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Top seeds fare well at baseball, softball Metro semifinals

Cleveland and Rio Rancho, the top two seeds and who have lost only one game between them in 23 tries this season, will determine the winner of the Albuquerque Metro Baseball Championships.

Volcano Vista prevented a 1-2 metro softball final.

The Hawks upset No. 1 Cibola on Friday in the semifinals, setting up a Volcano visit to No. 2 La Cueva at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Rio Rancho will visit Cleveland, also at 10 a.m.

SOFTBALL: The fourth-seeded Hawks (9-3) and new coach Melody Smith gained one of the more surprising upsets of the young season, as they went to District 1-5A rival Cibola (5-5) and beat the Cougars 6-3.

Audrianna Jim pitched a complete-game five-hitter against one of the top offenses in 5A softball.

Only one of the three runs were earned. Jim struck out five and walked two in her complete game.

Eighth-grader Madison Mazuranich delivered three of Volcano Vista’s hits in the win, and drove in a run.

At La Cueva, the Bears (5-3) and No. 3 Rio Rancho (5-4) combined for 37 hits in a wild semifinal, eventually won 14-12 by La Cueva.

The Bears didn’t secure their berth in the final until their starting pitcher, freshman Alyssa Hunt, was called back into the game in the top of the seventh with nobody out and the Rams having the tying run at first base.

But Hunt got the three outs to save the game.

Sophomore Madisyn Likar came off the bench to hit a pinch-hit grand slam in a five-run sixth for La Cueva, a home run that proved important when Rio Rancho scored three in the top of the seventh.

Elizabeth Hoggan homered for the Bears during an eight-run third inning. It was 9-2 at that point. But Rio Rancho shoved home four runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to tie the game at 9-all.

All of La Cueva’s starters hit safely in the victory.

BASEBALL: Cleveland starter Xavier “Jacob” Vasquez was magnificent for the top-seeded Storm (12-0) in their 8-0 victory over the fourth-seeded Matadors (6-6).

The senior left-hander went the distance, striking out 15 Sandia batters while walking no one.

Anthony Del Angel swatted a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning for Cleveland. Francisco Hernandez and Caleb Budagher also added two hits apiece for the Storm.

At Rio Rancho, the Rams (11-1) downed No. 3 seed Eldorado (7-2) by a 9-2 count.

Matthew Cook pitched four innings, striking out six and yielding just one run to the Eagles.

Wyatt Tinker homered and doubled for the Rams. Cook and Anthony Knoll both had two hits and drove in a run.

James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.

Sauk Valley Baseball 5 Players to Watch in 2026

Here are five of the top returning baseball players to watch in the Sauk Valley area this season as the 2026 season gets underway.

Garret Matznick, Newman, sr., SS

Matznick is the reigning SVM Player of the Year, an Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State pick in Class 2A and All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference East unanimous first-team selection. He hit .381 with a .529 OBP, 1.037 OPS, 45 hits, 13 doubles, 33 walks, 51 runs scored, 25 RBIs and a school-record 49 stolen bases.

He was just one run and one walk short of Brendan Tunink’s single-season school records of 52 runs scored and 34 walks. He was 6 for 6 in save situations on the mound, helping the Comets reach state for the third straight year. Matznick is a Kaskaskia College commit.

Chase Dykstra, Fulton, sr., P

He was an IHSBCA All-State pick in Class 1A, a unanimous All-NUIC West first-team selection who was 6-1 on the mound with 126 strikeouts in 67⅓ innings and a 0.73 ERA. He hit .426 with a 1.059 OPS and 20 RBIs for a Steamers team that reached the Elite Eight. Dykstra is an Iowa Central Community College commit.

Kendall Erdmann, Forreston, sr., SS/P

He was an All-NUIC North first-team pick and hit .400 with an area-best 50 hits, including 26 RBIs, 50 runs scored and 15 stolen bases last season. Erdmann also went 3-1 as a pitcher with 51 strikeouts and two saves in 42 innings pitched.

