Browsing: fall

College baseball evolves every autumn, but the nature of that growth is difficult to pin down. Most of the movement happens behind closed doors. It happens in the controlled chaos of intersquads, in labs full of tech and force plates or in quiet midweek scrimmages where a pitcher alters a grip, a hitter reshapes a swing or a freshman takes a leap.

Hundreds of players elevated their stock in some form over the last two months, and any attempt to catalog every riser would fall well short.

As such, our list of college baseball fall ball all-stars is not meant to be exhaustive. It is meant to reflect the broader truth of the sport: Talent is everywhere. In the interest of spotlighting as many players and teams as possible, each school is represented only once in the list below, with one player per defensive position earning recognition based on the most consistent and compelling feedback from coaches and evaluators.

These selections were informed through dozens of conversations, scrimmage evaluations and development reports from across the country. Some are established names trending toward stardom. Some are players who took an unexpected step forward. All of them earned their place here by turning promising falls into meaningful momentum for 2026.

Catcher: Ryder Helfrick, Arkansas

The debate for top college catcher in the 2026 draft class will not resolve any time soon. It will likely center on Georgia Techâ€s Vahn Lackey, Texas†Carson Tinney and Helfrick, who emerged as one of the most complete players in the country last season. He hit .305/.420/.616 with 15 home runs and 10 doubles while catching 61 games for a Razorbacks team that went 50-15 and came within a few swings of reaching the national championship series.

Lackeyâ€s summer with Team USA and Tinneyâ€s consistent exit velocity gains this fall strengthened their cases, but the fall feedback on Helfrick was as loud and unequivocal as any player in the country.

Multiple evaluators described his fall as nearly flawless. He made clear defensive strides as a receiver, showed advanced zone control and plus raw power at the plate and established himself as the toughest out in a Fayetteville environment loaded with premium arms.

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn reinforced the sentiment with uncommon conviction.

“Heâ€s a first-round pick in my book and, quite frankly, Iâ€ll have questions about whoever disagrees with that if theyâ€d seen him this fall,†Van Horn told BA. “Thereâ€s nothing he canâ€t do on the field. He calls his own game, he hits for power, he doesnâ€t swing and miss. We couldnâ€t get him out. Iâ€ve had plenty of first-rounders here. I know what they look like. Heâ€s as good as any of them. We havenâ€t had a player look this good in the fall since Heston Kjerstad, and he went pretty good.â€

First Base: Brady Ballinger, Kansas

Few hitters in the country combined impact and consistency in 2025 the way Ballinger did.

Only three Division I players with at least 65 batted-ball events reached all of the following marks last season: an average exit velocity of at least 89 mph, a 90th percentile EV of 106 mph or higher, a barrel rate above 30%, a zone contact rate above 85%, an overall contact rate above 80% and an air-pull rate above 35%. That group consisted of UT Arlingtonâ€s Tyce Armstrong, UCLA shortstop and top 2026 prospect Roch Cholowsky and Ballinger.

Ballinger produced an 89.9 mph average exit velocity and a 106.1 mph 90th percentile EV, making for an outstanding power baseline for a college hitter. His 32.9% barrel rate and 50% hard-hit rate reflect true impact, while his 85.2% zone contact rate and 80% overall contact rate show that he reached that impact without selling out. His 20.4% chase rate points to a mostly selective approach and the confidence to let the strength work inside the zone.

The statistical picture matches the scouting feedback.

This fall, Ballinger stayed on that track while addressing the one area evaluators wanted to see change: selective aggression. He swung at just 36.6% of pitches last season with a 69.4% heart swing rate and 59.1% zone swing rate.Â

The word from Kansas is that he spent the fall tightening swing decisions and being more willing to attack early-count pitches he can drive. The impact traits remain intact. The intent sharpened.

Ballinger already showed the underlying traits of a prominent draft bat. If the approach gains from this fall carry into the spring, he has a chance to push firmly into the Top 100 conversation as he builds on a breakout 2025.

Second Base: Keaton Grady, Dallas Baptist

Dallas Baptistâ€s offense absorbed heavy draft losses this summer, shifting the spotlight to returning players who needed to make developmental strides to preserve one of the sportâ€s most consistently competitive programs.Â

Several Patriots answered that call this fall, from slugging first baseman Chayton Krauss to outfielders Ben Tryon and Ryan Martin. But the most emphatic feedback centered on second baseman Grady, who started 41 games at the position last year and profiles as a critical returning piece regardless of whether he stays at second or slides to shortstop.

Grady was one of the countryâ€s most skillful contact hitters in 2025. He slashed .366/.449/.531 with four home runs, 14 doubles, 18 stolen bases and more walks (26) than strikeouts (21). His zone awareness was elite, and the bat-to-ball performance reflected it in a 92.7% zone contact rate paired with an 84.4% overall contact rate. When pitchers challenged him, he spoiled their plans with precision.

The missing gear in Grady’s 2025 profile was consistent loft-driven power. He produced an 89.6 mph average exit velocity for a strong trait baseline, but the batted-ball angles did not allow that strength to translate into home run volume.Â

This fall he made clear progress there. According to DBU coach Dan Heefner, Grady made tangible adjustments aimed at getting into the air more often and held the gains through the fall slate. It was not a wholesale identity shift, but rather a refinement that allowed his natural contact ability to carry more offensive weight.

