Connect with us

Sports

Chicago Cubs Have the Best Outfield in Major League Baseball

Cubs Video No team in baseball features a better trio on the outfield grass than the Chicago Cubs. There isn’t a whole lot of room for debate here, either.  As a group, the Cubs’ outfield ranks first in fWAR (5.0), well ahead of the New York Yankees (4.2) and even farther ahead of the Boston Red […]

Published

on

Chicago Cubs Have the Best Outfield in Major League Baseball

Cubs Video

No team in baseball features a better trio on the outfield grass than the Chicago Cubs. There isn’t a whole lot of room for debate here, either. 

As a group, the Cubs’ outfield ranks first in fWAR (5.0), well ahead of the New York Yankees (4.2) and even farther ahead of the Boston Red Sox (3.0). While it would be an oversimplification to attribute the team’s early success specifically and solely to that group (given the success of Michael Busch and the tandem of Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly behind the plate), it’s certainly been the outfield leading the way. This was always possible, but it was far from guaranteed, so seeing it come to fruition is as encouraging as it is satisfying.

The acquisition of Kyle Tucker was obviously a boon. With such little positional flexibility when the offseason began, moving Cody Bellinger out of town and finding a suitable replacement for Seiya Suzuki‘s glove in right represented one of the only paths toward legitimate addition within the lineup. Tucker has been crucial to the team’s early run to the top of the National League Central, but it’s been far from the only element driving the offensive (and defensive, for that matter) pace thus far.

In addition to pacing the league in fWAR, the Cubs’ outfield leads the league in isolated slugging (.236) and strikeout rate (16.5%), while sitting top five in batting average (.291), on-base percentage (.367), and stolen bases (21). Their 22 home runs are tied with the Yankees atop the leaderboard, as well. To say that it’s a potent group would be an understatement.

Tucker has been as advertised. Plenty of ink is still to be spilt over the team’s efforts to retain their new-ish superstar, but even with a little bit of a recent “cold” streak, he’s still a top-10 position player in most categories. His 168 wRC+ ranks seventh, while his walk rate (15.3%) continues to outpace his strikeout rate (11.7%). 

While Tucker had the ability to raise the floor of what this group could produce, it’s been Pete Crow-Armstrong who has pushed the ceiling upward. Not all of the stats look great. He’s still reaching base at a barely a .300 clip, but he’s tamped down the strikeouts on his way to producing a 139 wRC+. That’s all despite a very cold start. The power has really manifested, to the tune of a .287 ISO that even narrowly surpasses that of Tucker (.285). We knew the speed would be there, and lo: 12 steals. 

The mildly ironic thing is that the star-level play we see from each of Tucker and Crow-Armstrong on a daily basis has overshadowed the contributions of Ian Happ atop the lineup. He’s running a 120 wRC+, with virtually no power to speak of (.102 ISO). Generally a slow starter, that Happ is already a worthy contributor without the power (which we don’t typically see until May, anyway) really gets moving speaks to the actual ceiling of this group.

Then there’s the defensive component. The Cubs lead the league with 10 Defensive Runs Saved in the outfield, even with Tucker rating a bit below average. It helps that Crow-Armstrong is jumping his way to covering more ground than almost any individual outfielder in baseball, but Happ’s defense looks legitimately good in the face of metrics that have soured on him throughout his Gold Glove run.

It’s the combination of offense and defense that has given the Cubs two of the nine most valuable players in baseball—and we’re not just talking outfielders. There are 162 qualifying position players in the league. Crow-Armstrong ranks third in FanGraphs WAR, and Tucker sits ninth. Happ’s farther down the list, at 63rd, but it’s nearly impossible to overstate the level at which this outfield has performed. 

They’ve been much-needed, too. While catcher (Amaya/Kelly) and first base (Busch) both sit in the top seven in positional value, the middle infield spots have both been middle-of-the-road. Third base is near the bottom of the league (28th). Seiya Suzuki’s phenomenal production as the DH is vital, but since his defensive homes are in the outfield, he feels like an extension of that corps.

