Title: Controversy Erupts as Giant U.S.A. Flag Flies Upside Down in Yosemite National Park
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A massive U.S.A. flag was recently spotted flying upside down in Yosemite National Park, causing a stir among visitors and sparking a debate on social media. The flag, which measures an impressive 30 feet by 60 feet, was hung upside down on a flagpole near the park entrance, with no explanation provided by park officials.
The upside-down flag is a powerful symbol of distress, traditionally used as a signal of extreme danger or dire circumstances. Many visitors were quick to interpret this gesture as a statement on the current state of the country, while others saw it as a disrespectful act towards the nation’s flag.
As news of the upside-down flag spread, it quickly became a hot topic on social media, with users sharing their thoughts and opinions on the controversial display. Some praised the bold statement, while others criticized it as unpatriotic and offensive.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, one thing is for certain – the upside-down flag in Yosemite has certainly sparked a conversation. What are your thoughts on this controversial display? Let us know in the comments below.
A long bull candle was formed on the daily chart that has surpassed the hurdle of 23,400 levels and closed higher. Technically, this market action indicates a significant change in trend and signals the emergence of strong upside momentum.
The bearish pattern of lower tops and bottoms of the last month seems to have reversed, as Nifty closed above the recent lower top of 21st Jan at 23,426 levels. This is a bullish development and eventually, we could see the formation of bullish higher tops and bottoms. The underlying trend of Nifty remains strong. Having surpassed the hurdle of 23,500 levels, bulls could advance towards another resistance of 23,800 levels in a short period of time. Immediate support is at 23,400 levels, said Nagaraj Shetti.
In the open interest (OI) data, the highest OI on the call side was observed at 23,500 and 23,600 strike prices, while on the put side, the highest OI was at 23,500 strike price followed by 23,400.
Stock Market Highlights: Nifty breaks bearish pattern, eyes 23,800 upside level. How to trade on Budget Day
The stock market has been full of surprises lately, with the Nifty breaking out of its bearish pattern and now eyeing the 23,800 upside level. Traders and investors are eagerly waiting to see how the market will react on Budget Day, which is always a significant event for the stock market.
If you are looking to trade on Budget Day, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Stay informed: Make sure you are up to date with the latest news and updates related to the budget and its potential impact on the stock market. This will help you make informed trading decisions.
2. Have a plan: Before the market opens on Budget Day, have a clear plan in place for your trades. Decide on your entry and exit points, as well as your stop-loss levels.
3. Manage your risk: Trading on Budget Day can be highly volatile, so it is important to manage your risk effectively. Only trade with money that you can afford to lose and use proper risk management techniques.
4. Keep an eye on Nifty levels: As the Nifty is eyeing the 23,800 upside level, pay close attention to how the index behaves throughout the day. This can give you valuable insights into market sentiment.
5. Be prepared for volatility: Budget Day is known for its volatility, so be prepared for sudden price swings and unexpected movements in the market. Stay calm and stick to your trading plan.
Overall, trading on Budget Day can be an exciting opportunity for traders, but it is important to approach it with caution and proper risk management. By staying informed, having a plan, and managing your risk effectively, you can navigate the market with confidence. Good luck!
The Magnificent 7 stocks: Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Meta Platforms (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA), and Tesla (TSLA), are prominent tech companies that are known for their market dominance, innovation, and influence on the NASDAQ (NDAQ) and S&P 500 (SPX) indices. In 2024, semiconductor giant Nvidia led the pack, with a 171% gain fueled by the AI wave. Using TipRanks’ Stock Comparison Tool, we will compare three Magnificent 7 stocks with a Strong Buy consensus rating and “Perfect 10” smart score to pick the one with the highest upside potential, according to analysts.
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA)
Nvidia stock has rallied over 132%, thanks to the robust demand for its advanced GPUs (graphics processing units) that are required to power AI models. The impressive growth in the company’s revenue and earnings in recent quarters reflects the solid momentum that NVDA’s GPUs are witnessing due to the ongoing generative AI boom. Given these AI tailwinds, Nvidia has surpassed iPhone maker Apple (AAPL) to become the world’s most valuable company with a market cap of $3.61 trillion.
