Jose Ramirez (3B-CLE) Ramirez went 2 for 4 with 2 solo home runs, a stolen base and a walk Monday. Ramirez had been in an 0-16 slump since July 21, so the effort is nice to see him getting back on track. While the slump took its toll on his average dropping it from .304 to .292 it was otherwise about as "productive" as an 0-fer slump as you can have. Ramirez accumulated an 11:1 BB:K ratio over the past 7 hitless games and still managed to score 5 runs, pick up 2 RBIs and steal 3 bases continuing to show how he is one of the game's best. His overall line of .294/.404/.626 with 32 HR, 76 RBIs, 27 doubles, 24 stolen bases and an elite 69:51 BB:K ratio puts him squarely alongside Mookie Betts and Mike Trout in the American League MVP conversation.
David Price (SP-BOS) Price tossed 8 innings of 1-run, 8-hit ball, striking out 5 in a no-decision in vs the Phillies Monday night. Despite an ERA that would be his highest since his first full season in 2009, Price has been fairly effective this year and that ERA is ballooned by 2 bad outings where he allowed 7+ earned runs in each. His 39.5% Groundball rate would also represent a career low, and his flyball rate has risen by 3% since last year (41.1%) and also sports a 1.42 HR/9 - one of the highest 10 ratios in the AL among qualified starters. He still has been racking up Ks at a strong rate (8.97/9) and has gotten his command under control as he entered Monday having issued just 2 walks all month to drive his BB/9 down to 2.76/9 a rate on display Monday night as he pounded the strike zone, throwing 66 of his 97 pitches for strikes. Price will carry a 11-6 record with a 3.97 ERA and 1.22 WHIP into his next start - a primetime Sunday Night matchup vs the Yankees.
Shane Bieber (SP-CLE) Bieber tossed 6 and 1/3 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 7 in a no-decision. Bieber was beat up by the Pirates his last time out, surrendering 7 earned runs and recording just 5 outs, so it was nice to see him rebound. The 4.73 ERA looks bad on paper, but he has pitched arguably better than that with a 3.61 fip and 3.59 xfip and has a 1.60 BB/9 - a number that would rank in the top 5 for AL qualified pitchers. While he has not quite pitched to the 1.47 ERA across the 79 and 2/3 minor leagues innings he has under his belt prior to his call up he has still been solid and should continue to be a mainstay in the Indians rotation. He will take a 5-2 record, 4.73 ERA and 1.42 WHIP and 51 Ks in 51 and 1/3 IP and into his 2nd start of the week, Sunday vs the Angels.
Miguel Sano (3B-MIN) Sano went 2 for 3 with a double, walk, RBI and run scored Monday night. Simply put Sano has not looked good in 2018 and Monday was the first big game he's had following a recall from The Twins Advanced A team to work on conditioning. He had an .895 in 19 games at the A+ level, but clearly has not been able to transition that to MLB pitching a few games into his return. He has 41.8% K rate in 170 MLB plate appearances this season and a .194 ISO that would still be middle of the pack in the AL for qualified hitters. The high % of swings-and-misses could be overlooked a but if he was hitting for power like he did in 2016 and 2017 or if he was drawing walks - but his BB% has dipped to 8.2% this year as well. On the flip side he did draw a walk Monday night that eventually led to the winning run - owners will want to be careful about starting Sano going forward despite the massive power upside.
Eloy Jimenez (OF-CWS/AAA) Jimenez continued to rake since his promotion to AAA going 2-2 with his 8th home run and drawing 2 walks. Jimenez has only played in 25 games at the AAA level this year but entered the day slashing .383/.422/.691 a line that will increase even more following the big game Monday. He has also chipped in 16 extra base hits and has a strong 8:10 BB:K ratio at AAA thus far. Jimenez, who was the key piece in last summer's deadline deal involving Jose Quintana has already improved upon his .947 OPS across 3 different minor league levels last year. If he continues to hit the way he has, and keeps showing good plate discipline the White Sox may give him his first taste of the bigs later this fall.
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