Falling Phils

The worst part of Tuesday night for the Phillies wasn’t their 7-2 loss to the Marlins that further buried them in the National League East standings with a record of 17-33.

The worst part of the night for the Phillies was an injury diagnosis.

24-year-old starter Vince Velasquez has a right elbow flexor strain, which will send him to the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday and likely keep him shelved for much longer than that.

Velasquez was lifted from his start Tuesday in Miami after surrendering a homer, a double, and a long flyout to center field to open the bottom of the second inning. His four-seam fastball had dropped from 95 mph in the first inning to 88 mph in the second inning, and after throwing just his 19th pitch of the evening he slowly walked off the field at Marlins Park with a trainer at his side -- both of their heads hung low.

Velasquez told reporters after the game that he believes the elbow strain is of the “mild” variety, but an MRI is already scheduled for later this week and the results of that exam should provide the real answers as to a recovery timetable. He underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2010, just as he was establishing himself as a top prospect in the Astros’ system. But it’s not uncommon anymore for pitchers to undergo the surgery twice.

Velasquez was traded to Philadelphia in December 2015 as part of the Ken Giles deal and the hard-throwing youngster had some very promising stretches in 2016 before mostly struggling this year.

However this shakes out, the Phillies’ present and future both appear a little dimmer.

Clay Buchholz is likely done for the season following mid-April forearm surgery and the Phillies are relying on unreliable and unestablished rotation options like Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin, Ben Lively, and Jake Thompson behind more slightly more reliable starters Jeremy Hellickson, Aaron Nola, and Jerad Eickhoff. As a group, the Phillies pitching staff has produced a dreadful 4.82 ERA in 2017.

Astros Promote Prospect Paulino

Astros starter Joe Musgrove landed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with discomfort in his throwing shoulder. Taking his rotation spot Wednesday versus the Twins will be 23-year-old right-hander David Paulino, who was called up from Triple-A Fresno in a corresponding roster move and arrive in the Astros’ clubhouse during Tuesday night’s game.

Paulino got off to a late start this season due to an elbow injury and he had posted underwhelming numbers over three starts for Fresno, but the 6-foot-7 Dominican hurler was a consensus top-100 prospect leading into the 2017 campaign after registering a 2.00 ERA and 106/19 K/BB ratio in 90 innings across three different minor league levels in 2016.

Musgrove is hoping to return to Houston’s rotation next week, but shoulder injuries often come with setbacks and the Astros can find more spots for Paulino if he pitches well Wednesday afternoon in Minnesota. Musgrove, it should be noted, was sporting an ugly 4.89 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 53 1/3 innings (10 starts) this season for the American League West-leading Astros. Mike Fiers has a 4.96 ERA and 1.50 WHIP even after pitching well in Tuesday’s win over the Twins.

Paulino carries short-term streaming appeal and there’s a lot to like in the long term as well.

Calixte Gets The Call

If you’re looking for a sneaky roster addition this week -- somebody with the potential to provide both power and speed with easy-to-acquire effort -- new Giants utilityman Orlando Calixte might be of interest.

The versatile 25-year-old was promoted from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday afternoon and batted leadoff in his Giants debut, going 2-for-5 with a single, a double, and two RBI in a loss against the visiting Nationals. He started in left field but shifted to center when Gorkys Hernandez made an early exit and then finished the game in right field. That’s something the athletic Calixte is capable of doing.

The former Royals prospect was batting .287/.331/.507 with eight home runs, 26 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 21 runs scored through 41 games this year at the Triple-A level while appearing defensively at shortstop, second base, third base, right field, and center field for the Sacramento River Cats. If he produces, the grasping-at-straws Giants will find places to start Calixte -- and they could keep trying him at leadoff when he gets those starts. San Francisco stands 22-32 on the season after Tuesday night’s loss to Washington.

