GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 7: Slade Cecconi #44 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres at Goodyear Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Guardians’ pitching staff turned in quite a performance yesterday, throwing a shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out 16, and winning 1-0.
It was, admittedly, the B-team for Milwaukee as far as hitting goes, but it was still good to have Slade Cecconi be sharp for four innings, allowing two hits and one walk and striking out six, Cade Smith be dominant again striking out two, Erik Sabrowski striking out the side, and Connor Brogdon and Codi Heur striking out two, and Will Dion finishing with a scoreless ninth as well, striking out one batter.
Chase DeLauter had a walk and scored a run, Kyle Manzardo singled him home, Rhys Hoskins and Gabriel Arias had singles and Angel Martinez hit a double… that’s about all the offense did.
For those worried about Kahl Stephen, he spoke to the media yesterday, so seems like he’s ok:
"There's a reputation of pitching here"#Guardians RHP Khal Stephen on finding out he was getting traded for Shane Bieber and his excitement to be in a pitching development system like Cleveland's#GuardsBall@WEWSpic.twitter.com/QnDxGWjQkw
For those worried about Jace LaViolette, assistant GM James Harris spoke highly of him to the media, mentioning his blazing speed:
"Last I checked, he was the second fastest person on campus, behind Fairchild"#Guardians assistant GM James Harris has been impressed with 2025 1st Round pick Jace LaViolette#GuardsBall@WEWSpic.twitter.com/Ts6TywJ70N
The panic levels are rising in a hurry for the Toronto Raptors after three straight losses, but they’re favorites to right the ship tonight against the Phoenix Suns.
Though some erratic offensive outings have plunged Toronto into play-in uncertainty, my Suns vs. Raptors predictions expect a response from RJ Barrett & Co. here, even with Phoenix chasing a playoff spot of its own.
Read on for my free NBA picks for Friday, March 13.
Suns vs Raptors prediction
Suns vs Raptors best bet: RJ Barrett Over 20.5 points (-105)
While Scottie Barnes is dealing with an illness and Brandon Ingram has had some tired outings this month, Barrett is soaring with 23.4 PPG on 60% shooting in March.
He’s scored 20+ points in five of his last six games, and there are positive signs with his 3-pointers after going 17-for-42 in his past eight contests.
Ingram draws so much attention that Barrett likely won’t see the Phoenix Suns’ best defenders tonight. He’s the key to Toronto getting back in the win column.
Suns vs Raptors same-game parlay
A big night from Barrett can be the catalyst for a Raptors win, and the hosts are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Suns.
Phoenix is on the second night of a back-to-back set, and the visitors are 4-9 SU this year with a rest disadvantage.
Jakob Poeltl still doesn’t look fully healthy, but he remains a difference-maker defensively. He’s had at least one block in six straight contests, and I’m picking him to extend that streak here.
Suns vs Raptors SGP
RJ Barrett Over 20.5 points
Raptors moneyline
Jakob Poeltl Over 0.5 blocks
Our "from downtown" SGP: Book It
With Dillon Brooks still out, Phoenix needs the very best of Devin Booker — and he’s coming off a 43-point explosion in Indiana last night.
Look for another complete stat line tonight from Book, who’s dished 22 dimes across his past three games.
Suns vs Raptors SGP
Devin Booker Over 26.5 points
Devin Booker Over 5.5 assists
Devin Booker Over 3.5 rebounds
Devin Booker Over 0.5 steals
Suns vs Raptors odds
Spread: Suns +4.5 | Raptors -4.5
Moneyline: Suns +155 | Raptors -185
Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5
Suns vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Suns are 5-13 SU this season as road underdogs. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Raptors.
How to watch Suns vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Friday, March 13, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, KTVK
Suns vs Raptors latest injuries
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NORTH PORT, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Didier Fuentes #72 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at CoolToday Park on February 20, 2026 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spring Training is now in full swing and the Atlanta Braves have already made several moves to shape up what their opening day lineup is going to be.
One area that is not certain is who will shape up the back end of the rotation to start the year. Didier Fuentes is one of the arms in contention for a rotation spot, although the odds may not lead that way. Fuentes has only pitched 2.0 innings thus far this spring but will get the nod to start against the Yankees today in Northport.
In his two innings he did not give up a walk or hit. He did have a hit batsman but struck out four. Today he will face the Yankees with aspirations of proving he has what it takes to get some MLB playing time this season. He has never faced any of the players on the Yankees roster at the big league level, so it will be fun to see how he handles them.
Offseason acquisition Ryan Weathers will be pitching for the Yankees and has struggled to a 7.94 ERA in his limited sample of 5.2 innings this spring.
Today, the Braves are going with a lineup that is mix of everyday starters, potential platoon bats, and players fighting for the final spots. Ozzie Albies also rejoins the lineup after his time in the WBC.
It is safe to say that this lineup will not be the opening day lineup, but there is a legitimate chance that Kyle Farmer will make the roster to face lefties like he is today.
The Yankees are bringing a lineup similar to the Braves with some starters, but also some players that likely won’t make the Opening Day squad.
Odds are this game is not going to decide a rotation spot on its own for Fuentes, but he is one to keep an eye on along with Farmer who looks to possibly win a roster spot as a platoon bat against LHP.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 12: Harrison Barnes #40 of the San Antonio Spurs shots over Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Frost Bank Center on March 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For three quarters, the Victor Wembanyama-less San Antonio Spurs looked perfect. They were playing physically, getting out into the passing lanes, forcing the Denver Nuggets to take tough shots, and getting to the basket at will. But three-quarters of stellar basketball isn’t enough to take down Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. It takes a sustained 48 minutes of near-perfect basketball to beat an NBA Title contender without your best player.
The turning point seemed to come late in the third quarter, when Jokic was called for an illegal screen on Stephon Castle. A furious David Adelman challenged the call and was given a technical foul. After that, the Nuggets started to get more calls, and the Spurs’ physical advantage disappeared. Denver was able to get into the paint without Wembanyama there to stop them, and the tides turned quickly.
