Fresh off being named International League Pitcher of the Month for his incredible July, Mets top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat kept things going by starting his August with another terrific performance.
Facing the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate for the Chicago White Sox, Sproat began his outing by filling up the strike zone and pitching a quick 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. He went back out for the second inning and kept pumping strikes while getting around a two-out double.
Sproat needed just nine pitches (all strikes) to get through the third inning. In fact, in the first three innings he threw just five balls.
The right-hander's command got away from him a little bit as he walked his first batter of the game on four pitches leading off the fourth. He got to three-ball counts on his next two hitters, but retired them both on groundouts before ending the frame with another ball on the ground.
In the bottom half of the inning, Syracuse's offense erupted for six runs while batting around. The Mets began the inning with eight straight hitters reaching base, including seven consecutive hits against reliever Chase Plymell.
Having spent so much time in the dugout during the big inning, Sproat looked a little off in the fifth and was dinged for three runs after a walk, wild pitch, double and two-run homer.
The 24-year-old righted the ship the following inning and only needed 11 pitches in a clean sixth that ended his night.
Overall, Sproat went six innings and allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four on 84 pitches (53 strikes).
After clearing 100 innings (he now sits at 101 IP), Sproat's season ERA rose a tick from 4.07 to 4.10, but it was still another impressive start for the Mets' No. 5 prospect, per SNY's Joe DeMayo, as he continues to try and earn a big league promotion this season from his club.
Although it was a tough pill to swallow for fans of the Detroit Red Wings, it was the Atlantic Division rival Ottawa Senators who returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season, thanks to a late-season surge that included two crucial victories over Detroit.
Ottawa complied a record of 45-30-7 for a total of 97 points, 11 more points in the standings than Detroit's 86.
Adding insult to injury was the fact that former Red Wings forward David Perron, who played such an important leadership role in the Detroit dressing room, scored in both games for his new team.
David Perron is up to seven goals since March 1st. đł
While the Senators would ultimately fall short in the opening round of the postseason against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they did manage to make life uncomfortable for them and appear poised to take another step in their rebuilding process this season.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings missed out on claiming a postseason spot for the ninth consecutive season thanks in large part to yet another prolonged losing streak in the month of March.
If the Red Wings are to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, they'll need to improve their fortunes against the Senators, who have had their number over the last few campaigns.
Ottawa has been on a remarkable run of success against the Red Wings in their last 10 matchups, winning eight of them.
Additionally, the core of Ottawa is just getting started. They have a solid foundation led by forwards Brady Tkachuk and Tim StĂźtzle, while their top-six is rounded out by Dylan Cozens (who was linked to the Red Wings in the weeks leading up to last season's NHL Trade Deadline) and Drake Batherson.
Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot anchor the Ottawa defense, while Linus Ullmark holds down the fort in the crease.
With veterans Perron and Claude Giroux returning for next season, the Senators appear poised to not only build off their success last season but to take another step toward once again becoming a major problem in the Eastern Conference for their opposition.
The Red Wings won't face the Senators until after the calendar has changed to 2026, a matchup on January 5 in Ottawa. This will be followed by matchups on January 18 at Little Caesars Arena, February 26 in Ottawa, and Mach 24 back in Detroit.
All four games will have a valuable two points up for grabs in the standings, points that the Red Wings will need to accumulate to help increase their chances of ending their playoff drought.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko completed a dream run to the National Bank Open title Thursday night, overcoming a slow start to beat Japanese star Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.
The 18-year-old Mboko â ranked 85th in the world â won her first WTA Tour title and joined Faye Urban in 1969 and Bianca Andreescu in 2019 as the only Canadians to win the home event in the open era.
PITTSBURGH â KeâBryan Hayes said he thought he might be in Pittsburgh to stay before the Pirates traded him July 30 to NL Central rival Cincinnati.
He returned to Pittsburgh on Thursday for the first time since he was dealt, with the Pirates opening a four-game series against the Reds.
Hayesâ future with the Pirates looked secure after he signed a $70 million, eight-year contract in 2022.
âThe reason I signed the contract here in Pittsburgh, I wanted to be here and maybe play here my whole career,â Hayes said. âBut baseballâs a business at the end of the day.â
The Pirates played a video tribute to Hayes when he came to bat in the third inning. As the crowd cheered, with many fans standing, Hayes doffed his batting helmet.