Consider some of the groups that were projected to be among the best in the league on the grass in the National League alone. Arizona. San Diego. Milwaukee. FanGraphs’s preseason positional power rankings had the Cubs eighth in left field, 12th in center, and fifth in right. They’ve blown them all away. And then you get into the value of pushing Suzuki into a full-time role as the designated hitter. 

It’s this group that has not only made the Cubs into a legitimate NL contender, but a singularly watchable winner. After a handful of years of middle-tier, outright boring baseball, the Cubs have become one of the most exciting teams in the sport on the strength of their outfield.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Cramb, McManus Book Tickets to NCAA Championships

Story Links BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – On a hot, muggy day in College Station, Rob McManus and Harvey Cramb kept their seasons alive by punching tickets to Eugene at the NCAA West First Rounds on Friday inside E.B. Cushing Stadium.  The duo will join long jumper Hailey Coey at the 2025 […]

Published

on


BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – On a hot, muggy day in College Station, Rob McManus and Harvey Cramb kept their seasons alive by punching tickets to Eugene at the NCAA West First Rounds on Friday inside E.B. Cushing Stadium. 

The duo will join long jumper Hailey Coey at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in two weeks at Hayward Field, with more potential Bobcat qualifiers still waiting in the wings ahead of the final day of regional competition on Saturday. 

Elsewhere, both Owen Smith and Will Kelly wrapped up memorable careers at the national quarterfinals in the steeplechase on Friday. 

“There were incredible efforts today from the quartet of men’s distance runners,” head coach Lyle Weese said. “The West Region of NCAAs is such a challenging region–so many incredible and outstanding athletes can’t get out of the region. For Harvey to make it through in the 1,500 meters and Rob in the steeplechase is truly outstanding.” 

McManus, a senior from Cashmere, Washington, qualified in the 3,000 meter steeplechase for the third straight year, and joins Levi Taylor (2022-24), Duncan Hamilton (2021-23) and Nick Lam (2007-09) as the only Bobcats in history to make it to three straight NCAA Outdoor Championship meets. 

The current face of ‘Steeple U’ never looked in danger during a commanding second heat on Friday in College Station, staying in the top three throughout the entirety of the nearly eight-lap race over barriers and water jumps. 

McManus finished in 8:30.65, second in his heat and the third-fastest mark in the entire field. 

The decorated distance runner earned Second Team All-American honors in the steeplechase in both 2023 (16th) and 2024 (13th) before earning another Second Team All-American honor in March this season in the indoor mile (15th). 

“I’m really excited to be headed back to Eugene,” McManus said. “We’ve had steeplers to nationals for the past five years straight and it’s awesome to keep that streak going. I’m proud to be a part of this team and can’t wait to represent Montana State on the big stage again.” 

Over the past five years, the Cats have sent ten total qualifiers to the national meet in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, with Hamilton going three times, Taylor three times, McManus three times, and Owen Smith once. 

Smith, a senior from Billings, was trying to return to the big stage in the steeplechase out of the first heat on Friday but came up just short, placing 27th overall with a time of 8:59.83.  

The veteran ends a standout distance career in the Blue and Gold on the track after earning Honorable Mention All-American honors in the steeplechase last year and a bronze medal at the Big Sky Championships this spring. 

“Owen finished up a great track career with another great effort today,” Weese said. “He has brought so much to the team with outstanding performances and always being such a great teammate. 

Will Kelly, a graduate student from Golf, Illinois, also ended his season on Friday night finishing 36th in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:11.14. In his lone year as a Bobcat, Kelly ran the eighth-fastest steeple race in program history and the eighth-fastest 10,000 meter race in school history. 

“As a graduate student, we were unfortunately only able to have Will for one year,” Weese said. “We were so fortunate to have that one year with outstanding accomplishments and also being such an awesome teammate.” 

