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Athletics Defeat Reds: Kurtz Launches 493-Foot Grand Slam

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor September 14, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Kurtz‘s Historic Homer Propels Athletics Past Reds

OAKLAND,‍ CA – September 16, 2023 – ⁣Jace ⁢Kurtz launched a ‌towering 493-foot grand slam -⁢ the longest home run⁢ in major League Baseball this⁣ season – as the oakland Athletics ⁢defeated the⁣ Cincinnati reds 11-5 Friday night. The blast ignited the A’s offence and dealt a notable‍ blow to Cincinnati’s playoff hopes.

The Athletics’‍ victory, coupled with the Reds’ loss, tightens the National League wild-card race with just⁢ weeks remaining in the regular season.Cincinnati entered the game with an opportunity⁢ to gain⁣ ground,but now finds itself 1 1/2 games behind the New York Mets for the final playoff spot.⁣ This ⁣outcome‌ underscores the‍ intense competition for postseason berths and⁤ the critical importance of every game down‍ the stretch.

Brent Rooker also contributed a home run for Oakland,while ‍rookie Carlos Cortes added a two-run shot,his third in the last two games. Jacob⁤ Wilson drove in two runs with a pair of doubles, bolstering the A’s offensive‌ attack. ‌

Cincinnati’s starting pitcher, ⁤Hunter Greene, struggled through 2 1/3 innings, ⁣allowing five ‌runs on four hits and ⁢four walks. His ERA rose from 2.59⁤ to 3.01.The Reds⁣ fell to 74-74‌ on ⁢the season, while⁤ the Athletics improved to ⁢69-80.

San Francisco remains a half-game behind the ‌Mets in ⁢the ⁢wild-card standings.

September 14, 2025 0 comments

Sport

MLB All-Star Game 2025: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, 19 1st-timers fill rosters

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor July 7, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

MLB All-Star Game Rosters Announced: Surprises and Legends

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game rosters are set, showcasing fresh talent and honoring baseball legends. Nineteen players will make their debut at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15, while one iconic player earns a special nod.

Kershaw’s Milestone Selection

Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ esteemed left-hander and three-time Cy Young Award recipient, has been named to his 11th National League roster. This selection comes via a special commissioner’s pick, marking another milestone in his celebrated career.

Kershaw, one of only four lefties ever to achieve 3,000 career strikeouts, boasts a 4-0 record with a 3.43 ERA in nine starts this season, overcoming an initial stint on the injured list. He joins Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera as recent legend selections, solidifying his place among baseball’s greats.

First-Time All-Stars

Several players will experience their first All-Star Game this year. Among them are Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Washington Nationals’ outfielder James Wood and left-hander MacKenzie Gore, Houston Astros’ ace Hunter Brown and shortstop Jeremy Pena, and Chicago Cubs’ veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd.

It’ll just be cool being around some of the best players in the game, said Wood, expressing his excitement for the event.

Fan-Elected First-Timers

Previously, fans elected several first-time All-Stars as starters. This group includes Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, Baltimore Orioles DH Ryan O’Hearn, and Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Their inclusion highlights the blend of emerging talent and established stars in this year’s game.

The total of 19 first-time All-Stars represents a decrease from the 32 rookies named to initial rosters last year.

Potential Starting Pitchers

While Kershaw could be a sentimental choice to start the game, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who leads National League pitchers in ERA and WAR, is also a strong contender. Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, a third-time All-Star with a 9-3 record and a 2.17 ERA, presents another compelling option following his recent complete-game victory. The MLB’s official site notes that starting pitcher selections will be announced closer to the game.

Kershaw previously started an All-Star Game in 2022 at Dodger Stadium, marking a memorable moment in his career.

Notable Absences

Despite their impressive performances, some prominent players were not selected for the All-Star Game. New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto, who signed a massive $765 million contract in the offseason, and Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, an eight-time consecutive All-Star since 2016, were among those left off the roster.

Soto, despite a slow start, earned the National League Player of the Month award in June and ranks high in several offensive categories. His absence remains a talking point among fans and analysts.

Team Representation

The Dodgers lead all teams with five representatives: Kershaw, Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith. The AL-leading Detroit Tigers and Mariners each have four players selected, showcasing their strong performances this season.

Other Key Selections

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will join AL starters Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, and Javier Baez. Mariners’ Raleigh will be accompanied by teammates Bryan Woo, Andres Munoz, and Julio Rodriguez.

Texas Rangers righty Jacob deGrom earned his fifth career selection, his first since 2021, after overcoming injuries and posting a 9-2 record with a 2.13 ERA.

Home Field Advantage

The hometown Braves will feature three All-Stars: Ronald Acuna Jr., pitcher Chris Sale, and first baseman Matt Olson. The San Francisco Giants also have three pitchers selected: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and reliever Randy Rodriguez.

