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MLB players who played in the College World Series
With the 2019 College World Series starting Saturday, let's take a look back at 25 current major leaguers who played on the biggest stage at the college level.
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Braves' Brian Snitker Announces Disappointing Austin Riley Update Before Mets Game
The Atlanta Braves have experienced an unexpectedly disappointing season, and with just two months remaining, the Braves sit 17 games under .500 with a 51–68 record, on track to miss the postseason for the first time since 2017. The offense has been disappointing all year long, averaging 4.2 runs per game and sitting in the bottom half of the league. Although the team has experienced underperformance from former All-Stars Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies, they have been hurt recently by the unavailability of Austin Riley. Atlanta’s third baseman is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a strained lower abdominal muscle. This is Riley’s second time on the injured list in two months with a similar injury. He suffered the injury during MLB’s Speedway Classic game against the Cincinnati Reds while making a diving play. Austin Riley Injury Update Ahead of Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets, Brian Snitker announced an update on Riley’s status via MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. "Snit said he expects Acuña to be activated within the next couple days. Riley still felt some discomfort when he threw yesterday. So, it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be activated this week." Riley Remains Core Piece in Braves’ Long-Term Plans Although Atlanta’s season has been derailed, Riley finishing the season out strong would be a good sign for 2026. In 102 games for the Braves, the 28-year-old has posted a .260 batting average, .737 OPS, 16 home runs, and 54 RBIs. The Braves locked up Riley long-term, signing him to a 10-year, $212 million contract extension in August of 2022 that will keep him at the hot corner through the 2032 season. Riley has spent his entire seven-year career in Atlanta after his debut in 2019, and he played a crucial role in the team’s 2021 World Series run. Riley also collected back-to-back All-Star selections in 2022–23.
Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.
Bengals rookie learns important Joe Burrow rule
Cincinnati Bengals rookie EDGE Shemar Stewart learned an important rule Wednesday: Don't hit the franchise quarterback during practice. In the 11-on-11 period of practice, Stewart knocked down Bengals QB Joe Burrow, a perennial league MVP candidate. A scuffle then ensued between Stewart and the offensive line. After practice, Bengals center Ted Karras said he likes Stewart's intensity but reminded him not to hit Burrow. "Just be smarter," Karras said, via Charlie Clifford of WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. "Great player. But, come on, man. That's all our hopes and dreams right there. And we got to be better, too. That's on us." Without Burrow, the Bengals' Super Bowl hopes would evaporate. He already carried Cincinnati to the big game during the 2021 season and is coming off a career year. Last season, he led the league in touchdown passes (43 in 17 games) and passing yards (4,918), winning Comeback Player of the Year for the second time. Not to mention, Burrow can be injury-prone. He suffered a season-ending left knee injury during his rookie season in 2020. Then in 2023, he tore his right wrist, sidelining him for the season's final seven games. The Bengals subsequently finished 9-8 and failed to make the playoffs. Burrow didn't suffer an injury after Stewart hit him, but the Bengals don't want to put their most important player at risk. "We've gotta protect No. 9," Bengals right guard Lucas Patrick said, via Jay Morrison of Cincinnati Bengals on Sports Illustrated. "It starts with me up front. I've got to play better, protect better. Can't let No. 9 get hit." The Bengals need their O-line to provide Burrow with much better protection for the rest of the season. And they need Stewart to follow the critical rule.
Bruins' top prospect makes decision on college that will shake up the scene
Boston Bruins top prospect James Hagens has announced he will return to Boston College for his sophomore season. In a brief interview with Scott McLaughlin of Boston’s WEEI 93.7, Hagens shared that he’s in no rush to advance to the next step, acknowledging that development is a, “marathon, not a sprint.” Hagens revealed the news while participating at the Bruins’ 14th annual back-to-school celebration, alongside current Bruins Mason Lohrei and John Beecher. Few announcements will shake the college scene as much as the news of Hagens’ return. He was among the best freshmen in college last season, tracking to 37 points in 37 games. That scoring earned him a unanimous selection to Hockey East’s All-Rookie team — an accolade he shared with teammate Teddy Stiga and Boston University rival Cole Hutson. Hagens reached those heights while filling an interesting role with the Eagles, stepping in between wingers Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard after the two spent their last three years centered by San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith. Each of Perreault, Leonard and Hagens scored fewer points than the Eagles’ top-line managed in 2023-24, but it seemed that was more the cause of a low-scoring year across Hockey East. The top unit recorded points on 36 percent of BC’s goals this season, an ever-so-slight improvement over the 34 percent contributed by Smith, Leonard and Perreault in 2024. But while Hagens faced questions of his scoring upside relative to other top draft-eligible talents in the NCAA, it was hard not to be impressed by his on-ice results. He’s long been a dynamo among his age group, with an innate ability to predict movement and put himself in position to make a play. Hagens is strong on the puck — with an ability to use finesse moves and bulky shoulders to force his way into the dangerous areas of the ice. More than that, he showed clear signs of improvement as the year went on — developing his physical presence and ability to make a difference even when he wasn’t the first man in on a play. Those signs of growth give Boston a prospect to be excited over. Hagens was lauded as the clear first overall talent in the 2025 draft class, prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 season. Much of that claim came from his command of the U.S. NTDP over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, where he served as the team’s top-line center and snappy playmaker next to electric goal-scorer Cole Eiserman. With Eiserman’s help, Hagens was able to become the fifth-highest scoring player in NTDP history, with 187 points in 118 games. He also set the scoring record at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in 2023, with 21 points in seven games, and the World U18 Championship in 2024, with 22 points in seven games. Hagens will be returning to a fresh-faced Boston College lineup next season. Both Leonard and Perreault signed their NHL entry-level contracts at the end of last season, leaving the Eagles with vacancies on both wings on their top-line. One of those spots will be occupied by Stiga, who has shown years of chemistry playing next to Hagens. The other spot will be closely contested, but could land in the hands of transfer forward Ryan Conmy or fellow Bruins draft pick William Moore. Hagens and Moore will be two of six Bruins prospects on next year’s Eagles squad, providing local fans with plenty of reasons to walk to Conte Forum when the puck drops.
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