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The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Major League baseball prospects who could be promoted to MLB in August
That's the day franchises can summon minor leaguers for their major league debuts, while still maintaining their rookie status for the 2026 season. And if a consensus top 100 prospect either wins Rookie of the Year next year or earns a top-three finish in MVP or Cy Young Award voting in their first three seasons, the club is awarded a prospect promotion incentive draft pick, slotted just after the first round of the following season's draft. A bit convoluted, yes, but just know that if a rash of blue chip prospects arrive this week, that's why. Here's a look at six of the most prominent potential arrivals: Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles Orioles GM Mike Elias loves his draft picks and loves it even more when a recent draftee produces an extra pick and bonus pool money thanks to the PPI stipulation. That was the case with Gunnar Henderson, who debuted in August 2022 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. Enter Basallo, who turns 21 Aug. 13. The 6-4 Dominican signee largely dominated Class AAA as a 20-year-old, with a .997 OPS, 23 homers and a 13.7% walk rate. While he still needs significant growth behind the plate - as all 20-ish catchers do - it behooves the Orioles to see what the bat can do before laying groundwork for 2026. And Basallo, Baseball America's No. 7 overall prospect, could be joined by Norfolk teammate Dylan Beavers. The outfielder, who turned 24 Aug. 11, posted a .948 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants At 6-7, 240, Eldridge represents the perennially power-starved Giants' best shot in years at producing a homegrown slugger. Still just 20, Eldridge was slowed by injury this year but has gotten going at Class AAA Sacramento, where he has 12 homers but also 50 strikeouts in 157 plate appearances. If recency bias matters, Eldridge should get summoned west on I-80: He's posted a .298/.388/.667 line his past 15 games, with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. So long as San Francisco can handle an extra gust of wind from some swing-and-miss, no harm in dreaming of Eldridge and Rafael Devers sliding in between right-handers Matt Chapman and Willy Adames in that lineup. He could've been the top pick in the 2024 draft but slid to No. 7 and the Cardinals, who were thrilled to land such talent there. And Wetherholt has not disappointed, reaching Class AAA by July and hardly slowing his roll, with a .298/.414/478 line and 18 steals in 20 chances in 112 professional games. Now, the age-old quandary: Consistent playing time or a taste of the big leagues? Masyn Winn is entrenched at shortstop and a handful of multi-position types are also vying for at-bats in St. Louis. Wetherholt, a West Virginia product, has adjusted smoothly to every level; it will take a lot to force the issue, but if he's still unstoppable by the end of this month, it might be pragmatic to keep the ceiling off his ability. Owen Caissie, OF, Chicago Cubs So, just how confident are the Cubs in re-signing Kyle Tucker? The sterling trio of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Tucker - along with DH Seiya Suzuki - leave no place for Caissie to play in Chicago, but he's probably scraped his head on the ceiling a few times at Class AAA Iowa. Caissie has played 218 games and taken 944 plate appearances at AAA the past two seasons, hit 40 homers and posted an .892 OPS. It would probably take an injury to get Caissie to Wrigley Field, but he's already on the 40-man roster. And Caissie could help both their pennant drive and their winter fortune telling should Tucker find greener pastures. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays have thoughtfully yet urgently nudged Yesavage through four levels this season, and now the 20th overall pick in 2024 has landed at Class AAA Buffalo - just as the big club sees the Boston Red Sox lurking four games out in the AL East. With Shane Bieber likely to join the rotation after one more rehab appearance, Yesavage may not be needed to start. But the deeper reaches of the Blue Jays' pen has been a revolving door and the club needs quality innings, regardless of role. Yesavage struck out an eye-opening 15 batters per nine innings at his three stops; should he keep that up at Buffalo, crossing the Peace Bridge to the Jays' bullpen is very much in play. Travis Bazzana, INF, Cleveland Guardians Like Yesavage, Bazzana just landed at Class AAA, after a promotion from AA Akron. And like Yesavage, Bazzana could provide a specific skill set to boost a team suddenly in the playoff picture. As a matter of course, we'll pump the brakes a bit: Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick a year ago, missed two months with an oblique strain and has just 85 professional games under his belt. On the other hand, the Guardians' mix-and-match of middle infielders - Gabriel Arias (84 adjusted OPS), Daniel Scheeneman (98), Brayan Rocchio (68) and Angel Martinez (81) are all producing below league average at the plate. And Bazzana ended his Akron stint on a heater, with a .367 OBP and .779 OPS while reducing his K rate from his previous stint. Bazzana will surely be a favorite for 2026 AL Rookie of the Year. It might make sense to start banging that drum very soon.
