Latest news with #PIT
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Home Run Derby power rankings: Which participant has the best shot?
The Home Run Derby is one of baseball's most beloved traditions. The opportunity to see raw power on the biggest stage has long captivated fans. The recent changes to the tournament have been well-received as well. Changing the rules to be a timed tournament adds a sense of urgency and tension to what was already an enthralling event. With the new format, endurance has become a pivotal part of the derby, giving younger competitors a huge advantage. That's likely a big reason why, prior to Teoscar Hernandez winning a year ago, no competitor over the age of 26 had won since the format changed. Those are the factors you have to keep in mind when determining a winner this year. You've got to look for youth, stamina, and raw power. Here is every participant this year ranked by their odds of winning the Home Run Derby. All odds via BetMGM. Power Ranking 2025 Home Run Derby participants 1. Cal Raleigh, SEA (+280) It's obvious that the guy with the most home runs in baseball is going to be a favorite in an event about hitting home runs. But I wouldn't be so sure that the Big Dumper is going to win it all. He's a little old for his first tournament, and considering Raleigh has historically been a better hitter when batting right-handed, Truist Park has always been a pretty middling home run park for righties, favoring hitters from the left side. Maybe Raleigh will participate as a lefty. After all, 22 of his 38 home runs have come as a lefty. However, that's just because there are more right-handed pitchers in baseball than southpaws. He's just had more opportunity to hit homers from the left side than the right. Raleigh is slashing .229/.375/.543 as a lefty batter in 2025. He's slashing .333/.382/.853 as a righty. If he wants to put his best foot forward, he'll hit right-handed, which could hurt his chances. 2. Oneil Cruz, PIT (+350) 3. James Wood, WSH (+400) These two should be the favorites. They are both young enough to dominate in a battle of stamina and both are near the top of the exit velocity leaderboards this season. In fact, no one has hit a ball harder than Cruz's 122.9 mph, per Baseball Savant. Wood ranks fifth on that list. Cruz also ranks first in average exit velocity. He should be the favorite. These two should be the frontrunners and are likely the best bang for your buck if you're looking to gamble on the derby. T-4. Byron Buxton, MIN (+900) T-4. Brent Rooker, ATH (+900) T-4. Matt Olson, ATL (+900) While none of these participants is very young, they all have immense power. These guys could do some damage in the earlier rounds, but a decline should be expected as the tournament progresses. It would be a shock if any of these three win. 7. Junior Caminero, TB (+1000) 8. Jazz Chisholm Jr., NYY (+1500) Caminero is not getting nearly the love he deserves. Caminero's max exit velocity of 116.5 ranks 13th in Major League Baseball. The only two participants with better max exit velos are Wood and Cruz. Yet somehow they have much better odds than he does. Yes, Caminero is a right-handed hitter, which is a detriment in comparison to lefties Wood and Cruz, but if anyone is going to put up a fight against those two titans, it's going to be Caminero.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Michigan State basketball guard joining New Orleans Pelicans for NBA Summer League
Vanderbilt's AJ Hoggard will join the New Orleans Pelicans for NBA Summer League, I'm 6'3 ¾" guard averaged 8.8 PTS, 4.6 AST, 2.7 REB across five NCAA guard with positional size who led NCAA DI in AST% in 2022 and earned back-to-back PIT nods. The 2025 NBA Draft has come and gone, and players are finding their new homes, learning where they will play for the beginning of their professional career. With the next stages of careers playing out, several players with ties to Michigan State are learning their new landing spots. One high profile, former Spartan, A.J. Hoggard has found out where he will be playing when the NBA Summer League begins. The New Orleans Pelicans have signed on Hoggard to join the team for summer league, according to Draft Express' Jon Chepkevich. A 6-foot-3 guard, Hoggard spent four seasons with Michigan State, averaging 8.6 points and 4.6 assists, before spending one season at Vanderbilt, where he averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 assists with the Commodores. Five seasons in college basketball has shown the playmaking ability Hoggard has, to go along with good positional size for the next level. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Xavier Musketeers standout Zach Freemantle agrees to deal with Orlando Magic
Zach Freemantle was not one of the five Big East players selected in this week's NBA Draft, which wrapped up from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday, June 26. However, it didn't take long for the former Xavier Musketeers forward to find an NBA suitor. Advertisement Freemantle has agreed to a deal with the Orlando Magic, the school announced Friday afternoon. Freemantle will suit up for the Magic in the NBA Summer League, which begins next month. More: Xavier will host Missouri State as part of 2025-26 non-conference basketball schedule In April, Freemantle was named to the all-tournament team at the 71st annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) in Virginia. The Teaneck, New Jersey native was also selected to play in the NABC-Reese's Division I College All-Star Game in San Antonio as part of Final Four weekend. Xavier forward Zach Freemantle (32) was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2025. Over a six-season collegiate career with the Musketeers, Freemantle battled a slew of injuries but still etched his name in Xavier history. Advertisement During Xavier's first-round Big East Tournament loss to Marquette at Madison Square Garden in March, Freemantle became the fourth Xavier player to rank top 10 all-time in scoring and rebounding, joining David West, Romain Sato and Tyrone Hill. More: Who is Vaughn Karvala? Xavier hosting 4-star, Class of 2026 forward on Wednesday Freemantle ranks 10th in Xavier history in career points (1,749) and ninth in career rebounds (888). In 136 total games, Freemantle made 107 starts and averaged 12.