Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 188

March 17, 2025

Putin and Trump will speak on Tuesday about war in Ukraine, Kremlin confirms

By CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as he pushes to end the war in Ukraine.

The U.S. leader disclosed the upcoming conversation to reporters while flying from Florida to Washington on Air Force One on Sunday evening.

“We will see if we have something to announce maybe by Tuesday. I will be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday,” Trump said. “A lot of work’s been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday morning confirmed the plans for the two leaders to speak on Tuesday, but refused to disclose what the conversation will be about, saying that “we never get ahead of events” and “the content of conversations between two presidents are not subject to any prior discussion.”

Any such conversation could be a pivot point in the conflict and an opportunity for Trump to continue reorienting American foreign policy. European allies are wary of Trump’s affinity for Putin and his hardline stance toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who faced sharp criticism when he visited the Oval Office a little more than two weeks ago.

Although Russia failed in its initial goal to topple Ukraine with its invasion three years ago, it still controls large swaths of the country.

Trump said land and power plants are part of the conversation around bringing the war to a close.

“We will be talking about land. We will be talking about power plants,” he said.

Trump described it as “dividing up certain assets.”

Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff recently visited Moscow to advance negotiations.

During his conversation with reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he was pushing forward with his plans for tariffs on April 2 despite recent disruption in the stock market and nervousness about the economic impact.

“April 2 is a liberating day for our country,” he said. “We’re getting back some of the wealth that very, very foolish presidents gave away because they had no clue what they were doing.”

Trump has occasionally changed course on some tariff plans, such as with Mexico, but he said he had no intention of doing so when it comes to reciprocal tariffs.

“They charge us and we charge them,” he said. “Then in addition to that, on autos, on steel, on aluminum, we’re going to have some additional tariffs.”

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 17, 2025 04:18

Best men’s golf glove

Which men’s golf glove is best?

Developing an effective swing is challenging, but there are things you can do to help you improve. Wearing a golf glove can help you develop your golfing skills, and it’s also an effective way to prevent blisters.

Golf gloves are relatively cheap, so you should consider adding one to your repertoire if you don’t own one. If you want a high-end glove that can help boost your performance, the Callaway Golf 2020 Tour Authentic Glove is a top choice. It’s made with high-quality leather and provides excellent grip and breathability.

What to know before you buy a men’s golf gloveSize

A golf glove should have a snug fit, but it shouldn’t feel too tight. Gloves that fit small are uncomfortable and more prone to tearing, while too-large gloves don’t provide the secure fit needed to grip a golf club properly. Men’s golf gloves come in several sizes, but you can consult a sizing chart if you’re unsure what yours is.

Material

Most golf gloves are made of leather or synthetic leather. Leather is durable and resists moisture, making it ideal for a golf glove since playing in wet weather is common. Other synthetic fibers are used in the fingers to allow greater flexibility.

Breathability

The best golf gloves are made with durable materials, but you should look for breathable construction. You don’t want your hand getting too sweaty during your swing, so perforations along the fingers allow ventilation and air flow to let you swing with comfort.

What to look for in a quality men’s golf gloveMoisture-wicking

Golf gloves need to be effective at wicking away sweat and moisture. Moisture from wet weather can diminish your grip on a club, so a glove needs to be able to resist it to help prevent the club from slipping in your hands. Also, if your hand gets too sweaty, it can make you uncomfortable and harm your swing.

Thermal

Cold weather turns off many golfers, but some spring and fall days are still suitable for golf. Skies may be clear, but temperatures might be lower, making thermal gloves an excellent option. Thermal gloves are similar to regular golf gloves, but they’re knitted with thermal material and have a thicker construction that lets players retain heat better.

Closure

A golf glove needs to fit securely on your hand to deliver maximum performance on your swing, and Velcro closures are the best option for keeping your glove on without worrying if it’ll come undone during your round. Velcro straps can be opened, closed or tightened at will, so you can adjust your glove as many times as you want.

How much you can expect to spend on a men’s golf glove

A reliable golf glove can cost $10-$25, but those made with better-quality materials and a more durable build can cost $25-$50.

Men’s golf glove FAQDo I need to wear a golf glove?

A. You can play golf without wearing a glove, but if you’re going to play a full round, it’s advisable to wear a glove to prevent blisters from forming on your hand. A glove also provides extra grip to execute your swing with more precision.

On which hand should I wear a golf glove?

A. You wear a golf glove on your off-hand. For example, if you’re right-handed, you should wear it on your left hand.

Why do some players remove their glove for some shots?

A. It’s a matter of preference. Some players feel that they can get more precision behind their swing on close or mid-range shots that require less power.

What’s the best men’s golf glove to buy?Top men’s golf glove

Callaway Golf 2020 Tour Authentic Glove

What you need to know: This high-quality glove provides superior comfort and grip and is ideal for seasoned golfers and beginners.

What you’ll love: It’s made with premium durable Cabretta leather and features fused Griptac technology for a second-skin feel and fit. It has strategically placed perforations along the fingers for increased breathability and moisture reduction, and an Opti Dry cuff and closure for wicking away sweat.

What you should consider: It runs small, and some customers complained that it lost its tackiness quickly.

Top men’s golf glove for the money

Puma Golf Men’s Flexlite Golf Glove

What you need to know: This glove helps boost stability and performance on your swing.

What you’ll love: It’s made with several high-quality materials, including polyurethane, synthetic leather and spandex. It features four-way stretch Lycra for flexibility, a stay-grip palm for better grip and a pre-curved ergonomic fit. Also, the angled Velcro strap securely closes the glove and stays in place as you swing.

What you should consider: Some customers found the material too thin and not as durable as other gloves.

Worth checking out

Footjoy Men’s StaSof Golf Glove

What you need to know: This high-quality glove offers a soft feel and several features, making it a terrific choice for golfers of any skill level.

What you’ll love: It’s made with Footjoy’s exclusive, durable Taction3 high-performance leather and has a three-directional tab strap for a precise and secure fit. The all-climate grip, mesh material and perforations along the fingers allow for superior grip and optimal breathability.

What you should consider: Some reviewers reported that the palm wore out quickly and that it doesn’t provide as much grip as other gloves.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 17, 2025 03:29

3 must-have T-shirt dresses for your closet

Which T-shirt dress is best?

A T-shirt dress is a great staple to keep in the closet, readily pulled out at a moment’s notice. It can be dressed up for a night out, worn casually as you relax at home or thrown on before you go to run errands. It can be paired with leggings or worn on its own, making it one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe.

The Korsis Women’s Casual T-shirt Swing Dress is a soft and stylish option that can be worn for all kinds of occasions.

What to know before you buy a T-shirt dressPopular fabrics

The most common fabrics for a T-shirt dress include cotton, polyester and rayon, as well as a variety of cotton or polyester blends.

Cotton: Cotton is durable and breathable, though it wrinkles easily.Polyester: Polyester is also durable, won’t shrink in the wash and dries quickly.Rayon: Sometimes labeled as viscose, rayon is very soft and affordable but shouldn’t go in the dryer.Cotton-polyester blend: This is a cool and lightweight fabric that brings the best of cotton and polyester to a garment. However, it’s heavier than cotton and stains easily.Neckline

There are several neckline styles to choose from in T-shirt dresses, each of which has pros and cons for different looks and occasions.

Crewneck: This is a very basic, round neckline similar to a scoopneck, only higher up with much less scoop to it.V-neck: This neckline draws to a point at the bust in the shape of a V. It offers a more dramatic look that shows just a little extra skin.Scoopneck: This neckline is rounded and “scoops” down a few inches lower than a crewneck, showing more skin like the V-neck without the sharp angles.Bateau or boatneck: This neckline is wide and horizontal across the shoulders. It rests higher on the neck, similar to a crewneck, only wider on the sides.Length

While dress length is heavily dependent on height, especially the length of your legs and torso, T-shirt dresses generally aren’t that long — they should fall a little above the knee or at the knee. Occasionally, the length is longer, especially on shorter wearers, but T-shirt dresses usually don’t fall below the calf.

What to look for in a quality T-shirt dressLasting color

Since this kind of dress is a basic staple, the color is going to be the first thing people notice. You want a dress that comes in a beautiful color and, most importantly, maintains that color. Too often, a dress catches your eye because of the color, but then that shade fades and grows dull over time as you wash it. You can help your clothing maintain vivid colors by washing them in cold water and using color-protecting detergent.

No pilling

The last thing you want is to find a cute dress that immediately pills in the wash and starts to look like you’ve had it for years after only a week or two. Tightly woven fabrics are less likely to pill, while fabric blends like poly/cotton pill more noticeably. This is because the fibers they combine are not of equal durability.

Retains shape

A T-shirt dress doesn’t have much shape to begin with, so it’s extra important that what shape it does have is maintained. Polyester and rayon are great fabrics for this, as they’re strong and tend to keep their shape without stretching out. For cotton and cotton blends, it depends on the quality. Cheaper cottons don’t last nearly as long as higher-quality cottons. High-quality cotton is thicker than other cottons and tightly woven with long fibers that make it soft and strong.

How much you can expect to spend on a T-shirt dress

The pricing varies widely, but for the most part, you can find a T-shirt dress for $20-$35.

T-shirt dress FAQWhat kind of material is jersey?

A. It’s a soft, smooth fabric made from cotton or a cotton blend. Often the term is used in a shirt or dress description to describe its feel, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s what the item is made from.

Will a T-shirt dress shrink in the wash?

A. This depends on the fabric. Polyester and spandex don’t shrink in the wash, but cotton does. If you’re worried about something shrinking, try hand washing it in cold water and letting it air dry.

What’s the best T-shirt dress to buy?Top T-shirt dress

Korsis Women’s Casual T-shirt Swing Dress

What you need to know: This rayon and spandex A-line T-shirt dress features a cross between a crewneck and a scoopneck. The hem falls just above the knee.

What you’ll love: It’s soft, lightweight and comfortable with over 20 print and solid color options. The prints vary widely and are all beautiful. It comes in seven sizes and has pockets.

What you should consider: It can pill in the wash and runs a little small.

Top T-shirt dress for the money

Amazon Essentials Women’s Short-Sleeve Scoop Neck Swing Dress

What you need to know: This rayon jersey blend T-shirt dress features a scoop neck and falls a little above the knee.

What you’ll love: It’s soft, comfortable and true to size. It comes in 13 colors and six sizes. It’s also machine-washable.

What you should consider: The fabric is on the thin side, and there are no pockets.

Worth checking out

Merokeety Women’s Casual Tie-Waist T-Shirt Dress

What you need to know: This rayon blend T-shirt dress features a crewneck with cuffed short sleeves and it’s belted around the waist. It falls around the knee.

What you’ll love: The belt and sleeves give this dress a little more personality than other T-shirt dresses. It’s soft, comfortable and has pockets. There are over 20 striped or solid color options. It comes in four sizes and is machine-washable.

What you should consider: It holds up better if you air dry it.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 17, 2025 03:18

Horoscopes March 17, 2025: Kurt Russell, set aside time for the people

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Mia Hamm, 53; Rob Lowe, 61; Gary Sinise, 70; Kurt Russell, 74.

Happy Birthday: Take a step in a positive direction, and plan to fill your heart with joy. Set aside time for the people, pastimes and places that make you happy. Put your energy into whatever you find revitalizing, stimulating and personally gratifying. Put a schedule in place and your energy where it counts, and head into the future with courage and hope for a better tomorrow. Your numbers are 4, 17, 22, 27, 30, 35, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Refuse to let your enthusiasm be taken advantage of by those too lazy to do the work themselves. You owe it to yourself to focus on personal and financial gain. Put aside your generosity and desire to make everybody love you, and focus on creating and using your money wisely. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ve got the drive and determination to make a difference. Concentrate on lifestyle, finances and health, and stop worrying so much about what others do. Home improvements that help you organize your time and utilize your space more efficiently will make life easier and more gratifying. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Discuss how you feel and what you want, and dissect the information you gather. Test a proposal’s validity before you agree. Someone may be more interested in watching than in pitching in and helping. You’ll do better if you work alone. Skip the agitation and take ownership of what you pursue. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Focus on being unique and bold and doing your best to stand out and finish what you start. Creativity and responsibility will attract attention and help you put the skills you enjoy most to good use. A labor of love will fill your heart with joy and line your pockets with cash. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Hide your ego and emotions, and head forward with finesse and charm. The best way to persuade others to help you make a difference is to make them feel so empowered that they want to utilize their skills to bring about positive change. Set the stage for success, and run the show. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Live and learn. Changing your surroundings will spark your imagination and help you understand what’s possible. Engage in discussions with someone you trust to give you a unique perspective on a situation you face, and it will help you make better choices. Don’t let waffling be your downfall. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get your responsibilities out of the way first, and turn on the charm. Broaden your scope by participating in events that take you back to a place you miss or toward something new and exciting. The extreme will make your heart flutter and help you connect with someone who brings out your best. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Let your actions speak for you. Focus on what’s best for everyone and challenge anyone who offers greedy alternatives. Become the voice for those who have yet to find theirs. Step outside your comfort zone and set an example, and you will increase the room’s frequency. Positive thoughts will spearhead your results. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Scout for any sign of opposition and arm yourself with the facts, knowledge and answers you require to stay on top of your game to persuade those you encounter to see things your way. A little charm, compliments and encouragement will lead to favorable contributions and opportunities to make a difference. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take time to analyze a situation before you act. It’s best to let matters play out until you can assess what action is appropriate and helpful. It’s best to let your intuition guide you instead of letting your ego step in and take over. Observation is a great teacher. Learn from the experience. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Lie low; now is not the time to put pressure on a situation that needs steeping. Lighten up and show your fun side; everyone will want to be with you and share their thoughts, offering insight into how you can serve and ease any underlying tension in the room. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take it upon yourself to engage in activities or events that stimulate your life and encourage you to dedicate your time and effort to something that excites you and makes you feel good about who you are and what you do. Change your spending habits. Only buy what you need. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are innovative, distinctive and open-minded. You are tireless and extensive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.

2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.

3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.

4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.

5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 17, 2025 03:01

March 16, 2025

Why Birdsong could have edge for SF Giants’ final rotation spot

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants have yet to decide whether Hayden Birdsong or Kyle Harrison or Landen Roupp will be their fifth starter. They likely won’t finalize their decision until right before they travel to Cincinnati. With a week-and-a-half remaining until Opening Day, the race may have dwindled down to two.

Birdsong turned in his best outing of the spring on Sunday against the A’s at Scottsdale Stadium, tossing five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks on 60 pitches. He was followed by Harrison, who allowed three earned runs over three innings but flashed increased velocity. It was the best Harrison has looked, but as camp’s final days approach, the left-hander might be on the outside looking in.

Harrison has been a week behind Birdsong and Roupp all spring after getting sick right before spring training, losing around 10 to 15 pounds. Birdsong and Roupp made their first Cactus League appearances on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, respectively; Harrison made his on Feb. 28. When manager Bob Melvin was asked if Harrison had enough time to get fully stretched out, Melvin responded it “might be hard.”

“We’ll see where we are with him,” Melvin said after the Giants’ 7-3 win. “He’s a little bit behind everybody. Today, getting him three innings and it seemed like there was a little bit more life in his arm. Like I said, it was a step in the right direction.”

That, then, would leave Birdsong and Roupp as the two leading candidates to capture the fifth spot in the rotation. If performance is the deciding factor, the 23-year-old right-hander Birdsong has the advantage.

During Cactus League play, Harrison has allowed one earned run over 12 innings with 18 strikeouts. For Birdsong, the walk prevention has been just as impressive as the run prevention.

Last season, Birdsong walked 13.7% of the batters he faced. If he qualified, that would’ve been the worst mark in all of baseball. This spring, Birdsong hasn’t walked a single batter, a feat that’s given him “a little confidence boost.”

“It’s not always up to just stats,” Birdsong said. “There’s a lot of things that play in that situation. So, I just kind of do what I can. If I win that spot, I win that spot, and hopefully, I can hold it.”

Roupp has more than held his own in the competition. Along with the Cactus League stats (12 innings, 3.75 ERA, 14 strikeouts), Roupp recently struck out 13 batters over five scoreless innings against Colorado Rockies minor leaguers at Papago Park, punching out the first nine batters he faced. The 26-year-old right-hander was so dominant to begin that outing that bullpen coach Garvin Alston told Roupp that they might have to put runners on base if he kept shoving.

Harrison hasn’t enjoyed the same success as Birdsong or Roupp but saw his fastball tick up from the low-90s to the mid-90s on Sunday. With his weight back in the desired 220-pound range, Harrison sat 93-94 mph with his fastball against the A’s and touched 95 mph several times.

Along with the added weight, Harrison is employing a higher arm slot compared to the beginning of camp that’s allowing for added carry on his fastball. Harrison employed the change recently after reviewing video and believes his arm is in a better position and “more connected.”

“That’s something we kind of looked at,” Harrison said of his arm slot. “Maybe it was losing some velocity from the really far out arm slot that I got myself in a bad habit of doing. So, good to see today. Did some (medicine) ball work during the week and some drills that we’re working on slot stuff. So, to see it’s already paying off after one start, I’m going to stay on it.”

Birdsong believes that the fight for the fifth spot, regardless of how it shakes out, is bringing out the best of himself, Harrison and Roupp. He maintains that they’re all good friends despite the nature of the competition, adding that he was happy to see Harrison touching 95 mph.

Regardless of how the battle shakes out, the entire trio is bound to contribute major-league innings at some point this season. Birdsong knows he’ll start for the Giants at some point because no team survives an entire season on only five starters. That said, the 23-year-old has his sights set on not only making the Opening Day roster, but sticking for the entire season, too.

“That’s what you want: kind of force our hand and bring it all the way down to the end,” Melvin said. “I think it adds for some adrenaline in spring training games, too. And certainly for our camp, everybody’s interested to see what happens here. All these guys are really talented, and like I said before, these guys are all going to pitch with us at some point in time.”

Worth noting

Willy Adames and Wilmer Flores hit back-to-back home runs off A’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs. For Adames, it was his second two-run homer in as many games and his third homer overall. Flores’ home run was his second of spring.Max Stassi hit his second homer of the spring, both of which have been against the A’s, the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2009. He has a .983 OPS in Cactus League play.Lou Trivino tossed a scoreless inning to close out Sunday’s win and is up to 7 1/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts this spring.

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 16, 2025 16:57

Hanshin Tigers beat Blake Snell, Dodgers to complete sweep of MLB teams

By DAVID BRANDT

TOKYO (AP) — For two days in Japan, the Hanshin Tigers have looked like the class of the National League.

In another sign that Japanese baseball has never been better, the Tigers capped a two-game exhibition sweep over MLB clubs with a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at the Tokyo Dome.

Even more impressive, the Tigers didn’t give up a run in either game. Daichi Ishii recorded the final out, freezing James Outman for strike three on a 95 mph fastball to cap 18 scoreless innings in a row.

“These two days were priceless,” Hanshin manager Kyuji Fujikawa said through an interpreter.

Hanshin tagged two-time Cy Young award winner and former Giant Blake Snell for three runs in the fourth inning when the first two batters reached base before Teruaki Sato smoked a three-run homer into the right-field seats, where a jubliant Tigers’ fan club erupted in celebration.

On the mound, right-hander Hiroto Saiki threw five dominant innings, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out seven. Saiki struck out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to start the game and then coaxed a harmless popup from the slugger in the fourth.

“Really good ballclub,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I thought they played really good defense. They can handle velocity — good with the fastball. The starter (Saiki) had major-league stuff. Good command, good split. And then Sato, he looks the part, he’s a really impressive baseball player.”

Saiki was one of the best pitchers in Japan last season, finishing with a 13-3 record and a 1.88 ERA over 167 2/3 innings. The Tigers had a 74-63 record last season, which was good for second place in Japan’s Central League.

