MLB ROUNDUP: ORIOLES WALK OFF YANKEES WITH 3-RUN 9TH
Cedric Mullins ripped a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of a wild ninth inning as the Baltimore Orioles pulled out a 6-5 victory against the visiting New York Yankees on Sunday, taking a one-game lead in the American League East into the All-Star break.
The Orioles, who ended a five-game losing streak, were down to their final out just moments after their 3-2 lead vanished. But Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe’s fielding error let a run score to prolong the game, and Mullins, who entered earlier as a pinch runner, took advantage.
Ben Rice drilled a three-run home run in the top of the ninth to give the Yankees a 5-3 lead, but the visitors were unable to complete the three-game series sweep. Trent Grisham went 3-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs.
Rice’s sixth homer of the season came off Craig Kimbrel (6-2), who walked the first two batters in the ninth. Closer Clay Holmes (1-4), the Yankees’ fifth reliever, took the loss by giving up three unearned runs.
Athletics 18, Phillies 3
Lawrence Butler clubbed three two-run homers to headline a historic offensive performance from Oakland, which blasted eight home runs to win the rubber match of a three-game series in Philadelphia.
Brent Rooker added a pair of two-run blasts and Seth Brown had two solo shots as the Athletics won for the third time in five games. Zack Gelof put the finishing touches on the stunning power display with a grand slam in the ninth. The Athletics matched a single-game franchise record with their eight home runs.
The home run parade provided more than enough run support for A’s starter Joey Estes (4-4), who yielded three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings. Estes walked one and struck out five.
Red Sox 5, Royals 4
Rafael Devers and Dominic Smith each hit a two-run home run to propel Boston to a victory over visiting Kansas City and their fourth straight series win.
Devers hit his 23rd home run of the season to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead in the first inning, and Smith’s fifth home run increased the lead to 4-1 in the second. Both home runs came against Kansas City starting pitcher Brady Singer (5-6), who gave up four runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Brayan Bello (10-5) gave up three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings for the Red Sox. Kenley Jansen pitched two innings of relief to collect his 19th save, striking out the side in the eighth and giving up a run before escaping the ninth.
Rays 2, Guardians 0
Ryan Pepiot allowed just two hits over six strong innings and Jose Siri and Brandon Lowe hit solo homers as Tampa Bay beat Cleveland, the team with the best record in the American League, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Siri went deep in the third and Lowe did the same in the sixth, both off Cleveland starter Ben Lively (8-5), who allowed just one other hit, two walks and struck out seven over 5 1/3 innings.
However, Pepiot (6-5) was even better, yielding only a single to right by Angel Martinez and an infield single by Andres Gimenez for two of Cleveland’s four hits, while winning back-to-back starts for the first time this season.
Rockies 8, Mets 5
Michael Toglia hit three homers for visiting Colorado, which avoided being swept in a three-game series by defeating New York.
Ezequiel Tovar had two home runs and Brenton Doyle hit the tiebreaking homer leading off the sixth for the Rockies. Toglia hit solo shots in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. The six homers were a season high for the Rockies.
Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer for the Mets, who had their five-game winning streak snapped.
Tigers 4, Dodgers 3
Pinch hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy drove in the tying run and Los Angeles reliever Yohan Ramirez made two errors in the ninth as host Detroit staged a late game-winning rally for the second straight day.
The Tigers erased a 3-2 deficit in the ninth, one day after wiping out a five-run deficit in the ninth on Saturday before claiming an 11-9, extra-inning win. Zach McKinstry scored the tying run on Sunday after leading off the ninth with a triple.
Ramirez (0-5) took the loss after his errant throw on Wenceel Perez’s bunt allowed Malloy to score the winning run. Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages both drove in a run for the Dodgers, who have lost six of their last seven games entering the All-Star break.
Marlins 3, Reds 2
Xavier Edwards went 2-for-3 and drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as Miami salvaged one win from its three-game weekend series against host Cincinnati.
Jonah Bride also contributed two hits – including a two-run single – for the Marlins, who snapped a five-game skid. A.J. Puk (3-8) retired the final batter of the seventh inning and pitched an inning of relief for the win. Tanner Scott secured his 14th save in 16 chances.
Elly De La Cruz belted his team-leading 17th homer for the Reds, who finished their 10-game homestand with a 5-5 mark after an 0-3 start.
Pirates 9, White Sox 4
Joey Bart cracked a go-ahead three-run home run, Bryan Reynolds also homered and Ke’Bryan Hayes had three hits as Pittsburgh finished a three-game road sweep of Chicago.
Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Joshua Palacios each had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates, who enter the All-Star break at 48-48, their first time at .500 since April 27. Quinn Priester (2-5) picked up the victory with two innings of one-run relief.
Luis Robert Jr. had three hits and Eloy Jimenez added two for the White Sox, who are a major league-worst 27-71.
Rangers 4, Astros 2
Josh Smith clubbed a pair of two-run home runs and Josh Sborz worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning as Texas claimed the rubber match of its three-game series against host Houston.
Smith gifted Rangers starter Max Scherzer a two-run lead in the first inning by blasting a 3-0 fastball from Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco into the right field stands. Smith also went deep in the eighth.
Blanco (9-4) allowed two runs on two hits over six innings. The Astros scratched across a run in the ninth off Rangers All-Star closer Kirby Yates, who rallied to record his 16th save. Sborz (2-0) earned the win.
Brewers 9, Nationals 3
Willy Adames went 4-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs to help host Milwaukee avoid a three-game sweep with a victory over Washington.
Adames hit a two-out home run to left-center field with two out in the eighth to complete the scoring. The Brewers’ Colin Rea stepped in for opener Rob Zastryzny in the second, went 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on five hits and fanned seven.
Juan Yepez went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games for the Nationals. Washington starter Jake Irvin allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits through four innings.
Cubs 8, Cardinals 3
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Christopher Morel each hit two homers to power visiting Chicago past St. Louis to salvage a split of the teams’ four-game series.
Tomas Nido and Ian Happ also homered for the Cubs, who have won eight of their last 11 games going into the All-Star break. Chicago starter Jameson Taillon (7-4) allowed three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Pedro Pages hit a two-run single and Alec Burleson had a solo homer for the Cardinals. St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas (7-8) surrendered four home runs as the Cardinals lost for the fourth time over their last six games.
Giants 3, Twins 2
A throwing error by second baseman Brooks Lee turned Mike Yastrzemski’s ninth-inning triple into San Francisco’s walk-off win over the visiting Minnesota.
The Giants took a 2-0 lead into the ninth on the strength of Blake Snell’s seven innings of one-hit ball and early RBI singles by Thairo Estrada and Patrick Bailey. But Giants closer Camilo Doval served up a two-run double to Manuel Margot with one out in the ninth, tying the score. Ryan Walker (6-3) came on to get the last two outs in the top of the ninth.
Yastrzemski launched the fourth pitch by closer Jhoan Duran (5-4) just past the glove of a diving Margot in right-center field. Right fielder Max Kepler retrieved the ball and hit his cutoff man, but Lee’s late throw to third sailed wide of the target and into the Giants’ dugout, ending the game.
Angels 3, Mariners 2
Jo Adell hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth inning as Los Angeles rallied past Seattle in Anaheim, Calif.
Adell’s blast came against Seattle reliever Austin Voth, who was quickly summoned once Ryne Stanek exited with an apparent back injury after walking Mickey Moniak on four pitches to lead off the eighth. Voth walked Zach Neto before hanging a 3-2 sweeper to Adell, who drove his 15th homer of the season over the wall in left-center.
Mariners’ All-Star Logan Gilbert stymied the Angels on two hits across seven scoreless innings and tied his season high with nine strikeouts. J.P. Crawford’s sixth-inning homer was Seattle’s first hit.
Braves 6, Padres 3
Travis d’Arnaud homered twice and knocked in four runs to help Chris Sale win his MLB-high 13th game as Atlanta stopped host San Diego to take two of three in the series.
Sale (13-3) went five innings, allowing four hits and a run with two walks and four strikeouts. Four relievers got the final 12 outs, with closer Raisel Iglesias pitching the ninth inning to bag his 22nd save in 24 chances as Atlanta won for the sixth time in its last nine games.
Randy Vasquez (2-5) absorbed the loss despite pitching decently in his five innings, allowing four hits and two runs with a walk and five punchouts. The result dropped San Diego to 2-6 on its eight-game homestand before the All-Star break.
Blue Jays 8, Diamondbacks 7
Kevin Kiermaier hit a grand slam and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. belted a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to help Toronto salvage a win in its three-game road series against Arizona in Phoenix.
Guerrero and Ernie Clement each had three hits for the Blue Jays, while Daulton Varsho and George Springer supplied two hits apiece. Kiermaier had four RBIs to lead Toronto, which led 7-0 entering the bottom of the fifth.
