Latest news with #prospect
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2 days ago
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2027 Top-Prospect Reveals That The Canucks Were His Favourite Team As A Kid
It appears yet another top prospect grew up as a fan of the Vancouver Canucks. In a recent clip released on the NHL "X" account, Landon DuPont, who is the projected first overall pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, stated that his favourite team as a kid was the Canucks. DuPont is currently playing with the Everett Silvertips and was the first defenceman ever to receive "Exceptional Status" from the WHL.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
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Guardians select Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette in first round of MLB Draft
The Guardians selected Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette with their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. LaViolette, a power-hitting left-handed hitter, was ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. The Guardians used overall pick No. 27 to add him to their minor league system. During his three seasons with Texas A&M, LaViolette set school records with 68 home runs and 169 walks drawn while leading the Aggies to the College World Series Finals in 2024. Jace LaViolette drafted by Guardians in 1st round At 6 feet, 6 inches and 230 pounds, LaViolette is an imposing hitter who might have been considered for the No. 1 overall selection if not for some concerns with his hit-and-miss swing. He was named a third-team All-American by Perfect Game and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and he was a semifinalist for the 2025 Dick Howser Award, given to the national collegiate player of the year. LaViolette is noted by MLB Pipeline ha possessing as much raw power as any hitter in the draft. His 25 percent strikeout rate during his junior year at Texas A&M is the lone concern, and the only reason he was still on the board at No. 27. LaViolette played all over the outfield during his three years in college, though his profile is likely best to fit in right field in the pros. 2025 MLB Draft results: Guardians select Tennessee infielder Dean Curley in second round Dean Curley was ranked as the No. 60 overall prospect in the draft by MLB Pipeline. As a freshman with Tennessee, Curley went 6-for-12 in the College World Series and helped the Volunteers win their first national championship. Curley is listed at 6-3 and 218 pounds and has "solid-to-plus" raw power. Defensively, he relies on one of the strongest infield arms in college baseball. Guardians take outfielder Aaron Walton at No. 66 overall Aaron Walton, out of the University of Arizona, is another outfielder with raw power but plenty of swing-and-miss in his bat. The Guardians might be anticipating some over-slot bonuses with their first two picks, as Walton was ranked 160th among all eligible prospects, nearly 100 spots lower than where the Guardians drafted him. Guardians draft pitcher, Wake Forrest commit Will Hynes Canadian right-handed pitcher Will Hynes only turned 18 years old a few days before the draft, and his fastball is already up to 94-95 mph. He also throws a high-spin slider and a changeup, though he does't rely on it as much as his other pitches. Hynes has committed to Wake Forest. He was ranked 163rd overall by MLB Pipeline, so selecting him early might be enough to sign him away from college. Oklahoma State slugger Nolan Schubart drafted by Guardians in third round With their fifth and final pick of Day 1 of the MLB Draft, the Guardians used selection No. 101 on Oklahoma State hitter Nolan Schubart. Schubart, who hits left-handed and stands 6-5 and 223 pounds, came two hits shy of winning the Big 12 Conference's triple crown last spring, batting .370 with 23 home runs and 68 RBIs in 49 games. Schubart is known to be a one-tool player, relying on potentially elite raw power from the left-handed side. Like LaViolette, just at varying degrees, Schubart has immense strength and power but will need to show he can cut down on his strikeout rate while facing pro pitching. Schubart also provides little in the way of speed or defense. He could shift to first base and, perhaps, even become a regular DH at some point down the road. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 2025 MLB Draft: Guardians select OF Jace LaViolette in first round
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Guardians prospect Chase DeLauter to see hand specialist; Shane Bieber rehab update
