MLB Player News

The ping pong balls came through for the White Sox as they secure the top selection in next year’s MLB Draft after having the highest odds — 27.73 percent — of landing the first overall pick. Chicago hasn’t picked first overall since taking future Hall of Famer Harold Baines in 1977. Their likely prize: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is one of the best collegiate shortstop prospects in recent memory and is considered a slam-dunk to be taken first overall. Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson is widely-regarded as the top prep player in the draft class. The Giants and Royals were the big movers in this year’s lottery, jumping up double-digit spots into the top six overall, while the Rays also made a massive leap, going from seventh to second overall. Here are the full draft lottery results: (1) White Sox, (2) Rays, (3) Twins, (4) Giants, (5) Pirates, (6) Royals, (7) Orioles, (8) Athletics, (9) Braves, (10) Rockies, (11) Nationals, (12) Angels, (13) Cardinals, (14) Marlins, (15) Diamondbacks, (16) Rangers, (17) Astros and (18) Reds.

Cleveland continues loading up on experienced high-leverage relief arms this offseason with Armstrong becoming the latest addition to their setup mix. He figures to operate in a versatile setup role behind young stopper Cade Smith. The 35-year-old journeyman was outstanding for the Rangers this past season, converting a career-high nine saves to accompany a sparkling 2.31 ERA — 3.07 FIP — 0.81 WHIP and 74/20 K/BB ratio across 74 innings. His 26.1 percent strikeout rate was his highest single-season mark in nearly a half decade.

Kriske struggled to a lackluster 7.50 ERA — 4.36 FIP — 1.94 WHIP and 18/15 K/BB ratio across 18 innings between the Cubs and Twins this past season. The 31-year-old journeyman reliever has shown an ability to consistently miss bats but subpar control continues to hamper his ability to stick at the highest level. He’s a low-risk lottery ticket for the Athletics as a depth addition entering spring training.

Kuhnel augments the Athletics’ relief depth heading into next spring where he’ll compete for one of the final spots in their season-opening bullpen. The well-traveled 30-year-old reliever didn’t appear in the big leagues this past season after making six appearances between the Astros and Rays the previous year. He compiled a respectable 3.53 ERA – 3.37 FIP – and 56/11 K/BB ratio across 63 2/3 innings over 50 appearances at the Triple-A level this past season.

Guenther fortifies Detroit’s left-handed relief depth after being non-tendered last month by the club. The 29-year-old southpaw posted a 5.23 ERA — 3.04 FIP — 1.45 WHIP and 8/5 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings across nine appearances for the Tigers this past season before undergoing season-ending hip surgery in early July.

Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports that De Jesus will earn $1.3 million if he reaches the majors. The 29-year-old southpaw spent the last two seasons pitching overseas in Korea with the Kiwoom Heroes and KT Wiz, respectively. He last appeared in the majors with the Marlins back in 2023. He represents low-risk gamble for the Tigers heading into spring training.

Little returns to Detroit’s relief mix a couple weeks after being non-tendered by the club. The 27-year-old righty made a pair of relief appearances for the eventual World Series champion Dodgers before being claimed off waivers by the Pirates in August. He landed with the Tigers on another waiver claim earlier this offseason.

Sullivan offers plenty of defensive versatility as a part-time option at catcher with the ability to also play multiple infield positions. The 31-year-old got into three games for the Pirates this past season but has accumulated 112 plate appearances over 43 games in the big leagues since 2023. He’s merely a depth addition at this stage of his career.

Webb has been one of the most durable workhorses in the fantasy landscape since for nearly a past half-decade, eclipsing 32 starts in four of the last five seasons. The central question for fantasy purposes is how he’ll respond to a different ramp-up process and the impact pitching high-stress innings during the March showcase will have on his season. The 29-year-old fantasy ace is coming off arguably the most complete season of his career where he posted a stellar 3.22 ERA — 2.60 FIP — and 224/46 K/BB ratio across 207 innings over 34 starts. He’ll be an early round selection in all fantasy drafts next spring.

After six years in japan, Austin apparently will step in as Justin Turner’s replacement in Chicago and start at first against some lefties. The former Yankee and Twin hit .269/.350/.484 with 11 homers in 65 games for the Yokohama BayStars last season. He came in at .239/.377/.568 with 85 homers over 403 career games in the Central League. Passan says he’ll be guaranteed $1.25 million by the Cubs.

If you’ve heard Peek’s name before, it’s because he was the Orioles’ return when they traded Dylan Bundy to the Angels six years ago, right before Bundy’s one really impressive (albeit shortened) season in the majors in 2020 (he had a 3.29 ERA and was listed on three Cy Young ballots). Peek, now 27, has since topped out in Double-A, finishing with a 3.63 ERA and a 75/31 K/BB in 69 1/3 innings in the Brewers system last season.