Gage Wood has been in the spotlight since his days at Arkansas, when he tossed a no-hitter in the 2025 men’s College World Series. This summer, the spotlight is on the often-difficult journey to the big leagues.
Wood was one of six prospects featured in MLB and NBC Sports’ Road to the Show. The docuseries follows Wood (double-A Reading Fightin’ Phils), Braden Montgomery (who recently was called up by the Chicago White Sox), the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jesús Made (double-A Biloxi Shuckers), and Colorado Rockies’ Ethan Holliday (single-A Fresno Grizzlies), alongside collegiate stars Roch Cholowsky (UCLA) and Justin Lebron (Alabama), who’ve since been drafted by the White Sox and Cincinnati Reds, respectively, as they pursue major league careers.
Wood, who was a first-round pick (26th overall) by the Phillies last year, has a 3.51 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 17 starts across two levels and is the organization’s top pitching prospect and 50th in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. And after starting for the National League in the All-Star Futures Game, he’s ready to be back at Citizens Bank Park.
“Obviously, I want to go back to the Bank as fast as I can,” Wood said. “I just keep working every day and try to get there as fast as possible.”
Gage Wood was promoted to double-A Reading in May.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Road to the Show debuted July 1 on Peacock, following NBC and MLB’s partnership earlier this year. The series is a first step in MLB’s content expansion into the minor leagues, aimed at bolstering fan connection to players, said Casey Brett, senior vice president of business development and minor league business operations at MLB.
“Exposure was priority one for MiLB,” Brett said. “We asked, ‘How do we tell these stories more effectively?’ This docuseries was, frankly, one effort in a whole string of efforts to help us focus on and achieve that goal.”
The series aims to highlight the players’ personal stories. Episode 2 introduces the players’ parents and details their journeys from T-ball to the big leagues.
“Gage just became a great featured player as part of this, both because of his story and his truly unique competitive drive,” Brett said. “There are some really interesting stories to tell about that journey before they make their major league debut.”
Unlike other pro sports, baseball can have a long and grueling path to the majors. Wood began his professional career with the Clearwater Threshers, the Phillies’ single-A affiliate, in September 2025 before being promoted to double A in May.
In the show, Wood mentions his surprise at skipping the “middle step” of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the Phillies’ high-A affiliate.
“You want to move as much as you can, as quick as you can,” Wood said in an interview featured in the series. “I want to keep growing and competing against the best, so it feels good, but the ultimate goal is to get called up to the show, so I don’t really think about anything else other than when that call happens.”
Gage Wood (center) was the NL starter for the All-Star Futures Game.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
The game had its highest viewership ever, according to Brett, giving MLB added motivation to keep fans invested in the players beyond All-Star weekend. MLB timed the debut of the miniseries to coincide with the All-Star festivities in hopes of drawing viewers in.
“I think everybody is in consensus that we’re going to be doing more of this. It’s great for that level of brand recognition,” Brett said. “This is the first iteration, and because of the support of NBC and the success we’ve seen to date with the program, it’s certainly something we’re considering for the future. We’d love to keep this going for years to come.”
Even at rock bottom — a 9-19 record, last place, the manager collecting a pink slip — Phillies officials figured they might still wind up buying at the trade deadline.
But would they have the prospect capital for a big deal?
“Well, there’s no doubt that we do,” Dave Dombrowski said back on April 28. “Yes.”
Not everyone shares that opinion.
With the deadline looming — set a calendar reminder for Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. — the Phillies are in playoff position and believed to be targeting late-inning relief, a right-handed bat, and a No. 4 or 5 starter. Or maybe, as one rival scout theorized this week, Dombrowski will attempt a bigger swing for higher-end starting pitching given the lack of available impact bats.
In any case, the Phillies’ farm system is ranked 29th out of 30 teams, according to Baseball America’s recently released midseason assessment. But don’t take the word of one publication. FanGraphs pegs them with the No. 24 system; MLB Pipeline’s preseason ranking put them at No. 20.
Many scouts are similarly unimpressed. One evaluator from a National League team, granted anonymity in exchange for candor, called the Phillies’ system “pretty barren,” while conceding they have a few “lottery ticket types” in the low minors.
As another NL scout put it, “Their system’s thin at the upper levels.” While some teams “have guys who could come to the big leagues and probably perform at a high level, the Phillies don’t really have that at triple A at all.”
