Wyatt Langford (OF-TEX) had another nice day at the dish as he went 4-5 with a 2B, an RBI, and 2 runs scored against the Rays. After a sluggish start to his MLB career, the heralded rookie who was drafted barely a year ago is now hitting .270 with 4 homers, 37 RBI, 28 runs scored, and 7 stolen bases (in 9 chances) through 270 PA, with a wRC+ of 105. He's yet to truly display his plus-plus power in the majors, but Langford has turned a corner since returning from the IL in late May. Entering Sunday's action, the 22 year-old was batting .293 with 3 homers, 25 RBI, 13 runs scored, and 6 stolen bags (in 7 tries) across 136 PA since his activation from the IL on May 28th, with a healthy wRC+ of 130. He's controlled the plate well with a 17.5% strikeout rate and 9% walk rate during that span while his Statcast profile includes a 44.5% hard-hit rate, 8% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 89.5 mph, with a launch angle of 19.6 boding well for the power output as he's done a better job of making loud contact over the last month or so.
Jarred Kelenic (OF-ATL) filled the stat box against the Phillies on Sunday as he went 1-3 with a walk, a 3-run homer, and a stolen base. The 24 year-old was widely written off after fizzling out in Seattle following three subpar stints in the majors, but Kelenic appears to be finally finding his footing with Atlanta. Through 265 PA, he's batting .272 with 10 dingers, 29 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 4 stolen bases (in 6 tries), with a wRC+ of 115. While his 30% strikeout rate isn't great, it's better than the 31.5% he posted in 2023 and the 33.5% he recorded in 2022. Meanwhile, Kelenic has assembled a nice Statcast profile that includes a 44.5% hard-hit rate, 10% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89.5 mph as his average launch angle of 13.1 has resulted in a 27.5% liner rate and 35% flyball rate. He's definitely trending upward as he is producing as Atlanta's leadoff hitter.
Justin Wrobleski (SP-LAD) made his big-league debut against the Brewers on Sunday and it wasn't a disaster, but it also wasn't good. The 23 year-old southpaw allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 over 5 IP. Wrobleski fired 53 of his 76 offerings for strikes while surrendering a pair of round trippers in the outing. Ranked as the Dodgers' #1 LHP, Wrobleski has risen through the minors quickly in 2024, registering 67.2 IP with Double-A Tulsa (after spending the entire 2023 season in High-A), where he posted a 3.06 ERA, 8.3 K/9, 1.7 BB/9, and 3.33 xFIP, before making just two starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City in which he logged a 4.35 ERA, 14.8 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and 2.93 xFIP in a very small sample size of 10.1 IP. His minor-league track record hints at some strikeout ability to go with middling control, although his scouting grades indicate that he has the potential for plus command. If he remains with the club and makes another start before the All-Star break, Wrobleski lines up for a favorable matchup in Detroit late next week.
Edward Cabrera (SP-MIA) lasted just 3.2 innings against the White Sox on Sunday as he returned from a two-month stay on the IL (shoulder). The 26 year-old righty allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 4 on 82 pitches (47 strikes); he served up one homer in the outing. Cabrera has endured a rough campaign overall, as - in addition to missing two months of action while on the IL - he's recorded a 6.84 ERA, 12.6 K/9, 5.4 BB/9, and 3.39 xFIP through 25 IP (6 starts). The xFIP and K/9 both give hope to him turning things around down the stretch as a 21% HR/FB, .339 BABIP, and 58% strand rate have all worked against him. But the poor control has been a major issue overall. Good news is that his Statcast profile - which includes a 35% hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of 86.5 mph - isn't too bad. If he makes another start before the All-Star break, it would come in Cincinnati.
Reynaldo Lopez (SP-ATL) blanked the Phillies on Sunday afternoon as he allowed just 2 hits and walked 3 while recording 6 punchouts. The 30 year-old righty fired 62 of his 91 pitches for strikes in the contest. Lopez has been a pleasant surprise as he returned to a starting role this season, as he's logged a 1.71 ERA, 9.3 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, and 3.79 xFIP through his first 16 starts (89.2 IP). A .269 BABIP, 6.5% HR/FB, and 88.5% strand rate are all on the lucky side of things and indicate that his ERA should rise going forward as those figures correct toward the mean, but Lopez missed bats at a solid 12% rate. On the other hand, the opposition has logged a 43% hard-hit rate, 10% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90 mph against him (per Statcast). Expect some regression going forward, perhaps starting in San Diego on Friday.
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