USA Today
12-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
MLB top prospects: Six stars who could get promoted to the majors in August
The art of the call-up has evolved over the decades as the fine print in Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement gets revised every few years. And now, the date to watch for the semi-coincidental arrival of top prospects is almost upon us: Aug. 15. That's the day franchises can summon minor leaguers for their major league debuts, while still maintaining their rookie status for the 2026 season. And if a consensus top 100 prospect either wins Rookie of the Year next year or earns a top-three finish in MVP or Cy Young Award voting in their first three seasons, the club is awarded a prospect promotion incentive draft pick, slotted just after the first round of the following season's draft. A bit convoluted, yes, but just know that if a rash of blue chip prospects arrive this week, that's why. Here's a look at six of the most prominent potential arrivals: Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles Orioles GM Mike Elias loves his draft picks and loves it even more when a recent draftee produces an extra pick and bonus pool money thanks to the PPI stipulation. That was the case with Gunnar Henderson, who debuted in August 2022 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. Enter Basallo, who turns 21 Aug. 13. The 6-4 Dominican signee largely dominated Class AAA as a 20-year-old, with a .997 OPS, 23 homers and a 13.7% walk rate. While he still needs significant growth behind the plate – as all 20-ish catchers do – it behooves the Orioles to see what the bat can do before laying groundwork for 2026. And Basallo, Baseball America's No. 7 overall prospect, could be joined by Norfolk teammate Dylan Beavers. The outfielder, who turned 24 Aug. 11, posted a .948 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants At 6-7, 240, Eldridge represents the perennially power-starved Giants' best shot in years at producing a homegrown slugger. Still just 20, Eldridge was slowed by injury this year but has gotten going at Class AAA Sacramento, where he has 12 homers but also 50 strikeouts in 157 plate appearances. If recency bias matters, Eldridge should get summoned west on I-80: He's posted a .298/.388/.667 line his past 15 games, with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. So long as San Francisco can handle an extra gust of wind from some swing-and-miss, no harm in dreaming of Eldridge and Rafael Devers sliding in between right-handers Matt Chapman and Willy Adames in that lineup. JJ Wetherholt, INF, St. Louis Cardinals He could've been the top pick in the 2024 draft but slid to No. 7 and the Cardinals, who were thrilled to land such talent there. And Wetherholt has not disappointed, reaching Class AAA by July and hardly slowing his roll, with a .298/.414/478 line and 18 steals in 20 chances in 112 professional games. Now, the age-old quandary: Consistent playing time or a taste of the big leagues? Masyn Winn is entrenched at shortstop and a handful of multi-position types are also vying for at-bats in St. Louis. Wetherholt, a West Virginia product, has adjusted smoothly to every level; it will take a lot to force the issue, but if he's still unstoppable by the end of this month, it might be pragmatic to keep the ceiling off his ability. Owen Caissie, OF, Chicago Cubs So, just how confident are the Cubs in re-signing Kyle Tucker? The sterling trio of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Tucker – along with DH Seiya Suzuki – leave no place for Caissie to play in Chicago, but he's probably scraped his head on the ceiling a few times at Class AAA Iowa. Caissie has played 218 games and taken 944 plate appearances at AAA the past two seasons, hit 40 homers and posted an .892 OPS. It would probably take an injury to get Caissie to Wrigley Field, but he's already on the 40-man roster. And Caissie could help both their pennant drive and their winter fortune telling should Tucker find greener pastures. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays have thoughtfully yet urgently nudged Yesavage through four levels this season, and now the 20th overall pick in 2024 has landed at Class AAA Buffalo – just as the big club sees the Boston Red Sox lurking four games out in the AL East. With Shane Bieber likely to join the rotation after one more rehab appearance, Yesavage may not be needed to start. But the deeper reaches of the Blue Jays' pen has been a revolving door and the club needs quality innings, regardless of role. Yesavage struck out an eye-opening 15 batters per nine innings at his three stops; should he keep that up at Buffalo, crossing the Peace Bridge to the Jays' bullpen is very much in play. Travis Bazzana, INF, Cleveland Guardians Like Yesavage, Bazzana just landed at Class AAA, after a promotion from AA Akron. And like Yesavage, Bazzana could provide a specific skill set to boost a team suddenly in the playoff picture. As a matter of course, we'll pump the brakes a bit: Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick a year ago, missed two months with an oblique strain and has just 85 professional games under his belt. On the other hand, the Guardians' mix-and-match of middle infielders – Gabriel Arias (84 adjusted OPS), Daniel Scheeneman (98), Brayan Rocchio (68) and Angel Martinez (81) are all producing below league average at the plate. And Bazzana ended his Akron stint on a heater, with a .367 OBP and .779 OPS while reducing his K rate from his previous stint. Bazzana will surely be a favorite for 2026 AL Rookie of the Year. It might make sense to start banging that drum very soon.