The Gold Glove third baseman went from an organization that was well outside the playoffs race to a Reds team competing for a wild-card spot. Pittsburgh was 49-66 heading into Thursdayâs game and last in the division; Cincinnati was 60-55 and three games out of a playoff spot.
âItâs been great over here,â Hayes said. âTheyâve welcomed me with big arms. Weâre in playoff contention.â
Hayes, the son of former major leaguer Charlie Hayes and a first-round draft pick by the Pirates in 2015, struggled to find consistency at the plate following his splashy debut during the final month of the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020. He hit .376 with five homers in 24 games immediately after being called up, numbers that he didnât come close to matching while playing a full 162-game schedule.
Hayes hit .236 with two home runs and 36 RBIs this season for the Pirates. Through six games with the Reds, he was batting .211 with a homer and three RBIs.
The Buffalo Sabres have little room for error next season as they attempt to end a 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought -- and that means they need to beat above-average teams. That includes the Dallas Stars, who the Sabres will take on twice this coming year.
The Stars are one of the deepest, most well-balanced teams in the NHL, and while they haven't made a slew of changes after falling in the Western Conference final once again, Dallas is going to be a handful for any opponent, including the Sabres. And as part of THN.com's "Know Your Enemy" series, we're looking at every Buffalo opponent next year. We've been moving through the highly-competitive Central Division, and in today's file, we're breaking down Buffalo's chances against the Stars. Let's get to it:
BUFFALO SABRES VS. DALLAS STARS
NEW STARS PLAYERS: Radek Faksa, C
2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, Stars 1-1-0
2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: December 31 at Dallas; April 15 at Buffalo
CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? The Sabres and Stars faced off twice last season, with both games coming by the end of the calendar year 2024. The teams split the series, with Buffalo winning the first game by a 4-2 score, then Dallas winning the second game by the same score. But with the Sabres' struggles, there was no sense these two teams were as good as each franchise was when the Sabres and Stars squared off in the 1998-1999 Stanley Cup final.
Indeed, the Stars have been one of the top franchises in the league in recent years, even if they haven't been able to get back to the Cup final since they won it in '98-99. And of course, the Sabres have been one of the worst organizations in the league for nearly a decade-and-a-half.
This season, though, presents a fresh start opportunity for Buffalo. And unlike last season, when the teams were done with each other early on, the Sabres and Stars won't have their first game until New Year's Eve in Texas. Then, their second showdown comes in mid-April, in the Sabres' final regular-season game of the year.
That could mean a couple of things: first, the Stars and Sabres may be significantly different between that first game and the second tilt. If both teams have positive results during the season, that second game could spell the difference between Buffalo making and missing the playoffs. And it could also mean the difference between the Stars securing home-ice advantage and finishing third or fourth in the Central.
If we're being honest, we have to say we see the Stars as the superior team next year. Dallas' balance of young stars still approaching their prime and veterans intent on a deep playoff run makes the Stars one of the most dangerous squads in the league. But Dallas is exactly the type of team Buffalo needs to conquer if the Sabres are going to rise out of the bottom of the Atlantic Division and carve out a post-season berth for themselves.
The Sabres have to prove to skeptics they're ready to take the next competitive step before anyone actually believes they're capable of doing so. That may sound cynical, but talk to any of Buffalo's long-suffering fans, and you'll see exactly why Sabres fans are so cynical.
We're not here to tell you the Stars will walk all over the Sabres next season. Hope springs eternal, and there is a world in which Buffalo grows into an elite team.
But the Sabres have two chances to send a message to the Stars. And if they don't take advantage of those opportunities and they wind up missing out on a playoff berth by one or two standings points, their play against Dallas could prove to be a difference-making factor in their season -- and they could be looking at another year lost.
Ottawa Senators fans love Brady Tkachuk, but his long-term contract is probably rolling along a little too quickly for their liking.
Tkachuk is entering year five of a seven-year deal that pays him $8.2 million per season. When examining the Senatorsâ current Stanley Cup window of opportunity, some observers tend to track it right alongside Tkachukâs contract, because of the chance he may decide to follow in his brother's footsteps.
Three years ago, his older brother Matthew forced Calgary to trade him after he let the Flames know he wasn't planning to re-sign there.
So this past season, not surprisingly, the Brady rumours started. The New York Post reported in December that the Rangers had made Brady one of their primary trade targets.