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per night. After missing all of the 2023-24 season due to a foot injury, Freemantle returned for one more season and helped lead Xavier to the NCAA Tournament. Advertisement More: 'A lot of hugs.' For Xavier's Zach Freemantle, NCAA Tournament was the missing piece Freemantle averaged 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds and scored in double figures in Xavier's first 30 games before a season-ending loss to Illinois in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Freemantle was a second-team All-Big East selection for the second time in his career (2021). This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Xavier standout Zach Freemantle signs with NBA's Orlando Magic
Muscat Daily
24-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Income Tax key step for revenue diversification: Economy Minister
Muscat – The Ministry of Economy affirmed that the implementation of the Personal Income Tax (PIT), set to take effect at the beginning of 2028, represents a crucial step toward enhancing financial stability and completing the fiscal sustainability framework. This measure aims to ensure sustainable financing for development across various sectors. H E Dr Said Mohammed al Saqri H E Dr Said Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, stated: 'The tax serves as a new revenue stream to diversify public income sources and mitigate risks associated with reliance on oil as the primary revenue source. It will help maintain current levels of social and service spending while preserving Oman's achievements in financial and economic stability under 'Oman Vision 2040' and its first executive phase, the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021-25).' He explained that the PIT is a fiscal tool adopted by most countries worldwide as a key revenue source to fund state-provided services. Over 190 countries impose this tax, and in many, income taxes constitute the largest component of total tax revenues at federal and local levels, financing public goods and services. He noted that implementing the tax in Oman will yield significant economic benefits, supporting income diversification strategies and long-term fiscal stability as a pillar of economic growth. It, he added, will also sustain government revenues, strengthen the state's financial position, maintain credit ratings, and boost spending power for beneficiaries – directly stimulating aggregate demand and economic growth. He highlighted that oil and gas revenues account for 68% to 85% of Oman's total public income, depending on global energy prices. While oil prices have stabilised at favourable levels in recent years, they remain volatile. Oman has effectively managed additional oil revenues by reducing public debt to safe GDP ratios, increasing investment and social spending, and subsidizing essential goods and services, he further noted. He affirmed that government policies and initiatives have successfully shifted Oman's fiscal and economic trajectory toward sustainability and stability. Public debt has sharply declined, credit ratings have consistently improved to investment-grade levels, and Oman's standing in global competitiveness indices has risen. The Tenth Five-Year Plan sustained GDP growth near target rates, while economic diversification policies attracted quality investments and drove non-oil sector growth beyond expectations, the minister said. He added: 'As the Tenth Plan nears completion, Oman has advanced significantly in economic diversification and fiscal sustainability. The PIT will further prioritise financial stability by diversifying revenue sources – a strategic necessity to ensure equitable wealth distribution, enhance public services, strengthen social protection systems, and mitigate risks from global energy market fluctuations and other economic variables.' He emphasised that accelerating 'Oman Vision 2040' and its economic diversification strategy – transitioning to a knowledge- and technology-driven economy – requires sustainable funding for long-term planning. The Vision targets strategic investments in education, human capital, advanced infrastructure, innovation, and diversified sectors, alongside essential services and social protection. He pointed out that the 2025 budget allocates over RO5bn (39% to education, 24% to health, 28% to social protection) to these sectors, with the Social Protection Fund benefiting over 2mn people monthly as a key mechanism for household financial stability. As for the potential economic impacts, He noted that the tax study assessed effects on GDP and 18 economic sectors, concluding minimal impact (under 1%) due to high exemption and low tax rates. Foreign investment is expected to remain unaffected, as the tax applies to individuals – not corporate entities – and Oman's rates remain competitive globally, the minister concluded.
