Austin Riley-Braves-3B
Austin Riley was 1-4 with an HR (15) against the Marlins. Riley has never fully rebounded this year and has been one of the bigger disappointments. He is hitting .258 with 15 HR, 53 R, 46 RBI, and 0 SB. His batting average, home runs, and counting stats are all down significantly. The counting stats are understandable considering the injuries to the Braves lineup but the average and power numbers are disappointing. He is still hitting the ball hard (14% Barrels and 53% Hardhit) but has not had any luck (12% HR/FB compared to a career 19% HR/FB). His strikeout rate is in line with the past five seasons and he is chasing less often (31% O-swing). This is a profile to buy a major bounce back in 2025 and we should actually see it start in the last two months.
Anthony Santander-Orioles-OF
Anthony Santander was 1-4 with an HR (32) against the Guardians. Santander is coming off a great month of July in which he hit .303 with 9 HR, 17 R, 18 RBI, and 1 SB. He has raised his season line to .248 with 32 HR, 64 R, 74 RBI, and 1 SB. The power has upticked this year thanks to an increase in fly balls (57% FB). This has also hurt his batting average slightly because he is striking out less (18% K) but has seen his average drop from .257 in 2023 to .248 this year. The most overlooked part is the increase in counting stats because the Orioles lineup continues to improve and score runs in bunches. Santander does not get the recognition that he deserves for being one of the better power hitters in the game.
Steven Kwan-Guardians-OF
Steven Kwan was 2-5 with a run scored against the Orioles. Kwan is hitting .333 with 11 HR, 59 R, 30 RBI, and 6 SB. He cooled off considerably in July (.250 AVG) after a scorching June (.374 AVG). Kwan has hit for more power this year by hitting more fly balls (37%, +7%) and hitting the ball harder (2% Barrel and 23% Hardhit). It is still not a great profile for power because he doesn't make enough hard contact but he has learned how to make the most of what he does have. Kwan is a unique player in that his fantasy value came from batting average and speed but the speed has disappeared with the increased power. He is still very valuable in fantasy mainly because of his .333 AVG.
Colt Keith-Tigers-3B
Colt Keith was 1-3 with a run scored against the Royals. Keith had another hot month hitting .322 AVG with 7 HR, 18 R, 17 RBI, and 1 SB in July. He has come into his own after a disastrous April (.154 AVG). Keith is hitting .256 with 11 HR, 41 R, 41 RBI, and 5 SB. It isn't a league-winning profile but his core skills are solid (18% K, 7% BB, 7% Barrels, and 9% SwStr) and he is going to play regularly for the Tigers. His ceiling in the short term is a .250 hitter with 20 HR and 5 SB which plays in deeper mixed leagues.
Vinnie Pasquantino-Royals-1B
Vinnie Pasquantino was 2-4 with 2 HR, 2 R, and 4 RBI against the Tigers. Through 441 PA, Pasquantino is hitting .264 with 14 HR, 48 R, 76 RBI, and 0 SB. He rarely strikes out (13% K) and hits the ball hard enough (7% Barrels and 45% Hardhit) to have a higher batting average and power numbers. His home park is not favorable for hitters but Pasquantino has the potential to be a 20-25 HR guy with a .270 AVG. From a fantasy perspective, Pasquantino needs to hit for a higher average because he will provide zero stolen bases and middling power.
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