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Fantasy baseball

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Fantasy baseball

An ace can be quite handy — and, often, essential — to have on a fantasy team.

This realization probably struck many who roster Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the American League’s defending Cy Young Award winner, and were following along with his Sunday masterpiece against the Cleveland Guardians. Skubal pitched his first career complete game, a two-hit shutout that qualified for “Maddux” status (a complete-game shutout in fewer than 100 pitches), generating 13 strikeouts and 26 swings-and-misses while throwing his final pitch clocked at 102.6 mph.

It was especially true for this columnist, for whom Skubal has been the centerpiece on a key keeper league team. That team underwent an arduous 2020-22 rebuild and is now back at the peak point of its contention curve. Considering my difficulty in rostering quality, top-shelf pitching leading into and during my rebuild — partially due to bad luck — it feels like no coincidence that, with Skubal now in tow, my team is making a charge back toward a championship.

But, taking a look back at that rebuilding stage, as well as where Skubal’s career stood at the time, he’s as illustrative as any pitcher of this generation of the value of getting ahead of the game in acquiring yourself an ace. After all, Skubal missed 11 months across 2022-23 due to flexor tendon surgery, and he wasn’t nearly the velocity king he is today — he had thrown only 22 total fastballs 98-plus mph through 2023, yet he has thrown 28% of all of his fastballs at least that hard since.

He was a chance taken that worked out, and he won’t be the final such example. Today, we all know about the likes of Skubal, Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler — the pitchers who can make a difference for your team all by themselves. Now, let’s flash forward in time, and find tomorrow’s similar such fantasy aces.


To clarify, each of the pitchers listed below has a ceiling noticeably above his current fantasy market value. Some of them, in fact, are either prospects or pitchers recovering from injury, making them scarcely rostered. Some warrant standard ESPN attention; others are better left to only leagues in the short term. Whatever the case, they’re names to tuck away as you seek to find your “next Skubal.”

Spencer Schwellenbach, Atlanta Braves: A pitcher I’ve written about frequently on these pages, Schwellenbach might also be the most likely future ace/perennial Cy Young contender among those not yet perceived to be so. He gives me a lot of Jacob deGrom reminders, from his college-shortstop-turned-pitcher transition, to his not making the top tiers of any prospect ranking list as he scaled the minor league ranks, to his diverse, six-pitch repertoire. Is it a stretch to liken Schwellenbach’s career path to deGrom’s? Yes, yes it is. But among current pitchers, his strengths in making quick adjustments give him a real chance to forge a similar path.

Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies have been supremely conservative with his recovery from July 2023 Tommy John surgery, but his arrival in the City of Brotherly Love is inching ever closer. Painter has already thrown three pitches as fast as 100 mph across his seven minor league starts, has averaged 96.6 mph with his four-seam fastball overall, and has struck out 15-of-51 hitters he has faced in three outings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Whether he’s ticketed for the rotation or bullpen will surely be a matter of debate over the next month-plus, but whether it’s during the second half of 2025 or sometime in 2026-27, Painter profiles as one of fantasy’s next most likely top-10 positional prospects.

The only thing that’s prevented Hunter Greene from being a fantasy ace is his lack of durability so far in the bigs. Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesHunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds: He could already be regarded a fantasy ace of sorts, but the final obstacle holding him back from future Cy Youngs is health. Greene has already made five trips to the injured list in his four-year big league career, and he’s only one start removed from his most recent stint due to a groin strain. It’s a leap of faith to assume that’ll be his final absence of 2025, but he has exhibited extraordinary, front-of-rotation stuff across the past 13 calendar months and is showing significant improvement in terms of his walk, zone and first pitch strike rates as well as a big spike in average fastball velocity. If you’re willing to take that chance, Greene fits the “last call” description among trade targets.

Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers: Not every pitcher clicks initially at the big-league level, and it’s not like Al’s kid has had extensive exposure, either. Despite his ghastly results early in his minor league career, as well as in his 2024 debut with the Rangers, Leiter at times exhibits the front-of-rotation stuff that earned him the No. 2 overall selection in the 2021 draft, including a 97-mph fastball that can touch 100 and a slider that can be downright filthy when he commands it well. He’s the future-ace prospect who might come at among the deepest discounts of any name on this list, but if he keeps showing the kind of incremental progress he did during spring training and across his past three starts, he might be due for a big step forward by mid-year.

Eury Perez, Miami Marlins: He’s more of a 2026 speculative add than one destined to dominate this summer, but considering how well he has been throwing during his rehabilitation assignment while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he could provide some value to fantasy teams, even in standard leagues. Perez makes the cut, because, when healthy, he has top-shelf, downright filthy stuff. He has struck out 35.4% of all the minor league hitters he has faced (28.9% in the majors) and, in addition to the 97.5-mph average fastball he threw in 2023, he generated whiffs more than 45% of the time on all three of his other offerings (slider, curveball and changeup). Perez should be ready to join the Marlins in the next 2-3 weeks, making him a wise speculative stash right now.

Additional pitchers to consider: Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates; Gavin Williams, Guardians; Jesus Luzardo, Phillies; Noah Schultz, Chicago White Sox.

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Indy volleyball coach in viral video charged after allegedly sexting a minor

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INDIANAPOLIS — A viral video has led to criminal charges against an Indianapolis volleyball coach accused of sending sexually explicit images to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced that Levi Garrett, 34, of Danville, faces attempted dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony, following an independent investigation by the prosecutor’s office.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the charges stem from allegations that on March 2, 2025, Garrett engaged in explicit conversations and sent sexually graphic photos on the dating app Grindr to someone he believed was a minor.

A member of a private online investigative organization used a fake Grindr profile titled “tryna have fun” with a photo portraying themselves as a 14-year-old male named “Josh.” The decoy allegedly engaged with Garrett’s profile, “Hmu & find out.”

During the conversation, court documents show the minor texted Garrett, “U mind if I’m young,” and Garrett replied, “No I don’t mind.” When the decoy told Garrett, “I’m 14 but I down for whatever,” Garrett allegedly “liked” the message and proceeded to send three sexually explicit images, including photos of male genitalia and sexual activity.

The messages also allegedly included language about meeting for sex, with Garrett asking whether the encounter would be “safe or bareback.”

Court records show Garrett initially agreed to meet at a location in Greencastle but later blocked the account.

The case gained widespread attention in August when YouTuber JiDion, who is affiliated with the private investigative group, posted a 26-minute video titled “Volleyball Coach Gets EXPOSED” that has been viewed over 1.2 million times.

In the video, JiDion confronts Garrett at The Academy Volleyball Club located on East 30th Street, showing him screenshots of the alleged text exchanges and explicit photos.

Notably, the video showed several Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers at the scene during the confrontation. When JiDion urged them to arrest the coach, one officer stated, “I have run into this before. Our prosecutor will not touch this,” a response that was controversial to many of JiDion’s followers.

IMPD later responded to the backlash and clarified that the video lacked important context, noting that a police report was filed at the scene, Garrett was trespassed from the property, and detectives were informed about the allegations.

Following the viral incident, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office opened a formal investigation into the allegations.

“There are no shortcuts in the investigative process,” Mears said in a statement Monday. “When it comes to crimes against children, justice demands that an independent investigation occur and evidence be properly obtained, so that a case is built that will hold offenders accountable in a court of law.”

According to the affidavit, body camera footage from the incident shows Garrett identifying himself by name and providing his date of birth and phone number to officers, information that matched the Grindr profile under investigation.

Garrett is scheduled to appear for a change of plea hearing on January 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Marion County Superior Court.





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Volleyball Lands Four on CSC Academic All-District Team

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GREENWOOD, Ind. – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its annual All-District listing on Tuesday, including four Central Michigan Volleyball members.
 
To qualify, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50, across both undergraduate and graduate courses, if applicable. Athletically, volleyball student-athletes must have either competed in 90% of their team’s contests for the season or started at least 66% of contests.
 
