The 2025 MLB season has finally come to a close, and so has the road for former Cougars Justin Sterner and Daniel Schneemann, who made impressive strides this season with the Athletics and Guardians, respectively.
Justin Sterner, who pitched for BYU from 2018-2020, has made some steady improvements since he made his major league debut in 2024. This season with the Athletics, Sterner appeared in 59 games, recorded exactly 65 innings, and struck out 70 batters en route to a 3.18 ERA with a 1.046 WHIP. Sterner utilized a 94 mph fastball along with a few sliders to become a key threat in the Athletics pitching rotation.
For a sophomore outing these are impressive numbers, especially in the context of his position on the team. The Athletics left much to be desired on the season, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year in a competitive AL West division. This made Sterner’s relief pitching increasingly challenging, having to come in from the bullpen to perform under difficult scoring scenarios.
https://universe.byu.edu/sports/cougars ... mlb-squads
Justin Sterner – I get the sense the closer here is likely not on the roster currently, but if I HAD TO pick someone here to close out games next year, I’d lean Sterner, especially after how he finished the season (2.73 SIERA, 16,3% SwStr in second half).
https://pitcherlist.com/top-100-closers ... ball-2026/
2026 IBC Padres non-prospects news and notes
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Re: 2026 IBC Padres non-prospects news and notes
7. Colson Montgomery, SS/3B, White Sox
2026 Age: 24. Upside Role: 55 (above-average SS). Risk: Average. Adjusted: 45.
Montgomery slammed 21 home runs in 71 games and played a better shortstop than expected. His bat speed and barrel rate are legit, but high chase rates and strikeout totals will cut into his batting average and on-base percentage. (GP)
19. Grant Taylor, RHP, White Sox
2026 Age: 24. Upside Role: 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter or closer). Risk: High. Adjusted: 40.
Drafted in 2023, Taylor had tossed fewer than 50 minor league innings when the White Sox called him up. He began the season as a starter at Double-A and ended it as Chicago’s closer. There is a lot to like with Taylor as a closer—velocity, extension, whiffs, ground balls—if he can stay healthy. (GP)
24. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers
2026 Age: 26. Upside Role: 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter or closer). Risk: High. Adjusted: 40.
As the quality of his slider goes, so goes Rocker. He made the Rangers’ Opening Day rotation in 2025, but things unraveled quickly and thoroughly. Still, Rocker has shown in flashes that he has upside, perhaps as a midrotation starter or high-leverage reliever. (ME)
25. Shane Smith, RHP, White Sox
2026 Age: 26. Upside Role: 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter). Risk: High. Adjusted: 40.
From Rule 5 pick to American League all-star, Smith had a memorable rookie season. Adding a changeup to a well-rounded repertoire helped secure a future in the rotation. Smith does a little bit of everything well. (GP)
26. Denzel Clarke, OF, Athletics
2026 Age: 26. Upside Role: 50 (solid-average CF). Risk: Average. Adjusted: 40.
If he hits enough to play every day, Clarke is a future Gold Glove center fielder. He’s also extremely fast and has good raw power. It will come down to swing decisions and maximizing his best contact. (JJ)
28. Chase Meidroth, 2B/SS, White Sox
2026 Age: 24. Upside Role: 45 (second-division 2B or UT). Risk: Mild. Adjusted: 40.
Meidroth is a pesky hitter who manages the strike zone to find ways to work his way on base via singles, walks and occasional extra-base hits. Power won’t be a major factor, but Meidroth’s bat-to-ball skills, batting eye, baserunning savvy and fielding skill will translate to a big league role. (GP)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... s-in-2025/
2026 Age: 24. Upside Role: 55 (above-average SS). Risk: Average. Adjusted: 45.
Montgomery slammed 21 home runs in 71 games and played a better shortstop than expected. His bat speed and barrel rate are legit, but high chase rates and strikeout totals will cut into his batting average and on-base percentage. (GP)
19. Grant Taylor, RHP, White Sox
2026 Age: 24. Upside Role: 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter or closer). Risk: High. Adjusted: 40.
Drafted in 2023, Taylor had tossed fewer than 50 minor league innings when the White Sox called him up. He began the season as a starter at Double-A and ended it as Chicago’s closer. There is a lot to like with Taylor as a closer—velocity, extension, whiffs, ground balls—if he can stay healthy. (GP)
24. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers
2026 Age: 26. Upside Role: 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter or closer). Risk: High. Adjusted: 40.
As the quality of his slider goes, so goes Rocker. He made the Rangers’ Opening Day rotation in 2025, but things unraveled quickly and thoroughly. Still, Rocker has shown in flashes that he has upside, perhaps as a midrotation starter or high-leverage reliever. (ME)
25. Shane Smith, RHP, White Sox
2026 Age: 26. Upside Role: 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter). Risk: High. Adjusted: 40.
From Rule 5 pick to American League all-star, Smith had a memorable rookie season. Adding a changeup to a well-rounded repertoire helped secure a future in the rotation. Smith does a little bit of everything well. (GP)
26. Denzel Clarke, OF, Athletics
2026 Age: 26. Upside Role: 50 (solid-average CF). Risk: Average. Adjusted: 40.
If he hits enough to play every day, Clarke is a future Gold Glove center fielder. He’s also extremely fast and has good raw power. It will come down to swing decisions and maximizing his best contact. (JJ)
28. Chase Meidroth, 2B/SS, White Sox
2026 Age: 24. Upside Role: 45 (second-division 2B or UT). Risk: Mild. Adjusted: 40.
Meidroth is a pesky hitter who manages the strike zone to find ways to work his way on base via singles, walks and occasional extra-base hits. Power won’t be a major factor, but Meidroth’s bat-to-ball skills, batting eye, baserunning savvy and fielding skill will translate to a big league role. (GP)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... s-in-2025/