National League Quick Hits: Major League Baseball suspended Bryce Harper four games and Hunter Strickland six games following Monday’s on-field brawl in San Francisco, though both players have appealed … Robbie Ray notched his first career complete game and shutout Tuesday in the Diamondbacks’ victory over the Pirates … Zack Cozart had two solo homers and two walks Tuesday in the Reds’ loss to the Blue Jays … Stephen Piscotty is expected to return to the Cardinals’ lineup Wednesday after missing several games due to a private matter … Marcell Ozuna went 3-for-5 and hit his 13th homer Tuesday as the Marlins topped the Phillies … Gregory Polanco (ankle) was held out of the Pirates’ starting lineup Tuesday against the Diamondbacks … Yoenis Cespedes (quad, hamstring) was able to do some hitting in Florida on Tuesday … Maikel Franco is day-to-day with a minor illness … Jedd Gyorko was excused from the Cardinals on Tuesday afternoon to welcome the birth of his first daughter … Jeurys Familia (shoulder) hopes to be cleared to begin a throwing program in two weeks … Dodgers second baseman Logan Forsythe reached base five times Monday in St. Louis … Brandon Phillips (knee) remained out of the Braves’ starting lineup Tuesday night in Anaheim … Madison Bumgarner (shoulder) played catch from 60 feet on Tuesday at AT&T Park … Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia went 3-for-6 on Tuesday, extending his hitting streak to 10 games … Mets right-hander Tyler Pill pitched 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball against the Brewers in his first major league start Tuesday … Taijuan Walker (blister) threw a successful three-inning simulated game on Tuesday and could return to the Diamondbacks’ rotation Sunday in Miami … Padres rookie starter Dinelson Lamet improved to 2-0 on Tuesday after striking out eight batters over five innings in a win over the Cubs … Nationals closer Koda Glover earned his fourth save in five days on Tuesday night against the Giants … Justin Nicolino left his start Tuesday against the Phillies after suffering a left index finger contusion … An MRI taken Tuesday on Manuel Margot's right calf showed no major structural damage … Rockies placed setup man Adam Ottavino on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation … Tom Murphy (wrist) served as the DH for five innings in an extended spring training game Tuesday.

American League Quick Hits: Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski said he expects Dustin Pedroia (wrist) to return from the disabled list in 10 days … Albert Pujols slugged career home run No. 599 on Tuesday night against the Braves … Indians rookie Bradley Zimmer had a two-RBI double and a two-run homer in Tuesday's win over the Athletics … Nelson Cruz left Tuesday's game against the Rockies with tightness in his right calf … Miguel Sano is day-to-day with a minor illness … Adam Jones (ankle, hip) was scratched from the Orioles’ starting lineup again on Tuesday … Mike Napoli (back) remained out of the Rangers’ starting lineup on Tuesday night … Trevor Bauer struck out a career-high 14 batters in a win over the A’s on Tuesday … Cam Bedrosian (groin) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment soon … Felix Hernandez (shoulder) threw another successful bullpen session Tuesday … Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) reported feeling significant improvement Tuesday … Josh Donaldson went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer Tuesday in the Blue Jays' defeat of the Reds … Brad Miller (abdomen) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday with High-A Charlotte … Yunel Escobar (hamstring) is on track to be activated from the disabled list Thursday … Matt Holliday and Brett Gardner each blasted two home runs in Tuesday's victory in Baltimore … Royals lefty Eric Skoglund had an impressive major league debut Tuesday, spinning 6 1/3 shutout innings while yielding just two hits in a victory over the Tigers … Zach Britton (forearm, elbow) has begun increasing the intensity of his flat-ground throwing … Francisco Liriano (shoulder) will return to the Blue Jays' rotation on Friday against the Yankees … Kyle Seager went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double and four RBI as the Mariners bested the Rockies on Tuesday … Cameron Maybin was held out of the Angels’ lineup Tuesday due to pain in his side … Tyson Ross (shoulder) is scheduled to make one more minor league rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Round Rock … Mitch Haniger (oblique) is not expected to take on-field batting practice before Friday … Marcus Semien played catch Monday for the first time since undergoing right wrist surgery … Elvis Andrus hit a three-run homer as part of a five-RBI night Tuesday in a win over the Rays … Greg Bird (ankle) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday with High-A Tampa … Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Steve Pearce (calf) is at least another 2-3 weeks away …Byron Buxton went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and a steal against the Astros on Tuesday … Astros prospect Kyle Tucker has been promoted from High-A Buies Creek to Double-A Corpus Christi … Austin Bibens-Dirkx will start for the Rangers on Wednesday night against the Rays … Glen Perkins faced live hitters Tuesday for the first time since April 20, 2016 … Blue Jays released right-hander Mat Latos.

Neil is Real

A Walk(er) in the Park

Neil Walker was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. The hometown kid was a first round selection of the Pirates (11th overall) in the 2004 draft out of Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.

He worked his way through the minor league system with the Buccos, making his big league debut during the 2009 season as a 23-year-old. Walker would remain with the Pirates through the next six full seasons, averaging 16 homers and 70 RBI per season while slashing .273/.338/.433.

While he was never an All-Star, he was always a very solid regular that found a home in the middle of the Pirates' lineup. He also loved hitting at PNC Park. Entering play on Friday, Walker was a .279/.347/.427 hitter with 42 career homers and 199 RBI in the ballpark.