The list of honorees is below:
 
Senior Alina Anderson (Rockford, Mich. / Rockford / Ferris State)
Senior Abby Olin (Coopersville, Mich. / Coopersville / Michigan State)
Sophomore Izzy Swiercz (Hudsonville, Mich. / Hudsonville)
Sophomore Grace Thomas (Dublin, Ohio / Dublin Coffman)
 
Both Anderson and Olin earned the honor for the 2024 season.
 
For the latest news and updates on CMU Volleyball, follow the team in X (@cmuvolleyball) and on Instagram (@cmuvolleyball).
 



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Affidavit reveals AI-generated plan in alleged grooming case against Mesquite pastor’s son and volleyball coach

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An arrest affidavit obtained by CBS News Texas reveals more details about what led up to the arrest of a teacher and volleyball coach accused of grooming a teenage girl to have a sexual relationship with her, including the discovery of an AI-generated document outlining manipulation tactics.

Matthan Lough, 32, was arrested on Dec. 10 on a charge of child grooming, a third-degree felony. His father, Kevin Lough, was the senior pastor of the Christian Center of Mesquite, where some of the alleged grooming took place.

The victim and her mother filed a report with Mesquite police about Lough on Oct. 2. According to police, the victim’s mother found out about the relationship earlier that week.

Mesquite police: Grooming began more than two years ago

The affidavit outlines how the case began with an interaction at a party in the spring of 2023.

According to the affidavit, the victim met Lough at her cousin’s graduation party when he approached her while she was playing volleyball. The victim recognized Lough from church, as his wife was the worship leader for their youth group. Lough asked her if she would be interested in joining a club volleyball team he wanted to start at the church. 

It was not until the fall of 2024 that Lough held tryouts for the team, and the victim was given a spot, the affidavit said. The victim reported a series of unusual interactions with Lough over the following months in which he shared overly personal details about his life and marriage, then began to make flirty and inappropriate jokes, according to the report.

Lough’s inappropriate behavior escalated further over the summer of 2025, when he started sending the victim explicit messages and discussed committing murders, the affidavit said. Lough also repeatedly made sure the victim knew he was carrying a gun, making her fear for her safety.

In September, the affidavit describes the relationship turning physical. Lough allegedly kissed the victim at a church event. Later that month, he sexually assaulted her twice, the victim told police.

The relationship ended after the victim’s mother discovered the inappropriate messages on the victim’s devices. Her mother then contacted Lough’s wife.

Police said that after the victim filed the report, detectives obtained a search warrant and found an AI-generated document on Lough’s iPad titled “Hypothetical Counter-Influence Plan.” The document outlined phases such as “rebuild her autonomy” and “shift the power dynamic,” and provided guidance on how to achieve success.

Fallout from child grooming case

After the relationship was uncovered, police said Lough’s wife left Texas. Court records show she filed for divorce in October.

Lough’s father also resigned as senior pastor of the Christian Center of Mesquite. In a post on the church’s website, its board said the church would work to seek justice for the victim. It also said the church has “initiated an immediate internal review of all child protection policies, volunteer screening processes, and facility access logs to ensure the absolute safety of every child and youth within our care.”



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2025 NCAA women’s volleyball championship: How to watch, schedule

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Texas A&M shook up the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament when the No. 3 Aggies upset top-ranked and previously unbeaten Nebraska in their regional final. Now, the Aggies are headed to their first Final Four in program history.

No. 3 Wisconsin, which ousted Texas, another No. 1 seed, on its home court, and No. 1 seeds Kentucky and Pittsburgh join Texas A&M in the national semifinals, which take place Thursday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Aggies will take on Pitt in one semifinal, while Wisconsin and Kentucky will face off in the other. Neither Texas A&M nor the Panthers have won a national championship, though Pitt will play in its fifth straight Final Four. Both Wisconsin (2021) and Kentucky (2020) have won one national title.

Here are key facts about the 2025 NCAA Division I women’s volleyball tournament:

What is the remaining schedule?