Ketel Marte hit a grand slam as part of a seven-run fifth for the Diamondbacks. Marte finished with three hits, while Eugenio Suarez had two hits and two RBIs as Arizona had its four-game win streak snapped.
GUARDIANS PICK AUSTRALIAN SLUGGER BAZZANA 1ST OVERALL
Round 1
1) Guardians: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State
The Guardians kept things very close to the vest until the very last minute, looking at a number of college players, especially the top hitters. Bazzana was always high on that list, and for good reason. The left-handed-hitting Australian infielder was a Golden Spikes Award finalist after he hit .407/.568/.911 with 28 homers and 16 steals in his junior year with the Beavers. His penchant for contact fits the Guardians’ hitting philosophy and he has plenty of thump that should get to Cleveland quickly.
2) Reds: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
The Reds were looking at many options and it may have come down to Charlie Condon vs. Chase Burns. In the end, they went for one of the best arms in the entire class, giving them their second straight Wake Forest pitcher taken in the first round (Rhett Lowder in 2023). Burns transferred to Wake Forest and its pitching lab and it had a tremendous effect as he took a step forward with all of his stuff. He has a fastball that touches 100 mph, but it’s his easily plus slider that misses a ridiculous amount of bats. Though Burns grew up in Gallatin, Tenn., he was born in Naples, Italy, because his parents were stationed there with the military.
3) Rockies: Charlie Condon, OF, Georgia
Many thought Condon was the best player in the Draft and he certainly put up the numbers to back up that claim. The Golden Spikes Award winner led all Division I hitters with his .433 average and 37 homers (not to mention his 1.009 SLG). It’s hard not to get excited about how his 70-grade power will play at Coors Field, even if it takes a little to figure out what position he might settle into (I guess an outfield corner).
4) A’s: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest
A slow start because of a shoulder injury may have hurt his stock ever so slightly, but he was far too talented to slip too far. He got hot as the season wore on, finishing with 22 homers and leading Division I hitters with 78 walks. He has well above-average pop to all fields and is a complete hitter, and while he’s limited to first base, he’s a plus defender there.
5) White Sox: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
We at MLB Pipeline had him as the top-ranked pitcher in the class. Smith was a Golden Spikes Award finalist, leading all Division I pitchers in batting average against (.144) and setting a record for K/9 (17.3) rate. The southpaw sits at 93-97 mph and touches 100 with his fastball and has a filthy slider that is virtually unhittable. Add in a splitter and some deception in his delivery and he has frontline starter potential.
6) Royals: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida
A tremendous player who has a 70-grade fastball from the left side on the bump and tremendous power at the plate, Caglianone was announced as a two-way player when his name was called, and the Royals plan to give him a shot to do both. If I had to guess, his future will be punishing pitches, not delivering them (if he doesn’t stick as a two-way player). His lack of swing-and-miss given his power is impressive.
7) Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia
The West Virginia standout missed a chunk of the season because of a hamstring injury, but an argument can be made that he’s one of the top pure hitters in the class. The left-handed hitter can drive the ball to all fields and is a plus runner with a very advanced approach at the plate. Some scouts felt there wasn’t much separating him from Travis Bazzana, with less power and more speed than his counterpart.
8) Angels: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee
Moore’s stock kept climbing the longer Tennessee’s championship season went on. The second baseman finished as the Volunteers’ all-time (61) and single-season (34) home run leader. His improved contact led to a lot more power, which should translate well and gives the Angels their third straight college hitter who could get to Los Angeles quickly after Zach Neto (2022 Draft) and Nolan Schanuel (2023).
9) Pirates: Konnor Griffin, SS, Jackson Prep (Miss.)
There was a lot of talk about the Pirates going after a higher floor college bat, but instead they went all in with Griffin’s upside. He probably has the highest ceiling in the Draft, with four tools that rate at least plus. He has the chance to play shortstop with an easily plus arm, though he could look just as good in center field.
10) Nationals: Seaver King, SS, Wake Forest
This gives Wake Forest its third player in the top 10. King showed his tools could translate from Division II to the ACC this year after transferring from Wingate, using his compact right-handed swing to make a ton of contact, and he might be more hit over power. He can really run and play multiple positions, with a chance to stay in the infield, but the outfield perhaps is a better fit.
11) Tigers: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)
Take one look at the 6-foot-3 left-handed-hitting shortstop and it’s impossible not to make the Corey Seager comps. A two-way guy in high school who is up into the mid-90s off the mound, Rainer took a huge step forward in his athleticism and power to cement him as a real shortstop, giving Harvard-Westlake another first-rounder in the Draft, joining big leaguers Pete Crow-Armstrong, Lucas Giolito, Max Fried and Jack Flaherty.