Indeed, in trying to turn up right-handed hitting within the organization, the Phillies cycled through Otto Kemp (2-for-25, 10 strikeouts), Félix Reyes (6-for-38, nine strikeouts), switch-hitting Steward Berroa (1-for-7, four strikeouts), and now, veteran Bryan De La Cruz, who homered Wednesday night. They traded two minor leaguers last month for platoon outfielder Derek Hill.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski (center) and general manager Preston Mattingly (right) push back against criticisms of the club’s farm system.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
On the pitching side, untouchable (in past trade talks, at least) Andrew Painter lugged a 7.06 ERA back to triple A in June. The best in-house replacement: Alan Rangel, a 28-year-old righty who got released in the minors by the Angels two years ago and posted a 5.40 ERA before returning to Lehigh Valley this week.
Dombrowski and general manager Preston Mattingly push back against criticisms of the farm system. Never mind, Mattingly says, that the Phillies have only two prospects (injured infielder Aidan Miller and righty Gage Wood) who are regarded among the top 100 in the sport.
“A lot of times, you mention top-100 lists, that’s not necessarily what teams internally talk about and the players they ask about,” Mattingly said recently on The Inquirer’s Phillies Extra podcast. “They’re going with a lot of the information, the data that we have internally. And we feel really good where our system’s at.”
Sure, but the Brewers and Dodgers feel the same about theirs, No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in Baseball America’s rankings. The Braves and Cubs are closer to the middle of the pack, at No. 14 and No. 16, but still ahead of the Phillies.
It’s shaping up as an extreme seller’s market, with 22 teams entering the weekend in playoff position or within 4½ games of a wild-card spot. Some will waive a white flag before Aug. 3; others will hold firm. Regardless, the demand for players will outweigh supply.
“To me, it’s always about who can impact my team more rather than what’s my biggest need,” former major league general manager Jim Bowden said this week on Phillies Extra. “A starter probably helps the Phillies win the division more over a 162-game schedule. But to win in October, perhaps it’s the reliever or the right-handed bat that would be more important.”
Relative to most of his counterparts, Dombrowski is willing to move prospects, though he has clung to Miller and especially Painter, whom he wouldn’t discuss at the deadline two years ago for Garrett Crochet. He probably will have to change that stance now for a starter who would pitch in the postseason — and certainly for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the marquee name on the market if Detroit makes him available.
Even so, it’s fair to wonder if there’s enough in the Phillies’ minor-league stable to make meaningful additions to any area of the major league roster.
“What’s fascinating about [Dombrowski’s] long, successful Hall of Fame career, which is what it’s been, is that he has made a lot of trades without having good farm systems,” Bowden said. “He did it in Detroit, he did it in Florida, he did it in Montreal.”
It seems Dombrowski will have to pull another card from his sleeve this year.
Phillies infield prospect Aidan Miller has not played since the end of last season because of a lower back condition.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Missing Miller
As a nonroster invitee to spring training, Miller’s locker was in the high-rent district of the clubhouse, wedged between Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto.
It wasn’t a coincidence.
The Phillies hoped to bring Miller to the majors this year, especially after he batted .356 with six homers and 22 steals over the final two months last season. Instead, the 22-year-old former first-round pick hasn’t played at all because of a lower back condition involving a degenerating disc and joint swelling.
Miller had a spinal procedure June 5, at which time the Phillies outlined “the goal to return to game activity in six to eight weeks.” Seven weeks later, updates are infrequent.
”He’s progressing,” farm director Luke Murton texted Thursday. “Back to playing catch. Some defense next week.”
Even so, the treatment that Miller received — radiofrequency ablation of the facet joints — provides temporary relief and may need to be repeated. The uncertainty about Miller’s short- and long-term health creates multiple questions, not only about his status as the Phillies’ future shortstop but also his value in a potential trade.
“If he was healthy,” an AL scout said, “he could lead a package.”
And now? It’s doubtful Miller could anchor a deal for, say, Skubal or Padres closer Mason Miller. For a trade of that magnitude, the Phillies may have to use Painter as a headliner — and even then, the Brewers and Dodgers have the prospect depth to outbid them.
But do they have the collateral in prospects to make a move for another starter, such as the Mets’ Clay Holmes, the Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman, or Giants lefty Robbie Ray? Or will they have to aim lower, or fill a less costly need?
Among their higher-end prospects, infielder Aroon Escobar entered the weekend with a .637 OPS in double A, and outfielder Dante Nori has been sidelined for six weeks with a lower body injury. Shortstop Bryan Rincon (13 homers, .834 OPS in double A) is having a nice year, but he profiles as a second or third piece in a deal.