*All times Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 18

Semifinal: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh – 6:30 p.m. on ESPN

“NCAA Women’s Volleyball Studio Show” – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

Semifinal: No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky – 9 p.m. on ESPN

Sunday, Dec. 21

“NCAA Women’s Volleyball Preview Show” – 3 p.m. on ABC

Championship – 3:30 p.m. on ABC

How can fans watch?

Fans can catch all of the action in the ESPN App and in the NCAA women’s volleyball streaming hub.

How can fans access more college sports coverage from ESPN?

Check out the ESPN college sports hub page for the latest news, scores, rankings and more.



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Three Clarkson Volleyball Players Named to CSC Academic All-District List

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Seniors Ashley Currier and Marin Hangliter as well as sophomore Olivia Baxter of the Clarkson University Volleyball team have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Volleyball team. 

The 2025 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. To be eligible, student-athletes need to be of sophomore standing both athletically and academically, hold a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or better, and have participated in 90% of sets or have started at least two-thirds of their respective team’s matches. 

Baxter, a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering, was a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star thanks to her excellence in the back row. Baxter ranked 22nd nationally in digs per set (5.40 dps) and was 57th nationally in aces per set (0.63 aps).

Currier, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, continued to be relied upon in a variety of roles for the Knights, averaging 7.09 assists, 0.95 kills, 2.50 digs, and 0.61 blocks per set. In a match against University of Rochester she nearly posted an incredibly rare feat, coming up just one kill short of a quadruple double (31 assists, 16 digs, 10 blocks, and 9 kills). 

Hangliter, a senior majoring in Environmental Engineering, finished the season averaging 2.62 kills per set, which ranked second on the team. She also was second in the Liberty League in aces per set with 0.64, which placed her 49th nationally in that category.  



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Three Tennessee Volleyball Players Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Three Tennessee volleyball student-athletes College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, as announced on Tuesday. Caroline Kerr makes the list for the second consecutive year, while Hayden Kubik and Gülce Güçtekin make the list for the first time in their careers.

This marks the first time in program history that three Lady Vols have been named to the Academic All-District Team. In Eve Rackham Watt‘s eight years as head coach, eight total players have earned Academic All-District honors. Tennessee has had two or more players selected to the All-District team now in three seasons, all coming under Rackham Watt.

CSC’s Academic All-America program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. Both Kerr and Kubik earned spots on the CSC Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced on January 13, 2026.

Compiling a 3.87 GPA in the Sport Management program, Kerr garnered First Team All-SEC honors after leading the team with 945 assists. Kerr was a key force for a Tennessee attack that finished the season top 15 in both hitting percentage and kills per set. Kerr had 20 matches with 30 or more assists, including tying her career high with 57 against Florida on Oct. 15. 

One of the top setters in Tennessee history, Kerr currently ranks sixth all-time in both assists (3,259) and assists per set (10.65). The two-time All-American setter has led the team in assists in each of the last three seasons, eclipsing the 1,000-assist mark in both 2023 & 2024.

Earning her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, Kubik had her best offensive season of her career in her final collegiate season. Kubik led the team in kills (390), kills per set (4.19), points (431.0), and points per set (4.63) this season. She had double-digit kills in 24 matches, reaching 20 or more on four occasions.

Kubik also ranked top ten in the conference in both kills per set and points per set in 2025. A stellar defender in the back row, Kubik finished third on the team with 209 digs. The First Team All-SEC selection had seven double-doubles on the campaign, all of which came against conference opponents.

Boasting a 4.00 GPA in Communication Studies, Güçtekin became an important piece to Tennessee’s defensive success. The senior libero  led the team in 2025 with 408 digs. Güçtekin finished the season ranking top five in the SEC in both digs and digs per set. She recorded double figure digs in 23 matches, including having 20 or more in six. She set a career-high of 30 digs at Kentucky on Nov. 9, becoming the first Tennessee player to reach 30 or more digs since Yelianoz Torres had 30 against Arkansas on Oct. 20, 2023.

Güçtekin eclipsed 1,000 digs in her career this season, and finishes her collegiate career with 1,293 digs. An all-around player in college, Güçtekin also finished with 423 assists and 117 aces.



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