Looking ahead, there are high expectations from the company’s Blackwell platform. Moreover, the company is expected to benefit from the recently announced U.S. AI infrastructure project called Stargate.
Is NVDA a Good Stock to Buy?
Recently, Barclays analyst Thomas O’Malley highlighted the semiconductor stocks that he likes for 2025, including Nvidia. The analyst stated that Nvidia remains the dominant player in AI compute. He expects the company’s data center compute business to grow by nearly 60% year-over-year in 2025, driven by next-generation GPUs and advancements in networking architecture.
O’Malley expects the company’s Blackwell offering to generate around $15 billion in revenue in the first quarter, with the potential to more than double the number quarter-over-quarter. Additionally, the analyst sees significant upside in the second half of 2025, supported by the robust momentum in the B200 cycle and the growth in the B300/Ultra offerings.
With 36 Buys and three Holds, Nvidia stock scores a Strong Buy consensus rating. The average NVDA stock price target of $176.86 implies 24% upside potential.
Alphabet shares have risen about 35% over the past year. The company reported market-beating third-quarter results, with 35% year-over-year growth in its Cloud unit and continued strength in the Search and YouTube businesses.
Despite investors’ concerns about the impact of growing competition in Search and regulatory pressures, Alphabet is optimistic about maintaining its dominance through its AI offerings.
Heading into Alphabet’s Q4 2024 results, Truist Securities analyst Youssef Squali reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $225. The analyst expects Q4 results to reflect persistent momentum in Search, YouTube, and Cloud, with AI continuing to be in focus.
Notably, Squali expects GOOGL’s Q4 2024 results to be almost in line with the Street’s estimates, with revenue up by low double-digits. Moreover, the analyst expects an operating margin of more than 30%, as efforts to control operating expenses are expected to have more than offset higher capital expenditure.
Overall, Alphabet stock scores Wall Street’s Strong Buy consensus rating based on 24 Buys and eight Holds. The average GOOGL stock price target of $217.93 indicates about 9% upside potential from current levels.
Meta Platforms stock has rallied 66% over the past year, thanks to the company’s streamlining efforts and rebound in ad spending. However, regulatory pressures, significant losses in the Reality Labs unit (operating loss of over $58 billion since 2020), and massive investments in AI could limit the upside in the stock this year.
On Friday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the company plans to invest $60 billion to $65 billion this year in capex to build AI infrastructure. Zuckerberg views 2025 as “a defining year for AI.” The company expects its massive AI investments to drive innovation and future growth.
Meanwhile, Meta Platforms is scheduled to announce its Q4 2024 on January 29. Analysts expect the social media giant to report about a 27% year-over-year jump in Q4 EPS to $6.75. Revenue is expected to rise 17% to $46.97 billion.
Is META Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
In reaction to Zuckerberg’s announcement of the $60 billion to $65 billion in capex to support the company’s product roadmap, Citi analyst Ronald Josey reiterated a Buy rating on META stock with a price target of $75 and called it his Top Pick. Josey added that while Meta’s 2025 capex range is modestly ahead of his $58.5 billion estimate, he expects these investments to drive continued engagement growth and monetization benefits as “newer product vectors emerge, like Search (with Meta AI), Agents (with AI Studio), and Enterprise (with Llama 4), among others.”
Overall, Wall Street has a Strong Buy consensus rating on META stock based on 40 Buys, three Holds, and one Sell rating. The average META stock price target of $692.23 implies about 7% upside potential.
While analysts are highly bullish on the three Magnificent 7 stocks discussed here, they see higher upside potential in NVDA stock even after a stellar rally over the past year. Nvidia continues to capture the solid demand for its advanced GPUs in the AI space and is well-positioned to maintain its dominance in the semiconductor market through continued innovation and strong execution.