If those directional adjustments hold, Grady has a chance to elevate from high-level table-setter to true middle-of-the-order threat. Even if the home run output remains modest, his discipline, speed and ability to punish strikes will again be central to DBUâ€s identity as it reloads for another postseason push.

Third Base: Nolan Freund, Little Rock

Little Rockâ€s postseason run in 2025 ended one win short of super regionals, but its resilience left a lasting impression. The Trojans handed eventual national champion LSU its only postseason defeat and led the Tigers through five innings of the regional final before falling in Baton Rouge. The momentum from that showing carried directly into the offseason, punctuated by a contract extension for coach Chris Curry that signals the programâ€s ambition heading into 2026.

Another run will rely on returners on the mound and a lineup driven heavily by newcomers. Among them, Freund emerged as one of the most impactful additions anywhere in the mid-major ranks this fall.

A juco transfer who earned NJCAA All-America honorable mention credentials, Freund hit .422/.495/.641 with 23 doubles, nine home runs and 71 RBIs last spring while drawing more walks (32) than strikeouts (31). The offensive track record translated immediately to Division I scrimmage environments. Curry noted the consistent quality of Freund’s contact, with firm line drives to all fields and enough loft to project legitimate extra-base threat potential against high-end pitching.

The glove is equally compelling. Curry described Freund as a strong-armed and plus defender at third base, capable of making rangy plays while also delivering carry across the diamond. That combination of polished defensive actions, bat-to-ball skill and physical strength positions Freund to anchor the left side of Little Rockâ€s infield while giving the Trojans a middle-of-the-order presence they can build around.

Freund is not just a valuable transfer. He looks like a player capable of materially elevating the ceiling for a program already riding a wave of confidence into 2026.

Shortstop: Roch Cholowsky, UCLA

A number of UCLA players delivered standout falls, but none approached Cholowskyâ€s combination of production, polish and projection. The consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2026 draft earned this spot emphatically.

Cholowsky is exactly as advertised. His defensive skill set is pure and advanced, defined by movement efficiency, soft hands, rhythmic transfers and a throwing stroke that stays loose and accurate on the move. He handles the shortstop position with natural ease and quarterback-like command, turning difficult plays into routine ones and elevating UCLAâ€s overall defensive operation.

At the plate, Cholowsky blends zone control, contact skill and impact. The swing is direct and on-plane, punishing mistakes without compromising approach. He drives the ball with authority from gap to gap and has the athleticism to turn singles into extra bases while making slow throwers uncomfortable with pressure on the bases.

During a fall scrimmage against UC Irvine, Cholowsky turned on an inside fastball for a double and later smoked a triple. Both came with the kind of effortless acceleration that only elite hitters show in game speed.

College baseball has not seen a position player enter a season with this level of draft anticipation in years. Cholowsky is the best player in the nation heading into 2026, and his fall performance only reinforced that truth.

Outfield: Derek Curiel, LSU

While Cholowsky reigns supreme, there is a legitimate competition brewing behind him for the title of second-best draft-eligible college bat. Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron, TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider and Virginia outfielder AJ Gracia all factor into that argument.Â

Curiel not only belongs firmly in that conversation, thereâ€s an argument he could lead the charge very early on.

His fall helped.

The draft-eligible sophomore shifted from left field to center without issue. Often when young players move to a premium spot for the first time, the discomfort is obvious in reads, angles or footwork. Curiel showed none of it. LSU coach Jay Johnson noted the absence of even the faintest growing pains, pointing to Curielâ€s instincts, closing speed and graceful timing around the ball.

At the plate, Curielâ€s fall was equally compelling. Among a position group overflowing with offensive ability, he paced the Tigers in their internal at-bat quality metric. He further tightened his approach while looking to convert more impact into the air toward his pull side, pairing that developmental emphasis with the physical gains of a second collegiate offseason.

Curiel appears positioned to take on a central role in LSUâ€s ongoing dynasty push—the type of middle-of-the-order, middle-of-the-field presence that championship programs are built around.

His fall only amplified expectations.

Outfield: Caden Sorrell, Texas A&M

Sorrell hardly needed much time last spring to validate his status as one of the nationâ€s most dynamic outfield talents. Despite appearing in only 26 games due to a hamstring injury, he slashed .337/.430/.789 with 12 home runs and five doubles while walking nearly as often as he struck out (16 to 25). At the pace he established, he was essentially homering every other game.

Sorrell’s injury had almost no bearing on his ability to drive the ball. What it did disrupt was the broader impact of his game, including his ability to pressure defenses with his speed and cover ground in the outfield. Those tools are not complementary for Sorrell. They are central, and when paired with his offensive thunder, they create a uniquely complete profile.

This fall, according to Texas A&M coach Michael Earley, Sorrell was finally his full self again. That alone is enough to elevate both his draft outlook and the Aggies†2026 trajectory. Evaluators believe he has the ingredients to push into the top 15 on draft day if he can show the total package across a full season.

For Texas A&M, the stakes around Sorrell extend far beyond personal draft value. After a season that cratered in 2025, the Aggies are operating in must-win territory. Sorrellâ€s return to full strength gives them a centerpiece for that effort.

Outfield: Ty Head, NC State

Head delivered strong surface-level results in his NC State debut last spring, batting .274/.433/.402 with four home runs, 11 doubles and a fantastic 48-to-28 walk-to-strikeout ratio. That foundation is now generating something far louder. Evaluators across the scouting community zeroed in on Headâ€s fall, with one describing him to Baseball America as “one of the top breakout candidates in the country†for 2026.

