Major League Baseball
Covered by Will Thompson
Aaron Judge, RF NYY (MLB)
2-for-4, HR, R, RBI, K
I’m going to say it. What Aaron Judge is doing right now isn’t talked about nearly enough as it should be. For all the coverage the chase to 61 homers got two years ago, this to me is far more impressive. Judge is now hitting .433 with a career low K rate and forget the power for a second which we all know he has: Judge is on pace for 265 hits this season through more than a month (Ichiro has the single-season record at 262). In an age where MLB pitchers are so good and everyone throws hard, it is simply unfathomable how good Judge is. There might be a time where teams are just gonna start giving him the Barry Bonds treatment and walking him most plate appearances just to force someone else to beat you.
Rafael Devers, DH BOS (MLB)
3-for-5, 2 RBI, K
Rafael Devers is officially back and looking at some of the underlying data, I think he’s about to go on a major run. His chase rate is at a career-low of 22.5% (he’s always been over 30%), and his barrel rate is up to an absurd 20.7% mark. The overall strikeout numbers aren’t great but a lot of that can be attributed to his really slow start after an abbreviated spring. Devers has gotten into the groove of DHing and it doesn’t sound like the Red Sox want to explore a move to 1B in the wake of the Triston Casas injury. By the end of the season if he stays healthy, it might end up being a career year for the 28-year-old.
Romy Gonzalez, 1B BOS (MLB)
3-for-4, K
Romy Gonzalez is going to get the first shot at replacing Triston Casas and he’s quietly had an excellent start to the season. His swing decisions are the best they’ve been his whole career and he’s swinging at more strikes. It’ll be a platoon of some sort between Gonzalez and Abraham Toro at 1B for Boston in the short-term, but Gonzalez is someone I actually think can stick in this role if these trends sustain.
💣💣Jake Meyers, CF HOU (MLB)
4-for-4, 2 HR, 3B, 2B, 2 R, 7 RBI
There’s no question that coming into the season that this was going to be a make or break year for Jake Meyers and man has he responded in a big way so far. The outfielder had a monster day yesterday, with a double dong day and coming up a single short of the cycle in the Astros win over the White Sox. Meyers is hitting .295/.337/.443 with a 124 wRC+ so far this campaign and while this type of offensive production likely won’t keep up all year, the defense he provides in center field makes him more than good enough to keep playing every day. With top prospect Jacob Melton still banged up in Triple-A, he probably has more of a cushion than previously thought as well.
Daniel Schneemann, 2B CLE (MLB)
2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI
What a moment for Daniel Schneemann yesterday, who launched a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the 9th to give Cleveland the lead off Blue Jays closer Yimi Garcia. Schneemann has been terrific in the early going this season, hitting .276/.344/.552 with four homers, a 156 wRC+, and a 22.5% barrel percentage which would put him right at the top of the league if he qualified. He’s still striking out at almost a 30% clip so I’m not sold on this being a real breakout over a full season, but this is pretty insane value for Cleveland to get out of a 33rd round draft pick in 2018. Enjoy the big leaguers that were drafted past the 20th round now because they will become extinct soon sadly.
Kolby Allard, LHP CLE (MLB)
4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
The only reason the Guardians had a chance for Schneemann’s heroics in the 9th inning was thanks to the job Kolby Allard did in relief of Gavin Williams to keep the game close. It’ll be interesting to see if Allard, a former top prospect, sticks around with Cleveland because he’s out of options but if he does well enough he could earn himself a role with a rebuilding team if the Guardians don’t have room ultimately.
‼️Kevin Gausman, RHP TOR (MLB)
6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
This was an outstanding start for Kevin Gausman, who continues to be one of the most consistent pitchers in the game. He generated 16 whiffs in this one and allowed just one hit over six shutout innings. Pretty crazy that an outing like this ended up in a loss for the Blue Jays, but that’s certainly become a pattern for them over the last couple seasons. That shouldn’t overshadow this outing for Gausman though, the best of the season for him to date.