When it comes to investing in tech stocks, it can be overwhelming to choose which ones have the most potential for growth. Three standout companies that are currently rated as “Strong Buy” by analysts are NVIDIA (NVDA), Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), and Meta Platforms Inc. (META).
These companies are known for their innovative products and services, and have shown strong performance in recent years. But which one of these “Magnificent 7” stocks has the highest upside potential for investors?
In this post, we will dive into each company’s recent performance, growth prospects, and overall market sentiment to determine which one stands out as the top pick for investors looking for substantial returns. Stay tuned as we analyze NVDA, GOOGL, and META to help you make an informed investment decision.
We recently compiled a list of the 12 Cheapest Stocks with Biggest Upside Potential.In this article, we are going to take a look at where Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) stands against other cheapest stocks with biggest upside potential.
Stocks rallied on January 15, following an encouraging consumer price index (CPI) report that indicated a slowdown in core inflation and strong earnings from major U.S. banks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 3.2% in December, down from the previous month and slightly below the 3.3% forecast by economists surveyed by Dow Jones. Headline inflation increased 2.9% over the past year, matching expectations.
In an interview on January 16, Tom Lee, Managing Partner at Fundstrat provided his outlook on the current market dynamics and stock performance expectations for the year. Lee noted that the market is showing relief following the better-than-expected December Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which, along with the Producer Price Index (PPI), has been dovish. This has set the stage for bond yields, which had been approaching 5%, to cool down, particularly in a context where market sentiment has been largely negative. Lee emphasized that the recent dovish inflation prints, including the core CPI, have alleviated fears of a hot number, leading to a reduction in the probability of a rate hike, as reflected in the Fed funds futures.
Lee also discussed the implications of the California fires on future inflation, suggesting that these events could introduce additional volatility. However, he remains optimistic about the inflation outlook over the next three months, expecting it to be significantly lower compared to the levels seen in November and October. He pointed out that the inflation figures in January of last year were around 0.4%, indicating that the upcoming months could offer favorable comparisons, which is positive for the market.
Regarding the potential for a good year in the stock market, especially after the S&P’s back-to-back 20%+ gains, Lee expressed a high level of optimism, estimating an 80% chance of achieving double-digit returns for the year. He highlighted the positive start to January, with the S&P main index already up 0.7% by January 15, as a good harbinger for the year ahead. However, Lee acknowledged that the market’s performance could be challenged if bond yields remain elevated, as this would represent a severe tightening of financial conditions, potentially impacting sectors such as housing.
When asked about the market’s resilience if the Federal Reserve does not cut rates until later in the year and bond yields remain high, Lee admitted that such a scenario would test the market’s resolve. While he doesn’t believe it would be fatal for equities, he noted that it would be difficult for investors to remain highly bullish if yields stay near 5% for the next six months. This could raise concerns about a policy error from the Fed, either due to financial conditions being too tight or the bears arguing that the Fed cut too aggressively in the past.
The stock market’s positive momentum, fueled by encouraging inflation data and strong earnings reports, suggests a promising outlook for the year ahead. Companies with strong fundamentals, growth prospects, and undervaluation are positioned for significant returns.
Is Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) Among the Cheapest Stocks with Biggest Upside Potential?
An e-commerce platform displaying a wide range of products to customers online.
