Latest news with #BaseballAmerica
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Reported Asking Price for White Sox Center Fielder Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Luis Robert Jr. was expected to be one of the most coveted trade targets coming into the season. A below average performance this year has dropped Robert's value quite a bit, but there are still some teams that are trying to make a move for the former All-Star. A move for a player with the potential Robert has shown will cost a bit, and that final asking price from the White Sox has been revealed. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 19: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with teammates in the dugout after coming around to score on a three run RBI double by Mike Tauchman #18... PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 19: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with teammates in the dugout after coming around to score on a three run RBI double by Mike Tauchman #18 (not pictured) in the sixth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 19, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. MoreMLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported Monday that Chicago is asking for an organization's top 10 prospect in return for Robert. Giving up a prospect of that caliber for an injury-prone outfielder who is batting just .205 this season feels like quite a steep haul, and it is unclear if team is going to be willing to give that up. Two of the interested teams in Robert since the beginning of the season have been the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres. Those two organizations have the 20th- and 26th-ranked farm systems according to the Baseball America rankings. The rankings for those teams would seem to make it hard to want to give away players from a farm system that is already a bit thin compared to others. Luis Robert Jr. in seven games since All-Star break: 9-25 AB (.360 AVG) 1.067 OPS 2 HR 8 RBI 10 R 4 SB — MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 29, 2025 Rosenthal gave an update Tuesday surrounding Robert's future with the White Sox if he were to be on the team after the trade deadline passes. According to Rosenthal, if Chicago is not able to land a top-10 prospect in return for Robert, it will pick up Robert's $20 million club option for next season. If the White Sox can't land one of a team's top ten prospects in a deal for Luis Robert Jr., they will pick up his $20M option. (Via: @Ken_Rosenthal) — Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 29, 2025 If that turns out to be the case, Robert will have a chance to finish out the second half of the season strong and make himself a viable trade candidate in the offseason. More MLB: Phillies Predicted To Land Two Stars In Huge MLB Trade Deadline Deal
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Spencer Jones hits 3 homers, Baseball America to re-add him to top-100 prospect list
There has not been a better hitter in the minor leagues this season than New York Yankees center-field prospect Spencer Jones. Entering Thursday's game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Jones posted a 198 wRC+. By the time it ended, his dominance in the minors only grew. Jones, the Yankees' No. 3 prospect according to Baseball America, clobbered three home runs against the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate. Jones now has 29 home runs in 68 games across Double A and Triple A. In Triple A alone, Jones has 13 home runs in 19 games. Baseball America announced Thursday afternoon that Jones will re-enter its top-100 prospects list when it's revealed next week. 🚨 Spencer Jones is making his case with a THREE-HOMER GAME! 🚨#WhereLegendsRise #RepBX — SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) July 24, 2025 This year has turned into a breakout season for the 24-year-old, who has now maximized his power potential. In 2024, Jones only hit 17 home runs in 122 games. He also set a Yankees minor-league record for striking out 200 times in a single season. Jones has cut down his strikeout rate from 36.8 percent last season to 31.3 percent this year, entering Thursday. The biggest change for him in 2025 is his new exaggerated open stance. Advertisement 'I think it's helped a lot,' Jones told The Athletic earlier this week. 'In spring, there were issues with my ability to recognize pitches and make a decision right away. Where I'm at now, people may look at it and think it's not simple, but the move and the way it works is very simple. I kind of just move my body, let myself see the pitch and let my body swing. That's where it's been. I am glad to have been able to produce the results I have.' Even with his otherworldly production in the minors this season, there remain questions about his viability when he reaches the major leagues. There are 35 current and former MLB players who posted at least one season with at least a 31 percent strikeout rate. The median slash line for those players is .229/.303/.423, according to Baseball America. Of those 35, most players fixed their strikeout problem in the year before reaching the big leagues, but Jones still has alarming contact-quantity metrics that make him arguably the most perplexing prospect. The trade deadline is one week away, and the Yankees have several needs they need to fill (third baseman, starting pitching and bullpen). In Jones, they have an intriguing prospect who has clear flaws, which means they could sell high if they wanted. But Jones is someone who could be the club's long-term answer in center field if everything clicks for him. It would be surprising if Jones were traded for a rental player like Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez. Jones did not push back on the notion that he needs more time developing in the minors to fix some of his flaws, but he did say that he'll be ready for the call to the big leagues whenever it happens. 'I've always believed whenever the time comes, the time comes,' Jones said. 'All I can do in the meantime is to maximize myself and my development and get to a place where I'm fully confident in what I can do. Ultimately, that's going to be the guy who produces in the major leagues. The goal is to always keep learning and keep growing and when the time comes, don't stop.' (Photo of Spencer Jones during spring training: Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images)