💣💣Kyle Stowers, RF MIA (MLB)
2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI, BB
I mean what else can you say other than Kyle Stowers is on an absolute heater for the Marlins right now. A double dong day for the 27-year-old who over his last three games has gone 7-for-13 with four home runs, a double, and 10 RBI. Oh yeah and he hit a walk-off grand slam off Mason Miller, not too shabby. Now is this breakout real for Stowers? Maybe? He still strikes out a lot at 27.5% but that’s much improved over the near 35% mark he’s been at for most of his big league career so far. He does make a lot of hard contact though and while the .412 BABIP shows clear regression on the way, he’s hitting for more power and hitting the ball in the air more than ever before. I’m going to stop short of saying this is definitely for real, but I’m certainly intrigued and we’ll see if it continues. Hey, this Marlins team is kind of fun?
Max Meyer, RHP MIA (MLB)
5.0 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 3 HR allowed
Since Max Meyer’s 14 strikeout masterpiece against the Reds on April 21st, it’s been tough sledding for the righty in his last two starts and that continued yesterday. In particular, he’s given up four home runs over that time and that could be trouble if those home run related issues start to come back. The righty got just one whiff on the slider and the reality is when he’s not getting swings and misses on the slider, he’s probably going to struggle. No need to sound the alarm yet, but a 4 or 5 starter is more the future for Meyer than the frontline guy he was showing to start the season. Long way to go though.
Max Kepler, LF PHI (MLB)
2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K
This was an under-the-radar cheap pickup by Dave Dombrowski this offseason and so far Kepler looks like he might be getting back to 2023 form. In his first 30 games, he’s hitting .264/.345/.472 and most importantly is 100% healthy. For a Phillies lineup that has been inconsistent over the first five weeks, Kepler has been a real bright spot and the 1 year $10 million deal he signed looks like a bargain right now.
James Wood, DH WAS (MLB)
4-for-6, 2B, 2 R, K
James Wood is just so good at baseball and his breakout campaign continued with a four hit day against the Reds yesterday. He’s already matched his HR total from last year in half the number of games and is walking at a 14.6% mark. Combine that with a 17% barrel rate and you have yourself a superstar on your hands. This is insane for a 22-year-old in the big leagues and imagine if he ever got some more loft into his swing. Watch out if that ever happens, he might be unstoppable.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF CHC (MLB)
1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, K
PCA is an absolute superstar and the power is still showing up in big ways. The 23-year-old is up to nine home runs already after hitting 10 in 123 games last season. He still doesn’t walk and maybe that’ll catch up to him and slow down the offense at some point. But if the final season result is a .255/.310/.500 hitter with 25 homers, 50 stolen bases, and the best defensive center fielder in the game? Yeah, that's still a superstar right there. The Cubs need to pay this man now.
‼️Kris Bubic, LHP KC (MLB)
5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Turning Kris Bubic back into a starter has worked out beautifully for the Royals and he turned in another great outing in KC’s win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. The lefty’s ERA is down to 1.98 on the season with a 2.84 FIP and 3.63 xFIP so he’s probably not THIS good, but still a very reliable starter. Of course, no one is happier that Kris Bubic is shoving as a starter as our own Rhys White.
Adley Rutschman, C BAL (MLB)
0-for-3, BB, 2 K
The numbers have been ugly for Rutschman so far this season, but he’s on the Daily Sheet for me to beg you to NOT sell low on him. The walk and strikeout rates are still good and his hard contact (40%) and barrel rates (9.4%) are actually career highs at the moment and his BABIP is just .235. Rutschman still has elite in-zone contact rates and his chase rate is down to under 17% from his mark of 30% last year. Do not sell your stock on Adley, he will be just fine.
Shohei Ohtani, DH LAD (MLB)
3-for-4, HR, 3 R, RBI, BB, K
Another typical day for Shohei Ohtani who continues to be remarkably consistent at the plate. No other notes to add other than he’s amazing.
Freddie Freeman, 1B LAD (MLB)
3-for-5, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI
Freddie Freeman dominated in his old ballpark last night and as great of a player as he is, he’s gotten off to a much better start than normal in 2025. So far in his age 35 season, he’s hitting .338/.442/.662 with six homers with the same elite contact rates. I hope I can continue to watch Freeman rake forever, it’s a thing of beauty.