San Antonio didn’t do itself any favors in the fourth quarter. Some of the bad habits that led to blown leads earlier in the season were back with a vengeance on Thursday night. They turned the ball over, allowed the Nuggets to get out and run, and lost the battle in the paint. The game flipped on its head and was over in a flash.
There shouldn’t be a doomsday parade about the loss. Denver is a tough team, and the Spurs were a few bad bounces away from stealing this one without Wembanyama. It is, however, a reminder of what is ahead of them. In the playoffs, teams won’t roll over and die. It’ll take 48 minutes of sustained, near-perfect play to survive and advance.
Takeaways:
Castle is developing into a star in front of our eyes. He had his third triple-double of the season, and his second with 30 points. Castle bullied the Nuggets for 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Most importantly, he shot 4-8 from three. While he’s only shooting 31.2% from deep this season, he is hitting 40.5% of his three-pointers after the All-Star break. Maybe it’s a hot streak, or maybe it’s a sign of legitimate improvement. Either way, when Castle is a threat to hit catch and shoot threes, the Spurs offense looks a lot better.
Harrison Barnes looked great in his return from injury. The veteran had 20 points off the bench on 6-10 shooting from the field. His jump shot looked great, and he gave San Antonio another steady wing who could create some opportunities off the dribble if needed. He’s a key player to get going heading into the playoffs. Thursday was a start in the right direction.
Carter Bryant continues to impress. He had 10 points in just 9 minutes against Denver. He still looks a bit awkward out there at times, particularly when he is forced to put the ball on the deck and drive to the basket, but he is finishing at the rim better than he has all season and is knocking down three-pointers. Bryant is knocking down 37.8% of his threes after the ASB.
It was a true neutral performance from the newest Spur with the best nickname in basketball, Mason “Plumdog Millionaire” Plumlee. He grabbed two rebounds and had two steals while scoring 0 points and having a 0 +/-. He fits well in the Spurs scheme as a third big. He’s adept at dribble handoffs, sets good screens, and is a solid defender on the other end.
I’m not one to typically complain about officiating, but it was uneven at best on Thursday. You know it’s bad when BOTH head coaches got a technical for complaining about calls.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 9: Umpire CB Bucknor #54 walks onto the field before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on September 9, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you watched the first inning of last night’s Spring Training game between the Astros and Nationals, you got to see the future of baseball on display. The ABS challenge system was put into overdrive, as three CB Bucknor calls were overturned in just the first inning. It was a quick and easy system that will be a genuine game changer for MLB.
There were two overturns just in the first at bat of the game. CJ Abrams successfully challenged the second pitch of the game, turning a 1-1 count into 2-0 count. When the count was full, Astros catcher Yainer Diaz returned the favor, turning a walk into a strikeout on a breaking ball that just clipped the top of the zone. There was actually a called strike in the at bat that Abrams should have challenged but did not.
In the bottom half of the inning, it was Keibert Ruiz’s turn to help out his pitcher. He challenged a ball call, which was clearly in the zone. That made three overturns on CB Bucknor calls in just the first inning. This new system is clearly going to hurt some umpire’s pride this season. They are going to have to be on their A game at all times.
Those were not the only challenges of the game though. In the bottom of the second inning, Ruiz won another challenge on a faulty Bucknor call. That made it four overturns in just two innings. After all, it is Spring Training for the umpires as well.
Four overturned calls for CB Bucknor through two innings already
As the game went on, things calmed down. Bucknor was actually vindicated a couple times later in the game, with two challenges going his way. This is going to be such an interesting storyline to follow as the season gets going. Baseball Savant is going to be tracking this like a hawk, so we will see who is the best and worst at challenges.
It will also expose some of the weaker umpires we have in the sport. I am not surprised that it was CB Bucknor behind the plate when all these calls got overturned. He does not have a strong reputation as an umpire, and the numbers bear that out. Bucknor was towards the bottom of the umpire rankings last year.
After seeing this, there are definitely going to be games where this challenge system goes viral. There were some calls that could have gotten challenged early in the game that didn’t. That would have made things even worse for Bucknor. Umpires are going to have their feet held to the fire in a way they have not before.
The players are also going to need to know when to challenge as well. You can only fail two challenges before you run out for the game, so you have to be sure if you are challenging. That is why most teams have the catcher challenge rather than the pitcher, who could be liable to make rash decisions.
This is going to be an amazing wrinkle to this season. It is also very quick and easy. These challenges only take a few seconds, so it does not slow down the game much at all. It is also a bit of a spectacle for the fans because they show the decision up on the big screen. Having these decisions go down in playoff games is going to be really exciting.
Like the pitch clock, I think the ABS challenge system is going to be a big hit. Rob Manfred takes a lot of heat, much of it being justified, but he has made some great changes the past few years. The pitch clock was the best change the sport has seen in decades and now the ABS challenge system looks like it will also be a success. I am very excited to see how this plays out in the regular season.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 12: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
#1 – Turnovers management
Deep into the season, you have a sense of what the game should look like and what could be a turning point. For this matchup against the last two champions, taking care of the ball while forcing turnovers would be one of the keys to winning overall.
Boston has been the best team in the league at avoiding turnovers, and OKC is right behind them. In the meantime, OKC is also one of the two best teams at forcing turnovers. The goal for the Celtics was to make sure they don’t get dominated in that area so they could stay in the game as long as possible.
Which they did. Both teams lost the ball 12 times, and many of those were caused by the high pressure put on the go-to guys for each team. Jaylen Brown lost the ball 6 times while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned it over 4 times.
From these turnovers, both teams did a great job defending the transition as the Celtics scored only 14 points off turnovers and the Thunder 16. The turnover battle being so even is one of the reasons the game was close. Let’s now look at the other layers of that strategic battle.
#2 – Keeping Neemias Queta in the paint
The Celtics and the Thunder went into that game knowing that Queta would hardly defend the opposing center. With Isaiah Hartenstein sidelined, the two centers for OKC were stretch bigs with Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams. In these scenarios, Joe Mazzulla and his coaching staff have shown they would rather have a wing like Hauser on the opposing big while Queta defends the opponent’s worst shooter.
