Most Valuable Intel (7/2/20): Jesus Luzardo, the 76ers, and MORE!

The hottest content in sports today highlights key insights and takeaways about the most interesting discussions happening right now, including the 10 most important MLB rookies heading into the 2020 season and the top questions regarding the NBA restart taking place later this summer. Here’s the Most Valuable Intel to know from the best articles in sports.

10 Important MLB Rookies

FULL ARTICLE: 10 Prospects Who Could Have Big Impacts in ’20 by Thomas Harrigan, MLB.com

HOT: Most Important Rookies for the 2020 MLB Season by @HarriganMLB ⬇️ https://t.co/OdnmvStVbT
— Hottest Sports Content (@Sports_Hottest) July 2, 2020

MOST VALUABLE INTEL: P Jesus Luzardo can become the ace that the A’s lack

Similar to completing a trade at the deadline or signing a veteran FA, bringing up a promising prospect can work wonders for teams on the cusp of postseason play. Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com lists 10 rookies who have the aptitude to act as a catalyst for developing franchises. One ballclub with the potential for a deep playoff run is the Oakland Athletics, so calling up their top pitching prospect could be the last piece of the puzzle.

The No. 12 prospect in baseball has a strong MiLB resume that features a 14-7 record and a 10.8 K/9 ratio over 195.2 innings. In the final stretch of the 2019 season, LHP Jesus Luzardo struck out 16 hitters over his first 12 big league innings. Since the Oakland A’s starters combined for 6.9 K/9 last season, Luzardo can round out the rotation by maturing into the true ace that the franchise needs.

Forecasting 2020 MLB Records

FULL ARTICLE: MLB’s 60-Game Record Book: Why 24 Homers, 92 Strikeouts and Other Quirky Numbers are 2020 Benchmarks by Dayn Perry, CBS Sports

HOT: 60-Game Benchmarks/Records to Watch This Season by @daynperry https://t.co/4qPvhufSDS
— Hottest Sports Content (@Sports_Hottest) July 2, 2020

MOST VALUABLE INTEL: The most HRs by a player in 60 games or less is 24

While relieved about the return of the MLB at large, baseball fans were disappointed by the announcement of the considerably shortened season. However, CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry encourages fans to change their perspective by thinking about the potential of otherworldly single-season campaigns due to the small sample sizes. Perry’s report compiles a short record book that identifies some “interesting statistical targets” for the impending 60-game season.

Among the many records that could be broken in 2020, one lofty, yet realistic objective for the games’ most powerful sluggers is to reach the 24 home run mark. Set back in 2017, Oakland Athletics 1B Matt Olson swatted 24 HRs in only 59 games. Today’s players would have to go on an absolute tear to approach the formidable feat. According to Perry, the superstar with the best chance to shatter the record is of course 3x MVP Mike Trout.

All 30 MLB Team Storylines

FULL ARTICLE: Each Team’s Top Storyline Going into Summer Camp by MLB.com

HOT: Top Summer Storyline for Every MLB Team by @MLB https://t.co/jdJvN4Sj18
— Hottest Sports Content (@Sports_Hottest) July 2, 2020

MOST VALUABLE INTEL: The Reds’ extremely deep OF committee will benefit from the DH role

With spring training being cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak, each MLB team has a top storyline heading into 2020 Summer Camp. The Cincinnati Reds were one of the more conspicuous clubs during the recent free agency period, trading for SPs Trevor Bauer and Sonny Gray, then signing OF Nick Castellanos, OF Shogo Akiyama, and INF Mike Moustakas in free agency. As the franchise looks to fill their roster, every-day lineup, and DH hole, it gets more and more difficult to construct their outfield puzzle.

Cincinnati currently has six starting-caliber OFs in Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama, Jesse Winker, Nick Senzel, Aristides Aquino, and Philip Ervin, with Scott Schebler and Travis Jankowski also fighting for regular-season reps. According to MLB.com, the Reds Opening Day lineup projects to include Akiyama in LF, Senzel in CF, Winker in RF, and Castellanos as the DH.

Breaking Down the NFL's MVP

FULL ARTICLE: Lamar Jackson’s QB Coach Pinpoints Where MVP Can Still Improve by Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report

HOT: How Lamar Jackson Can Improve After MVP Season by @brentsobleski https://t.co/svrVyacQwk
— Hottest Sports Content (@Sports_Hottest) July 2, 2020

MOST VALUABLE INTEL: Lamar Jackson’s mental understanding of the game will take him to the next level

With Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers nearing the end of their QB careers, the MVP award has completely opened up to the next generation of signal-callers. Last season, three of the top five MVP candidates were QB’s under the age of 25. NFL franchises not named the Chiefs, Texans, or Ravens will be scared out of their minds for the next decade-plus.

Speaking of MVPs, Lamar Jackson utterly dominated each team he faced in 2019, passing for 3,127 yards with 1206 rushing yards (all-time QB record) and 43 total TDs. What frightens fans the most is that the 23-year-old has ample time to improve his craft and decision-making. One aspect of Jackson’s game that he will be looking to address is his natural progression under center. Every opponent Jackson will be facing in the upcoming season will be adjusting their defensive schemes solely on him. As the Ravens’ franchise cornerstone gathers more experience as the leader of the offense, he will become more prepared for the (previously) unknown.