Roki Sasaki, RHP LAD (MLB)
5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR allowed
Roki Sasaki probably will be very good one day, but to be blunt he’s just not very good right now. The rookie did get his first career win in Atlanta after more than a three hour rain delay, but he labored through five innings and his fastball velocity is around 93-96 now, a far cry from the triple digits we were seeing from him in Japan. I don’t have an explanation for the velocity dip, but the fastball shape is straight as an arrow which maybe he could get away with if he’s 98-101, but he can’t in the mid 90s. It’s honestly a miracle that his ERA is only 3.86 through seven starts. The walks are too high because he can’t strike anyone out and get hitters to chase his filthy splitter. I’m not predicting doom and gloom for Sasaki’s career, but this version of him is not good enough. The Dodgers rotation is obviously very injured at the moment, but if they’re healthy there’s no way Dave Roberts would put Sasaki in the playoff rotation. I’m holding onto him in dynasty leagues, but sell now if you’re in a redraft league.
Triple-A Baseball
Covered by Trevor Hooth
Cody Freeman, 3B TEX (Triple-A)
3-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB
The Rangers 4th rounder in 2019 is getting his first chance at Triple-A this year. He is slashing .310/.357/.483 and added his 6th double in this game. To this point he’s struck out 11 times and walked 8 while also adding 3 home runs. This double was hit to the opposite field as well. Safe to say things have been going well.
🍔🍟Justin Foscue, 2B TEX (Triple-A)
1-for-2, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K, SB
A combo meal for Justin Foscue in the second game of the doubleheader. He added a bunch of hits and a couple walks, including his 4th home run. So far Foscue is hitting .306 this year. He’s seeking another chance with the Rangers after hitting .048 with a 40 percent strikeout rate in 44 at bats.
Tommy Sacco Jr., OF HOU (Triple-A)
2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
A home run and a double from Tommy Sacco Jr. puts him on the Daily Sheet. This was his first homer of the season and he’s hitting .215. While this was a solid day at the plate, however he isn’t hitting for a high average while striking out over 30 percent and walking around 3 percent of the time.
‼️Colton Gordon, LHP HOU (Triple-A)
5 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
In his second season in Triple-A, Colton Gordon is posting a 2.48 ERA through his first 7 games. He struck out 8 in this game. The southpaw lives in the zone, he’s walked just 8 so far. He hasn’t debuted yet, but he is on the 40-man roster. Starting out this well could mean he debuts at any point that the Astros need a pitcher.
Yonathan Perlaza, OF SD (Triple-A)
1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K
The former Cubs prospect signed with the Padres organization back in December and is hitting .348 with El Paso since then. Notably, this was his level leading 16th double on the season. Yonathan Perlaza spent 2024 in the KBO and has returned to affiliated ball with a vengeance, at least it seems that way now.
Alex Freeland, SS LAD (Triple-A)
1-for-1, RBI, 3 BB
It’s a throng of walks for Alex Freeland. More like Alex Freepass if you ask me. I guess that’s why no one is asking me. It’s only a matter of time until the Dodgers have no choice here. Or maybe not, I mean it’s the Dodgers. Whenever they decide to make Alex a Free man, then he is going to do great things at the big league level. I think I’m out of bad jokes now, so this blurb should probably be over.
💣💣Dalvy Rosario, OF MIA (Triple-A)
3-for-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
After hitting .118 through 10 games in Double-A, Dalvy Rosario was promoted to Triple-A, where he spent part of last year, too. This was just his second game with Jacksonville and he went double dongs. Welcome back to the International League, Mr. Rosario. His second home run he cranked a pitch low in the zone on the inside corner. Time will tell if he can perform better than what he did in his small Double-A sample.
‼️Janson Junk, RHP MIA (Triple-A)
6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
The staff at Prospects Live is very excited about Janson Junk and what he looks like right now. His stuff has taken a clear step forward and he’s added a kick change. It’s working out well so far, as he showed in this game. It looks like the 29-year-olds 6th professional organization might just be the one where he sticks. He did get big league time to the tune of 40 innings and a 6.75 ERA from 2021-2023.
Everson Pereira, OF NYY (Triple-A)
1-for-4, HR, RBI, K
In case you’re wondering if Everson Pereira is still a power hitting whiff monger, this is his 6th home run on the year with a strikeout rate over 30 percent. The more things change the more they stay the same. His walk rate is still pretty close to the same, so if he’s going to get another shot in New York he’ll have to either strike out less or just go on a home run hitting rampage to be the next guy up if a hitter is needed.