Earlier in the day, Harvey Cramb backed up his incredible season by punching his ticket to Eugene in the 1,500 meters. 

Cramb, a sophomore from Brisbane, Australia, becomes the fourth Bobcat man to qualify for nationals in the 1,500 meters, joining Cristian Soratos (2015), Patrick Casey (2011) and Mike Feist (2000). 

The Aussie led for the first three laps of the race before getting stuck on the rail, then held on down the stretch to grab one of the five auto-bids by placing fourth in his heat with a time of 3:47.28. 

“Harvey stayed composed in a stacked heat, and even when he got into a tough position, he battled his way through,” Weese said. 

It continues an incredible year for Cramb, who finished 11th in the mile at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in March to earn Second Team All-American honors, then won a memorable Big Sky title in the 1,500 meters two weeks ago over NAU’s Colin Sahlman. 

Now, Cramb is headed to the biggest stage in collegiate track and field. 

UP NEXT 

Montana State track and field concludes their stay at the NCAA West First Rounds on Saturday night at E.B. Cushing Stadium. 

Grace Gilbreth kicks off the evening in the third heat of the 3,000 meter steeplechase at approximately 6 p.m. CT. The school record-holder is seeded 12th in the West Region and is looking to become the first Bobcat woman ever to advance to the NCAA Championships in the steeplechase. 

Later, Kyla Christopher-Moody will look to keep her legendary career alive when she toes the line for the 5,000 meters at 8:10 p.m. CT. The graduate student who holds four school records is seeded 26th in the field and will be aiming at one of the 12 tickets to Eugene.  

Finally, the women’s 4×400 meter relay team will close out the meet in the final event of the week, racing in the final heat at approximately 9 p.m. CT. 

The quartet of Olivia Lewis, Peyton Garrison, Giulia Gandolfi, and Caroline Hawkes are trying to become the first-ever Bobcat relay to advance to the NCAA Championships and enter the regional meet seeded ninth in the 24-team field. 

The Cats will need to either finish in the top three in their heat or run one of the next three-fastest times to book their tickets to Eugene. 

The meet will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 4 p.m. MT/5 p.m. CT.  

A full meet schedule is available here and start lists can be viewed here. A meet central webpage with links to live results, information, streaming, and more can be found here.     

#GoCatsGo 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Cache Kraken girls take third in state; Zoey Hunter, Doug Fryer earn top awards | Sports

LOGAN – The Cache Kraken girls water polo team capped off a standout season with a third-place finish at the Utah state tournament recently, bolstered by individual accolades for players and coaches. Zoey Hunter was named Utah’s Player of the Year, while Coach Doug Fryer was honored as Coach of the Year. Teammates Whitley Davis, […]

Published

on


LOGAN – The Cache Kraken girls water polo team capped off a standout season with a third-place finish at the Utah state tournament recently, bolstered by individual accolades for players and coaches.







03092024-9976.jpg

Zoey Hunter was named Utah’s Player of the Year, while Coach Doug Fryer was honored as Coach of the Year. Teammates Whitley Davis, Beza Fryer, Nya Joekel and Sophie Dayton also received statewide recognition. Davis was named First Team All-State Goalie, Fryer made First Team All-State, Joekel earned Second Team All-State, and Dayton received an Honorable Mention.

The Cache Kraken boys team also delivered a strong performance, finishing second in the state after a dramatic shootout loss by a single goal. Justus Field and Tyler Crook were both named to the First Team All-State roster.







03092024-1585.jpg

The club is now looking ahead to its youth summer camp, which runs Fridays from June 6 to July 18 at 9:30 a.m. at Mountain Crest High School. Open to kids ages 7–13, the camp offers a chance for youth to try out water polo, build friendships, and stay active during the summer. More information is available at www.cachepolo.com.