12) Red Sox: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M
After his name was floating all over the top 10, this is a pretty soft landing spot for Montgomery, whose tremendous season at Texas A&M ended prematurely because of a broken ankle suffered in the Super Regionals. The transfer from Stanford served him well, and he’s a switch-hitter with plenty of power, doing more damage from the left side.
13) Giants: James Tibbs III, OF, Florida State
Tibbs was a solid college performer over his first two seasons but catapulted himself into conversations in the middle of the first round — and a bit higher — with the year he had for the Seminoles, posting a 1.264 OPS. His improved approach helped him get to more power (28 homers) and should fit the profile for a corner outfielder.
14) Cubs: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State
It’s a run on Seminoles! Smith shook off a rough freshman season to rake in the Cape Cod League and kept it going in his sophomore-eligible year. He cut down his swing and miss and chase considerably this spring, giving him the chance to hit for average and power at the next level, while having the chance to be a solid third baseman.
15) Mariners: Jurrangelo Cijntje, SHP, Mississippi State
The switch-pitching might sound like a novelty act, but Cijntje has legitimate ability from both sides. His stuff is more electric as a right-hander, and there’s a chance he might focus on that full-time as a Marcus Stroman type. This snaps a streak of three straight high school hitters taken in the first round by the Mariners.
16) Marlins: PJ Morlando, OF, Summerville HS (S.C.)
While this might seem like the first big reach in the first round, Morlando was ranked as a mid-first round talent last offseason. He struggled through a senior season where he rarely saw a strike to hit and hasn’t always gotten to his power in games, though the plus raw pop is evident in batting practice. Miami will love his 1,000-watt personality, too.
17) Brewers: Braylon Payne, OF, Lawrence E. Elkins HS (Texas)
That’s two slightly surprising high school bats in a row. Payne is one of the fastest players in the Draft and isn’t afraid to use it on the basepaths or while playing a very good center field. He’s not a one-tool guy, either, with the potential to have some extra-base thump. It’s the fifth straight year the Brewers have taken a hitter with their first pick, but the first of that group to come out of high school.
18) Rays: Theo Gillen, OF, Westlake HS (Texas)
There was some late buzz that Gillen might go as high as 11 to the Tigers, but that didn’t materialize. He’s one of the better pure high school hitters in the class and he has the chance to hit for solid power in due time. An infielder in high school, it’s interesting the Rays announced him as an outfielder, and his athleticism could play very well in center.
19) Mets: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State
Benge was a legitimate two-way guy who largely pitched in relief with a fastball up to 96 mph at Oklahoma State. But his contact skills and exit velocities made it clear he was heading toward a career in the outfield. He could get a shot at playing center, but might settle in as an athletic right fielder with above-average hit and power tools.
20) Blue Jays: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina
After Chase Burns and Hagen Smith, who were both taken in the top 10, Yesavage was the consensus next best college arm and it might surprise some he lasted to 20. He has the chance to have three plus pitches in his fastball, slider and splitter, and he has a solid spike curve to boot. There’s some effort in his delivery, but he throws strikes. It’s the third pitcher Toronto has taken with its first pick in the last four years.
21) Twins: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State
Culpepper moved from third to shortstop at Kansas State this year and handled that move well. He’s more hit over power right now, but there could be more pop to come, and he already uses all fields well with excellent bat speed. He could be given every opportunity to stick at short and has the potential to be a Gold Glover at third.
22) Orioles: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina
The Orioles aren’t afraid of guys who have some swing and miss in their game (Jud Fabian, a 2022 Draft pick), and they got one of the toolsiest performers as a result. He had two 20-20 seasons at North Carolina and is a potential Gold Glove center fielder, but he will have to work on a strikeout rate that crept up to 27.5 percent in 2024.
23) Dodgers: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS (Fla.)
Because of an injury over the summer, the former two-sport standout — he was his high school’s QB — wasn’t seen on the showcase circuit, but he jumped up boards with his performance this spring in Florida. He has plus-plus speed and took big steps forward in his swing decisions along with his ability to play shortstop. It’s the second straight year the Dodgers have taken a premium prep athlete after taking Kendall George last year.
24) Braves: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS (Ariz.)