The top two positional prospects in the system — outfielder Francisco Renteria and shortstop Juan Parra — are 17 years old and in their first year of pro ball in the Dominican Summer League.
The Phillies traded 2020 first-round pick Mick Abel to the Twins at the deadline last year for star closer Jhoan Duran.Laurence Kesterson
Two years ago, the Phillies’ farm system was No. 14 in Baseball America’s midseason rankings. A partial list of trades since then:
Pitchers Sam Aldegheri and George Klassen to the Angels for closer Carlos Estévez.
Infielder William Bergolla to the White Sox for Tanner Banks.
Teenage shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd to the Marlins for Jesús Luzardo.
Right-hander Mick Abel and teenage catcher Eduardo Tait to the Twins for Jhoan Duran.
Outfielder Hendry Mendez to the Twins for Harrison Bader.
The Phillies haven’t been burned by any of those players … yet. And the Luzardo and Duran trades, in particular, were big wins. But a continuous drain of the prospect pool led to a cumulative erosion.
“We’ve definitely been in a window where we’re acquiring players at the deadline,” Mattingly said. “We’re never recouping value, which is the state of where we’re at. It’s a great place to be, honestly, when you’re trying to compete for a championship every year.”
And after having only 12 major league debutants over the last three seasons, fewer than any team in that span, the Phillies finally graduated Justin Crawford, Painter, and Gabriel Rincones Jr. to the majors this year.
Crawford and Rincones are platoon outfielders for now; Painter, long viewed by Dombrowski as Justin Verlander 2.0, is expected back in the majors before the end of the season.
In time, the Phillies believe all three will make a greater impact, though they could also be used in a trade.
Either way, it takes time to replace them in the system.
Right-hander Gage Wood, the Phillies’ first-round pick in last year’s draft, is the organization’s top pitching prospect.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Gage-ing the system
The deepest subset of the Phillies’ farm system, in the assessment of three scouts, is right-handed pitching.
Start with Wood.
Or maybe bring him out of the bullpen?
Most scouts concur that Wood will pitch in the majors, but there’s disagreement about his optimal role. The 22-year-old is starting in the minors, though he has pitched more than four innings only once. He has a 3.58 ERA in double A and gained more national exposure two weeks ago by starting the Futures Game.
There may be enough interest in Wood to anchor a deal for a needle-moving player. But Wood also appears to be on an accelerated track, with the Phillies jumping him two levels to double A in late May.
“I don’t think about that stuff,” Wood said of being the subject of trade rumors. “I’m just here to play baseball.”
Several other right-handers are getting attention from scouts, but most are in the low minors. Two scouts mentioned 21-year-old righty Brad Pacheco, who has a 4.05 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 73⅓ innings for low-A Clearwater. Wen-Hui Pan and Alex McFarlane, a hard thrower who made his major league debut this week, also get decent marks.
A name to watch: Ramon Marquez. The 20-year-old righty entered the weekend with a 2.02 ERA in 10 games, including a 2.25 mark in four starts since moving up to high-A Jersey Shore.
One scout called Marquez “probably their best pitching prospect right now.”
Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best sports images from the last seven days. And this week, the Philly sports landscape began its return to normal, after the World Cup and MLB All-Star Game swept through town earlier this month. That means the Phillies and Union returned to action — the latter after six weeks off — and both did so in home matchups against teams from New York, with much different results.
The Phillies’ post-All-Star break struggles continued as they followed their series loss to the Mets by dropping two of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, the last-place Union won for the first time since April 11, beating Red Bull New York in Chester on Wednesday. Here’s a look back:
Philly fans cheer after the Union score the first goal against the Red Bull New York on Wednesday night. The Union won, 3-1, to pick up the team’s first victory since April.Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer
Red Bull New York defender Justin Che (front left) pulls down Philadelphia Union forward Milan Iloski (right) during the first half.Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer
Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan (left) battles for possession against Red Bull New York defender Matthew Dos Santos (right) during the first half.Isaiah Vazquez / For The InquirerPhillies fans try to get the attention of the players in the dugout before the team’s game against the New York Mets on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler throws a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm went 0-for-4 in Monday’s 10-7 win over the Dodgers.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerBohm had a better day at the plate on Wednesday with a pair of his, including a two-run home run, and three RBIs. However, the Phillies still lost, 9-5.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages can’t handle a fly ball from Bryson Stott in Monday’s win over Los Angeles. Stott wound up with a double on the play.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Bohm (right) tags out New York Mets center fielder Tyrone Taylor (left) as he tries to steal third base in the fifth on Sunday.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerKyle Schwarber slides into third base in the sixth inning of the Phillies’ lone win over the Mets last weekend. He also hit a two-run homer in the game.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Justin Crawford sits on the dirt near third base as Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing and Mookie Betts hug. Los Angeles turned a fielder’s choice double play to end the game and secure a 2-1 win.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Professional pool trick shot player Steve Markle sets up a shot inside his Levittown home.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerRowers paddle along the Schuylkill River on Tuesday during an early morning practice near Kelly Drive.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
With Eagles training camp drawing closer, The Inquirer took a look at the more than three dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28.
