With the early signing period set to start in a week, a flip at this point would be a big change at the top of the 2024 ESPN 300.
Raiola, the No. 8 overall prospect in the class and the top-ranked pocket-passer, has been committed to Georgia, which has the top-ranked recruiting class, since May and was previously committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes. But, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound prospect has family ties to Nebraska, where his father, Dominic, was a star offensive lineman.
The commitment would be huge for coach Matt Rhule and the Huskers and kick-start what could be a flip-filled week before the signing period. ESPN’s college football and recruiting experts look at what the move could mean.
What makes Raiola such a high-ranked recruit?
The quarterback draws similarities to former ESPN 300 signal-caller Andrew Luck in that Raiola grew up in the sport, has a big pocket passer build with excellent arm talent, but is also mobile for his size. Between his father, former Nebraska standout and longtime NFL offensive lineman Dominic Raiola, and his uncle Donovan, who is currently the offensive line coach at Nebraska, Dylan has grown up around the Huskers. His coach at Buford High School (Georgia) called Raiola a “student of the game” who always had his notebook from meetings with him and would regularly come up to the school on Sundays to sit with the coaches as they prepared for the coming opponent.
During in-person evaluations the past two seasons, he has displayed the arm strength to make all the throws while being able to change ball speeds, and he throws a catchable ball. He has also displayed an even-keeled demeanor, even when offensive execution wasn’t always operating as desired.
At 6-foot-4, he can stand in the pocket and deliver but also move around when he needs to. He possesses very good body control and that, combined with his size, allows him to break free of pass-rushers and able to get outside the pocket and extend plays.
He has played for four different high schools and this would be his third different commitment. That amount of movement could raise concerns, and only time will tell if he can settle into one spot for an extended period.
Physically, Raiola has excellent traits. He would give the Cornhuskers their most impactful quarterback signing in the ESPN 300 era. — Craig Haubert
What would this mean for Nebraska?
Raiola would be the highest-ranked commitment for Nebraska since ESPN started its rankings in 2006, so that in itself is a big deal. Matt Rhule saw what the Nebraska quarterback room looked like this season and knew he needed to restock it with talent.
If Kyle McCordtransfers in from Ohio State and Raiola signs with the Huskers, Rhule has two great options at the position for the 2024 season. It would be ideal to allow McCord to start and play out his remaining year of eligibility and let Raiola learn the system before taking over.
Outside of the quarterback depth, more importantly, it shows that Rhule can recruit. Yes, there are family ties to Nebraska, but that wasn’t enough to get him to commit the first time when he chose Ohio State and then Georgia.
Recruiting against Georgia is difficult no matter who it is, and Rhule didn’t give up on Raiola. Getting a high-profile flip like this will help on the field, but it could also help on the trail by getting other prospects interested. Quarterbacks can often help attract other recruits, especially receivers and running backs.
If Nebraska indeed signs him, it can build off of the momentum of landing Raiola. This could possibly be a monster win for the future of the Nebraska roster. — Tom VanHaaren
What would this mean for Georgia?
There’s no question that losing a five-star quarterback, especially this late in the game, will sting the Bulldogs. Georgia coach Kirby Smart doesn’t lose too many recruiting battles, but it’s the second time in as many years that he and his staff invested a lot of time and resources in courting a highly regarded passer, only to lose out in the end. Georgia’s loss of eventual Texas signee Arch Manning probably didn’t hurt quite as much because he was never committed, but both would have been big-time additions to the program.
As long as starting quarterback Carson Beck returns to the team for 2024, Georgia is going to be just fine on offense. Beck was one of the most efficient and effective passers in FBS in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,738 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. He nearly led the two-time defending national champions back to the College Football Playoff, but the Bulldogs lost to Alabama 27-24 in the SEC championship and fell out of the top four.
Beck’s backup this past season, former four-star recruit Brock Vandagriff, is transferring to Kentucky. Redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton, who attempted nine passes in 2023, will probably go into next season as the No. 2 quarterback. He was the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the Class of 2022. He set Georgia high school state records with 13,562 passing yards, 177 passing touchdowns and 77 rushing scores at Rabun County High.