To compile our list of the 12 cheapest stocks with biggest upside potential, we used Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the 40 largest companies trading below the forward P/E ratio of 10 as of January 15. We then sourced the analysts’ average price targets and picked the 12 stocks that had the highest upside potential. We also included their stock price as of January 15 and their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s Hedge Fund database of 900 elite hedge funds as of Q3 of 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of analysts’ average upside potential as of January 15.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
Upside Potential: 46.71%
Forward P/E Ratio as of January 15: 8.49
Stock Price as of January 15: $81.68
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 115
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the world’s most valuable tech giants that offers a wide range of services including online retail, cloud computing, digital media, and entertainment. The company’s core business segments include Taobao and Tmall, Alibaba Cloud, Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC), and other diverse ventures.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is focusing on improving the overall user experience on its platforms, particularly Taobao and Tmall. This includes increasing purchase frequency and enhancing customer loyalty through initiatives such as the 88VIP membership program. The company has also implemented industry-standard software service fees and expanded the adoption of its AI-powered marketing tool, Quanzhantui, which helps merchants improve their marketing efficiency. Moreover, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is investing in advanced technology and AI infrastructure to deliver more reliable and cost-effective AI solutions across various industries.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is also making efforts to improve the operational efficiency of its loss-making businesses, such as local services and digital media and entertainment. The company is focusing on strengthening synergies between its various business units, particularly in areas like global logistics, to create a more integrated and efficient ecosystem.
Overall BABA ranks 4th on our list of cheapest stocks with biggest upside potential. While we acknowledge the potential of BABA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BABA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) has been a dominant player in the e-commerce and technology industry for years, but recent challenges have caused its stock price to take a hit. However, some analysts believe that this dip in price may present a buying opportunity for investors looking for a bargain with significant upside potential.
With a market cap of over $400 billion, Alibaba is one of the largest and most well-known companies in China. Its e-commerce platform, along with its cloud computing and digital media services, have helped it become a global powerhouse. Despite recent regulatory crackdowns and antitrust investigations in China, Alibaba’s fundamentals remain strong, with a diverse revenue stream and a growing user base.
At its current price, Alibaba’s stock is trading at a discount compared to its historical valuations and its peers in the industry. This has led some analysts to believe that the stock is undervalued and has the potential for significant upside once the regulatory uncertainties are resolved and the company’s growth prospects become clearer.
Investors looking for a bargain with the potential for substantial gains may want to consider adding Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) to their portfolios. While there are risks associated with investing in Chinese companies, the long-term growth potential of Alibaba and its position as a leader in the e-commerce and technology sectors make it a compelling option for investors seeking value opportunities in the market.
On Tuesday, Bernstein analysts reaffirmed their positive stance on Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:), maintaining an Outperform rating and a $51.00 price target. The brokerage firm views the stock as the “Best Idea for 2025” within its Global Digital Assets coverage. Currently trading at $42.10 with a market cap of $37.1 billion, Robinhood’s shares have witnessed a significant surge, delivering an impressive 259% return over the past year.
Analysts believe that the momentum is likely to continue through 2025, driven by robust revenue growth of 36% and rising profitability.According to InvestingPro analysis, Robinhood maintains a “Good” financial health score, with particularly strong momentum metrics. InvestingPro subscribers have access to 12 additional investment tips and comprehensive financial analysis for HOOD.
Robinhood has taken a cautious approach in its cryptocurrency offerings, listing approximately 20 tokens. This conservative strategy is attributed to the stringent stance of the current SEC team regarding the classification of tokens as securities. This approach contrasts with its competitors, such as Coinbase (NASDAQ:), which lists over 250 tokens.
Analysts anticipate that the regulatory environment will become more favorable for cryptocurrencies under a Trump administration, leading to clearer rules for digital asset classification. This shift could enable Robinhood to expand its token listings and increase its market share in spot crypto trading, potentially building on its strong gross profit margin of 86%.
The company recently reached a settlement with the SEC, agreeing to pay $45 million to resolve regulatory issues that originated in 2018. The settlement amount was fully accrued in the previous year, 2023. Bernstein’s analysts remain optimistic about Robinhood’s prospects, citing the settlement as a resolution to past regulatory challenges and a potential catalyst for future growth.
The positive outlook for Robinhood is further supported by expectations of a pro-crypto stance from the SEC, which could provide a more conducive environment for the company’s crypto business expansion. With the anticipation of a more favorable regulatory landscape and the company’s strong performance in the previous year, Robinhood is positioned to potentially capture a larger share of the crypto trading market. Analyst targets range from $29 to $60, with a consensus recommendation leaning toward Buy.