Player: Keyshawn James-Newby
Position: Edge rusher
Age: 24 (on Aug. 8)
Previous experience: James-Newby was in the high school class of 2020 and was able to stay in college last year thanks to both an NAIA eligibility waiver and the extra COVID-19 eligibility year provided to athletes. He took advantage of it, following coach Jason Eck from Idaho to New Mexico, where he led the Mountain West Conference in sacks (9) during his lone season of FBS football. Before New Mexico, James-Newby tallied 15½ sacks in two seasons at Idaho. He played his first two college seasons at Montana Tech.
The 2026 seventh-round pick is undersized for an edge rusher at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, but he makes up for it with speed and bend.
“Power and length get the best of him, but not as often as I expected,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation of James-Newby. “He flashes good get-off, smart angles and efficient cornering that keeps him tight to the pocket as a rusher. James-Newby’s rush lacks diversity, but a dangerous stab move is waiting to be unlocked. His high motor and disruptive ability should make him a solid sub-package edge rusher.”
Path to a roster spot: Getting drafted won’t secure James-Newby a spot on the 53-man roster. The Eagles have cut a late-round pick in each of the last two seasons, and James-Newby’s path to making the roster is a difficult one considering the state of the depth chart ahead of him.
The Eagles have Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, and probably Arnold Ebiketie marked as locks for the roster. James-Newby’s chances will depend on how he performs in camp and preseason games and whether the Eagles think they have room for five or six edge rushers. They kept five on the initial 53-man roster last year, but had six in each of the previous two seasons.
The signing of A.J. Epenesa at the end of the offseason program added to the competition at the bottom of the depth chart. Epenesa managed just 2½ sacks last season with the Bills but had six in each of the previous three seasons. The Eagles also have Jose Ramirez and Joshua Weru in camp.
Fun fact: The Eagles have drafted six players out of New Mexico in their history, but James-Newby is the first since quarterback Ben Monroe in 1967. Former Eagles receiver Hank Baskett went to New Mexico, but he was undrafted.
Quotable: What was life like growing up in Idaho and Montana?
“You know, you ride horses to school,” James-Newby quipped when asked during Eagles rookie camp in April. “I’m just kidding. … Same thing you do in a city, but just not as occupied. A little bit peaceful. You can go hike up a mountain whenever you want to. It was just nice.”
It’s almost that time, Philly. NFL training camp is here.
Starting on Tuesday, the Eagles will report to Jefferson Health Training Complex, with several looming questions awaiting them: How will the offense look under Sean Mannion? Will they be able to replace the production of A.J. Brown? What can we expect the defense to look like after the departure of key players?
Those won’t be answered right away and might not be revealed until Week 1 or even Week 2 of the season. However, there’s still much anticipation heading into training camp — this is the Birds we’re talking about.
There’s also a level of expectation for a team that took a step back in 2025, following an early playoff exit. Nick Sirianni is aware of this. But football is all about adaptation.
Switching to the team on the other side of Pattison Ave., it looks like the Phillies should follow a similar mindset after losing two of three to the Dodgers. Throughout those three games, they couldn’t escape baserunning blunders, defensive miscues, and a bullpen implosion.
Change is needed. If that doesn’t happen, there’s a question to raise of whether this team will make the postseason. Perhaps the trade deadline will help address their biggest needs?
Alex McFarlane made his MLB debut against the Dodgers on Wednesday night.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
As Alex McFarlane warmed up for his major league debut on Wednesday, the 25-year-old didn’t realize where the Dodgers were in their order.
“It turned out to be that lefty,” as in four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani. Any left-handed batter would be a challenging first at-bat for the rookie righty, but the two-way Dodgers superstar, with a .940 OPS against right-handers, was a different beast.
What we’re…
⚾ Cherishing: The friendship of two longtime baseball coaches who spent decades in the Catholic League.
👕 Learning: St. Joseph’s became the first college in Pennsylvania to publicly announce a jersey patch sponsor for the upcoming year.
