout rate can be reined into the 25 percent or better range, that could optimize his profile.
That profile looks the part of a future top 100 prospect. Any time there is a prospect who can combine plus speed and defense with above average, bordering on plus power at a premium position like shortstop -- even with the swing-and-miss questions -- that is an exciting prospect with big potential.
From a 5- or 6-year-old Mets fan to a high school kid sliding into the Mets' DMs on Instagram to try to throw out the first pitch, Stafura embraces the pressure that comes with being a Mets fan in the Mets' system.
If there’s one quote from the Stafura interview on The Mets Pod, which I implore you to check out when it drops, that summarizes the player that the Mets acquired, it's this one:
The NBA released the schedule for the 2026-27 regular season Thursday, as the Knicks, after ending a 53-year title drought, look to be greedy and become the league's first back-to-back champions in seven years.
The season, of course, will open with LeBron James and the new-look 76ers on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m., right after the Knicks raise their championship banner to the rafters at Madison Square Garden. That will be the first of the Knicks' 34 nationally televised games during the regular season.
Mike Brown's team will also play back-to-back games on 12 occasions.
Some other notable matchups include a visit to the Boston Celtics and old friend Mitchell Robinson for the second game of the season on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. New York will go back to Boston on Jan. 13 before hosting the Celtics on March 14 and April 4.
The Knicks will face off against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons in the season's fourth game of the season at MSG on Oct. 27. New York then travels to Detroit on Feb. 3 and Feb. 17 before hosting the Pistons in the season's penultimate game on April 9.
The Knicks, who also took home the NBA Cup, will open group play in that competition against Philadelphia on Oct. 30. As they look for back-to-back titles in that, they have an uphill climb in a group with the Sixers, Pacers (Nov. 13), Cavaliers (Nov. 25), and Heat (Nov. 27). The NBA Cup Knockout Rounds will begin on Dec. 4 and 5 with the semifinals on Dec. 8 and 9, before the cup is decided on Dec. 11.
Once again, New York will face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day at MSG for a 12 p.m. tip-off in an NBA Finals rematch. The Knicks will visit the Spurs on March 7, in the middle of a four-game road trip that will see them play in Dallas on March 4, and at the Clippers on March 10 and the Lakers on March 11.
In other Western Conference matchups, the Knicks will be at Minnesota on Nov. 19 and host them on Jan. 18.
Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets visit MSG on Jan. 11 after hosting the Knicks on Jan. 2.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Shay Whitcomb #14 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 10, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have been hesitant to use the waiver wire this year, but on their Thursday off-day they utilized the tool for the third time this season. San Francisco announced that they had claimed infielder Shay Whitcomb off of waivers after he had been designated for assignment by the Houston Astros. Whitcomb has subsequently been optioned to AAA Sacramento. To make space for him on the 40-man roster, the Giants moved Trevor McDonald, who is out for the year with Tommy John surgery, to the 60-Day Injured List.
Whitcomb, a 27-year old right-hander, was the Astros’ 5th-round pick in 2020. He was drafted with a reputation for having a good speed and power combo, but a questionable hit tool that, unfortunately, has never materialized. In 102 plate appearances in the Majors, the UC San Diego alum has hit just .167/.216/.292, with a 28.4% strikeout rate. Unfortunately, he’s also been trending in the wrong direction: his debut season in 2024 was far and away his best, while over the last two seasons he’s combined to hit just 7-56 with three home runs, no doubles, one walk, and 21 strikeouts.
He’s also regressed a bit in the Minors. Whitcomb posted a 134 wRC+ in AAA in 2024 before his call-up, and a 122 wRC+ at the level a year ago. This season, he’s hit a hair below league average, with a 97 wRC+. He has stolen 23 bases, which is encouraging, though he’s yet to attempt a steal in 57 MLB games.
Most importantly, Whitcomb can play anywhere on the diamond. In AAA this season, he’s played every position except pitcher and catcher. The bulk of his reps have come at shortstop, third base, and catcher, so it’s not hard to see him having a role in San Francisco this year, given that Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt are out for the year, Willie Adames is dealing with a back injury, and Heliot Ramos has been traded.
For now, though, he’ll stay in the Pacific Coast League and get acclimated with Sacramento. I’d expect him to be in San Francisco at some point in the next few weeks, though.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 16: Austin Reaves #15 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 16, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Every NBA season is different.
The storylines and the games that matter are constantly changing. With the Lakers overhauling their roster this summer, now contests that might’ve been just one of 82 last year will be some of the biggest hyped matchups this season.
Now that the entire Lakers schedule has been released, here are the five games that are must-see TV.
Lakers vs. Sixers, Dec. 25
LeBron James has left the Lakers and taken his talents to Philadelphia. His first time back in Los Angeles playing for the other side will be cinematic. The hype video will be iconic, the cheers he’ll get from fans will be loud and the game itself should be very competitive.
So, even if Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić have love and respect for LeBron, they’ll want to beat him and prove they are doing just fine. And the same will be true for James, even if neither side will admit it.
Lakers at Spurs, Nov. 27
If you want to win the Western Conference, then you’ll have to go through San Antonio.
So, anytime the Lakers take on the Spurs, the intensity is going to turn up a notch. These matchups will be the closest thing to playoff-level competition we’ll see during the regular season.
How Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler perform in this game will matter more than almost any other contest. Reaves has struggled against the top teams in the West, and Kessler is unproven, having played only for the tanking Jazz during his career.
That will change this year, as the Lakers will have plenty of high-stakes games. But arguably none more important than this one.
Lakers at Knicks, Jan. 30
Madison Square Garden is a magical arena, and LA’s sole trip to New York this year will be one to remember.
The defending champs will get everyone’s best shot this season, and the Lakers are no exception. The stars will certainly come out for this one, and hopefully, Luka and company can put on a show that results in a Lakers win on the road.
Lakers vs. Thunder, Jan. 26
This game is an opportunity for LA to do two things: see how they measure up against another elite Western Conference team and get some revenge for last year’s playoff sweep against the Thunder.
Sure, a regular-season win won’t make up for how things ended last season, but it’s a start.
Even the most optimistic Lakers fans have the Thunder in front of them in the NBA hierarchy, so winning these games would be huge.
Lakers vs. Celtics, Jan.7
This will be Kessler’s first Lakers-Celtics matchup, so this is a great chance for him to establish himself with the franchise by doing what the LA bigs before him have done by dominating against Boston.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 25: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during the game on December 25, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2024 NBAE(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The 2026-2027 NBA schedule is out, and it’s filled with must-watch Celtics games. The season tips off on Tuesday, October 20th in Detroit, and concludes at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 11th.
In between those games are 80 regular-season games: 40 home, 40 away.
Here are the five games that stand out most from the slate:
1. January 21: The Jaylen Brown return game
The Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time since the Jaylen Brown trade. Brown will undoubtedly receive a very warm welcome from a TD Garden crowd that watched him lace up as a Celtic for the past 10 years. This game also doubles as the one game
The one downside is that this game is taking place on the second night of a back-to-back for the Celtics – it would be a massive bummer if Jayson Tatum or any other key player sat for it.
2. October 23rd: Knicks at Celtics
Just a few days after raising their championship banner, the Knicks will travel to Boston for the Celtics’ home opener. There’s a lot in this match-up: Boston opens up the regular season against the team that won the title last year, and Mitchell Robinson faces his former team for the first time.
Plus, Celtics-Knicks has felt extra juicy since the 2025 playoffs, when New York eliminated Boston in six games in the second round of the playoffs.
3. November 10th: Celtics at 76ers
Jaylen Brown will face his former team for the first time on November 10th, a few months before he makes his official return to the Garden. So, we very well could see him matching up against Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and the rest of the gang.
This game, like the January match-up, is also on the first night of a back-to-back for Boston, so fingers crossed no major players are sidelined. It will also be the first time the Celtics face LeBron James in a 76ers uniform, and seek redemption against the squad they blew a 3-1 lead against in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
4. December 25th: Celtics vs Heat on Christmas Day
After watching from the sidelines last year, the Celtics are back on the Christmas Day slate and will host the new-look Miami Heat. That will be a chance for fans to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo up close and personal, and envision what could have been, given the fact the team tried to trade for the Greek Freak this past offseason. There’s also the always-fun Celtics-Heat rivalry, which will live on as long as Pat Riley runs the show in Miami.
5. October 20th: Opening Day in Detroit
I can’t lie: a 3pm tip-off on Tuesday afternoon against the Detroit Pistons is not the most thrilling way for the Celtics to start their regular season. But it’s the regular-season opener regardless, and it’s cool to see the Celtics among the six teams suiting up. Plus, after an extra-long and extra-tumultuous offseason, it will be interesting to see how this new-look squad fares against last year’s Eastern Conference top seed.
"These games are fun for me," Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said. "It's somewhere different. It's something that you remember more vividly than you would just another game somewhere else."
The Field of Dreams Game was last played in 2022, the second year in a row the made-for-TV contest was held after huge success and a thrilling New York Yankees-Chicago White Sox game in 2021. More than 25 Baseball Hall of Famers will be on hand for the event with the legends and current players expected to walk through the corn fields and emerge onto the field.
"It's going to be awesome," said Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. "I've never been out there before, so I'm excited to see the corn, see the field they actually filmed it at. Just to be in that atmosphere."
Follow for live updates:
Where to watch Field of Dreams game
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (pregame coverage begins at 6:30)
MLB lists the stadium's dimensions as 335 feet down both lines, 380 to the alleys and 400 to center field – with windows in the right-field wall looking out on the corn.
The Minnesota Twins, who are hosting this Field of Dreams game, have arrived on the field in Dyersville, Iowa. MLB Network reporter J.P. Morosi repots that the players are out on the field and starting to get ready.
Twins greats Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are expected to walk out of the corn before the game, but they took the chance to make some personal memories before that. They went to the field the movie was filmed on and recreated the final emotional season. Mauer and Morneau were caught on camera having a catch with their sons on the same grass Kevin Costner did in 1989.
Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer playing catch with their sons at Field of Dreams pic.twitter.com/3LgJHL2IVr
Mauer, the St. Paul kid who went into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, hit in the middle of the Twins lineup together for seven seasons.
Twins manager Derek Shelton: "I think if I told my wife we bought a farm and I was going to build a baseball field and cut out half our income by doing it, she'd look at me like I was crazy."
Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott did a little pregame sightseeing. They stopped at the white farmhouse, the one Kevin Costner's Ray Kinsella lived in before pregame work on Thursday.
Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott stopped by the famous white farmhouse before tonight’s MLB at Field of Dreams Game 🤩 pic.twitter.com/2OHjDeQwo4
Harper has played in a World Series and a World Baseball Classic, but he'd never been here to Iowa. The Phillies took in the sights before getting down to business.
Bryson Stott's cleats for Thursday night tell the story the movie told. Phillies greats including Tug McGraw, Roy Halladay and Harry Kalas step out of the corn, painted on the leather of his cleats. He brings along the memories of men who are not around to be a part of this special night. McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to end the 1980 World Series and gave the Phillies their first title. Halladay threw a perfect game and postseason no-hitter in the same 2010 season. Kalas called it all for 38 years.
The NBA offseason is a lull with the majority of signings and trades in the rearview window. Yet, this week brought hoops fans a bit of a reprieve with some news.
That means that even though the start of the season remains a little more than two months away, NBA fans can start to circle dates on the calendar. And since stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami Heat), LeBron James (Philadelphia 76ers) and Jaylen Brown (76ers) moved teams, there will be plenty of intrigue around the big games of their new teams.
With the 2026-27 schedule officially dropping, here are the 10 NBA matchups we cannot wait to see:
The defending champs host the winners of the offseason and newest contenders in the East. And it just so happens to be the second game of the triple-header that opens the regular season, when the Knicks will raise a championship banner for the first time in 53 years. LeBron James tends to have massive games in Madison Square Garden, though he figures to be more of a complementary player in Philadelphia. This gives fans the first opportunity to see what the Sixers offense will look like.
The matchups between Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been appointment viewing. Both respect each other, and both typically go all out when competing against each other. In the past, both Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo have sought out the matchup to guard the other. That has led to exceptional individual performances. This time, we get to see what it looks like with Antetokounmpo in Miami.
You knew LeBron James was going to play on Christmas Day; now he’ll get to do it in his first game back in Los Angeles, against his former team and his son, Bronny James. By all accounts, James’ departure from the Lakers was cordial and respectful. Despite that, there will clearly be an appetite to stick it to his former squad. Similarly, Luka Dončić and the Lakers – now under new ownership – will want to show they’re better off.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
Monday, Dec. 28, 2026 at 10:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock
These two squads have met in the playoffs in three of the past four postseasons, and the series have not disappointed. They’ve been physical and chirpy; as a reminder, in late April, Nuggets star Nikola Jokić took exception to Jaden McDaniels’ layup in the closing seconds of a blowout Minnesota victory and confronted him. More good news here is that these teams play four times this season.
Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 at 10 p.m. (at Golden State) | ESPN
Wednesday, March 31, 2027 at 7 p.m. (at Philadelphia) | ESPN
This matchup may have lost some of its luster as both players have continued to age, but it’s another chance to see LeBron James and Stephen Curry compete.
After this series went seven games in the Western Conference finals in one of the more physical matchups in recent history, it’s always nice to renew what’s becoming a top rivalry in the league. It’s clear both these teams don’t like each other, as much as there is mutual respect. And after the upstart Spurs upset the Thunder to go to the NBA Finals, the Thunder presumably will come out of the gates with plenty to prove. It will also be interesting to see how a few new faces — Tobias Harrris on the Spurs and rookie Aday Mara on the Thunder, for example — alter the matchup.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. | Amazon Prime
Jaylen Brown will be making his first trip to Boston as a member of another team, so it will be interesting to see how fans receive him at the TD Garden. Brown was the 2024 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and helped deliver a title to Boston, so it should be (mostly) warm. Brown said during his introductory press conference that he and Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who were teammates for nine seasons, hadn’t really spoken since Brown’s trade. It also gives Paul George a chance to go up against his former side.
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. | Amazon Prime
People, for the most part, are sleeping on the Pacers. Yet, with Tyrese Haliburton seemingly poised to return to full health, Indiana should return to its previous levels of offensive proficiency. What better place to see if that proves to be true than Madison Square Garden against the defending champs. Haliburton has shined at the Garden, with no shot bigger than his miracle in Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, a buzzer beater that bounced high off back rim before it swished through the net.
Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks
Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 at 9:30 p.m. | Amazon Prime
This might be a game that your turn on for the beginning but then cruise League Pass to see what else is out there, because the Heat should control the game. But it will be Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first trip back to Milwaukee after he spent the first 13 seasons of his career there. It should be an emotional night all around, especially after Heat captain Bam Adebayo struck former teammate Tyler Herro during Summer League. Interestingly, it will be the second time the two play, with the Bucks visiting Miami Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026 at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Both AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson felt they were the best overall player in the NBA draft, though it was Dybantsa whom Washington selected with the No. 1 overall pick. This will be the first chance fans get to see the top two draft picks compete in the same NBA game, though they had memorable matchups in college. An added bonus: the Wizards and Jazz should both be significantly improved.
The NBA released the full schedule for the 2026-27 regular season on Aug. 13, highlighted by the Philadelphia 76ers, who will make 34 appearances on national television.
