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Oct 27, 2025, 11:17 PM ET

PITTSBURGH — Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists to become the ninth player in NHL history with 1,700 points, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the St. Louis Blues 6-3 on Monday night.

Crosby, who accomplished the feat in the fourth-fewest games, is the fourth player in NHL history to reach the mark with one team. Crosby also had his 498th multipoint game, passing Mario Lemieux for the team record and sixth in NHL history on the all-time multipoint list.

Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist to extend his point streak to seven games, while Bryan Rust had two goals and an assist. Parker Wotherspoon scored his first with Pittsburgh, and Anthony Mantha added his fifth of the season.

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Tristan Jarry made 22 saves to help the Penguins get their fifth win in six games. Pittsburgh is 7-2-1 and hasn’t lost in regulation since Oct. 14 at Anaheim.

Jordan Kyrou extended a seven-game point streak with a goal, while Nick Bjugstad and Mathieu Joseph also scored for St. Louis. Joel Hofer stopped 20 shots for the Blues, who lost their fourth straight game.

St. Louis has lost five of its past six games and allowed more than six goals in four of those defeats.

Crosby sealed the win with a breakaway goal with 3:21 left in the third off a pass from Rust to make it 5-3. Crosby had the primary assist on Wortherspoon’s goal and the secondary helper on Rust’s second goal.

Both teams played without top forwards. Penguins forward Rickard Rakell will miss six to eight weeks after he was struck by a shot Saturday against Columbus and underwent successful surgery on his left hand Sunday. Robert Thomas (upper body) and Jake Neighbours (lower body), both normally on the Blues’ top line, are day-to-day.

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Brazilian winger Denilson is often cited as one of the biggest transfer flops in recent history, following the winger’s world record £21.5million move from Sao Paulo to Real Betis in 1998.

That saw him break the record set by his international team-mate Ronaldo 12 months earlier and big things were predicted from the 21-year-old who had broken into the Brazil national side as a teenager and played in that summer’s World Cup final.

And while he would never quite live up to the potential of his lofty transfer fee during his time in La Liga, Denilson did notch up more than 500 club appearances, plus 61 caps for his country and was part of the victorious 2002 World Cup squad. But how did that big move come about, and what did it mean for him?

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Denilson on what it meant to be the world’s most expensive player

The winger cost Betis £21.5million in 1998 (Image credit: Getty Images)

“In 1996, I got my first Brazil call-up,” Denilson recalls to FourFourTwo. “Suddenly, rumours of European clubs swirled. I was linked to Milan, Barça, Real Madrid, Manchester United. By 1998 things got serious. Then one day, Sao Paulo’s president summoned me and my former agent. That alone was terrifying for a kid, since contact with the president was rare.

“He told me the club had received a $12 million bid from Barcelona and intended to accept it. I had no clue what $12m even worked out as in reais. At that point, whatever they said, I would have agreed to it.

Denilson won 61 Brazil caps during his career (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I went home and told my parents I was off to Barça. But then Betis arrived, offering $32m (£21.5m). Brazilian law at the time meant I was entitled to just 15 per cent of that sum, but still, it was a life-changing amount of money. More than twice the offer from Barça and a chance to secure my family’s future.

“Today people always talk about career planning. Back then, that didn’t exist. My train was there and I had to jump on it. My first priority was sorting out my parents’ lives, the rest came after. Only later, when the press highlighted it, did I realise it was a world-record transfer fee. Honestly, I barely cared. My only concern was giving my family comfort.

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“Between 1995 and the 1998 World Cup Final, my career had been magical. Everything at Sao Paulo felt like a dream. We won the state championship before I left, and I went to my first World Cup on the back of that.

“I played every one of our matches in France, carried the ‘world’s most expensive player’ tag, and arrived in Seville in the best shape of my life. The only downside was not winning that World Cup, but even then I was living the high point of my career.

“Moving to Betis was the moment that I became a man and a real professional footballer. I didn’t know much about Seville. I’d been told I’d cope with the language, the winters weren’t too harsh and the food would be fine.

Denilson admits things changed for him after the 1998 World Cup final

“My parents came with me, so things were good off the pitch. But on it, I struggled. I wasn’t playing well and football stopped being fun.”

“I lost some of the irreverence that I carried. Instead came sadness, anger, pressure. I thought adapting to Spanish football would be easy, given my four brilliant years in Brazil. However, the expectations on me were enormous and the press questioned how anyone could pay such a fee for me. I grew up quickly through those tough times.

“My first two seasons were awful and we got relegated from La Liga. During the 2000-01 season, I split the year between a loan spell at Flamengo and Betis in the second division.”

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(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB photos via Getty Images)

The Blue Jays’ roster entering the 2025 World Series is a fascinating melding of prospect power, shrewd acquisitions and some unlikely hidden gems.

Few prospect stars shined as bright Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is fresh off an ALCS MVP, as he ascended the Blue Jays’ farm system. He’s one of eight Blue Jays players who once ranked as Top 100 Prospects, along with Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, Andres Gimenez, George Springer, Daulton Varsho, Kevin Gausman and Jeff Hoffman. But there are others, like outfielder Nathan Lukes, who have emerged as useful contributors to Toronto’s playoff run who stayed far below the radar as he traveled through the minor leagues.

Below, we’ve compiled scouting reports on every Blue Jays player from when they ranked highest as a prospect. Simply clicking on each player’s name in the roster below will bring you to their scouting report. You can find the a corresponding post for the Dodgers here.

Please note that we’ve included Bo Bichette in Toronto’s projected World Series roster following Bichette’s comments that he expects to be ready to return to action.

BA has chronicled the game’s future and evaluated prospects for over 40 years. We dug into our archives for the scouting reports below, which we’ve kept free, but if you’d like to support our work and gain access to our Top 30 rankings, Top 100 Prospects and analysis, consider subscribing here.

Projected Toronto Blue Jays World Series Roster

• Alejandro Kirk, C
• Tyler Heineman, C
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
• Ernie Clement, 2B/3B
• Bo Bichette, SS
• Andrés Giménez, SS
• Addison Barger, 3B/OF
• Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, 2B/3B
• George Springer, OF
• Daulton Varsho, OF
• Nathan Lukes, OF
• Myles Straw, OF
• Davis Schneider, OF
• Chris Bassitt, RHP
• Shane Bieber, RHP
• Seranthony Dominguez, RHP
• Braydon Fisher, RHP
• Mason Fluharty, LHP
• Kevin Gausman, RHP
• Jeff Hoffman, RHP
• Eric Lauer, LHP
• Brendon Little, LHP
• Yariel Rodriguez, RHP
• Max Scherzer, RHP
• Louis Varland, RHP
• Trey Yesavage, RHP

Alejandro Kirk, C

• How acquired:Signed by Blue Jays as international free agent, 2016
• Highest rank:No. 70 on 2021 Top 100
• What We Said:2021 Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record:Itâ€s easy to overlook Kirk because of his squatty body type, but his track record of hitting continues to sparkle. Signed out of Mexico in 2016, Kirk reached high Class A in 2019 and spent most of 2020 at the alternate training site. He made the jump to Toronto in September and earned regular playing time down the stretch in the Blue Jays†playoff push.

Scouting Report: Built like a shorter Pablo Sandoval, Kirk matches Sandovalâ€s innate ability to barrel the baseball. He has short arms, a short swing and makes frequent contact, striking out just 10% of the time in 2019 and showing the bat control that translated in his brief big league callup. He has a small strike zone and stays disciplined within it, tracking pitches to drive fastballs and breaking pitches to all fields, especially fastballs at the top of the zone. He has average raw power that he accesses in games because of his ability to consistently find the sweet spot. Kirkâ€s detractors worry about his body and question his defensive skills behind the plate, while others think he receives well, does a solid job with blocking and works well with his pitchers. He has an average arm.

The Future: Kirk made a big jump to the majors at the end of the season, so more minor league time would be reasonable. Still, his performance catapulted him into the 2021 big league picture.

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Tyler Heineman, C

• How acquired:Claimed off waivers from Red Sox, Sept. 2024.
• Highest rank:No. 30 on Astros 2013 Top 30
• What We Said:2013 Astros Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

A baseball rat, Heineman has an uncle who played at Arizona State, while his brother Scott is a sophomore infielder for Oregon. Heineman’s UCLA career included two trips to the College World Series but he was a little-used backup in his first two seasons, when he caught Rob Rasmussen and two of the top three picks in the 2011 draft, Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer. In his lone season as a regular, Heineman’s grit, solid tools and surprising skills shined through, earning him a $125,000 bonus in the eighth round last June.

