Tag: Major League Baseball

What analysts and experts are saying about Duce Robinson and USC

The experts at 247Sports offer a detailed, informative look at the various aspects of Duce Robinson’s situation.

There is so much to say about new USC commit Duce Robinson not only because he is a dynamic player, not only because he is a two-sport star, not only because he plays for Lincoln Riley with a Heisman-winning quarterback named Caleb Williams, but because he might not even play for USC.

Yes, it really is that complicated.

While it is undeniably great news that Robinson committed to USC over Kirby Smart and Georgia, we are not yet at a point where Robinson is absolutely guaranteed to play for the Trojans. No, you shouldn’t be freaking out, but you shouldn’t think it’s a done deal that Robinson will suit up for USC this fall. There are more plot points to deal with this summer, well before the scheduled season opener in late August against San Jose State.

Here’s what various 247Sports analysts are saying about Duce Robinson the athlete and Duce Robinson the football and baseball prospect, a man who has important decisions to make:

(h/t Blair Angulo of 247 Sports)

MLB actually made the right decision to keep the ‘ghost runner’ rule for extra innings

Get these games over with already.

There was some great MLB news Monday for those of us who value our sleep and would rather not stay up until 2 a.m. on a weekday to see how a meaningless regular season game in June will end.

The league is making its controversial “ghost runner” extra-innings rule permanent in 2023 and beyond, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported, meaning each inning after the ninth will start with a runner on second base — as they have the last three years.

MLB implemented this rule as part of its pandemic precautions in 2020, and it’s worked in keeping marathon games to a minimal — just seven games since have gone as long as 13 innings. Traditional baseball fans hate it, because they like sitting through boring 18-inning games on muggy summer days, but that might be the only con to a rule with several benefits.

Aside from keeping games from going on for five hours, the rule keeps bullpen arms fresher — especially necessary in an era where starting pitchers go fewer innings. The benefits for players extend further when you think about rest and recovery.

Then, there’s the fan perspective. The increased potential for runs scored at the start of an inning adds drama and excitement, and the continued expansion of sports betting means more and more people have a stake in games. The quicker they can get a resolution, the more likely they are to come back.

MLB is in the unenviable position of trying to appeal to these newer audiences while also keeping core fans satisfied. And the gap between those two seem to be bigger in baseball than any other sport. Bridging that divide sometimes that means ticking off existing fans who may threaten to stop watching when they don’t like something, but MLB knows those people aren’t going anywhere.

If this rule was that much of a non-starter, people would have stopped watching by now. If a fan was going to stick around for a game with one run scored between innings 10 and 20, they’ll stick around for a game with three runs scored between 10 and 12.

It doesn’t work the other way around, though. I would know. I’m the type of fan MLB should be targeting. I represent a segment of sports fan they don’t already have. I enjoy baseball, but I’ll flip the channel FAST. I also may have the occasional bet on a game. I can still be won over. This is a step in the right direction.

Save the quarter-day long games for the postseason when the games matter and the tension is real. Cut the length of regular season games and let us get on with our regularly scheduled programs.

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Eric Gordon, Rockets congratulate Astros for 2022 World Series title

The Astros won the 2022 World Series on Saturday, so the Rockets and Eric Gordon — the only current player who was here during the 2017 title run — showed their support.

The young and rebuilding Rockets (1-9) own the NBA’s worst record. But many fans in Houston aren’t too down, at the moment, in large part because their attention has been elsewhere.

For the second time in the last five full seasons, Major League Baseball’s Astros won the World Series on Saturday with a 4-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The 2022 championship clearly reduces the angst by local fans directed at teams such as the Rockets and the NFL’s Houston Texans, each of whom are mired in rebuilds.

When the Astros won the World Series in 2017, the only current Rockets player on the team at that time — and thus, clearly has the most significant connection with the city and its other sports teams — is veteran guard Eric Gordon.

Thus, it’s no surprise that Gordon responded very favorably to Houston’s championship on Saturday, even though it came less than an hour after the Rockets lost their own game in Minnesota.

Scroll on for reaction from Gordon, the official Rockets’ social media accounts, and other Rockets-Astros connections from 2022.

Nice honor for a former Tiger

A former Clemson Tiger collected a nice honor on Tuesday. It was announced Tuesday that former Tiger pitcher Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves has been voted the National League Rookie of the Month for July. It marks the first monthly award for …

A former Clemson Tiger collected a nice honor on Tuesday.

It was announced Tuesday that former Tiger pitcher Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves has been voted the National League Rookie of the Month for July.

It marks the first monthly award for Strider, who made five starts for Atlanta in the month of July and posted a 2-1 record with a 2.70 ERA across 26.2 innings pitched, racking up 41 strikeouts while yielding just nine walks, 15 hits and two home runs.

The 23-year-old righthander became the first pitcher in Braves history to have three outings with at least 10 strikeouts within his first eight career starts, and on July 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals, he became the first Braves pitcher since at least 1961 to register nine strikeouts through the first three innings of a game.

Additionally, Strider recorded 6.0 innings with at least 11 strikeouts while not allowing more than two hits in back-to-back starts on July 2 and July 7, becoming the first Major League rookie since 1900 to post 11-or-more punchouts and two-or-fewer hits allowed in consecutive starts.

Overall this season, Strider, a fourth-round pick of the Braves in 2020 (126th overall), has a 5-3 record, 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 120 strikeouts over 80.1 innings pitched in 22 games (11 starts).

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Come out to support Clemson softball at Dear Old Clemson’s second event which is set for August 27 at the Madren Conference Center.  Clemson returns one of the top teams in the nation and adds some new talent to the mix.   If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events or purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Former Tiger inks with MLB team

A former Clemson standout has put pen to paper with the Major League Baseball team that drafted him last week. Geoffrey Gilbert announced via social media Monday that he has signed with the New York Yankees. “Pen to paper. ✍ Very excited to …

A former Clemson standout has put pen to paper with the Major League Baseball team that drafted him last week.

