Luis Garcia Could Climb Prospect Lists Quickly

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Luis Garcia, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won the Gulf Coast League batting title in his professional debut last year to open some eyes. The switch-hitter swings well from both sides of the plate and can add some power, can run and plays good defense. Garcia was signed for […]

Ronny Mauricio Has High Ceiling

New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned a promotion to the Appalachian League at age 17 last year after slashing .279/.307/.421 with 19 extra-base hits in the Gulf Coast League. He's an athletic shortstop who could also develop a plus hit tool and plus power, and he […]

Steelers To Release Morgan Burnett

The Pittsburgh Steelers informed safety Morgan Burnett that they will release him by April 1 per the player's request, according to his agent, Kevin Conner. Both parties discussed trade possibilities before the release, according to a source. Pittsburgh signed the safety to a three-year, $14.25 million contract last season that included a $4.25 million signing […]

Giants Re-Sign Cody Latimer

The New York Giants re-signed wide receiver Cody Latimer to an undisclosed deal on Friday. Latimer played in the first three games and the last two games of the 2018 season but just one of the 11 games in between in his first season in New York because of injuries. He battled a knee injury […]

Malcolm Brown Will Remain With Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are matching the Detroit Lions offer sheet for restricted free-agent running back Malcolm Brown on Friday. Brown's deal with the Rams is for two years with a $3.3 million base salary, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He'll receive $2.1 million in practice guarantees ($1 million base guaranteed and a $1.1 […]

Hans Crouse Mixes Deception With Stuff

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Hans Crouse, the team's top prospect and No. 84 overall per MLB Pipeline, possesses a riding mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. He also gets animated on the mound in order to disrupt hitters' timing at the plate. The 20-year-old right-hander posted a 2.47 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in […]

Mariners Excited About Julio Rodriguez

The Seattle Mariners are very excited about outfielder Julio Rodriguez, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, despite the fact that he hasn't even played in a game in the United States yet. He showed up to camp in excellent shape and has wowed the team with his makeup and tools and has a […]

Austin Beck Could Become Dynamic Center Fielder

Oakland Athletics outfielder Austin Beck, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, led the Single-A Midwest league in 2018 in hits in his first full season and also hit close to .300 despite a 117/30 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has great bat speed and raw power and has the tools to become a dynamic center […]

Luis Robert Has Five-Tool Potential

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 40 overall, lit up the Arizona Fall League in 2018 after rarely being healthy in his first two professional seasons in the minors. The White Sox gave him a $26 million bonus and few players can match his combination of exit velocity […]

Wander Javier Has Yet To Reach Full Potential

Minnesota Twins shortstop Wander Javier, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, missed all of the 2018 season due to injury, but a full year of at-bats could help him enter the conversation as one of the better prospects in baseball going into 2020. The Twins signed Javier for $4 million in July of […]

MJ Melendez Rising Up Minor League Ranks

Kansas City Royals catcher MJ Melendez, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had 19 home runs and threw out close to 42 percent of potential base stealers in 2018 in his first full minor league season. With a step forward in his approach at the next minor league level, Melendez could put himself […]

George Valera May Be Best Pure Minor League Hitter

Cleveland Indians outfielder George Valera, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, could emerge as one of the best pure minor league hitters, according to scouts. His season was cut short after just six games in 2018 due to a broken hamate bone, but he has a sweet left-handed swing, an advanced approach, plate […]

Deivi Garcia A Very Polished Pitcher For His Age

New York Yankees starting pitcher Deivi Garcia, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is extremely polished for a 19-year-old and finished his third professional season at Double-A last year. The Yankees like his high spin rates and a fastball that reaches the mid-90s. If the right-hander continues to show his advanced form on […]

Nate Pearson Could Break Out In 2019

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Nate Pearson, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 76 overall per MLB Pipeline, looked great in the Arizona Fall League and flashed front-of-the-rotation stuff with a great combination of size, stuff and pitchability. Pearson's 2018 season ended after just 1 1/3 innings when he fractured his right forearm after […]

Starling Marte Day-To-Day With Back Tightness

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup as a precaution due to lower back tightness. Marte is listed as day-to-day. It doesn't seem like a serious injury, so Marte should be good to go for next Thursday's Opening Day on March 28. Marte hit .277/.327/.460 with a career-high 20 home […]