Evan Bushman, Newman, sr., P/IF

Bushman was an All-TRAC East first-team selection who went 9-1 in 12 starts with a 3.13 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 71.2 innings pitched last season. He’s lost just twice on the mound the last two seasons, both setbacks coming at the state tournament. Newman has taken home two fourth-place trophies the past two seasons and took third in 2023.

Eli Penne, Sterling, sr., P/IF

Penne was the team’s opening day starter this season and got the win after five innings pitched with one unearned run allowed. He posted a 1.93 earned-run average last season in 61.1 innings pitched. Penne is a University of Wisconsin-Platteville recruit.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300: Aaron Judge leads way, Daulton Varsho moves up

With just one week to go before Opening Day, here's the latest update to the Top 300. Players are ranked for 5x5 mixed leagues using a one-catcher format. I include the mixed-league disclaimer because I do reward upside, particularly past the top 200 or so.

⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 overall ranks

**Updated March 19**

2026Top 300TeamPosPos RkMar 13
1 Aaron Judge Yankees OF 1 1
2 Shohei Ohtani Dodgers DH 1 2
3 Bobby Witt Jr. Royals SS 1 3
4 Ronald Acuna Jr. Braves OF 2 4
5 Juan Soto Mets OF 3 5
6 Jose Ramirez Guardians 3B 1 6
7 Tarik Skubal Tigers SP 1 7
8 Julio Rodriguez Mariners OF 4 8
9 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Blue Jays 1B 1 9
10 Kyle Tucker Dodgers OF 5 10
11 Paul Skenes Pirates SP 2 11
12 Gunnar Henderson Orioles SS 2 12
13 Elly De La Cruz Reds SS 3 13
14 Corbin Carroll Diamondbacks OF 6 14
15 Fernando Tatis Jr. Padres OF 7 15
16 Nick Kurtz Athletics 1B 2 16
17 Pete Alonso Orioles 1B 3 17
18 Zach Neto Angels SS 4 18
19 Garrett Crochet Red Sox SP 3 19
20 Jackson Chourio Brewers OF 8 20
21 Kyle Schwarber Phillies DH 2 21
22 Junior Caminero Rays 3B 2 22
23 Logan Gilbert Mariners SP 4 23
24 Trea Turner Phillies SS 5 24
25 Francisco Lindor Mets SS 6 25
26 Yordan Alvarez Astros OF 9 26
27 Cristopher Sanchez Phillies SP 5 27
28 James Wood Nationals OF 10 28
29 Ketel Marte Diamondbacks 2B 1 29
30 Yoshinobu Yamamoto Dodgers SP 6 30
31 Austin Riley Braves 3B 3 31
32 CJ Abrams Nationals SS 7 32
33 Michael Harris II Braves OF 11 33
34 Pete Crow-Armstrong Cubs OF 12 34
35 Cal Raleigh Mariners C 1 35
36 Bryan Woo Mariners SP 7 36
37 Freddie Freeman Dodgers 1B 4 37
38 Bryce Harper Phillies 1B 5 38
39 Jarren Duran Red Sox OF 13 39
40 Jazz Chisholm Jr. Yankees 2B 2 40
41 Mason Miller Padres RP 1 41
42 Max Fried Yankees SP 8 42
43 Brent Rooker Athletics OF 14 43
44 Maikel Garcia Royals 3B 4 44
45 Manny Machado Padres 3B 5 45
46 George Kirby Mariners SP 9 46
47 Wyatt Langford Rangers OF 15 47
48 Roman Anthony Red Sox OF 16 48
49 Edwin Diaz Dodgers RP 2 49
50 Jackson Merrill Padres OF 17 50
51 Cody Bellinger Yankees OF 18 51