Boston Globe
01-08-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Former intern rises to CEO at Andover staffing firm Alku
'In ALKU's earliest days, I never could have imagined the success that we would have achieved,' Eldridge wrote in the internal memo announcing the leadership change. 'For a little while we teetered on the brink of failure and, even then, the spirit of the employees is what allowed us to overcome and flourish.' Advertisement Most of Alku's executives today, Bull said, started in entry-level positions, just like he did. That's one reason Bull says he appreciates the outside guidance provided by private equity firm New Mountain Capital, which acquired a controlling stake in Alku in 2023. Eldridge, who picked the name Alku because it means 'start,' a staffing term, in Finnish, will stick around as an advisor to the company he founded in 2008, and will serve as chairman. The timing of the announcement coincided with his 60th birthday. The business, located in 75,000 square feet at the Brickstone office complex in Andover, specializes in finding people to fill temporary assignments in life sciences and tech; Bull says the agency is considering whether to branch into recruiting for full-time, permanent placements, too. Advertisement The firm's revenue could approach $600 million this year, though the staffing industry as a whole has retrenched since hitting peak levels in 2022. As the sector contracts, Alku is gaining market share: Staffing Industry Analysts recently ranked Alku as the 41st largest based on US revenue, up from 57th the previous year, and behind only one Massachusetts-based agency, Beacon Hill Staffing Group. Bull is the first intern to become CEO at Alku. But maybe he won't be the last. 'In my new hire orientation, I always say there's probably somebody here who will someday be certainly a vice president, or perhaps a president or CEO,' Bull said. 'I absolutely think that's within the cards. ... That's how the company has been built, from the bottom up.' Jon Chesto can be reached at
BBC News
29-07-2025
- BBC News
Abergavenny councillor cleared of harassing teenager at trial
A councillor has been cleared of harassment but admonished over a relationship with a teenage girl, a court has Edridge, who was elected as a Labour councillor for Abergavenny in 2022, was accused of sending unwanted messages via email and social media to the girl he described as his "little sister", and who he first met when she was a three hour trial at Newport Magistrates' Court, a judge said there had been a lack of evidence and returned a not guilty verdict to the one charge of harassment without addressing 28-year-old Mr Eldridge, Judge Sophie Toms warned him his messages to a younger girl while he was "well into his 20s", were "inappropriate". Judge Toms said she listened to about 12 minutes of voice notes the councillor sent the girl in March 2024, when she was 17, after she had ended their friendship, and called them "manipulative".In one message, the Abergavenny town councillor said he had been "heartbroken" over their friendship ending and thinking about it while meeting Labour MPs and had to cry at a conference of school Robert Reid told the court the girl, who cannot be named due to her age, said Mr Eldridge intended making a report to social services that she had been raped by a friend of said she did not understand why he had made the allegation and said she did not know the male, who had been accused, particularly well. Mr Eldridge told the trial he had become "confused" over their friendship after what he described as a "malicious joke" played by the girl. He said due to his autism and obsessive compulsive disorder he had taken the joke "literally", and felt he should report as a "safeguarding" concern. Giving evidence, Mr Eldridge denied making a report to social services but said he had taken advice on a "safeguarding concern". He said he had been concerned the girl had been taken to a pub by men, aged 29 and 32, at the voice note sent to the girl, after she had unblocked him on Instagram to send a message to say she did not want to continue their friendship, but would not ignore him if she saw him in public, Mr Eldridge said he was "really sorry" to receive the the recording, played in court, Mr Eldridge said: "I'm genuinely brokenhearted and I can't express how much I'm sorry for the deep emotional trauma I put you through."He added: "In church I light a candle for you and when I was at a conference for school governors from all over Wales I took five minutes and burst into tears. "Tonight at a meeting with Labour Party members and MPs I just wanted to go to the toilets and have a big cry." The judge said a handwritten note left for the teenager at her workplace, as well as incidents when he had approached her at work and when she was with friends, were not reflected in the charge, which referenced Instagram messages, voice notes and complained she was "missing all of the evidence" of contact between Mr Eldridge and the girl before January last year and there was no evidence from the complainant's mother who had also been mentioned by the prosecution and Mr Eldridge in his delivering her verdict, Judge Toms stated she had considered a psychological report, which said Mr Eldridge should be considered as having a disability, and had taken his characteristics into she said she could not be sure he would know his conduct in leaving "one extremely rambling voice message" and another message, the girl had not listened, to amount to said she believed the unwanted contact "could have been resolved by the way of a Police Information Notice" but said she understood Gwent Police no longer issue the notices which inform someone a named individual no longer wished to be contacted by them. A prosecution request for a non-conviction restraining order, to prevent further contact, was also rejected by Judge Toms who said Mr Eldridge had not contacted the girl since April defence solicitor, Derek Gooden, said police had warned him against contact, when he was arrested in September last year, adding: "He has seen her but he now crosses the road."Judge Toms said: "That must continue unless Mr Eldridge wishes to find himself before the court."Mr Eldridge was elected as a Labour member of Abergavenny Town Council, for the Park Ward, at the 2022 local elections but has sat as an independent since being suspended from the Labour group.