Headâ€s trademark plate discipline remains intact, but the storyline this fall was his physical growth and ability to drive the ball with more authority. The added strength has helped round out his offensive profile, and feedback suggests he is trending toward becoming a centerpiece in the Wolfpack lineup.

Head’s operation at the plate is compact and efficient. He hits from a fairly upright posture with a slightly-open stance, incorporating a minor barrel tip and toe tap before a short stride. There is real hand and bat speed, and the batted-ball data backs that up. His bat-to-ball skill is comfortably plus and approaches double-plus against fastballs. Last spring, he produced a 91% in-zone contact rate overall and a staggering 96% against heaters.

As encouraging as his offensive ceiling looks, Head’s defensive value is already established. He covers ground exceptionally well in center field, where his instincts and athleticism stand out immediately.

Head’s blend of advanced contact mechanics, refined strength and premium defensive ability makes him one of the most significant arrows-up players in the country heading into 2026.

Designated Hitter: Ethan Surowiec, Florida

Florida created a dilemma under our one-player-per-school guideline. Its two premier arms, Liam Peterson and Aidan King, both have legitimate claims to elite draft status over the next two years. But the Gators†fall had another headliner whose stock demanded recognition. Surowiec earned that distinction with a meaningful surge in momentum that stretched from his summer dominance into a productive fall.

After receiving only 16 at-bats as an Ole Miss freshman in 2025, Surowiec erupted in the Northwoods League, hitting .387/.475/.779 with 17 home runs, 23 doubles, 15 stolen bases and a 41-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio en route to league MVP honors. The damage output was eye-catching enough, but evaluators also noted the maturity of his approach and the way his contact quality translated to all parts of the park.

Surowiec carried that momentum directly into Floridaâ€s fall. He continued to show a disciplined, selective eye and produced a string of loud swings that translated into multiple home runs. The blend of patience, strength and adjustability at launch has Gators coaches confident that he profiles as a true middle-of-the-order presence.

Defensively, Surowiec showed promise at third base with clean actions and a solid arm, especially moving to his left. His development at the position gives the coaching staff flexibility, but whatever positional outcome awaits, the bat appears destined to play in a major way.

For a Florida team with sky-high potential, Surowiec has emerged as one of the most important additions to the lineup, and one whose rapid ascent is difficult to ignore.

Starting Pitcher: Jackson Flora, UC Santa Barbara

Multiple evaluators came out of the fall convinced that Flora “looked like the best pitcher on the West Coast,†citing both the sheer electricity of his arsenal and the way he attacked lineups in short stints. The power was effortless, the mix was more complete and the shaping improvements to his fastball stood out immediately. Nothing about his performance felt forced or rushed. Rather, it reflected a pitcher whose game continues to mature with intent.

The fastball forms the foundation of Floraâ€s profile, and it has taken another step. He regularly pushed into triple-digit velocity and paired it with an explosive carry profile that spikes into the low 20s of induced vertical break. UCSB set a clear fall objective: Eliminate occasional dead zone movement. Early feedback suggests the pitch now flies cleaner and with more consistent life. He works from a lower three-quarters slot that generated a -4.6 degree vertical approach angle in 2025, a compelling attribute that could continue tightening as the fastball refinements settle.

Floraâ€s feel for spin remains a separator. He works comfortably above 2,700 rpm with multiple breaking shapes: a sweepy slider that can devastate righties, a firmer slider that misses bats in the zone and a newly added curveball that gives him a middle option by velocity and shape. The breadth of the arsenal ensures that hitters cannot sit on one profile, especially given how well his fastball tunnels off those secondaries.

A kick changeup added this fall has emerged as the fourth pitch in the mix. While it has not yet been captured by in-game Trackman readings, UCSB coach Andrew Checketts noted that it played well in scrimmages and separated decisively from the fastball.Â

Flora set career highs across the board in 2025, and the fall showed a pitcher who looks sharper, stronger and more complete heading into his draft year. Even in a class with multiple elite arms, his combination of power, shape and command of at-bats has positioned him squarely in the race to be the first college pitcher selected in July.

Starting Pitcher: Joey Volchko, Georgia

Volchko earned one of the most meaningful fall stock bumps anywhere in the country. Evaluators who saw him at Stanford have long been captivated by his ceiling, and this fall was the first time that physical changes, pitch-shape refinement and repeatability appeared to align in a way that could turn raw promise into steady front-line performance.

That transformation began with strength gains guided by Georgia coach Wes Johnson and his staff. Added physicality naturally lowered Volchkoâ€s arm slot by 3-4 inches, making for a shift that improved his ability to maintain direction and stay through pitches. A remodeled four-seam fastball grip produced clearer carry characteristics, and Johnson worked with him to add a high-80s sweeper and a true changeup alongside his trademark cutter. Johnson said the adjustments have “unlocked more strikes and repeatability.â€

If those traits carry into the spring, Volchko could dramatically alter his draft trajectory.

The gap between Volchko’s potential and his results has defined his college experience to this point. Over 113 innings at Stanford, he pitched to a 5.89 ERA with a 20.6% strikeout rate and 10.5% walk rate. His profile was heavily influenced by difficulty repeating his delivery and consistently executing in the strike zone. The stuff has never been in question, though.

If he can now live in the zone more often, with a fastball that carries and secondaries that complement it, Volchko becomes a genuine handful for hitters. For a Georgia team with Omaha-level aspirations, the possibility of Volchko realizing his potential could be game-changing.

