Latest news with #GoldGlove-caliber
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletics execute major roster shakeup amid nine-game losing streak
Athletics execute major roster shakeup amid nine-game losing streak originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The Athletics are pulling all the tricks out of the bag in an effort to end their nine-game losing streak. Advertisement The A's are calling up top prospect and outfielder Denzel Clarke from Triple-A Las Vegas, They also are calling up No. 30 prospect and infielder/outfielder Logan Davidson, catcher Willie Maclver, infielder CJ Alexander and left-handed pitcher Jacob Lopez. ESPN's Jeff Passan and Martin Gallegos first reported some of the moves Friday morning. The A's optioned centerfielder JJ Bleday, right-handed pitcher Carlos Duran and catcher Jhonny Pereda to Triple-A Las Vegas and designated outfielder/infielder Seth Brown for assignment, placed third baseman Gio Urshela on IL and transferred infielder Zack Gelof to the 60-day IL. '[We're] obviously in a stretch right now where we're not finding ways to win,' general manager David Forst told reporters Friday. 'Trying to make some changes where we can. … We will continue to look, both from a position player and pitcher's standpoint, for places where we can make improvements and get back to the kind of baseball we were playing before this stretch started. Advertisement 'I think we're better than we've shown the last 10 days.' Clarke, who just turned 25, is hitting .286/.436/.419 through 31 games with Las Vegas. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder already is viewed by the Athletics as a Gold Glove-caliber defender in center (h/t Gallegos), and Forst told reporters he'll start there in Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. 'From a defensive standpoint in center, he's probably one of the better ones we have in the organization,' Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said of Clarke back in March. 'He's super talented out there.' Davidson was selected by the Athletics in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and through 41 games with Las Vegas, he is hitting .303 with a .879 OPS. Forst envisions Davidson being a valuable 'super-utility guy' for the A's moving forward. Advertisement Maclver, 28, is hitting .389 with a 1.017 OPS through 35 games for Las Vegas, and Alexander, 28, is hitting .252/.348/.509 with a .857 OPS through 42 games. Lopez returns to the A's with a 3.86 ERA through seven innings during the 2025 MLB season. The Athletics now hope Clarke's energetic spirit and crafty play, paired with a batch of fresh faces both at the plate and on the field, can help them turn things around. Forst said Lopez, alongside Clarke, will start against Philadelphia, giving the call-ups a quick opportunity.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Has Roman Anthony forced Red Sox to make call-up decision? Alex Cora weighs in
BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora suggested March 28 that top Red Sox prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer could force their way to the majors this season by dominating at Triple-A Worcester. Cora said it doesn't have to be an injury on the big league roster that clears a path for them. Advertisement 'I think it's the other way — they're gonna push us to make decisions,' Cora said back then. Anthony, who Baseball America ranks No. 1 on its Top 100 list, has been one of the best hitters in Triple A. The 21-year-old went deep on a 95.9 mph sinker in Worcester's 8-2 win over Durham on Tuesday. He is batting .322 with a .450 on-base percentage, .520 slugging percentage, .970 OPS, six homers, eight doubles, two triples, 18 RBIs, 33 runs, 37 walks and 38 strikeouts in 42 games (191 plate appearances) for Worcester. What more does he need to do to push the Red Sox to make a decision? Cora was asked that question before Boston's game against the Mets on Wednesday. Advertisement 'That's a great question. I understand where you're coming from,' Cora said. 'But we are where we're at. Right now we've got some guys here that are playing great baseball. We understand that at one point, I do believe they're going to be part of this. But as of right now, we haven't made that decision.' How could the Red Sox front office fit Anthony, a left fielder, on this current roster? Both shortstop Trevor Story and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela have struggled at the plate. Story has the 22nd worst OPS (.617) among qualified major league hitters. He has one extra-base hit in his past 24 games. Rafaela has the 30th worst OPS (.646). Advertisement Boston could move Rafaela to a super utility role, slide left fielder Jarren Duran to center field and put Anthony in left field. That said, Rafaela has been better offensively this month (.281/.305./421/.726, 61 plate appearances). Cora described Rafaela's May as 'interesting.' 