Buckle up because there are 96 players covered on today's Daily Sheet. The crew is Greg Hoogkamp on MLB, Will Thompson at Triple-A, Tom Gates on Double-A, Trevor Hooth on High-A, Brandon Hacker at Single-A, and Rhys White on the Complexes.

Major League Baseball

Covered by Greg Hoogkamp

‼️Zach Eflin, RHP BAL (MLB)

7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Eflin’s best outing of the season was much needed as the Orioles look to get themselves out of the massive hole they’ve dug themselves. He’s one of the best pitch-to-contact guys in the entire league so it’s always nice when he can chip in six strikeouts. Eflin has to locate while mixing and matching in order to have success; he’s found a little too much of the plate this season for his liking and the hitters are doing more damage (10.7% barrel rate and 40.2% hard hit rate). Friday was vintage Eflin, so here’s hoping this is the start of some better success for Eflin and the O’s. 

‼️ Andrew Abbott, LHP CIN (MLB)

7.0 IP, H, 0 ER, BB, 8 K

If I were to have given you five guesses at the start of the season for which Reds starting pitcher would have the lowest ERA on June 1st you might not have guessed Andrew Abbott. Abbott holds a 1.51 ERA after his seven innings of shutout ball on Friday and he’s over a full run better than all other Reds starting pitchers. While there’s definitely some smoke and mirrors type things happening here, Abbott has improved his fastball effectiveness dramatically this season, upping the whiff rate five points and dropping the hard hit rate nearly eight points. Being an extreme fly ball pitcher in Great American Ballpark during the summer months is not an ideal equation for success; please temper your expectations, his ERA will likely double (at least) before the season is over. 

💣💣 Christian Yelich, DH MIL (MLB)

3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 K

It’s been quite a week for Yelich (13/30 5 HR/2 SB); he’s finally looking like himself after a rough month and a half to start the season. A pair of multi-homer games and a walkoff grand slam since last Friday have him looking like MVP-Yelich. Everything in his profile has taken several steps backwards which suggests he might not be 100% (until now?). He still clearly has top shelf skills when healthy; ride it out. 

🍔🍟 TJ Friedl, CF CIN (MLB)

2-for-3, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB, SB

A combo meal for Friedl on Friday accents his value in roto leagues. An injured 2024 season following his breakout 2023 has dropped his perceived value significantly. Friedl doesn’t have good bat speed and is among the worst hitters for barrels and hard hit rate, but his approach is elite. He gets on base via the walk, sprays the ball all over the field and causes havoc on the bases regularly. He’s also one of the best in the game at lifting and pulling fly balls which maximizes the small amount of power he does have. Friedl is an underrated depth outfielder who is especially valuable in OBP leagues.

💣💣 Francisco Lindor, SS NYM (MLB)

3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI

Lindor’s second multi-homer game of the season helped lift the Mets to victory over the historically bad Rockies. Lindor is well on his way to another 30/30 season; he’s already at 12/10 and we have one more day in May. Like Friedl, Lindor doesn’t hit the ball super hard (his homer exit velocities tonight were 100.6 and 102.5 mph), but he maximizes his opportunities by pulling his fly balls at an elite rate (22.4%). Lindor is on the back nine of his career, but still extremely productive. 

‼️ Framber Valdez, LHP HOU (MLB)

9.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, HR

Valdez allowed a solo home run on the second pitch of the game, but slammed the door shut after that in an otherwise flawless outing. Valdez put on a clinic recording 24 of 27 outs via ground ball or strikeout. He’s an ideal #2 starter and a low-end fantasy ace when he’s locked in like he was on Friday. 

🍔🍟 Marcus Semien, 2B TEX (MLB)

4-for-4, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, SB

I was just having a conversation with a home league competitor about Semien’s struggles (and really the entire second base landscape) and he goes out and has an elite game Friday! It’s definitely still in there for Semien, but the frequency in which he dominates is less often than it used to be. Semien’s strikeout rate has jumped (21.5% K rate after 14.6% the last two seasons) and he’s expanding more than he ever has (26.0% chase rate). He’s not washed, but these games are not the norm anymore. 

Ryan Pepiot, RHP TBR (MLB)

6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 4 K

Pepiot was outdueled by Framber Friday night, but kept his team in the game with a stellar effort. Pepiot was a popular sleeper pick this offseason and while he has been solid, his strikeout numbers haven’t been up to expectation. Pepiot’s 4 Seam and slider have not been generating the whiff they had in the past which has held his strikeout rate down (20.0% K rate) compared to past seasons. His velocity is in line, but he’s just not quite getting the pitches to the precise location he wants. A small tweak should unlock more strikeouts for Pepiot. 

Ernie Clement, 2B TOR (MLB)

4-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI

The Athletics have seen quite enough of Ernie Clement who is already 7/10 with 2 HR and 6 RBI in the first two games of this series. Clement is a very talented hitter who takes pride in putting the ball in play while providing defensive versatility. He is a great CI/MI or bench piece option for your team. 