CLEVELAND — Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter has been borderline desperate to stay on the field this season after several years of setbacks and roadblocks. Guardians fans have become borderline desperate for DeLauter to be called up and put into the major league lineup. But all that desperation hasn't been enough to make either happen. And, now, DeLauter is again facing a potential absence. DeLauter, the second-ranked prospect in the Guardians system and a top-35 prospect in baseball overall, in the past has dealt with foot, toe and hamstring issues. In 2024, DeLauter torched Cactus League pitching in spring training and then had his season derailed by injuries. He then said this spring his only goal was to stay on the field in 2025, knowing he could finally break through to the majors. But before any of that could happen, he needed surgery for a sports hernia and missed the first several weeks of the regular season. Once he finally returned, DeLauter played well, hitting .278 with a .383 on-base percentage while reaching base in all 34 games he played. The phone call to the majors, though, never came. He hasn't played for Triple-A Columbus since July 11, and he'll now travel to Dayton to see Dr. Thomas Graham, a hand and wrist specialist, to determine the next course of action for a lingering issue. It is yet another setback for one of the club's top prospects still dealing with the frustration of some bad health luck. As of now, DeLauter hasn't played more than 42 games in either of the last two years. "First and foremost, we continue to feel for Chase," Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said. "He desperately wants to be out there, and he just continues to have lingering soreness in his hand." The initial hope was rest could be the answer, but it'll now be up to Dr. Graham's recommendation. "I imagine [Dr. Graham] will do a thorough assessment when he sees [DeLauter]," Antonetti said, "because we really want to try to understand what's going on and how does that inform how we're thinking about the best path forward." With the Guardians continuing to search for offensive production in right field, DeLauter might have been a potential answer, but that won't be the case until this lingering issue can be resolved. Guardians 1st-round draft pick Jace LaViolette not expected to play in 2025 Jace LaViolette, the power-hitting first-round draft pick of the Guardians, might not play for any minor league affiliate in 2025 as he recovers from a cleanup procedure on his surgically repaired left hand. LaViolette broke the hand in the SEC Tournament this spring. He underwent surgery and, amazingly, was in the lineup the next day. But, it appears it might have led to some drawbacks with his health, as he later needed a second surgery. It might have played a role in him falling to No. 27 overall, where the Guardians selected him. "He's really tough. That's a good thing, but probably not the best thing," Antonetti said, referencing LaViolette playing the day after surgery. "We want to make sure we see the rehab through, and we're not going to force him to get into affiliate games if that's not what makes the most sense." Shane Bieber injury rehab update Starting pitcher Shane Bieber is expected to make his next rehab start on July 22, most likely with Lake County, according to Antonetti. Barring another setback, Bieber is nearing the finish line of his lengthy Tommy John surgery rehab, though he still might be looking at a return to a major league mound in August, after the trade deadline. "There'll be a couple of innings, somewhere between two and three depending on how many pitches he throws," Antonetti said. "More than anything, we want to make sure we're building him up to the point when he's ready to rejoin the major league rotation, he's capable of handling the workload of a starting pitcher." Reliever Trevor Stephan, recovering from his own Tommy John surgery, has had his 30-day rehab stint window extended by 10 days, something that's possible because of the league's CBA in certain situations. Luis Ortiz gambling investigation update Starting pitcher Luis Ortiz, who remains on paid administrative leave through at least Aug. 31 while Major League Baseball continues its gambling investigation into two pitches from June, has not spoken with Antonetti but is working out at a facility on the west side of Cleveland. Ortiz is not permitted to work out at the team's facility while on paid leave, but the club can communicate with him to continue conditioning work. "We've got him set up with weighted balls, and he's working at a facility I think on the west side town," Antonetti said. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians OF prospects Chase DeLauter, Jace LaViolette injury updates
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2027 Top-Prospect Reveals That The Canucks Were His Favourite Team As A Kid
It appears yet another top prospect grew up as a fan of the Vancouver Canucks. In a recent clip released on the NHL "X" account, Landon DuPont, who is the projected first overall pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, stated that his favourite team as a kid was the Canucks. DuPont is currently playing with the Everett Silvertips and was the first defenceman ever to receive "Exceptional Status" from the WHL.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lightning Prospect Featured On Team Finland's U-20 Roster
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Joona Saarelainen was named to Team Finland's U-20 roster for their home tournament.