52 George Springer Blue Jays OF 19 52
53 Jacob deGrom Rangers SP 10 53
54 Brice Turang Brewers 2B 3 54
55 Cade Smith Guardians RP 3 55
56 Chris Sale Braves SP 11 56
57 Sal Stewart Reds 1B 6 57
58 Geraldo Perdomo Diamondbacks SS 8 58
59 Shohei Ohtani Dodgers SP 12 59
60 Aroldis Chapman Red Sox RP 4 60
61 Vinnie Pasquantino Royals 1B 7 61
62 Framber Valdez Tigers SP 13 62
63 Bo Bichette Mets SS 9 63
64 Hunter Brown Astros SP 14 64
65 Jhoan Duran Phillies RP 5 65
66 Joe Ryan Twins SP 15 66
67 Dylan Crews Nationals OF 20 67
68 Logan Webb Giants SP 16 68
69 Dylan Cease Blue Jays SP 17 69
70 Devin Williams Mets RP 6 70
71 Luis Robert Jr. Mets OF 21 71
72 Cole Ragans Royals SP 18 72
73 Tyler Soderstrom Athletics 1B 8 73
74 Oneil Cruz Pirates OF 22 74
75 Matt Olson Braves 1B 9 75
76 Corey Seager Rangers SS 10 76
77 Andres Munoz Mariners RP 7 77
78 Josh Naylor Mariners 1B 10 78
79 Seiya Suzuki Cubs OF 23 79
80 Jeremy Pena Astros SS 11 80
81 Jacob Misiorowski Brewers SP 19 81
82 Mookie Betts Dodgers SS 12 82
83 Zack Wheeler Phillies SP 20 83
84 Luke Keaschall Twins 2B 4 84
85 Kyle Stowers Marlins OF 24 85
86 Ben Rice Yankees C 2 86
87 David Bednar Yankees RP 8 87
88 Sonny Gray Red Sox SP 21 88
89 Jose Altuve Astros 2B 5 89
90 Rafael Devers Giants 1B 11 90
91 Byron Buxton Twins OF 25 91
92 Kyle Bradish Orioles SP 22 92
93 Riley Greene Tigers OF 26 93
94 Daniel Palencia Cubs RP 9 94
95 Drew Rasmussen Rays SP 23 95
96 Noelvi Marte Reds 3B 6 96
97 Christian Yelich Brewers OF 27 97
98 Xavier Edwards Marlins SS 13 98
99 Josh Hader Astros RP 10 99
100 Eugenio Suarez Reds 3B 7 100
101 Blake Snell Dodgers SP 24 101
102 Eury Perez Marlins SP 25 102
103 Mike Trout Angels OF 28 103
104 Jeff Hoffman Blue Jays RP 11 104
105 Salvador Perez Royals C 3 105
106 Jesus Luzardo Phillies SP 26 106
107 Bryan Reynolds Pirates OF 29 107
108 Matt McLain Reds 2B 6 108
109 Jo Adell Angels OF 30 109
110 Nolan McLean Mets SP 27 110
111 Brandon Nimmo Rangers OF 31 111
112 Ivan Herrera Cardinals DH 3 112
113 Griffin Jax Rays RP 12 113
114 Shea Langeliers Athletics C 4 114
115 Alec Burleson Cardinals 1B 12 115
116 Teoscar Hernandez Dodgers OF 32 116
117 Willson Contreras Red Sox 1B 13 117
118 Ryan Helsley Orioles RP 13 118
119 Daylen Lile Nationals OF 33 119
120 Alec Bohm Phillies 3B 8 120
121 Gerrit Cole Yankees SP 28 121
122 Daulton Varsho Blue Jays OF 34 154
123 Ceddanne Rafaela Red Sox 2B 7 122
124 Nico Hoerner Cubs 2B 8 123
125 William Contreras Brewers C 5 124
126 Raisel Iglesias Braves RP 14 125
127 Michael Busch Cubs 1B 14 126
128 Tanner Bibee Guardians SP 29 127
129 Jacob Wilson Athletics SS 14 128
130 Nick Pivetta Padres SP 30 129
131 Ranger Suarez Red Sox SP 31 130
132 Brenton Doyle Rockies OF 35 131
133 Trevor Story Red Sox SS 15 132
134 Trevor Megill Brewers RP 15 133
135 MacKenzie Gore Rangers SP 32 134
136 Jorge Polanco Mets 2B 9 135
137 Alex Bregman Cubs 3B 9 136
