NBA mock draft: Raptors taking OG Anunoby clone in first round

NBA mock draft: Raptors taking OG Anunoby clone in first round

The Toronto Raptors mock draft predictors are still out in full force despite their recent upturn in fortunes following the Jakob Poeltl trade. No matter how many games this team wins, there are some serious holes that need to be plugged up as soon as possible. Even the most casual fans could see that this […]
NBA mock draft: Raptors taking OG Anunoby clone in first round – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Five NCAA free agent targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Five NCAA free agent targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs

The NCAA playoffs are still a while away, but things are starting to really ramp up in hockey’s top college ranks.
And that includes looking towards the future. Some of the top college players each year sign entry-level deals with NHL teams as an inexpensive way of adding depth. We don’t typically see many high-quality players go the free-agent route, but Tyler Bozak is a notable one that comes to mind as one that worked out for the Blue and White. Last year, the Toronto Marlies added Dryden McKay, who was coming off of one of the best statistical careers by a goaltender in recent NCAA history.
There aren’t any must-have prospects this year, but we know Kyle Dubas and Co. love scouring the United States for quality, developed talent. They’ll have options this year, depending on need. The theme this year, like most years, is depth, but there’s also a chance to add some skill and size to the lineup, too.
Here’s a look at five NCAA free agents the Toronto Maple Leafs could look to target this spring:
Jason Polin, RW (Western Michigan)
Polin is the big kahuna right now. The 23-year-old Western Michigan captain is having a dominant season, scoring 23 goals and 35 points in his first 28 games as a seni …

Read More

Author: Steven Ellis / The Leafs Nation

3 Raptors milestones Scottie Barnes could reach in 2022-23

3 Raptors milestones Scottie Barnes could reach in 2022-23

The Toronto Raptors are still doing cartwheels all over Scotiabank Arena after landing Scottie Barnes in the 2021 NBA Draft. His Rookie of the Year award remains a firm reminder of the fact his debut season was one of the most exhilarating campaigns in Raptors history. Barnes averaged 15.3 points per game as a rookie, […]
3 Raptors milestones Scottie Barnes could reach in 2022-23 – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors 2022-23 season preview: PF Juancho Hernangomez

Raptors 2022-23 season preview: PF Juancho Hernangomez

The Toronto Raptors are still trying to figure out which of their non-guaranteed contracts are going to serve as the back end of the bench in the regular season. Several players included in that group are former first-round picks looking for a new home, Juancho Hernangomez being the most prominent of them all. Hernangomez, who […]
Raptors 2022-23 season preview: PF Juancho Hernangomez – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Toronto Raptors 2022-23 season preview: PG Jeff Dowtin

Toronto Raptors 2022-23 season preview: PG Jeff Dowtin

The Toronto Raptors still needed to fill one of their two-way contract spots by the time Summer League rolled around. After seeing the show that Jeff Dowtin put on for Toronto in Las Vegas, Nick Nurse and Masai Ujiri decided to make him a part of the squad for 2022-23. After being undrafted following a […]
Toronto Raptors 2022-23 season preview: PG Jeff Dowtin – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

3 teams who could beat Raptors’ best offer for Kevin Durant

3 teams who could beat Raptors’ best offer for Kevin Durant

The Toronto Raptors are still hanging around as they try to figure out a way to coax the Brooklyn Nets into parting ways with Kevin Durant. After KD reiterated his trade request to owner Joe Tsai, those who want to pilfer him away are coming back out of the woodwork. The Raptors have plenty of […]
3 teams who could beat Raptors’ best offer for Kevin Durant – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Alek Manoah leads the Blue Jays to their fifth straight win

Well, it wasn’t 28-5, but it was still a W.

The Jays were backed by yet another quality start from Alek Manoah, his 16th of the season, as they topped the struggling Red Sox 4-1.
Most of Toronto’s offense came in the third inning. Four straight hits to start the inning included RBI singles from Santiago Espinal and George Springer. Alejandro Kirk also chipped in a sacrifice fly later in the frame. Espinal’s RBI was heavily attributed to the Blue Jays putting Matt Chapman in a hit-and-run situation. Chapman took off from first base right as the pitch was delivered, and Espinal delivered a perfect hit into right field.
That play was part of many “little things” the Jays did well today. More specifically, Bo Bichette made a sound defensive play in the 5th inning, diving for a ground ball, setting his feet, and retiring Christian Vazquez, who has been a pain in the Blue Jays’ side this series. Teoscar Hernandez doubled in pinch-runner Bradley Zimmer in the 9th inning, providing Toronto with a big insurance run. Zimmer ran for Alejandro Kirk, and he stole second base before Hernandez brought him home.
Today also marked the return of George Springer, who sat out last night’s game in order to continue resting his elbow. Springer contr …

Read More

Author: Evan Stack / Blue Jays Nation

Raptors trade value tiers: Who could be traded for Kevin Durant?

Raptors trade value tiers: Who could be traded for Kevin Durant?

The Toronto Raptors are still in the process of trying to figure out if trading for Kevin Durant is a feasible option for this team in both the short and long term. They are one of the few teams in the league who have a collection of assets the Brooklyn Nets could be interested in. […]
Raptors trade value tiers: Who could be traded for Kevin Durant? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

MLB Notebook: Nationals make Juan Soto available, Santiago Espinal sent to the all-star game and more

Juan Soto is on the open market.

And while I still am learning about this beautiful game, it’s hard not to think that the Toronto Blue Jays should be all in. The power-lefty was reportedly offered a record-breaking 15-year, $440-million offer, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported, but the player turned it down.
While it would’ve made him the highest-paid player in major league history, the Nats are reportedly making Soto available in a trade now.
This is a massive development ahead of what was to be a busy Aug. 2 trade deadline in the first place. Soto immediately becomes the top player available, but the truth is the Nats don’t have to be in a rush to move him. He has two years of salary arbitration remaining and if a team could pick him up now, they would have control for three consecutive pennant races.
You know which team is looking to win some pennant races? That’s right, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Espinal the all-star

SantiaGOING to the All-Star Game!
Congratulations, @santdr13 pic.twitter.com/n8OVcSFnql
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 16, 2022

Santiago Espinal has been named to the midsummer classic, the Jays announced Saturday.
He will replace Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, who left a Friday night game with a leg injury after being hit by a pitch.
Espinal’s in the midst of a breakout season in the majors and has been one of the Jays’ better stories so far this year. He’s slashing .271/.332/.394 in 317 at-bats driving in 37 runners while hitting six homers.
Minor league lawsuit settled
The MLB will pay $185 million to settle a federal class-action lawsuit surrounding minimum wage and overtime pay for minor leaguers.
Originally filed in Feb. 2014 by former Miami Marlins minor leaguer Aaron Senne and two others, the suit was reportedly settled in May, three weeks before it was set to go to trial.
According to ESPN’s Je …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / Blue Jays Nation

3 more Raptors moves that would give Toronto an A+ offseason

3 more Raptors moves that would give Toronto an A+ offseason

The Toronto Raptors are still trying their best to lure Kevin Durant away from the Brooklyn Nets, but they shouldn’t completely neglect the rest of their offseason checklist in order to accomplish that goal. With Summer League coming to a close soon, the roster could use a little nip and tuck. Toronto still has a […]
3 more Raptors moves that would give Toronto an A+ offseason – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