👏 Applauding: North Philly’s Kahleah Copper is heading to the WNBA All-Star Game as a replacement selection.
🤔 Wondering: WhyJaylen Brown was spotted in the Dominican Republic playing baseball?
Eagles 2026 NFL draft pick Keyshawn James-Newby speaks during a news conference in April. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Keyshawn James-Newby was a 2026 seventh-round pick who is considered undersized for an edge rusher at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds. However, he makes up for it with speed and bend.
His path to making the roster is a difficult one considering the state of the depth chart ahead of him. But he’s doing all he can to make a lasting impression and become the NFL’s next seventh-round success story.
Neil Pierre (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the Union’s 3-1 win over Red Bull New York on Wednesday.Philadelphia Union
Neil Pierre, the Union’s prized centerback prospect, played 34 minutes as a second-half substitute in the club’s 3-1 win over Red Bull New York on Wednesday night, and showed he’s ready for the big leagues.
It was only his second game with the first team, but he looked like a pro. So what’s next for Pierre and the Union? Well, besides welcoming Seattle to Subaru Park on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Apple TV), Inquirer writer Jonathan Tannenwald takes a look.
Andrew McMeekin ranks third in the Premier Lacrosse League in faceoff percentage.Premier Lacrosse League
Delco’s Andrew McMeekin is a faceoff man who recently won a national championship with Princeton. After going undrafted in the Premier Lacrosse League, McMeekin has been making a name for himself with the Boston Cannons.
He ranks third in the league in faceoff percentage and scored his first professional goal on July 11. The Episcopal Academy graduate says his success comes from being a student of the game first and faceoff specialist second.
The Flyers’ schedule came out last week, and I did not scan it immediately for games against the Penguins and Rangers and Capitals. My eyes fell on two dates: Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 3. A pair of matchups against the Flyers’ newest and most hated rivals: the … Anaheim Ducks?
What you’re saying about Jalen Hurts
We asked: Do you think Jalen Hurts is a Top 10 NFL quarterback? Among your responses:
Hurts is a solid quarterback with solid, if not flashy, skills in all categories. The Eagles are built to be consistent, and he has led with a consistent presence despite a total lack of consistency at the offensive coordinator position. He fits perfectly with a solid running game around him. — Dale O.
Yes, I do. Tough times last season, but the guy was again playing with a new coach and system, with a disgruntled me-me-me receiver and an aging and much-injured offensive line that was no longer able to spring Saquon loose multiple times per game to take the pressure off of him. One ranking had him way, way down the list and another had him as a tier two QB along with Mahones and others. Last season, the coaches grossly underused DeVonta Smith, one of the surest targets in the NFL. Jalen has performed admirably in two Super Bowls and can do it again. — Everett S.
Jalen Hurts works out during mandatory mini-camp at the Jefferson Health Training Complex on June 10.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Jalen Hurts is a top 10 quarterback. The others mentioned have either not been to the Super Bowl or haven’t finished high in the playoffs. While I agree that all teams need to have an array of talent, Jalen Hurts has the right attitude and doesn’t let the media or fans get in his head. Plus, he has talent! Trust me, he will use this slight to kick ass in the 2026-27 season. Go Birds!— Joanne H.
No. Despite winning a Super Bowl MVP, that award could have easily been given to the defense! Jalen doesn’t have a history of leading the team from behind in the 4th quarter. He has been reluctant to throw down the middle, settling for low-risk slants. Clearly not in the Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matt Stafford conversation. — Bob C.
Please. Dak Prescott? Over the hill. Caleb Williams? Promise but no proof. Same with Drake Maye. I really wish I knew why Jalen does not get the respect he deserves. The proof is in his record. Whoever drew up this list is way off the mark. — Cathy J.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Mike Sielski, Jonathan Tannenwald, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Lauren Jones, Lochlahn March, David Murphy, Conor Smith, Mia Messina, and Maria McIlwain.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Thanks for closing out the week with me. Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella
Jim Bowden spent 16 years as a general manager with the Reds and Nationals before becoming an MLB analyst and commentator. And with the trade deadline approaching — Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. — he joined Phillies Extra to discuss the Phillies’ needs, some potential targets, and what it’s like to be a GM in the frenzied days leading up to the deadline. Watch here.
At halftime of this year’s NCAA men’s lacrosse championship at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va., the NCAA commemorated the 25th anniversary of Princeton’s national title team.
As the current Tigers went into the locker room, the players from 2001, which was the last time Princeton won the title, greeted them with cheers and words of encouragement to finish the game strong.