The 76ers' uptick in national exposure is a direct result of their offseason moves, including acquiring All-Star guard Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics and signing LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, to a two-year deal. Philadelphia will begin its quest for its first championship since 1983 when it takes on the defending champions, the New York Knicks, at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20.
There are no games on Nov. 3, which is Election Day in the United States, but all 30 teams will play the day before.
Other key dates include the Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Championship taking place at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec. 11 and the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 11.
The All-Star Game will take place on Feb. 21, 2027, at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The regular season ends April 11, with all 30 NBA teams in action.
For the first time, outside of Christmas Day, four NBA regular-season games will be televised on national broadcast networks in a single day. The first instance will be Jan. 30, with additional quadrupleheaders on Feb. 28, March 7, and March 14, which will feature two doubleheaders each broadcast by ABC and NBC.
Teams will average 14.2 back-to-backs, a slight decrease from 14.4 last season.
TV appearances
The 76ers, Knicks, Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers will each make 34 appearances on national television.
Some teams you won't see much on the big stage include the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks, who each will make only two appearances on national television. The Chicago Bulls have three such games. Giannis Antetokounmpo's new team, the Miami Heat, will appear 25 times.
Reunions
LeBron James
Along with the Christmas matchup with the Lakers, James will also visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 6 and March 1 and the Miami Heat on Jan. 30 and April 8.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The two-time MVP returns to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Jan. 28.
Jaylen Brown
The five-time All-Star returns to Boston to face the Celtics with the 76ers on Jan. 21.
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft was a successful one for the Vancouver Canucks. The organization added nine new prospects, including Caleb Malhotra with the third overall pick. It turns out that Vancouver also attempted to trade up in the draft in order to secure a third pick in the first round.
In a new video released by the Ottawa Senators, General Manager Steve Staios can be heard speaking with Canucks GM Ryan Johnson. The two were discussing a trade in which Vancouver would move up to 25th overall in exchange for the 33rd and 41st overall picks. The deal would also include the Canucks acquiring the 72nd overall pick.
Despite what appeared to be interest from Staios, Ottawa declined the trade and drafted Jonas Lagerberg Hoen 25th overall. Vancouver would go on to draft Brooks Rogowski 33rd and Niklas Aaram-Olsen 41st overall. As for the 72nd pick, the Senators selected forward Adam Nemec.
Jun 4, 2026; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; General manager Ryan Johnson speaks in a press conference where the Vancouver Canucks introduce Manny Malhotra as their new head coach at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Next up on the Canucks' schedule is the 2026 Prospects Showcase. The event will be hosted in Abbotsford, where Vancouver will battle the Seattle Kraken. Game days are September 12th and 13th, 2026.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 1: Robert Suarez #75 of the Atlanta Braves is seen in the dugout during a Washington Nationals mound visit during the seventh inning at Truist Park on August 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ahead of yesterday’s series finale against the New York Mets, Braves manager Walt Weiss spoke to media about some pitchers we’re hoping are making their way back to the big club this season.
Robert Suarez
With every “Tyler Kinley in extras” and “Iggy stressfully closes the door”, the absence of Robert Suarez has been more and more deeply felt. The mystery around the right forearm tightness that has sidelined him since mid-June has finally cleared somewhat: we have finally heard that the righty setup man starts playing catch this week. He was shown briefly on last night’s broadcast in the dugout.
We’re hoping for minimal setbacks as he makes the steps toward a throwing progression and rehab. It goes without saying, but it would be ideal to get him back to fortify our bullpen and to get some meaningful outs this fall.
Spencer Schwellenbach
For those already nervous about the timeline laid out for Schwelly to return in ‘26, the latest update doesn’t do much to assauge the concerns. Mark Bowman reported that Spencer still “hasn’t felt 100%” in the bullpen sessions he started at the end of July. It’s not definitive that he won’t return, but he would need to progress to facing live hitters sooner rather than later – it’s already mid-August.
AJ Smith-Shawver
AJSS is fine – better than fine, actually. He’s been dominating in Triple-A Gwinnett as he works on polishing up the arsenal and getting deeper into games. We’ll likely see him back up for good for the rest of ‘26 soon, maybe even as soon as next week’s funky road trip. His role with the team, however, is still in discussion. There will be a bit of a rotation logjam with both his and Reynaldo López’s expected returns, and Weiss has made it known that he doesn’t favor a six-man rotation. Who becomes a bullpen weapon? We’ll have to wait and see.
According to ESPN basketball insider Brian Windhorst, for the sale to officially go through, Kushner will have to sell his minority shares of the Miami Heat in order to become the owner of the Lakers. That may dramatically impact the timeline of the deal.
“The Heat don’t sell shares very often,” Windhorst said on Thursday’s edition of The Hoop Collective podcast.
“That’s a very closely held team. That potentially could take some time.”
Lakers owner Josh Kushner must sell a minority stake in the Miami Heat for the sale to go through. WireImage
As Windhorst mentioned, the Heat don’t sell pieces of the team too often, and it remains undisclosed who he bought his stake in the team from. But it is believed not to be majority owner Micky Arison, who has controlled the franchise since 1995.
