Juan Soto-Yankees-OF
Juan Soto was 2-3 with an HR (22), 1 R, 1 RBI, and 2 BB against the Rays. Soto is hitting .297 with 22 HR, 73 R, 64 RBI, and 5 SB. He is having another phenomenal year. Soto continues to have plays plate skills (16% K and 19% BB) to go along with elite quality of contact (18% Barrels and 57% Hardhit). He has decreased his groundball rate (-5%) and increased his fly balls (+3% FB). Soto has also pulled the ball more than ever (47% Pull). This is an extremely advantageous situation for Soto in his new ballpark in New York. The interesting part is that he has been better on the road (.276 AVG with 9 HR) versus (.307 AVG with 12 HR) at home. It is hard to believe that things could get better with increased production at home.
Colt Keith-Tigers-3B
Colt Keith was 0-3 with 2 R, 1 RBI, and 1 BB against the Guardians. Keith has been hot so far in July (.444 AVG with 4 HR, 8 R, 7 RBI, and 1 SB). On the year, he is hitting .247 with 8 HR, 30 R, 31 RBI, and 5 SB. He has shown the ability to make contact (19% K) and barrel the baseball (8% Barrels). These are both vitally important to overall success. Keith has been quite good outside of a dreadful first month in the majors. He has hit .296 with 8 HR, 27 R, 27 RBI, and 3 SB since the beginning of May. It isn't a league-winning profile but someone who hits .250-.260 with 20 HR/7 SB throughout a full season. This still has value in mixed leagues.
Steven Kwan-Guardians-OF
Steven Kwan was 1-3 against the Tigers. Kwan hasn't been as good in July (.324 AVG) as in June (.374 AVG) but is still well above average. The part that has been good to see is that he has continued to show improved power (2 HR, .500 SLG). Kwan has concentrated on hitting for more power this year and has come to fruition. He has a career-high nine home runs and it is supported by pulling the ball more (33% Pull) and more flyballs (36% FB). Kwan still doesn't hit the ball particularly hard (2% Barrels and 23% Hardhit) but being able to hit double-digit home runs and steal 15-20 bases is a huge increase in value.
Hunter Greene-Reds-SP
Hunter Greene went 6 IP and gave up 1 ER on 2 H, 2 BB, and 10 K's against the Rockies. Through 19 GS, Greene has a 3.34 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. He is living up to his prospect pedigree. Greene continues to miss bats (27% K) and at times struggle with control (10% BB) but the biggest difference has been keeping the ball in the park (0.82 HR/9 vs. 1.37 HR/9 in his career). He has also benefited from a .260 BABIP compared to .339 last year. The addition of a third pitch specifically a splitter has been crucial. This has allowed him to keep hitters off his fastball and as a result, his fastball has played better than at any point in his career. He went from giving up a .886 OPS to RHB last year to just a .674 OPS this year. Greene has made the necessary adjustments to take his game to the next level.
Aaron Civale-Brewers-SP
Aaron Civale went 6.1 IP and gave up 1 ER on 6 H, 2 BB, and 6 K's against the Pirates. Civale has had a down year (4.94 ERA and 1.38 WHIP) after a strong 2023 season (3.46 ERA and 1.16 WHIP). The interesting part of his down year is that his core skills are roughly the same (23% K, 8% BB, and 4.06 SIERA). The bottom line is that he is a better pitcher than his ERA and WHIP suggest. He does need to figure out his home run problem (1.74 HR/9). Civale also needs to find his curveball from last year because it was a big part of his success in Tampa and he has cut its usage this year (-7%) as a result of its ineffectiveness. The Brewers have a strong pitching development track record so the fact that they made the move to acquire him means they have fixes in mind.
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