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Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports Browns QB Shedeur Sanders didn’t catch “mistakes intentionally planted” in an install during pre-draft evaluations.
The draft slide heard around the world ended when the Browns traded up to select Sanders with the No. 144 overall pick in the draft. While there have been multiple attempts to justify and/or criticize the slide, Breer touches on two instances that took place between Sanders and evaluators during the pre-draft process that may have worked against him. The first was an interception a team replayed for him in Indianapolis that Sanders “didn’t take blame for.” Breer goes on to say that “as they dove deeper into it, and how it might relate to the NFL level, Sanders simply concluded that he and the staff he was talking to might not be a match.” In another visit, Breer reports Sanders didn’t pick up on intentionally planted mistakes in an install, and when called on it “the resulting exchange wasn’t pretty.” Regardless of why he fell, Sanders is now a Day 3 pick who will need to impress in more ways than one as he looks to carve out his path in the NFL.
Red Sox SS prospect Marcelo Mayer went 3-for-7 with a walk, six RBI, four runs scored, and a home run during a doubleheader for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
The Red Sox’s second-ranked prospect is now hitting .280/.324/.548 with seven home runs, 34 RBI, 17 runs scored, and one steal in 23 games at Triple-A. He also had a great spring training and seems MLB-ready, but Trevor Story has been great for the Red Sox to start the season, and Kristian Campbell is the AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner right now at second base, so there is no room in the middle infield for Mayer as it stands.
Jordan Lawlar went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI, two runs, and a steal for Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
It’s getting a bit silly at this point. Lawlar is one of the top prospects in all of baseball and is slashing .356/.451/.644 in 26 games with five home runs, 26 RBI, 29 runs scored, and 12 steals. He has started playing third base in Triple-A as well, which could create a full-time spot for him in Arizona with Eugenio Suarez moving to DH. Lawlar should be up relatively soon and deserves to be stashed in all league types.
Twins RHP prospect Zebby Matthews allowed two runs on two hits in 4 2/3 innings for Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.
He struck out five but walked four on the day and threw just 48 of his 84 pitches for strikes. It was clearly not a great day for Matthews, but even so, he was able to mitigate any major damage and still missed plenty of bats. He has a 1.93 ERA and 29/7 K/BB ratio in 23 1/3 innings, so the control hasn’t been a problem for him aside from this one start. However, this outing could delay his call-up by another week or so.
Carter Kieboom went 3-for-5 with two RBI on Sunday for Triple-A Salt Lake.
Yes, that Carter Kieboom. Still just 27 years old, the former Nationals prospect has been scalding hot for the Angels at Triple-A this season, slashing .373/.417/.642 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and three steals in 17 games. He has played 1B, 2B, and 3B for Salt Lake and could be in line for a call-up if the Angels decide to let slumping Kyren Paris figure things out at Triple-A. If Kieboom does get called up, only Kevin Newman and Tim Anderson would stand in the way of him and playing time for the Angels.
Esteury Ruiz went 2-for-5 with one run and three steals for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.
The Dodgers acquired Ruiz from the Athletics at the beginning of April, and the 26-year-old is slashing .306/.411/.468 with one home run and 13 steals in 18 games. He also has 17 strikeouts and has a reputation as a below-average defender, which has made it hard for him to get on the field. Ruiz would likely need an injury to Michael Conforto or Andy Pages to get another shot at the big leagues, but if he does, his speed could be a major asset in this Dodgers’ lineup.