Iger and Kushner’s purchase of the Lakers on Wednesday morning came at a record-breaking $12.5 billion sale from Mark Walter, who also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets goes up for a shot as Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend during the first half at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Brooklyn, NY Corey Sipkin for NY Post
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 04, 2026: Demetrio Crisantes #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks warms up during the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Usually, these sorts of lists have minor, incremental changes from one release to the next. That’s usually informed by a promotion here and there and perhaps an occasional trade. A long-term injury can sometimes drop a prospect a bit. This update though, it’s pretty big. Arizona has promoted or traded a number of names from their top-30, have drafted a few names to add, and have also seen one of the bigger prospects on the list take a massive jump in the standings while last season’s top entry on this list has taken the biggest fall of all (Slade Caldwell falling from the pinnacle out of the top-20 entirely).
Did I mention that injuries can impact these lists? Because injuries can impact these lists. Like, a lot. This year’s Diamondbacks entry is proof of that. The organization should have been set up nicely by drafting the likes of Jordan Lawlar, Tommy Troy, Druw Jones, Slade Caldwell, and others. All four of those first selections have lost major development time to injury, preventing the likes of Jones or Caldwell from ever finding their groove. Numerous injuries on the 26-man roster have made it necessary for the Diamondbacks to promote aggressively from their farm system just to field a team. Five players on this list have already made their MLB debuts. Another handful have recently been promoted off this list having exhausted their rookie eleigibility. By the next time OPening Day rolls around, this list will likely look very different than it does right now.
Without further ado, here is the updated top-30 prospects list. Where applicable, I have listed the Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and Fangraphs rankings. Pipeline rankings do not include the addition of this season’s draft picks.
Standing 6’ 5” and throwing from the left side, Drake once, not long ago, represented the top arm in the system. Acquired at least season’s trade deadline, Drake brings above average command and improving velocity. Since being drafted, Drake has added roughly three miles per hour to the average velocity of his fastball. Problematically, Drake has not show the ability to maintain that velocity bump in 2026, where his velocity has now been somewhat all over the place. His fastball now has an uncertain range between 91-95 mph, with it looking more and more likely that he will finally settle in as a 91-93 mph arm that has a bit of reach-back available when necessary. Drake also sports a good curve, which is his best secondary pitch, while also featuring a changeup with about 10 mph of separation from his fastball. Drake works up around the letters to make his fastball play up. This results in Drake giving up a higher than average number of home runs. This has not been too much of an issue so far as he tends to miss up instead of down if he misses his spot. After some velocity and injury concerns, Kohl Drake was one of a number of players given the MLB nod ahead of schedule. The results have been mixed as Drake’s stuff is more of the good variety than it is of the great variety. He gets by mostly through unfamiliarity at this point, but has already flashed some signs that he could indeed stick as a back of the rotation starter.
9. Mitch Bratt – LHP (BA 12, MLB 8, FG 18)
Bratt’s fastball sits just 91-93 mph but he got a well above-average 31.8% whiff rate with it in 2025. He creates deception with the angles he throws from, and not only does he locate it well, but he is also fearlessly willing to attack hitters with it. He is just as aggressive with his mid-80s cutter, another pitch he uses to pound the zone and elicit whiffs (29.6%). He also throws a curveball and changeup, though the latter remains a work in progress, a tough pitch to master given his arm angle. He is an elite strike-thrower, issuing zero or one walk in 19 of his 24 outings in 2025. He earns high marks as a competitor and worker. That’s the good news, which is also a big part of the less than good news (but not necessarily bad).
This is where looking at minor league track records and extrapolating future success gets rough. Bratt is yet another prospect pressed into early service at the Major League level. Thus far, the results have been mixed, but largely positive. As expected, Bratt’s propensity to fill the zone with strikes (but not elite spin or velocity) has resulted in plenty of hard contact at the top level. His command is still elite, but his control has turned into something he is going to need to work on some more. The middle of the zone is not going to do Bratt any favours now that he is facing hitters who can identify the pitches more readily than those he faced in the minors. In the Majors, Bratt’s walk rate has exploded to over five. This, paired with a 1.34 HR/9 has resulted in some rough innings for the young lefty. Still, while pressed into service ahead of schedule, and facing some of the stiffest competition he could be asked to face, Bratt has acquitted himself nicely thus far, posting a 113 ERA+ across his first seven outings.
With upcoming potential roster crunch, it remains to be seen if Bratt, who profiles as a future #4/5 starter, will finish this season on the 26-man roster or not. Whether he does or not, he will almost certainly be on the shortlist for pitchers to fill out the rotation next season, as the rotation will feature at least the departures of Zac Gallen and Michael Soroka.
8. LuJames Groover – INF (BA 5, MLB 5, FG 8)
When Groover was first selected in the second round of the 2023 draft, he was considered one of the more polished hitters in the class. The questions regarding Groover mostly revolved around his ability to play the hot corner, a position he only moved to during his final season at NC State. Groover’s development was sidelined for a bit by a broken wrist suffered in one of his first professional games. While Groover got off to a bit of a slow start with the bat, his defense at third has improved dramatically and there is now a good chance he can stick at the hot corner. Over the last 18 months, Groover’s bat has taken off. Once he found his groove (no pun intended), Groover began to hit the ball with authority in the minors. Groover has a clean, direct bat path and little wasted movement in his swing. He has low swing and chase rates and rarely swings and misses. His lack of impact has long been a concern for evaluators; those concerns were exacerbated after he slugged only .434 with just 12 homers in 470 at-bats at hitter-friendly Amarillo. Some in the organization trust more power will come as he adds strength and experience; others believe he needs to make trade-offs to create more leverage, possibly at the expense of batting average. He has improved at third but still projects as fringe-average there.