Scouts laud him for his toughness as he shakes off home-plate collisions, coaxes his pitchers to compete and handles his staff in a professional manner. He has solid catch-and-throw skills and threw out 41 percent of basestealers while helping Tri-City to the New York-Penn League finals. Heineman led the NY-P in batting (.358) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.452) and plate appearances per strikeout (19.4). He’s a switch-hitter with a contact approach and an excellent notion of the strike zone. He’s willing to take one for the team, getting hit by 27 pitches between college and pro ball last year, and he handles the bat well in hit-and-run and bunt situations. His power potential is limited and he’ll have to prove he can hit quality fastballs as he moves up the later. He runs well for a catcher and is a smart baserunner.

Even with modest offensive upside, Heineman fits as a fast-moving future backup, and added power could make him an eventual regular. He’ll open his first full pro season in low Class A.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B

• How acquired:Signed by Blue Jays as international free agent, 2015.
• Highest rank:No. 1 on 2019 Top 100
• What We Said:2019 Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. was one of the most dynamic players in baseball history, with a dazzling combination of power, speed, arm strength and ability to hit any pitch. Vlad Jr., who signed with the Blue Jays for $3.9 million at age 16 in 2015, doesn’t have his dad’s athleticism, but he has the hand-eye coordination, bat speed, power and strike-zone discipline to rival any hitter who has come along in years. Guerrero began 2018 by hitting a walk-off home run against the Cardinals in an exhibition game at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, where his father began his major league career. He proceeded to lead the minors with a 1.073 OPS facing Double-A and Triple-A pitchers, becoming the Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year.

Scouting Report: Even as a 19-year-old, Guerrero looked like he belonged in the middle of a major league lineup. He is a potential superstar in the mold of Manny Ramirez, and it’s not out of the question that Guerrero could develop into an 80 hitter with 80 power. He has a preternatural ability to make hard contact and barrel any type of pitch in any area of the strike zone. He has a simple, powerful swing, unleashing fierce bat speed with a compact, efficient path to the ball. He rarely swings and misses and hammers the ball to all parts of the park. He also has phenomenal strike-zone discipline and rarely chases borderline pitches. As an amateur in the Dominican Republic, Guerrero was a heavyset outfielder with below-average speed and arm strength. After signing, he moved to third base, where his arm strength has improved to plus, giving him a chance to stick there–at least early in his career. Guerrero worked diligently to improve his defense in 2018, but he remains a large, stocky player with a lack of first-step quickness that limits his range. At some point, he might have to move to first base or even DH. Wherever he plays, his offensive production will make him an elite player.

The Future: Guerrero will be the favorite to win American League Rookie of the Year in 2019, and he might immediately rank among the top overall hitters in baseball. Vladimir Sr. won the AL MVP award in 2004, and Junior has the talent to be in plenty of MVP conversations over the next decade.

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Ernie Clement, 2B/3B

• How acquired:Signed as MiLB free agent, March 2023.
• Highest rank:No. 18 on Guardians 2018 Top 30
• What We Said:2019 Guardians Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Clement developed a reputation as a pure hitter during college. He was a career .306 hitter at Virginia, whiffed just 31 times in three seasons with the Cavaliers and in 2016 earned MVP honors in the Cape Cod League after leading the circuit in hits and stolen bases. His college success has translated to the professional ranks and Clement zipped through the lower levels of the minor leagues to reach Double-A Akron in his first full professional season.

Scouting Report: Clement embodies the notion that good things happen when you put the ball in play. He has an aggressive approach and an uncanny knack for putting the bat on the ball. He doesn’t walk much, but such is his bat control that this season he still walked more than he struck out (41 walks to 35 strikeouts). He has minimal power and instead sprays the ball all over the field and takes advantage of his plus speed to get on base. Clement was a versatile defender in college but in 2018 exclusively played shortstop. He has above-average instincts defensively and good hands. The biggest concern about his ability to stay at the position is his arm strength, which is fringy for a shortstop.

The Future: The Indians have toolsier shortstops than Clement and his future in Cleveland is still likely as a super-utility player, where his speed, instincts and bat-to-ball skills would play well. The early returns indicate Clement may still be able to be an everyday player. He’ll start 2019 back in Akron as the regular shortstop.

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Bo Bichette, SS

• How Acquired: Drafted by Blue Jays in second round of 2016 MLB Draft.
• Highest Ranking:Ranked 8th on 2018 and 2019 Top 100
• What We Said: 2019 Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: As one of the youngest players in the Double-A Eastern League in 2018, Bichette drew praise for his offense and impressed on defense.

Scouting Report: Bichette has explosive bat speed and a rhythmic swing that generates a lot of torque. He swings hard–sometimes losing his balance–but he’s usually in-sync, on time and on plane. He starts his swing with an aggressive leg kick, though he shortens to a toe tap with two strikes. He drives the ball well to the middle of the field with average raw power, and he has the bat speed and strength projection to hit for above-average power in the future. Bichette has worked diligently on his conditioning and fielding and now projects as an average shortstop. He has good body control, quick footwork and ranges well up the middle. He has a tick above-average arm, though he gets tested on balls to his right. With a game built around aggression, Bichette carried that mentality onto the field and often would charge in on groundballs, but in 2018 he did a better job of staying back and making plays under control. He’s an average runner whose aggressiveness and reads helped him steal 32 bases.

The Future: Bichette is scheduled to open 2019 at Triple-A Buffalo, but he could be in the majors by the All-Star break. With a chance to develop into a plus-or-better hitter and stick at shortstop, plenty of All-Star games could be in his future.

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Andrés Giménez, SS

• How acquired:Guardians traded 2B Andrés Giménez and RHP Nick Sandlin to Blue Jays for 1B Spencer Horwitz and OF Nick Mitchell, Dec. 2024.
• Highest rank:No. 30 on 2019 Top 100 Prospects
• What We Said:2019 Mets Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Gimenez accelerated his timetable in 2018 by taming the pitcher-friendly high Class A Florida State League and moving to the Eastern League in late July. All told, Gimenez set career highs with six home runs, 29 doubles and 38 stolen bases. Scouts regarded him as one of the top talents in both the Florida State and Eastern leagues, and at the Futures Game he struck a 106.5 mph ground ball–albeit for a double play–that was hit harder than all but five other fair balls at the exhibition.

Scouting Report: Gimenez is proof positive that looks can be deceiving. His lean physique, baby face and smaller stature belie a quick-twitch athlete with well-rounded skills, a high baseball IQ and leadership qualities. Elite contact ability and a quick, loose lefthanded swing give him above-average–and possibly plus–hitting potential. A discerning batting eye will keep his walk rate and on-base percentage high. While Gimenez shows merely gap power now, he generates impressive torque with his hips, and as his body matures he will hit for average home run totals. He is an average runner who reads pitchers well and uses his knowledge of game situations to steal bases. Scouts project Gimenez as a plus defender at shortstop with a plus, accurate arm. A quick first step, sure hands and quick exchange from glove to hand make him a reliable defender. Intense focus and a strong work ethic tie the whole package together on both sides of the ball.

The Future: Gimenez has the ceiling of first-division shortstop, but the presence of Rosario in New York might push him to second base, a position he played sporadically until starting there the majority of the time in the 2018 Arizona Fall League. Gimenez should reach Triple-A Syracuse in 2019 and could receive a late-season callup with an eye toward regular big league work in 2020.

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Addison Barger, 3B/OF

• How acquired:Drafted by Blue Jays in sixth round of 2018 MLB Draft.
• Highest rank:No. 4 on Blue Jays 2023 Top 30
• What We Said:2024 Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Drafted in 2018, Barger spent most of 2019 on the restricted list before emerging with added power from the 2020 pandemic shutdown. He had a strong season in 2021 with Low-A Dunedin before breaking out in 2022 by hitting .308/.378/.555 across three levels and reaching Triple-A. Barger returned to Buffalo in 2023 and struggled initially before an April 28 trip to the injured list with elbow pain. After an examination found no structural damage, Barger returned to Buffalo on June 21 and hit .254/.358/.424 over the final 68 games. He showed improved plate discipline upon his return via rates of 19% strikeouts and nearly 14% walks.