Starting Pitcher: Caden Castles, UC Irvine

Castles is the youngest player on our list, and his inclusion comes after a breakout fall that immediately positioned him as a high-priority draft follow for the future. His performance in Irvineâ€s marquee scrimmage at UCLA turned heads, particularly when he worked through Roch Cholowsky with a series of right-on-right changeups that drew quiet reactions from a scouting section not easily impressed.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound righty from Davis, California, is on track to step directly into the Anteaters†weekend rotation. His mix is already advanced and features a low-90s fastball, slider, sweeper and a changeup he can deploy confidently to both righties and lefties. Castles consistently achieves more than seven feet of extension, which is elite regardless of stature and especially notable for someone 6-foot-2.

UC Irvine ace Ricky Ojeda remains the headline arm for a UCI program that has become one of the most reliable postseason contenders on the West Coast under coach Ben Orloff. Castles may be the next great one in line, though. He looked the part of a future draft prospect this fall, both in results and in presence.

Relief Pitcher: Bo Rhudy, Tennessee

One bullish evaluator framed Tennesseeâ€s newest bullpen piece succinctly: “Iâ€ve never seen a fastball like the one he has.†That sentiment captures both Rhudyâ€s fall ascent and his potential impact in the spring.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound draft-eligible righty arrives in Knoxville from Kennesaw State after a strong 2025 season in which he logged a 3.16 ERA with 44 strikeouts against just five walks in 37 innings. He then backed that up in the Cape Cod League, posting a 2.45 ERA with 12 strikeouts and two walks over 11 innings while saving five games in nine appearances. Any momentum he carried into the fall only intensified.

Rhudyâ€s heater is the outlier pitch that drives the profile. On Trackman, it averaged 90 mph and touched 93.3, but it played significantly above the raw velocity because of a remarkable collection of underlying traits. The fastball averaged 18.4 inches of induced vertical break with an average spin rate of 2,722 rpm out of a 5-foot-4 release height and a -4.27 degree vertical approach angle. That combination made it extremely difficult to track, and hitters chased it at a 38% clip, well above the typical range for college arms.

Across both his 2025 college season and Cape stint, Rhudy threw the fastball 88% of the time. That staggering usage rate reflected how dominant the pitch was in both settings.

Tennessee coaches and scouts alike told Baseball America that Rhudy looked nearly untouchable all fall, carving through quality Volunteer hitters. If the traits hold under the SEC spotlight, he has a chance to become one of the nationâ€s most impactful relief arms in 2026.

Relief Pitcher: Keegan Oâ€Hearn, Michigan

This selection is rooted entirely in projection. Oâ€Hearn quietly established himself as one of the most intriguing developmental stories of the fall after transitioning from outfielder to full-time reliever under coach Tracy Smith and his staff.

Oâ€Hearn throws with a very low three-quarters, crossfire delivery and has already touched 98 mph. He pairs that fastball with a developing slider, and the combination gives him the ingredients of a late-game weapon.

Smith noted that Oâ€Hearn is still raw in terms of refinement and sequencing, but the delivery, arm speed and willingness to work make him an exciting project.

There is meaningful work ahead before Oâ€Hearn becomes a finished product, and this nod reflects future upside rather than present readiness. But mid-to-upper-90s velocity from the left side in the fall is uncommon, and the early return on his conversion points to a bullpen arm worth monitoring closely as the spring unfolds.

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  Greg WyshynskiDec 4, 2025, 11:39 PM ET

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  Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.

ELMONT, N.Y. — The Colorado Avalanche entered Thursday night’s game at the New York Islanders as a juggernaut, having lost just once in regulation in 26 games. Islanders coach Patrick Roy’s message to his team before that game: “If there’s a team that could surprise them, it’s us and the way we’ve been playing.”

St. Patrick was prophetic: Roy’s team defeated the mighty Avalanche 6-3 to snap Colorado’s 17-game point streak in a statement win for the Islanders (15-10-3).

The Islanders built a 4-0 lead against Colorado and responded every time the Avalanche crept back into the game. That included a late third-period penalty kill, as the Avalanche pulled goalie Mackenzie Blackwood for a 6-on-4 advantage. Forward Casey Cizikas iced the win with an empty-netter.

“That’s a really good hockey team over there,” Cizikas said. “They’ve proved it all season. They’re never out of a game, so you’ve got to complete it.”

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Even after the loss, Colorado remained the NHL’s top team in points percentage (.815), goal differential (plus-47), offense (4.04 goals per game) and defense (2.19 goals against per game). The Avalanche have the NHL’s leading scorer in center Nathan MacKinnon (46 points) and the leading scorer among defenseman in Cale Makar (33 points).

But Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said New York’s 4-1 loss in Denver on Nov. 16 gave his teammates confidence they could hang with the NHL’s best.

“We feel like when we played them in Colorado, we probably should have won,” said Barzal, who had a goal and two assists in the win. “As a group, too, we know who we’re playing and that always makes a difference. Against Colorado, if we don’t show up, it could be ugly.”

The Islanders showed up on the scoresheet at 5:56 in the first period, on a controversial goal by forward Kyle MacLean. His shot sailed into the top corner of the net with Blackwood (36 saves) flat on the ice. Replays showed that after a scramble in the crease, the stick of Islanders center Marc Gatcomb had become wedged in Blackwood’s pads as Blackwood attempted to defend the net.

