MLB.com's Twenty-Sixth Top Prospect Jose Berrios Promoted to Rochester (AAA)

By Peyton Wesner

If anyone has yet to notice, the future is now in Minnesota as Twins' General Manager Terry Ryan has already recalled top prospects Byron Buxton and Alex Meyer to the Big Leagues to make their Major League debuts this season. Will another join them? 

Jose Berrios, a right handed flame thrower drafted in the 2012 MLB Draft with a Compensation pick by the Minnesota Twins, received the news yesterday that he will be promoted from Chattanooga (Double-A) to Rochester (Triple-A) moving him one step away from joining his former teammates at Target Field in the Twin City.

Since making his first professional start on June 29, 2012, the twenty-one year old has dominated every league he has thrown a pitch in and has possessed an earned run average under two while pitching for the GCL Twins (Rookie), Elizabethton (Rookie), and Fort Myers (Single-A Advanced) and an earned run average under four yet above two for Cedar Rapids (Single-A), New Britain (Double-A), and Chattanooga (Double-A). In addition to keeping the opposition off the scoreboard, Berrios is a strikeout machine and has averaged more than one strikeout per inning for his minor league career! 

MLB.com's twenty-sixth top prospect in baseball uses a pitch repertoire that includes a fastball that touches ninety-six miles per hour regularly, a sinking change-up, and a slurve that is delievered with very good deception to send hitters back to the dugout empty handed. 

Although Berrios is being promoted, his next start (most likely against Lehigh Valley, affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) will not be his first of his career in Triple-A since he made one to end the 2014 season at Pawtucket. In the debut, he was outperformed by fellow pitching prospect Henry Owens (MLB.com's fourteenth best in baseball, second in Boston's organization) while allowing a season high six earned runs in three innings pitched. Don't expect as poor of results this weekend when he reintroduces himself to the International League. 

Two-Time National League All-Star Corey Hart Starts Rehab with Indianapolis (Triple-A)

By Peyton Wesner

Eleven years. That is the amount of time it has been since Corey Hart has suited up in an Indianapolis Indians' uniform, yet due to a rehab stint he was back at Victory Field tonight. 

Hart, who signed a one-year deal worth two and a half million dollars this past offseason, was placed on the DL June 24   (retro-activated to June 23) with a "left shoulder impingement" that had lingered with him for a good part of this season. Despite him being listed inactive six short days ago, he was batting third and playing first base this evening against the Columbus Clippers to face their starter and former teammate Shaun Marcum. 

Right out of the gates, Hart made his presence felt as in the first inning he shot a ball to center field with a runner on third to give Indianapolis a 1-0 lead. Later in the same inning, the six foot, six inch former Brewer slugger went from first base to home on a Brent Morel triple for the Indians' second run of the game. Although, the first inning base knock would be his only hit of the game, Hart also put good wood on a ball in the third inning, but Clippers' first baseman Jesus Aguilar made a good play to rob the veteran of a hit. 

While in the field, the former twenty homerun/twenty stolen base man looked just as comfortable as he was at the plate and made no errors in route to a 3-1 Indians' victory.

As of now, Pittsburgh Pirates' General Manager Neal Huntington nor Manager Clint Hurdle have revealed a time table for the return of two-time National League All-Star (2008 & 2010) but he could make up to nine starts for Indianapolis considering his activation date would be July 8. 

So far this season, Hart is batting .222 (twelve hits in fifty-four at bats) with two home runs and nine RBIs in thirty-five games for the Pirates. 

San Diego Futures Game Selection Colin Rea Promoted to El Paso (AAA)

By Peyton Wesner

He may not be the biggest name at the 2015 All-Star Futures Game in Cincinnati, but San Diego Padres' prospect Colin Rea may have the best stats of any pitcher present on July 12.

After being undrafted after high school, Rea had a wild three years in collegiate baseball as the school that he attended his Freshman year, the University of Northern Iowa, dissolved their baseball program after his first season, ultimately leaving him without a place to continue his career. From Cedar Falls, Iowa, the six foot, five inch pitcher headed south to St. Petersburg (Florida) Community College, where he played only one season before attending another Missouri Valley Conference school, Indiana State. As an Indiana State Sycamore, Rea went 8-4 with a 3.68 earned run average and seventy-six strikeouts in ninety-five and one thirds innings, which was enough to allure to the Padres when their twelfth round pick came around in the 2011 Draft.

After being drafted, the righty started his professional career at Eugene (Short Season Single-A) and pitched very well as he posted a 3-4 record and an earned run average of 2.21 in fifteen starts for the Emeralds. The following season Rea's numbers took a hit due to surendering four or more earned runs in five games for Fort Wayne (Single-A). Although his troubles with earned runs continued the next season and resulted in a demotion back to Fort Wayne from Lake Elsinore (Single-A Advanced), Rea redeemed himself in 2014 by going 11-9 with a 3.88 earned run average and one hundred and eighteen strikeouts in one hundred and thirty-nine innings for the Lake Elsinore Storm.