Scouting Report: After showing a more aggressive approach and more in-game power in 2021 and 2022, Barger showed more patience in 2023 and a toned-down launch angle. This in turn produced a more consistent bat path, and he showed improvements in contact, in-zone contact and swing decisions. Barger traded some fly balls for line drives and ground balls, but he closed some of the holes in his swing. While he hit for less power in 2023, his underlying exit velocity data improved across the board, with his average exit velocity jumping more than 3 mph and his 90th percentile EV increasing by 2 mph to 106 mph. Barger is a fringe-average runner and not a threat to steal bases. In the field, he is unlikely to stick at shortstop full time, and he saw time in right field and at third base and second base in 2023. He has a plus arm that could work at a variety of positions, but itâ€s a matter of cleaning up some of his actions and footwork.

The Future: Barger is a versatile lefthanded hitter who has improved his hit tool while learning to play right field. He is a super-utility type with above-average hitting ability.

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Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 2B/3B

• How acquired:Claimed off waivers from Pirates, Aug. 2025.
• Highest rank:Never ranked
• What We Said:2013 Draft Scouting Report

Kiner-Falefa was seen by a lot of scouts and crosscheckers as a teammate of outfielder Marcus Doi, who put himself on the map as a top prospect last summer. Kiner-Falefa finished his season on a high note by helping Mid-Pacific win a state championship. He has a thin, wiry build at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds and stands out most for his defense. He wasn’t a consensus guy for teams in the fourth round, but is an above-average defender with soft hands, good footwork and solid-average arm strength. He makes contact, but needs to add some strength and profiles as a line drive, gap hitter at best. Kiner-Falefa is committed to San Jose State, but should sign after being selected in the fourth round.

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George Springer, OF

• How acquired:Signed as free agent, Jan. 2021.
• Highest rank:No. 18 on 2014 Top 100
• What We Said:2014 Astros Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Springer has a fascinating family history, but since signing for $2.525 million as the 11th pick in the 2011 draft, he’s made his own name, including a strong run at a 40-40 season in 2013 in which he fell three home runs short of the feat. He goes to the plate looking for a pitch on the inner half that he can drive, and he succeeded frequently in doing so in 2013 as he advanced to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Springer’s outstanding bat speed allows him to catch up to most anything, but his aggressive approach often leaves him out on his front foot when he faces quality offspeed stuff. Because his arm, speed, power and defense all rate as at least plus tools, Springer can be productive even as he strikes out excessively. A .299 career minor league hitter, he won’t approach that in the majors unless he starts lining pitches on the outer half to right field more often.

Though he’s not on the 40-man roster, Springer should earn a big league spot in Houston’s woeful outfield at some point in 2014. If he makes enough contact to hit .270 in the big leagues, he’s a perennial all-star. He has enough other tools to help a team win even if his swing-and-miss tendencies turn him into a .240 hitter.

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Daulton Varsho, OF

• How acquired:Diamondbacks traded C Daulton Varsho to Blue Jays for OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and C Gabriel Moreno, Dec. 2022.
• Highest rank:No. 53 on 2020 Top 100 Prospects
• What We Said:2019 D-backs Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: After tearing up the Horizon League his junior year at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Varsho, the son of big leaguer Gary Varsho, was taken 68th overall by the Diamondbacks in 2017. In his first full season as a pro, he jumped to a fast start for High Class A Visalia before needing surgery for a broken right hamate in June. He returned in August, and after a slow two and a half weeks, he hit like had before the injury over his final 10 games.

Scouting Report: Varsho has a compact swing, an aggressive-yet-mature approach and a knack for finding the barrel, with scouts seeing good extension that generates loft, giving him average power with the chance for more. There are still questions about his ability to stick at catcher, but he did win over some converts in 2018. He’s athletic and energetic behind the plate, and his quick transfer and throwing accuracy make up for average-at-best arm strength. Some scouts say his receiving can occasionally appear raw. He’s the rare catcher who also is an above-average to plus runner.

The Future: Even those unsure if Varsho can catch believe he’ll be a big leaguer, saying that his athleticism should allow him to handle second base or the outfield, with some saying the Diamondbacks could use him at multiple positions the way the Dodgers have with Austin Barnes.

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Nathan Lukes, OF

• How acquired:Signed as MiLB free agent, Nov. 2021.
• Highest rank:Never ranked
• What We Said:2015 Draft Scouting Report

A lefthanded-hitting corner bat, Lukes’ best tool is his bat; he’s the career hits leader at Sacramento State. He’s a former walk-on whose older brother also player for the Hornets as a pitcher. He runs above-average and has a solid-average arm, and pro clubs likely will try him in center field. He played right for the Hornets, whose home field is notoriously difficult in right field. His 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame generates solid gap power and he has an easy swing that he repeats. He controls the strike zone well, walking more than he struck out as a junior, and his bat stays in the hitting zone a long time.

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Myles Straw, OF

• How acquired: Guardians traded CF Myles Straw, cash and international bonus pool allotment to Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations.
• Highest rank:No. 15 on Astros 2019 Top 30
• What We Said:2019 Astros Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Straw and Rays prospect Nate Lowe formed an exceptional combination at St. John’s River (Fla.) JC. As a pro, Straw has stood out for his blazing speed and ability to hit for average. He led the minors in batting in 2016, when he hit .358, and led the minors in 2018 with 70 steals. He earned his first big league promotion in September and a spot on the Astros’ Division Series roster as a pinch-runner.

Scouting Report: Straw’s opposite-field approach rarely makes him a threat to hit the ball over an outfielder’s head. That approach has worked so far, and he’s steadily drawn walks despite lacking the power to frighten pitchers who are behind in counts. Straw handles velocity and doesn’t get the bat knocked out of his hands despite his bottom-of-the-scale power, projecting as an above-average hitter. His 70-grade speed helps him beat out infield hits and makes him a threat to steal anytime a base is open. He can play all three outfield spots in part thanks to a plus-plus arm. In center field, he’s an above-average defender excellent coming in on balls, but he needs his speed to make up for slower reads on balls over his head.

The Future: Straw’s lack of power limits him, but his speed, arm, defense and bat control give him a shot to be a useful big leaguer. He’ll head to spring training with a shot to make the Astros’ roster.

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Davis Schneider, OF

• How acquired:Drafted by Blue Jays in 28th round of 2017 MLB Draft.
• Highest rank:No. 8 on Blue Jays 2024 Top 30
• What We Said:2024 Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Signed in the 28th round for $50,000 in 2017, Schneider has been one of the best underdog stories in recent memory. The Blue Jays left him exposed to the Rule 5 draft after the 2021 and 2022 seasons despite above-average offensive performances in consecutive seasons. He began 2023 at Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .275/.416/.553 with 21 home runs in 87 games. He earned a callup to Toronto on Aug. 4 and hit a home run off James Paxton in his first major league at-bat. Schneider hit .276/.404/.603 with eight home runs in 35 games. He made Torontoâ€s postseason roster but did not appear in a game.

Scouting Report: Undersized and somewhat positionless, Schneider is a bat-first player with an advanced plate approach. His bat-to-ball skills are fringy due to a longer swing with a steeper bat path. His advanced approach at the plate and ability to discern balls from strikes limits his exposure to pitches outside the zone. Schneider struggles with offspeed pitches and curveballs but does damage against fastballs and different slider types. He has above-average power potential despite just average exit velocities due to his excellent launch angles that allow him to get the most out of his power. He showed the ability to get to his power consistently in his brief MLB debut. Schneider is a fringe-average runner who isnâ€t much of a threat to steal a base. In the field, Schneider is a well below-average defender at second base with a below-average arm. He saw some time in left field, but Schneiderâ€s best long-term position is DH.

The Future: Schneider is an above-average hitter with a three-true-outcomes profile. He can carve out a role as a bat-driven second-division regular.

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Chris Bassitt, RHP

• How acquired:Signed as free agent, Dec. 2022.
• Highest rank:No. 6 on A’s 2015 Top 30
• What We Said:2015 A’s Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

The Athletics acquired Bassitt from the White Sox in December’s Jeff Samardzija trade, the third close-to-ready starting pitcher Oakland acquired in the offseason. He’s somewhat similar to ex-Blue Jays Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin in that he was an under-the-radar prospect who had seen big league time in September 2014.