'We're still swinging a lot but we're hitting the ball hard,' Cora said. 'All the expected numbers are great. You look at the scoreboard and you're like, 'Eh.' ... We feel offensively it's a competitive at-bat. Last year, he went through stretches. He wasn't this consistent. Let's put it that way. Working hard on his craft. Still making adjustments (with mechanics).' So the Red Sox could keep Rafaela as an everyday player by moving him to shortstop and making Story a platoon player. In that scenario, Duran again would shift to center field and Anthony would play left field. Advertisement Sure, taking Rafaela out of center field makes the Red Sox worse defensively. Rafaela has the sixth best fWAR (0.9) among Red Sox players — despite how poorly he has hit — because of the value he provides defensively. But Duran is more than capable in center field, posting 17 defensive runs saved in 810 ⅓ innings there last year. Rafaela is not a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop at this point like he is a Gold Glove candidate in center (eight defensive runs saved, 380 ⅔ innings). But he probably would provide around the same production defensively as Story has given there. Story has been an elite defender throughout his career but he's in the 10th percentile in outs above average/range (-3) and the 18th percentile in fielding run value (-2) this year. Advertisement At some point, the Red Sox are going to have to make tough roster decisions. They can't just stand pat as the top prospect in baseball tears up Triple A. He has done what he needs to do to push the Red Sox to make a decision and force his way here. 'I don't say this lightly — I think he's the best minor league hitter I've ever seen," Red Sox first baseman Abraham Toro said earlier this month. 'I think he can be an absolute star in MLB. It just shows what he's doing.' Toro mentioned Anthony could pull the ball more often. Almost all his extra-base hits have gone to the opposite field and center and that is something that Anthony needs to do a little more. 'If he can pull the ball more often, he'll just be one of the best players,' Toro said. More On Red Sox Prospects Read the original article on MassLive.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cubs have found expanding star power with Crow-Armstrong
CHICAGO -- As Chicago Cubs officials contemplated the idea of star power -- how to acquire it, develop it and maximize it -- they also held out hope for an internal solution. In breaking up the 2016 World Series team, someone had to fill the void at Wrigley Field, capture the imagination of fans and produce monster seven WAR seasons. Though far from a guaranteed outcome, one hypothetical centered on: What if everything clicked for Pete Crow-Armstrong? You are looking at it right now. The Cubs in first place in the National League Central. Crow-Armstrong making leaping catches at the ivy and hitting home runs into the bleachers. Fans chanting, 'P-C-A,' and roaring when he drives the ball into the right-field corner, knowing that is an easy triple with his speed. The All-Star Game buzz and MVP chatter are already picking up. 'That's irrelevant to what I do on a daily basis,' Crow-Armstrong said. 'Simple as that.' This timeline would have sounded aggressive, if not unrealistic, during the early stages of this rebuild. Just last month, Crow-Armstrong was stuck on zero home runs through 73 plate appearances, with a batting average below .200. Negotiations around a long-term contract extension had fizzled. Though Crow-Armstrong's floor appeared secure as a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder, his career ceiling was undefined. He looked overmatched as a September call-up in 2023, and even a good second half to his rookie season left him as a below-average major league hitter. Perhaps this would be a year with some more growing pains, which would be fine if Kyle Tucker carried the Cubs back into the playoffs. But then Crow-Armstrong blasted two home runs April 13 at Dodger Stadium. He even blew a kiss to his parents behind home plate, which became a signature moment of ESPN's 'Sunday Night Baseball' broadcast and the start of his unreal hot streak. 'Every time he comes up to the plate,' Cubs catcher Carson Kelly said, 'you know something awesome might happen.' It happened again during Saturday afternoon's 7-3 win over the Chicago White Sox at the Friendly Confines, where a crowd of 40,134 watched Crow-Armstrong line a two-run single into center field, steal his 14th base and hustle for a triple. He has played in all of the club's 50 games, producing 12 homers, 39 RBIs, 38 runs scored and an .886 on-base plus slugging percentage, all while lighting up the defensive metrics. This is why Cubs' president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, likes to call it a young man's game. Entering Thursday, the players who have generated the highest Wins Above Replacement this season, according to FanGraphs, were Aaron Judge (4.3) and Crow-Armstrong (2.9), followed by five players at 2.8: Corbin Carroll, Cal Raleigh, Geraldo Perdomo, Bobby Witt Jr. and Shohei Ohtani. 