On the play above, Queta isn’t concerned at all with Alex Caruso and roams in the paint to make sure he can help on the drive and protect the rim. Yet, as soon as Caruso has the ball, he must defend him and does a great job blocking the layup attempt.
When Caruso was in the weakside corner, it was the perfect situation for Queta because he could come from behind and protect the rim like a goalkeeper. Here, Payton Pritchard is beaten on the drive, but here comes Queta and his long arm.
So, if the Celtics found a way to defend the paint so well, how is it possible that the Thunder had 75% efficiency on shot attempts within four feet of the rim?
#3 – Too many defensive collapses
Despite great effort on defense, especially on SGA, the Celtics made too many mistakes to get the win in the end. It’s little things, but against such an elite team, it makes it hard to win with these defensive errors.
Here for example, Caruso and Queta are on the strong side, which takes away the rim protection. Jordan Walsh stays up to help Pritchard on the ball and that creates a big gap in the paint so Aaron Wiggins can cut and finish at the rim.
The rotations weren’t on point from time to time, leading to way too many easy shots at the rim. Here again, the cut to the paint is open because nobody tags the roll man. It could have been Brown from the strong side or Luka Garza who could have come from the weakside and left Lu Dort alone — but no one showed up and that’s a dunk.
That play shows well why the defense can’t fall asleep even for a second around a great playmaker like SGA. Jaylen switches off the MVP but wants to help in the driving lane. However, he forgets his man on his back and that’s another open shot at the rim for OKC, who made sure to cash out on these defensive mistakes.
Overall, 18 field goals made from 24 attempts at the rim for the Thunder. The Celtics will need to fix that before the next matchup in Boston later this month.
#4 – Flare screen to open corners
While the defense had flaws in its execution, there were also great things going on offensively, especially to open the corner. The Celtics knew the Thunder are a team that will collapse easily to make sure they protect the paint. To use that as an advantage, Boston used a flare screen to attract defenders and open the corner.
Here for example, Queta’s screen and run to the paint absorbs SGA and that leaves Baylor Scheierman open.
While you could think it is accidental and that it was caused by Caruso’s fall (or flop), the Celtics ran the same action a little bit later, this time for a Hugo Gonzalez corner three. This is a great example of how gravity can make a defense break.
#5 – Jaylen Brown’s gravity
Speaking of gravity, Jaylen Brown’s game last night was a statement about the player he has become. Some plays in particular speak loudly, and this one with Sam Hauser is one of them. The Celtics shooters come and set a screen to force a switch on AJ Mitchell but the Thunder defense would rather send two players, even if that leaves one of the best shooters in the NBA open.
This screenshot from his seventh assist also says a lot. There is Dort on his back, Cason Wallace on his right, and Williams in between him and the paint. Because of his gravity, both Pritchard and Queta are open and this leads to another open shot.
Yet, with great gravity comes big responsibilities and sometimes Brown got caught up with bad passes and offensive fouls — but that’s part of the deal. The Thunder were willing to send two players at him and maybe the Celtics could have exploited that a little more rather than forcing the decision with JB.
Of course, he scored 34 points and was able to generate 14 free throws, but this also came with 15 missed shots and 6 turnovers. It is hard to find the right balance when you are responsible for your team’s gravity.
#6 – An isolation tournament
But Jaylen Brown wasn’t the only one hunting for one-on-one shots. SGA and Pritchard also had their share of isolations. Payton started off well with a couple of made shots against Wallace and Holmgren.
And of course, the step-back to close the first half. Despite having three players focused on him and the whole arena expecting him to be the one who shoots.
Despite this good start, the Celtics guard was only able to convert 6 of his 17 shot attempts, struggling from deep with a 2-for-9 mark beyond the line. And while PP and JB had some ups and downs in their isolations, SGA seemed unstoppable with 35 points on 18 shot attempts.
Dealing with SGA scoring was hard, but the Celtics still showed some great things despite the defeat.
#7 – Dealing with a MVP
How do you stop one of the two best players in the NBA? Well, you don’t — but you can pick your poison.
Joe Mazzulla on guarding SGA and how it’s a give and take:
“He’s obviously a great player. So you have to pick your poison and what you're going to take away. He only shot 8 free throws, so that's a part of that.”
The Celtics remained very disciplined and avoided, as much as possible, jumping on fakes and getting caught in SGA’s wizardry. Also, the Celtics have something quite remarkable when it comes to defending such a player: a deep roster with a lot of wings.
On this possession SGA uses a screen from Isaiah Joe to get rid of Jordan Walsh’s matchup, but instead he is now defended by Ron Harper Jr., who finds a way to steal the ball with his long arms.
Yet SGA was still the offensive engine for his team, and what might have become even harder against him is forcing him to give the ball away. Not because he doesn’t want to, but because he has improved a lot as a passer.
Despite playing without Jalen Williams and Hartenstein, the point guard was also able to make the whole team shine with nine assists and take advantage of the Celtics’ willingness to put pressure on him. He remained calm and collected and the Celtics lost the minutes he was on the floor by 14 points.
#8 – Dominating the glass
Despite losing because of an offensive rebound, the Celtics won the possession battle against the Thunder because they exploited one of their only weaknesses: the defensive rebound. Especially without Hartenstein.
Because of that impact on the offensive glass, the Celtics had five more possessions overall than the Thunder — and in a game decided by one possession, it could have changed a lot if Chet hadn’t gotten the board at the last second.
But that’s the trick when you play only with wings and guards. Holmgren was taller than anyone else on the court and the Thunder got lucky that the ball bounced near him. Yet the Celtics’ possession battle edge almost won them the game and it will be interesting to see if they can do it again in a couple of weeks.
#9 – The spanish Caruso
What a game from Gonzalez! As often against great teams, his ability to play multiple positions on defense and his motor to win possessions have a direct impact on the game. Just watch this possession where he blocks a triple and steals the ball from SGA on a drive.
Hugo Gonzalez is a special defender
Blocks the three and gets the back tap on SGA for the steal
That is special. On offense too, the juice he brings in transition and on the offensive board makes the team far better in the possession battle when he is on the court. Look how fast he is to get to the other end of the court for a layup.