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Extine, Koudssi, 4x100m Relay Punch Tickets to NCAA Championships on Day 3

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Youssef Koudssi, James Onanubosi, Brian Limage, Isaac Davis, Tyson Tippett, and Zach Extine punched tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Day 3 at the West First Round.   Nine men’s track and field athletes have advanced to the NCAA Outdoor […]

Published

on


COLLEGE STATION, TexasYoussef Koudssi, James Onanubosi, Brian Limage, Isaac Davis, Tyson Tippett, and Zach Extine punched tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Day 3 at the West First Round.
 
Nine men’s track and field athletes have advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, with Koudssi,  Onanubosi,  Limage, Davis, Tippett, and Extine joining Day 1 qualifiers Jesse Avina, Reinaldo Rodrigues, and Zach Landa. All will compete at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, June 11-14. 
 
Koudssi began the day with a finish in 11th in the discus with a throw of 58.75m (192-9) to punch his ticket to the finals.
 
The men’s 4x100m Relay team advanced to Eugene with an 11th-place finish (39.33) as James Onanubosi, Brian Limage, Isaac Davis, and Tyson Tippett will travel to Eugene for a second consecutive year.
 
Extine finishes third in heat one to grab an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Championships. He ended 5th overall with a time of 13.23 in the 110m hurdles. He advances to the finals for the first time in his collegiate career.
 
Men’s NCAA Championships Qualifiers
Jesse Avina – Javelin (5th; PB: 72.48/237-9)
Reinaldo Rodrigues – Long Jump (10th; 7.71m/25-3 ½)
Zach Landa – Shot Put (1st; 20.06m/65-9 ¾)
Youssef Koudssi – Discus (11th; 58.75m/192-9)
4x100m Relay – Onanubosi, Limage, Davis, Tippett (11th; 39.33)
Zach Extine – 110m Hurdles (5th; 13.23)
 
Other finishes: Men
Tyson Tippett: 100m – 19th (PB: 10.19 – tied for 3rd in program history)
Yan Vazquez: 400m Hurdles – 14th (50.38)
Zach Landa: Discus – 17th (57.33m/188-1)
Sam Hala’ufia: Discus – 20th (56.67m/185-1)
 
The Arizona women’s track and field team will be back in action on Saturday, with five athletes looking to earn their way to the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
 
Women’s Quarterfinals on Saturday (All times MST)
Mackenna Orie, Tapenisa Havea – Discus (11 a.m.)
Ava Simms, McKenna Watson, Dakota Minor, Jade Brown – 4x100M Relay (3 p.m.)
Taylen Wise – 100m Hurdles (4:15 p.m)
Jade Brown and McKenna Watson – 100m (4:35 p.m.) | 200m (5:50 p.m.)
Ava Simms – 400m (4:50 p.m.)
Antonia Sanchez Nunez – 400m Hurdles (5:25 p.m.)
 
The action begins at 11 a.m. MST with the quarterfinal for the discus with Mackenna Orie and Tapenisa Havea back in action. A full day of action will be capped with the 200m featuring Jade Brown and McKenna Watson at 5:50 p.m. MST. 

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Arizona Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Facebook (ArizonaTrack), X (@ArizonaTrack), Instagram (@arizonatrack), and YouTube (@arizonawildcatstrack).
 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Dartmouth Closes Outdoor Season with NCAA First Round Appearances

By: Maddie Omana Story Links JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Six track and field student-athletes represented Dartmouth at the NCAA First Round this week, participating in events from Wednesday through Friday at Hodges Stadium.  Jada Jones, Andie Murray, Madeleine Locher, Albert Velikonja, Max Klein, and J’Voughnn Blake each competed against 47 of the […]

Published

on



JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Six track and field student-athletes represented Dartmouth at the NCAA First Round this week, participating in events from Wednesday through Friday at Hodges Stadium. 

Jada Jones, Andie Murray, Madeleine Locher, Albert Velikonja, Max Klein, and J’Voughnn Blake each competed against 47 of the best eastern division athletes in their respective events. This is the first time Jones, Murray, Velikonja, and Locher have qualified for the NCAA First Round. 