The $51 price target reflects confidence in Robinhood’s ability to leverage these opportunities and continue its upward trajectory in profitability and market presence.Get deeper insights into Robinhood’s valuation and growth prospects with a comprehensive Pro Research Report, exclusively available on InvestingPro, along with advanced financial metrics and expert analysis.
In other recent news, Robinhood has settled charges by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), agreeing to pay $45 million in civil penalties.
The settlement addresses allegations of multiple regulatory violations in Robinhood’s brokerage operations, including inaccuracies in reporting trading activity and insufficient measures to safeguard customer information. In further developments, Robinhood’s stock has been upgraded by JPMorgan analysts from Underweight to Neutral. This follows the company’s successful diversification of its operations and strong financial performance, with revenue growing 35.7% and earnings per share of $0.60 over the last twelve months.
Robinhood has also introduced several new products aimed at attracting more engaged and active users. Despite this, the company’s average account size remains smaller compared to its peers, leading to questions about its long-term profitability potential. Other firms such as Piper Sandler and Goldman Sachs have maintained positive ratings on Robinhood, citing strong trading volumes and revenue growth.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Bernstein sees upside in Robinhood stock as crypto business expansion looms
Investment firm Bernstein is bullish on Robinhood’s stock, predicting potential upside as the company expands its crypto business. With a growing interest in cryptocurrency trading, Robinhood has been making moves to capitalize on this trend.
The popular trading app has recently added new cryptocurrencies to its platform, offering users more options to trade and invest in digital assets. This expansion into the crypto market has caught the attention of analysts like Bernstein, who see it as a promising opportunity for Robinhood to attract more users and drive revenue growth.
In a recent report, Bernstein highlighted the potential for Robinhood’s stock to see upside as the company continues to expand its crypto business. With the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies and the increasing demand for trading platforms that offer access to digital assets, Robinhood is well-positioned to benefit from this trend.
Investors who are looking to capitalize on the growing interest in cryptocurrency trading may want to consider adding Robinhood stock to their portfolio. With Bernstein’s positive outlook on the company’s future growth prospects, now could be a good time to invest in Robinhood as it continues to expand its presence in the crypto market.
The total value of all cryptocurrencies in circulation currently stands at $3.5 trillion, which is near a record high. Bitcoin(CRYPTO: BTC) accounts for more than half of that value, thanks to its market capitalization of almost $2 trillion.
Bitcoin has become a popular store of value for investors due to its decentralized nature, capped supply, and secure system called the blockchain. But Michael Saylor, who cofounded software company MicroStrategy, thinks it has the potential to remake the global financial system.
As a result, Saylor predicts Bitcoin could soar to $13 million per coin by the year 2045, which would translate to an eye-popping 13,031% gain for investors who buy it at the current price of about $99,000. But how realistic is that target?
Image source: Getty Images.
Last year, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved dozens of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which provided individual and institutional investors with a safe, regulated way to own the cryptocurrency. It helped legitimize the view that Bitcoin is a real store of value, kind of like a digital version of gold.
Saylor believes Bitcoin is much more than that. He predicts a future where more than $500 trillion worth of real assets are “tokenized,” meaning their ownership rights (among other things) are moved onto the blockchain, replacing current systems of record keeping. The $500 trillion figure basically represents the value of every asset in the world — from every piece of real estate to every share in every company.
Since Bitcoin is truly decentralized and can’t be controlled or manipulated by any person or company, Saylor thinks it’s the perfect reserve asset for the tokenization process. It would be the currency people use when buying, selling, or transferring tokenized assets, which basically means everybody would have to own some Bitcoin to participate in this new financial system.
Saylor believes all of this could happen by the year 2045, and it would send Bitcoin from its current price of about $99,000 (as of this writing) to $13 million. The first step is to create a digital assets framework (a system of rules and laws), which he thinks might happen under the Trump administration. The incoming president is pro-crypto, and since his party now controls all three branches of government, this may offer an opportunity to get started on that enormous project.