Bassitt is a late-bloomer who burst on the amateur scene as a fourth-year junior in 2011 and was drafted as a reliever. The White Sox put him in the rotation in 2012 and his command actually improved, and a broken right hand at Double-A Birmingham in 2014 couldn’t keep him from reaching the major leagues by season’s end. Bassitt pushed his fastball up as hard as 96 mph even in a starting role, and it has solid life down in the zone. While he throws consistent strikes, he doesn’t command the fastball enough for him to be a frontline starter. He’s focused on a slider over a curve as his breaking ball, and it gives him an average second pitch. White Sox officials believed it would play up in the bullpen to make him a potential setup reliever. His changeup remains fringe-average but has some sink as well.

Bassitt impressed again in the Arizona Fall League in a relief role, but the Athletics will give him a chance to win a spot at the back of their revamped 2015 rotation.

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Shane Bieber, RHP

• How acquired:Guardians traded RHP Shane Bieber to Blue Jays for RHP Khal Stephen, July 2025.
• Highest rank:No. 5 on Guardians’ 2018 Top 30
• What We Said:2018 Guardians Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Bieber took over as UC Santa Barbara’s ace in 2016 and led the Gauchos to their first-ever appearance in the College World Series. He made a smooth transition to the minor leagues and excelled in his first full professional season, reaching Double-A Akron almost exactly a year after his pro debut.

Bieber came into pro ball with a reputation as relying more on his command than his stuff to succeed. He has continued to show above-average control as a professional and his 0.5 walks per nine innings in 2017 led all full-season minor leaguers. He’s one of those rare players whose control and command are big league ready from day one. But Bieber is starting to outgrow the command-and-control label, as his stuff made a jump in 2017. His fastball, which sat around 90 mph at UCSB, now sits 92-94 and touched 96 mph. His curveball got sharper and more consistent, developing into his best secondary pitch. He also throws a slider and changeup, which both can be average offerings. He has a clean, easy delivery and has shown he can handle a heavy workload–his 173.1 innings led all minor leaguers in 2017.

Bieber made one of the biggest jumps in 2017 of any player in the Indians’ system and now profiles as a potential mid-rotation starter. He will advance to Triple-A Columbus in 2018 and could pitch his way into the big league mix.

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Seranthony Dominguez, RHP

• How acquired:Orioles traded RHP Seranthony Domínguez and cash to Blue Jays for RHP Juaron Watts-Brown, July 2025.
• Highest rank:No. 12 on Phillies 2018 Top 30
• What We Said:2018 Phillies Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

On pure upside, Dominguez could rank higher on this list, but arm problems have slowed his progress and created more risk to his profile. He showed one of the most electric arms early in the high Class A Florida State League season in 2017, but in mid-May he went on the disabled list with shoulder tightness and missed two months.

When he returned, some scouts thought he looked gassed, while others thought he looked tentative coming back from rehab. At his best, Dominguez overpowers hitters with a fastball that sits at 94-96 mph with late movement and reaches 99. His fastball command improved in 2017 and he showed the ability to locate that pitch down in the strike zone early in the season. His slider took a step forward, and while it still flattens out on him at times, it’s often an above-average pitch that misses bats. He’s a four-pitch guy with an average curveball and a changeup that flashes as another above-average offering at times.

Dominguez has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter, but he’s 23 and his career-high workload is 76 innings, so his durability is a question mark and he could be a better fit as a late-inning reliever. Double-A Reading is his next step in 2018.

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Braydon Fisher, RHP

• How acquired:Signed as MiLB free agent, Nov. 2024.
• Highest rank:No. 259 on 2018 Top 500 Draft Prospects
• What We Said:2018 Draft Scouting Report

Fisher is another Texas prep arm who has done a lot to help himself this spring. A well-built 6-foot-4, 180-pound righthander, Fisher has seen his velocity tick up during his senior season. After topping out at 91-92 mph in showcases last summer, he’s touched 96 this spring. The Lamar signee now sits 92-96 mph at his best with a slurvy breaking ball and a developing changeup.

Mason Fluharty, LHP

• How acquired:Drafted by Blue Jays in fifth round of 2022 MLB Draft.
• Highest rank:No. 27 on Blue Jays 2024 Top 30
• What We Said:2024 Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Fluharty spent three seasons in Libertyâ€s bullpen, steadily improving with each season. He made the third most appearances in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2022 and was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fifth round that year. Fluharty debuted with High-A Vancouver post-draft and made 10 appearances. He returned to Vancouver to begin 2023 and earned a promotion to Double-A New Hampshire on May 23. Fluharty make 36 appearances for the Fisher Cats, recording four saves.

Scouting Report: Fluharty did not start a game in college and is locked into a relief role in pro ball. He mixes three pitches. Fluhartyâ€s primary pitch is a nasty mid-80s sweeper with ride and on average a foot of sweep. He shows excellent command of the pitch and drives a high rate of swings-and-misses. Fluhartyâ€s second pitch is a cutter at 89-91 mph that functions like a fastball. With good command of the pitch, he misses bats in and out of the zone. He throws a four-seam fastball that sits 90-92 mph, but itâ€s a clear third pitch. Fluharty is a funky relief prospect with good command of his arsenal.

The Future: Fluharty is a slider-first reliever who could handle middle-inning relief or situational usage.

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Kevin Gausman, RHP

• How acquired:Signed as free agent, Dec. 2021.
• Highest rank:No. 20 on 2014 Top 100
• What We Said:2014 Orioles Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Scouting Report: Gausman’s two premium pitches and developing third option give him No. 2 starter upside. His plus-plus fastball sits at 94-96 mph and touches 98, and he mixes in a sinking low-90s two-seamer to induce groundouts. His 84-86 mph changeup is an easy plus pitch, and some scouts ranked it among the best they’ve seen at the amateur level. Gausman threw both a 76-79 mph curveball and an 82-86 mph slider that blended together in college. His diving slider flashes more swing-and-miss potential and showed significant improvement during instructional league. A premium athlete with a live body, he has a smooth, high-leg kick delivery that helps him stay over the rubber. His aptitude and intelligence help set him apart.

The Future: Dylan Bundy and Gausman give the Orioles one of the minors’ best 1-2 pitching punches. After making a playoff appearance for Bowie, Gausman might return to Double-A to open his first full pro season. He could reach Baltimore before the end of the season.

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Jeff Hoffman, RHP

• How acquired:Signed as free agent, Jan. 2025.
• Highest rank:No. 36 on 2017 Top 100
• What We Said:2017 Rockies Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

The key player among the three prospects the Blue Jays sent to the Rockies for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in a 2015 deadline deal, Hoffman was Toronto’s first pick–ninth overall–in 2014. He had Tommy John surgery shortly before that draft, delaying his pro debut to 2015. He steadily climbed the minor league ladder and made his big league debut in September 2016. Hoffman showed signs of fatigue when he debuted with the Rockies, and he surpassed 150 innings for the first time.

During the season he showed a live fastball with sinking life that sits in the 93-96 mph range and reaches 99. Hoffman has an excellent plus curveball but tends to rely on it too much. His slider is a nice secondary breaking pitch, and his changeup is solid. His strikeout rate jumped significantly in the minors, but to keep that up in the big leagues, he has to take better ownership of the inner part of the plate and use any on his four pitches without hesitation.

Hoffman has a chance to earn a rotation spot in Denver for 2017. With his power and pitch mix, Hoffman should grow in a solid mid-rotation starter with an inner confidence that bodes well for his success at Coors Field.

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Eric Lauer, LHP

• How acquired:Signed as MiLB free agent, Dec. 2024.
• Highest rank:No. 12 on Padres 2018 Top 30
• What We Said:2018 Padres Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

As Kent State junior, Lauer recorded an 0.68 ERA that was the lowest in Division I since 1979. The Padres drafted him that year with the last of their three first-round picks, No. 25 overall, and signed him for $2 million. Lauer battled through fatigue in his first full season, but still delivered 122.2 innings and finished strong at Double-A.

Lauer is a classic pitchability lefty who relies on mixing and locating his pitches. His fastball ranges from 87-94 mph and he sits 89-91, slowing it down and speeding it up depending on the situation. His fastball has some sneakiness to it and he isn’t afraid to pitch inside, making for uncomfortable at-bats even with below-average velocity. Lauer’s main secondary is an above-average 84-85 mph changeup he sells with identical arm speed. His fringy 82-86 mph slider lacks bite, but he places it effectively on the back foot of righthanded hitters for a usable third pitch. His below-average 75-76 mph curveball is loopy and rolls into the strike zone.