138 Freddy Peralta Mets SP 33 137
139 Andy Pages Dodgers OF 36 138
140 Jakob Marsee Marlins OF 37 139
141 Yandy Diaz Rays 1B 15 140
142 Kevin Gausman Blue Jays SP 34 141
143 Emilio Pagan Reds RP 16 142
144 Hunter Goodman Rockies C 6 143
145 Kenley Jansen Tigers RP 17 144
146 Agustin Ramirez Marlins C 7 145
147 Ezequiel Tovar Rockies SS 16 146
148 Shota Imanaga Cubs SP 35 147
149 Willy Adames Giants SS 17 148
150 Nathan Eovaldi Rangers SP 36 179
151 Ian Happ Cubs OF 38 150
152 Pete Fairbanks Marlins RP 18 151
153 Xander Bogaerts Padres SS 18 152
154 Chase Burns Reds SP 37 149
155 Drake Baldwin Braves C 8 153
156 Tyler Glasnow Dodgers SP 38 156
157 Andrew Vaughn Brewers 1B 16 157
158 Bryson Stott Phillies 2B 10 158
159 Ryan Walker Giants RP 19 159
160 Caleb Durbin Red Sox 3B 10 160
161 Shane McClanahan Rays SP 39 161
162 Brandon Woodruff Brewers SP 40 162
163 Tommy Edman Dodgers 2B 11 163
164 Steven Kwan Guardians OF 39 164
165 Dansby Swanson Cubs SS 19 165
166 Seranthony Dominguez White Sox RP 20 166
167 Matthew Boyd Cubs SP 41 167
168 Jackson Holliday Orioles 2B 12 168
169 Kerry Carpenter Tigers OF 40 169
170 Cade Horton Cubs SP 42 170
171 Wilyer Abreu Red Sox OF 41 171
172 Luis Garcia Jr. Nationals 2B 13 180
173 Adolis Garcia Phillies OF 42 172
174 Isaac Paredes Astros 3B 11 173
175 Emmet Sheehan Dodgers SP 43 174
176 Colson Montgomery White Sox SS 20 175
177 Edward Cabrera Cubs SP 44 176
178 Munetaka Murakami White Sox 3B 12 177
179 Randy Arozarena Mariners OF 43 178
180 Michael King Padres SP 45 181
181 Gleyber Torres Tigers 2B 14 183
182 Konnor Griffin Pirates SS 21 184
183 Cam Schlittler Yankees SP 46 185
184 Brendan Donovan Mariners 2B 15 186
185 Nick Lodolo Reds SP 47 187
186 Josh Lowe Angels OF 44 188
187 Jung Hoo Lee Giants OF 45 189
188 Addison Barger Blue Jays 3B 13 182
189 Abner Uribe Brewers RP 21 190
190 Brett Baty Mets 2B 16 191
191 Bryce Miller Mariners SP 48 192
192 Bryan Abreu Astros RP 22 194
193 Taylor Ward Orioles OF 46 195
194 Joe Musgrove Padres SP 49 155
195 Otto Lopez Marlins SS 22 196
196 Sandy Alcantara Marlins SP 50 197
197 Jordan Beck Rockies OF 47 198
198 Dennis Santana Pirates RP 23 199
199 Matt Chapman Giants 3B 14 200
200 Ryan Pepiot Rays SP 51 201
201 Marcell Ozuna Pirates DH 4 202
202 Trent Grisham Yankees OF 48 203
203 Will Smith Dodgers C 9 204
204 Kodai Senga Mets SP 52 205
205 Jordan Lawlar Diamondbacks 3B 15 206
206 Carlos Rodon Yankees SP 53 207
207 Max Muncy Dodgers 3B 16 208
208 Carlos Estevez Royals RP 24 209
209 Heliot Ramos Giants OF 49 211
210 Kazuma Okamoto Blue Jays 3B 17 212
211 Chandler Simpson Rays OF 50 223
212 Miguel Vargas White Sox 3B 18 213
213 Hunter Greene Reds SP 54 214
214 Spencer Torkelson Tigers 1B 17 215
215 Bubba Chandler Pirates SP 55 216
216 Luis Arraez Giants 1B 18 217
217 Jonathan Aranda Rays 1B 19 218
218 Robert Garcia Rangers RP 25 219
219 Spencer Schwellenbach Braves SP 56 220