He picked up his 200th (and 201st) career RBI's in the park when he smashed a Chad Kuhl offering over the wall in right field in the third inning, giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead. He added to that total his next at-bat, lining another Kuhl offering over the boards in right for a solo shot.

He also chipped in an RBI single, finishing the night 3-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI, leading the Mets to an 8-1 victory over his former mates.


Putting up Zeroes

Alex Wood began the 2017 season as a long reliever in the Dodgers' bullpen after he failed to win a spot in the Opening Day rotation during spring training.

The former top prospect got his chance to shine in early April while Rich Hill battled his blister issue and he hasn't looked back.

The 26-year-old southpaw entered Friday's start against the Cubs riding a 20 1/3 scoreless inning streak. That streak lives on after firing five shutout innings and striking out eight in a victory on Friday. Wood now owns a 25 1/3 scoreless inning streak, the longest streak in the league this season.

On the season as a whole, he has been a godsend to the Dodgers and fantasy owners alike. With Friday's victory, Wood now sits at 6-0 on the season. He owns a sparkling 1.69 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 60/15 K/BB ratio across 48 innings.

American League Quick Hits:  Chris Archer punched out 11 over 7 2/3 innings in a victory over the Twins... Logan Morrison provided the support there with his 13th home run... Eduardo Rodriguez earned his fourth win with six shutout innings against the Mariners... Jean Segura had three hits and a stolen base in a losing effort... Mike Pelfrey struck out a season-high seven in a victory over the Tigers... Joe Musgrove shut out the Orioles over seven innings in Friday's victory... Ken Giles notched his 14th save with a perfect ninth inning... Devon Travis had three hits including a grand slam in a win over the Rangers... Sean Manaea struck out eight over seven shutout innings in a no-decision against the Yankees... Masahiro Tanaka punched out a career-high 13 in a tough-luck loss there... Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki will sit on Saturday after returning to the lineup on Friday... Ubaldo Jimenez has been bumped from the Orioles' rotation in favor of Alec Asher... Glen Perkins (shoulder) could begin facing live hitters next week... Corey Kluber fired five shutout innings in his minor league rehab start with Double-A Akron. He's expected to rejoin the Indians' rotation next week... A.J. Griffin was forced to leave Friday's start due to a left intercostal strain... J.A. Happ (elbow) could rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation as soon as Tuesday... Bud Norris was forced to leave his appearance on Friday due to soreness in his right knee. He's considered day-to-day... Cameron Maybin (knee) expects to return to the starting lineup on Saturday... James Shields (lat) will throw a simulated game on Monday..  Yonder Alonso (wrist) missed another game, but was able to hit off of a tee during pregame work... Kendall Graveman was scratched from Friday's start due to soreness in his pitching shoulder... Twins' prospect Nick Burdi was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery... Dustin Pedroia (knee) missed Friday's game but expects to play on Saturday... Jharel Cotton will be recalled from Triple-A to start against the Yankees on Saturday.... The Tigers plan to make all veterans available via trade if they remain under .500 by the end of June.

National League Quick Hits: Antonio Senzatela was brilliant on Friday, shutting out the Cardinals over eight innings at Coors Field... Charlie Blackmon went 4-for-4 with a homer, triple and three RBI in the win... Jaime Garcia fired 6 2/3 shutout innings in a victory over the Giants... Adrian Gonzalez clubbed his first home run of the season in Friday's win over the Cubs... Jake Lamb clubbed his 14th home run of the season as the Diamondbacks rallied to beat the Brewers in extra innings... Corey Knebel suffered a blown save in that one, surrendering a game-tying homer to Chris Iannetta with two outs in the ninth inning... Zack Godley fired six shutout innings in a no-decision there... Junior Guerra pitched well in his return from the disabled list, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings... Justin Bour belted a three-run homer (his 13th) in a rout of the Angels... Jacob deGrom punched out 10 over 8 1/3 innings of one-run baseball in a victory against the Pirates... Gregory Polanco clubbed a solo homer in his return from the disabled list... Scott Schebler launched his 14th homer in a win over the Phillies... Tim Adleman fired eight innings of one-hit ball to beat the Phillies... Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Michael Taylor left the yard in a win over the Padres... Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored while playing six innings defensively in his first minor league rehab game with High-A St. Lucie... Rob Segedin is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on his injured right wrist... Manuel Margot is expected to be placed on the disabled list due to his sore right calf... Randall Delgado will make another start for the Diamondbacks on Monday... Cesar Hernandez was held out of the Phillies' lineup due to a minor groin injury... The Nationals acquired lefty-masher Ryan Raburn from the White Sox... Andrew McCutchen was dropped to sixth in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets... Ryan Braun officially landed on the disabled list with his right calf strain... Tom Murphy (wrist) could begin a rehab assignment next week... A.J. Pollock (groin) is on track to return from the disabled list next week.