Colorado coach Jared Bednar challenged the goal. The NHL Situation Room cited Rule 69.7 in upholding the goal, which states that “in a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and attacking player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact with the goalkeeper will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.”

Bednar disagreed with that assessment.

“Listen, I think goalie interference is a joke. If that’s not goalie interference, I don’t know what is. You can’t just shove the goalie’s pads out of the way to create a loose puck,” said Bednar. “I’m not going to challenge unless it’s obvious. And I thought that was obvious.”

On the other end of the ice, Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin was great when he needed to be in making 35 saves against the high-octane Avalanche. Roy cited one save in the second period where Sorokin stopped Artturi Lehkonen on a 2-on-1 before Barzal increased their lead to 5-2 with a power-play goal.

“I think that gave us the confidence. Ilya made the key save at the right time,” said the coach.

The Islanders’ win over the Avalanche came on a poignant night at UBS Arena for the players. Their fathers and mentors were in attendance, ahead of their road trip to Florida. The game also marked the return of former Islanders star Brock Nelson, who was sent to Colorado at last season’s trade deadline. He received a standing ovation from Islanders fans after a video tribute.

It was just the second loss for the Avalanche (19-2-6) in the past 14 games.

“It’s closer than you think, but it still wasn’t good enough,” Bednar said. “We’ll refocus on the things that we need to do to make us successful.”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Lauri Markkanen scored 30 points, Keyonte George had 29 and the Utah Jazz used a huge fourth quarter to beat the Brooklyn Nets123-110 on Thursday night.

The Jazz outscored the Nets 42-20 in the final quarter after trailing by 15 points in the first half. Markkanen and George nearly outscored the Nets by themselves, combining for 18 points.

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Kyle Filipowski had 15 points and Walter Clayton Jr.added 13 off the bench for Utah, which shot 14 for 22 (63.6%) in the fourth.

Noah Clowney scored 29 points and Ziaire Williams had 23 off the bench for Nets, who had their two-game winning streak snapped.

With the game tied at 98 with 6:29 remaining, George hit consecutive 3-pointers. Williams answered with a three that made it 104-101.

On the ensuing possession, Tyrese Martinturned the ball over after stepping out of bounds and Bryce Sensabaugh was fouled on a three-point attempt and made two free throws to extend the lead 106-101.

Filipowski then connected on another three-pointer and Markkanen followed with one of his own after Clowneyâ€s layup with 3:39 to play to make it 112-103.

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The Nets rested leading scorer Michael Porter Jr.for injury management in the second game of a back-to-back. Porter, who is averaging 25.3 points, scored 33 and had 10 rebounds in Wednesdayâ€s win at Chicago.

Up next

Jazz: Remain in New York to play the Knicks on Friday.

Nets: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

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The Winnipeg Jets wrapped up their six-game road trip with a heartbreaking 3–2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. It was a contest defined by highlight-reel goaltending, and big plays from both teams†emerging stars.

Winnipegnetminder Eric Comrie delivered his best performance of the season, turning aside a barrage of high-danger chances from the opening puck drop through overtime and shootout. Comrie made multiple spectacular, goal-saving stops, including one off his mask followed by a diving save in the first period, then another dramatic sequence minutes later after a Montreal interception forced him into yet another desperation stop. His heroics continued throughout the night with five saves in overtime and only one goal allowed on three shootout attempts.

The Jetsleaned heavily on their top line once again, with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor supplying all of Winnipegâ€s scoring. Their combined effort broke the ice late in the first period when Connor corralled a loose puck, weaved between two defenders, and fed Scheifele with a backhand pass, who ripped a shot past Montreal goaltender Jakub DobeÅ¡ for a 1–0 lead.

Midway through the second, the Canadiens capitalized on a power-play opportunity after Tanner Pearson was called for slashing rookie defenseman Lane Hutson. Montreal cycled quickly before Juraj Slafkovský hammered a one-timer from the low slot to tie the game.

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Winnipegbriefly regained the lead on a fortunate bounce. A deflected puck off a broken stick landed behind the Montreal net, where Gabe Vilardi retrieved it and fed Connor at the faceoff circle. Connor snapped home his shot before Dobeš could react, making it 2–1 Jets.

But Montrealâ€s young core answered again. Ivan Demidov, a Calder Trophy candidate, out-battled Josh Morrissey along the boards, pulled the puck free, and found Oliver Kapanen wide open in front. Kapanen buried the pass to even the score at 2–2 heading into the third.

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Comrie continued to anchor the Jetslate, stopping seven shots in the final frame and five more in a tense overtime period. But Winnipegâ€s depth scoring remained absent and their opportunities went unconverted. In the shootout, Montrealâ€s Cole Caufield scored the lone goal, securing the extra point for the Canadiens and handing Winnipega frustrating but hard-fought defeat.

The Jetsnow return home after their demanding road swing and will host the Buffalo Sabres on Friday at Canada Life Centre.

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The Vancouver Canucks picked up a point but fell 2-1 to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime. Evander Kane scored the only goals while Kevin Lankinen made 21 of the 23 shots he faced. Saturday was Lankinen’s first game since November 23, as he missed the first two games of the road trip for personal reasons.

Saturday’s game featured not one, not two, not three, but four video reviews. Two goals were called back due to offside, while the Canucks were denied a goal that the NHL deemed was not fully over the line. As for the final review, that was to determine whether Quinton Byfield high-sticked Marcus Pettersson, which, after looking at the play, the refs decided against calling a penalty.