Against OKC and Alex Caruso, analysts across the internet quickly saw how much Hugo Gonzalez could be inspired by the two-time NBA champion’s path, and how much he already impacts the game like him.
Six games out of seven at home in the next weeks for the Boston Celtics — a great opportunity to get closer to the 50th win. Could Joe Mazzulla’s team use the TD Garden crowd to fuel a run and secure a top-two spot in the East before April?
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 12: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the gameagainst the Boston Celtics on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaylen Brown drove left, pump-faked, spun around, and drilled a 19-foot equalizer over Lu Dort, putting the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder at a 102-102 tie with 21.9 seconds left in regulation — without Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Nikola Vučević.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla started the unusual lineup of Brown, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, and Baylor Scheierman. That combination has only played together six times this season, for a total of 21 minutes, but the team was limited in options. It wasn’t the ideal situation going up against the reigning NBA champions and the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Effort was good,” Mazzulla told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “It’s effort, toughness, execution. I thought our effort and toughness were great. We played two great teams like that. Obviously, every possession matters, so a couple of possessions didn’t go our way — that’s the difference in the game. I thought we played very well, credit to the guys, and how we have the possessions that we know we have to be better at.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 12: Jaylen Brown #7 is helped up by Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Early on, it was the bench that elevated the Celtics. Luka Garza and Jordan Walsh battled for second-chance possessions, both at the forefront of a 20-5 headstart advantage in bench points over the Thunder. Hugo González contributed with a go-ahead 3-pointer in the corner, and Boston had found its rhythm despite being shorthanded while facing the league’s best team.
The seamless transition in maintaining their competitive edge came as no surprise to the Celtics. The veterans in the locker room have worked alongside the younger, less experienced crew all season, preparing them for opportunities — including those unforeseen.
Oklahoma City was simply their latest of many challenges.
“We just got some young wolves, man,” Brown told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “We play inspired basketball. We come out every night and we compete, regardless of who’s on the floor. We’re not afraid of anybody, and we play together and play as a team. I’m proud of my group. I’m proud of our approach to every game. We came out on the road and we put their game to the test.”
González came up with a huge block in the third quarter, denying a Jaylin Williams 3-point attempt. Scheierman led the team with three offensive rebounds, two of which turned into second-chance baskets. It was another example of Boston’s readiness. Every player on the roster is prepared to step in at any moment to keep the engine running. That has been the theme since Opening Night, when Tatum’s return date was unknown, and the identity of the 2025–26 Celtics was still taking shape.
Pritchard also sees no reason to be surprised.
“We’re not learning anything,” Pritchard told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “You guys have already seen it. They come ready to play and play winning basketball. So it’s nothing new. We’re almost through the (regular) season now, so it’s what they do.”
Before the season commenced, team president of basketball operations Brad Stevens labeled most of the roster’s newcomers as “unprovens.” Comprised of minimally experienced arrivals, the offseason overhaul posed a mammoth challenge alongside Tatum’s recovery from his ruptured right Achilles tendon. The challenge was to maintain their standard as if Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet had never left and to compete with the league’s best while carving their place among that elite company.
Thursday night’s trip to Oklahoma City was proof that Boston has rendered that image in detail.
In San Antonio, the Celtics nearly overcame a 39-point double-double from Victor Wembanyama. Against the Thunder, they came even closer to overcoming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s history-making 35-point performance, as he surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for the most regular-season games with 20-plus points, recording his 127th against Boston.
“He’s obviously a great player,” Mazzulla told reporters. “So you have to pick your poison and what you’re going to take away. He only shot eight free throws, so that’s a part of that. We took away some of the transition stuff — a couple of layups that we could’ve been better at in our shifts. So it just goes back to those possessions we can get better at, and the ones where you know you don’t have to change your spots.”
It’s hard to feel good about dropping two in a three-game road trip, yet somehow, the Celtics did enough to earn it — even if they won’t admit it.
ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 01: Atlanta pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) is embraced by Atlanta bullpen coach Erick Abreu (85) following the conclusion of the MLB game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves on August 1st, 2024 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jeez, how did I get the relief pitching assignment? You know about me and relievers, right?
The thing with this series is that we’ve theoretically gone through “who the Braves have at their disposal this year” and “how those guys are gonna do.” For relievers, though? That’s the place where the mid-March answers to those questions are way less reliable than for any other position.
So, let’s do something at least a bit different. Not too different, just a bit. First, a top-down view.
The Braves’ bullpen has not exactly been an organizational strength since the Alex Anthopoulos regime took over. They rank 12th in MLB in fWAR in that span, though at least they’re eighth in WPA. Part of the reason they are ranked where they are is because, under Brian Snitker, the team honestly didn’t really care about using relievers all that much: from 2018-2025, the Braves ranked 24th in bullpen innings, and 25th in bullpen batters faced.
Recent history has been a mixed bag. The bullpen was fantastic in 2024: third in fWAR despite the third-fewest innings (somehow…). But, in 2025, it was very bleh: there were five teams who had under 1.0 fWAR from their relief corps, and the Braves had the lowest fWAR among teams that weren’t one of those sad sacks. As for the future, well, the Braves are currently projected to have baseball’s tenth-best bullpen in 2026, but bullpen projections are… not exactly something you want to take to the bank. Even so, when we talk about the vague amoeba-esque shape that we think the bullpen will take for 2026, it kind of looks like this:
High leverage
The Braves have dumped over $30 million in salary into Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez. Iglesias will return for his fifth-ish (he was acquired midseason in 2022) season with the team after re-upping on a one-year, $16 million agreement, while Suarez signed a three-year, $45 million deal in the offseason.