The Tigers started the two-game sweep with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday after 20-year-old lefty Keito Mombetsu threw five perfect innings. No Cubs reached base until Miguel Amaya smacked a single through the infield in the sixth that just got past the shortstop.

Hanshin also dominated on the basepaths against the Cubs, going 3 for 3 on stolen base attempts.

“They clearly showed they can play at the top level,” Roberts said.

Japanese players have made a huge mark on MLB, particularly over the past three decades. Former Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki was recently elected to the Hall of Fame and this week’s Tokyo Series features five Japanese players, including three on the Dodgers with Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga play for the Cubs.

The Tigers and Yomiuri Giants have played exhibition games against the Cubs and Dodgers in Japan over the past two days as part of the Tokyo Series. The Cubs and Dodgers open the regular season against each other on Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome.

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 16, 2025 15:40

‘We kind of get bashed’: SF Giants’ Eldridge believes farm system will surprise in 2025

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants’ farm system ranks among the worst in baseball by every major publication that evaluates the minor leagues. Top prospect Bryce Eldridge wants more respect.

“We kind of get bashed for our players and our farm system,” Eldridge said before Saturday’s Spring Breakout game that he missed due to a wrist injury. “We see that they’re ranking us down low. A lot of us are going to catch some people off guard this year. The guys I’ve played with, we stack up with any minor league team we ever went against. I don’t know why we don’t get more credit than we get, but we’re going to surprise some people this year.”

To Eldridge’s point, San Francisco’s farm system is ranked 24th by Baseball America and 28th by MLB Pipeline. Eldridge is San Francisco’s lone representative on the Top 100 lists of Baseball America (No. 12), MLB Pipeline (No. 24) and FanGraphs (No. 26). Dan Szymborski’s ZiPS list includes both Eldridge (No. 6) and left-hander Carson Whisenhunt (No. 46).

When Eldridge was asked if there were any prospects in the Giants’ system who he believed were underrated, the first baseman highlighted infielder Sabin Ceballos. The 22-year-old was acquired when San Francisco traded Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson to the Atlanta Braves. Over 32 games with High-A Eugene, Ceballos hit .295 with seven home runs, 30 RBIs and a .913 OPS. Ceballos backed up Eldridge’s praise in Saturday’s prospect exhibition, making a slick play at third base and driving in two runs with a double.

“Sabin Ceballos has kind of impressed me the most,” Eldridge said. “He’s unbelievable. He’s such a great player. He’s got that swag and that confidence. You can tell he knows he belongs. He’s had some good hits at the big-league level (during spring training) when he gets the chance there. Just watching him play, I have no doubt he’s going to be a great player for a long time.”

The list of prospects who appeared in Saturday’s Spring Breakout game included Whisenhunt (MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 among Giants prospects), outfielder James Tibbs III (No. 4) and shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 5). Whisenhunt allowed one earned run across three innings with four strikeouts, inducing plenty of whiffs with his signature changeup, while Tibbs drove in a run with a single.

San Francisco Giants prospect Bo Davidson at bat during the Spring Breakout game played at Scottsdale Stadium on March 15 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (John Medina/Special to Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants prospect Jhonny Level in the dugout during the Spring Breakout game played at Scottsdale Stadium on March 15 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (John Medina/Special to Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants prospect James Tibbs III at bat during the Spring Breakout game played at Scottsdale Stadium on March 15 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (John Medina/Special to Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants prospect Jhonny Level at bat during the Spring Breakout game played at Scottsdale Stadium on March 15 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (John Medina/Special to Bay Area News Group)

Show Caption1 of 4

San Francisco Giants prospect Bo Davidson at bat during the Spring Breakout game played at Scottsdale Stadium on March 15 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (John Medina/Special to Bay Area News Group)

Expand

Outfielder Dakota Jordan, the Giants’ No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, didn’t appear in the game due to a left wrist contusion. Jordan, a three-star wide receiver in high school, is arguably the best athlete in the Giants’ system and boasts a tantalizing combination of power and speed, but his future will hinge on his ability to refine his swing and approach.