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida RHP Liam Peterson a top-5 draft prospect heading into 2026 cycle
Teams didn't pay up for Liam Peterson coming out of high school, and now the Florida ace enters the 2026 draft cycle as one of the top arms in the class. Baseball America broke down its top 2026 draft prospects following the conclusion of the 2025 draft, and Peterson checks in at No. 5 overall. He's a bit further down at No. 9 in BA's way-too-early mock draft, but that's assuming an order that hasn't been set yet. Peterson may fall or rise a few spots depending on fit, but he's one of the very best collegiate players heading into next year. "Peterson last year cemented himself as one of the best freshman arms in the country and collected 77 strikeouts across 63 innings," Baseball America wrote. "Peterson picked up right where he left off—and then some—and pitched to a 4.28 ERA with a career-best 96 strikeouts across 69.1 innings. "The 6-foot-5 righthander features a mid-to-upper-90s fastball that flashes ample carry through the zone, a pitch he pairs with a mid-to-upper-80s slider that flashes sharp two-plane tilt, an above-average high-80s changeup that flashes both tumble and fade and a seldom-used high-70s-to-low-80s curveball that's distinct in shape from his slider. Peterson's slider and changeup both generated a whiff rate of 43% and his strike-throwing took a step forward since last season." Peterson spent his second summer in a row with Team USA, although he didn't pitch in the 45th annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series. Even with Aidan King emerging as a trusty No. 2 behind Peterson, all the pressure is on him to lead the staff after a shaky 2025 for Florida on the mound. Other Gators in the 2026 draft Florida doesn't have any other 2026 draft prospects inside Baseball America's top 100, but a pair of Gators commits are likely to come off the board on Day 1 of next year's draft. Outfielder Brady Harris has been considered a top-10 pick for most of his high school career and is all but gone to the next level. It would take a considerable drop for Florida to retain him. There's also right-hander Denton Lord, who stands at 6-foot-8 with a fastball approaching the high-90s. Projectability is likely to get him drafted, but he'd be a potential weekend starter as a freshman if Florida keeps him. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox draft College World Series champion pitcher with their fourth pick of night
Just three weeks ago, right-hander Anthony Eyanson helped LSU win the College World Series. Now, he's a member of a pitching-heavy Red Sox draft class. Boston selected Eyanson with its third round pick at No. 87 overall Sunday, making him the third SEC pitcher (and fourth college player) the club selected on Day 1 of the draft. The slot value of the pick is $907,200. Earlier, the Red Sox took Oklahoma righty Kyson Witherspoon at No. 15 and Tennessee righty Marcus Phillips at No. 33. Eyanson, a 20-year-old California native, pitched for UC San Diego for two years before transferring to Baton Rouge for 2025. For the Tigers this year, he logged a 3.00 ERA and struck out 152 batters in 108 innings in 20 games (18 starts). He was a First-Team All-American, per Baseball America, along with Witherspoon. 'Another guy that throws a ton of strikes,' said Red Sox amateur scouting director Devin Pearson. 'Has really good secondaries (pitches) and has dominated from a performance standpoint this year.' Eyanson started the final game of the collegiate season when LSU beat Coastal Carolina to sweep a best-of-three championship series in Omaha on June 22. In a 5-3 Tigers win, he went 6 ⅓ innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while recording nine strikeouts. 'To do it at a school like LSU where it's a packed house every night, you've got to be tough and enjoy that craziness in the moment,' Pearson said. 'You have to have players like that if you want to pitch at Fenway Park.' Eyanson was ranked the No. 40 prospect in the draft, per MLB Pipeline. Here's the site's scouting report on him: 'Eyanson served UC San Diego as a solid starter for two seasons before electing to transfer to LSU. He showed top-two-rounds potential last summer by working with a 93-97 mph fastball and a hammer curveball while with the U.S. collegiate national team and in the Cape Cod League. His stuff wasn't as sharp early in his junior season but he came on strong in the final two months to rank third in NCAA Division I in wins (12) and strikeouts (152 in 108 innings) and help the Tigers win the College World Series. 'Eyanson's slider has become his best pitch during his first season in Baton Rouge, parking at 82-85 mph and eliciting empty swings in and out of the strike zone thanks to its tremendous depth. His upper-70s curveball has been solid but hasn't enticed hitters to chase nearly as much as his slide piece has. His fastball has operated at 92-94 mph and topped out at 98, though its lack of life can make it vulnerable if he doesn't locate it well. 'Though Eyanson's low-80s changeup can miss bats with its fade and sink, he struggles to throw it for strikes. He's a good athlete with decent control but will nibble around the plate too much at times. He has a ceiling of a No. 3 starter if he can improve his fastball shape but also could wind up as a reliever who relies heavily on his breaking pitches.' More Red Sox coverage What they're saying nationally after Red Sox snag MLB Draft's 'top-ranked righty' A sweet ambush: Fred Lynn and Jim Rice's bond still gold 50 years after 1975 Red Sox pennant Red Sox draft UVA infielder with third pick at No. 75 overall Who's Kyson Witherspoon, Red Sox first round pick? 'I don't like being second' Red Sox double down on college pitching, draft another SEC arm with second pick (No. 33) Read the original article on MassLive.