The Senators vehemently denied it, and when owner Michael Andlauer arrived at the NHLâs Board of Governorsâ meeting in Florida, he described it as soft tampering. Andlauer also said that Brady and his wife Emma had just had a child and didnât need something like this in their lives.
The Rangers denied the soft tampering and described the accusation as irresponsible.
And so it began.
It only stands to reason, with Tkachuk being such an impactful player, that this kind of dialogue will continue to float out there over the next three years. But in an interview this week with ESPN and Greg Wyshynski, Bradyâs father, Keith, had some thoughts on the matter that Sens fans will surely applaud.
When Wyshynski asked about those rumblings out of New York last season and people who think Brady might want out, Keith suggested that Brady's situation is different than Matthew's.
âI wouldnât believe everything you hear," Tkachuk told ESPN.com. "I think after what happened with Matthew in Calgary, everyone just assumes thatâs going to happen with Brady [in Ottawa].
"But Brady loves it there. Brady has really cemented himself in the community. Theyâre a team on the rise. They got a great bunch of young players. Theyâre core players. The fans and the city itself treat him so well. He wants to be a big part of that moving forward.
"So I donât think heâs going anywhere.â
Thatâs not exactly having Bradyâs signature on the dotted line of an extension, nor is it something theyâre even allowed to do for two more years, but it is some extremely encouraging insight from the head of the Tkachuk family.
After all, considering the past exits of Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, and Jason Spezza, local hockey fans would like nothing better than to finally see a beloved captain go wire to wire as an Ottawa Senator.
Five years ago today, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Minnesota Wild 5â4 in overtime to officially clinch their spot in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This marked the first time since 2015 that the team had made the postseason. Prior to their series-clinching victory, Vancouver lost Game 1 by a 3â0 score, but later took Games 2 and 3 to push the Wild to the brink of elimination.
One of the most memorable moments from this playoff run actually came before the match itself. In a video posted to the Canucksâ social channels, forward J.T. Miller was seen reading the nightâs starting lineup, injecting energy into every name. The room was very clearly fired up after his lineup read, with this setting the tone for a back-and-forth game that would eventually end in Vancouverâs favour.
Game 4 started off negatively for the Canucks, as the Wild scored a power play goal less than three minutes into the first period. The lead was quickly erased by a tally from Tanner Pearson a little over halfway through the frame, though Eric Staal gave Minnesota the lead again less than a minute later. The score at the end of the first period was 2â1 for Minnesota, with both teams taking a combined five penalties throughout the frame.
Offence flew during the second period. Joel Eriksson Ek brought the lead up to 3â1 for the Wild five minutes in, but Brandon Sutter cut this back to 3â2 two minutes after. Quinn Hughes scored his first career NHL playoff goal, evening the score up 3â3 on the power play. While it looked as though the teams would be leaving the second period tied at three goals each, Nico Sturm found the back of the net with less than a minute to go to give Minnesota the lead once more.
While Vancouver still had the series lead, a loss in Game 4 would send the series to a sudden-death Game 5. Trailing by only a goal, the Canucks stormed into the third period and got their equalizer from none other than Bo Horvat. The former captain would later score eight more goals in the postseason to grab the league lead for at least a series after Vancouverâs elimination.
Overtime was on the horizon for the Canucks. Many expected a long sequence of extra periods. However, it only took 11 seconds, and an unlikely hero, for Vancouver to take the final lead and officially punch their ticket to the playoffs. A shot from the blueline taken by grizzled veteran Chris Tanev flew past Minnesota goaltender Alex Stalock, ending overtime and sending the entire Canucks team off the bench and onto the ice in celebration. Even the occasionally stoic head coach Travis Green was seen raising his arms in excitement.
With the win, the Canucks moved on to the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, matching up against the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues. While this proved to be a daunting task, their efforts in this series were driven by a healthy locker room culture and a persistent drive against adversity.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
The Hockey Newsâ summer splash series continues as we go team-by-team and evaluate the off-seasons of every NHL franchise. In these exclusive rankings, weâve debated and discussed each teamâs additions, departures, hirings and firings.
And in the final rankings, weâve slotted in each of the leagueâs 32 teams into one of three categories â teams that have improved this summer, teams that have regressed, and teams that essentially stayed the same.