Mike Nelson, the Marjorie & Herbert Chase ’30 Director of Dartmouth Track & Field and Cross Country, said he was impressed with the way his student-athletes competed during the week. 

Most of our competitors dramatically improved upon their rankings. Our coaching staff did an excellent job preparing these student-athletes to compete at the highest level.  We finished the season on a high note and I could not be more proud of our team and staff.” Nelson said.  

Velikonja, who qualified for the 5000m as the 39th in the east, finished his senior season ranked 16th in the region with his 14:11.78 mark. 

Jones, the reigning Ivy League Champion in the indoor and outdoor 200m, had a 23.85 mark in the 200m. She also competed in the 400m and had a 53.49 finish in the event. 

After qualifying for the first round as 34th in the region, Klein improved to 31st in the shot put with a 17.71m throw. Blake finished fifth in his 800m heat with a 1:49.73 mark. 

Locher finished 20th in the region for the 10,000m, wrapping her senior season with a 33:53.04 finish. Murray competed in the 800m, finishing with a 2:06.72 mark. 

“I’d like to thank all of our seniors who have dedicated so much time and energy into the program. The class of 2025 will always have a special place in my heart because they were the leaders when I got to Dartmouth.” Nelson said. “Also, I’d like to say a big thanks to our support staff and administration. Their dedication and commitment to the program has allowed our student-athletes to thrive. Go Big Green!”



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Women’s Associate Head Volleyball Coach in Newberry, SC for Newberry College

Details Posted: 30-May-25 Location: Newberry, South Carolina Type: Full-time Categories: Coaching Coaching – Volleyball Sector: Collegiate Sports Required Education: 4 Year Degree Newberry College (NCAA D2), located in Newberry, SC, is seeking applicants for our Women’s Associate Head Volleyball Coach position. The selected candidate will ensure the team operates and conducts themselves within the ideals, […]

Published

on


Details

Posted: 30-May-25

Location: Newberry, South Carolina

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Coaching

Coaching – Volleyball

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

Required Education:

4 Year Degree

Newberry College (NCAA D2), located in Newberry, SC, is seeking applicants for our Women’s Associate Head Volleyball Coach position. The selected candidate will ensure the team operates and conducts themselves within the ideals, goals, rules, and regulations set forth by Newberry College, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). The successful candidate will embrace and promote the mission of Newberry College. Newberry College prepares students in the Lutheran liberal arts tradition through our supportive academic community for lifelong intellectual and personal development, meaningful vocation, and engaged citizenship in the global society. This position reports directly to the Head Volleyball Coach. The successful candidate will provide leadership, organization, supervision, instruction, and strategic planning for the Wolves women’s volleyball team.


JOB FUNCTIONS: 1.Create an atmosphere that emphasizes the student-athlete experience. 2.Construct a plan to ensure academic success and personal development of student-athletes. 3.Meet recruiting and retention goals. 4.Ensure each student-athlete has a pathway towards graduation. 5.Identify, evaluate, and recruit academically prepared student-athletes in accordance with college policy and NCAA regulations. 6.Establish an effective communication plan with student-athletes. 7.Plan a competitive schedule. 8.Conduct practices in a safe environment. 9.Effectively manage the budget. 10.Fundraise for additional program needs. 11.Implement an effective community service plan. 12.Promote the women’s volleyball program in the community. 13.Other duties as assigned by Head Volleyball Coach.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree, and previous collegiate volleyball coaching or playing experience is preferred.  Upon employment, candidate must successfully complete NCAA certification exam.

 

 

APPLICATION

To apply for the position, send resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information of three references to:

 

Kiko Santos

Women’s Head Volleyball Coach

Human.resources@newberry.edu

 

Application Deadline: Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Any offer of employment is contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by law or university policies.