Despite a recent slump, the New York Yankees will send three All-Stars: Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Max Fried. The Mets also earned three selections: Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Edwin Diaz.

Red carpet, that’s my thing, said Chisholm. I do have a ‘fit in mind.

Roster Expansion and Selection Process

All-Star Game rosters expand from 26 to 32 players. The process includes fan-elected starters, player-voted reserves, and selections by league officials to ensure every club is represented.

Acuna, Wood, and Raleigh are the All-Stars who have committed to participating in the Home Run Derby.

July 7, 2025 0 comments

News

2025 MLB Draft: Full Pick Order & Rounds Guide

by Emma Walker – News Editor June 27, 2025

written by Emma Walker – News Editor

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MLB 2025 Draft Order: Nationals to Pick First

Table of Contents

MLB 2025 Draft Order: Nationals to Pick First

The Washington Nationals are slated to select first in the 2025 MLB Draft, which commences on July 13, coinciding with the All-Star festivities hosted by the Atlanta Braves. The Los Angeles Angels will pick second, followed by the Seattle Mariners and the Colorado rockies. The draft order is resolute by the reverse order of the previous season’s standings, with additional picks awarded as compensation or through competitive balance measures.

2025 MLB Draft First Round Order

Here’s a breakdown of the first-round draft order for the 2025 MLB Draft:

Washington Nationals
Los angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners
Colorado Rockies
Oakland Athletics
Toronto Blue Jays
Miami Marlins
Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates
San Francisco Giants
Texas Rangers
St.Louis cardinals
San Diego Padres
Chicago Cubs
Boston Red Sox
Arizona diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
atlanta Braves
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers
San Diego Padres
Philadelphia Phillies
Cleveland Guardians

Prospect Promotion Incentive Picks

The Kansas City Royals will receive a Prospect Promotion incentive pick.

Compensation Picks

Several teams will receive compensation picks:

Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore orioles (two picks)
Milwaukee Brewers

Competitive Balance Round A

The following teams will participate in Competitive Balance Round A:

Boston Red Sox
Detroit Tigers
Seattle Mariners
Minnesota Twins
tampa Bay Rays
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Los Angeles Dodgers (two picks)
Tampa Bay Rays
Miami Marlins

Second Round

Here’s the order for the second round of the draft:

Chicago White Sox
Colorado Rockies
Miami Marlins
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Washington Nationals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds
Texas Rangers
Tampa Bay Rays
Minnesota Twins
st. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Seattle Mariners
Baltimore Orioles
Milwaukee Brewers
Atlanta Braves
Kansas City royals
Detroit Tigers
Philadelphia Phillies
Cleveland Guardians
Los angeles dodgers

Competitive Balance Round B

The following teams will participate in Competitive Balance Round B:

cleveland Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays
Milwaukee Brewers
Baltimore Orioles
Cleveland Guardians
Kansas City Royals
St. Louis cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Colorado Rockies

Compensation Picks (Second Round)

The Boston Red Sox will receive a compensation pick in the second round.

Third Round

Here’s the order for the third round of the draft:

Chicago White Sox
Colorado Rockies
Miami Marlins
Los Angeles Angels
Washington Nationals
Toronto Blue Jays
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds
Texas Rangers
San Francisco Giants
Tampa Bay Rays
Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Seattle Mariners
Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Atlanta Braves
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers
San Diego Padres
Philadelphia Phillies
cleveland Guardians
New York Mets
New York Yankees
los Angeles Dodgers

Compensation Picks (Third Round)

The Los Angeles Angels will receive a compensation pick in the third round.

Fourth Round

Here’s the order for the fourth round of the draft:

Chicago White Sox
Colorado Rockies
Miami Marlins
Los angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Washington Nationals
Toronto Blue jays
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds
Texas Rangers
San Francisco Giants
Tampa Bay Rays
Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Seattle Mariners
Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Atlanta Braves
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers
San Diego Padres
Philadelphia phillies
Cleveland guardians
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Los Angeles Dodgers

Compensation Picks (Fourth round)

The Atlanta Braves will receive a compensation pick in the fourth round.

fifth Round

Here’s the order for the fifth round of the draft:

Chicago White Sox
Colorado Rockies
miami Marlins
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Washington Nationals
Toronto Blue Jays
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds
Texas Rangers
tampa Bay Rays
Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins
St.Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Seattle Mariners
Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Atlanta Braves
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers
San Diego Padres
Philadelphia Phillies
Cleveland Guardians
New York Mets
New York yankees
Los Angeles Dodgers

Draft Order Details

The MLB Draft is an annual event where Major League Baseball teams select amateur baseball players from high schools, colleges, and other baseball organizations. The draft order is primarily determined by the reverse order of the previous season’s standings. Teams with the worst records get the highest picks, aiming to improve their rosters with promising young talent. However, additional picks can be awarded as compensation for losing free agents or through the Competitive Balance Lottery, which aims to provide additional opportunities for teams in smaller markets or with lower revenues to acquire top prospects.