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Overall, Saturday’s game was very balanced. Both teams struggled to generate chances at even strength, with Vancouver and L.A. combining for 11 even-strength high-danger chances as per Natural Stat Trick. Even in what was a back-and-forth overtime, neither team was able to create high-danger scoring chances, with the winning goal coming off a fanned shot that happened to land right on Adrian Kempe’s stick.

“I thought we played well, honestly,” said Drew O’Connor post-game. “I thought our third period was really good. It was probably one of our best. Overtime, you never really know what is going to happen. I thought it was a good effort. Pretty complete game from us.”

Looking at the positives, the Canucks killed off all four of the Kings’ power plays. While L.A. did create seven shots, Vancouver was able to protect the crease and not allow back-door tap-ins. Ultimately, it was a step in the right direction as the Canucks went perfect on the kill for the first time on this road trip.

Lastly, Hughes’ ice time is another talking point that dominated social media post-game. After playing 28:19 on Friday afternoon, Vancouver’s captain logged 30:13 in this game. Considering the condensed schedule, Hughes’ injury history and the fact he is going to the Olympics in a few months, these high ice times may come back to bite the Canucks captain late in the season.

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In the end, there were some positives that emerged from this game. Vancouver’s defensive game was structured while young players like Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Aatu Räty and Tom Willander had strong performances. Ultimately, though, the Canucks need to find a way to generate more offence as they have now scored two or fewer goals in four of their last five games.

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg (31) makes a save as Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) tries to push the puck into the net in the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Stats and Facts:

– With his 302nd career assist, Tyler Myers ties Jared Spurgeon for the 138th most assists by a defenceman in NHL history

– Evander Kane extends his point streak to three games

– Quinn Hughes surpasses 30 minutes of ice time for the third time this season

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– The Canucks have lost three straight games in overtime

Scoring Summary:

1st Period:

17:19- LAK: Anže Kopitar (5) from Adrian Kempe and Brian Dumoulin

2nd Period:

2:52- VAN: Evander Kane (5) from Drew O’Connor and Tyler Myers

3rd Period:

No Scoring

Overtime:

3:58- Adrian Kempe (8) from Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala

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Vancouver will wrap up their four-game road trip on Tuesday as they visit the Colorado Avalanche. These two teams have already met this season, with the Avalanche picking up a 5-4 win in overtime. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm PT.

Make sure you bookmark THN’s Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don’t forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Canucks†Special Teams A Difference-Maker In 3–2 Loss To The San Jose Sharks

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NEW YORK (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points, Jared McCain had 20 off the bench and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-103 on Friday night in an NBA Cup game.

Quentin Grimes added 19 points, and Paul George had 14 to help the short-handed 76ers snap a two-game losing streak.

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The 76ers played without starting center Joel Embiid (right knee management) and VJ Edgecombe (left calf tightness), and then lost backup center Andre Drummond (sprained right knee) midway through the second quarter.

Drummond attempted to block Tyrese Martinâ€s floater and then tried to grab the rebound with his left hand, but fell on the court and immediately reached for his knee.

Egor Demin scored a career-high 23 points, and Tyrese Martin had 16 for Brooklyn. The Nets have lost three consecutive games and fell to 0-9 at home this season. They are the only team without a home win this season, with their last one at Barclays Center on April 8 against New Orleans.

The 76ers led by 1 points in the first half and saw their lead cut to nine after Brooklyn went on an 11-2 run, capped by Denimâ€s 3-pointer that made it 74-65 with 4:07 left in the third quarter.

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Denim cut it to nine again with a 3-pointer with 4:35 to play. Deminâ€s layup made it 112-103 with 1:13 left in regulation before Grimes found an open Adem Bona, whose 3-pointer extended the lead for good.

Both teams were 1-3 in NBA Cup play.

UP NEXT

76ers: Host Atlanta on Sunday night.

Nets: At Milwaukee on Saturday night.

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<img alt="Sidney )Crosby (left); Jason Zucker (right) — (Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Images)
” loading=”lazy” width=”960″ height=”411″ decoding=”async” data-nimg=”1″ class=”standard-img” style=”color:transparent;aspect-ratio:960 / 411″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6G1CP6FEJYCk96R2HldI.Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQxMTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_hockey_news_buffalo_sabres_articles_890/0bf00247147b109500967aa1ea81b0a2″/>

Sidney )Crosby (left); Jason Zucker (right) — (Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Images)

The Buffalo Sabres are currently on a competitive roller-coaster ride. On Wednesday, they came into their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on a high, as theyâ€d won four of their past five games, and they climbed out of the Atlantic Divisionâ€s basement, Things were looking up.

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Then, on Wednesday, the Sabres put in an effort that wasnâ€t good enough to beat a sliding Pens team and solidify Buffaloâ€s spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Sabres were beaten 4-2 by the Penguins, and that development, combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs†2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, means that the Sabres once again are the worst team in the East.

.The Sabres managed to tie the game against Pittsburgh at the 7:20 mark of the third period on a Jason Zucker goal. But 31 seconds after Zuckerâ€s goal, the Penguins struck again on a Bryan Rust goal to make 3-1. And from there, the Penguins never looked back. They got a good performance out of Tristan Jarry, and they limited Buffalo to only 19 shots on net.

But hereâ€s the deflating part: in the highly-competitive Atlantic, all eight teams in the division played on Wednesday. And by the time the day was done, five Atlantic teams were victorious, so climbing up the division was for the most part extremely difficult. And because the Sabres were one of those three loser teams in the Atlantic, they had more separation between them and most of the teams in the division.