Frazier Watch

There have been times over the past few weeks where Todd Frazier has thought about or discussed trade rumors involving his name.

Usually the White Sox third baseman is answering questions brought about by his friends on the matter.

"They always hit me up," Frazier said. "I have guys at home who are big Red Sox fans, and they are like, 'It's going to happen.' I'm like, 'You guys have no clue.' Or Mets fans or whatever it is.
"It's mainly for them. I've been around it before a bunch of times. It's just like another day, I guess. Until you get a call or the GM tells you, I'm not worried about it. I'm worried about being a [member of the] White Sox right now."
Frazier is in an interesting position as a free agent-to-be in the midst of a slightly weird season, health-wise. He battled through a sprained left pointer finger in January, a left oblique strain during Spring Training, a knockdown bad case of the flu in-season and most recently back stiffness.
As the White Sox return from a 3-7 road trip, the 31-year-old has a .192 average with five home runs, seven doubles and 19 RBIs -- not exactly the numbers of what great trades are based upon.
But teams understand Frazier's value, both on the field and in the clubhouse, and he feels closer at the plate to where he needs to be. He has a .301 on-base percentage and seems to be tracking the ball much better offensively.

Frazier's two-run single

Todd Frazier singles to plate a pair, extending the lead to 12-2 in the top of the 7th inning

"Just trying to focus on squaring the ball up," Frazier said. "That's basically it and seeing the ball. No matter what pitch it is."
In a Tuesday night loss to the D-backs in which Frazier hit a long home run to right-center field, he didn't chase one pitch out of the strike zone. He only had one hit to show for his work, followed by two walks on Wednesday, but Frazier feels on the right path back toward his 40-homer, 98-RBI performance of 2016.
"Hopefully I just keep on rolling," Frazier said. "It's one of those things where you feel good. You don't ever want that feeling to go away. When it does go away, it's like, 'What the heck happened?' Just keep on focusing on what I've been doing and just seeing the right pitch I need to hit."
Frazier spoke at SoxFest and during Spring Training about a desire to stay with the White Sox, even with the rebuild. That desire might not be fulfilled and he soon could find himself on a true contender, but he enjoys serving as the veteran mentor among a group of talented young prospects, and he would like to extend that unofficial job description.
"No talks or anything," said Frazier of possible contract discussions with the White Sox. "Hopefully one day they will. It will be a great opportunity here and just depends on what road they want to go.
"I've expressed to them how much I would like to stay here. We have a really good time. We have a good mix, and they are learning fast. It has been fun to watch."

Rookie Watch

 There's rookies to watch out for this season

Here’s a look at 10 of the best young players in baseball.
10. Manuel Margot, 22, OF, San Diego Padres
This spot could have just as easily gone to Hunter Renfroe, Jharel Cotton, Robert Gsellman or Josh Bell, but we’re going with Manuel Margot for a number of reasons.
Capable of playing all outfield positions, Margot has primarily been used in center field due to his ability to patrol large amounts of space. In Triple-A a season ago, the 22-year-old Margot recorded 311 putouts and 18 assists, which were each second to none. Needless to say, his ability to cover ground at Petco Park is unparalleled.
But that’s not all Margot has in his bag of tricks. He’s a solid hitter for average and is capable of swiping some bases if need be. He’s batting .264 on the season but has plenty of extra-base hits, including six doubles, three triples and four home runs. Margot has shown he has some pop in his bat, which will undoubtedly improve as he gets stronger and more accustomed to quality pitching.
And while he’ll need to refine his decision-making at the major league level, the base stealing ability will become a more substantial asset over time (he’s 5-for-10 on attempts this season).
9. Trey Mancini, 25, DH, Baltimore Orioles
Trey Mancini may not have been discussed among the most exciting rookies in baseball entering the season, but if that conversation were held right now, his name would come up repeatedly and no one would bat an eye.
After hitting three home runs in 15 plate appearances as a late-season call-up a year ago, Mancini has begun this season by proving to the Orioles that his power was no fluke. In 106 at-bats so far this season, Mancini has sent seven over the wall. He’s also hit six doubles, meaning more than a third of all his early-season hits have been for extra bases.

If that doesn’t describe the sort of impact he’s had on Baltimore’s lineup, perhaps the reaction of his teammates will.
Mancini has been so blisteringly hot this season that his teammates, including Manny Machado, have resorted to using his bats at the plate. In fact, in a mid-April game, Mancini, Machado and Craig Gentry each hit home runs over a nine-batter span using the youngster’s Louisville Slugger C243.