Mathematically speaking, a price-per-Bitcoin of $13 million would give the cryptocurrency a market capitalization of about $257 trillion (based on Bitcoin’s current supply of 19.8 million coins). The total market capitalization of all 500 companies in the S&P 500(SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) index now is $49.1 trillion, so Bitcoin would be worth five times more than that.
It doesn’t sound realistic, and it’s based on the assumption that every single government, company, and person in every country in the world will agree to operate under a new Bitcoin-based financial system. If you follow politics even a little bit, you probably know how difficult it is for people to agree on even the most basic points. I wouldn’t bet on an overhaul of the entire global financial system — at least not in the next 20 years.
Besides, fiat currencies with floating exchange rates are beneficial because not every economy operates at the same speed. Consider an economic shock like Brexit, for example. When the British people voted to leave the European Union in 2016, the value of their domestic currency (the British Pound) fell by about 20% against most other major currencies like the U.S. dollar. It helped to absorb some of the economic fallout by making British exports cheaper for global buyers.
Although Saylor’s vision doesn’t involve abandoning fiat currencies, any kind of Bitcoin standard would severely disadvantage the weaker economies of the world. They would have to fork out more money to buy a single Bitcoin than countries with a strong economy (and a strong domestic currency) like the U.S., and it’s unclear how that problem will be solved.
Earlier, I said many investors consider Bitcoin a good store of value, especially now that ETFs are widely available. Since gold has been the standard when it comes to storing value for thousands of years, it might offer some insight into where Bitcoin could go from here.
The total value of all gold reserves stands at $18.1 trillion. Bitcoin’s market cap would have to increase by 823% to match that, which translates to a price of $914,000. There is no guarantee it will get there in the near future (or ever), but it’s a much more realistic target than Saylor’s.
After all, don’t forget that Saylor’s company, MicroStrategy, owns 450,000 Bitcoins, so he has a vested interest in presenting highly bullish forecasts.
Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.
On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:
Nvidia:if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009,you’d have $346,349!*
Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,229!*
Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $454,283!*
Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.
Anthony Di Pizio has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
One Popular Cryptocurrency With 13,031% Upside Potential, According to MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor
MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor recently made headlines by predicting a massive upside potential for a popular cryptocurrency. In a recent interview, Saylor revealed that he believes this particular cryptocurrency has the potential to increase in value by a staggering 13,031%.
While Saylor did not disclose the specific cryptocurrency he was referring to, many in the crypto community speculate that he may be talking about Bitcoin. As one of the most well-known and widely adopted cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin has shown remarkable growth over the years and has consistently outperformed traditional assets.
With Saylor’s bullish prediction, many investors are now looking to capitalize on this potential opportunity and are considering adding this cryptocurrency to their portfolio. While investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky, the potential for such high returns is certainly enticing for many.
As always, it is important to do thorough research and consider your own risk tolerance before investing in any asset, including cryptocurrencies. However, with the backing of a prominent figure like Michael Saylor, this particular cryptocurrency may be worth keeping an eye on for those looking to capitalize on the potential upside.
The Detroit Tigers signed Cris Rodriguez, a 16-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder from the Dominican Republic, for a $3.2 million bonus Wednesday as the headliner of its 2025 international class.
For the Tigers, Rodriguez is significant for three reasons.
Rodriguez is the highest-ranked international prospect ever signed by the Tigers, sitting at No. 4 on lists by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. His $3.2 million signing bonus is the largest the Tigers have ever awarded in the international market. Most importantly, his raw tools position him as a potential superstar in the making.
To learn more about Rodriguez, the Free Press interviewed Ben Badler, a Baseball America prospect expert for nearly 20 years with an expertise in international prospects, on a recent episode of the “Days of Roar” podcast, in which Badler evaluates Rodriguez.