The Braves likely didn’t expect Caminiti, the best left-hander in the class, to be available here. Because he reclassified, he’s one of the youngest players in the class at 17 years old and offers a ton of upside. Caminiti has the chance to have a legit four-pitch mix and was spinning the ball more consistently last spring. The Braves have taken a pitcher with their first pick in five straight Drafts (two high schoolers).
25) Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City HS (Okla.)
It’s another Draft and another high schooler selected in the first round by the Padres. This makes eight in a row for San Diego, and the fourth prep arm (three of them lefties). Mayfield is the second high school lefty in a row here and has a ton of projection in his 6-foot-4 frame with a potential three-pitch mix led by his fastball and changeup.
26) Yankees: Ben Hess, RHP, Alabama
There was more and more buzz that the Yankees wanted an arm here, and when the top college ones already announced were off the board, they opted not to go with a high school arm. Hess gives off Lance Lynn vibes with his big 6-foot-5 frame and could develop into a solid No. 2 or 3 starter with four pitches, led by a plus fastball and slider, if he can throw more strikes.
27) Phillies: Dante Nori, OF, Northville HS (Mich.)
There was talk that the Phillies were leaning college hitter after going high school four years in a row (two bats, two arms), but they opted for Nori and his considerable tools. Not deterred by him being an older high schooler (19 years old), the Phillies are getting a no-doubt center fielder with easily plus speed and an outstanding approach from the left side of the plate.
28) Astros: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston
There were three college backstops generally thought to be in first-round conversations and many felt Janek was the best all-round catcher of the bunch. He’s agile behind the plate and has plus arm strength while showing off impressive bat speed and strength from the right side of the plate.
29) D-backs: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS (Ark.)
Don’t let the size deceive you. Caldwell might only be 5-foot-9 but he can really hit, generating a ton of line-drive contact to all fields and enough bat speed to provide more pop than you might think. He’s an aggressive player who should play center field long-term as a pro. That’s four straight bats in the first round for the D-backs.
30) Rangers: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford
We’d been projecting a college catcher to the Rangers for quite some time, and it was a matter of which one would be available. It turned out it was the left-handed-hitting Moore from Stanford. His surface numbers weren’t outstanding this year, but his underlying metrics were, and he has the chance to hit for average and power. He’s improved behind the dish, too, though his bat is ahead. More »
Prospect Promotion Incentive Picks
31) D-backs: Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky
Waldschmidt had a breakthrough season at Kentucky to vault him into many first-round conversations. He makes a ton of contact, doesn’t chase and produces high exit velocities. Fully recovered from a knee injury, he also started recording plus run times, and that speed could give him a shot in center.
32) Orioles: Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Virginia
O’Ferrall’s instincts and makeup help him play above his tools and give him the chance to be an everyday shortstop eventually. He has terrific bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach with feel for the barrel. He’s a smart baserunner and his footwork helps him be a solid defender as well.
Compensation pick
33) Twins: Kyle DeBarge, SS, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
A high school catcher, DeBarge moved to shortstop at Louisiana-Lafayette and has the chance to stick there at the next level with a strong arm and quick hands. He’s a contact-first hitter with excellent pitch recognition and a quick right-handed swing, and while he hasn’t driven the ball that much, there’s some sneaky pull pop.
Competitive Balance Round A
34) Brewers: Blake Burke, 1B, Tennessee
A big part of Tennessee’s College World Series-winning team, Burke offers a ton of left-handed power thanks to bat speed, strength and leverage. He’s made more contact to get to that power more and it’s his bat that will carry him as a first-base-only profile.
35) D-backs: JD Dix, SS, Whitefish Bay HS (Wisc.)
That’s three bats in a row for the D-backs, two from the high school ranks. Dix is a switch-hitting gamer with some tools. A shoulder injury slowed down his production some at the plate and his ability defensively, though he has the chance to stick at short, reminding some of a more athletic D.J. LeMahieu type.
36) Guardians: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS (Calif.)
We don’t know yet what the Guardians will sign Travis Bazzana for, but it’s assuredly below the $10.57M assigned value to the top pick. That savings will allow them to go after some high-end talent like Doughty, a Southern California prep arm whose name was being mentioned in the first round.
37) Pirates: Levi Sterling, RHP, Notre Dame HS (Calif.)
The Pirates are going all-in on upside. After getting Konnor Griffin and his multiple tools at No. 9, they went for Starling’s upside on the mound. He didn’t have a great spring, but he could take a big step forward now that he’ll be focusing on pitching only and no longer playing shortstop, a la top Pirates prospect Bubba Chandler.