South Wales Argus
29-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Abergavenny councillor Kyle Eldridge cleared of harassment
Kyle Edridge, who was elected as a Labour councillor, was accused of sending unwanted messages via email and social media to the girl he described as his 'little sister' and who he first met when she was 14. Following a three hour trial, at a Newport Magistrates' Court, a judge said there had been a lack of evidence and returned a not guilty verdict to the one charge of harassment without violence. Judge Sophie Toms however told 28-year-old Eldridge: 'This sort of relationship, a lot of social media calls and multiple messages, with someone younger when you were well into your 20s is inappropriate. Do you understand?' Mr Eldridge replied: 'Yes I do'. Judge Toms also said she had listened to around 12 minutes of voice notes the councillor had sent the girl in March last year, when she was 17, after she had ended their friendship and called them 'manipulative'. In one message the Abergavenny town councillor said he had been 'heartbroken' over their friendship ending and thinking about it while meeting Labour MPs and had to cry at a conference of school governors. He had told the trial he had become 'confused' over their friendship after what he described as a 'malicious joke' played by the girl, which he said due to his autism and obsessive compulsive disorder he had taken 'literally', and felt he should report as a 'safeguarding' concern. Prosecutor Robert Reid had told the court the girl, who cannot be named due to her age at the time, had said Mr Eldridge intended making a report to social services that she had been raped by a friend of hers. She said she didn't understand why he had made the allegation and said she didn't know the male, who had been accused, particularly well. Giving evidence Mr Eldridge denied making a report to social services but said he had taken advice on a 'safeguarding concern'. He said he had been concerned the girl had been taken to a pub by men, aged 29 and 32, at night. In the voice note sent to the girl, after she had unblocked him on Instagram to send a message to say she didn't want to continue their friendship but wouldn't ignore him if she saw him in public, Mr Eldridge said he was 'really sorry' to receive the message. In the recording, played in court, Mr Eldridge said: 'I'm genuinely broken-hearted and I can't express how much I'm sorry for the deep emotional trauma I put you through.' He also said: 'In church I light a candle for you and when I was at a conference for school governors from all over Wales I took five minutes and burst into tears. Tonight at a meeting with Labour Party members and MPs I just wanted to go to the toilets and have a big cry.' Judge Ms Toms said a handwritten note left for the teenager, at her workplace, and incidents when he'd approached her there, when she was with friends, and at a supermarket with her mother, weren't reflected in the charge, which referenced Instagram messages, voice notes and emails. She complained she was 'missing all of the evidence' of contact between Mr Eldridge and the girl before January last year and there was no evidence from the complainant's mother who'd also been mentioned by the prosecution and Mr Eldridge in his defence. In delivering her verdict Judge Toms stated she had considered a psychological report, which said Mr Eldridge should be considered as having a disability, and had taken his characteristics into account. But said she couldn't be sure he would know his conduct in leaving 'one extremely rambling voice message' and another message, the girl hadn't listened, to amounted to harassment. She also she believed the unwanted contact 'could have been resolved by the way of a Police Information Notice' but said she understood Gwent Police no longer issue the notices which inform someone a named individual no longer wished to be contacted by them. A prosecution request for a non-conviction restraining order, to prevent further contact, was also rejected by Judge Toms who said Mr Eldridge hadn't contacted the girl since April 2024. His defence solicitor Derek Gooden said police had warned him against contact, when he was arrested in September last year, and said: 'He has seen her but he now crosses the road.' Judge Toms said: 'That must continue unless Mr Eldridge wishes to find himself before the court.' Mr Eldridge was elected as a Labour member of Abergavenny Town Council, for the Park Ward, at the 2022 local elections but has sat as an independent since being suspended from the Labour group. He declined to comment when leaving court.