“You can’t miss him when you see him. He’s big, physical, 6-foot-4, 200-pound guy who hits the ball really, really hard. The raw power with him stands out right away. The physicality and the power, and he can run, too. For such a big guy, he runs really well. He’s a plus runner underway. If everything clicks, you have a guy who has a mix of power and speed for that power-speed threat. It’s definitely a power-over-hit offensive profile for him. We’ll see what the results look like once the Dominican Summer League games get started. But obviously shooting for big, big upside with Cris Rodriguez and really banking on that power and his ability to potentially tap into that power enough against live pitching once the games get started.”
What are Cris Rodriguez’s strengths and weaknesses?
“Strengths are definitely the physicality, the athleticism, the raw tools that he has. He can put on a huge show in batting practice. He can drive the ball with damage and impact. I think you’re going to see a guy who is going to get his share of mistakes (from pitchers) in the DSL in terms of the pitches that he sees, and I could see him putting up big home runs numbers in his debut year. The key will be, what does the strikeout rate look like in that first year? We will get a much better sense of the game-hitting ability once we have a lot more information and a lot more history of that against pro competition. And then the athleticism, the speed. He’s a big guy. I’m sure they’ll start him in center field and give him every opportunity to stay there. We’ll see how well he holds his speed going up. A guy like Julio Rodríguez with the Mariners not just held his speed, but got even faster as he moved up the ladder, so he can play center field. A lot of times, bigger guys fill out and slow down. Maybe he ends up at 230, 240 pounds and slides to a corner. But there’s a chance for impact power, potentially at a premium position if he’s able to maintain his speed and stay in center field.”
“The hope is, if everything clicks, that he’s somebody who could potentially hit in the middle of a lineup one day. When these guys are 16, just about to turn 17 years old, it’s hard to make a strong bet on that. If he’s able to make enough contact, and everything aligns, you could see him hitting 25, maybe 30-plus home runs. If he’s able to do that, whether it’s in center field or right field, either way, I think that would be a pretty good outcome.”
Any MLB player comparisons for Cris Rodriguez? (He reminds me of Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez)
“I don’t know there’s anybody that jumps to mind immediately for him as a player comparison. Just that big, physical, athletic outfielder. There’s not that many guys running around who are like 6-foot-4 who have that kind of power-speed combination that he has. It’s a good raw tool set to be able to build on.”
Are you concerned about Cris Rodriguez as a pure hitter?
“That’s the key. I don’t think anybody questions the power that he has. It’s more about the approach. How does that play against pro pitching that we’ll see this year? The pitch recognition, the ability to adjust to offspeed stuff. I think we’ll get a much better sense of that this season. If there were no questions about that, if he was this super advanced, polished, pure hitter, we’re probably talking about somebody who’s getting probably the biggest signing bonus in the class, just based on the supplementary tools that he brings to the table, too.”
How does Cris Rodriguez compare to famous Tigers signees in recent years: Cristian Santana in 2021 and Roberto Campos in 2019?
“He’s a very different player than those guys were. Santana, you were betting on a shortstop who you thought could hit. Campos, you’re really just banking on the power and hopefully enough hit ability. With Rodriguez, it’s more dynamic, maybe along the lines of a Jose De La Cruz (whom the Tigers signed in July 2018). Obviously, I’m sure the Tigers are better and hoping for better pure hitting ability with him, but De La Cruz has huge, huge power. It’s just he hasn’t been able to tap into it in games and the strikeouts have been a huge problem. That’s some of the risk there that’s involved with Rodriguez. But certainly, the upside is there if everything does click for that power to be pretty special.”
Listen to our weekly Tigers show “Days of Roar” every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
The Detroit Tigers have added a promising young talent to their farm system with the recent signing of their newest prospect. Scouts are buzzing about the potential of this player, with one insider even going as far as to say he has “big, big upside.”
The 18-year-old phenom has already turned heads with his impressive speed, power, and defensive skills. Standing tall at 6’4″ and weighing in at 200 pounds, he has the physical tools to excel at the next level.