Dillon Dingler, C DET (MLB)

3-for-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB

Dingler is as aggressive as they come, but so far this season it’s worked for him. Dingler has some pop and hits the ball hard (45.5% hard hit rate); his home run on Friday’s victory over the Royals was 105.6 mph. He has learned how to hit pulled fly balls (21.8 pulled fly ball rate) which is a smart move when Comerica is your home park. Dingler is getting the lion’s share of the playing time behind the dish and that probably won’t change any time soon. 

💣💣 Cal Raleigh, C SEA (MLB)

2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, K

Another multi-homer day for Raleigh (4th time this season); he now has 21 for the season (second to Ohtani). What else can you say about this guy? He is far and away the number catching option in fantasy (and real life). He’s taking what’s given to him (14.8 BB% career high) and punishing mistakes (24.3% barrel rate). When he’s not catching, he’s in the lineup as the DH and he’s even stolen six bases in the first two months. Raleigh is elite and getting better. 

Trevor Larnach, DH MIN (MLB)

4-for-6, HR, 2B, R, 4 RBI, K

It’s been a bit of a slow start for Larnach this season, but Friday’s game raised his OPS 37 points getting it up to 745. His May production has been better (.276/.317/.480) and he’s even been playing against lefties which is a new development. Larnach has surprisingly never eclipsed the 20 home run mark, but it looks like he has a real shot to do so this year. 

💣💣 Willi Castro, LF/3B MIN (MLB)

2-for-3, 2 HR, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB

Castro doubled his home run output by slugging two long balls Friday night. He’s valuable because of his positional versatility (2B, 3B, SS and all three OF positions). He doesn’t typically slug at a high rate so this may be his only multi-homer game of the season. Castro is better known for his speed and is a great bench piece because you can plug him in anywhere. 

💣💣 Shohei Ohtani, DH LAD (MLB)

2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K

With two more bombs on Friday night, Ohtani tied the Dodgers record for home runs in a month with 15 (Snider August ‘53 and Guerrero June ‘85). Ohtani is now 5/8 with 3 HR vs. Max Fried and is now on pace for over 60 home runs. He continues to amaze us.  

Triple-A

Covered by Will Thompson

Kyle Teel, C CHW (Triple-A)

1-for-2, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB

Teel has been on a heater for a solid month now, hitting .344/.462/.656 with 5 HR in that span. The approach is elite and you can live with some swing and miss from the catcher position and Teel will have some of that (26% K rate this season). The in-zone contact hasn’t been great either, currently sitting at 78%. I like Teel overall and his defense is above-average in my opinion, but I’m not quite sold on the bat being able to stick in the big leagues quite yet. No reason for the White Sox to rush Teel either. 

‼️ Mick Abel, RHP PHI (Triple-A)

4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 8 K

Abel continued his Triple-A dominance and his fastball was particularly dominant in this one, generating 11 whiffs at a 50% clip (!!!). He’s fixed a lot of his strike throwing problems overall this season, but since his dazzling debut in Philadelphia he’s walked seven in his last two outings. Not going to overreact to that sample, but something to keep an eye on. 

🔜 Colton Cowser, LF BAL (Triple-A)

1-for-3, 2 BB, K

🔜 Jordan Westburg, 3B BAL (Triple-A)

2-for-3, 2B

A nice day for the pair of Orioles rehabbers in Triple-A. Baltimore’s lineup needs a lot of things, but getting Cowser and Westburg back will certainly help. Especially because they just lost Ryan Mountcastle (who has had a terrible year anyway) so Coby Mayo is going to get another shot for the moment. 

💣💣 Andres Chaparro, DH WAS (Triple-A)

2-for-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB

Chaparro is still working his way back from an injury, but man can he hit. He got a 33 game sample in the big leagues last season with the Nats and while that didn’t go well overall, he definitely showed some power. I don’t think the hit tool is good enough to stick when he doesn’t really have a position so that limits his value for me. 

🔜 Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B CIN (Triple-A)

3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI

Big day for Encarnacion-Strand, who has mashed the ball in his first five rehab games with Louisville. He was really bad to start the season in the big leagues though and I’m not sure where he fits in with the Reds roster currently. Maybe this is a case where the Reds kick the can down the road and run out most of the 30-day rehab clock before being forced to use an option if there’s still no place. 

‼️ Bubba Chandler, RHP PIT (Triple-A)

5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Death, taxes, and Bubba Chandler absolutely carving Triple-A hitters. His fastball was unhittable in this outing, topping out at 100.4 MPH and generated 16 whiffs alone. Insanity that Chandler is not in the big leagues right now, he’s been ready for at least a month. 