Weâre heading into the home stretch of these rankings, but weâre still in a tier where the teams weâre currently focused on have more or less stayed the same. That will change soon enough, as we eventually move into discussing teams that have improved the most. But right now, weâre at position No. 11 â the Detroit Red Wings. Letâs look at how the Red Wingsâ off-season has unfolded, and where they project to be headed next season:
Additions
John Gibson (G), Mason Appleton (RW), James van Riemsdyk (LW), Jacob Bernard-Docker (D)
The Breakdown: Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman came into the off-season with a boatload of salary cap space, but even after adding the above four veterans, the Wings still have approximately $12-million in cap space. In a sense, itâs like Yzerman couldnât convince any player of consequence to come to the Motor City, and while salary cap flexibility is always a good thing, Detroitâs lineup as currently constituted doesnât match up with the Red Wingsâ Atlantic Division rivals.
Now, the reason why Detroit is relatively high in our summer splash rankings is that their biggest move was the trade acquisition of former Anaheim Ducks star goalie John Gibson, who has been in trade rumors for years before Anaheim shipped him to the Red Wings. Gibsonâs arrival turns what had been a weakness into a strength, as Gibson and fellow veteran Cam Talbot are a promising goalie tandem.
Otherwise, while former Winnipeg Jets winger Mason Appleton isnât a terrible player, heâs not a needle-mover, either. And greybeard winger James van Riemsdyk and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker are strictly depth acquisitions. The big prize for Yzerman was Gibson, who now comes into Detroit knowing full well the pressure is on him to prove the Wings were smart to acquire him.
Departures
Vladimir Tarasenko (RW), Alex Lyon (G), Jeff Petry (D), Craig Smith (C), Tyler Motte (C)
The Breakdown: The Red Wingsâ most high-profile departure is Vladimir Tarasenko, who was dealt to the Minnesota Wild after one year in Detroit, where he produced only 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games. The 33-year-oldâs 2025-26 salary of $4.75 million was a price Yzerman no longer wished to pay, and the addition of Appleton essentially replaces Tarasenko on Detroitâs third line.
Otherwise, the name-brand departures for the Wings are goalie Alex Lyon, who signed with the Buffalo Sabres, and veteran D-man Jeff Petry, who signed with the Florida Panthers. But to say the Red Wings will miss any of the players whoâve left them this summer is an overstatement.
Indeed, this Wings team wasnât nearly good enough to be a Stanley Cup playoff team last year, so roster turnover was going to be unavoidable. But the changes Yzerman has made outside of his goalie tandem are only going to make the Red Wings slightly better.
The Bottom Line
Letâs be clear â the Red Wings are where they are in our summer splash rankings primarily because of the Gibson move. Goaltending had been an issue in Detroit for a long time, and Yzerman finally found the big fish in net that he and Wings fans have been aching for.
However, when you look at the big picture in the Atlantic, the Red Wings are still going to face a hellacious battle just to land a wild card playoff berth, let alone contend for a top-three spot in the division. Yzerman didnât do much to address his teamâs defense corps, and at forward, Yzerman is still banking on a group of young players rising and justifying Yzermanâs belief in them.
The Wings are still in the mid-tier of our summer splash ranks because, even with Gibson in town, theyâre not quite a top-10 team in terms of summer improvements. Yes, theyâre technically better, and thatâs why theyâre not 15th or 20th in these ratings. But looking at Detroit as a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference is a major-league stretch.
By season's end, it would surprise no one if the Red Wings were on the outside of the playoff picture looking in for the 10th consecutive season. Gibson will have to steal a lot of games just to keep them fighting for a playoff spot, and of course, thatâs not guaranteed. And if the Wings falter yet again, Yzermanâs job security will be in jeopardy.
The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterkaâs production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks.
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha, after a pair of 21-goal campaigns and signing a four-year contract extension, dipped last year to 14 goals. The 28-year-old was a sixth-overall pick of the Devils in 2015 and played his first six seasons in New Jersey and two years under Lindy Ruff before being dealt to Beantown for Erik Haula in 2022.
Part of Zachaâs success in Boston has been playing on a line with countryman David Pastrnak, but the Bruins appear to be undergoing a transition after dealing veterans like Brandon Carlo, Brad Marchand, and Charlie Coyle at last yearâs deadline. Although GM Don Sweeney has made efforts to remain competitive with the signings of Tanner Jeannot, re-signing former Sabre Henri Jokiharju, and trading for Viktor Arvidsson, many believe that the glory days in Boston are over with and the reset may continue with moving players like Zacha out.