220 Nolan Schanuel Angels 1B 20 221
221 Brandon Lowe Pirates 2B 17 210
222 Matt Wallner Twins OF 51 222
223 Masyn Winn Cardinals SS 23 224
224 Kevin McGonigle Tigers SS 24 242
225 Jameson Taillon Cubs SP 57 225
226 Jordan Westburg Orioles 3B 19 226
227 Colt Keith Tigers 2B 18 227
228 Ramon Laureano Padres OF 52 228
229 JJ Wetherholt Cardinals SS 25 229
230 Spencer Strider Braves SP 58 230
231 Gavin Williams Guardians SP 59 231
232 Josh Bell Twins 1B 21 232
233 Gabriel Moreno Diamondbacks C 10 233
234 Marcus Semien Mets 2B 19 234
235 Justin Steele Cubs SP 60 235
236 Yainer Diaz Astros C 11 236
237 Kris Bubic Royals SP 61 237
238 Anthony Volpe Yankees SS 26 238
239 Mickey Moniak Rockies OF 53 239
240 Trey Yesavage Blue Jays SP 62 193
241 Royce Lewis Twins 3B 20 241
242 Kirby Yates Angels RP 26 261
243 Andres Gimenez Blue Jays 2B 20 243
244 Cody Ponce Blue Jays SP 63 244
245 Tyler O’Neill Orioles OF 54 245
246 Lawrence Butler Athletics OF 55 246
247 Riley O’Brien Cardinals RP 27 247
248 Jorge Soler Angels OF 56 248
249 Nick Martinez Rays SP 64 249
250 Lenyn Sosa White Sox 2B 21 250
251 Josh Jung Rangers 3B 21 251
252 Shane Bieber Blue Jays SP 65 252
253 Brandon Marsh Phillies OF 57 253
254 Ernie Clement Blue Jays SS 27 254
255 Christopher Morel Marlins OF 58 255
256 Aaron Nola Phillies SP 66 256
257 Jake Burger Rangers 1B 22 257
258 Evan Carter Rangers OF 59 258
259 Reid Detmers Angels SP 67 259
260 Willi Castro Rockies 2B 22 260
261 Shane Baz Orioles SP 68 262
262 Sal Frelick Brewers OF 60 263
263 Adley Rutschman Orioles C 12 264
264 Ozzie Albies Braves 2B 23 265
265 Parker Messick Guardians SP 69 266
266 Christian Walker Astros 1B 23 267
267 Reynaldo Lopez Braves SP 70 268
268 Giancarlo Stanton Yankees OF 61 269
269 Jake McCarthy Rockies OF 62 270
270 Brooks Baldwin White Sox OF 63 271
271 Clay Holmes Mets SP 71 272
272 Jonathan India Royals 2B 24 273
273 Zac Gallen Diamondbacks SP 72 NR
274 Luis Castillo Mariners SP 73 274
275 Lucas Erceg Royals RP 28 275
276 Spencer Steer Reds 1B 24 276
277 Jeff McNeil Athletics 2B 25 277
278 Carlos Correa Astros SS 28 278
279 Braxton Ashcraft Pirates SP 74 279
280 Logan Henderson Brewers SP 75 240
281 TJ Friedl Reds OF 64 280
282 Chad Patrick Brewers SP 76 281
283 Colton Cowser Orioles OF 65 282
284 Robert Suarez Braves RP 29 283
285 Merrill Kelly Diamondbacks SP 77 284
286 Max Scherzer Blue Jays SP 78 NR
287 Victor Scott II Cardinals OF 66 286
288 Aaron Ashby Brewers SP 79 287
289 Dylan Beavers Orioles OF 67 288
290 Ryan Weathers Yankees SP 80 289
291 Justin Crawford Phillies OF 68 290
292 Kyle Manzardo Guardians 1B 25 291
293 Max Meyer Marlins SP 81 292
294 Jesus Sanchez Blue Jays OF 69 293
295 J.T. Realmuto Phillies C 13 294
296 Ryan O’Hearn Pirates 1B 26 296
297 Mark Leiter Jr. Athletics RP 30 297
298 Jose Caballero Yankees SS 29 298
299 Nolan Arenado Diamondbacks 3B 22 299
300 Noah Cameron Royals SP 82 300

