Royals Select Frank Mozzicato Seventh Overall In Amateur Draft

The Kansas City Royals selected high school left-hander Frank Mozzicato seventh overall in the 2021 amateur draft. The 18-year-old southpaw was not ranked among the top 35 picks available in the draft and MLB.com had him slotted in at 39th overall. He has a high-spin curveball but his heater is currently fringe-average. He's a long-term […]

Framber Valdez Wild In Final First-Half Start

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez lasted only four innings Sunday in the Astros comeback win over the Yankees. Valdez (5-1) allowed only two earned runs (three runs total) but walked six Yankees hitters. The 27-year-old has been impressive through his first nine starts this season, posting a 2.98 ERA through 54 1/3 innings pitched. But […]

Jose Altuve Hits Walk-Off Home Run Against Yankees

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve went 1-for-5 with three runs batted in as the Astros mounted a furious comeback to beat the Yankees 8-7 on Sunday. Altuve's one hit was the icing on the cake, smoking a three-run blast into the seats of Minute Maid Park to cap off a six-run ninth inning. It […]

Diamondbacks Select Jordan Lawlar Sixth Overall In Draft

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected prep shortstop Jordan Lawlar sixth overall in the 2021 amateur draft. Rotoballer had him ranked as the top player available so this is a major win for the organization. Lawlar has an excellent chance to hit for average, power, and steal bases. His athleticism should allow him to stick at shortstop […]

Alex Kirilloff Plates A Pair Of Runs Sunday

Minnesota Twins outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 12-9 win over the Detroit Tigers. Kirilloff collected a couple of base hits, plating a run on each of them. The 23-year-old has swatted a pair of homers and produced seven RBI in July, as he […]

Torrey Craig Available On Sunday

Phoenix Suns guard Torrey Craig (knee) is available for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against Milwaukee. Craig injured his right knee during the Game 2 win on Thursday, and after he was listed as probable earlier in the day on Sunday, coach Monty Williams indicated he is good to go. However, the 30-year-old is […]

Orioles Select Colton Cowser Fifth Overall In Amateur Draft

The Baltimore Orioles selected college outfielder Colton Cowser fifth overall in the 2021 amateur draft. Known for having a solid bat, he makes above-average contact and has good speed. His ability to hit for power remains in question and Rotoballer had him ranked as the 17th-best prospect available in the draft. Baltimore has a history […]

Red Sox Select Marcelo Mayer Fourth Overall In Amateur Draft

The Boston Red Sox selected high school shortstop Marcelo Mayer with the fourth overall selection in the 2021 amateur draft. Rotoballer had the 18-year-old California native ranked as the third-best option behind fellow prep shortstop Jordan Lawlar and college right-hander Jack Leiter. Mayer is known for having an advanced bat but lacks the foot speed […]

Max Kepler Swats 10th Homer

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 12-9 win over the Detroit Tigers. Kepler's homer left his bat at 100.1 MPH with a .510 expected batting average. The lefty slugger is now up to 10 homers and seven stolen bases on the season, with some solid […]

Tigers Select Jackson Jobe Third Overall In Amateur Draft

The Detroit Tigers selected high school right-hander Jackson Jobe with the third overall selection in the 2021 amateur draft. Rotoballer had him ranked as the ninth-best prospect available. Jobe has an advanced approach for a prep pitcher. He has a mid-90s fastball and a high-spin slider. He also has a good frame with projection left, […]

Jorge Polanco Drives In Five Runs, Delivers Game-Winning Homer

Minnesota Twins second baseman/shortstop Jorge Polanco went 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBI, and a stolen base in Sunday's 12-9 win over the Detroit Tigers. Polanco swiped a base after grounding into a fielder's choice in his first at-bat, then later drove in a season-high five runs on a pair of singles and a […]

Rangers Select Jack Leiter Second Overall In Amateur Draft

The Texas Rangers selected Vanderbilt college right-hander Jack Leiter with the second overall selection in the 2021 amateur draft. The son of Al Leiter was the consensus top college pitcher available. The young hurler has solid stuff and a mid-90s fastball but he's known for having an above-average game plan and plus command/control for his […]

Taylor Rogers Blows Third Save Sunday

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Taylor Rogers failed to lock down the save in Sunday's victory over the Detroit Tigers. Rogers couldn't preserve the three-run lead in the ninth, surrendering a grand slam to blow the save. The lefty reliever had allowed just one run in his last 11 1/3 innings, so the implosion was somewhat […]

Pirates Pick Henry Davis First Overall In Amateur Draft

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Louisville catcher Henry Davis first overall in the 2021 amateur draft. He was ranked by Rotoballer as the fifth-best talent available. Davis shows the ability to hit for both power and average due to his above-average bat-to-ball skills. However, he is a little stiff and lacks projection due to his already-mature […]