Jac Caglianone, DH KC (Triple-A)

2-for-4, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, K

Staying on the theme of guys who should no longer be in Triple-A, Cags continues to destroy the minor leagues and has shown no signs of slowing down. An incredible stat that was circulating on X yesterday: Jac Caglianone has hit six home runs since May 20th. The Royals have hit two home runs in that same span. Should probably call the guy up. 

💣💣 Jonathon Long, 1B CHC (Triple-A)

3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI

Jonathon Long is one of my favorite minor league bats in the game who isn’t getting the love he should right now. After his double dong day yesterday, Long is now hitting .352/.420/.560 with 8 HR in 50 games with Iowa and has a consistent track record of hitting in the minors. Not to mention he’s got a 59.7% hard-hit rate which is absurd. The defense is the issue because it’s not very good anyway and also Michael Busch isn’t going anywhere at 1B in the big leagues. I’m thinking Long will be on the move at the deadline when the Cubs are looking to add any high-leverage relief arm they can. Maybe if the Red Sox keep playing poorly this could be an option in a potential Aroldis Chapman deal. Just thinking aloud, but the point is Long rakes. 

‼️ Bryce Jarvis, RHP ARI (Triple-A)

6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

The Diamondbacks are stretching out Bryce Jarvis as a starter in Triple-A following his big league stint in the bullpen early on. While the results have been inconsistent for the 27-year-old this season, this start was phenomenal. He’s going to need to string a few starts in a row to get back on the big league radar I think, but he carved against Round Rock’s lineup. 

Shay Whitcomb, 1B HOU (Triple-A)

3-for-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Shay Whitcomb is heading back to the big leagues as of this morning and the Albuquerque Isotopes pitching staff is probably jumping for joy. He absolutely terrorized them in the first four games of this series, going 12-for-20 with 5 home runs. I’m really excited to see what the minor league home run leader does in his second shot in the big leagues. The question is where is he going to play defensively? 

Brice Matthews, 2B HOU (Triple-A)

3-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB

I’ve been pretty low on Brice Matthews this season, in large part due to the massive amount of swing and miss in his game, particularly against fastballs up in the zone. However in his first four games back off the IL, he’s gone 8-for-16 with a double and two home runs. I’d like to see more of a sample of making contact before I buy in, but I’ll get a chance to watch him in Sugar Land next week so I’m curious to see if he’s made any visible changes. 

Colby Thomas, RF SAC (Triple-A)

2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K

There’s a lot of swing and miss with Colby Thomas, but man when he connects he hits absolute rockets. It was an awesome moment in Las Vegas last night, when Thomas launched a 441 foot walk-off bomb to win it against Oklahoma City, a matchup of two of the three best teams in the PCL. If he can ever make enough contact, there’s 70 grade raw power here in my book. 

Caden Dana, RHP LAA (Triple-A)

5.0 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

I got to watch Dana’s start in-person yesterday and while there were some bloop hits, it was a mess overall. In particular what was surprising was that the command and strike throwing has really taken a step back this season. His release point was all over the place and he couldn’t repeat his delivery at all. He was off-balance, falling off the mound, and was doing something different with his non-throwing arm every single pitch. It was quite jarring, but he is only 21 years old so patience is needed. Unfortunately, patience is not the Angels strong suit who will probably have Dana back up to eat innings in mop-up duty out of the bullpen within a couple weeks. Not sure what’s going on here, but the righty isn’t the same pitcher he was last season. 

Harry Ford, DH SEA (Triple-A)

3-for-5, R

On a surreal day in Tacoma where Cole Young was pulled mid-game to be called up to the big leagues, their other top prospect shined as well. Ford looks ready for the big leagues, but unfortunately for him the best catcher in baseball is standing in his way at the position. Ford can definitely catch, but I’m curious if there’s any consideration to giving him work at another position given the athlete he is. He’s better than Mitch Garver, but you don’t want to call up Ford to be the backup catcher unless you absolutely have to.  

‼️ Sauryn Lao, RHP SEA (Triple-A)

3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Lao is a really interesting story and a guy to keep your eye on. He’s a converted infielder who just started pitching at the pro level in 2023 and man is his stuff good. The Mariners are being careful with him and only having him go three to four innings a start, but Lao might be a future big league starter. This no-hit outing yesterday wasn’t an anomaly either because he went four perfect innings his previous start in El Paso. Lao was 94-96 with the fastball with present ASR and a plus slider that’s missed a ton of bats. The changeup is still developing, but he threw a couple that flashed plus. Keep your eye on Lao, especially with how the Mariners develop pitching. 

Double-A

Covered by Tom Gates

‼️ Ixan Henderson, LHP STL (Double-A)

6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K

Henderson showed great command of his pitches. His fastball isn’t overpowering but he was able to put it on the corner to get some called strikeouts. Against lefties, he utilized a combination of his sweeper/slider and curveball. 56:16 K:BB in 47.2 IP this year. 

💣💣🍔🍟🍔🍟 Sebastian Walcott, 3B TEX (Double-A)

3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, BB, 2 SB, CS