'Pete's young,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'When you have players that are this young, they come to the big leagues, and you think, 'This is what they are.' And he's 23. Most guys haven't made their debut yet. So that's the beauty of getting to the big leagues at that age. 'It means you've succeeded against older players and in player development in the minor leagues. But it also means you're just new to this. He's a talented kid. He was a first-round pick for a reason. It's fun watching what's possible with players like this.' Growing up in Southern California, Crow-Armstrong was well known in baseball circles at an early age. He played for USA Baseball at multiple levels of international competition, beginning with the 12-and-under national team. He graduated from Harvard-Westlake School, which had produced first-round picks Max Fried, Lucas Giolito and Jack Flaherty. The Cubs passed on Crow-Armstrong in the 2020 MLB draft, but they got a second chance to acquire him in the Javier Báez deal with the New York Mets at the 2021 trade deadline, a franchise-altering day in so many ways. 'I always knew he was going to be a star,' said pitcher Cade Horton, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft, who remembered watching Crow-Armstrong play in high school. 'But this year, he's really found a groove, and it's awesome to watch. I love playing with guys like that, guys that just want to win and will do anything to help their team. 'He works hard. He knows what he's good at. He's going to cause chaos on the bases. He's going to hit home runs. He's going to make plays in center. He's got all the tools.' The Cubs have needed Crow-Armstrong's MVP-level stretch while some key players were out. Their leadoff man, Ian Happ, returned Tuesday, but All-Star pitcher Shota Imanaga is not expected back until June, and Justin Steele, a 2023 All-Star, is out for the season. After a great start, Tucker had cooled off a bit, but was 6 for 8 with two home runs in wins against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ryan Pressly lost his job as the closer. Amid those issues, the record is 30-20, and the hardest part of the schedule was front-loaded. As flashy as Crow-Armstrong's play can be between the lines, his demeanor off the field is mild-mannered and introspective. 'This feeling's fleeting,' he said. 'It doesn't always stay.' Crow-Armstrong credited hitting coaches Dustin Kelly and John Mallee for helping him find a consistent stance that accentuates his athleticism. He acknowledged it is easier to hit with runners on base, in a deep lineup anchored by Tucker and Seiya Suzuki. He appreciated how teammates such as Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner encouraged him while he was struggling. In terms of approach, Crow-Armstrong also gave a shoutout to Justin Turner, the team's 40-year-old hitting guru. Whether you are feeling good or bad, Crow-Armstrong said, the main focus is 'being able to go up there like it's 0 for 0 every time.' This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Copyright 2025
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees manager doesn't hide excitement about key slugger's jaw-dropping turnaround
There's a beautiful kind of redemption that happens in baseball — a story where patience, perseverance, and talent finally collide. For Cody Bellinger, his early season struggles felt like a familiar echo of darker days. New York Yankees fans, wide-eyed with early hope, watched that optimism start to flicker. Advertisement The first few weeks weren't kind. Bellinger stumbled out of the gate with a brutal .164/.213/.288 slash line through April 22, looking more like his 2021-22 self than the MVP-caliber hitter the Yankees hoped for. Some wrote him off. Whispers of doubt started swirling in postgame discussions and fan forums. But beneath the surface, the Yankees held firm. In baseball, sometimes a player just needs one click — one adjustment — and suddenly, the game slows down again. Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images A monster turnaround Since April 23, Bellinger has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League. It's not hyperbole — it's in the numbers. Advertisement He's slashing .338/.426/.613 with seven doubles, five home runs, and a jaw-dropping 194 wRC+ in 94 plate appearances. That's not just a rebound. That's a statement. A player once teetering on irrelevance is now commanding at-bats with confidence and power. Yankees manager Aaron Boone summed it up best: 'Really been exciting the way he's performed here, especially these last couple weeks.' It's more than just a hot streak. Bellinger is tracking pitches better, laying off the breaking balls in the dirt, and punishing mistakes. More than Soto replacements: How the Yankees built a complete roster Let's face it — Juan Soto isn't wearing pinstripes, and for a while, that stung. The superstar slugger seemed like the perfect fit. Advertisement But when it became clear Soto wasn't coming, the Yankees didn't panic. They pivoted — decisively and smartly. They landed Paul Goldschmidt to bolster the infield, added Devin Williams to fortify the bullpen, and grabbed Max Fried to deepen the rotation. And then there was Bellinger. Not the flashiest name in that group, but now possibly the most valuable so far. He doesn't need to be Soto. He just has to be himself — a comfortably above-average bat with Gold Glove-caliber defense and playoff experience. So far this season, he's slashing .258/.331/.458 with seven homers, 28 RBIs, four steals, and a 122 wRC+. That's more than good enough. Credit: John Froschauer-Imagn Images The emotional rollercoaster of fan patience — and the reward at the end Being a fan of this sport means investing in uncertainty. Every at-bat is a hope. Every slump is a heartbreak. Advertisement Watching Bellinger's turnaround has been like watching a wilted flower bloom under the Bronx lights. You know the talent is there — it just needed nurturing. The analogy feels fitting: Bellinger was like an old vinyl record dusted off from a forgotten shelf — scratched, weathered, but full of soul. And when the needle dropped again this season, the sound was smooth, vintage, and better than anyone remembered. Now, Yankees fans are singing a new tune — and it's got Bellinger right in the chorus. Why Bellinger matters now more than ever The Yankees don't need Bellinger to carry the lineup. But having him perform like this changes everything. Advertisement He stretches the lineup. He brings balance to the left side. He puts pressure on pitchers who already have to deal with Goldschmidt, Aaron Judge, and others. More importantly, he brings postseason pedigree, a quiet swagger, and the kind of experience that can anchor a clubhouse during long summer stretches. This version of Cody Bellinger — locked in, confident, and producing — might be one of the best stories of the Yankees' 2025 campaign. And it's one that's still unfolding — chapter by chapter, swing by swing, right in front of our eyes. Popular reading: Yankees' brilliant pivot may have saved them from a disastrous contract Advertisement Related Headlines
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Bellinger's 2025 Slump Steering Him Toward a Contract Reset?
After a red-hot spring that had fans and scouts talking about a potential bounce-back season and Yankees legend Tino Martinez predicting a monster year, Cody Bellinger has cooled off considerably. According to The Bergen Record's Pete Caldera, the veteran outfielder's first quarter with the New York Yankees has been 'disappointing and uneven'—particularly at the plate. While his bat's been quiet, Caldera points out his looming contract is echoing very loudly for the Yankees as they look to the future. Advertisement Caldera notes that if Bellinger's offensive numbers don't rebound, he might consider exercising his $25 million player option for the 2026 season. That would allow him to avoid a soft free-agent market and aim for a reset year instead—something more players are starting to consider in a volatile post-pandemic contract landscape. The Chicago Cubs gave Bellinger a three-year, $80 million deal that includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. It was a structure built to protect both sides with short-term flexibility for the club, and upside potential for Bellinger if he returned to form. New York Yankees center fielder Cody Bellinger tosses his bat after being called out on strikes against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 22, 2025.© David Richard-Imagn Images So far, it looks like it will protect Bellinger. Advertisement Through his first 150 plate appearances, the lefty slugger is batting just .221 with five home runs and a .675 OPS. For a player expected to anchor the middle of the Yankees' lineup and help carry them through a competitive AL East race, it's not the production they envisioned. What's keeping Bellinger valuable and probably the main reason he is playing every day is the glove. He's played Gold Glove-caliber defense across all three outfield spots. Bellinger was brought in as part of the Yankees' pivot after losing Juan Soto in free agency. The Yankees liked his defense and felt his left-handed swing would benefit from playing in Yankee Stadium 81 times a year. Related: Insider Links Yankees to All-Star Third Baseman as Trade Rumors Heat Up Related: Aaron Boone Provides Telling Update on DJ LeMahieu's Return Plans