Did You Know? The MLB Draft has evolved significantly since its inception in 1965. Initially, it was designed to create a more equitable distribution of talent across teams and prevent wealthier clubs from hoarding the best players. Over the years, various rule changes and collective bargaining agreements have shaped the current draft system.

The draft order can also be affected by teams that fail to sign their previous year’s draft picks. As a notable example, if a team does not sign a player selected in the first few rounds, they may receive an additional pick as compensation in the following year’s draft. This happened in the 2024 draft, impacting some teams’ selections in 2025.

The Competitive Balance Rounds (Round A and Round B) are special rounds that provide additional draft picks to teams that are in the bottom 10 in revenue and bottom 10 in market size. These picks are designed to help these teams acquire additional talent and improve their competitiveness. The specific teams participating in these rounds can vary from year to year based on their revenue and market size rankings.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on pre-draft prospect rankings from reputable sources like MLB Pipeline and baseball America to get a sense of which players are likely to be selected early in the draft. These rankings frequently enough provide detailed scouting reports and analysis of each player’s strengths and weaknesses.

The MLB Draft is a crucial event for teams looking to build for the future. Accomplished drafting can lead to the acquisition of future stars who can significantly impact a team’s performance for years to come.The draft order, compensation picks, and competitive balance rounds all play a role in shaping the landscape of Major League Baseball.

MLB Draft Order: Key Takeaways

Here’s a summary of the key details regarding the 2025 MLB Draft order:

Draft Round	Selection Criteria	Impact
First Round	Reverse order of previous season’s standings	Determines which teams get the top prospects
Compensation Picks	Awarded for losing free agents or failing to sign previous picks	Provides additional opportunities to acquire talent
Competitive Balance Rounds	based on revenue and market size	Helps smaller market teams compete

The draft order is a critical component of MLB’s competitive balance efforts, ensuring that all teams have a chance to improve their rosters through the acquisition of young talent.

What strategies do you think teams should employ when making their draft selections? How much does a team’s farm system impact their overall success?

MLB Draft: A Historical Outlook

The MLB Draft, established in 1965, aimed to level the playing field by preventing wealthier teams from monopolizing talent.Before its inception,teams with deeper pockets could sign the most promising young players,creating a significant competitive imbalance. The draft introduced a system where teams selected players in reverse order of their previous season’s standings, giving those with poorer records the first opportunity to acquire top prospects.

Over the decades, the draft has undergone numerous changes to adapt to the evolving landscape of baseball. These changes include adjustments to eligibility rules, compensation for losing free agents, and the introduction of competitive balance picks. The goal has always been to maintain a fair and competitive environment while incentivizing teams to develop talent through their farm systems.

The impact of the MLB Draft on team performance is undeniable. Teams that consistently draft well and develop their prospects are more likely to achieve sustained success. The draft provides a pathway for teams to acquire young, cost-controlled talent, which can be a significant advantage in a league with strict salary caps and luxury tax thresholds.The draft also fosters a culture of player advancement, as teams invest heavily in scouting, training, and mentoring young players to reach their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MLB Draft

How is the MLB Draft order determined?: The MLB Draft order is primarily determined by the reverse order of the previous season’s standings. The team with the worst record gets the first pick, and so on. Additional picks are awarded as compensation or through competitive balance measures.
what are compensation picks in the MLB Draft?: Compensation picks are additional draft selections awarded to teams under specific circumstances, such as losing free agents to other teams or failing to sign a player selected in the previous year’s draft.These picks provide teams with extra opportunities to acquire talent.
What are Competitive Balance rounds in the MLB Draft?: Competitive Balance Rounds (Round A and Round B) are special rounds that provide additional draft picks to teams that are in the bottom 10 in revenue and bottom 10 in market size. These picks are designed to help these teams acquire additional talent and improve their competitiveness.
When does the 2025 MLB Draft take place?: The 2025 MLB Draft is set to begin on Sunday, July 13, coinciding with the All-Star festivities hosted by the Atlanta braves.
Who has the first pick in the 2025 MLB draft?: The washington Nationals have the first pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Why is the MLB Draft critically important for teams?: The MLB Draft is crucial for teams looking to build for the future. Successful drafting can lead to the acquisition of future stars who can significantly impact a team’s performance for years to come. it allows teams to acquire young, cost-controlled talent and develop them through their farm systems.
How can teams improve their chances of drafting well?: Teams can improve their chances of drafting well by investing in scouting, player development, and data analytics. Thoroughly evaluating prospects and understanding their potential can lead to better draft selections.

Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the 2025 MLB Draft approaches. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!