With a strong work ethic and a desire to improve, this prospect has the tools to become a future star in the Tigers organization. Fans can look forward to watching his development and seeing him rise through the ranks in the coming years.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new addition to the Detroit Tigers’ farm system. With his talent and potential, he could be a game-changer for the team in the near future.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder uses crutches to walk … [+] off the court after the team’s 111-96 victory over the Houston Rockets in a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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When Chet Holmgren went down with a significant hip injury in early November, there was real reason for concern in Oklahoma City. As good as the Thunder roster was, losing a top-three player on any team is a huge blow, especially given that Holmgren would be out multiple months and his impact on both ends for OKC was crucial.
But since the 7-footer went down with that injury, Oklahoma City has still found ways to win at an extremely high rate. In fact, the Thunder has gone 17-3 since that event, which is good for the best record in the NBA over that span.
The ability to have success in Holmgren’s absence has been driven by the tremendous play of Isaiah Hartenstein. Oklahoma City is 14-1 since he joined the rotation after coming back from an injury of his own. The Thunder struggled in the short span in which the team was without both of its top centers — going 3-2 in those five games — but has been dominant since Hartenstein took the floor for the first time.
Oklahoma City is having its best start to any season in its history at 25-5 thus far. But with one of Holmgren or Hartenstein on the floor, the Thunder has been even better at 22-2. We have yet to see both of these players on the court at the same time in the regular season, but it’s safe to assume this team will play at an entirely new level when that happens.
But when is Holmgren expected to make his return?
That’s still a bit unclear. When the Thunder last provided an injury update, the guidance was that there would be information on Holmgren’s return-to-play protocol in eight to ten weeks, which would mean sometime in mid to late January. That doesn’t mean the 7-footer will return to play in that window, but rather, there would be more clarity on providing a timeline for that return.
Given Holmgren has been using crutches even in the past few weeks, it’s safe to assume his return won’t be until closer to the NBA All-Star break in February. Between now and then, Oklahoma City will also be looking to potentially improve the roster on the trade market with the deadline quickly approaching.
In the meantime, the Thunder will look to continue having success without Holmgren and provide further opportunities for others to develop. Oklahoma City is currently facing its toughest part of the schedule this season, with 10 of its next 11 games against projected postseason teams over the next few weeks. If the Thunder can simply put together a winning record over this stretch, the top seed in the Western Conference would almost certainly be maintained, given the cushion OKC has over the teams below. From there, the schedule will ease up a bit and Holmgren will be even closer to his return.
Regardless of what happens between now and Holmgren getting back on the court in game action, the first seven weeks without him have been extremely impressive.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been turning heads in the NBA this season, and their success in the absence of star rookie Chet Holmgren has only solidified their status as a serious contender. Holmgren, the number one overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has been sidelined with a foot injury for the past month, but the Thunder haven’t missed a beat.
Despite missing their top draft pick, the Thunder have continued to dominate the competition, boasting a 10-game winning streak that has propelled them to the top of the Western Conference standings. This impressive run has not only showcased the team’s resilience and depth but also their championship potential.
The Thunder’s success without Holmgren highlights the team’s depth and versatility. Players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Josh Giddey have stepped up in a big way, providing scoring, playmaking, and defensive prowess to fill the void left by Holmgren’s absence. The Thunder’s bench players have also made significant contributions, showcasing the team’s depth and ability to weather the storm of injuries.
The Thunder’s success without Holmgren also speaks to their championship upside. While Holmgren is undoubtedly a key piece of the team’s future, the Thunder have shown that they can compete and win at a high level even without their top draft pick. This bodes well for the team’s chances of making a deep playoff run and potentially contending for an NBA championship in the near future.
Overall, the Thunder’s success in Chet Holmgren’s absence is a testament to their depth, resilience, and championship potential. As they continue to thrive without their star rookie, the Thunder are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in the NBA and a team to watch out for in the playoffs.
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Chet Holmgren absence impact
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Oklahoma City Thunder success without Chet Holmgren
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