Lauer isn’t flashy, but shows enough pitchability and control to potentially survive as a No. 5 starter. He’ll head to Triple-A El Paso in 2018.

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Brendon Little, LHP

• How acquired:Acquired from Cubs for cash considerations, Nov. 2023.
• Highest rank:No. 7 on Cubs 2018 Top 30
• What We Said:2019 Cubs Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: After pitching just four innings as a freshman at North Carolina, Little transferred to the State JC of Florida after wowing evaluators in the Cape Cod League. His draft stock shot up as a result, and the Cubs gave him $2.2 million to turn professional. He struggled at short-season Eugene after being drafted, then spent all of 2018 at low Class A South Bend proving surprisingly hittable for a pitcher with excellent stuff.

Scouting Report: Little’s biggest appeal still comes from his fastball, which sits in the low 90s and can touch up to 95 when he needs a strikeout. He couples it with a future plus curveball in the mid-70s with 12-to-6 break as well as a changeup that is fringe-average now but could get to average because of the conviction with which it’s thrown. The biggest issue now is getting Little to repeat his delivery, which so far has cost him enough control to serve up four walks per nine innings.

The Future: After a full year at South Bend, Little should move up to high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2019. He has the ceiling of a back-end starter.

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Yariel Rodriguez, RHP

• How acquired:Signed as free agent, 2024
• Highest rank:Ineligible to rank
• What We Said:International Professional Scouting Report

Track Record: Rodriguez was a soft-tossing starter with an 87-90 mph fastball in Cubaâ€s Serie Nacional before blossoming with a move to Japan. His stuff increased markedly over three seasons with Chunichi and he emerged as one of NPBâ€s top setup men with a 1.15 ERA in 56 appearances in 2022. He returned to starting for Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and delivered a pair of solid outings to raise his profile as a starter. He did not return to Chunichi for the regular season and spent the year training in preparation for a move to MLB.

Scouting Report:Rodriguez is an aggressive power pitcher whose stuff and performance keep improving. His four-seam fastball is now a plus pitch that sits 94-96 mph and touches 100 with natural cut. He also has a 93-96 mph two-seamer with hard armside run. Rodriguezâ€s main secondary pitch is an above-average, 83-86 mph slider with vertical bite and solid depth. He primarily throws his fastballs and slider and is able to dominate with them. Rodriguez lacks touch on his softer offerings. He has inconsistent feel for his fringy splitter and below-average curveball and rarely throws them. Rodriguez is a volatile, highly emotional pitcher prone to overthrowing and struggles to throttle down. He has an effortful delivery and arm action and fringy control overall.

The Future: Rodriguez will get a chance to start, but his arsenal and demeanor fit best in relief. He projects to be a hard-throwing but inconsistent No. 5 starter or seventh-inning setup man.

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Max Scherzer, RHP

• How acquired:Signed as free agent, 2025.
• Highest rank:No. 66 on 2008 Top 100
• What We Said:2008 D-backs Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

The 11th overall pick in 2006, Scherzer pitched for the independent Fort Worth Cats and held out before he would have re-entered the draft pool. Though he projected as no more than a mid-first-rounder the second time around, Arizona gave him a $3 million bonus, $4.3 million in guaranteed money and another $1.5 million in easily reachable incentives.

Scherzer’s fastball can overmatch batters, arriving in the mid-90s with sinking action at its best. His slider also can be a plus pitch, though he’s working on its command and plane. Some scouts who saw Scherzer as a starter at midseason wondered what the fuss was about. His fastball sat at 89-93 mph range, and his overall stuff, command, feel and delivery all drew questions. Then they saw him relieving in the Arizona Fall League and he was a different pitcher, touching 98 mph.

Arizona’s official opinion is that Scherzer is a starter. If he continues in the rotation, he’ll likely open 2008 back in Double-A. If he moves to the bullpen, he could provide immediate help in the big leagues and has the pure stuff to eventually close games.

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Louis Varland, RHP

• How acquired:Twins traded RHP Louis Varland and 1B Ty France to Blue Jays for LF Alan Roden and LHP Kendry Rojas, July 2025.
• Highest rank:No. 9 on Twins 2023 Top 30
• What We Said:2024 Twins Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: When he made his MLB debut against the Yankees on Sept. 7, Varland became the first player in Division II Concordia (Minn.) history to reach the big leagues. His biggest competition for that honor was his older brother. Gus Varland, a fellow alum of the St. Paul school, pitched in Double-A in 2022, but Louie reached the majors first. Louie Varland is a scouting and development success story as a 15th-round pick in 2019 who has steadily gotten better each year as a pro.

Scouting Report: Varland draws raves for his willingness to work and his ability to absorb and process instruction. When Varland arrived at Concordia, he generally sat in the mid 80s. These days he throws nearly 10 mph harder, with a fastball that sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 thanks to plenty of time in the weight room. He’s also steadily developed his secondary offerings. Early in his pro career, Varland developed an average changeup. Now his slider has improved from well below-average to average. He has added sweep to it, making it more of a swing-and-miss pitch. He has started to throw a fringe-average 88-90 mph cutter. It’s important, because while his slider is a chase pitch, his cutter is something he consistently throws for strikes. It enhances his slider’s effectiveness because now he can steal a strike if hitters read spin and lay off his cutter. Varland doesn’t have a true plus pitch, but he generates deception from a slightly closed delivery and has plus control.

The Future: Varland is the next in what has been a long line of Twins’ crafty righthanders. He projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter who should compete for a big league job in spring training.

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Trey Yesavage, RHP

• How acquired:Drafted by Blue Jays in first round of 2024 MLB Draft.
• Highest rank:No. 2 on Blue Jays 2025 Top 30
• What We Said:2025 Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects Scouting Report

Track Record: Yesavage spent his freshman season in the East Carolina bullpen before moving to the rotation as a sophomore. As a junior, he ascended to the role of staff ace, making 15 starts and pitching to a 2.02 ERA, the lowest of any Division I starter. Late in the 2024 season, Yesavage suffered a partially collapsed lung due to an off-the-field medical procedure and missed the American Athletic Conference Tournament. He returned to pitch in regionals, facing off against Wake Forestâ€s Chase Burns. Yesavage allowed one run in 7.1 innings to outduel Burns. Yesavage fell to the Blue Jays at No. 20 overall on draft day because of some teams†concerns with his medicals. He signed for a slightly overslot $4.175 million bonus and did not debut following the draft.

Scouting Report: Yesavage has prototype starter size, the ability to repeat his mechanics and a mix of average-or-better offerings. He was a reliable innings-eater in college with above-average command. Yesavage has a short windup, with a short stride to the plate that creates little-to-no extension. He delivers the ball from an over-the-top slot with good arm speed. Despite his lack of extension, it hasnâ€t hurt how his fastball has played. The pitch sits 93-95 mph and touches 97 with elite induced vertical break and late armside run. Opposing batters hit just .198 against his fastball in 2024. Yesavageâ€s primary secondary is a slider he uses predominantly in right-on-right matchups. His slider sits 86-87 and touches 90 with heavy gyro action. His primary secondary weapon against lefties is a low-to-mid-80s splitter with excellent vertical and velocity separation off his fastball. Yesavage also mixes a low-80s downer curveball, but itâ€s a clear fourth pitch.

The Future: Yesavage should move fast. He possesses mid-rotation upside, most likely as a high-end No. 4.

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Parvez Rasool (TOI Photo) MUMBAI: Parvez Rasool, the first player from Jammu & Kashmir to represent India in international cricket and also the first from the region to feature in the IPL, on Saturday retired from all formats of the game.In an epic 17-year career, during which he played first-class cricket for 15 seasons (he was out of the J&K team for the last two seasons), Rasool, an off-spinning all-rounder, claimed 352 wickets at 27.21 in 95 matches and amassed 5,648 runs at 38.95, with 16 hundreds and 22 fifties. The 36-year-old, who hails from Bijbehara in Kashmir, was one of the most consistent performers at the domestic level, though his international career did not last beyond two games for India — a solitary T20I (vs England in Kanpur in January 2017) and one ODI (against Bangladesh in June 2014).

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara retire… who next?