To that end, Jordan said he’s taller in his stance compared to college, a minor tweak that allows him to be more relaxed. Jordan said he wants to utilize a “50% swing” that will allow him to drive balls to the opposite-field gap.

“I’ve got the quick bat, the quick twitch. I don’t need to be all jumpy and everything,” Jordan said. “Whenever I’m hitting, I sit back and relax now. It’s something that I’ve learned even in my cage routines. You don’t have to hit, hit, hit. You can hit, take a breather, take a breath. That’s something that I learned: being able to breathe, relax and have fun.”

Lee out of lineup for second straight game

Center fielder Jung Hoo Lee wasn’t in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the A’s after missing Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners due to a back injury.

Lee will likely miss tomorrow’s game against the Chicago White Sox, but the Giants consider the injury to be minor after Lee woke up Saturday with soreness.

“It’s bothering him enough not to play, but it’s not like it was a baseball injury,” said manager Bob Melvin. “Just kind of slept on it wrong. They did a lot of work on it yesterday and got him a little bit sore. He could probably play, but we certainly don’t want to do that right now.”

Worth noting

Justin Verlander will start for the Giants on Monday against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. For San Francisco’s split squad game on Tuesday, Robbie Ray will start at home against the San Diego Padres while Keaton Will will start on the road against the Colorado Rockies.Melvin said that right-hander Randy Rodríguez relief appearance on Saturday was “the best we’ve seen him.” Rodríguez, who enjoys incumbent status in the bullpen, tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout. He currently has nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings this spring and is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster.

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 16, 2025 12:01

Mary Jeanne Vincent, Career Talk: LinkedIn strategies for advancing your job search

LinkedIn continues to be the largest professional network. It is considered among the best job-search websites in the world. Many people use LinkedIn as a source of job opportunities but fail to appreciate the ways that it can enhance their job search.

If you are creating or updating your LinkedIn profile, one of the first things to do is personalize you LinkedIn url. When you create an account LinkedIn creates a rather unwieldy url link that includes your name with a series of letters and numbers after it. The purpose is to give you a way to directly link others to your profile. What many account holders don’t realize is that their url can be personalized. Savvy job seekers take advantage of this feature. Once you personalize your url, I recommend including it in your email signature and as a link on your resume. Your job is to make it easy for others to see your professional accomplishments.

I am a big fan of standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before you. Learning what others do well or poorly can be a shortcut to success. That is certainly true with LinkedIn.

An important element to showing up in relevant searches is having an effective headline. Your headline should include key words that describe your expertise and likely job titles. If you are not sure what terms/job titles might apply, view the profiles of others in your field. There you should find ideas for complementary job titles and applicable language to use in your headline.

When reviewing profiles check out the skill lists. Sometimes we take for granted or miss essential job skills. Checking the skills that others have highlighted can help you remember the skills you missed. While it is not necessary to list 100 skills, I recommend listing 25 at a minimum. Always list the most highly prized skills at the top since potential hiring managers may not bother to look further if they don’t immediately see what they are looking for. Be sure to tie specific skills to each position.

The most successful candidates use LinkedIn to connect with others at their target companies. I encourage my clients to locate and connect with potential colleagues at their favorite companies before they see the job of their dreams listed there. The LinkedIn search feature makes this easy to do.

Once you find people of interest write a personal note asking to connect. Perhaps you belong to the same professional association or previously worked at the same company, if so, mention this. If not, be honest. You can start with: “We don’t know each other; however, we attended the same university, or have a mutual interest in … I am interested in learning more about XYZ company.” Do not ask about a job. At a later date you can mention a particular job posting and inquire if their company offers an employee referral bonus. If so, that person may be interested in helping you connect with the hiring manager.

Finally, follow companies of interest and recruiters who post jobs of interest, this is an easy way to stay in the loop about potential jobs.

Mary Jeanne Vincent, career expert and strategist, has a coaching practice in Monterey. She may be reached at 831-657-9151, mjv@careercoachmjv.com, or www.careercoachmonterey.com

View more on Jeremy T. Ringfield's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 16, 2025 09:21