The Bruins are weak up the middle after the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, along with the underwhelming performance of Elias Lindholm, which is one of the reasons why they have played Zacha up the middle. If Boston falls out of playoff competition early, Sweeney will probably try to continue the reset. They would likely want a young center like Konsta Helenius in a Zacha deal, but the Sabres probably would balk at that and instead prefer to give up Noah Ostlund.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
NHL training camps begin in a little over a month, and while teams and players are gearing up, important business still needs to be handled by several teams.
Many of the teams with business left to deal with are clubs with RFAs without contracts. In the past, we've seen RFAs sign contracts just before training camp, during training camp and even on the eve of opening night. In other cases, like the infamous William Nylander and Toronto Maple Leafs holdout, we've seen players wait until the season has begun to sign a contract.
No team wants this to happen, and players especially don't want it to happen, but at the end of the day, the NHL is a business, and the players and organization will do what they believe is best.
There are a plethora of RFAs at the moment without a contract, and recently, news on many of these players' extensions is radio silent.
Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils
Luke Hughes feels like the least likely of any of the remaining RFAs to get traded, yet no deal between the club and player has formulated. Jack Hughes signed his eight-year, $8 million contract well before his entry-level contract ended, and although the situation is different for his brother, it's quite surprising that he signed.
It's quite odd that the Ducks are willing to part ways with Mason McTavish, who is just 22 years old with 229 games of NHL experience under his belt. The former third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft scored a career-high 22 goals and 52 points in 79 games this season, continuing to round out his game on the defensive side of the puck.
McTavish slots in perfectly in their top six, complementing Leo Carlsson, the Ducks' other young center. Cutter Gauthier looks to have transitioned into a winger in the NHL, and their top prospect, Beckett Sennecke, is also a winger. Outside of Roger McQueen, viewed as a project, there are no other young Ducks center's who play at the level McTavish does.
Like McTavish, Marco Rossi's name repeatedly percolating in trade rumors is shocking. The 23-year-old scored 24 goals and 60 points this season, showcasing strong chemistry with Kirill Kaprizov and Matty Boldy when paired. Although he's a bit undersized, Rossi is a smart two-way player who could be sheltered against physical matchups with Joel Eriksson-Ek playing up the middle for the Wild as well.
Outside of these three big names, Luke Evangelista, Ryker Evans and Connor Zary remain without contracts, all of whom have been steady contributors to their teams.
Evangelista looks to be a solid middle-six forward with a career-high of 16 goals and 39 points. Evans took a noticeable jump in his first full season with the Seattle Kraken, but after signing Ryan Lindgren to a four-year contract, his role in the top four looks non-existent. Zary is an immensely skilled winger whose season was shortened by a pair of major injuries. The 23-year-old possesses silky hands and could become a 20-goal and 50-60-point scorer in the NHL if he can stay healthy.
Thereâs been quite a bit of turnover at the top, to say the least.
With that said, hereâs a look at the ballclubâs current top 10 prospects, courtesy of MLB Pipeline:
1. Franklin Arias, SS/2B
2025 stats: .346/.407/.397, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 6 BB, 12 SO (19 games at Single-A Salem); .269/.316/.394, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 18 BB, 26 SO (67 games at High-A Greenville)
MLB ETA: 2027
The 19-year-old infielder, who ranked No. 76 in Baseball Americaâs top 100 before the 2025 campaign, was elevated from Single-A Salem to High-A Greenville in late April. Arias recorded a .804 OPS in 78 at-bats against Single-A competition before the promotion. Â
2025 stats: .256/.355/.393, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 18 BB, 29 SO (33 games at Double-A Portland); .305/.375/.587, 15 HR, 44 RBI, 22 BB, 65 SO (54 games at Triple-A Worcester).Â
MLB ETA: 2026
Garcia, also known as âThe Password,â has upped his character count since he arrived in Triple-A Worcester on May 20. The 22-year-old outfielder looks like the clubâs next big bat, and represents a potential late-season call-up.
â Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) August 4, 2025
3. Payton Tolle, LHP
2025 stats:Â 1-3, 3.62 ERA, 1.168 WHIP, 14 BB, 79 SO (11 games, 10 starts at High-A Greenville); 1-1, 2.67 ERA, 0.741 WHIP, 7 BB, 37 SO (6 games, 5 starts at Double-A Portland)
MLB ETA: 2026
Tolleâs rapid ascension continued with his promotion to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday. The 22-year-old left-hander is widely considered the top pitching prospect in the organization, and arguably the top prospect in the entire farm system. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been impressed by his rise.