38) Rockies: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa
From a pure stuff perspective, there were few arms better than Brecht in this class. The effectiveness of his heater that touches triple digits and his nasty upper-80s slider can be Paul Skenes-esque. Command has been the big issue, but that was trending in the right direction at the end of his junior season at Iowa.
39) Nationals: Caleb Lomavita, C, UC Berkeley
The third of the three college catchers to come off the board, there had been early buzz the Nationals might have been interested in Lomavita at No. 10. He’s an aggressive hitter who has the chance to hit for average and power, especially if he can refine his approach a bit, while sticking behind the plate.
Best of the rest from Night 1
Here are 10 picks from the first night of the Draft that came after the first 39 picks and stood out:
40) A’s: Tommy White, 3B, LSU
There might be some concern about his defensive home, but Tommy Tanks hit 75 homers over three years at NC State and LSU, with many thinking his power potential belonged in the first round.
41) Royals: David Shields, LHP, Mt. Lebanon HS (Pa.)
There was a lot of talk the Royals wanted him at 39, but they traded that pick to the Nationals, so they’re happy to land the athletic former QB who is a projectable prep lefty here.
44) Nationals: Luke Dickerson, SS, Morris Knolls HS (N.J.)
Dickerson is a terrific athlete who was also a hockey standout and came on late after finishing off a state championship on the ice. He’s a plus runner with a chance to stay up the middle and has some power to tap into.
47) Pirates: Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence HS (Texas)
One of the many prep shortstops who were mentioned as potential top-39 pick, Sanford is one of the best defenders of the group with good bat speed from the left side of the plate.
51) Reds: Tyson Lewis, SS, Millard West HS (Neb.)
Lewis was getting some first-round buzz thanks to him showing more impact with his left-handed swing, solid speed and the ability to stay up the middle on the infield.
52) Padres: Boston Bateman, LHP, Adolfo Camarillo HS (Calif.)
It’s not easy to find 6-foot-8 lefties, but the Padres did here in Round 2, and this one has one of the better pure curveballs in the class to go along with a fastball that touches 97 mph.
55) Mariners: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York Community HS (Ill.)
The Mariners discussed taking Sloan in the first round, so getting him here must have gotten their Draft room pumped as Sloan was our second highest-ranked high school righty.
57) Brewers: Bryce Meccage, RHP, The Pennington School (N.J.)
The nephew of Pirates bullpen coach Justin Meccage, Bryce didn’t give up a hit all spring (albeit in a small sample) and has a big league body at 6-foot-4 with the chance to have a legit four-pitch mix.
60) Twins: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee
I had Amick going to the Twins in the first round in our mock draft (do I get partial credit?). It’s unclear why he lasted this long, but could this be the second straight year the Twins got a really good college bat in this round? (They picked 2024 Futures Game participant Luke Keaschall last year.)
68) White Sox: Blake Larson, LHP, IMG Academy (Fla.)
One more projectable prep lefty to talk about here, with Larson having the potential to eventually have three plus pitches, even if it takes him a while, though he’ll have to improve his command to get there.
Round 2
40) A’s: Tommy White, 3B, LSU
41) Royals: David Shields, LHP, Mt. Lebanon HS (Pa.)
42) Rockies: Jared Thomas, OF, Texas
43) White Sox: Caleb Bonemer, SS, Okemos HS (Mich.)
44) Nationals: Luke Dickerson, SS, Morris Knolls HS (N.J.)
45) Angels: Chris Cortez, RHP, Texas A&M
46) Mets: Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke
47) Pirates: Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence HS (Texas)
48) Guardians: Jacob Cozart, C, NC State
49) Tigers: Owen Hall, RHP, Edmond North HS (Okla.)
50) Red Sox: Payton Tolle, LHP, TCU
51) Reds: Tyson Lewis, SS, Millard West HS (Neb.)
52) Padres: Boston Bateman, LHP, Adolfo Camarillo HS (Calif.)
53) Yankees: Bryce Cunningham, RHP, Vanderbilt
54) Cubs: Cole Mathis, 3B, College of Charleston (SC)
55) Mariners: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York Community HS (Ill.)
56) Marlins: Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford HS (Ala.)
57) Brewers: Bryce Meccage, RHP, The Pennington School (N.J.)
58) Rays: Emilien Pitre, 2B, Kentucky
59) Blue Jays: Khal Stephen, RHP, Mississippi State
60) Twins: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee
61) Orioles: Ethan Anderson, C, Virginia
62) Braves: Carter Holton, LHP, Vanderbilt
63) Phillies: Griffin Burkholder, OF, Freedom HS (Va.)