“It was pretty serendipitous,” said faceoff specialist and Delco native Andrew McMeekin.
The Tigers defeated Notre Dame, 16-9, on May 25 to claim the program’s seventh national title. Less than two months later, McMeekin is now making a name for himself in the Premier Lacrosse League with the Boston Cannons.
McMeekin ranks third in the league in faceoff percentage (56.8%) and scored his first professional goal on July 11 in a 15-13 win over the Denver Outlaws.
Playing at the next level
Playing professional lacrosse was always McMeekin’s goal.
He was coached by Chris Bates at Episcopal Academy. Bates was one of the original coaches during the PLL’s inaugural 2019 season. Once at Princeton, McMeekin watched the upperclassmen continue their careers professionally. Those personal ties with the league sparked a desire to reach the top of the sport.
When the 2026 PLL college draft was held April 14, McMeekin wasn’t surprised that his name wasn’t called. Specialty players, like goalies and faceoff men, are rarely selected on draft night.
Still, conversations with the Cannons coaches later that month assured him that his professional opportunity would come.
Building a winning culture
Before beginning his professional career, McMeekin had one final goal to accomplish at Princeton: Win a national championship.
It was the culmination of a four-year journey to get there, McMeekin said.
“It really did feel like a full four-year build,” he said. “Each year had its own story and our class in general took away the right things that we needed to take away after the seasons ended. It came together at the right time.”
The group of 10 seniors, who lived together in a house off campus, met once or twice a week outside of practice to discuss how to set the standard, what being a good teammate looked like, and how they could improve as a group.
Andrew McKeekin is Princeton’s career record holder for faceoff wins and groundballs.Courtesy of Camryn Ley
“We learned to have honest and productive conversations early because we knew that it would benefit the team,” McMeekin said, “and since we, as a senior class, understood that, it trickled down from there.
“All the guys really cared about was winning as a team, and that’s different from what I’ve seen from a lot of other teams. All the best teams in the country have extremely talented players, obviously, but I think the teams that are willing to sacrifice egos a bit and more just want to win as opposed to one guy having all the best stats — that’s what our team thrived on the most this year.”
McMeekin left his impact on the Tigers lacrosse team. He’s the program’s career leader in faceoff wins (698) and ground balls (446), and he set the school’s single-season record this year for ground balls (145). He also finished 23rd in the nation in faceoff percentage (57.7%).
Lacrosse player first
Part of the success for McMeekin can be traced back to weekly four-hour round-trip drives to Cockeysville, Md.
Since seventh grade, McMeekin has trained with Jeremy Rualo, founder of Inner Circle Lacrosse. Inner Circle is built around a simple philosophy: players should be lacrosse players first and faceoff specialists second.
“I coach the position for the play, holistically,” Rualo said. “The play is to provide the ball in a possession to the offense. Two guys face off, yeah, but that isn’t decoupled from the midfield play that is about to happen.”
Rualo, who works professionally in clinical genomics and next-generation sequencing, said faceoffs were never intended to be separated from midfield play.
Andrew McMeekin is making a name for himself in the Premier Lacrosse League with the Boston Cannons.Premier Lacrosse League
When he played lacrosse in high school and college, if a player took faceoffs, they were also expected to contribute as a midfielder. The specialization of the position developed later, eventually leading to the modern-day FOGO – “faceoff, get off.”
Now, Rualo and McMeekin believe many young players specialize too early without developing the broader skills to become complete lacrosse players.
“A lot of the time people look at faceoff as a very siloed and individual thing, but holistically it is a three-on-three with the wings and obviously very tied to possessions,” McMeekin said. “I take pride in making sure I have good plans for my wings and have a whole team view of the faceoff as opposed to just making it one-on-one the whole time.”
Inner Circle emphasizes the entire play that happens after the whistle. Players train in game-like scenarios, learning not only how to win faceoffs, but also how to anticipate where the ball will go, compete for ground balls, and contribute as a midfielder.
“Because of the way that we train, and the scale at which it is done and the holistic picture, what you get is the Inner Circlers are outstanding at midfield and that becomes this massive separator,” Rualo said. “No one else really does it, because they don’t think that way.”
Developing complete lacrosse players is non-negotiable, Rualo added.
“‘Why do you want to [stink] at lacrosse?’” he jokingly asks his players. “You should absolutely be a lacrosse player first.”
McMeekin has carried this philosophy with him throughout high school and college. Now, he’s taking it to the next level.