An injury-induced cup of coffee in the Majors earlier this season showed that Groover needs to show he can hit for more power—and hit righthanded pitching better—in order to profile as an everyday player at either corner. But his hit tool gives him a good foundation and should earn him plenty of opportunities to improve moving forward. The current lack if in-game power is likely the reason that Groover does not land on most top-100 lists.
7. Jansel Luis – INF (BA 11, MLB 6, FG 2)
Given the way in which Mike Hazen has gone about stocking the organization from top to bottom, it will likely surprise no one to hear that Jansel Luis is an athletic, toolsy, switch-hitting infielder. Luis employs a simple swing from both sides of the plate and collects hits by virtue of his good hand-eye coordination. However, his propensity to swing at most anything he can reach does his overall production no favors. Not only does he feature a poor chase rate, he also swings at a high number of pitches in the zone, including some that aren’t in his best interest to attack. The overall result of this aggressive approach is it impacts his quality of contact, and his raw power might be a grade higher than what he exhibits in games as he simply does not barrel the ball as much as he probably should. After hitting .304 in High-A Hillsboro in 2025, he has come down to earth as he faces stiffer competition in Amarillo, where he has yet to be able to take advantage of the hyper-offensive conditions of the park and league. Luis still does not have a settled position defensively. He has the arm necessary to man third. He can and has played short and second. Some feel his best position may still b a move to the outfield. For now, it seems the Diamondbacks are more concerned about getting Luis’ bat going again, as he is getting plenty of looks at DH for now.
6. David Hagaman – RHP (BA 4, MLB 3, FG 10)
Hagaman has had loud stuff dating back at least to college, but he not only took it up a notch in 2025, he also paired it with a newfound ability to pump quality strikes, something the Arizona farm system can appreciate, given its many struggles in that area. His fastball averages roughly 94 mph with 18 inches of carry and comes at hitters from an elite level of extension of seven feet. His heater tops out in the 97-98 mph range, but evaluators say they wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually sits comfortably in the upper 90s as his arm strength and endurance increase. Hagaman’s curveball is a hard one, coming in at up to 86 mph, but he maintains consistent depth with it. His mid-80s changeup has late movement and looks a great deal like a hard sinker. He also throws a slider that flashes average. He attacks hitters and shows no fear of being in the zone. The 6-foot-4 righthander has a loose, stable delivery that allows him to get down the mound with ease. Hagaman did not throw more than five innings or 65 pitches in an outing in 2025, so he will need to show he can maintain both his caliber of stuff as well as the same quality and quantity of strikes over a full season. So far in 2026, it has been more of the same though. Only recently promoted to AA Amarillo, Hagaman dominated Hillsboro and will now need to start putting in the work necessary to get stretched out more as he is still a five and dive pitcher at this stage. Expect Hagaman to be assigned to Amarillo again next year, but to be on track for a mid-season promotion to Reno if he can get his arm stretched out enough before being placed on the doorstep to the Majors.
5. J.D. Dix – SS (BA 10, MLB 4, FG 1)
Dix was taken with the 35th pick in the 2024 draft and was subsequently convinced to forego his commitment to Wake Forest. Dix has the size, athleticism, hands, and footwork that can play anywhere on the dirt. Most evaluators feel he has plenty of arm and range to stick at shortstop long-term. However, given Arizona’s glut of infield prospects, Dix’s positional flexibility will only help him. Still not old enough to legally drink, Dix is just finally growing into his impressive 6’2” body. Dix filled out nicely over the course of the last year and it has resulted in Dix flying up the prospect rankings. Dix is a switch-hitter who swings more comfortably from the left side. Dix already demonstrates above average gap-to-gap power, leading many to see the potential for him to reach true plus gap-to-gap power as he finishes filling out and he continues to work with professional trainers and conditioning coaches. Dix is currently showing off all his tools in Hillsboro, where he has been playing second base. Diamondbacks fans are already familiar with having a slick-fielding, switch-hitting, power bat at second base. Should Dix not find a home at shortstop for some reason, he could continue that legacy. Enjoy a highlight from the eve of the last season’s trade deadline.
Helfrick was the surprise pick by Arizona with the 15th overall overall selection in the draft. Helfrick is a glove-first catcher out of James McCann’s alma mater, the University of Arkansas. Helfrick was a highly-regarded high school prospect in Northern California who elected to head to the competitive SEC rather than remain in California where there was also premium competition. After struggling as a freshman, he had a power-hitting breakout as a sophomore before then struggling with Team USA during that summer. He then made the necessary adjustments to hold his place on the squad as a junior, with a .283/.417/.562 line and slightly fewer strikeouts than the year before. Overt physicality, power, and steady catching defense (especially his framing) give Helfrick a floor of sorts as a quality back-up catcher who can control the running game. It is not uncommon for big league catchers to hit around .200 and little to be thought of it. That seems to be a likely outcome for Helfrick, who swings over the top of a lot of soft stuff in the bottom of the zone. However, with professional coaching and an opportunity to refine his craft full-time could result in Helfrick becoming a more dangerous sort of player. Helfrick possesses borderline light tower power which should allow him to crush quite a few high fastballs to his pull side and slug impressively, even though he will probably strike out 30% of the time in pro ball.