Canada News.Net
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Eli Willits, 17, tabbed first by Nats; two college pitchers follow in MLB draft
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) ATLANTA -- Fresh off an organizational switch-up, the Washington Nationals made a surprise selection with the first pick of the MLB Draft on Sunday, selecting 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits. A week after general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired amidst the franchise's sixth straight losing season, the team hopes Willits -- a Fort Cobb, Oklahoma native -- can spark a return to glory for the 2019 World Series champs. With most pundits predicting LSU pitcher Kade Anderson or high school shortstop Ethan Holliday to be the first choice, the Nationals went a different route with Willits. As a senior in 2025, Willits hit .516 with nine home runs, 33 runs, RBIs and 48 stolen bases. Originally a member of the 2026 class, Willits reclassified and was committed to the University of Oklahoma. After last year's draft didn't see a high school player selected until ninth (Konnor Griffin to the Pirates), the Nationals made Willits the youngest top overall pick in draft history at 17 years and seven months old. 'I'm just a player that's going to go out there and give everything I've got, just like everyone else,' Willits said from home after being selected. 'I feel like I have a good hit ability and am going to take that to the next level. I feel like my power is up and coming, but I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals, who can develop that and take me to the next level.' Willits was the Nationals' first top pick since 2010, when they drafted Bryce Harper. 'We couldn't be more excited,' Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo said. 'Eli is a special player. Great hitting tools. He makes contact, controls the strike zone. We love his swing. It's just a clean operation at the plate with developing power. Then he's just an elite shortstop, someone that stays at shortstop. ... You add on top of that the intangibles, his confidence, work ethic, just maturity that's off the charts. You put all of that together, it's rare to get someone that we think is the best hitter in the draft and the best fielder in the draft. We felt it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up.' The Los Angeles Angels followed by drafting UC Santa Barbara right-hander Tyler Bremner, who struck out 111 batters in 77 1/3 innings as a junior for the Gauchos in 2025. Anderson dropped to third, where the Mariners tabbed the College World Series Most Outstanding Player from LSU. Anderson went 12-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts in 2025. The 6-foot-2 Madisonville, La., native missed his entire freshman season in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Anderson then compiled a 16-3 record in 37 outings (28 starts) over his two college seasons. He was a First-Team All-American and Baseball America's National Pitcher of the year this season. Holliday went fourth to the Colorado Rockies, 27 years after the franchise selected his father Matt in the seventh round in 1998. The elder Holliday hit 130 of his 316 career home runs with the Rockies from 2004-08 before returning to Denver for his final season in 2018. Ethan, younger brother of Jackson -- the first overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022 -- was Baseball America's 2025 High School Player of the Year at Stillwater High School, where he posted a .611 batting average with 19 home runs and 64 runs batted in (RBIs) in 33 games. Left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle out of the University of Tennessee was picked fifth by the St. Louis Cardinals, followed by the third high school player to be selected in Seth Hernandez (Corona HS in Calif.), a right-handed pitcher. Oregon State star shortstop Aiva Arquette was picked by the Miami Marlins at seven, while Purvis High School (Miss.) JoJo Parker was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays at eight. The high school theme continued to round out the top 10, as the Cincinnati Reds tabbed Steele Hall, a shortstop from Hewitt-Trussville High School (Ala.). Hernandez's Corona High teammate Billy Carlson, a shortstop, was picked tenth by the Chicago White Sox.