8. Trea Turner, 23, SS, Washington Nationals
Trea Turner was initially a late-season call-up in 2015, but he didn’t play particularly well. In 2016, that changed drastically when Turner was given more of an opportunity with the Nationals. He hit .342/.370/.567 with 13 home runs, 40 RBI and an impressive 33 stolen bases.
Those 2016 numbers were enough to warrant NL Rookie of the Year conversations, where Turner finished second. They were also enough to warrant starting consideration, which he then went on to secure out of camp this year.
Although Turner is not hitting for the same average early in 2017, it remains clear just how much potential he has. And while far from perfect — there have been some lumps along the way — Turner is again playing well and proving to Washington why he deserves to be in the everyday lineup. The 23-year-old is batting .241 but has nine doubles and four home runs, giving him a .400 slugging percentage.
A versatile player who can also play in center field if need be, Turner is more like an old school base-runner and base stealer than anything else. There are hiccups to his game, but he’s more than capable of snagging a bag in a critical spot.

7. Michael Fulmer, 24, SP, Detroit Tigers
Michael Fulmer went from the minor leagues to the AL Rookie of the Year in what felt like the blink of an eye. There was no transition moment for him — no late-season call-up the year prior. Fulmer was thrust into the fire, starting 26 games for the Tigers in 2016, and he did exceptionally well.

As rookie, Fulmer compiled a record of 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA, while striking out 132 batters in 159 innings. And while the win/loss record may not be eye-opening, his ERA and 1.119 WHIP as an inexperienced rookie certainly were.
Through nine games this season, Fulmer looks even better.
He’s 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 60 innings. He’s also displayed increased poise and control on the mound, which has allowed him to work on both sides of the plate. The No. 44 overall pick in 2011 is paying off nicely for Detroit.

6. Corey Seager, 23, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Corey Seager is already a star. In his first professional season, the shortstop hit .308/.365/.512 with 26 home runs and 72 RBIs. Those numbers were good enough to win him the NL Rookie of the Year award, an All-Star nod, the Silver Slugger award, and third place in MVP voting.
That’s all just a sign of things to come for Seager, who is again off to a hot start in 2017. He’s batting .292 with 12 doubles and seven home runs this season, giving him an OPS just shy of .900. His 26 walks to 35 strikeouts also represents an improvement over his ratio from a season ago.
Although some may not like his placement on this list after a full year of service in the big leagues, it’s important to remember he’s only 23 years old and has only just begun to scratch the surface of his talent.
Seager has a career average of .308, which is highly impressive for a player his age. If he can improve his patience at the plate and cut down on his strikeouts a bit, he’ll be able to hit effectively in any ballpark in North America.

5. Dansby Swanson, 23, SS, Atlanta Braves
Another top prospect who was relatively well known before his late-season call-up in 2016, Dansby Swanson has already established himself as the Braves’ shortstop of the future.
The 23-year-old hit .302/.361/.442 with three home runs, 17 RBIs and three stolen bases in 38 games for the Braves last season, and that was more than enough evidence to prove he belonged. And while he may be struggling to start the 2017 season, it’s inevitable that Swanson ultimately turns it around and becomes a fixture in the NL.
Following his poor April in which he batted just .156, Swanson is batting .288 with an .863 OPS in May.
With loose hands and good bat speed, Swanson has all the markings of a contact hitter with a high average. As he continues to develop and gain strength, he’ll add a little pop at the plate as well. Swanson is also a solid defender who will get better over time.
His early-season slump aside, Swanson is an exciting young player who should be a mainstay for years to come.

4. Gary Sanchez, 24, C, New York Yankees
Although Gary Sanchez was long considered one of the Yankees’ best prospects, he wasn’t continuously in the conversation about the best young prospects in baseball. Then he got called up in 2016 and went on a tear that nearly won him the AL Rookie of the Year award.
After mashing 20 home runs and 42 RBIs to go along with a near .300 batting average, the Yankees were convinced it was time to usher in their next starting catcher. And although an early-season injury slowed him in 2017, Sanchez is back behind the plate and is slowly becoming a force in the lineup once again.
Through 19 games in 2017, Sanchez is batting .270 with four home runs. He has posted an .811 OPS while playing a premium position.
In addition to hitting for both average and power, Sanchez has proven to be a valuable asset behind the plate. He’s developed a solid rapport with all five members of the Yankees’ rotation and has, at times, displayed a rocket for an arm.