Kris Moutinho Suffers Third-Round TKO Stoppage

Statistically, it was a rough night for debuting bantamweight Kris Moutinho on Saturday. Having to battle with Sean O'Malley, Moutinho absorbed an unimaginable 230 significant strikes (177 head strikes.) Moutinho did make it until late into the third round before the bout was stopped by Herb Dean. Moutinho was only able to land 70 of […]

Christian Arroyo Reaches Four Times In Loss

Boston Red Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo reached base in all four of his plate appearances Sunday, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored in a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Arroyo has been very solid in limited time this season, slashing .264/.323/.439 in 148 at-bats. He seems to […]

Jose Berrios Lasts Seven Innings In No-Decision

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios went seven innings in Sunday's no-decision against the Detroit Tigers. Berrios didn't have his best stuff, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks, though he did fan eight batters. His sinker was outstanding on Sunday, as it was responsible for 15 called strikes and an 88.6 MPH […]

Christian Vazquez Has Four-Game Hit Streak

Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez picked up two more hits Sunday, going 2-for-4 with two singles against the Philadelphia Phillies. This gives Vazquez a modest four-game hit streak, during which he's collected six hits and a walk in sixteen plate appearances, though only one of those went for extra bases. This is a promising […]

Hunter Renfroe Reaches Three Times To Close First Half

Boston Red Sox outfielder Hunter Renfroe reached base three times Sunday, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, and a run scored against the Philadelphia Phillies. Renfroe has slowed down a bit of late, slashing only .185/.258/.333 in his last seven games after a torrid stretch, but he still enters the break with a robust […]

Chris Bassitt Notches Tenth Win Sunday At Texas

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Chris Bassitt allowed one run in seven innings to earn the win on Sunday at the Rangers. Bassitt finished the first half with a 10-2 record, a 3.28 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and 118 strikeouts in 118 innings. The 32-year-old is tied with Cleveland's Aaron Civale for the American League lead […]

Jordan Romano Records Seventh Save

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano recorded his seventh save of the season on Sunday as his club defeated the Rays 3-1. It wasn't a clean inning for the right-hander as he allowed a solo homer to Brandon Lowe and a single to Yandy Diaz before getting a pop out to end the game. […]

Danny Jansen Hits Fourth Homer

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen swatted his fourth homer of the season on Sunday, helping his club go on to defeat the Rays 3-1. His solo shot off Rich Hill in the third inning got the scoring started for his club as he finished the game going 1-for-3. Jansen has put together another underwhelming […]

Xander Bogaerts Homers For Second Straight Game

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts homered for the second game in a row Sunday, launching a solo shot off Philadelphia Phillies opening pitcher Brandon Kintzler. Bogaerts also walked in five plate appearances. It's the 15th home run of the year for Bogaerts, who enters the break on a hot streak despite having gone 20 […]

Nick Pivetta Knocked Out After Four Innings

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta did not finish his first half of the season strong Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks to the Philadelphia Phillies. He struck out four batters and took the loss to drop his record to 7-4. He takes a 4.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP […]

Gio Urshela Collects A Pair Of Hits Sunday

New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in an 8-7 loss to the Houston Astros Sunday. Urshela collected a pair of singles, plating a run on one of them. It's his second multi-hit game in the last three contests, extending his hitting streak to three games heading […]

Matt Olson Launches Two Homers On Eve Of Home Run Derby

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson went 2-for-4 with two solo homers in a win over the Rangers on Sunday. The All-Star slugger finished the first half of the season slashing a healthy .282/.371/.567 with 23 home runs and 59 RBI. Olson is sporting a whopping 115.3 MPH average exit velocity and will look to […]

Tim Locastro Goes Yard In Sunday's Loss

New York Yankees outfielder Tim Locastro went yard in Sunday's defeat at the hands of the Houston Astros. Locastro's homer was an improbable one, with just a 93 MPH exit velocity and .150 expected batting average, though it somehow left the ballpark. The 28-year-old owns just a .522 OPS and a .211 expected batting average, […]

Gary Sanchez Belts Three-Run Homer

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer and two runs scored in an 8-7 loss to the Houston Astros Sunday. Sanchez belted a three-run blast in the eighth inning, giving the Yankees some insurance runs, which ended up being for naught in the Astros' comeback victory. Still, it was a […]

Ranger Suarez Earns Seven-Out Save Versus Red Sox

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Ranger Suarez earned his second save of the season by throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings at Fenway Park on Sunday. Suarez allowed a hit and two walks, but picked up four strikeouts to preserve a 5-4 win for the visitors. The 26-year-old righty needed a season-high 45 pitches to nail down […]

Chad Green Implodes In Loss To Astros

New York Yankees relief pitcher Chad Green struggled mightily in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Houston Astros. With runners on second and third in the ninth inning, Green surrendered a two-run double to make it a 7-4 game. He then allowed another double- with the final blow coming on a three-run, game-winning homer by Jose […]