Both Iglesias and Suarez are up there in age, as they’ll be in their age-36 and age-35 seasons, respectively. That hasn’t really slowed them down yet, as Iglesias hasn’t had a season below 1.0 fWAR since 2018 (including 2020!), while Suarez put up 0.9 fWAR in 2024 and a thrilling 1.9 fWAR last season after an injury-shortened down year in 2023. That said, Iglesias is clearly declining — his xFIP-s have gone 54, 76, 76, 83, 92 from 2021 through 2025, and his early-season struggles last year basically kneecapped the Braves’ season before it really got going. Suarez was incredible last year, but he had xFIP-s in the 90s the two years before.
Both guys are projected to be good, but not elite, probably because of the age thing and the performance nits picked above. Iglesias is in that 0.5 – 1.0 WAR range, with the variance as much about assumptions about leverage as anything else. Suarez is… pretty much in the same boat.
On the one hand, having two relief guys that are similarly quite good diversifies the risk and provides a handcuff if Iglesias “decides” to get murdered by HR/FB or whatever for a long stretch again. On the other hand, the Braves have committed $31 million in salary obligations for 2026 to this. Maybe it’ll be great. Maybe it’ll just be fine.
Set-up or something
The next three guys in the presumed-but-maybe-not-actual bullpen pecking order are like, “names that will almost certainly be around pitching meaningful frames barring a trade or whatever.”
Dylan Lee has also been around since 2021 (well, mostly since 2022) and has a career 67 ERA-, 86 FIP-, and 79 xFIP-. He’s also straight-up eviscerated left-handed batters (33 percent strikeout rate, 3 percent walk rate, a 2.53 xFIP). Lee was really good in 2022 and 2024, but had homer problems in 2023 and 2025. Those homer problems curiously didn’t really ding his ERA, or even his WPA, but given the Braves’ issues with HR/FB last year, it’s just one of those things that sometimes makes you wake up in a cold sweat. (Or maybe that’s just me.)
Aaron Bummer was, and might continue to be, kind of the weirdest part of this roster. He was great in 2024 (1.1 fWAR) but the Braves didn’t really care in terms of using him accordingly. 2025 was worse in basically every respect, but still fine-ish. The Braves also made him start games for some reason, and he missed the last five weeks of the season with shoulder inflammation. This isn’t the place to re-litigate whatever is going on between Bummer, the coaching staff, and the organization, but suffice to say, Bummer probably can be in the mix to effectively pitch meaningful innings to the extent any reliever in this section or the ones below can, though whether he ultimately is remains a question mark due to his prior bizarre usage. There’s been a fair bit of noise that the Braves might trade Bummer to free up some cash, but there’s been no indication the organization is interested in that — and if they are, it’s not clear what they might do to bulk up the depth chart in his theoretical absence (if such a thing is even needed).
And then we have Tyler Kinley, who kind of differs from Bummer and Lee in that his peripherals don’t actually suggest he’s going to be all that productive. The Braves acquired Kinley partway through the year in 2025, and then declined his club option even though he posted a 17/68/106 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-) for them down the stretch. They later re-signed him for a lower dollar total ($4.25 million). In the end, Kinley is a bit of an enigma, even if he’ll probably be used as a right-handed set-up-ish option to complement the lefty-hurling Lee and Bummer. His peripherals, as noted, have been poor — even after he departed the dysfunctional Rockies’ organization. You could argue that as a fly ball pitcher, xFIP undersells Kinley, and you kind of have to in order to feel good about his prospective role in this bullpen.
In any case, projections generally have all three of these guys around the 0.5 WAR mark, with an ultimately meaningless but nonetheless noticeable rank order of Lee > Bummer > Kinley in expected effectiveness.
Bullpens have way more than five pitchers, right?
So, who else is going to be in the bullpen? Uhhhhh… probably a whole lot of guys over the course of the season.
Joel Payamps seems like a decent bet, because the Braves gave him $2.25 million for 2026 after picking him up late last season. He was awful in 2025, but good in 2024 and great in 2023.
Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine, because there aren’t really any clear slam-dunk options, but just a bunch of guys to either cycle through or give a trial run and dump shortly thereafter unless they thrive.
Some guys in the organization are out of options or added on non-guaranteed deals. Jose Suarez has big swingman energy, was an okay starter a few years ago, and has sometimes looked flat-out dominant while causing Bad Josh Tomlin (not to be confused with Relief God Josh Tomlin) flashbacks otherwise. Ian Hamilton was great in 2023, good in 2024, and replacement level in 2025 — but hasn’t really gotten much run in camp so far.
Your ride-the-Gwinnett shuttle types include Dylan Dodd (who was fine as a reliever last year) and Hayden Harris (who’s had great minor league numbers but didn’t impress in a tiny sample in the majors last year, and seems to be less favored by the organization than his video game minor league numbers would suggest). Other guys that you might see here and there include:
Daysbel Hernandez (coming off a shoulder injury and a woeful 2025 after a very exciting short MLB stint in 2024);
James Karinchak (impressive in camp but hasn’t been useful in the majors since 2022);
Hunter Stratton (basically depth, but had a nice 2024);
Rolddy Munoz (at least in theory, but nothing he’s done in the minors suggests there’s any reason to give him a bullpen spot);
Jhancarlos Lara (like Munoz, hasn’t done anything in the high minors but maybe he figures it out one day this year); and
Tayler Scott (run-of-the-mill replacement-level reliever).
Depth
Guys not starting could be relieving. Or perhaps guys not doing so great at starting could be pushed into relieving by promotions of other arms in their place. Unfortunately for the Braves, they kind of have a “not sure we have enough guys to start effectively” issue potentially looming given their pitchers’ tendencies to keel over at the inkling of a stiff breeze on the other side of the continent, so this is a weird category. Could Grant Holmes, Reynaldo Lopez, and/or Bryce Elder do relief stuff? Yeah, sure, probably — if they’re not starting for some reason. This also probably isn’t the year that Spencer Strider, High Leverage Reliever comes to pass, but you know people will still talk about it.
The Braves could also give essentially battlefield promotions to a bunch of prospects and pseudo-prospects — Blake Burkhalter, Cade Kuehler, Connor Thomas as pure-play relievers, or Carter Holton, Lucas Braun, Drue Hackenberg, and Brett Sears as “sorry buddy, you’re not gonna be starting anymore, but brief major league paycheck?” options. Maybe this is the year that actual meaningful prospects JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes somehow establish themselves as elite bulk options as the Braves revolutionize how they use their pitching staff but… nah.