 

 

Newberry College does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information. Newberry College is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from people from diverse identities and backgrounds.

 

E-Verify:

Currently the college uses E-Verify for employment verification. E-Verify is an internet-based system that compares information entered by an employer from a n employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) to records available to the US Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility.

 

College Employment Policy

This job description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not necessarily be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.  Job descriptions do not constitute an employment agreement or contract of employment, expressed or implied.  Unless designated in writing and signed by the College President, all College employees are considered to be “EMPLOYED AT WILL.” Newberry College reserves the right to change, alter and amend job descriptions, functions and duties at the pleasure of the College President or Board of Trustees.

 

Employer Logo

About Newberry College

Newberry College, a private, liberal arts college located in the midlands of South Carolina. The College is a proud member of the South Atlantic Conference and Division II. The College is highly ranked as one of the best small colleges in the South in terms of both value and social mobility.


Connections working at Newberry College



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Racer Legend Coach Velvet Milkman Inducted into OVC Hall of Fame

Former Murray State women’s golf coach Velvet Milkman, was honored (May 29) as part of the class of 2025 to the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame. The OVC recognition is her third induction into a hall of fame, after being inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame […]

Published

on

Racer Legend Coach Velvet Milkman Inducted into OVC Hall of Fame


Velvet Milkman OVC Hall of FameFormer Murray State women’s golf coach Velvet Milkman, was honored (May 29) as part of the class of 2025 to the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame.
 
The OVC recognition is her third induction into a hall of fame, after being inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame in 2024.
 
As the founder of the MSU women’s golf program in 1993, Milkman was the only coach of the team for 29 seasons until her retirement at the end of the 2021-22 season.
 
Milkman’s longevity spanned an amazing 22 years between her first title in 1997 and the last in 2019. Her teams dominated the OVC championship winning three-straight times on three different occasions (1997-99), (2002-04) and (2017-19). The Racers finished runner up five times and placed outside of the top-3 only five times in 28 OVC championship appearances.
 
The Racers made seven NCAA appearances under Coach Milkman by competing in team regional play including Columbus, Ohio (2009), Columbus, Indiana (2010), Tallahassee, Florida (2014), Lubbock, Texas (2017), Madison, Wisc. (2018) and Auburn, Ala. (2019).
 
Milkman coached MSU greats Payton Carter and Linette Holmslykke in her final seasons. In 2022, Carter became the first MSU and OVC player to play as an individual and Holmslykke became the first golfer from Murray State and the OVC to advance to the NCAA Championship in 2019.
 
Milkman recruited and develop eight different student-athletes that combined to win 10 OVC Player of the Year honors. That list includes Jenny Daag (1998, 1999), Cuyler Hedley (2002), Lee Anne Pace (2003), Nikki Orazine (2004, 2005), Delaney Howson (2014), Moa Folke (2017), Linette Holmslykke (2019) and Payton Carter (2022).
 
In 12 OVC team championships, Milkman’s Racers had eight players produce 10 medalist winners at the OVC championship including Daag (1998, 1999), Hedley (2002), Pace (2003), Orazine (2004), Howson (2014), Folke (2016, 2017), Anna Moore (2019) and Carter (2022).
 
The Racers also performed at a championship level in the classroom with 35 winners of the OVC Medal of Honor signifying perfect 4.0 GPA’s and Linette Holmslykke won the coveted NCAA Elite 90 Award in 2019 at the NCAA Championships.
 
Milkman served for 18 years as senior woman administrator for MSU Athletics and led the department as interim athletics director from July 2018 through February 2019. She was one of the leaders in shaping women’s golf at the NCAA level and served a four-year term (2009-12) on the NCAA Women’s Golf Committee including two years as chair.
 
In 2022, Milkman was given the Gladys Palmer Service Award, presented by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association’s (WGCA).
 
Follow the Murray State Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. For more on Murray State women’s golf, follow on X and Instagram (@RacersWGolf).
 

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending