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Women’s Fourth, Men Fifth at AE Outdoor Track Meet

Story Links DURHAM, N.H. – Graduate student Marcus Johnson was named the Men’s Most Outstanding Track Athlete and sophomore Brennan Delany was named the Men’s Rookie of the Meet, highlighting Binghamton’s performance at the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which were hosted by New Hampshire at Wildcat Stadium. […]

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DURHAM, N.H. – Graduate student Marcus Johnson was named the Men’s Most Outstanding Track Athlete and sophomore Brennan Delany was named the Men’s Rookie of the Meet, highlighting Binghamton’s performance at the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which were hosted by New Hampshire at Wildcat Stadium. The two-day meet concluded on Sunday afternoon with the Bearcat women finishing fourth out of nine teams while the men were fifth.

Johnson was one of four Binghamton individual champions during the weekend. He won his second straight men’s 400 hurdle title with a program-record time of 50.59 and also anchored the men’s 4×400 relay to a first-place time of 3:10.88. In addition, Johnson was second overall in the men’s triple jump (48-0).

Johnson set the previous 400 hurdle school record of 50.82 at Penn Relays one week ago. His performance is currently ranked No. 11 in the NCAA East Region Rankings.

Also on the winning 4×400 relay team were seniors Oliver Madariaga and Joe Cardascia as well as junior Samson Joseph.

Delaney, meanwhile, took top honors in the men’s decathlon, posting a first-place score of 7,049 points. In the process, he ends the year having won both conference multi events. Delany won the heptathlon back at the America East indoor meet in February. 

The other individual winner on the men’s side was graduate student Josh Stone, who repeated as the 5,000 champion. He used his signature kick on the final lap to record a first-place time of 14:15.73. 

For his career, Stone now has four individual conference titles to his name. He has also won the past two America East indoor 5,000 crowns.

On the women’s side, senior Jennifer Mui repeated at the 3,000 steeplechase (SC) champion. Her first-place time of 10:17.89 currently ranks No. 31 in the East Region.

Binghamton also posted three other individual runner-up finishes as well as a second place relay performance. They included junior Alyssa Armitage in the women’s pole vault (12-7 ½), redshirt sophomore Brian Luciano in the men’s weight throw (210-6) and freshman Anna Gansrow in the women’s 1,500 (4:40.50). In addition, the women’s 4×400 relay was second in a time of 3:48.81 and included freshmen Sofia Toepfer, Cassidy Robleno and Savanna Edwards as well as sophomore Tatum Norris.

Earlier in the meet, Norris placed third in the pole vault (12-1 ½) while Edwards took third in the 400 hurdles (1:01.94). Another third-place finish was turned in by sophomore Putu Sutayasa in the men’s long jump (23-4).  

Also placing third was the women’s 4×800 relay team of Mui, Gansrow, sophomore Brynn Hogan and senior Zoe Rose. The Bearcats quarter clocked a time of 9:05.91.

Norris was also fourth in the 400 (55.44) and sixth in the 200 (24.78). Other fourth-place finishes were turned in by junior Sydney Leitner in the women’s 10,000 (36:56.10), Cardascia in the men’s 400 (48.07), Luciano in the men’s discus (152-10) and sophomore Dami Modpupe in the women’s 100 hurdles (14.20)

All conference honors were awarded to the top three finishers in each individual event plus all first-place relay teams. Eight Bearcat men and five women earned the distinction.

Up next on the schedule for Binghamton is the ECAC/IC4A Outdoor Championships, which are slated for May 16-18 at George Mason University

TOP MEN’S FINISHERS

Marcus Johnson, 1st, 400 Hurdles (50.49) SR

Josh Stone, 1st, 5,000 (14:15.73)

Brennan Delany, 1st, Decathlon (7,049)

4×400 Relay, 1st (3:10.88)

Joseph, Madariaga, Cardascia, Johnson

Brian Luciano, 2nd, Hammer (210-6)

Marcus Johnson, 2nd, Triple Jump (48-0)

Putu Sutayasa, 3rd, Long Jump (23-4)

Joe Cardascia, 4th, 400 (48.07)

Brian Luciano, 4th, Discus (152-10)

Jaston Ormsby, 5th, Shot Put (50-5 ¼)

Andrew Rosenblatt, 6th, 3,000 SC (9:16.31)

Oliver Jibb, 7th, 3,000 (9:17.39)

Jose Iraola-Ceely, 8th, Hammer (179-11)

Oliver Madariaga, 8th, 400 (48.54)

TOP WOMEN’S FINISHERS

Jennifer Mui, 1st, 3,000 (10:17.89)

Alyssa Armitage, 2nd, Pole Vault (12-7 ½)

Anna Gansrow, 2nd, 1,500 (4:40.50)

Tatum Norris, 3rd, Pole Vault (12-1 ½)

Savanna Edwards, 3rd, 400 Hurdles (1:01.94)

Sydney Leitner, 4th, 10,000 (36:56.10)

Tatum Norris, 4th, 400 (55.44)

Dami Modupe, 4th, 100 Hurdles (14.20)

Gianna Hoose, 5th, Hammer (172-7)

Siena Jacobson, 5th, Pole Vault (11-1 ¼)

Victoria Payne, 5th, 100 Hurdles (14.82)

Kaylen Tenemille, 5th, 100 (12.13)

Deborah Estabine, 5th, Shot Put (42-6 ¾)

Deborah Estabine, 6th, Hammer (160-5)

Tatum Norris, 6th, 200 (24.78)

Gianna Hoose, 6th, Discus (123-11)

Kirsten Lilly, 7th, Pole Vault (11-1 ¾)

Ashlyn Rattray, 7th, 200 (24.92)

Cassidy Robleno, 8th, 400 Hurdles (1:06.54)

Carlea Davis, 8th, Triple Jump (37-3 ¼)

Logan Wheeler, 8th, Heptathlon (4,182)

MEN’S TEAM SCORING

UAlbany 163.5, UMBC 145, UMass Lowell 129, Maine 119, Binghamton 84, New Hampshire 81.50, Bryant 64, Vermont 43, NJIT 29

WOMEN’S TEAM SCORING

UAlbany 187, New Hampshire 128, Bryant 127.50, Binghamton 106.50, UMBC 105, Maine 72, Vermont 55, UMass Lowell 43, NJIT 33

MEN’S ALL-CONFERENCE (8)

Josh Stone, Marcus Johnson, Brennan Delany, Brian Luciano, Putu Sutayasa, Oliver Madariaga, Samson Joseph, Joe Cardascia

WOMEN’S ALL-CONFERENCE (5)

Jennifer Mui, Alyssa Armitage, Tatum Norris, Anna Gansrow, Savanna Edwards

 



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Oologah volleyball team to serve community needs Monday | Local News

People in and around Oologah who need a helping hand with chores can get one free Monday. The Oologah high school and middle school volleyball teams will visit homes and work sites around the Oologah-Talala area Monday for their third Day of Service event. Abby Piha, the head coach, said the girls will start at […]

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People in and around Oologah who need a helping hand with chores can get one free Monday.

The Oologah high school and middle school volleyball teams will visit homes and work sites around the Oologah-Talala area Monday for their third Day of Service event. Abby Piha, the head coach, said the girls will start at 8 a.m. and work until their jobs are done.


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Bengals release volleyball schedule, announce changes to football schedule

POCATELLO — Idaho State University has released its 2025 volleyball schedule, which includes a home opener against Northern Arizona University on Sept. 27. The schedule, posted to the team’s social media pages this week, features just eight home games. Grab your calendar ?️ The complete 2025 Idaho State Volleyball schedule is here‼️#RoarBengalsRoar pic.twitter.com/O8vYyu2srf — Idaho […]

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POCATELLO — Idaho State University has released its 2025 volleyball schedule, which includes a home opener against Northern Arizona University on Sept. 27.

The schedule, posted to the team’s social media pages this week, features just eight home games.

The Bengals finished the 2024 season with a 21-10 overall record and an 11-5 conference record, good enough for second in the the Big Sky, behind Northern Colorado (14-2). ISU will meet the Bears just once this season, in Greeley, Colo. on Nov. 13.

ISU Rivalry home games include an Oct. 9 visit from the University of Idaho and an Oct. 17 showdown with Weber State.

The Bengals will finish the regular season with back-to-back home matches, against Montana State on Nov. 19 and University of Montana on Nov. 21.

Football schedule tweaked

ISU will now be playing a Week 0 game.

Following one minor change to their 2025 schedule, the Bengals visit to Las Vegas and UNLV will be on Aug. 23, instead of Sept. 13. This adjustment means that the Bengals will play in one of just five Week 0 games, headlined by a matchup between Iowa State and Kansas State.

A start time of the Bengal-Rebel game is yet to be determined.

ISU will now have a bye on Sept. 13. The rest of their schedule remains the same.

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Boys U19 National Team to Play for Gold at 2025 Pan American Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (July 12, 2025) – The U.S. Boys U19 National Team will play for the gold medal at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup after a convincing 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-17) semifinal win over Canada on Saturday night in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  The U.S. (4-0) will face the winner of the other semifinal […]

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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (July 12, 2025)The U.S. Boys U19 National Team will play for the gold medal at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup after a convincing 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-17) semifinal win over Canada on Saturday night in Cuernavaca, Mexico. 

The U.S. (4-0) will face the winner of the other semifinal between Mexico and Venezuela tomorrow, Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m. PT.

The U.S. led Canada in kills (37-28), blocks (6-5) and aces (4-1).

MATCH STATISTICS

Opposite Corbin Batista posted match-highs of 13 kills and 14 points, adding a block.

“Canada is a great team. They came out swinging really tough and kept the pressure on us the whole match. We were just playing as a unit the whole time. Communication was up, our energy was up, defense was up. We had some crazy kills and were really tough from the service line. Everything was working on our end, so it was a great match,” Batista said.

Four other U.S. players scored seven or eight points to lead the balanced attack. Outside hitter Logan Hutnick (seven kills and one ace) and middle blocker Isiah Powell (five kills, one block, two aces) each scored eight points.

Middle blocker Dante Cayaban contributed seven points on five kills, one block and one ace. Outside Blake Fahlbusch led the team with two blocks and recorded five kills to also score seven points.

Libero Ben Bayer led all players with 10 digs and nine successful receptions. Hutnick finished with eight successful receptions and seven digs with Batista adding five digs. Setter Brett Novak scored three points on two kills and a block and totaled four digs.

The U.S. led 15-14 in the first set before ending the set on a 10-4 run. Batista produced two kills in the next four points to give the U.S. an 18-15 lead. A Powell ace made it 23-16 and Hutnick ended the set with his second kill. Batista finished the set with seven kills.

The second set was nearly a repeat of the first set. The U.S. led by just two points, 15-13, before finishing the set on a 10-5 run to win by the same 25-18 score. Hutnick led the U.S. with four points on three kills and an ace, while Powell added three points on two kills and a block.

The U.S. controlled the third set from the start. A Batista block gave the U.S. a five-point lead, 12-7. Canada was not able to get any closer than four points the remainder of the match. Fahlbusch finished the match with his fifth kill.

2025 Boys U19 National Team Pan American Cup Roster

Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, School, USAV Region)

2 Ben Bayer (L, 6-1, Menomonee Falls, Wisc., Sussex Hamilton HS, Badger)
3 Thomas Phung (L, 5-10 Garland, Texas, Harvard University, Southern)
6 Thomas Demps IV (OH, 6-4, Raleigh, N.C., Broughton HS, Carolina)
9 Dante Cayaban (MB, 6-7, Saint Cloud, Fla., Saint Cloud HS, Florida)
13 Logan Hutnick (OH, 6-6, Huntington Beach, Calif., Huntington Beach HS, Southern California)
15 Blake Fahlbusch (OH, 6-8, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Loyola HS of Los Angeles, Southern California)
17 Peter Chriss (S, 6-6, Menlo Park, Calif., Menlo Atherton HS, Northern California)
18 Brett Novak (S, 6-6, Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS, Southern California)
22 Kale Cochran (OH, 6-7, Roseville, Calif., Whitney HS, Northern California)
23 Corbin Batista (OPP, 6-7, St. George, Utah, Alta HS, Intermountain)
24 Isiah Powell (MB, 6-7, Silver Spring, Md., Springbrook HS, Chesapeake)
25 Brodie Heshler (MB, 6-7, Harrisburg, Pa., Central Dauphin HS, Keystone)

Coaches

Head Coach: Jonah Carson (MVVC)
Assistant Coach: Sean Byron (Marist College)
Assistant Coach: Spencer Wickens (Stanford)
Performance Analyst: AJ Ruttenberg (UCLA)
Team Doctor: Dr. Chris Cornell (Coduhi Clinic)
Team Lead: Brandon Oswald (NTDP)

Schedule

All times PDT

July 8: USA def. Venezuela, 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-16, 32-30)
July 9: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-20, 27-25, 25-17)
July 10: USA def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-19)
July 11: Quarterfinals: Bye
July 12: Semifinals: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-17)
July 13: Gold Medal match: USA vs. Mexico/Venezuela, 3 p.m.



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Noah Lyles Wins First 200M Back, Defeats Olympic Champion Letsile Tebogo At Monaco Diamond League

MONACO, MONACO – JULY 11: Noah Lyles of the United States celebrates after winning in the Men’s 200m … More during the Herculis EBS, part of the 2025 Diamond League at Stade Louis II on July 11, 2025 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Getty Images After taking three months off from competition […]

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After taking three months off from competition due to injury, 100-meter dash Olympic champion Noah Lyles returned to the track for the Monaco Diamond League. Lyles was scheduled to race in the 200-meter dash against the reigning Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo.

Despite Lyles’ setback, he was able to pull off his first win of the season ahead of the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships scheduled for later this month.

How Noah Lyles And Letsile Tebogo Are Working Their Way Back To The Top

Yesterday at the Monaco Diamond League, Olympic champions Lyles and Tebogo went head-to-head in the 200-meter dash. Tebogo controlled the race from the start, setting the tone that he was confident after his win at the Prefontaine Classic last weekend. Although Lyles did not have the quickest start, he was able to develop momentum around the curve and challenge Tebogo as they powered into the homestretch.

Lyles stayed calm under Tebogo’s pressure and was able to secure the victory in 19.88. Tebogo was not far behind in 19.97. After the meet, Tebogo expressed he didn’t have ample time to warm up, which contributed to his performance not living up to his expectations.

“First of all, I am disappointed in my performance,” said Tebogo. “…back in the call room where they called us in earlier than expected, so I did not do my whole warm-up.”

Producing a sub-20-second performance without full preparation is another sign that Tebogo is fit and will continue to run faster when all of his accommodations are properly met.

Both Olympic champions have dealt with unfavorable circumstances this post-Olympic season. As mentioned before, Lyles took three months off from competition to nurse an injury. The last time he competed this outdoor season was back in April, where he ran the 400-meter dash and the 4×100-meter relay at Tom Jones.

Following the meet in Florida, Lyles was scheduled to run at the Atlanta City Games, where he equaled the American record in the 150-meter dash last year. Lyles released a statement the day before the meet began and stated that he wouldn’t be competing due to ankle tightness.

The race in Monaco was heavily anticipated by fans since the last time spectators watched Lyles and Tebogo on the start line together was at the Paris Olympics last August. Lyles, who is typically more vocal on social media about his expectations and self-confidence, had been silent over the past several weeks. No one knew what to expect of his fitness going into this weekend’s competition.

Last week at the Prefontaine Classic, Tebogo ran 19.76 in the 200-meter dash to establish a new world lead. Tebogo, similar to Lyles, took time off from competition before winning his first Diamond League race back.

Six weeks before the Prefontaine Classic, Tebogo placed last in the 100-meter dash at the Rabat Diamond League. The Olympic champion has taken longer than usual to find his rhythm this season. Tebogo didn’t have the best season opening times in his main events and was inconsistent during the early portions of the year.

ForbesFaith Kipyegon And Beatrice Chebet Break World Records At The 50th Prefontaine Classic

In an interview with Citius Mag, Tebogo expressed that his rough start was due to a recurring knee injury. The injury flared up in May, which was the cause of his performance in Rabat. His six-week break proved to be necessary as he looked to be back to his old self last weekend in Eugene, Oregon.

Although Lyles and Tebogo are slowly working their way back to the top after injury, they both proved they’re ready for what’s to come later this season.

As both athletes begin to find their race pattern, they will have to prepare for two-time Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek. This season, Bednarek was named Racer of the Year in the Grand Slam Track league for winning each short sprint Slam title. So far, he has run a 19.84 in the 200-meter dash and a wind-aided 9.79 in the 100-meter dash. Bednarek is currently undefeated this season. The likelihood of the Paris Olympic podium consisting of the same three men is high based on their performances this year and their unwavering determination.

Fans looking to watch Lyles race again before the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships can catch him on the track at the London Diamond League on July 19th, where he will contest the 100-meter dash.



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MLB Futures Game

ATLANTA – It can be a dizzying climb: Star amateur player to draft day to prospect list and, just like that, the major leagues.For the dozens of participants in Major League Baseball’s Futures Game, a weekend spent immersed with fellow elite prospects can offer a moment’s perspective on how far they’ve come.Yet for those who […]

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MLB Futures Game


ATLANTA – It can be a dizzying climb: Star amateur player to draft day to prospect list and, just like that, the major leagues.For the dozens of participants in Major League Baseball’s Futures Game, a weekend spent immersed with fellow elite prospects can offer a moment’s perspective on how far they’ve come.Yet for those who have climbed to Class AA or AAA, who have reached the “just a phone call away” of the developmental program, it brings the whirlwind right back – and the promise of what may be around the corner.“I’m surrounded by and playing with the best minor league players in every organization right now,” Toronto Blue Jays Class AAA right-hander Trey Yesavage tells USA TODAY Sports on July 12.

“It goes to show I’m just as close as every one of these guys and it’s great to be here.”

With the second half looming and both pennant races and the trade deadline tempting teams to scuttle best-laid plans and bring the minors’ best to the big leagues, USA TODAY Sports checks in with four rising stars on the doorstep to the big leagues:

JJ Wetherholt, infielder, St. Louis Cardinals: A speedy rise

It’s been just a year since Wetherholt donned a Western fit and shook commissioner Rob Manfred’s hand as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, and just a week since he got promoted from Class AA Springfield to AAA Memphis.

Yet there are multiple forces that make Wetherholt an intriguing candidate for a St. Louis summons: He’s tearing up the minor leagues, is unstoppable on the basepaths – and the Cardinals have defied all expectations of what 2025 would look like by hanging in the playoff race.

While Wetherholt is a shortstop by trade and the Cardinals have Masyn Winn entrenched there, he could easily slide to second or third base. And, above all, his speed brings an element any contender could use.

While Wetherholt has just 16 steals in his 94-game pro career, he’s only been caught twice, an elite 88.9% success rate. That’s even better than his college exploits at West Virginia University, where he stole 57 bags in 73 tries.

“Really, it just comes down to trusting my legs,” says Wetherholt. “It’s going to come down to the pitcher’s time and the catcher’s time. If I see the catcher’s pop time and the pitcher’s time (delivering to home) is something that makes me realize I can get a good jump and steal, I’m all over it. I’m going to trust it.

“If I play the calculations right, I should be safe every time.”

He’s in the right organization, from a heritage standpoint. The Cardinals have long thrived on speed, from current center fielder Victor Scott all the way back to their go-go teams from the 1980s, many of whom have befriended Wetherholt.

Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith has struck up a particular friendship.

“They keep you humble, because you got to see what they do and you see how humble they are, it’s just ridiculous,” says Wetherholt.

“Ozzie Smith is the nicest dude ever. He was so excited to meet me and I was like, ‘Dude, I’m shaking right now.’ It’s awesome.”

Wetherholt may not follow directly in Ozzie’s footsteps and to that point, he’s willing to embrace the versatility that’s both a hallmark of the current Cardinals roster and an increasing necessity in today’s game.

Whatever gets him from Memphis to St. Louis.

“Obviously, my focus has been the middle of the infield. That’s where they see me long term,” he says. “For me, I’m a competitor. A lot of people talk about my bat and I hope that excels. Defensively, I’m going to work my butt off to be good wherever that may be.

“But I’m definitely open to anything.”

Harry Ford, catcher, Seattle Mariners: Third time’s the charm?

At least Harry Ford has home-field advantage this time.

The Futures Game is typically both rite of passage and waystation, but Ford is playing in the midsummer mini-classic for a third time, for a couple of reasons.

First, he was a very precocious prospect once the Mariners drafted him 12th overall in 2021. And now, he’s blocked from a big league job by perhaps the greatest story in baseball this year: Cal Raleigh.

Yet Ford, 22, is staying sanguine about it. Born in Atlanta, he attended high school at North Cobb, about 20 miles from Truist Park. He secured 22 Futures Game tickets for friends and family.

His big league time will come, the clock ticking only a bit faster when the Mariners summoned him to Texas last month for a night on the taxi squad, in case backup Mitch Garver couldn’t go.

The debut wasn’t to be, and with Raleigh slugging an otherworldly 38 home runs before the All-Star break, a full-time job isn’t in the offing. But Ford is strafing Class AAA pitching. His time is coming, even if it requires a trade from Seattle if they see a greater need to fill to maintain their positioning, one-half game out of a playoff spot.

“I try my best to stay where I’m at,” says Ford. “You know, something that I lean on the most is a proverb, and it says the king’s heart is in the hand of Lord, he guides it like a stream of water. He guides it wherever he pleases.

“And so I’m just like, you know what? My career in God’s hands and I just let it let it be where he decides it to go.”

Right now, it’s running roughshod over the Pacific Coast League. Ford is slashing .292/.409/.446 at Tacoma, his .854 OPS 109 points better than his Class AA mark. Ford is doing just fine.

“I’m only 22. I’ve got a lot of time to grow. Just continue to grow, continue to get wisdom,” he says.

“I mean, it’s not too many 22-year-olds at AAA. So sometimes, it’s nice to take a step back and see that. Proud of what I’ve been so far.”

Carson Whisenhunt, left-hander, San Francisco Giants: Bustin’ loose

The biggest jolt from baseball’s first half was felt all the way in Sacramento, a couple hours east from where Rafael Devers touched down as a San Francisco Giant in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox.

Headed east in that deal: Kyle Harrison, a valued young lefty who’d flashed potential in bouncing from Class AAA and the Giants. And suddenly, Carson Whisenhunt found him a little closer to the front of the line.

“We all were kind of stunned on that one,” says Whisenhunt, a second-round pick in 2022 out of East Carolina. “Nobody really knew what to expect once that happened, but everything happens for a reason and we got Devers out of it. And hopefully he helps the team up there and we go from there.”

It might not be long before Whisenhunt’s that guy helping the big club.

He impressed in big league spring training and, for now, is sporting a 4.50 ERA – a quality start, essentially – at Sacramento while hoping to follow the example of two of his close friends.

Landen Roupp and Hayden Birdsong have graduated to San Francisco, mainstays in the Giants rotation and, in Roupp’s case, an indispensable cog with a 3.39 ERA in 18 starts. Birdsong has not met as much success, but has very high-end stuff.

Whisenhunt has been taking notes, learning and listening.

“It’s a great path to follow,” says Whisenhunt. “They’re both throwing really well. Roupp’s had a great year. Birdy’s struggled a little bit but he has great stuff; nobody’s worried about what he can do on the field.

“I’m close with Birdy and Roupp. I pick their brains on what’s going on, what’s working and not working, take little bits and pieces of it and apply to myself.”

That usually starts with featuring his changeup, a beguiling offering that lands in the low 80s and plays nicely off a fastball that touches the mid-90s. Above all Whisenhunt is developing a better feel for his pitches, a development he credits to changes made by new club president Buster Posey loosening the reins just a bit on the young starters.

“It’s definitely different this year, especially with Posey overtaking everything,” says Whisenhunt. “Last year we were on a restriction of how many innings, how many pitches per outing. This year, there’s still a limit, but the limit is a lot higher.

“It’s trying to get us extended – the guys that do get called up ready to  compete once their name’s called.”

That time draws increasingly nearer for Whisenhunt.

Trey Yesavage, right-hander, Toronto Blue Jays: Full-time gig

It’s not that Trey Yesavage did not take his academic pursuits seriously at East Carolina University. It’s just that, one year since Toronto plucked him out of Greenville with the 20th overall pick a year ago, he’s feeling a nice boost when his first and only job is baseball.

“I’ve definitely gotten stronger, I’ll tell you that,” says Yesavage. “I’ve built a good foundation and my body’s feeling amazing because of it.”

He’s getting a pretty good workout from the figurative steps he’s climbing: Seven starts at Class A Dunedin, four more at high-A Vancouver and now five more at AA New Hampshire. Yesavage dominated the younger competition in Florida, striking out 55 in just three innings, and posted a WHIP of less than 1 in both of his A ball outposts.

The going has gotten more challenging at Class AA – he has 23 strikeouts and 11 walks in 17 innings over five starts – but the growth is real.

“I can say that I’ve become more of a pitchability guy, throwing pitches in any count I want, and it’s been a big help for my career,” says Yesavage. “Not having distractions but being able to focus on one task and hone in on that.”

