Rece Hinds (OF-CIN) went 2-3 with a pair of homers and 3 RBI against the Marlins on Saturday afternoon. The 23 year-old wasn't exactly a heralded prospect when he arrived in the majors, as his plus-plus raw power came with major contact issues. But Hinds has raked in his first week of big-league action and now owns a .500 average to go with 5 dingers, 11 RBI, 7 runs scored, and 2 steals (in 2 attempts) in 24 PA. The strikeouts have been there (29%), but a .600 BABIP is obviously unsustainable and so his average will plummet down the road. But there is no denying his prodigious power as his Statcast profile includes a 46% hard-hit rate, 31% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 97 mph. Hinds did show 30-20 potential in Triple-A this season, but he also fanned at a 38.5% clip in his 328 PA. MLB pitchers will figure him out sooner or later, but fantasy owners should definitely add and start him so long as he's hot.
Colt Keith (2B-DET) had a stellar day at the dish against the Dodgers on Saturday afternoon as he went 3-4 with a homer, a 2B, a BB, and 4 RBI. The 22 year-old rookie now owns a .253 average to go with 9 dingers, 37 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 5 steals (in 6 attempts) through his first 313 big-league PA, with an almost league-average wRC+ of 99. Encouragingly, Keith has begun to figure out MLB pitching after a slow start and has been especially productive in July, posting a .342 average with 4 big flies, 9 RBI, and 12 runs scored - with an excellent wRC+ of 230 - in 45 PA entering Saturday's contest. If you could use help at 2B, consider trying to trade for him as he surges into the All-Star break and could be primed for a big second half.
Brent Rooker (OF-OAK) went 3-5 with a 2B, a solo homer, and 2 runs scored against the Phillies on Saturday. Improbably, the 29 year-old is putting together an even better season in 2024 than he did last season, when he surprised with a .246 average, 30 dingers, 69 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 4 steals in 526 PA, with a wRC+ of 127. So far this year, he's batting a robust .298 with 19 big flies, 57 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 5 steals (in 6 chances), through 340 PA, with a wRC+ of 160. Rooker's strikeout rate hasn't improved at all (33%) and his .392 BABIP appears unsustainable (was .317 last year), which suggests that his batting average should dip going forward. Meanwhile, his Statcast profile is even better than last season, with a 50.5% hard-hit rate (49.5% last year), 16% barrel rate (15.5%), and average exit velocity of 92 mph (91.5).
Grayson Rodriguez (SP-BAL) took the L against the Yankees on Saturday as he surrendered 6 runs on 8 hits and a walk while recording 7 punchouts in 5 innings of work. The 24 year-old righty fired 64 of his 91 offerings for strikes while coughing up a trio of big flies. Overall, it's been a solid sophomore campaign for Rodriguez, who now owns a 3.88 ERA, 10.1 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and 3.58 xFIP through his first 99.2 IP (17 starts). He has improved across the board from his uneven rookie campaign, reducing his walk rate (was 3.1), inducing more swinging strikes (up to 13.5% from 12%), and - Saturday's bludgeoning at the hands of the Bronx Bombers aside - given up less hard contact, as his Statcast profile entering Saturday's game included a 38.5% hard-hit rate (was 43.5% in 2023), 7% barrel rate (7.5%), and average exit velocity of 89 mph (90). Expect continued growth in the second half - his best baseball is ahead.
Seth Lugo (SP-KC) got knocked around by the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon, allowing 5 runs on 10 hits and a walk while recording 6 punchouts in 5 innings of work. The 34 year-old righty tossed 59 of his 93 pitches for strikes while surrendering one homer in the outing. The outing might be viewed as a bit of correction to the mean, as the gap between his ERA (2.48) and xFIP (3.69) narrowed a bit. While his 2.1 BB/ through 127 IP (20 starts) is strong, Lugo's 8.2 K/9 is his lowest since 2017, although his 10% swinging-strike rate is actually just north of the 9% he logged in 2022 and 2023. Overall, Lugo has benefited from a lucky 83% strand rate in particular although an 8.5% HR/FB has also contributed. Consider him a sell-high candidate if he's on your roster in fantasy leagues.
This is just a small sample our daily analysis, join our member area for tools that will help you win your fantasy championship. Click here for details: http://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Click here to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