Jesse Chavez probably isn’t coming out of retirement, either, but you never know. (He’s coaching for the Giants anyway at this point.)
Overall
This is an expensive bullpen, and it’s not all that top heavy, nor overwhelmingly heavy at the top. While it’s true that most teams don’t have a duo like Iglesias and Suarez at the back end, all the teams with even better projected bullpens than the Braves do, generally with an even better duo (or trio). The Braves are five-ish deep in better-than-average-we-hope relievers, which is actually where their real bullpen “strength” is. But, because we’re talking about relievers, I wouldn’t really count on it. Things are gonna get weird, because that’s what relief pitching is apparently all about. Even though I hate it, and wish it were more normal. Oh well.
Based on the fact that the hearing will not be in-person, the maximum disciplined that can be levied will be five games.
The incident occurred at 15:47 of the second period during the Maple Leafs’ 6-4 victory over the Ducks at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. As Matthews attempted to navigate through the slot, Gudas extended his leg, making direct contact with Matthews’ left knee.
Matthews, who had snapped a 12-game goal drought earlier in the frame with his 27th of the season, remained on the ice for several minutes in visible distress. He was eventually assisted to the dressing room by the training staff and did not return to the game.
Gudas was assessed a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct following an official review on the ice. Under NHL rules, a hearing indicates that the Department of Player Safety believes the hit warrants more than the automatic fine or one-game suspension that can accompany such penalties.
“It’s a dirty play,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said following the win. “The league is obviously going to look at it. We’ll see what happens from there.”
While Toronto managed to score twice on the ensuing power play to ignite a comeback victory, snapping an eight-game skid, the immediate lack of physical response on the ice was a point of contention for Berube.
"We should have had four guys in there doing something about it," Berube noted. "I thought they responded in the third... but we all would have liked everyone to get in there right away."
Defenseman Morgan Rielly echoed his coach’s sentiment, taking personal responsibility for not engaging Gudas immediately after the hit.
"It’s on me for not responding earlier," Rielly said. "I didn’t understand how bad he got him in the moment, but it’s a dirty hit."
The Maple Leafs have not yet provided a definitive timeline for Matthews’ recovery, stating only that he will undergo further evaluation on Friday. The 28-year-old center has 53 points in 60 games this season..
The result of Gudas' hearing is expected to be announced later this afternoon.
San Diego Padres Xander Bogaerts (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a move that drew little fanfare, San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen made a subtle change to the batting order. He moved Xander Bogaerts from the bottom of the lineup to the leadoff spot and Fernando Tatis Jr. to the middle of the order.
The Padres are seeking better run production from the lineup in 2026. The manager wants a leadoff hitter who has a high on-base percentage and can put himself in scoring position to maximize the lineup’s run-producing potential. Bogaerts fits the criteria, as he is a high-contact hitter with a career .350 OBP and stole a career-high 25 bases last season.
Leadoff hitters were once catalysts for an offense
Historically, the prototypical major league leadoff hitter was a catalyst for their team to get off to a good start in games. They reached base either by a base hit or drawing a walk because of good plate discipline.
It forced a starting pitcher to throw his entire repertoire during the course of the at-bat. Taking pitches allows their teammates to gauge how a pitcher is throwing before their initial plate appearance. Once at first base, a leadoff hitter must use their speed to put themselves in scoring position for the middle-of-the-order hitters.
Some of the best examples of this type of leadoff hitter are Rickey Henderson, Lou Brock and Ichiro Suzuki.
Speed no longer required to leadoff
However, in today’s analytical-driven sport, baseball has shifted the definition of a leadoff hitter. Managers want them to maximize their team’s first at-bats with proven hitters. Instead of a speedy table setter, the focus is now on finding a leadoff hitter with power and discipline.
The advanced metrics show Bogaerts fits the bill, as he has a consistent contact rate at 80% and an above-average career strikeout rate at 18% heading into the 2026 campaign. Stammen recognized that he averages at least four pitches before Bogaerts puts the ball in play. Having his batting acumen at the top of the lineup should jump-start the Friars’ offense.
By all signs in Spring Training, the move to the leadoff spot should offer a resurgence for Bogaerts at the plate. The projected numbers for him are a .272 batting average with a .331 OPS this season. It demonstrates that Bogaerts can make the transition from the lower third to the top of the order.
The Padres manager believes a consistent contact hitter is the right approach for the leadoff spot of the batting order. Bogaerts can draw walks, put the ball in play, and occasionally hit the ball out of the park.
Stammen expects the current look of the Friars’ lineup to score runs, but it all begins at the top.
Luis Torrens / | Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images
When the Mets picked up Luis Torrens from the Yankees early in the 2024 season, it wasn’t exactly the biggest news. Then in his age-28 season, the catcher had racked up 807 major league plate appearances but hadn’t cracked the Yankees’ major league roster. And up to that point, he was worth -1.7 fWAR in the time he had spent with the Padres, Mariners, and Cubs.
But everything changed once he got his opportunity to play for the Mets. In 130 plate appearances over the course of 48 games with the team that year, he was worth 0.8 fWAR thanks entirely to a major improvement in his defensive metrics. Having put up an 89 wRC+ that year, he improved a bit from his previous career mark of 79, but the turnaround was much more pronounced behind the plate than at it.
Torrens returned to the same role with the Mets last year, and he got more playing time thanks to a variety of injuries suffered by starting catcher Francisco Alvarez. In 283 plate appearances, he wound up with a 79 wRC+, but thanks to even better defensive metrics, he finished the season with 1.6 fWAR.
The Mets made a whole bunch of moves over the course of the offseason, but they didn’t really do much at catcher to give Torrens competition. Sure, Austin Barnes and Ben Rortvedt are in major league camp as catchers, as are longtime Mets minor leaguers Hayden Senger and Kevin Parada. None of them seem likely to displace Torrens, even though several of them—including Torrens—are out of options.
