Paul Skeens, MLB’s top pitching prospect, is dominating the minors like few before him. He started six games in Triple-A, posting a 0.37 ERA and throwing 89 pitches over 100 mph.
The latest thinking is that this could be just another start for Indianapolis. The word “soon”.
One scout called Skens, who turns 22 this month, the second-best college pitcher he’s ever seen, behind only Stephen Strasburg. Another has a former Air Force and LSU right-hander in his top three (Strasberg and Gerrit Cole).
The Phillies’ current plans call for Spencer Turnbull (1.67 ERA) to remain in the rotation.
Shota Imanaga is off to an even better start than Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who also became the most coveted free agent in history after signing a $325 million (plus $50.6 million posting fee) contract with the Dodgers. He has also been doing great (and getting better with every start). Imanaga is 5-0 with a 0.78 ERA after defeating the Mets 1-0 on Wednesday.
The Red Sox and Pirates were runners-up, and the decision to go to the Cubs was based on an even stronger front office connection than the Chicago/Cubs history. The four-year, $53 million guarantee becomes $80 million over five years, assuming the Cubs pick up the three-year option after 2025.
Chiba Lotte’s genius right-hander Aki Sasaki’s early favorite is the Dodgers, the next great Japanese import. Who else?
I can tell you now: Aroldis Chapman’s one-game suspension (reduced from two games after he agreed not to appeal) was actually the ejection of home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso for that game. It had nothing to do with what he said. Mets.
The fine was imposed for throwing a backhand baseball at an umpire, which rolled and hit another umpire. MLB only called it “inappropriate conduct” at the time.
The Rockies set an MLB record by trailing in their first 31 games. In a record-breaking 29th game, they blew a 5-0 lead in the ninth inning and lost on the final play against the only team in the National League with a worse record than the Marlins. It’s not easy!
Rays is very un-Ray-like (just when I was belatedly jumping on the bandwagon).