On defense, Helfrick’s size and strength help make him a quiet, subtle receiver around the edges of the zone, and he’s a skilled, mobile ball-blocker. He has an above-average arm that, unfortnately, currently plays down somewhat because his exchange mechanics take too long. This is a very coachable issue and should be easily remedied early in his professional development. Luke Stevenson went 35th overall in 2025 after striking out more often than Helfrick did as a sophomore, and Helfrick is a better defender, giving him extra padding for his potential floor.
3. Kayson Cunningham – SS (BA 3, MLB 2, FG 5)
Taken with Arizona’s first pick in last season’s draft, Kayson Cunningham represents yet another dynamic infielder with high upside and above average tools across the board save his arm, which is average. Cunningham had the distinction of being the starting shortstop for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team on a team stacked with impressive prep shortstop talent. A strong argument can be made that Cunningham was the best pure hitter to be found anywhere in his draft class, an early evaluation that seems to be holding up a year on. After tearing up Visalia for about half a season, Cunningham has taken his talents to Hillsboro, where he has settled in nicely. He likely finishes this season in A+ ball and will be an interesting decision for he next season’s roster assembly. He could repeat A+ for a bit to make sure he gets plenty f runway to finally take off. Or, if he continues to be essentially a league average hitter in A+ ball, he might get a bump up to AA Amarillo to see if his bat can be sparked awake by getting to face tougher competition. Thanks to a quick and efficient left-handed swing, Cunningham has explosive hands, quick enough to snatch fastballs at the top of the zone. Cunningham also exhibits great body control, allowing him to be adept at adjusting the posture of both his upper and lower body to move the barrel all over the place. Cunningham has very special feel for hitting and brings a surprising amount of power for his 5’10” size. Cunningham has all the tools necessary to remain at short, but his average arm profiles him better for second base (a problem to be sorted at a much later date). Cunningham also features very good speed, getting out of the box quickly and moving well in the field. While it is not currently a big part of his game, he profiles as a 20 steal threat.
2. Demetrio Crisantes – 2B (BA 1, MLB 1, FG 3)
At this point last season, I and a few others decided to aggressively rank Crisantes on the strength of his plate discipline and his batted ball numbers. All he has done since then is rake. He is now by and large considered Arizona’s top prospect. Crisantes is going to go as far as his bat will take him. He is an average fielder at second, but makes all the plays one would expect. He lacks any true standout tool in the field, but he does all the little things the right way, maximizing the results from his average fielding, arm, and speed. At the plate, Crisantes makes borderline elite contact on swings in the zone, which is a good thing as Crisantes loves to swing at strikes in the zone. Crisantes features a very simple, repeatable and direct swing that starts with a minor leg lift to as he begins his load. With a good understanding of the zone and an aggressive in-zone approach, Crisantes not only has an above average hit tool, but projected plus power. Injury derailed Crisantes’s development in 2025, limiting him to only 151 plate appearances. Returning from injury, Crisantes picked up right where he left off. Crisantes managed to remain above average at the plate after his promotion to AA Amarillo. His performance there incentivized the organization to promote him yet again, to AAA Reno. In Reno, Crisantes has finally hit his first major challenge. While his overall numbers are down since the promotion to Reno, there is still plenty to like. Crisantes has become more patient since his promotion. He isn’t getting the walks he used to, but he is also striking out far less. He has become better at offering at pitches inside the zone and has chased outside less frequently. With AAA being Crisantes’ third level of competition faced in 2026 alone, it is unsurprising that he finally found a level that will take a bit of an adjustment period. Assuming no team pries Crisantes away via trade, the Nogales, Arizona native will open his next campaign in AAA again. How long he remains in AAA will depend almost entirely on him. If he continues to refine his craft the way he has so far, he’ll be making things difficult for the decision makers by this time in the next full season.
1. Tommy Troy – OF/INF (BA NR, MLB NR, FG NR)
Listen, I get it. Most everyone has removed Tommy Troy from prospect rankings at this point. However, when crunching the numbers over the last few weeks, one thing jumped out at me. Tommy Troy does not yet have enough at-bats to lose his rookie eligibility – not yet. Given that Troy is only just now in Bridge Camp , getting himself ready for a rehabilitation stint in the minors, there is a very real possibility that the upcoming roster crunch results in Troy not seeing another Major League at-bat in the 2026 season. If that remains the case, then Tommy Troy will actually enter the next baseball season with his rookie eligibility intact. With that being the case, he’s still marginally a prospect in my book. With two more starts, Troy likely accrues enough at-bats to lose eligibility. However, with the roster crunch and his pre-injury struggles, I think, at this point, it is more likely than not that Tommy Troy heads back to Reno once he is deemed healthy enough to resume full baseball activity.