Star Center Norris Nearing A Return To Action — But Can He Stay Healthy?

Star Center Norris Nearing A Return To Action — But Can He Stay Healthy? Sabres veteran center Josh Norris is rumored to be returning from injury soon, which will give Buffalo a boost. But his injury history leaves lingering doubts about his ability to stay on the ice.

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Thus, Buffalo canâ€t be content with just having a competitive game against any opponent. Thereâ€s a real and increasing pressure hanging over the Sabres, and every defeat they deal with is another nail in the coffin for coach Lindy Ruff and GM Kevyn Adams. And every loss is another step toward extending Buffaloâ€s Stanley Cup playoff drought to 15 years.

The Sabres†next stretch of schedule is particularly daunting, as they take on the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets (twice) and Philadelphia Flyers. All of those teams have had solid success this season, so Buffalo will be in tough to climb the Atlantic standings.

Despite Sabres’ Surge, Buffalo Faces Long Road Back To Relevancy

Despite Sabres’ Surge, Buffalo Faces Long Road Back To Relevancy The Buffalo Sabres’ playoff drought looks like it will extend for another year. But Sabres fans want more from the team than that. No more promises. Every game now dictates their fight for survival.

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Buffaloâ€s poor start to the season now hangs over the Sabres. No matter what they do, they seem like theyâ€re stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic.

The only way out of their current place in the standings is a slew of wins – and so far this season, Buffalo hasnâ€t shown they can do that.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

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Kane Kepley (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

Each fall heading into the new year, Baseball America publishes one organization report for each of the 30 clubs.

These reports from our major league correspondents contain a trove of player development updates and spotlight traditional reporting. Here are 10 updates I found to be especially enlightening from our October and November reports.

Top Fall Prospect Takeaways

1. The Cubs drafted North Carolina center fielder Kane Kepley in the second round, then watched him turn in one of the loudest pro debuts of any 2025 pick. In 28 games for Low-A Myrtle Beach, he hit .299 with two home runs, 16 stolen bases and 25 walks. “We really believe in this guy, because he was probably the best contact and swing decision combination in the country last year. He’s at least a plus center fielder, and he’s going to steal a million bases,” one Cubs official said. “I mean, we saw that right out of the draft. I think nobody’s a finished product either.”

2. Brewers righthander Tyson Hardin pitched collegiately for four seasons, including two at Mississippi State, primarily out of the bullpen, but he may be just scratching the surface of his ability. He was just as much an infielder as pitcher in high school and appears to have the raw materials to succeed as a professional pitcher, including a wide repertoire and an ability to work efficiently. “Thereâ€s some natural athleticism and some really nice tools there,†Brewers senior coordinator of minor league pitching Nick Childs said. “Heâ€s smart and hard-working and did a good job of just taking it—as cliché as it is—just one game at a time . . . He didnâ€t go through very many highs and lows, like we see for some of the guys—especially the first-year guys. The consistency stood out to me.â€

3. “Just to see the well-roundedness of the domination in many categories,†Giants farm director Kyle Haines said of 20-year-old lefthander Jacob Bresnahan, “whether it be via swing-and-miss, whether it be getting weak contact, keeping the ball in the ballpark in a league in which homers come in bunches at times—itâ€s all really impressive.†Bresnahan surrendered just two home runs in 93 innings for Low-A San Jose, while striking out 124 batters and allowing 67 hits to win California League pitcher of the year honors.

4. The Orioles drafted Oregon high school outfielder Slater de Brun with the 37th overall pick, which they acquired in a trade with the Rays. Baltimore signed de Brun for $4 million, the highest bonus given to a player drafted after the first round in 2025. He “can really run, play center field (and) make a ton of contact as well—a lot of line drives . . .†Orioles vice president of player development and scouting Matt Blood said after the draft. “He’s another one of these contact guys who also walks. We feel like all those things combined give him a pretty good chance to have some success.â€

5. The Blue Jays made their first foray into the Korean amateur market by signing 18-year-old righthander Seojun Moon in September. Toronto had international bonus pool money remaining from January after their pursuit of Roki Sasaki fell short. Moon is a 6-foot-4 pitcher who has gotten up to 95 mph and has a wide repertoire. He chose to sign with an MLB organization rather than enter the Korea Baseball Organization draft because “as a young child, I’ve always dreamt of pitching at the big league level,” Moon said, “so I decided to make this choice now instead of later. This is where the best players play.”

6. Venezuelan shortstop Cristofer Torin heard all the concerns about his physique and how that could impact his future at the position. The 20-year-old Diamondbacks prospect used that criticism as motivation to revamp his conditioning regimen and diet. The end result: Torin had a better season at High-A Hillsboro than he had at Low-A the year before. “He came in physically stronger,†Hillsboro manager Mark Reed said. “You could just tell that maybe mindset-wise he went into last offseason saying, ‘Iâ€ve got to go work. Thatâ€s not the numbers I want. Thatâ€s not the guy I am. Iâ€ve got to come back and show Iâ€ve got a totally different mindset and physicality.’”

7. Double-A Montgomery center fielder Homer Bush Jr. led the Southern League with 142 hits, eight triples and 57 stolen bases. The 24-year-old Rays prospect has elite speed and is a gifted defender, but what he hasnâ€t shown consistently is power. Bush hit zero home runs in 121 games in 2025 after hitting six the year before. “You look at his body, and he wouldnâ€t look out of place playing (for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers),†Rays assistant GM Kevin Ibach said. “So while the impact hasnâ€t quite shown up in the offensive stat line, thereâ€s optimism about some untapped power potential.â€â€ The Rays acquired Bush when they dealt Jason Adam to the Padres at the 2024 trade deadline.Â

8. Just as he was beginning to pop on the national prospect scene, power-armed Red Sox righthander Luis Perales had Tommy John surgery in June 2024 that cost him 15 months. He “added considerable strength while rehabbing,†writes Red Sox correspondent Alex Speier, “and if he can throw enough strikes, his four-pitch arsenal gives him a chance to emerge as a midrotation starter or possibly a key reliever, if the 6-foot-1 Perales does not address his control.†Perales†four-seam fastball averaged nearly 99 mph with outstanding riding life in three brief minor league appearances to close the 2025. After the season, the 22-year-old pitched in the Arizona Fall League but struggled with control, walking 11 in 11.1 innings, as he struck out nearly 32% of batters.Â

9. The Mets praise 20-year-old Randy Guzman for his work ethic, which helped him dial in on his strength as a hitter: easy raw power that is the product of incredible bat speed. The Mets say that the 6-foot-4 Guzmanâ€s average bat speed reading is in the mid 70s, which is where sluggers live. The Dominican first baseman/corner outfielder slugged .604 in a 26-game sample in the Low-A Florida State League to close the season. If he keeps finding power like that, Guzmanâ€s name will surface in the global prospect discussion.

10. Yankees 24-year-old center fielder Spencer Jones is one of the more prominent boom-or-bust prospects in baseball. He ranked second in the minor leagues with 35 home runs—and also second with 179 strikeouts. Double-A Somerset hitting coach Mike Fransoso helped Jones realize his power more frequently, not by overhauling his swing, but by altering his setup by using a much more open stance that allows his hips to be in a better position to start. “Sure, there were some tweaks within the swing and maybe flattening a little and not as uphill,†Fransoso said, “but the setup was the main part. Finding one he was comfortable with and then once he loads, making sure itâ€s free so he can go.â€

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The November 24 episode of WWE RAW saw Brock Lesnar embarrass himself after accidentally falling during a botched entrance and now fans mercilessly clowned Lesnar in a big way.

After the main event, the babyface and heel WarGames teams started brawling with each other. Towards the end of the segment, Brock Lesnar walked to the ring with Paul Heyman beside him, but during his usual entrance routine, he slipped while doing his pyro pose and fell on the ramp. Lesnar quickly got back to his feet and no-sold the botch, but it was too little too late.

Several fans took to Twitter and mocked the Beast Incarnate. One fan pointed out how Lesnar once ripped his pants and now he fell down, saying, “First the pants exploded now he busts his ass.†Another fan questioned how it was possible to fall down during a pyro entrance, saying, “How you fall down during Pyro.â€

It didnâ€t stop there as a different fan stated that Brock Lesnar is bouncy, saying, “Brock Lesnar is… bouncy.†Another fan joked that Lesnar slipped on pee, saying, “HE SLIPPED ON PISS 😂😂😂â€

One fan joked about the moment, saying they were cracking up watching Lesnar “fall like a cartoon character when his pyro hit†and laughed about how he basically memed himself.

“This dude fell like a cartoon character when his Pyro hit and memed on himself and oh my god was i rolling😂😂😂😂😂😂😂â€

Even though Brock Lesnar slipped during his entrance, he got up fast and continued like nothing happened. But fans still turned the moment into memes and jokes online. Mistakes like this are rare for someone as scary as Lesnar, which makes it even funnier. Nonetheless, Lesnar is still focused on his WarGames match at Survivor Series, so weâ€ll have to see if heâ€ll end up making more memes at the event.

Did Brock Lesnarâ€s slip make RAW more memorable, or was it just embarrassing? Sound off in the comments.

November 25, 2025 7:30 am

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The November 24, episode of WWE RAW went down at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The main event match saw a tag team contest that would go on to change WarGames.

The Menâ€s WarGames match at WWE Survivor Series 2025 will feature Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso against Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. We need to know which team will have the advantage in that match, and that went down this week on RAW.

The Usos represented the babyface team during the WarGames advantage match tonight. They were taking on Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul, even though The Maverick wasnâ€t thrilled about getting booked for that match.

This match had fans going the whole time, and it stretched through a commercial break. Jimmy Uso nailed a spear and an Uso Splash on Logan Paul, but Drew McIntyre was able to break it up. Then things kept going as everyone ended up taking damage.

Bron Breakker arrived at ringside with Bronson Reed by his side. They woke Logan Paul up, but then Cody Rhodes and CM Punk ran down to get involved. The babyfaces took the heels to the woodshed around the ring as the match carried on. Then Jey Uso nailed a splash on everyone as Logan Paul rolled Jimmy Uso up for a quick pinfall to win the match.

The heels have the advantage at WarGames, but the night wasnâ€t over. The babyface team started beating up the heels, and then Roman Reigns came down to really help out. Finally, Brock Lesnar came out, and he fell as he did his typical entrance. That didnâ€t stop him, as he invaded the ring to take on the babyfaces. The show ended with chaos in the ring, but few will forget about Lesnarâ€s slip and fall.

Whatâ€s your take on the WarGames match this year? Which team will end up winning? Will you be watching live on Saturday night? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

November 24, 2025 10:36 pm

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