The Bulldogs also have a commitment from Ryan Puglisi, the No. 7 pocket passer in the 2024 ESPN 300. A 6-foot-3, 205-pound native of Avon, Connecticut, Puglisi has been committed to the Bulldogs since October 2022. The former Elite 11 competitor had scholarship offers from Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and others before choosing Georgia. — Mark Schlabach
Are there other potential QB dominoes after this?
Nebraska has a commitment from three-star in-state quarterback Daniel Kaelin. The Huskers’ coaches said they would still honor Kaelin’s commitment and Kaelin has not said what his plans are.
He could open up his recruitment, but it wouldn’t be a major factor in the quarterback market.
On Georgia’s end, it’s late in the process to try to fill his spot with a highly touted quarterback, unless the staff wanted to flip someone themselves. As noted, the Bulldogs have a QB committed in this class and signed another in the 2022 class.
If Beck does leave, it puts the coaches in a situation where they might want to add more depth through the portal or recruiting, but it’s not a dire situation and Raiola’s move doesn’t seem likely to make a shockwave in quarterback recruiting. — VanHaaren
Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski is a National League All-Star replacement, giving the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander a chance to break Paul Skenes‘ record for the fewest big league appearances before playing in the Midsummer Classic.
Misiorowski was named Friday night to replace Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, who will be unavailable for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Atlanta because he is scheduled to start Saturday at the New York Yankees.
The 23-year-old Misiorowski has made just five starts for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA while averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball, with 89 pitches that have reached 100 mph.
If he pitches at Truist Park, Misiorowski will make it consecutive years for a player to set the mark for fewest big league games before an All-Star showing.
Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander getting ready for his second All-Star appearance, had made 11 starts in the majors when he was chosen as the NL starter for last year’s All-Star Game at Texas. He pitched a scoreless inning.
“I’m speechless,” said a teary-eyed Misiorowski, who said he was given the news a few minutes before the Brewers’ 8-3 victory over Washington. “It’s awesome. It’s very unexpected and it’s an honor.”
Misiorowski is the 30th first-time All-Star and 16th replacement this year. There are now 80 total All-Stars.
“He’s impressive. He’s got some of the best stuff in the game right now, even though he’s a young pitcher,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is a starting AL outfielder for his seventh All-Star nod. “He’s going to be a special pitcher in this game for a long time so I think he deserved it and it’s going be pretty cool for him and his family.”
The New York Yankees‘ Rodón, an All-Star for the third time in five seasons, will replace teammate Max Fried for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta. Fried will be unavailable because he is scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.
In his final start before the All-Star game, Rodón allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings in an 11-0 victory over the Cubs.
“This one’s a little special for me,” said Rodón, an All-Star in 2021 and ’22 who was 3-8 in his first season with the Yankees two years ago before rebounding. “I wasn’t good when I first got here, and I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t to going to give up and just put my best foot forward and try to win as many games as I can.”
Mize takes the spot held by Boston‘s Garrett Crochet, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Tampa Bay. Mize gives the Tigers six All-Stars, most of any team and tied for the franchise record.
Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will replace Tampa Bay‘s Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list with left oblique tightness. The additions of Estévez and Garcia give the Royals four All-Stars, matching their 2024 total.
The Seattle Mariners announced center fielder Julio Rodríguez will not participate, and he was replaced by teammate Randy Arozarena. Rodríguez had been voted onto the AL roster via the players’ ballot. The Mariners, who have five All-Stars, said Rodríguez will use the break to “recuperate, rest and prepare for the second half.”
Arozarena is an All-Star for the second time. He started in left field for the AL two years ago, when he was with Tampa Bay. Arozarena was the runner-up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 Home Run Derby.
Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a first-time All-Star, is replacing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start Saturday night at Arizona. Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 starts.
San Diego added a third NL All-Star reliever in lefty Adrián Morejón, who replaces Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ right-hander is scheduled to start at San Diego on Saturday night. Morejón entered the weekend with a 1.71 ERA in 45 appearances.
NEW YORK — Robbed an inning earlier, Cody Bellinger wasn’t sure his first three-homer game had been swiped away again.
“I didn’t know at first,” he said. “For that third one to finally get over feels pretty good.”
Bellinger hit three two-run homers against his former team and was denied a fourth by a spectacular catch, leading the Yankees to an 11-0 rout of the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.
Aaron Judge made a trio of outstanding grabs in right field for the Yankees, who have won five straight games following a a six-game losing streak.