Geoffrey Gilbert announced via social media Monday that he has signed with the New York Yankees.

“Pen to paper. ✍🏼
Very excited to officially be a @Yankees!” Gilbert wrote in a Twitter post with a picture of him signing.

The Charleston, S.C., native was selected in the 13th round (No. 400 overall) by the Yankees on the third and final day of the MLB draft on Tuesday, July 19, making him the first Tiger drafted by the Yankees since Brody Koerner in 2015.

Gilbert was an NSCA Strength & Conditioning All-American and had a 5-2 record, 5.20 ERA, .249 opponents’ batting average and 56 strikeouts against 17 walks in 45.0 innings pitched over 19 appearances (five starts) in 2022.

In his career, Gilbert was a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member and has a 9-8 record, three saves, a 3.35 ERA, .242 opponents’ batting average and 122 strikeouts against 39 walks in 102.0 innings pitched over 55 appearances (five starts). He is also fourth in Tiger history in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (10.76).

–Information from Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this article

Clemson to reportedly lose top baseball signee

Clemson’s top baseball signee has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Major League Baseball team that drafted him this week. According to MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman, the Texas Rangers have a deal with St. Mary’s Prep (Michigan) School pitcher …

Clemson’s top baseball signee has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Major League Baseball team that drafted him this week.

According to MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman, the Texas Rangers have a deal with St. Mary’s Prep (Michigan) School pitcher Brock Porter for close to $4 million.

Porter was taken in the fourth round (109th overall pick) of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Rangers, so he is reportedly signing for well over the slot value for that selection.

A power arm capable of touching 100 miles per hour with his fastball, Porter threw five no-hitters en route to Gatorade National Player of the Year honors as a senior.

The 6-foot-4 right-hander was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 11 overall prospect heading into the draft and seventh overall by Baseball America.

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

 

What They Are Saying: Former Tiger makes history with latest gem

A former Clemson pitcher made history Thursday night while throwing his latest gem on the mound. Atlanta Braves rookie righthander Spencer Strider was absolutely dominant again, racking up a career-high 12 strikeouts – including nine through the …

A former Clemson pitcher made history Thursday night while throwing his latest gem on the mound.

Atlanta Braves rookie righthander Spencer Strider was absolutely dominant again, racking up a career-high 12 strikeouts — including nine through the first three innings — while allowing just two hits and two walks in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

Strider became the first pitcher in Atlanta franchise history to record each of his first nine outs via strikeouts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The only other two pitchers that have recorded strikeouts in their first nine outs since the start of 2020 are Pablo López of the Miami Marlins (July 11, 2021) and Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies (June 25, 2021).

Thursday’s outing comes on the heels of another impressive start by Strider against the Cincinnati Reds on July 2, when he struck out 11 across six innings, yielding just one run on one hit and a walk.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, Strider is the first Braves rookie in the Modern Era (since 1900) with 10 strikeouts in consecutive outings, while he is the first rookie in MLB’s Modern Era with 11-plus strikeouts and two or fewer hits allowed in consecutive starts.

Check out what they are saying about Strider and his historic performance Thursday night:

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24.  Now there is a new way to support Clemson student athletes.  Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session.  If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events.  Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, TyTy Washington toss first Astros pitch

Newly drafted Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington each threw out a ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday’s Astros game. Here’s a look at their experience.

The last time a member of the Houston Rockets threw out the first pitch at Minute Maid Park before a game involving Major League Baseball’s Astros, it was Christian Wood — who was traded days later.

It’s a safe bet, however, that Tuesday’s ceremonial honorees won’t suffer the same fate. Just prior to their departure for Las Vegas to participate in the NBA’s 2022 summer league, newly drafted Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington all threw out a pitch prior to the Astros’ home game versus the Kansas City Royals.

It was a clear honor for each of the three rookies, who are now calling Houston home. The defending American League champion Astros are the pride of the Houston sports community these days, but with the help of players like Smith, Eason, and Washington, the Rockets are hoping to find similar success on the hardwood within a few years.

Scroll on for photos, videos, and interviews from Tuesday night.

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Former Tiger reportedly being traded

A former Clemson standout is reportedly being traded to another Major League Baseball team. The San Francisco Giants are sending former Tiger outfielder Steven Duggar to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Willie Calhoun, according to Andrew Baggarly …

A former Clemson standout is reportedly being traded to another Major League Baseball team.

The San Francisco Giants are sending former Tiger outfielder Steven Duggar to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Willie Calhoun, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic.

The Giants had to make a decision Thursday on Duggar, as his rehab assignment reached its 20-day limit.

Duggar has been with the Giants organization since they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft (186th overall pick).

Duggar made his MLB debut in 2018. In 254 career big league games, he has a .242 batting average, 14 home runs, 87 runs batted in, 96 runs scored and 18 stolen bases.

This season with the Giants, Duggar had a .194 average across 36 at-bats with four RBIs and two runs scored, and hadn’t played in a game with the Giants since straining his oblique on April 21.

At Clemson, Duggar was a career .299 hitter with a .387 on-base percentage in 184 games (184 starts) over three seasons from 2013-15. He had 33 doubles, six triples, eight homers, 109 RBIs, 140 runs, 104 walks, six hit-by-pitches and 50 steals to go with 18 outfield assists in his career. The two-time third-team All-ACC selection started all 184 games of his Tiger career (183 starts in right field and one start in center field) and reached base via a hit or walk in 61 of the last 63 games of his career dating to 2014.

Duggar will now join a couple of other former Tigers, Eli White and Brad Miller, with the Rangers.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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