2025 stats: 0-2, 4.85 ERA, 0.414 WHIP, 2 BB, 17 SO (3 games at Single-A Salem); 4.85 ERA, 1.346 WHIP, 22 BB, 40 SO (10 games at High-A Greenville)
MLB ETA: 2028
The hard-throwing left-hander is creating early excitement after he was viewed as one of the top JUCO prospects in the 2024 MLB Draft. Clarke was not listed among the teamâs top-10 rankings in late June. MLB Pipeline had him ranked 30th in late April.
5. Connelly Early, LHP
2025 stats:Â 7-2, 2.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 29 BB, 96 SO (15 games, 12 starts at Double-A Portland); 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 5 BB, 2 SO (1 game at Triple-A Worcester)
MLB ETA: 2026
Promoted to Triple-A Worcester in early August, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow name-dropped Early as a potential late-season elevation. Early, the teamâs No. 10 prospect in late June, carved up Portland during a three-month period before he made the jump to Worcester.
2025 stats: 0.00/0.00/0.00, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 2 SO (1 game with FCL Red Sox); .285/.375/.402, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 30 BB, 43 SO (65 games with Single-A Salem);
MLB ETA: 2029
The 18-year-old, who recently earned the organizationâs Latin Program Player of the Year award, possesses raw power as a product of 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame. Heâs making his first appearance in the top 10 after a strong stretch in Single-A Salem.
7. Mikey Romero, SS/2B
2025 stats:Â .254/.315/.440, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 23 BB, 74 SO (66 games at Double-A Portland); .200/.200/.500, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0 BB, 5 SO (5 games at Triple-A Worcester)
MLB ETA: 2026
A first-round pick in 2022, Romero is looking healthy again. He was granted a well-earned call-up in early August and proceeded to hit a pair of home runs and record six RBIs in a single game for Triple-A Worcester.
Mikey Romero launched his first 2 Triple-A homers in one game on Sunday! đĽđĽ pic.twitter.com/kkRrdQWVkB
â Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) August 4, 2025
8. Luis Perales, RHP
2025 stats:Â N/A
MLB ETA: 2027
The 22-year-old has dropped down the rankings a bit with the emergence of other healthy hurlers. Perales, who had Tommy John surgery in June, will miss the entire 2025 campaign.
9. Yoeilin Cespedes, SS/2B
2025 stats: .228/.363/..642, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 25 BB, 77 SOÂ (84 games at Single-A Salem)
MLB ETA: 2028
The 19-year-old Cespedes is one of the few prospects on this list who has spent the season in one place. His numbers are down across the board since starting the season in Single-A Salem.
â Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) July 21, 2025
10. Dorian Soto, SS
2025 stats:Â .319/.366/.457, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 12 BB, 22 SO (38 games DSL Red Sox Red)
MLB ETA: 2030
The 17-year-old is a switch-hitting infielder whoâs played second base, shortstop and third base during his campaign in the Dominican Summer League. Heâs tearing it up at the plate since arriving in early June, too.
The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the best deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organizationâs developmental model has not yielded enough results.
Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals and have played less than 40 NHL games.
The Sabres continued their practice of selecting players with longer development windows, since they do not have to sign them within two years, as they do under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement with players selected out of the CHL. In the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Buffalo selected center Auston Schultz.
The Victoria, MN native is a product of the vaunted Minnesota high school system and played 11 games in the USHL in 2023-24 before playing a full season for the Chicago Steel, where he scored 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games. The 18-year-old is slated to play at the University of North Dakota this fall. The 5â11â, 181 lb. center is described by Elite Prospects as âan intelligent two-way center with impressive details. Skill comes and goes, but he could fill a bottom-six role with added intensity and playmaking.â
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade are going to walk in with him â they were announced as his presenters for the Hall of Fame.
Filled with gratitude. My journey was different, but finding the balance through all the ups and downs made this moment possible. And if you stay true to who you are then the journey is always worth it. Thank you @Hoophall for recognizing 32 years. #STAYME7Opic.twitter.com/Xkrom37rD8
Each year, those about to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame are asked to pick previously inducted members to be their presenters. This year, for the ceremony on Sept. 6 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Anthony selected Iverson, one of his teammates from Denver, as well as one of his best friends in the league in Wade.
NBA Top 75 All-Time Player, Class of 2025 Naismith Hall of Famer, 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, and now NBC Sports Analyst.