64) D-backs: Ivan Luciano, C, El Shaddai Christian Academy (P.R.)
65) Rangers: Dylan Dreiling, OF, Tennessee
Competitive Balance Round B
66) Rays: Tyler Bell, SS, Lincoln Way East HS (Ill.)
67) Brewers: Chris Levonas, RHP, Christian Brothers Academy (N.J.)
68) White Sox: Blake Larson, LHP, IMG Academy (Fla.)
69) Twins: Dasan Hill, LHP, Grapevine HS (Texas)
70) Marlins: Aiden May, RHP, Oregon State
71) Reds: Luke Holman, RHP, LSU
72) Tigers: Ethan Schiefelbein, LHP, Corona HS (Calif.)
73) A’s: Gage Jump, LHP, LSU
Compensation pick
74) Angels: Ryan Johnson, RHP, Dallas Baptist (Texas)
HOME RUN DERBY PRIMER: FAVORITES, SLEEPERS, HISTORY, PARK FACTORS
ARLINGTON, Texas — The 2024 Home Run Derby has plenty of star power.
The Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson and the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. are fast-rising superstars, the Rangers’ Adolis Garcia has delivered plenty of fireworks inside Globe Life Field and the Mets’ Pete Alonso has become a staple in the derby as he chases what would be a record-tying third title.
Here is your Home Run Derby primer as the coveted long ball contest gets underway at 8 p.m. ET Monday at Globe Life Field, home of the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers. ESPN will air the contest live.
Favorites
Henderson: The top home run hitter in the field with 28 in the first half. He has one career home run at Globe Life Field, too.
Garcia: Talk about a home-field advantage. Garcia has hit 67 home runs in his career at Globe Life Field, the most all-time since the ballpark opened in 2020. The most memorable to date was his walk-off blast to lift the Rangers past the D-backs in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series.
Alonso: How do you bet against someone who has as much history as Alonso in this event, including two wins? If he emerges on top once again, he’ll tie Ken Griffey Jr. for most wins.
Sleepers
Marcell Ozuna: It’s his first derby but he’s one of the game’s best power hitters. Outside of Shohei Ohtani (66) and Aaron Judge (65), no player has hit more home runs (64) than Ozuna since May 1, 2023.
Witt: The son of former Ranger Bobby Witt grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, attending Colleyville Heritage High School. He’ll have plenty of motivation to put on a show in front of his hometown fans.
Alec Bohm: Bohm has the fewest home runs (11) of any competitor in the field, so he’s naturally a sleeper. Bohm’s bat has more pop in it, though. As Phillies manager Rob Thomson told MLB.com: “I know how far he can hit a ball. It hasn’t shown up over the course of a season, but it will.” Maybe the derby is the starting point.
Other participants
Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jose Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians round out the field.
Derby History
Griffey may be the player most associated with the Home Run Derby, which started in 1985. Griffey owns the records for wins (three) and appearances (eight).
Other standouts over the years include Alonso, who set the record for most home runs in one round with 35 in the 2021 first round. In 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. established the record for most home runs in one event with 91. Of course, even though he didn’t win the event, Josh Hamilton stole the show in 2008 at Yankee Stadium. Hamilton had a stretch of belting 13 straight home runs on 13 swings en route to setting a then-record 28 first-round homers.
Another breakout performance may be on the horizon as the derby returns to Hamilton’s old stomping grounds in Arlington. The last time the Rangers hosted the event was in 1995 at Globe Life Park, their former home across the street. That year, Frank Thomas edged out Albert Belle for the title.
Now it’s time for Globe Life Field and this generation’s stars to take center stage.
Globe Life Field Dimensions
–329 feet down the left field line, a nod to former Rangers great Adrian Beltre’s No. 29.
–372 feet to the left field power alley, a nod to the Rangers moving to Arlington in 1972.
–407 feet to straightaway center field, a nod to Ivan Rodriguez’s No. 7.
–8 feet is the height of the outfield walls.
–410 feet is the deepest distance, both left and right of straightaway center field, a nod to Michael Young’s No. 10.
–374 feet to right field power alley, a nod to the franchise’s “turnaround gang” going from 57 to 84 wins in 1974.
–326 feet to right field line, a nod Johnny Oates’ No. 26.
Did You Know?
Globe Life Field was the site of Aaron Judge’s record-breaking 62nd home run to set the single-season American League record on Oct. 4, 2022 at Globe Life Field.