That said, Tommy Troy has passed the eye test and appears to be MLB-ready. Don’t let the 83 wRC+ fool you. Troy has looked comfortable at the plate and has kept the defense on their toes. Troy has wheels and he knows it. He uses that fact to draw defenses in with the threat of bunting to hit. But Troy also has decent pop in his bat – especially against fastballs, even elite ones. Troy’s reputation for being a fastball killer turns out to be well-earned. On the other hand, Troy is still struggling with elite spin on breaking pitches, especially hard sliders. It is an issue that MLB pitchers have exploited thus far. Then, just as it looked like Troy might be making the necessary adjustments, he fell injured – again.
Honorable mentions: Christian Mena, Yu-Min Lin, Dylan Ray, and Gavin Conticello
This list will no doubt change after the Arizona Fall League plays and Mike Hazen makes his offseason moves to restock the 26-man roster. I expect those moves and some graduations from and drops off to have this list looking very different come time for the March update.
TORONTO, ON - MAY 11: A general view of the outfield atmosphere is seen before an MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays on May 11, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Game four of four. Might as well make it a sweep, since it is just sitting there. Speaking of sitting there, I think I’m going to be doing that at a near by bar for today’s game. I feel like lunch out today.
Max, we could use a great start. Everyone else is giving us a great starts.
They still haven’t made a decision on starter Saturday. Could be Simeon Woods Richardson or Lazaro Estrada, or someone else. I would suggest doing some light throw, just in case it is you.
Spencer Arrighetti is to throw a bullpen tomorrow. I’d imagine a rehab start would follow.
Returning to Columbus after the summer break, Columbus Blue Jackets star defenseman Zach Werenski said he'd "ideally" like to stay with the team long term.
This follows a complicated offseason in which his future with the Blue Jackets seemed in jeopardy.
Meeting with the media on Aug. 13, Werenski addressed this summer's trade rumors, which speculated his exit from the team with which he has spent his entire decade-long NHL career.
"[It's] not something I don't think either myself or Don [Waddell] kind of intended on it to get to," Werenski said. "I think my statement is exactly how I feel. I want to win and I want to win here in Columbus. That's all I'm focused on, and that hasn't changed since the end of last season."
"I really don't want to, I guess, talk about another team and situation," Werenski said. "To me, [Columbus] is where I always wanted to be. ... I kind of heard about it, and then it was just like, 'I'm playing in Columbus next year.' That was my thought on it."
Werenski continued: "So, I really didn't give it too much of a thought. I honestly went to bed and woke up to that article ... like, I don't know. I didn't really have too much thought on it. I kind of was trying to figure out what was going on. But yeah, it got crazy for sure."
After the trade speculation, Waddell and Werenski met, with Werenski's agent Judd Moldaver joining them. Waddell and Werenski both released statements after. Werenski's July statement reflected his remarks in August; he emphasized his desire to "win now" and to win in Columbus.
Said Werenski: "I think everyone knows how much I love this city and how much it means to me, and I would have no issues being here for an even longer time. I want to see us in the playoffs, and I want to see us make progress, and I feel like we've done that. ... I think winning solves everything, and that's where we have to get as a club, and we have to raise our standards and expectations."
Waddell's July statement confirmed he had met with Werenski about his future with the team, as well as exploring opportunities to trade him out of Columbus. Although he didn't reference Dallas, Waddell said he spoke to Werenski about a trade that worked for the Blue Jackets, and Werenski informed Waddell he wanted to stay.
"Me and Don [Waddell] have had great conversations about everything," Werenski said. "I do have two years left on my deal, and I don't know what's going to happen. All I know is that I'm going to be the best player I can be this season for this team. But at the end of the day, there was a business side of it. ... If you were to ask [Waddell], and I don't know this, but ideally, I'm here for the long term, and it's on a winning team."
The rumors were just one aspect of a packed summer for Werenski, who became a new father with the birth of his son in May. Through it all, Werenski said he kept in constant communication with his teammates via FaceTime to let them know he intended to remain with the team.
"After the statement came out, I got a lot of texts from the guys, just fired up that I'll be back," he added.
Werenski said he liked the moves that Waddell had made toward winning next season. He also acknowledged the vacancy of a captain after Jenner's exit.
"It'd be an honor. I've obviously been there for 10 years. ... I was fortunate enough to learn from guys like [Nick Foligno] and Booner, guys that have worn it before. ... I definitely feel like I'm capable of it, but we'll see," Werenski said.
Werenski's contract expires after the end of the 2027-28 season. Per NHL rules, he cannot sign an extension until July 1, 2027. Reiterating his desire to stay in Columbus, Werenski told the media he would not answer any questions about his career plans.
For now, Werenski is headed back to his home state of Michigan, where he will stay until the first week of September. The Blue Jackets' first preseason game is on Sept. 21.
Maher became the inaugural radio voice of the Calgary Flames in 1980 and went on to call 33 consecutive seasons and 2,954 games behind the microphone, becoming synonymous with Flames hockey for generations of fans.
His career included some of the most memorable moments in franchise history, including the Flames’ 1989 Stanley Cup championship and the unforgettable 2004 Stanley Cup run.
Maher’s contributions to hockey broadcasting were recognized on the national stage in 2006 when Maher received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster. He was subsequently honoured by the Hockey Hall of Fame.