“Yes, I’ve retired from cricket. Obviously, playing for India was the proudest moment of my life. Coming from J&K, which wasn’t known much for cricket, I went on to win the Lala Amarnath Trophy for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy on two occasions (in 2013-14 and 2017-18), and became the first from my region to play for India and in the IPL. I feel nice to have contributed to the game,” Rasool told TOI.He is now serious about pursuing a career in cricket coaching. “Moving forward, I’ve cleared my Level-II (coaching certificate from the BCCI Centre of Excellence). I want to do full-time coaching, contribute to Indian cricket and pass on what Iâ€ve learnt from my experience to young cricketers. I want the youngsters to get a chance. You have to retire at some point,” he said.Talking about how he made a difference in inspiring J&K cricketers — their team beat Mumbai last season in the Ranji Trophy and recently lost to the domestic giants by just 35 runs — Rasool said, “When I started playing cricket, no one knew about J&K cricket. Thanks to the Almighty, we qualified twice for the quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy under my captaincy. In fact, I captained J&K for six consecutive years. I’m so happy to see that today, our boys look to compete in domestic cricket, while earlier they would just come to participate,” Rasool said.He doesnâ€t regret the fact that he couldnâ€t play for J&K in the last two seasons. “All these things happen. Going forward, I’m looking to contribute by coaching and playing a bit of cricket (in overseas T20 leagues).â€During his T20I debut, Rasool was at the centre of a controversy when a video grab showed him chewing gum while the national anthem was being played before the match. Clarifying the incident, Rasool said: “I was part of the India squad for eight matches before that — five games in Zimbabwe and three against Bangladesh. I didn’t do that deliberately. Someone who comes from a relatively smaller cricketing region knows how much hard work it takes to play for India one day. Why would anyone do that kind of thing intentionally to destroy his career? That would be madness.â€Back in 2012-13, Rasool was the standout performer for J&K as he ended the season with 594 runs and 33 wickets, which earned him a place in the Indian team and a contract with the now-defunct IPL franchise Pune Warriors, led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly.Rasool regrets that he couldnâ€t play more for India. “Definitely, that regret is there. I played two white-ball matches for India, but I wanted to play Test cricket, especially after I took seven for 45 for Board Presidentâ€s XI against Australia (in Chennai, February 2013). However, this is destiny. You try hard to do well. Thanks to the Almighty, I have a tremendous record for J&K with bat and ball. I’ve scored 10,470 runs and taken more than 623 wickets across all formats in my career. As I said, I’m now looking forward to my new role in coaching,” Rasool concluded.Will he want to coach J&K? “If I get a chance, definitely,†he said.

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When Brazilian winger Denilson made his world record £21.5million move from Sao Paulo to Real Betis shortly before his 21st birthday in 1998, he was heralded as the Selecao’s next superstar.

And while Denilson would go on to win 61 Brazilian caps and make more than 500 career appearances, he never quite reached his potential, with FourFourTwo ranking him at No.1 in a 2015 rundown of disappointing club record signings.

But a 17-year professional career that took in six major tournaments is not bad going for a player who learned his trade on the streets, as he recalls to FourFourTwo.

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Denilson on his journey from the streets to the Selecao

Denilson in action for Brazil (Image credit: Getty)

“What truly fascinated me as a child was the street football, those endless two-versus-two battles, with the goals marked out by a pair of flip-flops,” Denilson tells us.

“Being left-footed, I’d constantly beg to borrow someone else’s left boot. My parents couldn’t afford to keep buying me new pairs, and since I played non-stop, my boots wore out quickly. Sometimes I’d end up playing with one bare right foot and someone else’s boot on my left.

Denilson won 61 caps for Brazil (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Beyond the street kickabouts, I grew up in the varzea – the gritty, uneven dirt pitches of Sao Paulo’s amateur football scene. It’s where I learned two priceless lessons. The first was losing any fear.

“The varzea toughened me up – I was always playing against older, stronger lads and got intimidated a lot in the beginning. Over time, I became braver.

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“Dribbling was my natural weapon, and the more they tried to scare me off, the more I wanted to beat them with the ball at my feet. I got kicked, shoved into walls and fences, was fouled constantly, but kept going.

“Out there, I grew a thick skin, so when you finally get to step into a professional derby under pressure, you’ve already lived that battle countless times. At only 10 years old, I’d already learned not to be intimidated.”

Denilson celebrates with Cafu after scoring for Brazil against Peru in the semi-finals of the 1997 Copa America. (Image credit: Getty Images)

“The second gift that the varzea gave me was ball control. On those rough, bumpy pitches, you needed to have sharp coordination and lightning-quick reactions just to keep a move going.

“You couldn’t trust the ground, so you had to improvise constantly. That chaos helped to sharpen me technically.”

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World number 11 Holger Rune became the latest high-profile tennis player to have his season ended prematurely after suffering an injury at the Nordic Open in Stockholm.

The Danish 22-year-old, set to return to the top 10 after reaching the semi-finals at the ATP 250 event, was forced to retire when leading Frenchman Ugo Humbert by a set.

His mother, Aneke Rune, later told Danish newspaper BT that she had been informed by medical staff that her son’s injury was “very bad”.

She said: “They are completely sure that it is a torn Achilles tendon, so it’s of course very bad. Holger is, of course, completely devastated.

“They say they can see it with the naked eye.”

Rune, nursing a hamstring issue coming into the match, appeared instantly aware of the severity of his injury and was emotional as he received treatment after hobbling to his chair.

He had pulled up in pain after jumping to hit a ball at the back of the court, with the game level at 40-40 on Humbert’s serve and Rune leading 6-4 2-2.

Humbert said: “It was not the way I wanted to win. I’m super disappointed for Holger, I hope he is going to be OK.

“I wish him a speedy recovery. It was a great match, he was playing a little bit better than me, but I’m really sorry for Holger.”

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In late August of this past summer, Canadaâ€s menâ€s hockey program gathered 42 NHL players for an orientation camp preparing for the Milan/Cortina Olympics in 2026. Those games are sneaking up on us, and though lists havenâ€t leaked, the teams have recently had to file a preliminary roster of — not so coincidentally — 42 players and five goalies that they have on their radar to bring.Â

Using those 42 names they had at camp (and a half-dozen others who didnâ€t get included for various reasons), I took my first stab at the shape of Canadaâ€s upcoming menâ€s Olympic hockey team. Itâ€s not as simple as just sending back the Four Nations squad, as a lot can change over a full calendar year, and you want to get better.

Iâ€ve sorted those names below (with some additional ones peppered in) into six tiers as I see them just a couple weeks into October, with most teams having about five games under their belts.

The fun part: when you pile together the “locks†with my “very likelys†and “probables,†you get one goalie, seven D, and 12 forwards. You donâ€t need much more than that, though Iâ€m sure Iâ€ve missed a couple, and thereâ€ll be a few injuries along the way. Letâ€s take a look.Â

My internal debates were as follows:

Does Colton Parayko have enough left in the tank to be as valuable as he was to Canada at the Four Nations Face-Off? (I self answered “very likely.â€)Â

Is Mark Scheifele really beyond “probable†all the way into “very likelyâ€? I concluded yes, as this guy shouldâ€ve been there at the Four Nations. With a few other forwards struggling for traction, the door is wide open for them to right that wrong. Heâ€s a proud Canadian, an elite offensive creator and a furious competitor, so while maybe itâ€s a lot of my own opinion on that one, he still gets listed way up here.

Reinhart and Marner have to handle new environments this season, what with the Panthers sniper having to carry a team with massive injuries, and the former Leaf trying to fit into a new situation in Vegas. But both are plenty capable and were significant parts of the win just a year ago. Theyâ€ll be there.Â

Bennett checks every conceivable “intangibles†box, scored the massive tying goal against the USA in the Four Nations, won yet another Cup, and so yeah — heâ€s somewhere between probable and very likely. But heâ€s still only a 40-45 point offensive producer typically, and happens to be off to an atrocious start in his first six games, at least statistically. Heâ€s got just one point and is an NHL-worst minus-nine at the time of writing, so Iâ€m just a little less bullish on him than a few others.Â

Sanheim and Theodore made it the last time, and it’s tough to see why theyâ€d fall out of favour this time. Sanheim showed well at the Four Nations, and while Theodoreâ€s injury there was a bummer, it doesnâ€t hurt him at all. Heâ€ll be quarterbacking a great team there in Vegas and will grade out well again this year.Â

The only new addition to the list here is Nick Suzuki, who caught red-hot fire after the Four Nations last season, scoring nothing but big goals for the Habs, leading them to the playoffs. At 26 years old, after an 89-point season, heâ€s closer to “very likely†than the list below.Â

Oh boy. I mentioned the numbers of the above lists combined, well, they leave maybe two to three forward spots and one to two D spots. As for goalies, well, thatâ€s a free-for-all.Â

So, itâ€s kinda Royal Rumble from here.

