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Français (Afrique)MLB second basemen power rankings in week 3
The MLB is through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. The season has seen hot starts from veterans and players entering the first few seasons of their careers. In the opening month of the season, it’s common for players to work their way into becoming locked in. However, as the months become warmer, players begin to perform at a higher level. Here are the top 10 second basemen rankings heading into week three.
MORE: MLB catcher power rankings in week 3
1. Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins
Last season, Edwards showed the ability to reach base and rack up steals. He’s producing early in 2026. Edwards will be a cog batting at the top of Miami’s lineup.
2. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
The veteran doesn’t steal many bases at this stage of his career, but he still produces power numbers. In the twilight of his career, Altuve will be among the leaders at his position. Houston will rely on its veterans to get back into the playoffs.
3. Brandon Lowe, Pittsburgh Pirates
When healthy, Lowe is one of the premier second base hitters. However, he’s dealt with numerous injuries since 2021. 2026 can be the year he gets back to 30+ home runs.
4. Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
Albies is starting quickly for an Atlanta team ready to compete for the NL East. Hitting near the top of the lineup, he will have every opportunity to produce. He will be a top 10 second baseman throughout the season.
5. Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
Known for base stealing, Turang broke out last season, finishing with 18 home runs, 81 RBI, and 24 stolen bases. He’s started quickly through the first two weeks of this season. He’s in store for another big campaign.
6. Cole Young, Seattle Mariners
The rookie is quickly making a name for himself after playing in 77 games a season ago. He’s going to be a big part of Seattle’s hunt for the postseason. His name will be in contention for American League Rookie of the Year.
7. Marcus Semien, New York Mets
Semien is looking to start fast in his first season with New York. Last season, he battled injuries and never reached his normal production. The veteran needs to produce in a Mets team aiming for the playoffs.
8. Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs
Hoerner is an underrated second baseman. He doesn’t produce high home run totals like his counterparts. However, he gets on base and ends each season with a healthy number of stolen bases.
9. JJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals
Wetherholt is proving that St. Louis made the right decision breaking camp with him as the team’s starting second baseman. He’s shown he can make consistent contact and reach base. He will be in contention for the National League Rookie of the Year.
10. Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
The veteran is consistent and will end the season as a top-five second baseman. He hits for power and will be one of Arizona’s leaders in RBI. His name will be talked about often during the trade deadline.
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Chelsea scouts have mission to watch particular player in Sporting vs Arsenal tonight
Chelsea scouts will apparently be in attendance tonight for the Sporting vs Arsenal game to have eyes on Maxi Araujo.
But it is unlikely to just be them, with a whole host of clubs watching the versatile left-sided player lately.
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Portuguese newspaper Record reported that as many as 12 English clubs sent scouts to Wembley to watch him in action for Uruguay against England in the last international break. Tottenham and Chelsea certainly were among the clubs present.
Apparently, Tottenham will also be present at the next two Arsenal vs Sporting games to watch the same player as well.
Sporting host Arsenal tonight in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. The return leg will take place in London on April 15th.
Chelsea looking at Araujo
Sport Witness have the report, and they confirm that as well as these scouting missions, Chelsea have also made contact with the reps of Araujo.
Chelsea are looking at a possible summer move to sign the Uruguay international, but it sounds like they could end up having a lot of competition as well.
In other news today
I personally didn’t think it was fair that Fernandez got punishment but Marc Cucurella didn’t. There was variations in their comments but they both essentially did the same thing. Podcasters have been debating this very subject.
Chelsea academy star Ryan Kavuma-McQueen made his debut for the club against Port Vale at the weekend, and he has since been compared with academy graduate Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is of course now at Nottingham Forest.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
ESPN high on Iowa basketball in way-too-early 2026-27 top 25 rankings
The confetti is still falling in Indianapolis from the Michigan Wolverines' national championship win over the UConn Huskies, but for 363 other teams, the chapter has been flipped to the 2026-27 season. The Iowa Hawkeyes are already full steam ahead towards next year, looking to capitalize on serious momentum in the program.
After a run to the Elite 8, the Hawkeyes showed they can be a presence in the Big Ten with Ben McCollum at the helm, who figures to be in Iowa City for quite some time after he reportedly declined an interview with the North Carolina Tar Heels, one of college basketball's blue bloods.
The momentum from this year, paired with McCollum's pedigree, has ESPN high on the Hawkeyes for the 2026-27 college basketball season, placing them just in the way-too-early top 25 rankings at No. 25.
25. Iowa Hawkeyes
For the first time in four years -- at three different schools -- coach Ben McCollum will enter the season without Bennett Stirtz as his starting point guard. Sure, McCollum had Division II success before Stirtz entered the fold, and he has been a winner at every spot regardless of personnel. But there will be an adjustment given how ball-dominant and high-usage Stirtz was in McCollum's system. What will help is that most of the Hawkeyes' rotation could return, including NCAA tournament contributors Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and Cooper Koch.
Projected starting lineup
Kael Combs (6.2 PPG)Tate Sage (5.6 PPG)Cooper Koch (7.8 PPG)Alvaro Folgueiras (8.5 PPG)Cam Manyawu (6.9 PPG) - Jeff Borzello, ESPN
For Iowa to take this step, the moves are right in front of them. The Hawkeyes have to replenish Bennett Stirtz with a strong point guard and add some true size on the interior to bring a rim protector to the roster. Iowa's willingness to spend in the transfer portal is clear, as evidenced by reports that they could near the $10 million mark.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : ESPN high on Iowa basketball in way-too-early 2026-27 top 25 rankings
Cancelo talks Lamine, Gavi, Raphinha, Flick, Xavi, future ahead of Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
FC Barcelona square off against Atletico Madrid for a fifth time this season as the two teams meet in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals tomorrow at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Having beaten the Rojiblancos 2-1 over the weekend in La Liga, Barça go into tomorrow’s contest with momentum on their side.
And, ahead of the big game, on-loan defender Joao Cancelo, who has been in fine form in recent weeks, accompanied Hansi Flick for the pre-match press conference and spoke to the media, touching on various matters, including his future.
Cancelo on facing Atletico Madrid
Kicking things off, the Portuguese full-back explained what he and Barcelona are expecting from Atletico Madrid in tomorrow’s tie, saying:
“We expect the same from Atletico as we have in recent years. They are an aggressive team with talented players. We have to control them, as we did in the last match, and go for the win. It’s a very important competition for us.”
Highlighting the importance of getting a positive result in the first leg at the Spotify Camp Nou, the former Manchester City ace added:
“It’s a very important match. We know we have to go to the Metropolitano afterwards, which is a very difficult ground. The ideal scenario would be to get a result and put us in a good position in the tie, but we have to be prepared for anything.”
It took some time for Cancelo to establish himself as a regular under Hansi Flick after arriving in January. So, when asked if he was at his 100% level now, he replied:
“I don’t know if I’m at 100%. As the weeks go by and training continues, it’s normal for my talent to emerge. What I’m trying to do is help the team achieve its goals. In the last match, we all played very well. I’m trying to help us get the win.”
On his future
Barça want to sign Cancelo permanently. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Cancelo’s impressive performances have prompted Barcelona to consider making his transfer permanent at the end of the season. The player, too, is keen on making it happen, but was coy on the matter during the presser.
“Anything can happen in football. I’m going to keep working, and I know what I want for next season. I want to help Barça stay in this competition and win La Liga. That’s the most important thing. My future isn’t relevant right now,” he said.
On being probed further about the topic, Cancelo noted: “There are always options. I have a contract with Al-Hilal and I’m on loan at Barça, but there are always options.
“Football can change in an instant. At the beginning, they had doubts, but now we’re not having that conversation. We’ll see in the end.”
Speaking about his sudden rise in prominence within the team, he stated: “There is no one in the world who trusts me more than I trust myself. No one knows about my battles, and I believe in myself a lot.”
On working with Flick
Cancelo then discussed his experience of working with Flick so far at Barcelona, saying: “He’s a very good person, very close to the players. He’s instilled this dynamic of aggression, and that makes him a different kind of coach.”
On the style and intensity of this Barcelona team compared to the one he played for previously, Cancelo remarked:
“The dynamic is different. With high pressure, we take risks, and I identify with those values. Flick has introduced the German style of pressing and jumping on the man closest to the ball.
“With this, you almost always have control of the game, but you take more risks.”
Cancelo has been in fine form of late. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
On being asked to highlight the differences between Flick and Xavi Hernandez, who was the Barcelona manager in 2023/24 when he was on loan, Cancelo replied:
“I am very grateful to Xavi, he helped me a lot. Hansi is different, not better or worse. Hansi has more experience, but I think Xavi will be a very good coach too.”
On his teammates
Regarding his teammate Lamine Yamal, Cancelo spoke very highly, calling him one of the top three players in the world.
“Nothing needs to be said. Lamine is the most talented player in the world, or in the top three. It’s an honour to continue working with him and seeing him in training. He makes a difference, and it’s great to have him on our side,” he remarked.
Talking about the youngster’s angry outburst after the match against Atletico on Saturday, Cancelo added:
“I saw it later. My brother sent me a video. I didn’t talk to him about it. I was so euphoric I didn’t see it. I think it’s all sorted out. We need him tomorrow and he’ll be at his best.”
Cancelo also lauded midfielder Gavi, who has recently returned from a lengthy spell out on the sidelines.
“Gavi is the heart and soul of the team. Not just on the field, but off it too. He’s a really cheerful guy. He’ll give you a hard time in training, and that makes us more intense. He has a huge heart. It’s an honour to work with him,” he said.
The Portuguese international also spoke about the injury blow to Raphinha, admitting his absence was a blow.
“Rapha is one of our leaders. He’s pressing the goalkeeper until the 90th minute. I can’t do that because I’m too old. He’s upset because we know how important he is to the team,” Cancelo stated.
“Rashford has to be ready to step up. We’re Barça, and we have to be ready to play.”
Concluding, Cancelo spoke about Barcelona’s chances of winning the Champions League, saying:
“Everyone in the dressing room dreams of this. Atletico has the same ambitions as us. The team will give everything to get through the tie; we’re very motivated.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
🤕 Out for the first leg, Barcola and Fabian miss PSG v Liverpool
Paris Saint-Germain face one of the toughest challenges of the season with discouraging news coming from the treatment room.
According to the club’s latest medical update, neither Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz nor French forward Bradley Barcola will be available for tomorrow’s crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool.
Barcola’s absence is a major setback for Luis Enrique’s system. The young winger, who suffered an ankle sprain during the previous tie against Chelsea, has not managed to recover in time.
Meanwhile, Fabián Ruiz is still dealing with physical issues that have kept him out of the squad. Although the Spanish international has shown improvement in recent individual training sessions, the coaching staff have decided not to risk his fitness in a match that will demand maximum intensity from the very first minute.
Luis Enrique now faces the difficult task of reshaping his starting eleven. Without Fabián’s creativity in midfield or Barcola’s directness on the wing, the Asturian coach will have to rely on the depth of his bench to stop the Anfield side, who arrive in Paris in excellent form.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.