3. Tyler Glasnow, 23, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Like several others on this list, Tyler Glasnow was widely known before he even stepped foot on a Major League diamond. Considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, the clock had been anxiously ticking until his debut.
Unfortunately for the Pirates and Glasnow, injuries and a lack of control sullied his first series of games in 2016, but he returned this season with job security and a longer leash. And while the numbers have been far from remarkable — Glasnow is 2-3 with a 7.34 ERA in eight starts — there’s no denying his ceiling is arguably unlimited.
The 23-year-old Glasnow features a mid-90s fastball that bears down on hitters thanks to his 6-foot-8 frame, which only makes his sharp curveball that much harder to hit. When he’s able to throw strikes early in the count, he’s almost unhittable. But for the youngster, it’s all about control and poise, which will come with time.

2. Andrew Benintendi, 22, OF, Boston Red Sox
Andrew Benintendi was on the scene long before he made it to the majors, through his first 75 career games, it’s become clear that hype was completely warranted.
The Red Sox got a brief glimpse into the future a year ago when Benintendi was called up, but his play so far in 2017 has led to him being dubbed “Lil’ Papi” — an obvious and deliberate comparison to retired slugger David Ortiz. And while some say it’s entirely too early for such a nickname, it’s an indication of where things are headed for Benintendi.
Through the first month-plus of the season, the 22-year-old Benintendi is also considered among the favorites to win the AL Rookie of the Year and rightfully so.
Benintendi is hitting .280/.355/.422 with five home runs, 24 RBIs and five stolen bases. He posted similar numbers over 34 games last season, as he batted .295 with 11 doubles and two home runs. Between him and Mookie Betts, the Red Sox have some serious young studs in the outfield.

1. Aaron Judge, 25, RF, New York Yankees
Aaron Judge may not be the best prospect in baseball, but it’s easy to understand why he’s No. 1 on this list.
After a somewhat clunky start to the season, Judge caught fire and hasn’t let up since. He led the Yankees in the early absence of Gary Sanchez, moving all over the batting order based on matchups, and hitting with unlimited power. Judge improved his patience at the plate and has played surprisingly good (and sometimes fearless) defense.
Through 40 games this season, the slugger is batting .315 with five doubles, two triples and 15 big home runs. His 49 strikeouts are a concern, but if that’s the cost of a hitter slugging nearly .700, it’s worth it.

The price is set to launch

Vida Blue

The highest-paid player in Red Sox history is about to do something he hasn’t done all year—pitch for the Boston Red Sox.

A former Cy Young winner returning from a major injury will always be front page news, but which version of David Price will the Red Sox be getting when he makes his season debut Monday against the White Sox? In the early days of Price, that was never a question. Back then there was only one version of Price: the one that showed up every fifth day to put on a clinic. Price was a remarkably consistent pitcher before joining the Red Sox, recording a minuscule 2.97 ERA with 94 wins from 2010-2015. That six-year stretch would later become known as the Golden Age of David Price.

Even if it took a little longer than expected, Price’s return to a big league mound on Memorial Day has to be thought of as a huge victory, not because of who Price is but because of how dire things looked for him back in March. I remember escalating the situation to Threat Level Midnight with this panicked Dose I wrote back in spring training. At that point, Price was being looked at by famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews, which is usually a worst-case scenario. It looked dicey for a minute but Price was able to avoid elbow surgery and now at long last, he’s ready to rejoin the Red Sox’s starting rotation.

But back to my original thought bubble—which David Price will be in attendance Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field (which I guess is what they’re calling Comiskey Park these days)? Coming off a lousy first year in Boston and an even lousier rehab stint with Triple-A Pawtucket, Price’s reign as MLB’s Mr. Reliable has come to an abrupt end. Price’s velocity is about where it should be—he topped out at 95 mph during his rehab while mostly sitting in the 92-94 mph range. But how can the Red Sox feel any sort of confidence after seeing Price get bombed for seven hits and six runs (three earned) over 3 2/3 innings Wednesday in his final tune-up?

I realize there’s a danger in overanalyzing minor league rehab starts. The main objective is to dust off the cobwebs, which Price has successfully done over his last two outings. I thought MLB Network analyst John Smoltz brought up a fascinating point when he theorized that minor leaguers tend to save their best for big league stars like Price. For Price, making the hour-long trek from Boston to Pawtucket is a means to an end—get your work in and hopefully make enough progress so you’ll never have to come back. But it’s a much different mindset for the hitters he’s facing. For fringe players still trying to make their case for the big leagues, smoking one off a former Cy Young winner would probably be a good place to start.