Yesavage’s employers have been the hottest team in the AL East for more than a month, and lead the division by 2 ½ games. Yesavage’s steps would have to become leaps to earn a summons for the playoff push, but he’s methodically passed every other hurdle so far.

“You’re obviously going to have that main goal of making it to the big leagues and having a long career there. You also have to remember the milestones along the way, what’s going to help you get there,” he says. “If you’re worried about two months in advance, the game in front of you is not going to go good and that’s going to set you back from your main goal.”

Brody Hopkins, right-hander, Tampa Bay Rays: A new home

For many of the Futures Games participants, it was easy to get star-struck by members of their coaching staff, a Braves-centric group featuring Hall of Famer Chipper Jones and Fred McGriff, among others.

For Brody Hopkins, it was a little startling to see the company he can now call peers.

“I would say it feels a little more real, and I would say coming here makes it feel even more realer, if that’s a word,” says Hopkins, a Tampa Bay Rays right-hander. “Being here, looking around, it’s crazy. I couldn’t have told you two years ago that this was where I’d be. I’m just trying to soak it all in, take as many pictures as I can, talk to as many people as I can.

“You only get this moment once.”

This is just Hopkins’ second season as a full-time pitcher, as he dabbled in the outfield both at Winthrop and in the Seattle and Tampa Bay organizations.

But his career took a turn when he was a key piece of the trade that sent All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena from Tampa Bay to Seattle, one year after the Mariners selected him in the sixth round.

“They just instill confidence in me, tell me to be an athlete and let my athleticism take over,” says Hopkins of Tampa Bay. “Kind of just tell me to trust my stuff, throw everything down the middle, make it presentable and let my (pitch) shapes do what they do.

“I was traded early, but I feel like the Rays are my home.”

They’re doing pretty well so far. Hopkins has struck out 98 in 80 innings at Class AA Montgomery, his 3.35 ERA not much worse than the 3.05 mark he posted at two A ball stops in 2024.

His fastball sits in the mid-90s and he possesses a slider that’s a wipeout offering to right-handers. Hopkins still profiles as a starter, but that two-pitch arsenal alone could make him an attractive option for an earlier trip to Tampa Bay, with the Rays once again in playoff position.

“I’m not going to say I’m going to get there tomorrow,” says Thorpe. “I’m not going to say I’ll be there in two years.

“But it could be somewhere in between there and when that day happens, it’s going to be pretty exciting.”

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How Cubs prospect Owen Caissie fared in 2025 MLB All

If Owen Caissie hadn’t announced himself to MLB already, he sure has now. Caissie, the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect on MLB Pipeline, represented the Cubs at the MLB All-Star Futures Game on Saturday. The Iowa Cubs slugger, who just turned 23 four days ago, kept his Triple-A hot streak going in the showcase when he […]

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How Cubs prospect Owen Caissie fared in 2025 MLB All

If Owen Caissie hadn’t announced himself to MLB already, he sure has now.

Caissie, the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect on MLB Pipeline, represented the Cubs at the MLB All-Star Futures Game on Saturday.

The Iowa Cubs slugger, who just turned 23 four days ago, kept his Triple-A hot streak going in the showcase when he ripped an RBI double to extend the National League’s lead in the fourth inning.

Caissie was the Cubs organization’s sole representative in the showcase after Double-A pitcher Jaxon Wiggins, the Cubs’ No. 8 prospect on MLB Pipeline, dropped out of the game due to workload management.

[MORE: Cubs top prospect Jaxon Wiggins removed from MLB All-Star Futures Game]

Caissie was named a starter in the game, hitting third and playing right field. The double came in his third at-bat and followed two walks, the first of which he used the automated ball-strike challenge system (ABS) to challenge a strike call and earn a free pass.

The NL side went on to win the seven-inning contest, 4-2. Caissie and Los Angeles Dodgers No.1 prospect Josue De Paula were the NL’s sole providers of run support in the game. De Paula, a High-A outfielder, was named the MVP after his three-run shot.

Caissie was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2020 and came to the Cubs later that year as part of the Yu Darvish trade. In Triple-A this season, he is slashing .278/.386/.575 (.901 OPS) with 19 home runs and 42 RBI.

He’s enjoyed his hottest streak of the season thus far this month, slashing .394/.487/1.091 (1.578 OPS) with seven home runs in his last eight games.

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