The Cascade, Iowa, native built onto his successful last season at Single-A Advanced by neutralizing Texas League hitters (.185 average against Rea) and giving up only nine earned runs in seventy-five innings (1.08 earned run average) for the San Antonio Missions (Double-A). Those stats in addition to his 3-2 record has propelled the righty to a Texas League All-Star Game selection and a call-up to Triple-A El Paso after tonight's TL All-Star Game in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

A Texas League All-Star Game invite, an All-Star Futures Game invite, AND a promotion to Triple-A! What could make this year any better for Colin Rea? A promotion to pitch at Petco Park! And that could be very soon if he can tame bats in the Pacific Coast League as he did in the Texas League.

Former LSU Star and Houston Astros' Second Overall Pick Alex Bregman Homers in Third Pro Game

By Peyton Wesner

Eleven days ago, the number two overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, LSU shortstop Alex Bregman, was eliminated in game ten of the College World Series by the TCU Horned Frogs. Bregman went one for four at the plate in the last game of his collegiate career, which ended the Junior's season with a .323 batting average, nine home runs, forty-nine runs batted in, and thirty-eight stolen bases. Yesterday, he had another one hit game, but the knock was much more memorable and significant. 

In just his third professional game after signing a rookie contract with the Houston Astros that included a $5.9 million dollar signing bonus, the 2015 Louisville Slugger All-American hit his first home run as a member of the Astros' organization while extending his hitting streak to three games and outshining the fifth selection in the 2014 MLB Draft, Nick Gordon of the Minnesota Twins, in a 6-1 Quad Cities' victory at Cedar Rapids. 

When asked about being able to homer in only his twelve professional at bat, Bregman said "It felt great to get that first home run under my belt, I saw three cutters in a row and then I got a fastball up in the zone that I was on time to hit it to left. I was just happy I could help the team get a win" 

Despite Bregman only batting .200 (three hits in fifteen ABs) with a home run, a double, and two runs batted in during his first road trip with the Single-A affiliate, the Quad Cities River Bandits are undefeated (3-0) with Houston's first round pick in the lineup and will travel home to what is expected to be a very warm reception for the twenty-one year old when he steps into the batters' box for the first time at Modern Woodman Park. 

Houston Astros' Starter Brett Oberholtzer Has Very Bad Night

By Peyton Wesner

What a busy day for Houston Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer! And not in a good way! 

Oberholtzer, who broke in with the Astros in 2013, was today's starting pitcher for Houston versus the New York Yankees and he did not pitch well to say the least.

From the beginning, one could tell the left hander did not have his control as he started the game with two balls before grooving a pitch to Brett Gardner for a double. Although three pitches does not necessarly define a game, tonight it did as Oberholtzer walked Chris Young and Alex Rodriguez to load the bases for Brian McCann. After missing the strike zone with a cut fastball, the right hander threw a curveball that dropped right into the middle of the strike zone. CRACK! Goodbye! Brian McCann blasted the offering to the upper deck of the right field bleachers for his twelve home run of the season and his eleventh career grand slam. 

Although Oberholtzer walked Carlos Beltran after McCann's grand slam, he settled down by getting Chase Headley to strike out looking and Didi Gregorious to fly out to end the horrific inning. Unfortunately for the Delaware native, his bad night was far from being over. 

The top of the second inning started out much better than the first as Oberholtzer retired Jose Peirela, but then the wound from the prior inning was reopened by another Brett Gardner double. If Brett Gardner reopened the wound with his two-bagger, then Chris Young made it bleed profusely with a rocket off the bat that landed in the left field seats to improve New York's advantage to 6-0. 

Off the bat, Oberholtzer knew not only McCann's ball was gone but Young's as well and with all of his frustration from Saturday night he threw an eighty-nine miles per hour fastball inside at Alex Rodriguez. Despite Rodriguez getting out of the way of the pitch, Oberholtzer was immediately ejected by home plate umpire Rob Drake.

When the roughed up pitcher arrived in the dugout he fired his glove against the wall behind the bench and took a seat by himself. His night was over or so everyone thought.

"We don't operate that way, we won't operate that way." 

-Houston Astros' Manager A.J. Hinch

As soon as the twenty-seventh out was recorded and the New York Yankees troted out onto the field victorious, Brett Oberholtzer was on his way to Triple-A Fresno. When asked whether the inside pitch and ejection resulted in Oberholtzer being demoted, Astros' Skipper A.J. Hinch said "it's a little bit of everything" as the Astros "got put in a tough spot" since four relievers were used. 

Tomorrow Hinch will start 8-3 Collin McHugh against New York's 8-4 Michael Pineda as the Astros look to end their two game skid and salvage a four-game series split against the Yankees.

2013 National League All-Star Jose Fernandez to Make Final Rehab Start

By Peyton Wesner

If a team has already played the Miami Marlins this season, then they are extremely fortunate because those who have not could face 2013 All-Star and NL Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez.

Fernandez, who was recalled from Single-A Advanced Jupiter to make his Major League debut in 2013, took Major League Baseball by storm his rookie season by going 12-6 with an earned run average of 2.19 and one hundred and eighty-seven strikeouts in twenty-eight starts as a twenty year old! After getting selected to the 2013 All-Star Game and collecting 2013 National League Rookie of the Year honors, Fernandez continued his dominance of batters by going 4-2 with seventy strikeouts and a 2.44 earned run average in eight 2014 starts for Miami. His start to the 2014 season had baseball analysts saying he was the front-runner for the National League Cy Young, but no one knows if he would have won since he tore his ulnar collateral ligament resulting in him having Tommy John Surgery on May 16. 

One year and twenty-one days later after having surgery, Jose Fernandez was back on a mound, this time in Port Charlotte, Florida, throwing for the Jupiter Hammerheads, but his first start did not go as plan result-wise. Yes, the right hander was able to finish three innings as hoped, but in the three innings he did not have his best stuff and allowed five earned runs on eight hits. Fernandez simply did not look like the same pitcher, but he soon began to resemble his former self and rebounded with three good starts, one in which he went seven innings allowed only one earned run and four hits with nine strikeouts Monday at Roger Dean Stadium.

This afternoon, the twenty-two year old will suit up for the Jacksonville Suns, Double-A affiliate of the Marlins, against Biloxi, who has the Milwaukee Brewers' two top organizational prospects suiting up for them (Orlando Arcia and Tyrone Taylor), in his final rehab start before rejoining the Miami Marlins for his season debut on July 2 against the San Francisco Giants.

2013 American League All-Star Matt Moore to Make Final Rehab Start Today

By Peyton Wesner

In 2013, Tampa Bay Rays' starting pitcher Matt Moore took over the national spotlight as he won eight of his first nine starts to begin the season. Later, The southpaw collected seven more victories in a span of eight starts while collecting 2013 All-Star honors. Where is he today? Columbus, Ohio, for his final rehab start before rejoining the Rays' rotation.

Last season after only two starts with Tampa Bay, Moore tore a ligament in his throwing elbow resulting in him going under the knife for Tommy John Surgery. When 2015 rolled around the twenty-six year old was placed on the sixty-day DL as he was still recovering from surgery and regaining strength. But now he is only one start away from being back in the rotation to help the Rays in their pursuit for the postseason.

The Florida native started his rehab very well with two scoreless starts (six strikeouts and four bases of balls in six and one/third innings) for Port Charlotte (Single-A Advanced), yet as the Rays increased the number of pitches Moore was to throw, the poorer the results. In his third and final start for Port Charlotte, the six foot, three inch hurler was knocked around for two runs in four and two/thirds innings. His struggles continued in the following start at Triple-A Durham as he surrendered three earned runs on seven hits in five and one/thirds innings. A positive sign in Moore's last performance was that he had seven strikeouts, two of which were of Cleveland Indians' Opening Day third  baseman Lonnie Chisenhall. 

Despite a non-idealistic start last Sunday, when Moore returned to Tampa Bay he felt he was ready for his season debut in the Big Leagues and told Rays' manager Kevin Cash "Let me know if you need me Friday or Saturday." Cash didn't take him up on the offer though and decided it would be best for Moore to make one more rehab start with Durham in Columbus against the team he faced six days earlier. 

Therefore, Matt Moore will make his fifth and final rehab start this evening in game one of a doubleheader at Hunnington Park in Columbus, Ohio. If everything goes well and there is no concern with his health after, he will join the Rays and make his season debut at "The Trop" Wednesday versus Cleveland. 

Washington Nationals Promote Top Hitting Prospect Trea Turner to Syracuse (AAA), Goes Hitless in Debut

By Peyton Wesner

He is "moving on up!" 

It only took ten games at Harrisburg for Washington Nationals' prized prospect Trea Turner to further prove he had mastered the level of Double-A. Turner, mostly known for playing in the San Diego Padres' organization while his rights were with the Nationals, finally was allowed to play for HIS organization on June 16 after hitting five homeruns, collecting thirty-five RBIs, and stealing eleven bases with a .322 average in fifty-eight games for Double-A San Antonio of the Texas League. During his ten game stint with the Harrisburg Senators, the twenty-one year old continued his success at the plate by smacking fourteen hits, five of which were for extra bases, in thirty-nine at bats (.359 average). Would his dominance of pitchers continue in the new waters of the International League (Triple-A)? 

Tonight, Turner's Triple-A debut was on the road against the Indianapolis Indians, top affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The starting pitcher for the Indians was Radhames Liz, who has a 3.63 earned run average and eighteen strikesouts in seventeen and one/third innings pitched during eleven appearances for the Pirates, and from the get-go he was throwing heat. The NC State star was no match for Liz's fastball as he was called out on strikes in his first Triple-A plate appearance. 

Later in the third inning, Turner stepped back into the batter's box with a runner on first and two outs. He would rip an offering to right field, but unfortunately, the ball was hit straight to Indians' right fielder Willy Garcia for the third out of the inning. 

While the Syracuse Chiefs' had trouble plating runs on Friday night, the Indianapolis Indians were hitting the ball off of Syracuse starter Scott McGregor the same as if a coach were throwing to them during batting practice. Former Washington Nationals' shortstop Steve Lombardozzi, RBI single! John Bowker, RBI single! Wilkin Castillo, RBI single! Gorkys Hernandez, RBI single! Indians' pitcher Radhames Liz, 2 RBI single! When the dust finally cleared at the end of the first inning, Indianapolis had posted six runs! 

Once the Indians had the lead, they never relinquished it and marched on to a 9-1 victory this evening, In his last two at bats during the sixth and eighth innings respectively, Syracuse shortstop Trea Turner grounded out into fielder chocies, ending his Triple-A debut hitless. 

Tomorrow, Turner will put tonight's tough debut behind him and continue to look for his first Triple-A hit against Indianapolis' right hander Wilfredo Boscan in game two of the three game set.

Minnesota Twins Promote Top Pitching Prospect Alex Meyer

By Peyton Wesner

Two All-Star Future Game selections, one injury and swap of organizations, and a change in position from starter to reliever. All have been accomplishments and growing pains experienced by Minnesota Twins' prospect Alex Meyer. 

Meyer, the twenty-third overall selection by the Washington Nationals in the 2011 MLB Draft, spent only one full season with the organization (2012) before being traded individually for center fielder Denard Span the next offseason. In his first year in the Twins' system, the University of Kentucky product suffered a shoulder sprain that resulted in him missing most of the 2013 season. Luckily, Meyer was able to make up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, which gave him confidence since his velocity returned. Yet two years later, the right hander would not struggle staying healthy but with his control. MLB.com's twenty-third top prospect started his 2015 campaign with a 2-3 record, a 7.09 earned run average, and twenty-four walks in thirty-nine and one/thirds innings pitched during eight starts with Triple-A Rochester. His ineffectiveness on the mound led to Meyer's transition to the bullpen, which was only suppose to be until he showed he was ready to rejoin the rotation. The twenty-five year old never re-joined it, but he has received a promotion to join the Minnesota Twins thanks to his play out of the pen over the last month (one earned run surrendered in seventeen innings pitched with twenty strikeouts). 

Meyer relies heavily on a fastball that is reguarly clocked in the upper nineties and a power slider, which have both helped him average 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The six foot, nine inch pitcher joins a Twins' bullpen needing all the help it can get as the unit has the twelveth best earned run average (3.81) and the fewest strikeouts (one hundred and forty-one strikeouts in two hundred and twelve and one/thirds innings) in the American League.

Mets to Promote Top Prospect Steven Matz

By Peyton Wesner

The youngest rotation with the most potential just became a whole lot better as the New York Mets will recall their top prospect in the organization and MLB.com's fifty-fourth top prospect Steven Matz to be a part of a six-man rotation with the purpose of limiting the strain and innings of the young arms pitching. 

Despite Matz, a left hander, being phenomenal since making his professional debut in 2012 with Kingsport (Rookie League), most Mets' fans feel like he should have already been in the Major Leagues with Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard. This is the case because of the Stony Brook, New York, native's arm injuries, which eventually resulted in him undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011. 

As mentioned, Matz has been great when on the mound in the Mets' organization as he owns a 24-20 record with a 2.28 earned run average and three hundred and eighty strike outs in three hundred and sixty-six and one/thirds innings pitched. This season, the twenty-four year old is 7-4 with a 2.19 earned run average and ninety-four strikeouts in ninety and one/thirds innings with Triple-A Las Vegas, which is very impressive considering how many good pitchers struggle in the hitter friendly ballparks of the Pacific Coast League. For example, future teammate of Matz and former top organizational prospect prior to his promotion, Noah Syndergaard was roughed up in his first season in Las Vegas (2014) and possessed an earned run average of 4.60 in twenty-six starts! 

The southpaw that has a repertoire of a mid-nineties fast ball (best pitch), a sinking change-up (second best), and a curveball was more than likely to have started the 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game in Omaha, Nebraska, against the International League considering his fantastic stats and him leading the PCL in votes at the starting pitcher position. Nonetheless, one has to think that Matz is going to treasure his Major League Debut, expected to be Sunday versus Cincinnati, more than one inning in an all-star game.

BREAKING: Atlanta Hawks "Select" Jerian Grant with Nineteenth Pick in 2015 NBA Draft. Trade Him to New York for Tim Hardaway Jr.

By Peyton Wesner

"With the nineteenth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select Jerian Grant from the University of Notre Dame." 

2015 ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player Jerian Grant walked to the stage at the Barclays Center as the nineteenth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft with the thought that he would suit up for the Washington Wizards next season. What Grant didn't know was the Atlanta Hawks had traded their fifteenth pick, Kelly Oubre, to Washington for the ninteeth selection. So Jerian would be a part of the Atlanta Hawks next season? Nope! Grant's draft night journey ended with the Hawks trading him to the New York Knicks for Tim Hardaway Jr. 

Out of all the scenarios that could have happened last night for the twenty-two year old, going to the New York Knicks was the best possible. Not only will Grant be able to play significant, meaningful minutes for an NBA team, but he will fight for the starting point guard position with Jose Calderon and Shane Larkin. 

The son of seven thousand point NBA player Harvey Grant and brother of Philadelphia 76ers' guard Jerami Grant was the star for the Fighting Irish this past season as he posted 16.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while leading his team to the Elite Eight. 

Jerian Grant's strongest attribute has to be his playmaking ability as he can make jumpers off the dribble, take the ball to the rim for "and one" opportunities, and find the open man while penetrating the lane. In addition, he is extremely unselfish and will do whatever it takes to win whether that is having six points and fifteen assists or recording a triple-double. Despite his defensive play being subpar at times, Grant shows moments of good play due to his instincts and anticipation skills in the passing lanes. 

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jerian Grant

---16.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.7 APG, & 1.7 SPG. (At University of Notre Dame) 

SG-Langston Galloway

***2014-2015 All-Rookie Second Team 

---11.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, & 1.2 SPG.

SF-Cleanthony Early

---5.4 PPG & 2.5 RPG.

PF-Carmelo Anthony

***2015 All-Star Game Starter for East 

---24.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, & 1.0 SPG.

C-Kristaps Porzingis

---11.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, & 1.0 BPG. (With Baloncesto Sevilla)

6th-Jose Calderon

---9.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, & 3.0 APG. 38

Don't worry Knicks' fans, year two of the "Phil Jackson Era" should be much better than year one. Since Carmelo Anthony is expected to be one hundred percent healthy for the start of the regular season, the Knicks will have their best player back on the court where he belongs. Yet with players such as like Andrea Bargnani and Jason Smith leaving as unrestricted free agents, one should look for General Manager Steve Mills to sign players that can be productive in the post. The purpose of signing a post presence would be to keep Carmelo Anthony from playing the power forward spot on a nightly basis as it would take a toll on him over the course of an eighty-two game season. But no matter how one "views the glass", the Knicks will not make the 2016 NBA Playoffs and are a long way from it.

BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers Select Anthony Brown with Thirty-Fourth Pick in 2015 NBA Draft.

By Peyton Wesner

"With the thirty-fourth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Anthony Brown from Stanford University."

He may not have been the best player on the 2014-2015 Stanford Cardinal NIT Championship team, but he was the only one drafted on Thursday night as small forward Anthony Brown will be taking his talents five and a half hours south of Palo Alto, California to Los Angeles to begin his NBA career for the purple and gold. 

The six foot, seven inch, sharpshooter was the second collgiate Senior to be selected by the Lakers in a string of eight picks (twenty-seventh to thirty-fourth) as they took Larry Nance Jr. from Wyoming with the twenty-seventh pick. 

Although Anthony Brown has average athleticism compared to others at his position, he is a spectacular three point shooter as he shot 44.1% from beyond the arc (better than lottery picks D'Angelo Russell and Frank Kaminsky). In fact, a little over forty-three percent of his points last season came from made three pointers! With his accuracy from downtown comes Brown's ability to rebound the basketball. In sixteen of the California native's thirty-seven games during his Senior season, he grabbed eight or more rebounds, including twelve pulled down in the 2015 NIT Championship against the University of Miami (Florida) and thirteen ripped down against conference rival Colorado on the road. 

A concern in Brown's game rises at his inconsistancy on a gamely basis and offensive passiveness during the course of a game. Even though there will be times next year that he will need to allow guards Kobe Bryant and D'Angelo Russell to penetrate and score the basketball, Brown must always be ready to catch a pass and knock down the open trey as a three point specialist. 

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jordan Clarkson

***2014-2015 All-Rookie First Team 

---11.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, & 3.5 APG.

SG-Kobe Bryant

---22.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, & 1.3 SPG.

SF-Nick Young

---13.4 PPG & 2.3 RPG.

PF-Julius Randle

---15.0 PPG & 10.4 RPG. (At University of Kentucky)

C-Jordan Hill 

---12.0 PPG & 7.9 RPG.

6th-D'Angelo Russell 

---19.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, & 1.6 SPG. (At Ohio State University) 

BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers Select Larry Nance Jr. with Twenty-Seventh Pick in 2015 NBA Draft.

By Peyton Wesner

"With the twenty-seventh pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Larry Nance Jr. from the University of Wyoming." 

Overcoming challenges is no new task to Larry Nance Jr.. During his Sophomore year of high school, the son of three-time NBA All-Star and fifteen-thousand point scorer Larry Nance was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. As a result, he receives infusions of medication every seven weeks just to have the energy to play basketball! Five years later, the six foot, nine inch, post player tore his ACL in the Feburary of his Junior season and had to fight his way back by enduring a grueling rehabilitation process. Tonight, he was rewarded for never wavering to his hardships. 

This past season, Nance Jr. posted numbers of 16.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game in route to leading the Wyoming Cowboys to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2002. 

On offense, Nance Jr. is most effective when in catch and shoot situations as he made more than half of his attempts last season. Although, he is good at cleaning up teammates' misses, cutting to the basket, and running the floor in transition, Nance Jr. lacks conversions of post moves, such as the double drop step and the jump hook, that other big men like Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns have mastered. 

On defense, the Akron, Ohio, native claimed Co-Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors his Senior year as he showed outstanding skill guarding post players inside and outside of the paint. In addition, Nance Jr. is capable of defending bigger opponents on the wing, an attribute necessary when playing the small forward position in the NBA. 

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jordan Clarkson

***2014-2015 All-Rookie First Team 

---11.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, & 3.5 APG.

SG-Kobe Bryant

---22.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, & 1.3 SPG.

SF-Nick Young

---13.4 PPG & 2.3 RPG.

PF-Julius Randle

---15.0 PPG & 10.4 RPG. (At University of Kentucky)

C-Jordan Hill 

---12.0 PPG & 7.9 RPG.

6th-D'Angelo Russell 

---19.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, & 1.6 SPG. (At Ohio State University) 

BREAKING: Toronto Raptors Select Delon Wright with Twentieth Pick in 2015 NBA Draft.

By Peyton Wesner

"With the twentieth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select Delon Wright from the University of Utah." 

From JUCO transfer to NBA draft pick two years later, Delon Wright, brother of current Portland Trailblazer Dorrell Wright,  brings a unique set of talents to Canada starting with his defense. The twenty-three year old has quick feet and excellent instincts, which allows him to get into passing lanes at moments that not only lead to steals but baskets on the offensive end of the floor as well.

Speaking about offense, the Los Angeles native is great at pentrating defensive gaps and passing to open shooters. During his Junior and Senior seasons at Utah, the point guard averaged 15.0 points per game to go along with 5.2 assists per game. Although his three point percentage may indicate it (35.6%), Wright does not shoot jump shots very well (30% shooting from outside the last two seasons) as it is a weakness of his. Clearly he is not the best scorer in the 2015 NBA Draft nor in the state of Utah (BYU's Tyler Haws), but he can put the "ball in the hole" thanks to his craftiness and getting to the charity stripe, where he shoots 83.6%.

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Kyle Lowry

***2015 All-Star Game Starter for East 

---17.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.8 APG, & 1.6 SPG.

SG-DeMar DeRozan

---20.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, & 1.2 SPG.

SF-Terrence Ross

---9.8 PPG & 2.8 RPG.

PF-Patrick Patterson

---8.0 PPG & 5.3 RPG.

C-Jonas Valanciunas

---12.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, & 1.2 BPG.

6th-Louis Williams

***2014-2015 Sixth Man of the Year

---15.5 PPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.1 SPG. 

After being swept in the first round as the four seed in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, the question does not become "are the Raptors good" but "can Toronto win a playoff series?" The pieces to be an Eastern Conference contender are currently in the North with point guard Kyle Lowry, scorer DeMar DeRozen, and big man Jonas Valanciunas, yet victories in mid to late April seems to allude the organization. Tonight, General Manager Masai Ujiri traded away back-up point guard Grevis Vasquez for the forty-sixth pick in the draft, which was used to select UCLA's Norman Powell. What is the significance? By getting rid of Vasquez, a spot for more playing time has opened for Delon Wright, who may be a piece in the "contender puzzle" that Head Coach Dwayne Casey has been trying to solve.

BREAKING: Cleveland Cavaliers Select Tyus Jones with Twenty-Fourth Pick in 2015 NBA Draft. Trade Him to Minnesota

By Peyton Wesner

"With the twenty-fourth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Tyus Jones from Duke University." 

From Kansas to Duke, the last two first round selections by the Cleveland Cavaliers have came from major collegiate programs, and just like last year's selection (Andrew Wiggins), General Manager David Griffin has sent Duke Freshman Tyus Jones to Minnesota for two draft picks at the beginning of the second round. 

Jones, a nineteen year old from Burnsville, Minnesota, was the third Duke Freshman to be selected in the first round this evening (Jahlil Okafor taken third by Philadelphia and Justise Winslow picked tenth by Miami). 

His national attention and draft stock began to become substantial after a twenty-two point, seven rebound, eight assist performance in a 92-90 comeback victory against rival North Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Later, the six foot, one inch, point guard would be a huge part of Duke's 2015 National Championship run and brought home Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2015 Final Four after scoring a game-high twenty-three points in the championship game against Wisconsin. Besides Tyus Jones playing his best in the biggest moments on the biggest stages, he is the definition of a point guard as he is a floor general that looks to get his teammates involved. Although his overall shooting needs to improve, the Minnesota native shot well from three point land and ended his season at 37.9%. 

Unlike Karl-Anthony Towns, one should not expect Tyus Jones to walk into the Target Center and start for the Timberwolves, yet he should play quality minutes behind fellow point guard Ricky Rubio. 

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Ricky Rubio

---10.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 8.8 APG, & 1.7 SPG.

SG-Kevin Martin

---20.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, & 2.3 APG.

SF-Andrew Wiggins

***2014-2015 Rookie of the Year

---16.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.0 SPG.

PF-Karl-Anthony Towns

---10.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, & 2.3 BPG. (At University of Kentucky)

C-Nikola Pekovic

---12.5 PPG & 7.5 RPG.

6th-Zach LaVine

***2014-2015 All-Rookie Second Team 

---10.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, & 2.8 APG. 

BREAKING: Charlotte Hornets Select Frank Kaminsky with Ninth Pick in 2015 NBA Draft

By Peyton Wesner

"With the ninth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select Frank Kaminsky from the University of Wisconsin."

The great Michael Jordan (Principal Owner and Chariman of the Charlotte Hornets) and General Manager Rich Cho didn't just take a big man from Wisconsin, they selected a weapon. "Frank the Tank" is the definition of a late bloomer at the collegiate level as he went from playing 7.7 minutes and 10.3 minutes per game his Freshman and Sophomore years respectively to 27.2 minutes and 33.6 minutes per game his Junior and Senior seasons. With a rise in playing time came an increase in every statistical category for Kaminsky besides blocks per game between his Junior and Senior season. During his Senior season, the Lisle, Illinois, native (18.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, & 1.5 BPG) was the star on a Wisconsin Badgers team that lost in the 2015 National Championship.

Despite being a twenty-two year old, the Hornets picked him rather than a younger player because of his skill as a shooter. Kamnisky shot an impressive 41.6% from beyond the arc, which is actually better than the second overall pick D'Angelo Russell! In addition, the seven footer knows how to attack a defense inside and outside of the paint with pump fakes and his dribbling ability. 

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Kemba Walker 

---17.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.1 APG, & 1.4 SPG.

SG-Jeremy Lamb

---6.3 PPG & 2.3 RPG.

SF-Nicolus Batum

---9.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.8 APG, & 1.1 SPG.

PF-Cody Zeller

---7.6 PPG & 5.8 RPG.

C-Al Jefferson

---12.0 PPG & 7.9 RPG.

6th-Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

---10.9 PPG & 7.6 RPG. 

Tonight's selection of Kaminsky, who is the third Big Ten player to be selected by a Charlotte first round pick in the last three years, is not the only move the Hornets have made this offseason to upgrade their team as they traded Lance Stephenson to the Clippers for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes, Gerald Henderson and last year's first round pick Noah Vonleh for Nicolus Batum, and newly acquired Matt Barnes to Memphis for Luke Ridnour, who was later sent to Oklahoma City for Jeremy Lamb. The mentioned transactions have added depth to Charlotte while making them a contender for a 2016 NBA Playoffs' spot, if their key contributors can stay healthy. Last season, star Kemba Walker missed twenty games while big man Al Jefferson missed seventeen due to injury, which ultimately popped their balloon of hope to make the playoffs.

BREAKING: Denver Nuggets Select Emmanuel Mudiay Seventh Pick in 2015 NBA Draft

By Peyton Wesner

"With the seventh pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets select Emmanuel Mudiay from Dallas, Texas. He last played for Guangdong in China." 

Who is Emmanuel Mudiay and why does the name sound familiar? Emmanuel Mudiay is a six foot, five inch, nineteen year old point guard that had orginally committed to play for Larry Brown's SMU Mustangs out of high school, but then decided to go professional and take his talents to China for $1.2 million dollars. 

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mudiay sprained his right ankle in his tenth game for the club, causing him to miss three months of the season. Nevertheless when he returned to action, he netted twenty-four points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had four assists in a win or go home playoff game. 

Since most have not had a chance to watch Emmanuel Mudiay play, he can be described as a great passer that has the ability to finish at the rim with authority. In addition, the nineteen year old is a great rebounder for his position, which makes him a threat to record triple-doubles on a nightly basis. 

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Ty Lawson

---15.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 9.8 APG, & 1.2 SPG.

SG-Randy Foye

---8.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 

SF-Danilo Gallinari

---12.4 PPG & 3.7 RPG.

PF-Kenneth Faried

---12.6 PPG & 8.9 RPG.

C-Jusuf Nurkic

***2014-2015 All-Rookie Second Team 

---6.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, & 1.1 BPG.

6th-Emmanuel Mudiay

---18.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.9 APG, & 1.6 SPG. (Played for Guangdong Southern)

After the Denver Nuggets' selection of Mudiay, Ty Lawson was quoted saying "I am going to Sacramento bro." As of now, there has been no deal sending Lawson anywhere, but one must assume they drafted the guard from Congo for a reason. Either way, with or without Lawson, Denver is several years away from competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Also, considering only two players projected to start this upcoming season (Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson) played over sixty-five games last year, the Nuggets need to address the injury bug in the locker room before worrying about making the NBA Playoffs.

BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers Select D'Angelo Russell with Second Pick in 2015 NBA Draft

By Peyton Wesner

"With the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select D'Angelo Russell from Ohio State University." 

By far the most talented guard in this year's NBA Draft is heading to Southern California to suit up in purple and gold for the Lakers. Coming out of Montverde Academy, D'Angelo Russell was a five-star recruit (according to Rivals.com) and a McDonalds All-American, but despite those accomplishments he was not as highly valued as Jahlil Okafor, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Stanley Johnson. What a difference a year can make since Russell has just been selected ahead of all three.

The nineteen year old from Louisville, Kentucky, is a terrific scorer that is extermely unselfish, unlike the majority of scorers in basketball. Russell's passing skills are at their best when penetrating defensive gaps and driving in pick and rolls. The shooting guard also had one of the best shooting strokes in college basketball this past season shown in his accuracy from beyond the arc (41.1%).

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jordan Clarkson

***2014-2015 All-Rookie First Team 

---11.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, & 3.5 APG.

SG-Kobe Bryant

---22.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, & 1.3 SPG.

SF-Nick Young

---13.4 PPG & 2.3 RPG.

PF-Julius Randle

---15.0 PPG & 10.4 RPG. (At University of Kentucky)

C-Jordan Hill 

---12.0 PPG & 7.9 RPG.

6th-D'Angelo Russell 

---19.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, & 1.6 SPG. (At Ohio State University)

A little over a month ago on May 22, Kobe Bryant indicated to Los Angeles Lakers' General Manager Mitch Kupchak that the 2015-2016 season would be his last with the team. So with that being said, one has to think that Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will do anything to get back into the 2016 NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2013 and compete for a championship. Tonight was a big step in that direction for next year as well as the years after. By selecting Russell, Los Angeles adds a tremendous player to their already good backcourt that includes Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson, and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. Also, one must remember that Russell plays the same position as Kobe Bryant so this upcoming season he will learn from one of the best while taking over the spot when Bryant departs. By picking D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers are enjoying the best of both worlds.

BREAKING: Minnesota Selects Karl-Anthony Towns with First Pick in 2015 NBA Draft

By Peyton Wesner

"With the first pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Karl-Anthony Towns from the University of Kentucky." 

Unless one has been locked in a room with no technology or a basketball coma, he or she should have known that the Timberwolves and General Manager Milt Newton were going to select Karl-Anthony Towns to start the 2015 NBA Draft as reports broke with the news late Monday morning. 

Despite not being as highly touted out of high school as Duke's Jahlil Okafor, Towns, like past Kentucky Freshman, became a better player and more coveted prospect as the season grew on. In his last eighteen collegiate games, the six foot, eleven inch, nineteen year old posted averages of 12.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game while leading the Wildcats to their fourth Final Four appearance in five years. 

Since the Draft Lottery on May 19, the great debate for Minnesota has been whether to select Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor with the first pick. After much analyzation, Towns' high level of defensive play, which includes his ability to effectively guard bigs in the post and on the perimeter, was too enticing to pass up. In addition, Towns is just as talented on offense as Okafor, if not more, considering he has accuracy from beyond the arc and shoots 81.3 percent from the charity stripe (thirty percent better than Okafor). 

2015-2016 Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Ricky Rubio

---10.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 8.8 APG, & 1.7 SPG.

SG-Kevin Martin

---20.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, & 2.3 APG.

SF-Andrew Wiggins

***2014-2015 Rookie of the Year

---16.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.0 SPG.

PF-Karl-Anthony Towns

---10.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, & 2.3 BPG. (At University of Kentucky)

C-Nikola Pekovic

---12.5 PPG & 7.5 RPG.

6th-Zach LaVine

***2014-2015 All-Rookie Second Team 

---10.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, & 2.8 APG. 

By selecting Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves will have another young player with tremendous potential to join 2014 draft picks Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine. Although Minnesota is unlikely to make the 2016 NBA Playoffs in the tough Western Conference, the T'Wolves are just a few years away from having a .500 record and fighting for the eighth seed or higher in the "Wild Wild West." 

2013 First Overall Pick Mark Appel Promoted to Triple-A

By Peyton Wesner

When Spring Training broke at the end of March, the Corpus Christi Hooks, Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, were stacked with top prospects. Since then, the talents of shortstop Carlos Correa and starting pitchers Lance McCullers and Vincent Velasquez have all been promoted to Minute Maid Park for their Major League debuts. Yet one player that has remained at Whataburger Field for the whole season has been Mark Appel, MLB.com's twenty-fifth ranked prospect. 

Appel, who has been drafted three times in his career (fifteenth round by Detroit in 2009, eighth overall by Pittsburgh in 2012, and first overall by Houston in 2013), initially struggled to begin his first full season in 2014 and he did the same this year. In fact after a start on May 22, Appel's earned run average was 6.03! Since his dreadful start in late May at Midland in which he surrendered seven earned runs in three and two/thirds innings, the Houston native has drastically improved with two starts of no earned runs and an earned run average of 2.17 in his last five outings. He even threw a complete game shutout in game one of a doubleheader against San Diego Padres' affiliate San Antonio last Sunday.

With his fantastic start against San Antonio, the Astros decided that the time was right to promote Appel to Triple-A Fresno. Speculation and rumors surfaced after Sunday's start but today the transaction became official. As of this afternoon, the Stanford product has not been made the probable pitcher for any date, but it is assumed that he will make his Triple-A debut while the Grizzlies are in Reno for a five-game set. Although Appel has not stepped on a Triple-A diamond, most believe it is not out of the realm of possibilities to see him starting with former teammates McCullers and Velasquez in an Astros' uniform by the end of the season. 

Angels Promote Prospect Andrew Heaney for Team Debut

By Peyton Wesner

December 10, 2014, was a very crazy day for then Miami Marlins' pitcher Andrew Heaney. From being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dee Gordon to then being shipped across town to the Angels for Howie Kendrick, Heaney's December 10 cannot be described as an average "ho-hum" day. Today will not be either as the Angels are recalling their number one prospect and MLB.com's twentieth best for his team debut. 

This afternoon is not the Major League debut of the former Oklahoma State standout since he made five starts in seven games pitched for Miami last season, but today would be a historic moment for the left hander if he can come out on top with the win. Heaney was 0-3 with a bloated earned run average of 5.83 during his time with Miami last year and is still currently looking for the first win of his Major League career. 

The twenty-four year old was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake for his Angels' debut in order to push back the start of Matt Shoemaker to Friday. The purpose of delaying Shoemaker's start was to revise the rotation due to the injury to Jared Weaver. Heaney was 6-2 with an ERA of 4.71 and seventy-two strikeouts in seventy-eight and one-thirds innings in fourteen starts with Salt Lake. Although some may wince in disgust at his earned run average, Heaney was playing in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League; therefore, one should assume with his track record that his numbers would be much better elsewhere.

Heaney will be facing the American League leading Houston Astros and Rookie Lance McCullers, who is making his eighth career start (first versus Los Angeles (AL)). The Angels enter today with a record of 36-36, which puts them five and a half games behind the Astros for first in the American League and two and half games back of the last Wild Card spot.