March 19 Notes

Falling off: Lars Nootbaar (285th), Zebby Matthews (295th)

- We're short on major changes this week, which is great, because major changes are usually the result of injuries. I did drop Joe Musgrove once again, though it still looks like he might return from his Tommy John setback before the end of April. Trey Yesavage fell from 50th to 62nd among starters after the Jays finally came clean about the reason they were slowplaying him this spring. Still, the shoulder impingement doesn't sound like a disaster; he was able to pitch in a minor league game earlier this week.

- Moving up on the pitching side of things was Nathan Eovaldi, who has looked strong after missing the final five weeks of last season with a shoulder injury. I've also moved Zac Gallen back into the top 300 after dropping him following his late re-signing with the Diamondbacks. Gallen has averaged 94.7 mph with his fastball in his three spring starts. He averaged 93.5 mph last year, and his career-high there is 94.1 mph from 2022. There's no guarantee the boost will stick around, but if it does, one imagines he'll bounce back in the strikeout department; he finished with a 21.5% K rate last year after never coming in below 25% previously.

- On the offensive side, I couldn't help but give Daulton Varsho another boost. I put little stock in spring numbers for veteran bats, but five homers and two strikeouts in 47 plate appearances is absurd. Chandler Simpson (up 12 spots to No. 211) and Kevin McGonigle (up 18 spots to No. 224) also climbed while getting projected for a little more playing time.

- In case you missed it, I posted an article with all of my favorite players for 2026 on Sunday.

March 13 Notes

- Falling off: Sean Manaea (277th), Brandon Pfaadt (295th), Ryne Nelson (298th)

- Sorry, no notes right now. Working on my annual "undervalued players" column. Expect another update here early in the week.

March 9 Notes

- Falling off: Jurickson Profar (239th), Jordan Walker (299th), Dominic Canzone (300th)

- Aside from Profar's 162-game PED ban, it was a pretty quiet week. Profar's exit from the heart of Atlanta's lineup moved up a couple of the players who were due to hit behind him. Mike Yastrzemski still didn't crack the list, though; he's a nice player, but not one with a lot of fantasy potential.

- Hunter Greene's elbow problem has dropped him some while waiting for the official word about the source of his stiffness. He said his UCL is just fine, and if that's the case, he hopefully won't be looking at any sort of lengthy absence. He's tumbled from 49th to 74th for now.

- Pitching for his country did nothing for Carlos Estévez's velocity woes Monday, as his fastball was still down five mph from last year's norm. Maybe he gets it back, but he was far from one of my favorite relievers in the first place. He drops to No. 210 for now, and Lucas Erceg joins the top 300 at No. 282.

- Kevin McGonigle is another debut this week, as Detroit's No. 1 prospect comes in at No. 260. As of this point, I still think he's a little bit of a long shot to make the team; he'd be a defensive downgrade at short, and the Tigers entered the spring pretty well set with their 13 position players. But he might well be one of the club's better hitters already. When it comes to fantasy potential, I'm not sure he's ready to hit more than 20 homers yet, and he probably wouldn't be a big factor in steals (he was 10-for-17 stealing base in 88 minor league games last year after going 22-for-24 in A ball in 2024). He'd be a mixed-league guy playing regularly, but I don't think he'd offer top-100 potential as a rookie.

