Baseball Boxscore

Here's the next installment of a series highlighting non-Guardians prospects. These first appeared at Prospects1500.com . I got to do the write-up for the Dodgers #2 prospect. We're probably going to see this guy in the majors this year!  Dalton Rushing Rushing dominated the minors in 2024, posting a .271/.385/.512 line with 26 homers and 85 RBI across Double and Triple-A. His biggest assets are his plus power and above-average hit tool, complemented by impressive plate discipline. Though listed as a catcher, the Dodgers have been giving him reps in the outfield while he works on his defense behind the plate. Despite his 6’1”, 220-pound frame, he’s surprisingly athletic for his size. He’ll likely start 2025 in Triple-A but should get his shot in LA during the season. Dynasty owners should be excited about his power upside in that loaded Dodgers lineup. What do you think about Rushing? Let me know in the comments below. Enjoy this post? Never miss out on future posts by  follow...

The Guardians' right field situation took a probable yet unexpected turn this week. With top prospect Chase DeLauter , ranked #2 in the organization, sidelined 8-12 weeks following sports hernia surgery, the competition has opened up beyond just the obvious candidates. The returning duo of Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel remain the frontrunners, though Brennan comes off a disappointing 2024 where he posted a 98 wRC+ and struggled with a 33% strikeout rate in the postseason. Prospect  Johnathan Rodriguez , ranked #13 by MLB , brings intriguing power potential. With 58 home runs over the past two seasons (29 in each), he offers a promising profile for a team that hasn't had a 20-homer outfielder since 2014. But the competition doesn't end there. George Valera , once a top prospect who was designated for assignment in November before re-signing on a minor league deal, is getting another look after a solid Triple-A campaign. The Guardians are likely to explore other creative ...

In just over two months, baseball will celebrate one of its most improbable anniversaries - and I'll celebrate another birthday too. On May 21, 1997, Jim Thome did something that defied belief: he stole home plate, scoring the only run in Cleveland's 1-0 win over Kansas City . It stands alone in baseball's last half-century - the only 1-0 game decided by a steal of home. And of all people, it was Thome, a self-described "slow runner", who pulled it off. Of his mere 19 career steals, this was the only time he ever stole any base besides second. I guess baseball has a way of turning sluggers into sneaky speedsters when you least expect it! But on that spring day in '97, The Pride of Peoria gave me one unforgettable birthday present - even if he didn't know it at the time. (Unfortunately, the video clip of this historic steal seems to be lost to time. If anyone has footage of this moment, please share it with me!) Did you ever see Thome steal a base in pers...

Veen is ranked #5 in the Rockies system at Prospects1500 . Below is the 2025 pre-season blurb I contributed to the Prospects1500 site. Let me know your thoughts on Veen in the comments below.  Zac Veen , OF, 23, Triple-A The ninth overall pick from 2020, Veen’s progress hit another speed bump in 2024 as various ailments (back, hand, thumb) limited him to just 65 games across multiple levels in the Rockies’ system. Despite the interruptions, the 23-year-old flashed his trademark speed and defensive skills when available, though he continued to struggle with consistent contact at the plate. Colorado’s decision to protect him on their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft signals their long-term commitment. As 2025 approaches, Veen’s path likely starts at Triple-A, with a big-league debut possible if he can maintain his health and find more consistency in his swing. The tools for fantasy impact remain, provided he can stay on the diamond. Enjoy this post? Never miss out on future po...

Matt Wilkinson turned heads in 2024, going from a 10th-round pick to a serious prospect. The lefty dominated with an 8-6 record, 1.90 ERA, and 174 strikeouts in 118.2 innings across Single and High-A. Most impressively, he finished second in strikeouts among all minor league pitchers. Wilkinson doesn't overpower hitters. His fastball sits 92-93 mph, but plays up through command and a low release point. At High-A Lake County, he struck out 32.7% of batters with a 2.30 ERA across his final 78.1 innings. His K-BB% of 29.6% led all minor league starters, showing his rare combination of missing bats while limiting walks. Now Cleveland's #9 prospect, according to Prospects1500 , Wilkinson will face Double-A hitters in 2025.  At 6'1" and 270 pounds, he breaks the mold of a typical pitching prospect. His ceiling might be as a back-end starter or reliever, but his ability to throw strikes and generate whiffs suggests he'll reach the majors if he can continue to develop. Gi...

Let's be honest about the Guardians' bullpen situation in 2025: this isn't exactly a wide-open competition. According to Roster Resource , the full bullpen projection includes Emmanuel Clase , Cade Smith , Hunter Gaddis , Paul Sewald , and Tim Herrin as the core five relievers. The remaining spots are expected to be filled by Andrew Walters , Eric Sabrowski , and  Jakob Junis , with Nic Enright and  Luis Frias also in the mix as potential depth options. Walters, who made his MLB debut on September 12th, 2024, quickly made an impact in his rookie season. In 8.2 innings, he posted an impressive 0.00 ERA with 6 strikeouts and a 0.69 WHIP. He appeared in 4 postseason games as well, gaining valuable big-league experience and showing why he was considered such a promising prospect. He's now looking to build on that initial success and establish himself as a consistent major league reliever. Franco Aleman , another promising young arm, entered spring training as an intrigui...