Browsing: prep

Orioles Bet Big On Dynamic Prep Outfielder Slater de Brun

When the Orioles dealt reliever Bryan Baker to the Rays for the 37th pick in the 2025 draft just days before the event commenced, they added roughly $2.6 million to a $19 million bonus pool that was the highest in MLB this year.

That gave Baltimore the chance to make a big bet early in the draft.

They did so on Slater de Brun, an Oregon high school outfielder whom they selected with the 37th pick, a competitive balance Round A selection. The went well above slot to sign him for $4 million.Â

“Thereâ€s no perfect player for anybody, but the closest who I like is Corbin Carroll,†de Brun said. “Iâ€ve been watching him for three years. When I started wanting to be like Corbin, I was a JV baseball player.â€

Now, heâ€s a pro who went to the Orioles†complex in Sarasota, Fla., after signing and didnâ€t participate in any official games. He was back in Florida for instructional camp, adding more strength to his 5-foot-9 frame and power to his lefthanded swing to fill out what is expected to be a dynamic set of tools.

Orioles vice president of player development and scouting Matt Blood said after the draft that de Brun “can really run, play center field (and) make a ton of contact as well—a lot of line drives . . .

“He’s another one of these contact guys who also walks. We feel like all those things combined given him a pretty good chance to have some success.â€

The Orioles have not drafted high school hitters often under president of baseball operations Mike Elias, but those they have taken have fared well. That list includes Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson and second baseman Jackson Holliday.

It also includes Coby Mayo, who found his swing in September; Athletics infielder Darell Hernaiz; and Orioles prospect outfielder Nate George, a breakout star this year after being drafted in the 16th round in 2024.

Source link

Basketball

Fantasy Basketball Draft Prep Guide: 2025-26 rankings, strategy, sleepers, mock draft results, and more

The Rotoworld Basketball staff is excited to set you up for success, both on draft day and throughout the 2025-26 season. This year is especially exciting as the NBA returns to NBC and streams on Peacock, and weâ€re ready to bring you the fantasy coverage to match.

On this page, youâ€ll find links to all of our preseason content in one place. We have rankings in various formats, position breakdowns, mock draft analysis, and general draft strategy.

Advertisement

And this is just scratching the surface of what we’ll have to offer. As the NBA preseason ramps up, weâ€ll continue adding fresh rankings, analysis, and strategy articles. Bookmark this page and check back often to stay ahead of your league.

Happy drafting season!

2025 FANTASY BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Preseason Top 200 led by Jokić, SGA, Wemby

Top 10 rookies led by Cooper Flagg

Top 20 second-year player rankings led by Clingan, Sarr

2025 FANTASY BASKETBALL POSITION BREAKDOWNS, PLAYER PROFILES

Top 50 Fantasy Basketball Guards

Top 50 Fantasy Basketball Forwards

Top 50 Fantasy Basketball Centers

2025 FANTASY BASKETBALL MOCK DRAFTS

Advertisement

Salary Cap Mock Draft: Jokic, SGA command high prices

2025 FANTASY BASKETBALL STRATEGY ARTICLES

Hacking the Default Rankings

Fantasy Basketball Category Punt Guide for 2025-26

Draft Tips and Beginners†Guide for Fantasy Basketball

Source link

Justin Rose’s Ryder Cup prep reveals 3 keys for making more putts

In past Ryder Cups, putting has always been a key factor for winning matches. A clutch putt — like the one Justin Leonard drained on the par-4 17th hole at Brookline in the 1999 Ryder Cup — has the ability to shift momentum, pump up teammates, ignite the crowd and fuel a comeback… or even a win.

With so much riding on the flatstick, it’s no surprise that players are dialing in their putters ahead of Friday’s opening round. And one player’s putting routine caught my eye.

You may have seen footage of Justin Rose fine-tuning his stroke during Monday’s practice round. To the average golfer, it may have seemed like Rose had a lot going on, as he was utilizing a few training aids at once. However, Paxton O’Connor, a GOLF Teacher to Watch, explained Rose’s set up was much simpler than it seemed, and that amateurs could stand to learn a lot from the major champion.

Let’s break down a few keys from Rose’s putting practice and learn how they can help you dial in your own putting stroke.

Visualization is key

This might look like your standard gate drill, but O’Connor says that Rose is likely working on more than his start line.

“The first observation I made was that his eyes are smoothly moving along the line and then trace back,” he says, “Then, he holds that picture and makes a committed stroke.”

By visualizing the path his ball will take, Rose is able to “see” his putt before he hits it which allows him to step up and hit it knowing he’s selected the proper line and speed. Honing this skill ahead of the Ryder Cup will help Rose stay cool over pressure putts and strike when the iron is hot.

While visualization is not a new technique — elite players like Nick Faldo and Ben Crenshaw have been using it for years — it is still somewhat unknown to amateurs and newer golfers. However, everyone, regardless of skill level, can benefit from incorporating this powerful tool into their pre-shot routine. Not only will visualization boost your confidence, but it will help combat nerves and keep you committed — even when the pressure is on.

Focus on start line

The gate drill is a simple but incredibly effective way to ensure your putts start on line — and that’s key, because a putt that starts on line has the best chance of going in.

In the clip above, you can see Rose using the gate drill to check his start line.

“[The gate] is serving as a reference for start line control. Basically, he’s looking to see if it’s starting on the intended start line and if his face angle at impact is within a certain parameter to get it through the gate,” O’Connor says.

What makes this drill so useful is the immediate feedback it provides. You’ll quickly see whether your putts are starting on line, where your misses are, and what your typical miss might be.

To set it up, O’Connor says to place two tees — or a device like the one below — about 10–12 inches in front of your ball, directly on your intended start line. Then, hit a few putts. If you’re dialed in, each ball will start on line and roll right through the gate.

Short Game Gains Tour Toolkit

Short Game Gains Tour Toolkit

The Tour Toolkit was designed with feedback from professional golfers and world class instructors. Many of the individuals that we spoke to prioritized two things in their technique: A consistent stroke path and start line. Previously, these things weren’t all that easy to practice at the same time- so we developed the idea for the Tour Toolkit.
This bundle includes the Path Perfectors, All Terrain Gate, and a marking pen. With various ways to combine them, you can create a station on the green that gives you instant feedback on your stroke, aim, and start line. Who said putting practice had to be boring?

View Product

Create reference points

One of the key takeaways from Rose’s putting routine is his use of reference points. What does that mean? As O’Connor explains, Rose has essentially built a “calibration station” that helps him adjust to new greens more quickly.

If you look closely, you’ll see he’s using a TempoStik — a digital training aid that provides visual and auditory feedback for rhythm and tempo. He’s also placed two tees in the ground to mark the limits of his backswing and through-swing. Together, these tools help Rose calibrate his stroke and dial in his speed control.

“Essentially, he’s calibrating his setup and stroke for that day,” O’Connor says, “It’s nice to have something to reference back to and calibrate from.”

It’s a great example of how structure and routine can make your practice more purposeful. Whether you’re using a training aid or just a couple of tees, creating your own reference points is one of the quickest ways to adjust to green speeds and boost distance control — which will be especially crucial this week at the Ryder Cup.