
Not the number of games we will win in July (you’d wish), but the pick that landed Jordan Lawlar. He is probably excited to join an ailing franchise.
Diamondbacks News
[AZ Central] More heartache for Diamondbacks in Los Angeles as Dodgers win on walk-off HR
Torey surprised a few days ago when he mentioned that the team was making strides forward, right after getting punched 22 times in the face by the Dodgers. Yesterday Lovullo went back to the usual comments: “We’ve got to go out and finish the job and expect to get the job done.” Bob Brenly meanwhile said what we all think: “This is getting to be a really tired act.” He referred to yet another defensive mishap (Reddick’s), but he might make that remark at any given time and place when watching a D-Backs’ game.
[Arizona Sports] Dodgers beat Diamondbacks on walk-off home run by Max Muncy
Max Muncy slugged a three-run, walk-off homer in the ninth inning. “It was a logical move,” Muncy said about intentionally walking Betts. “Thankfully, I made them pay for it.”
MLB Draft 2021
[AZ SnakePit] D-Backs pick Jordan Lawlar at #6
Even our own SnakePit writers thought it wasn’t possible, but a slew of surprise picks left Jordan Lawlar all of a sudden on the board for the Diamondbacks. Is Lawlar a franchise changing pick? Well, maybe or maybe not, but he was almost everywhere a consensus top 5 pick. Where several teams have obviously focused on the deep draft and made some underslot first round picks to spend more in later rounds (Pirates, Tigers, Orioles, Royals…), the D-Backs will have to go deep into their pockets to sign Lawlar. The young shortstop did not give a reaction to his draft and his representatives are supposed to have demanded first pick money.
Other articles: Who is Jordan Lawlar (mlb.com), Lawlar checks all the boxes (dbacks.com), D-Backs select Jordan Lawlar (Arizona Sports), Diamondbacks tab shortstop Lawlar (AZ Central)
[mlb.com] Draft Day 1: Pick-by-pick rundown, analysis
There are so many reports available, I will just provide you the MLB Pipeline review of every first round pick.
[CBS Sports] Best available players for Round 2
CBS Sports gives you some interesting names that are still up for grabs in Round 2, but perhaps should not have been. The D-Backs might go for a pick that goes underslot to free up money to sign Lawlar, so don’t get too excited for today.
[mlb.com] 2021 MLB draft bonus slots
Just to complete the information, you can read all about the bonus slots. The D-Backs will have $11,271,900 to spend in this draft. Slot #6 goes for $5,742,900 and the number 1 pick can get $8,415,300. The possible rift between Lawlar and the Diamondbacks is almost $2,700,000. One of the other teams that will have to go deep are the Mets after drafting Kumar Rocker at 10.
Around The MLB
[CBS Sports] MLB Futures Game 2021 takeaways
[mlb.com] How all 30 teams’ reps fared in Futures Game
Yesterday there was more joy surrounding young bats as prospects showcased themselves in Colorado for the prospects’ All Star Game equivalent: the Futures game. The D-Backs were represented by Alek Thomas who kept up the tradition of the 2021 D-Backs and went hitless, but apparently made a nice play on a liner off the bat of Bobby Witt Jr.
[Yahoo Sports] Former Yankee Joe Pepitone sues Baseball Hall of Fame over Mickey Mantle bat
Pepitone says he lent the bat to the museum on the condition that he could have it back whenever he wanted to. The museum says no and now there is a lawsuit.
[MLB Trade Rumors] More injuries to Padres’ pitchers
The San Diego Padres are not as dominant as they want to be and Yu Darvish hitting the 10-day IL definitely does not help. Ryan Weathers leaving the field in yesterday’s game with what seems to be a knee injury was not good news either. Finding a healthy pitcher is a tough job in San Diego and apparently top prospect MacKenzie Gore is having mechanical problems, so we might expect the Padres to become active on the pitcher market this month.
Across The Pacific
[Japan] No spectators at Baseball Olympics
After the announcement of Tokyo that it would not allow spectators at venues in their metropole, now it was Fukushima that announced the same, leaving this summer’s Olympics baseball games without spectators, all due to a spike in COVID-related infections. “The form (of the games) has changed due to the battle with the coronavirus. But the essence lives on even if the events are held behind closed doors,” said Fukushima governor Uchibori. Well, I have to disagree here: baseball without fans is not the same as baseball with fans, and that is especially true for an event in baseball crazy Japan.
[South Korea] KBO discusses suspension of season
COVID once again caught headlines after the KBO had to suspend several games because of players testing positive. An emergency meeting is supposed to be scheduled again on Monday in order to take a decision. A suspension would not affect the schedule too much since the league is about to suspend its season anyhow on July 19 because of Olympics preparation.
Across The Atlantic
[England] England’s cursed group: Bad decisions, racist insults and criticism of the experienced players
Last night’s Euros (we are talking soccer) got a deserved winner in Italy that actually went from good to worse during the tournament. England showed its worst face yesterday: defensive and boring football, dubious substitutions, after-game riots and racial insults to their own players. “Football is coming home” is a popular chant in England…let’s hope it never returns then.
Good news is I won €420 ($470) as I won a football pool with 138 participants and made the best predictions, including yesterday’s final and winner. (pats himself on his own shoulder)