Sports

DENVER -- Jacob Stallings was in a nasty place on the plate. The former Gold Glove Award-winning catcher is a defense-first backstop who had a profession .665 OPS getting into this season, however he was hitting simply .127 via 23 video games for the Marlins in 2023. Then Yuli Gurriel pulled him apart and talked with him in regards to the place of his arms whereas he’s hitting. “He just kind of grabs you one-on-one,” Stallings mentioned. “We all really respect him and just kind of gravitate towards him. … And if you’re having a rough day, [he] just says, ‘Hey, stick with it. Stick with it. You’re good. Keep going.’” Stallings and the Marlins caught with it after dropping 4 of the primary 5 video games on their 10-game street journey. It paid off: Stallings’ pair of doubles on Wednesday eve...

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter concerning the main leagues’ sudden inflow of 24-year-old right-handed pitchers with the surname “Miller,” the Rays’ surprisingly precarious place within the AL East (7:48), and the Cubs, the Brewers, and the state of the NL Central (12:45), earlier than focusing their bat-resuscitating powers on Trea Turner (17:22), with virtually fast impact. Then they discuss to David Raymond, the unique Phillie Phanatic performer, Gritty co-conceiver, frequent crew mascot guide, and founding father of the Mascot Boot Camp and Mascot Hall of Fame, about all of their mascot questions, the mascot design course of, and what it’s wish to be inside a mascot costume, plus updates and a Past Blast from 2011 (1:26:54). Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”Aud...

`Adrian Houser allowed two hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the Milwaukee Brewers homered thrice in a 4-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon. ...

For many gamers, changes are wanted to go from the higher Minors to going through one of the best gamers on the planet on the MLB degree. Before finally discovering MLB success, some gamers want on a regular basis reps, adjustments to their pitch combine or strategy on the plate or perhaps a demotion again to the Minors. It's a fragile course of that takes gamers by many ups and downs whereas they attempt to discover their place within the huge leagues. So far in 2023, we have seen a lot of these gamers make that transition and rework themselves into authentic MLB-caliber gamers. Here are 10 former Top 100 MLB Pipeline prospects who've taken flight and established themselves on the MLB degree. Included with every participant is their highest prospect rating based on Pipeline. The following...

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports If Nolan Gorman have been filling out a hitting resume this 12 months, he may battle with the “weaknesses” part. “I care too much,” he might need to accept, or “my teammates say I have trouble letting go after work.” It must be a kind of foolish platitudes; he’s within the midst of an admirably full season. It’s not simply his .301/.392/.636 slash line, although that’s nice. He’s been good towards four-seam fastballs, good towards sinkers, good towards curveballs, good towards cutters and changeups; the one pitch he’s struggled with even a bit bit is the slider, and he’s nonetheless roughly common there. He’s hitting for energy and common, taking his walks, and even holding his personal towards opposing lefties. That steadiness is all of the extra spec...

WASHINGTON — Alex Call had a two-run double in Washington’s four-run second inning and the Nationals held off the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Wednesday evening. ...

ST. PETERSBURG -- Not lengthy after struggling probably the most lopsided loss in franchise historical past, the Rays made it clear they had been able to overlook about it and transfer ahead. And what higher approach to take action than with their ace to the mound? Left-hander Shane McClanahan put collectively one other gem on Wednesday evening at Tropicana Field, crusing by way of seven innings and getting sufficient early run help within the Rays’ 7-3 win over the Blue Jays. McClanahan is the primary eight-game winner within the Majors this season, as his newest efficiency improved him to 8-0 with a 1.97 ERA. McClanahan allowed only one run on 4 hits, placing out seven and not using a stroll as Tampa Bay received for the tenth time in his first 11 begins of the yr. The lefty additionally...

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports Lars Nootbaar aspires to drive extra balls within the air, and understandably so. The 25-year-old St. Louis Cardinals outfielder has a 120 wRC+ this season — his profession mark is one level decrease — however he additionally has a 55.7% groundball charge, which ranks sixth highest amongst certified hitters. Not coincidentally, his slash line is an OBP-heavy .267/.390/.382. Nootbaar does possess the power to make onerous contact. His common exit velocity was within the ninetieth percentile a yr in the past, though he has admittedly backslid this season to the much less spectacular 53rd percentile. And once more, he’s killing too many worms. Moreover, not solely has his groundball charge risen — final yr’s mark was 43.8% — the share of balls he’s hit pull as...