And on the other side of the coin, maybe Price was saving a little juice for when the games actually matter. Price didn’t have his best stuff when he made a rehab start in 2013, allowing two runs in only 2 1/3 innings for High-A Charlotte. Once he got back to the big leagues, he went 9-4 with a 2.53 ERA over his final 18 starts. That’s quite the turnaround, though it’s important to remember that Price was 28 back then and had much less mileage on his arm than he does now.

As if the shark-infested waters of Boston sports radio needed another reason to ambush Price, the left-hander set himself up for scrutiny by ducking out on his media obligations after Wednesday’s tough outing. Blowing off small-market reporters who were probably waiting all week to talk to Price isn’t a good look, especially when you make your escape in this $230,000 monstrosity.

Price isn’t the first player to leave the media hanging and he won’t be the last. But to me, seeing Price slip out the backdoor without talking to anyone shows me that he’s frustrated with how he pitched, which isn’t a good sign heading into his debut on Monday. It also shows me that Price is still adjusting to Boston after spending the bulk of his career in small-market Tampa Bay. Maybe Price just had an off year in 2016 but I’m sure the increased media presence and added pressure of pitching for a household name like the Red Sox played some role in his early struggles. The pressure-packed environment of Boston isn’t for everyone, as evidenced by the failures of Carl Crawford and countless other big names who never panned out, which makes Chris Sale’s seamless transition this year all the more impressive.

Regardless of whether Price ever returns to the Cy Young form he showed at previous stops in Tampa Bay, Detroit and Toronto, the Red Sox need healthy bodies to chew up innings. That’s a low bar to clear, especially considering Price’s prodigious track record, but surely the Red Sox would settle for mere competence at this point. The patchwork group of starters Boston used to replace Price (that includes Brian Johnson, Kyle Kendrick, Hector Velazquez and Steven Wright) went a combined 2-5 with a pitiful 9.35 ERA over nine starts. So just by showing up, Price is already giving the Red Sox a massive upgrade. And who knows, maybe he’ll catch a second wind and return to ace status, giving the Red Sox a formidable 1-2 punch along with Chris Sale.


Speaking of Sale, he’ll follow Price in the rotation Tuesday in his first start against the White Sox since December’s blockbuster trade. Sale’s final year with Chicago was anything but pleasant—he openly criticized the team for banning Adam LaRoche’s son from the clubhouse (which eventually led to LaRoche’s retirement) and was later suspended for cutting up throwback jerseys he found uncomfortable. That surely left White Sox fans with a bad taste in their mouths, though that doesn’t erase Sale’s seven years of complete and utter dominance including five straight All-Star appearances from 2012-16.

Despite his nearly three-month rehab, I can’t help but feel like Price is being rushed back. Neither of his starts in Pawtucket were very convincing and it seems like the Red Sox are just desperate to have another arm after two months of aimless mixing and matching. Is it too soon to take the training wheels off of Price? We’ll find out on Monday.

AL Quick Hits: Cam Bedrosian (groin) is expected to face live hitters over the weekend and could begin a rehab assignment next week. Bedrosian began the year as the Angels’ closer but with Huston Street (shoulder) on the mend and Bud Norris excelling in the ninth inning, Bedrosian may have to settle for a setup role upon his return … Edwin Diaz picked up his ninth save Thursday against the Nationals. Diaz was removed from the closer role last week after seeing his ERA balloon to 5.28 but it didn’t take long for him to pull himself out of manager Scott Servais’ doghouse … Led by Drew Pomeranz and his 11 Ks, the Red Sox tied the major league record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game by recording 20 punch-outs in Thursday’s win over the Rangers. Craig Kimbrel contributed to Boston’s strikeout bonanza by fanning four batters in the ninth inning … Ever wonder what David Ortiz is up to these days?