Noteworthy is the Connor Bedard vs. Macklin Celebrini battle. Both had similar stat lines last year, both are super young, and both could take the types of crazy leaps this year that force Canadaâ€s hand. Bedard, in particular, looks far, far better so far this season (particularly in puck battle-related stats). Youâ€d hate to leave him off right as heâ€s found an elite game, and all without playing with other elite players. If he had top-quality linemates, would he unlock the best version of himself ever, at the exact right time?

Brad Marchand is on the list, as he was Canadaâ€s least-used forward at the Four Nations (11:35 per game), and one assumes another year of aging hasnâ€t made him faster. But some people are just winners, as evidenced by his 20-point playoff run en route to his second Stanley Cup. Heâ€s off to a good start so far, too, and just isnâ€t a guy you ever want to bet against. Heâ€s got leadership and heart and keeps things light. If itâ€s between him and some of these other guys, itâ€s probably him.Â

Does Mark Stone stay healthy and have enough in the tank? Same question for Zach Hyman, whoâ€s not far removed from tallying huge goal totals. I know Robert Thomas is a favourite of Doug Armstrong. Would a good run get him a spot? Would they bring Tom Wilson to provide a different element? Â

This is your “prove it†class.

I donâ€t feel the need to say much about the goalies, as past Binnington and the whole “heart of a champion†thing he seems to have, itâ€s really anyoneâ€s ballgame. Play well and you get to go, simple as that.

This group needs a lot to break right, namely: a red-hot start to the season, a couple of injuries, and perhaps a need that aligns perfectly with their particular skill set. Konecny may deserve better than this tier after making the team last year, but itâ€s just a matter of numbers and the surrounding talent. He was their least-used forward at Four Nations, and look at the “maybe†list above of guys vying for the final spots. Heâ€s maybe closer to that group than this one, but heâ€s in tough, and it just feels like the momentum belongs to others right now.Â

Iâ€ll reiterate the above: the below is not a list of “guys I donâ€t think are good.†This is a list of guys — great players! — where itâ€s just tough to see how they leapfrog what are about 10 potential names ahead of them, for in most cases, just a spot or two. Â

At the bottom, youâ€ll notice a goalie tacked on. That would be Logan Thompson, whom it seems the brass of Team Canada just doesnâ€t believe in as a fit for whatever reason, no matter how he plays. I canâ€t explain that, but I get the sense they donâ€t trust him.

The only outlier on the list may be Noah Dobson, whoâ€s still young enough to get better and climb in Canadaâ€s eyes. But as of right now, heâ€s not taking the offensive opportunities from the elite offensive D (like Cale Makar), and isnâ€t good enough at the D-side yet to handle that role, so the fit doesnâ€t work. If you wanted a guy like him, youâ€d take Evan Bouchard first anyway.

All told, here are the players when you smack together the top three tiers:

Cale Makar 
Thomas Harley 
Josh Morrissey 
Colton Parayko 
Devon Toews 
Travis Sanheim 
Shea TheodoreÂ

Sidney Crosby 
Nathan MacKinnon 
Connor McDavid 
Brayden Point 
Sam Reinhart 
Brandon Hagel 
Mitch Marner 
Mark Scheifele 
Sam Bennett 
Seth Jarvis 
Nick Suzuki 
Anthony CirelliÂ

Weâ€ve seen a very similar group have success recently, and itâ€s tough to see this same one as any less capable of doing the same. Now, time to sit back and see how the next couple of months of NHL action impact what, for now, looks like an awfully stacked roster.Â

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Indian Cricket Team opener Abhishek Sharma has won the ICC Player of the Month Men award for September 2025. Meanwhile, Indian Womenâ€s Cricket Team star batter Smriti Mandhana has lifted the ICC Womenâ€s Player of the Month award.

Since January 2021, ICC has been awarding the menâ€s and womenâ€s player of the month award to players who have performed exceptionally on the international level in the span of a month. Three players are nominated from both categories.

The nominees and winners are determined by an ICC panel of ex-cricketers and journalists. The public also has a 10% contribution in the process.

Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana Win ICC POTM

The ICC Player of the Month menâ€s category for September had three nominations, two of which were Indian. The nominees were Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav of India, and Zimbabwean batter Brian Bennett.

Bennett had a fantastic month. First, he was his teamâ€s highest run scorer in a T20I series against Sri Lanka, and then he was the Player of the Series against Namibia. Lastly, in three 2026 T20I World Cup qualifying matches, he made two half-centuries.

The other nominee was Kuldeep Yadav, who played seven matches in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 for the Indian Cricket Team. He was the highest-wicket taker in the tournament, taking 17 in seven games at an amazing average of 9.29 and an economy of just over six.

But it was Abhishek Sharma, the Player of the Tournament in the 2025 Asia Cup, that took home the award. He made the most runs in a T20I Asia Cup, making 314 in seven games at an average of 44.85, making three half-centuries and six games where he scored 30 or over.

But it was his strike rate of 200 across the competition that made him the Player of the Tournament and now the ICC Men Player of the Month for September 2025.Â

An Indian player has won this menâ€s award for three months running. In July 2025, Indiaâ€s Test captain Shubman Gill lifted the award for making 567 runs in three Tests that month at an average of 94.50. Then, in August, Mohammed Siraj, who was named the Player of the Match for the last India vs England Test, was named the ICC Player of the Month.

On the other hand, Smriti Mandhana won the ICC Women Player of the Month for September 2025. This category had a lot more competition among the three nominees, who were Mandha, South Africaâ€s Tazmin Brits, and Pakistanâ€s Sidra Ameen.

Ameen had a solid month on an individual level, making 293 runs in three ODIs against the Proteas, which involved a 150-ball 121* in a losing effort. 110 balls for 122 in a losing effort, and then an unbeaten 50 in the last match of the series, where Sidra took her team to victory.

The other nominee was Tazmin Brits from South Africa, who played in only the first two ODIs against Pakistan but made 272 runs. In the first, she scored 101*, and in the second, she scored a whopping 171*.

But it was Smriti Mandhana who was named the Player of the Month. She too scored many runs, but did so against the best team in the world, Australia.

In three ODIs against the Aussies, Smriti made 58 runs as India lost the game. The Women in Blue won the second game as Mandhana made 117 runs. In the last match of the series, India lost again, but that was despite the veteran batterâ€s 125 in just 63 balls. She was naturally named the Player of the Series and is now the ICC Womenâ€s Player of the Month.

This monthâ€s awards are exceptional for the Indian Cricket Team fans. While 12 different Indians have won this award on 17 different occasions across both categories, it has never happened that an Indian won in the same month in both categories.

FAQs –

Q) Who was the Menâ€s ICC Player of the Month for August 2025?

A) The last monthâ€s award went to the Indian Cricket Team pacer Mohammad Siraj. In August 2025, Siraj played only one Test match, the final game of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. In that match, he took nine wickets at an average of 21.11. On the womenâ€s side, it was Irelandâ€s Orla Prendergast.

Q) How Many Indians Have Won The ICC Player Of The Month Award?

A) Since the inception of this award in January 2021 in January 2021, 12 different Indians have won the Player of the Month award on 17 occasions in the Menâ€s and Womenâ€s categories. While Indian women have won the award thrice, men have won it 14 times.

Q) Which Indian player has won the most ICC Player of the Month awards?

A) The Indian with the most ICC Player of the Month awards is Shubman Gill, who has won the award on four occasions, the last time of which was in July 2025, a month in which he scored 567 runs in three tests at an average of 94.50.

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Say you don’t have the technology.

None of that sweet 3D tech. None of those cool pressure sensors.

Just old-fashioned, mid-80s player you.

But say little ole, mid-80s shooter you wants to improve.

What’s a techless, hopeful, mid-80s shooter to do?

As part of an answer, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher had a story. Occasionally, Tony Ruggiero will watch players hit range balls. And, for the most part, the swings are consistent.

But a couple other items are off.

“You’ll see golfers hitting balls,” Ruggiero said, “and every shot, their feet are angled a little different, ball’s in a little different place, and the swing really doesn’t change very much.