Drew Gilbert, OF NYM (Triple-A)
1-for-2, HR, 2 R, RBI, 3 BB, K
A throng of walks and a home run for Drew Gilbert, who is hitting .275. This is his first home run at the level, but he did hit 2 of them while rehabbing in the Florida State League. Overall he’s walking about how much as he’s striking out, which is in the low teens. Initially it seemed as if centerfield was an open job, but the emergence of Luisangel Acuña makes things a bit more crowded as it pushes Jeff McNeil into the outfield.
Jacob Misiorowski, RHP MIL (Triple-A)
6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
The Jacob Misiorowski experience should probably come with a free cardiologist. Yes, he’s been utterly dominant, but at any point he’s going to walk just as many as he strikes out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. This time he worked well around his 4 walks and 5 hits, but it’s so hard to trust him despite having insanely good stuff. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great prospect with immense talent, but the walks can be scary. That being said, he has a 1.77 ERA so far this year and has had a string of low walk outings, so who knows.
Ben Cowles, SS CHC (Triple-A)
3-for-4, HR, 2B, R, 4 RBI, K
When the Cubs traded Mark Leiter Jr., one of the players they received in return was Ben Cowles. Getting his first taste of Triple-A Cowles hit his 3rd homer of the year, and added a double, while hitting .258 on the year. This comes with a huge strikeout percentage that is much higher than what his norm is. When that evens out, he could really start to take off.
💣💣Akil Baddoo, OF DET (Triple-A)
3-for-4, 2 HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI
Double dongs and a double for good measure. He also has two d’s and two o’s in his last name, which is double double letters. Essentially, Akil Baddoo is all about doubles. At least he was in this game. The former Rule 5 pick was DFA’d about a month ago, but has looked really good for Toledo ever since. Baddoo is up to 4 home runs while hitting .275, but he is hovering around a 30 percent strikeout rate.
Dylan Beavers, OF BAL (Triple-A)
3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: There is an Orioles hitting prospect knocking on the door of the majors and there’s going to have to be a decision made soon. Coby Mayo has recently been given his second shot. Dylan Beavers has already stolen 11 bases and hit a trio of homers. This game was just a double, but Beavers is hitting .298 with a 15 percent walk rate. He’s playing extremely well.
Carson Palmquist, LHP COL (Triple-A)
6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Yay, a Rockies pitching prospect! Carson Palmquist now has 37 strikeouts in 29.1 innings, which comes with a 4.30 ERA. His lower slot from the left side allows him to succeed with a low-90’s fastball. The whiffs are coming, which is good. It’s just hard to know that if he does well enough then his home field will be Coors Park because he’s a very good pitcher.
Cole Young, 2B SEA (Triple-A)
2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI, K
It’s been a slow start for Cole Young this year, but he’s still the future at second base for the Mariners. This was his first home run and fourth double on the year. He’s hitting just .186, however, even after a two-hit day. Young has had pockets of good performances, but he has yet to sustain anything. Once he starts to hit, the job at the big league level is his to take. The good news is that he’s not striking out at an abnormal rate or seeing a decline in his walks. So it’s just a matter of hitting the ball.
Colby Thomas, OF ATH (Triple-A)
2-for-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI K
Double doubles for Colby Thomas who is an intriguing blend of power and speed. It’s good to see that his strikeout percentage at the level has dropped to the mid-20’s from being 30 percent in his stint last year. He has 5 homers and a pair of steals on the year so far while hitting .305. He should get a chance at some point, though without being on the 40-man roster it seems like his teammate Denzel Clarke may be first in line if the Athletics need outfield help.
Double-A Baseball
Covered by Tom Gates
Travis Bazzana, DH CLE (Double-A)
1-for-5, HR, R, RBI
It wasn’t your typical home run and I didn’t think it was going to leave the park. Bazzana was able to get his hands in and barrel out to a pitch low and in. He took it out to the opposite field on a line drive. Bazzana has cooled off since the start of the season. We haven’t seen a multi-hit game from him since April 17th and that is something we expect from him.