Bellinger, whose dad Clay played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, is a two-time All-Star and 2019 NL MVP.
He spent 2023 and 2024 with the Cubs, hitting .266 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 games last year while missing time because of a broken right rib. The Cubs traded him to New York in December with $52.5 million remaining on his contract and agreed to pay the Yankees $5 million.
He homered in a three-run third off Chris Flexen and in the fifth against Caleb Thielbar for this 18th multihomer game. Bellinger nearly went deep in the seventh but was robbed by Kyle Tucker on a drive above the right-field wall.
“I was watching it. He timed it up perfect, so I was a little sick about it, honestly,” Bellinger said. “But it was a good catch.”
“Boys were giving me a hard time after he robbed it. Boonie was giving me hard time,” Bellinger added.
A four-time All-Star and a Gold Glove winner, Tucker snatched the ball as a fan tried for it, the spectator clasping both sides of the outfielder’s glove.
“I caught the ball and he caught my glove, so I figured even if I dropped it they’d probably look at it and get it overturned,” Tucker said. “I’ve probably had some encounters with me trying to go into the stands and catching a ball and me hitting someone’s hand or whatever but I don’t know if anyone’s ever actually kind of caught my glove while doing it.”
Bellinger homered in the eighth off Jordan Wicks, just above the red glove of leaping center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and into the dark glove of a kid in the front row.
“The fan just beat to the spot,” Crow-Armstrong said. “He just had a better chance of catching it higher than I did.”
Bellinger, who had rounded first, watched and then smiled when he saw he had hit No. 3.
“Glad the fan caught it before PCA could grab it,” said Bellinger, who met the boy after and got the ball back. “I’ve seen PCA rob so many homers. He’s a freak athlete out there.”
Bellinger is batting .406 over a career-high 16-game hitting streak, raising his average to .285 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs.
He had spoken with his Cubs ex-teammates during batting practice.
“No, no, no revenge,” he said. “Honestly, ultimately it was just fun to be out there. I saw a bunch of guys I hadn’t seen in a while and I shared a bunch of good memories with them for these past two years.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and manager Aaron Boone encouraged Bellinger to emerge from the dugout for a curtain call.
“He was a little reluctant, but then the Bell-lin-ger” over the dugout got pretty loud. So I think he succumbed to it,” Boone said. “Belly’s loved being here and loved playing here in a meaningful place to him, going back to his childhood.”
Bellinger turns 30 on Sunday and can opt out of the final season of his contract this fall. With long balls and wide smiles, he seems to have found a home in the Yankees clubhouse.
He tried not to make much of getting the three homers against the Cubs, but Bellinger’s teammates could sense the significance.
“It’s always good to go against your old teammates that you spend a lot of time with, you know, you respect,” Boone said. “To perform right away against them I’m sure probably is a little cherry on top for him.”
DETROIT — Cal Raleigh hit his 37th and 38th home runs in Seattle‘s 12-3 victory over Detroit on Friday night to move within one of Barry Bonds’ 2001 major league record for homers before the All-Star break.
Raleigh hit a solo homer off former teammate Tyler Holton in the eighth to tie the American League record of 37 before the All-Star break set by Reggie Jackson in 1969 and matched by Chris Davis in 2013.
“[Holton] and I are really good friends, and I’ve caught a lot of his pitches,” said Raleigh, who was in the lineup as the designated hitter instead of at catcher. “I don’t think that helped much, but I’m sure he’s not very happy with me.”
Raleigh hit a grand slam off Brant Hurter in the ninth.
“I didn’t even know it was a record until just now,” Raleigh said. “I don’t have words for it, I guess. I’m just very grateful and thankful.”
It was Raleigh’s eighth multihomer game this season, tying Jackson (also in 1969) for the most such games before the All-Star break in MLB history, according to ESPN Research. He also tied Ken Griffey Jr. for the most multihomer games in Mariners franchise history.
Seattle has two games left in Detroit before the break.
“Cal Raleigh … this is just unbelievable,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “He’s already set the AL record and now he’s only one short of Barry. There are two games, so who knows?”
Raleigh hit 10 homers in March and April, 12 in May, 11 in June and has five in July.
“This is a very boring comment, but baseball is all about consistency,” Wilson said. “This hasn’t been one hot streak, he’s doing this month after month. That says everything.”