NL Quick Hits: Eduardo Nunez was originally listed in the Giants’ lineup Thursday against the Cubs but was scratched due to a lingering hamstring injury. Nunez received treatment during the game and is hoping to suit up Friday night against Atlanta … Closer has been a revolving door for the Nationals this year. After previously experimenting with Blake Treinen, Shawn Kelley and Matt Albers, manager Dusty Baker has now assigned ninth-inning duties to Koda Glover. The 24-year-old has converted three-of-four save opportunities with a 2.57 ERA this season … Jameson Taillon completed a 35-pitch bullpen session on Thursday. The right-hander underwent surgery for testicular cancer earlier this month. There’s no timetable for his return … Not a great day at the office for Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera. He finished 0-for-5 with five strikeouts in a victory over the Rockies on Thursday. They call that a Platinum Sombrero … Asdrubal Cabrera was activated from the disabled list on Thursday after missing nine games with a sprained left thumb. He appeared as a pinch-hitter in the Mets’ loss to San Diego … Jacob deGrom had been scheduled to pitch Thursday’s game against the Padres but instead the Mets pushed his start back to Friday due to weather concerns. Rafael Montero started in his place and scattered five hits, three runs and three walks over three lackluster innings for his fourth loss of the season … Padres right-hander Dinelson Lamet made his big league debut Thursday against the Mets. The 24-year-old impressed, allowing just three hits, one run and two walks over five stellar innings for his first career victory. He also finished with eight strikeouts … Brad Hand pitched the ninth inning for his second save Thursday against the Mets. That came only hours after Padres manager Andy Green wouldn’t commit to using Hand as the team’s closer. Hand is reportedly drawing heavy interest around the league, making it likely that he’s dealt before the July 31 trade deadline … Jeff Samardzija walked Ian Happ in the sixth inning of Thursday’s loss to the Cubs. Prior to that, he hadn’t issued a free pass since April 28, a span of 154 straight batters without allowing a walk … Kenta Maeda (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day disabled list on Thursday. The Dodgers cleared a roster spot for him by placing Joc Pederson on the 7-day concussion DL. Maeda wasn’t sharp in his return to the mound (5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB) Thursday night, though he did chip in with a two-run single off Cardinals starter Michael Wacha … Yadier Molina extended his hitting streak to 14 games by slapping a pair of singles in Thursday’s loss to the Dodgers. That’s the longest active streak in the major leagues … The Cubs’ themed road-trips under manager Joe Maddon have been well documented. This one might be their best yet: Anchorman (appropriate since they’ll be in San Diego next week). All of these outfits are great but John Lackey’s Champ Kind is the clear winner.

Elephants on Acid tied for first

Ruth Standings, Pitching       W   L   pct.  GB   ERA  CG ShO  RS  Sv   IP     R   ER   H   BA   BB   K  WP
 4  Elephants on Acid          25  19  .568  -    3.23  1   2  4.5 14  389.2  153 140  360 .244 157  322  7
 6  Roving Gamblers            25  19  .568  -    3.33  1   2  4.3 13  400.1  171 148  368 .237 148  395 11
 2  Jacks                      25  19  .568  -    3.24  5   5  4.0 15  394.1  155 142  363 .241 153  360 16
 8  Rainy Day Women            24  20  .545  1    4.16  3   4  4.6  9  398.1  197 184  392 .255 189  372 14
10  Lumber Company             23  21  .523  2    3.40  3   4  3.5 14  397    164 150  319 .217 188  341 12
 

in the fantasy world, my fantasy baseball team , my favourite team, my AL Brett team, Elephants on Acid, are currently tied for first place.

My all time fantasy team is headed up by Bob Gibson on the mound.

Gibby was the best , it's said he would brush back his his mother if she was crowding the plate. Thank God she never played for the Cubs or Pirates.

At first base , I have Richie Allen of the White Sox, and at second I play Julian Javier , also of the Cardinals.

At short, Bert "Campy" Campineris, of the Oakland Athletics. At third, Sal Bando , also of the A's, but I think I will go with Mike Shannon instead.

In the outfield, I will go with Brock, Rudi, and Reggie.

Behind the plate , Timmy McCarver.

Closers, arrgh

Just when Edwin Diaz looked to be getting back on track, he collapsed on consecutive evenings. The Mariners have already ousted him from the ninth inning after he walked four of five batters on Monday. While his command has never been a plus, this was the only outing in which he's looked utterly lost. When I see something like this, I wonder if there's an injury. His velocity is fine, but that's not always affected. Steve Cishek was probably next in line until he was hammered last night.

Diaz isn't the only shake up in Closerland. Aroldis Chapman hit the disabled list shortly after the last edition of Saves and Steals. Look for Dellin Betances to do all the same things as Chapman. He's set to return in roughly three to four weeks. Elsewhere in New York, Jeurys Familia's season is in jeopardy after needing surgery for a blood clot. The Mets also have a superb fall back option to their first string closer. Last but not least, Neftali Feliz succumbed to his home run issues. Corey Knebel is the guy to own.

Greg Holland built on his saves lead by adding four more. Four others snagged three saves apiece including Matt Bush (finally) and spot-closer Derek Law. Holland's 17 saves on the season far outpaces second place Craig Kimbrel (12). Third place is a six-way tie at 10 saves.

Eduardo Nunez and Cameron Maybin shared the weekly stolen base leaderboard with four swipes each. Xander Bogaerts was next best, going 3-for-3. Billy Hamilton (19 steals) has a comfy six steal lead over A.J. Pollock, Nunez, and Dee Gordon. Unfortunately, Pollock is probably out for a month with a strained groin.