Luis Severino Throws On Back-To-Back Days

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (shoulder) played catch on back-to-back days on Thursday for the first time since being shut down due to rotator-cuff inflammation, and he made 50 throws off flat ground. Manager Aaron Boone said that the session "went well" and that Severino looked more comfortable than on Wednesday. The right-hander […]

CC Sabathia Feels Fine After First Spring Outing

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (heart, knee) gave up one run and two hits in two innings on Thursday in a minor league exhibition game in his first game action since undergoing a heart procedure in December. Sabathia struck out three against the Tigers Triple-A affiliate, Toledo. The veteran left-hander said he "felt […]

Saints Sign Marcus Sherels

The New Orleans Saints signed long-time Minnesota Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to a source. The 31-year-old was the Vikings primary punt returner for the last eight years and averaged 12.0 yards per punt return in 2018 to finish in the league's top five for the third […]

Ravens Re-Sign Backup Robert Griffin III

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed backup quarterback Robert Griffin III on Thursday to an undisclosed two-year deal. The 29-year-old will continue to back up starter Lamar Jackson in 2019. The former first-round pick can be an invaluable source for Jackson as he matures heading into his second season, but RG3 will continue to have no fantasy […]

Colts Sign Justin Houston

The Indianapolis Colts signed free-agent outside linebacker Justin Houston to a two-year deal worth $24 million on Thursday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Houston had nine sacks for the Chiefs last year, but he was cut with the team trying to get younger and defense while transitioning from a 3-4 base defense to […]

Corey Knebel Has UCL Injury, May Need Tommy John Surgery

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel's elbow injury is an ulnar-collateral ligament issue, according to manager Craig Counsell. Knebel will go for a second opinion. It's not a complete tear of his ligament, though, and it's not definitive that he'll need Tommy John surgery. Even if Knebel doesn't need elbow reconstruction, he seems destined to […]

Drew Anderson, Dylan Cozens Optioned Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Drew Anderson and outfielder Dylan Cozens were both sent to Triple-A on Thursday. Anderson was 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA in four Grapefruit League outings while striking out 12 and walking two in 12 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old will likely be the first or second call if the team needs rotation […]

Nick Williams Won't Play Center Field

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said that outfielder Nick Williams will not play center field this year, but he saw a look there in spring action on Thursday. Williams is expected to make the Opening Day roster as the top weapon off the bench, but with Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen at the corners and […]

Cardinals Finalizing Extension For Paul Goldschmidt

The St. Louis Cardinals are working to finalize a new five-year deal that would begin next season for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, a source confirmed to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal on Thursday. ESPN's Jeff Passan and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reported the deal will be worth around $130 million and is expected […]

Hunter Pence Makes Roster, Willie Calhoun Optioned

Texas Rangers outfielder Hunter Pence will be on the team's Opening Day roster as the fourth outfielder, while Willie Calhoun has been optioned to Triple-A Nashville. Calhoun still has a lot of upside, but as a left-handed hitter he was blocked by Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara and Shin-Soo Choo. Calhoun will attempt to increase his […]

Will Grier Meets With Panthers, Redskins

West Virginia quarterback Will Grier had separate dinner meetings on Wednesday with the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins, according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala. Carolina hasn't drafted a quarterback since taking Cam Newton in 2011, while the Redskins are still looking for another signal-caller after trading for Case Keenum.

Hunter Pence Could Earn Roster Spot

Texas Rangers veteran outfielder Hunter Pence is finally healthy and is on his way to earning an Opening Day roster spot for the rebuilding Rangers. The 35-year-old is hitting .356 (16-for-45) with three home runs, seven RBI and six stolen bases in 16 spring games as he tries to make the team. Pence rebuilt his […]

Kole Calhoun Has Bounced Back This Spring

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun has bounced back this spring after a terrible 2018 campaign. As a result, he figures to be the team's leadoff hitter heading into the regular season. The 31-year-old hit a miserable .208/.283/.369 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI in 137 games for the Halos in 2018. Calhoun managed […]

Darwinzon Hernandez May Open In Bullpen

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has electric stuff and has been so impressive that the Red Sox might have him start out of the bullpen on Opening Day. The 22-year-old has only six innings of professional experience above Single-A ball, however. In the long term, […]

Mark Trumbo Has Been Pleasant Surprise This Spring

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo's surgically-repaired right knee has held up and he's been one of the team's most pleasant spring surprises. The Orioles are now re-evaluating their plan to have him start the season on the injured list. Trumbo has hit just .200 (2-for-10), but the results aren't as important for him. The slugging […]