Projections published at FanGraphs see more of the same from Torrens as he enters his age-30 season: a below-league-average bat with good defense who can contribute about one win to the team by fWAR. It’d be a perfectly cromulent outcome for a relatively unheralded role on a good team.
MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 18: Lawrence Butler #4 of the Athletics takes live batting practice during a spring training workout at the Lew Wolff Training Complex on February 18, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Morning everyone and welcome back to Friday!
The Athletics’ Opening Day is exactly two weeks away. That means big decisions are coming all across the team soon enough. From who lines up at the hot corner (looking like Max Muncy has won that job), to the back half of the starting rotation, to the bullpen and the bench spots, manager Mark Kotsay is going to be having to make some serious choices here in the next few days.
One of the bigger decisions he will have to make is in regards to right fielder Lawrence Butler. One of the four core players the front office has already signed to an extension, Butler seemed to emerge as a difference-maker during the second half of the 2024 campaign, his first real extended look in The Show. He hit an amazing .300/.345/.553 with 13 home runs in just 61 games, which when combined with his above-average defense in right field made him look like a budding star. That was enough for the front office to make him the second extension they came to, mere months after locking down Brent Rooker.
The first season of his new deal didn’t go as the A’s or Butler had hoped though. His stats fell across the board in almost every category, all while maintaining a .304 batting average on balls-in-play so it’s not like he was getting suddenly unlucky. It’s not what the A’s had envisioned for Butler but after the season we were all informed that the 25-year-old was playing on a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. That injury had to have had some effect on his performance, right? Especially considering how he struggled much more significantly in the second half (.203/.268/.351).
The hope is that that major injury was the cause of Butler’s regression in 2025. The left-handed swinger was expected to be a crucial part of any A’s success last year and those expectations remain high in what’ll be his third full season as a big leaguer.
He’s yet to get into any spring action though and we’re really running out of time to get him ramped up. Kotsay doesn’t think so at this point, saying that Butler has been getting his at-bats in the batting cage and in games against minor leaguers. Not exactly what A’s fans would hope for but at least he’s been active and getting reps with his bat. And Butler agrees:
“I feel great at the plate,” Butler said. “I’m glad they’re letting me get all these at-bats to let me continue to work on my approach at the plate. I might not run after I hit, but I’m still getting the reps in that are needed for me to be ready for the regular season.”
Despite the serious nature of the injury it seems that he’s suffered no setbacks and is feeling ready for the upcoming grind of a six-month baseball season. The biggest and final thing for him to do is start playing in the outfield, which he has yet to do in any capacity so far this year. It sounds as though the tentative plan is to get him into some game action this coming week, but whether he plays on the grass or is merely DH’ing is unknown at this point.
Hopefully he can log some time in right field before camp is over, because Butler’s needed out there with our guys. With Rooker’s presence taking up the DH spot there isn’t a chance to exclusively put Butler’s bat in the batting order during the first few weeks of the season if he’s not ready for defensive duties. That could mean a season-opening IL stint for Butler, where he can continue to build strength in his knee and get some action reps in the outfield down in Triple-A with the Aviators.
Where would that leave the big league club for the first few weeks of the season? Firstl looking at players currently on the 40-man roster, former top prospect Colby Thomas seems like he would be the logical bet to get some at-bats in right field but the right-hander is just 4-for-28 this spring with seven punchouts, and he also struggled last year in his first taste of big league pitching. Carlos Cortes could be an option, and he’s a switch-hitter, but he’s just 3-for-9 this spring and has been with Team Puerto Rico for the past week-plus and is just 3-for-13 playing for his national team. If the plan is a platoon in right field while Butler’s on the shelf then Cortes would likely be in the lineup for Opening Day considering the Blue Jays will be sending right-hander Dylan Cease to the mound.
Jeff McNeil was always expected to get some outfield work this year and has played 124 games there in his career, but the A’s brought him aboard to play second base. The A’s could, but almost certainly won’t, send Rooker out to the grass, though he made 20 starts in right field last year. Andy Ibanez is the only other player on the 40-man roster to have played right field in the big leagues, and that was just seven starts back in 2023.
If the A’s were feeling a bit bold, however, they could turn to their minor league system, where top prospect Henry Bolte is itching for his chance. The 22-year-old outfielder has been having an amazing camp, opening the eyes of both the watching fans and the coaching staff. The right-handed hitter wouldn’t be a perfect one-for-one replacement for Butler, as the lefty-swinging Butler has more pop but Bolte has more speed. Which isn’t how the A’s offense plans to operate this year but it could be a change of pace for opposing pitchers to deal with him on the basepaths. He has only played 34 games at Triple-A however so some more seasoning in Las Vegas already seemed in order (though he tore the cover off the ball in that short sample with the Aviators).
How do you guys think the right field situation is going to play out? Is Butler really going to beat expectations and be in the lineup Opening Day in Toronto? Or will the A’s turn to a Plan B that sees the A’s just try to get by while waiting for his return? Or do the A’s get aggressive with one of their top prospects who has been hitting the ball fantastically all spring? Comment and debate below!
If you’ve been watching any Athletics spring games this year, you already knew that:
Max Muncy continues to perform as one of the top hitters in all the Cactus League. He crushed a 440-foot solo shot off Jack Leiter in his first at-bat today for his third homer of spring. Now batting .414 with a 1.390 OPS.
Mar 12, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Brennen Davis (78) breaks his bat against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Good morning everyone! Happy Friday.
Emerson Hancock continued to look sharp last night, but the Mariners fell to the Cubs 7-4. If Hancock is indeed placed back into a starting role with Bryce Miller ailing, we’ll have to hope he can find some consistency out on the mound.
My question for the day has nothing to do with the Mariners, but I want to know: has a favorite musical artist of yours ever released a complete brick of an album? They say some albums are “no-skips” but I’m asking for one from an artist you like that was nothing but skips. For me, I’d have to go with Don’t Click Play by Ava Max. I should have listened to her.
In Mariners news…
Shannon Drayer wrote about young standout Brennen Davis, who is making the most of his opportunities with several regulars away from camp for the WBC.