Observer
23-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
PIT to ensure sustainable financing for development
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Economy affirmed that the implementation of the Personal Income Tax (PIT), set to take effect at the beginning of 2028, represents a crucial step towards enhancing financial stability and completing the fiscal sustainability framework. This measure aims to ensure sustainable financing for development across various sectors. Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, stated: 'The tax serves as a new revenue stream to diversify public income sources and mitigate risks associated with reliance on oil as the primary revenue source. It will help maintain current levels of social and service spending while preserving Oman's achievements in financial and economic stability under Oman Vision 2040 and its first executive phase, the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025)." He explained that the (PIT) is a fiscal tool adopted by most countries worldwide as a key revenue source to fund state-provided services. Over 190 countries impose this tax, and in many, income taxes constitute the largest component of total tax revenues at federal and local levels, financing public goods and services. He noted that implementing the tax in Oman will yield significant economic benefits, supporting income diversification strategies and long-term fiscal stability as a pillar of economic growth. It, he added, will also sustain government revenues, strengthen the state's financial position, maintain credit ratings and boost spending power for beneficiaries — directly stimulating aggregate demand and economic growth. He highlighted that oil and gas revenues account for 68 per cent to 85 per cent of Oman's total public income, depending on global energy prices. While oil prices have stabilised at favourable levels in recent years, they remain volatile. Oman has effectively managed additional oil revenues by reducing public debt to safe GDP ratios, increasing investment and social spending, and subsidising essential goods and services, he further noted. Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy He affirmed that government policies and initiatives have successfully shifted Oman's fiscal and economic trajectory towards sustainability and stability. Public debt has sharply declined, credit ratings have consistently improved to investment-grade levels, and Oman's standing in global competitiveness indices has risen. The Tenth Five-Year Plan sustained GDP growth near target rates, while economic diversification policies attracted quality investments and drove non-oil sector growth beyond expectations, the minister said. He added: 'As the Tenth Plan nears completion, Oman has advanced significantly in economic diversification and fiscal sustainability. The (PIT) will further prioritise financial stability by diversifying revenue sources — a strategic necessity to ensure equitable wealth distribution, enhance public services, strengthen social protection systems, and mitigate risks from global energy market fluctuations and other economic variables.' He emphasised that accelerating Oman Vision 2040 and its economic diversification strategy — transitioning to a knowledge- and technology-driven economy — requires sustainable funding for long-term planning. The vision targets strategic investments in education, human capital, advanced infrastructure, innovation and diversified sectors, alongside essential services and social protection. He pointed out that the 2025 budget allocates over RO 5 billion (39 per cent to education, 24 per cent to health, 28 per cent to social protection) to these sectors, with the Social Protection Fund benefiting over 2 million people monthly as a key mechanism for household financial stability. As for the potential economic impacts, the minister noted that the tax study assessed effects on GDP and 18 economic sectors, concluding minimal impact (under 1 per cent) due to high exemption and low tax rates. Foreign investment is expected to remain unaffected, as the tax applies to individuals — not corporate entities — and Oman's rates remain competitive globally, the minister concluded. - ONA
