Here are some things to watch in baseball this week:
1. The Rookie of the Year Award will be announced tonight
It’s awards week! The league’s top honors are awarded each day, starting tonight with Rookie of the Year and ending with Thursday’s Most Valuable Player. American League ROY finalist is first baseman Nick Kurtz track athlete, shortstop Jacob Wilsonalso a track and field athlete and outfielder Roman Anthony of the Red Sox. catcher Derek Baldwin Braves lead NFC, followed by Cade Horton Cubs and Caleb Durbin Brewer’s. Kurtz and his 36 home runs were considered the favorite in the American League. As Atlanta’s main defender, Baldwin slashed .274/.341/.469 and is considered the most popular player in the National League. Winners will be announced on MLB Network at 6 p.m. Central Time.
2. Big Japanese stars enter the major leagues
Two NPB heavyweights are making the jump to MLB. Yakult Swallow Officially released third baseman Munataka Murakami on Friday. The 25-year-old has been one of Japan’s top hitters for the past seven seasons. Murakami set a single-season record with 56 home runs in 2022. Contact has been an issue at times, and it’s unclear if he’ll stick at third base, but Murakami immediately established himself as one of the top hitters on the market. Saitama Seibu Lions announced accepted right-handed Imai TatsuyaThe request is published. The 27-year-old has a near triple-digit fastball and a plus-size slider. Imai posted a 3.15 ERA in 963 2/3 innings in eight NPB seasons. He was a three-time All-Star. Imai will join Dylan Seth and Framber Valdez As one of the top starters on the market. Once officially released, Murakami and Imai will have 45 days to sign contracts with MLB teams.
3. Cleveland pitcher indicted on gambling charges
It’s been a few months since we received the latest news about the Guardian pitcher’s sports betting investigation Emmanuel Claes and Luis Ortiz. Big news from Klass and Ortiz on Sunday sued Among the crimes charged by prosecutors are “Wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy for their alleged involvement in a scheme to rig betting on stadiums“. Klass and Ortiz allegedly threw the ball intentionally so that gamblers could bet on whether the pitch would be a ball or a strike. indictment. If convicted of all charges, the pitcher faces up to 65 years in prison.
Photos courtesy of Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images.