March 2 Notes

- Falling off: Pablo López (205th), Zac Gallen (244th), Jake McCarthy (297th), Max Scherzer (299th), Jac Caglianone (300th)

- This was longer between updates than I wanted to go, but things will definitely be better this month. One big change this update is that relievers have been pushed up. There's just aren't as many good bets for saves as usual this year, and the third- and fourth-tier closers are going earlier as a result. So, Kenley Jansen, for instance, jumping from No. 174 to No. 146 isn't the result of a projections change. It's just more the price that needs to be paid to get a mid-range closer.

- Many of the position player changes are a result of new lineup projections. Jo Adell was hit particularly hard there; I had him as the Angels' likely cleanup hitter entering the spring, but it's starting to look like he'll hit sixth behind Yoán Moncada and Jorge Soler. I had already dropped the Reds' Noelvi Marte some because of doubts over whether he'd continue to bat second, but now it looks like he might hit as low as eighth initially. On the other hand, Matt McLain has moved up some, since he's the likeliest choice to replace Marte.

- That Kyle Tucker is likely to bat second for the Dodgers moved him up from 13th to 10th. Fernando Tatis Jr. lost a little ground with the Padres seemingly dropping him from the leadoff spot, but not quite enough to push him below Nick Kurtz in the rankings, since there was a significant gap there initially.

- Yordan Alvarez is down a few spots because the Astros' self-inflicted logjam will put him back into the outfield at least occasionally. I was really hoping for 150 games from him as a DH this year. It's now pretty clear that neither Christian Walker nor Isaac Paredes is getting traded prior to Opening Day, so Paredes is down to No. 171 and Walker fell about 30 spots to No. 261. Paredes would be about 40 spots higher if assured regular playing time, and he really ought to be, given that he's probably Houston's second-best hitter.

- Konnor Griffin's three early homers helped get him a 20-spot bump in the rankings to No. 193, but I'm still projecting him to open up in the minors. If the Pirates announced tomorrow that he'd be their starting shortstop, I'd have him around 110th or so. He'd probably be good for 30-40 steals, but his ability to hit for average would be in some question, and while he already has above average major league power, he'll be playing half of his games in a ballpark that's as tough for right-handers to homer in as any in the league.

- The Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is looking increasingly likely to land a starting job at second base. I'm not quite sure that would make him an asset in shallow leagues, in part because the Cardinals just don't have a very good lineup. He might make a run at 15 homers and 15 steals, but the run and RBI numbers probably won't be there, especially if he's batting in the bottom half of the order early on. He checks in at No. 264 for now.

Dodgers, Uniqlo set to reveal details of new partnership next week

We'll officially learn what the new partnership between the Dodgers and clothing brand Uniqlo entails on Wednesday.

The team and clothing company teased the announcement on social media.

The New York Times reported earlier this week that the two reached a deal to give Uniqlo naming rights to the field at Dodger Stadium.

The rights would be for the field alone, and the name Dodger Stadium would still remain intact.

If Uniqlo gets the naming rights to the field, it would be the first time in the ballpark's history that a sponsor is attached to its name.

The Dodgers have not confirmed this report to Eyewitness News.

Red Sox infielder to begin season on IL, miss Opening Day: report

Triston Casas’ long road back to the major leagues from a fluke injury last year will extend a little longer.

According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Casas is still not ready to play spring training games, and he’ll likely keep rehabbing his knee into April.

MORE: Red Sox sign former Yankees, Dodgers pitcher after WBC exit

While the Red Sox return to Boston in a matter of days — Opening Day is March 26 against the Reds in Cincinnati — Casas will either remain in Florida at extended spring training or meet with a Red Sox affiliate’s medical staff before playing in games.

“I don’t have a plan to start Opening Day with an affiliate,” Casas said, according to McCaffrey. “I haven’t discussed with the team if they want me to continue rehab at a facility up north at an affiliate. We haven’t discussed where I’ll be in April, but we’re taking it week by week.”

Casas ruptured his patellar tendon last May running out a ground ball in a game against the Minnesota Twins. The injury not only required season-ending surgery, it set in motion a chain of events that led the Red Sox to trade star infielder Rafael Devers to San Francisco.

Casas, 26, is a career .241/.348/.452 hitter across four MLB seasons (2022-25) with the Red Sox.

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