Jenny Catlin at The Athletic provided a complete watch guide for the M’s in 2026. ($)
In the World Baseball Classic…
Jordan Shusterman at Yahoo! Sports wrote about how awesome it is to see the Dominican Republic celebrate DR baseball in such a big way in this tournament.
A one-of-a-kind Aaron Judge card broke a modern day record by selling for $5.2 million. The previous record was held by a Mike Trout card that went for $3.936 million.
Anders’ picks…
Seattle Reign forward Jordyn Huitema has been traded to Chicago. Huitema, who had been with the squad since 2022, also happens to be Julio Rodríguez’s girlfriend.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Infielder, Kyle Karros, works on drills during spring training for the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 19, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
From 2013 onward, third base for the Rockies had been synonymous with only two names: Nolan Arenado and then Ryan McMahon. Because of those two, Colorado has had a Gold Glove finalist at the hot corner each of the past 13seasons. It has been one of the most stable positions in the entire league.
This offseason there was uncertainty at the position for the first time in ages. The team seems intent to give Kyle Karros the opportunity to take the spot and see if he can run with it.
The (likely) starter
Karros had succeeded at every level of the minors on his journey up the organizational ladder despite middling scouting reports from most public evaluators. His first taste of the majors looked more like the player scouts had said he’d be — a good defender with a second division bat — instead of the player he’d performed as in the minors — a gold glover and MVP — but he came into the spring with a plan:
“I think going into this season, I know what I have works. I’ve seen it work at every level, so just being more convicted with that and staying true to myself each and every day.”
That restraint in avoiding overreaction to a little over a month’s worth of big league at-bats says some interesting things about Karros as a person. It may prove to be a mistake in the end, however, the early returns do seem promising. In a sample size even smaller than his struggles from last year, he has an OPS well over 1.000 so far this spring.
That high mark won’t continue over a full season even in the best-case scenario, but it has been enough to already make him the presumptive Opening Day starter at third base.
Given that opportunity, he’ll be able to continue showing off the aspect of his game that has never really been in question: his glove. Last year, Karros accumulated three Defensive Runs Saved and four Outs Above Average, which were tied for 19th and 9th among all third baseman despite him having played only 43 games.
That standout defense should give him a long leash should his offensive struggles resurface during the regular season.
The backups
The highest profile bat brought in this offseason, Willi Castro has had a close to league average wRC+ over the past three seasons (107 in ’23, 106 in ‘24, and then 92 last year). It’s his defensive versatility, however, that most makes him stand out.
Having made starts at almost every position on the field he provides plenty of options for Warren Schaeffer regardless of how the rest of the roster shakes out. He’ll be playing every day somewhere, and even if that’s not third, he’ll still sometimes be called upon to slide over when Karros needs a day off.
Ryan Ritter’s first taste of the majors was rough. He dealt with a finger injury that kept him out for roughly a month, and when he was on the field, he struggled to the tune of a 64 wRC+ and a 29.5% strikeout rate. Those both would have been bottom ten in the league if he had played enough to qualify.
Coming into camp, it was a reasonable question whether or not he’d make the Opening Day roster. So far he has hit well, and the coaching staff has been impressed by his work at third base and in left field. That extra flexibility gives him a real shot at sliding into a big league utility role.
In many ways Castro is a solid comp of what a good outcome for Ritter would look like — both are jack of all trades, master of none style players. Not being especially bad at any aspect of the game doesn’t make Castro a star, but it has allowed him to accrue 5.9 fWAR since the start of 2023.
If Ritter can become that type of player, he’ll be forcing his way into a starting role.
Depth options
Likely due to the lack of turnover at the position over the course of the past decade, the Rockies entered the offseason with very little in the way of realistic major league depth at third.
Tyler Freeman has played the position at times in the past and could do so again in a pinch but he’s never graded out particularly well over there. He’s an acceptable option if needed but they’d rather not need to use him in that role.
Likely as a response to this lack of depth, the front office brought in a couple of veterans on minor league deals this offseason in the form of Nicky Lopez and Vimael Machín. Neither is likely to make the roster but would be the first called upon to fill in should injuries change the current paradigm.
Lopez in particular has established a track record as a good fielder capable of playing any infield position as long as you know not to expect much out of him at the plate.
On the farm
Third base is usually one of the landing spots for a player with a good arm that moved off of shortstop because they didn’t have the range to cover the middle infield. As such, it’s hard to determine who will be play third in the majors solely by looking at where they play currently.
Below are the Rockies prospects most likely to end up at third by the time their minor league careers are over:
Ethan Hedges (No. 29 PuRP): A two-way player in college, the Rockies drafted Hedges in the third round last year. He grades well defensively but it remains to be seen if focusing solely on being a hitter can allow him to improve on a currently fringey offensive projection.
Ethan Holliday (No. 2 PuRP): Entering the system as the number four overall pick last summer, the youngest Holliday has a long way to go before it becomes clear exactly what type of player he’ll end up being. Currently a shortstop with immense power but strikeout concerns, if he ends up not being able to stick at short he is expected to be able to find a home at third.
Wilder Dalis (No. 24 PuRP): Coming off a couple good years between the DSL and ACL, Dalis made his debut in Low A during his age 18 season. He’s played primarily at third base but it remains to be seen if that’s where he ends up. Thus far in his minor league career the bat has impressed for someone without a notable signing bonus.
It’s also possible, but not likely, that Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) could be given another shot at third since the new front office doesn’t view him strictly as a first baseman.
Overall, this group has impact potential, but a lot of questions. Further, it will be a long time before those questions are able to be answered.
Closing thoughts
What you think about the Rockies third base situation almost entirely depends on what you think of Kyle Karros.
Do you buy into his minor league performance and hot spring? Well, then maybe by next year we’ll all be saying that the Rockies have the position locked down for the foreseeable future.
Do you think the scouting reports and his month of play in the bigs last year are more indicative of the player he’ll be long term? In that case, third base (unless Ryan Ritter happens to break out) is in for a transitional period that may well last a couple full years.
SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 12: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Sydni Griffin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