“The coaches are very adamant about me trying to take shots, and pushing transition while still being smart with my risk tolerance,” he said. “I’ve had a long leash in that sense to try and score and push the offense, so we are going to continue with that.”
Last month, John Kruk was inducted into the Hall of Pretty Good, an internet-born honor that recognizes baseball’s fan favorites who weren’t cut out for Cooperstown.
Kruk’s son, Kyle, texted the news to his father, a three-time All-Star with the Phillies in the ’90s.
“I thought it was some people just farting around,” said John Kruk, who now is a broadcaster for the Phillies. “But after I read it, they got some good players in there.”
The Hall of Pretty Good features names from Phillies World Series champion Shane Victorino to longtime Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte. Among other stipulations, no Cy Young or MVP award winners are permitted entry into the hall to ensure its “pretty good” nature. Any would-be inductee needs to receive 65% of an Instagram fan vote to join the hall’s ranks.
Upon hearing this description, Kruk, who is known for his dry humor, had a lingering question.
“Do you need to be under the influence of drugs to vote on this thing?” he asked.
Quips like that, which he readily says on air, surely helped him receive 95% of over 38,500 fan votes to become the 77th member of the hall. A new generation of baseball fans has become familiar with Kruk because of his engaging personality in the booth. He wants to thank some of those fans, who voted him “pretty good,” in person.
“We need to get a Hall of a Pretty Good ceremony,” Kruk said.
What would Kruk’s ideal induction look like? Fittingly, it would not have the prestige of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which is holding its induction ceremony on Sunday in Cooperstown, N.Y.
“I wouldn’t wear a suit. That [stuff is] out,” Kruk said. “If you’re in the Hall of Pretty Good, wear whatever … you want. Not a stuffy suit. What, in August? People don’t want to sit outside and watch it; we’d have to go inside with air-conditioning, probably a middle school gymnasium.”
“It sounds like [Kruk] totally understands the gist of the account,” Whitlow said, laughing. “It’s meant to be kind of funny, but also it is to seriously honor players like him as well. They do deserve a space to be honored and remembered. I love that he doesn’t want a big museum or a mansion, just a gym. And we can just wear like a polo or a T-shirt. That’s perfect.”
‘Give him flowers’
Whitlow, 24, created the Hall of Pretty Good in 2024. The hall’s Instagram account currently boasts roughly 277,000 followers. Whitlow also hosts a podcast under the same name where he has interviewed past and current players.
“I’ve always been an overly sentimental type of guy,” Whitlow said, “so that trickled down to my love of baseball as well. All the players I grew up loving, they weren’t talked about anymore because they weren’t Derek Jeter or Ryan Howard or Jimmy Rollins — those types of guys. It kind of saddened me a little bit.”
Whitlow also noticed that baseball coverage has become more take-based and even toxic in recent years. He longs for a “positive, nostalgic place” to celebrate former players, so he made one. With the help of his wife, Amanda, Whitlow listed about 1,000 players who fit his “pretty good” standards. One by one, the account’s fans have voted on whether they should be in the hall.
For Whitlow, adding Kruk was a no-brainer. The former first baseman logged 100 home runs (62 with the Phillies) and 592 RBIs (390 with the Phillies) during his 10-year career.
During his days with the Phillies, John Kruk slides into home against the San Diego Padres at the Vet.ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / STAFF FILE
“Make no mistake, this guy was a borderline elite player,” Whitlow said. “It was a bit of a shorter curve, but it was amazing. People know how awesome he is in the booth, but just to see how dynamic of a player he was. The guy can hit, so it was cool to give him flowers for more of his baseball play than what he does in the booth.”
Long before the Hall of Pretty Good, Kruk’s career did get the attention of Cooperstown. In 2001, six years after his retirement, Kruk became part of a select group of players who received just one Hall of Fame vote.
“Think of all the people that have ever played, think of all the kids that wish they could have played at that level, and how many people have never gotten one vote,” Kruk said. “But I think [the Hall of Pretty Good] is better, personally. Because I know I’m not getting in that other one. I would never get in that other one. I resigned to that fact after my second year in the big leagues. To be considered by fans means more to me.”
“I always thought making All-Star teams was neat. Back then, it was all fans [voting]. The fact that enough people thought I was deserving, I thought that was great. And this is the same thing to me, except I don’t have to play.”
Full of Phils
Many Hall of Pretty Good players bounced around while in the league. Along with Kruk and Victorino, other notable inductees who saw action as Phillies include infielder Jean Segura, catcher Darren Daulton, relief pitcher Steve Cishek (who was the hall’s first inductee), outfielder Juan Pierre, starting pitcher A.J. Burnett, pitcher Tom Gordon, and shortstop Didi Gregorius.