“But they’re very haphazard in how they approach it.”

And that’s part of how he would advise the hypothetical subject who started this story. It’s a fun subject. Speaking on a recent episode of “The Smylie Show” — which you can watch in full here — Ruggiero had been asked by host Smylie Kaufman what he’d say to that player.

The coach said there were a few things, all of them being part of what happens before the shot.

– “I think the first thing you ought to do,” Ruggiero said on the podcast, “is if you could learn to get balanced at address and set up correctly.”

– “Then just monitor the things you can control.”

– “And wherever the ball is when you hit it good — whatever that place is — like figure that out and practice that. …

“I would tell, say, somebody that shoots mid- to low 80s, you’ve probably already got some pretty good stuff in there. If you figured out how to get to that point, especially the folks that get where they shoot low 80s and every now and then throw in a 78 or 9. I would say figure out what you do and what you’re doing when you hit it good.”

Ruggiero did say one piece of tech would help.

But you probably have one.

“Like we all have these phones now,” Ruggiero said on the podcast, “so you can film yourself when you’re hitting it good. And figure out what do you look like at address. Get balanced at address, get the ball in the same spot, fix your aim, those types of things.

“I think just taking care of the details that happen before you swing are the biggest things for golfers that are in that range you’re talking about.”

Editor’s note: To watch the complete Smylie Show episode with Ruggiero, please clickhere.

Whether youâ€re a stick-flexing sniper or a third-pair defender, nobody wants to wait long for the weight to come off.

Bagging your first goal of a new season is always a delight.

Last year, every player who skated in 65 or more NHL games managed to find the net at least one time, and only two players — defencemen Adam Pelech and Josh Mahura — who suited up in at least 55 contests failed to score a goal.

Only four NHL teams have played five games so far, so unless you entered the year with legit Rocket Richard hopes, itâ€s not exactly time to panic if youâ€ve failed to get off the goal-scoring schneid.

That said, grips get tight quickly when you canâ€t get one to fall.

With that in mind, weâ€ve decided to use this weekâ€s power rankings as a way to highlight a player or two from each team whoâ€s probably only thinking about one thing when his head hits the pillow: “When is that first goal gonna come?â€

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1. Dallas Stars (3-0-0): Knee surgery wiped out February, March, April and half of May for Miro Heiskanen last year. The Stars†No. 1 defenceman hasnâ€t scored a regular-season goal since Jan. 9, so you know heâ€s itching to get one.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (3-0-0): Nikolaj Ehlers hasnâ€t potted one yet for his new team, but the Dane has 13 shots on goal in three outings. Something should fall soon.

3. Colorado Avalanche (3-0-1) Gabriel Landeskogâ€s most recent regular-season tally came three-and-a-half years ago on March 1, 2022. Itâ€s going to be quite a fist pump when he buries his next one.

4. Edmonton Oilers (2-0-1): Connor McDavid talked about wanting to score more coming into the season, but No. 97 has yet to hit the back of the net so far.

5. Washington Capitals (3-1-0): Alex Ovechkin will move to within two goals of career tally No. 900 when he breaks through for the first time this fall.

6. Winnipeg Jets (2-1-0): Jonathan Toews actually scored in his final game with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 13, 2023. Heâ€s already picked up his first apple with the Jets; all thatâ€s left to do now is bend that twine.

7. Vegas Golden Knights (2-0-2): Nine of Vegas†14 goals this year have come courtesy of Pavel Dorofeyev (five) and Jack Eichel (four). That means there are a few guys on this club whoâ€d like to find the range, including newcomer Mitch Marner.

8. Florida Panthers (3-2-0): Ten Panthers already have a goal this season, but Seth Jones is not one of them.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs (2-2-0): You know Nick Robertson wanted to find one quickly this season, but it hasnâ€t happened yet in four games. Only three forwards — Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann — have more shots on goal this year than Robertsonâ€s eight.

10. New Jersey Devils (2-1-0): Neither Jack Hughes nor Luke Hughes has lit the lamp this season. You know Luke — after signing that massive new contract — is dying to slip one home.

11. Montreal Canadiens (3-1-0): Nick Suzuki leads the team with six points, but theyâ€re all assists. Suzuki has hit the 30-goal barrier each of the past two seasons.

12. Minnesota Wild (2-2-0): Newcomer Vladimir Tarasenko has been seeing over 16 minutes per night so far, but that has yet to result in his first score as a Wild.

13. Los Angeles Kings (1-2-1): Every goal will be a special one for Anze Kopitar in this, his final NHL campaign. Heâ€s still trying to break the goose egg in his 20th season.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-1): Brandon Hagel registered a career-high 35 goals last season, so you know heâ€d like to get the ball rolling on this year very soon.

15. Detroit Red Wings (3-1-0): Alex DeBrincat has a half-dozen apples so far, but the 39-goal scorer from last year has not been the finisher on a play yet.

16. St. Louis Blues (2-2-0): Jordan Kyrou scored 104 goals for St. Louis in three seasons from 2022-23 through 2024-25. The next highest Blue in that time is Pavel Buchnevich with 73. Kyrou needs to get going soon.

17. New York Rangers (2-3-0): Well, we know absolutely every Ranger is looking to break through at home, where New York has mind-blowingly failed to find the net in three outings at Madison Square Garden. Pending-UFA Artemi Panarin has just two points in five games this year, and neither of them are goals.

18. Utah Mammoth (2-2-0): Just one point and zero goals through four games is not how captain Clayton Keller wanted to begin the Mammoth chapter of his career.

19. Boston Bruins (3-1-0): Viktor Arvidsson is getting a chance to show heâ€s still got some scoring touch in Boston. As such, heâ€d surely like to get his first as a Bruin before too long.

20. Seattle Kraken (2-0-1): Shane Wright came within a single tally of scoring 20 goals last year. The fourth-overall pick from 2022 is still looking for his first goal of this campaign, while also trying to show he can be a real top-six offensive presence in the NHL.

21. Anaheim Ducks (2-1-0): Two guys who inked big deals with Anaheim in the off-season — Mikael Granlund, who came over as a UFA, and Mason McTavish, who re-upped as an RFA — have yet to celebrate with a tally.

22. Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2-0): Kent Johnson had a nice 24-goal breakout last year, so you can bet the talented winger is dying to get one soon.

23. Nashville Predators (2-1-1): Year 1 in Nashville was a bit of a nightmare all around for Steven Stamkos, so itâ€s got to be killing him to be 0-for after four outings this season.

24. Vancouver Canucks (1-2-0): First off, only one Canuck — Jonathan Lekkerimaki — has exactly one goal this year. Kiefer Sherwood (3), Brock Boeser (2) and Filip Chytil (2) all have more than one, and everybody else is sitting on zero. Youâ€ve got to think the guy who would most like to move off zero immediately is Elias Pettersson.

25. Ottawa Senators (1-3-0): Really, the big concern here is how long it will be before Brady Tkachuk has a chance to pop his first of the year. The hand injury he sustained in Ottawaâ€s home opener is going to keep him out “a significant amount of time,†according to coach Travis Green, and thatâ€s awful news for the Sens.

26. Chicago Blackhawks (2-2-1): A league-high 12 Blackhawks have already hit paydirt this year, which is a great sign for the young squad. That certainly takes some pressure off 2024 second-overall pick Artyom Levshunov, who has not popped one yet and has been a healthy scratch.

27. Philadelphia Flyers (1-1-1): 0-0-0 is not the line sophomore Matvei Michkov wanted after three outings.

28. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0): Evgeni Malkin may not have a goal yet, but his six assists are sure attention-catching in the big manâ€s 20th NHL season.

29. New York Islanders (0-3-0): The winless Islanders wonâ€t be going anywhere without some goals from Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, both of whom have yet to break through this season.

30. Buffalo Sabres (1-3-0): Rasmus Dahlin is averaging over 26 minutes a night, so the Sabres need a goal out of him soon.

31. Calgary Flames (1-4-0): Yegor Sharangovichâ€s 31-goal showing two years ago — his first year in Calgary — is starting to feel like a distant memory. He had 17 last year and is stuck on zero so far through five contests this fall.

32. San Jose Sharks (0-1-2): Macklin Celebrini is averaging nearly 21 minutes per night — most of any Sharks player — but he hasnâ€t been able to find the range just yet.

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