The longest home run in the stadium’s young history is 472 feet. Oakland’s Seth Brown reached the distance on July 10, 2021 followed by the Angels’ Mike Trout on April 14, 2022.
Reason to Watch
Dingers. Yes, a handful of fans may write off the Home Run Derby as gimmicky with the format constantly changing, but there’s still something beautiful about seeing a ball clear the fence.
MARLINS OF DANE MYERS KICKS DOOR IN ANGER, BREAKS ANKLE
The All-Star break likely won’t be providing a hiatus that’s long enough for Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers.
Myers broke the news of his fractured ankle while speaking to reporters on Sunday, one day after angrily kicking a door in a 10-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Myers, who has played in 40 games for Miami this season, was ejected in the eighth inning on Saturday after disputing plate umpire Derek Thomas’ ruling that he failed to check his swing on a full-count pitch.
The Marlins had runners on first and second with one out at the time. Myers wanted Thomas to get a second opinion on the checked swing from first base umpire Brennan Miller, but to no avail.
The ejection came after Myers’ heated exchange with Thomas. Myers said he kicked a door in the visitors’ clubhouse.
“I took a swipe at the door with my foot, and I didn’t think I kicked it that hard, but I fractured my foot,” Myers said, adding that there was no displacement, meaning the 28-year-old should not need surgery.
The Miami Herald reported that Myers could be out for six to eight weeks. Myers said he would see a foot specialist on Monday.
Myers, in his second year in the majors, is hitting .265 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.
DUSTIN MAY HAS SEASON-ENDING ESOPHAGUS SURGERY AS DODGERS ROTATION TAKES ANOTHER HIT
DETROIT (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May had esophagus surgery and won’t return this season, another setback for him and the team’s banged-up pitching staff.
May needed the procedure to repair a tear after he experienced discomfort following a dinner earlier in the week, the Dodgers confirmed Sunday.
Los Angeles has a short-handed rotation without injured pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Walker Buehler.
The 26-year-old May was previously on pace to at least potentially return from a second elbow surgery he had nearly a year ago after he was 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in nine starts. His 2021 season ended after two months following his first elbow surgery.
May is 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA in 46 games, including 34 starts, over five seasons with the NL West-leading Dodgers, who were hoping he would bolster their staff later this season.
Kershaw moved closer to coming back Saturday in a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The three-time Cy Young winner threw three scoreless innings, giving up only one walk and striking out five in a 38-pitch outing.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS DESIGNATE PITCHER DALLAS KEUCHEL FOR ASSIGNMENT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Dallas Keuchel experiment in Milwaukee appears to be over.
The one-time Cy Young Award winner, acquired from Seattle in late June for cash, was designated for assignment Sunday. Keuchel gave up five consecutive hits to open the fourth inning as the Brewers let an early five-run lead slip away in a 6-5 loss to the Nationals on Saturday.
In four starts with the Brewers, Keuchel posted a 5.40 ERA, allowing 10 runs and 23 hits in 16 2/3 innings, without a decision. The 36-year-old left-hander made it past the fourth inning just once, allowing two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings in his second start against Colorado.
Milwaukee staked Keuchel to a 5-0 lead in the first Saturday, be he was lifted after allowing five hits and three runs without an out in the fourth inning, giving up eight hits overall in a 65-pitch outing.
The Brewers are expecting several injured pitchers to return after the All-Streak break, which contributed to the decision.
“Obviously, Dallas is a great pedigree and what he did, he kept us in a lot of games,” Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Sunday. “He did a really good job for us. … I think it comes down to the number of players we have coming back.”
The Brewers have seven days to either work out a trade involving Keuchel or see if clears waivers. Keuchel also can reject an outright assignment and opt to become a free agent.
“We spoke to him last night,” Arnold said. “He was great, he’s a real pro. Obviously, we want what’s best for him.”
Keuchel, who won the 2015 AL Cy Young with Houston, was 7-4 with a 3.93 ERA this season with the Mariner’s Triple-A affiliate Tacoma, when he was acquired by Milwaukee.
Keuchel pitched in 10 games, including six starts, with Minnesota in 2023, with a 2-1 record and 5.97 ERA. In 2022, he was 2-9 with a 9.20 ERA in 14 starts with three different teams.
Keuchel is 103-92 with 4.04 ERA in his 13-year major league career, with two All-Star appearances. He was 20-8 with a 2.43 ERA with Houston in 2015 when he won the Cy Young.