The uniforms of many St. Joseph’s teams will have a slight change this fall — it will feature a sponsored jersey patch.
On Wednesday, St. Joe’s announced a partnership with Main Line Health to feature the local healthcare company’s logo on the school’s uniforms. The new uniform emblem was made possible after the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved the addition of “commercial logos or patches” on team uniforms in January.
St. Joe’s is the first athletic program in Pennsylvania to publicly announce a jersey sponsorship for the upcoming academic year. The Hawks field 21 teams, but the patch won’t be on all of them.
“We’re going to be a leader amongst all this change,” St. Joe’s athletic director Ashwin Puri told the Inquirer. “We’re going to embrace it. We are going to be uniquely St. Joseph’s in all this legislative change and this … transformation — we’re going to do it our way.”
Jersey patches, although new to college, have become a lucrative endeavor for professional sports teams in the United States. The MLS, MLB, NHL, and NBA all allow its franchises to strike uniform sponsorship deals. Recently, the Golden State Warriors made headlines after partnering with IREN to make the Artificial Intelligence company the team’s primary jersey sponsor. The deal was reported to be worth more than $50 million a year.
Meanwhile, in college, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, reportedly inked a deal with the medicine company Acesso worth $11 million over the next five years.
St. Joe’s did not state how much the deal is worth, but it is expected to bring the school increased financial flexibility. Last year, St. Joe’s opted in to the House v. NCAA settlement, meaning the school is now required to share revenue directly with its student-athletes.
For Puri, the recent changes to college athletics — from the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness deals to the onset of jersey sponsors — are “all related.”
“We are going to prioritize our student-athletes first and obviously the greater university community by finding partnerships that benefit everybody,” Ash said. “It’s holistic.”
Eric Laudano, the Hawks’ executive senior associate athletic director, spearheaded the deal with Main Line Health, alongside Mark Donley and Steven Brown, both hailing from the school’s multimedia rights operator Van Wagner. Main Line Health will now also serve as the exclusive medical provider for St. Joe’s athletics. Puri explained that this was the original goal of the partnership, noting it “wasn’t about the patch” at first.
“The conversation started with, ‘How can we bring everything together under one integrated healthcare system?’” Puri said. “Hospital, orthopedic, primary, physical therapy, athletic training, radiology, all the medical specialists — that was the goal. So the conversation purely started with what’s in the best interest of our student athletes.”
Between warm nights at Citizens Bank Park and a week of All-Star festivities, it’s a certified baseball summer for Philadelphia. Even Jaylen Brown, one of our area’s newest residents, couldn’t resist America’s pastime.
Videos of Brown playing baseball in the Dominican Republic circulated Wednesday on social media. Decked out in a La Javilla Academy uniform, the 76ers’ high-profile summer acquisition singled as a chorus of kids chanted “Philadelphia.”
La Javilla Academy is a prominent baseball facility in Santo Domingo Este. Founded in 1958, the program is run by former MLB player Alberto Castillo and has produced players like New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario.
Brown seems unable to stay away from a good game, no matter the sport — he also was spotted boxing locals in Morocco this summer.
The athleticism must run in his blood. Brown recently revealed that he and former Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown are cousins. A.J. Brown, who was traded to the New England Patriots on June 1, has a history with baseball himself; he was drafted in the 19th round the San Diego Padres in 2016 before he decided to focus on football.
Jaylen Brown is much more well-known for his basketball prowess than his swing, but he looked at home in the batter’s box, soaking up the Dominican Republic’s love for baseball. The 6-foot-6 wing isn’t the first Sixer to pick up a pair of cleats, however.
Mark Hendrickson, who played his rookie season in Philly (1996-97), also was a 10-year MLB veteran as a left-handed pitcher. He was drafted in the 20th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 and broke into the majors in 2002, two years after his four-season NBA career ended.
Could Brown be the Phillies’ solution to that fifth spot in the starting rotation?
Probably not.
And as Brown enjoys the offseason, the Sixers still trying to take shape amid free agency as they await a decision by a certain former Laker.
No matter how things play out, fans will first see Brown in a Sixers jersey in the preseason opener on the road against his old team, the Boston Celtics, on Oct. 10. Boston then will come to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Oct. 16 for another preseason contest.
Until then, Brown can continue to enjoy the Caribbean and practice his swing instead of his shot.
