Major League Baseball

Covered by Will Thompson

Brandon Nimmo, LF NYM (MLB)

2-for-4, HR, R, RBI

Nimmo is starting to get hot and he destroyed the Nats in this series, launching three home runs over the last two days. He no longer has the elite plate discipline he once had, but his hard contact and barrel rates are actually at a career best. His overall numbers don’t reflect that yet, but the .249 BABIP is going to come up at some point. I think there’s more to come with this hot streak here. 

‼️🚑 Kodai Senga, RHP NYM (MLB)

5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Ugh Senga was having a phenomenal 2025 season and it’s now come to a screeching halt. For the second straight year, Senga strained a muscle trying to cover first base and this time went on the IL after the game with a hamstring strain. He missed most of the second half last year with a calf strain so hopefully it doesn’t take as long to come back this time around, but hopefully we’ll know more after more tests today. The Mets have excellent starting pitching depth, with Paul Blackburn figuring to take Senga’s rotation spot for the moment but Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are close to returning as well. They have the arms, but it’s going tough to replace a guy who’s been so dominant this year. 

🍔🍟 Evan Carter, CF TEX (MLB)

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

Is Evan Carter back? It’s a really small sample, but he’s been on fire since returning from the IL. He lost out on a roster spot in spring training and didn’t do all that well in Triple-A, but he’s been terrific lately. I’m going to hold off on officially declaring him back, but what a boost to the Rangers struggling lineup he’s been. 

Bailey Ober, RHP MIN (MLB)

4.2 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 4 HR allowed

Regression has hit Bailey Ober in a big way over his last two starts and yesterday against the Rangers was a disaster. His ERA has jumped a full run over his last two outings and he also has a 4.80 FIP and 4.82 xFIP. Ober’s velocity is down more than a full tick so he’s gotta walk the tightrope as it is, but I’m not sure I would have much faith in him going forward. 

Dominic Smith, 1B SF (MLB)

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

Who needs Bryce Eldridge when you have Bryce Eldridge at home? Smith has been raking since opting out of his minor league deal with the Yankees and the gamble on himself is paying off. Big games like this against the Rockies have to come with a grain of salt, but Smith has provided more offensive production already than the Giants have gotten all year from first base. 

‼️Tarik Skubal, LHP DET (MLB)

7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

When the best pitcher on the planet who happens to be a lefty faces a team that can’t hit lefties, this is what inevitably happens.  

Dylan Carlson, LF BAL (MLB)

3-for-3, HR, R, RBI

Carlson has actually been pretty good lately. Over his last 15 games, he’s hitting .333/.382/.627 with four home runs. I’m not buying it lasting though with a 26% K rate and a 21% hard-hit rate. 

‼️Will Warren, RHP NYY (MLB)

5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Will Warren has quietly had a really nice year and while the 4.86 ERA won’t show it, he’s racking up the strikeouts and has a 3.24 FIP and 3.33 xFIP. I’m not sure I trust him to start playoff games, but he could be a nasty bullpen weapon with the stuff he has. 

🆕‼️🚑 Jacob Misiorowski, RHP MIL (MLB)

5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K

You couldn’t have asked much more from Misiorowski’s big league debut. His stuff was electric with the fastball up to 102 and the Cardinals couldn’t get any good swings off against him. The command started to get a little wacky as the start went on, but that will come with development. This is ace level stuff and I can’t wait to see him out there again. Misiorowski left the start after rolling his ankle on the mound, but looked to be fine and when they took him out he was probably running out of gas anyway. Watch out for this Brewers rotation once Woodruff gets back. 

Miguel Vargas, 3B CHW (MLB)

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

There’s so much to like with Miguel Vargas and even though it took some time, he’s turning into the player everyone thought he could be. He doesn’t whiff much and hits the ball hard in the air. Vargas is turning into a nice piece for the White Sox to build their lineup around.  

Jose Altuve, LF HOU (MLB)

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

The Astros lineup isn’t great, but for them to succeed they need Jose Altuve to hit. It’s no coincidence that the team has gotten hot just as he has and over the last 20 games, the veteran is hitting .364/.393/.597 with five homers. He’s a shell of his former self, but still a vital piece to this lineup. 

‼️ Framber Valdez, LHP HOU (MLB)

5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 12 K

Line of the day goes to Framber Valdez, who was absolutely dominant in this outing. The lefty went with a spin heavy approach against the White Sox, leading with his curveball and generated 20 whiffs with an absurd 36% CSW%. Valdez is awesome and it’s always funny to remember that the Astros signed him for just $10k as a 21-year-old international FA. 

Triple-A

Covered by Rhys White

Jeferson Quero, C MIL (Triple-A) 

2-for-5, 2 R

There is going to be one of the more fun catching tandems in the league here in Milwaukee when Jefferson Quero gets the call. His blend of power and contact makes him an appealing option even though he will be splitting playing time with Contreras. The dream here is that one of Quero or Contreras can play DH or 1B while the other is taking the catching responsibilities. Things could be fun in Milwaukee, who just traded Aaron Civale in a weird move.

Samuel Basallo, C BAL (Triple-A) 

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

The top first baseman in all of the minors. I have been having discussions on what to do when Roman Anthony graduates, and I am just not ranking Basallo as the top prospect in the game when that happens. Basallo has all you want from the first-base position; there is thirty homer upside. He smashed this homer 105 off the bat. Basallo could be in the conversation for the top fantasy prospect; I just won’t have him as the top real-life prospect.

Brady House, 3B WAS (Triple-A) 

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

Daylen Lile, RF WAS (Triple-A) 

1-for-3, HR, R, RBI

A House call and a homer from one of the game's most underrated prospects. House is looking to set down his foundation in DC any day now, and he deserves a chance. He is never going to be the star that we all hoped he would be, but could he have a peak like Jeimer Candelario’s? Maybe, and he was a perfectly fine big leaguer there for quite a while. Lile can kind of be 75% of Riley Greene, which is still a valuable big leaguer. I do have some questions about where exactly he plays with the Nationals, but that is a problem for them to figure out.

💣💣 Jhonkensey Noel, RF CLE (Triple-A) 

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

Big Christmas with a double-dong for your stockings. 

Brandon Sproat, RHP NYM (Triple-A) 

5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K 

Sproat has not had the season you would have wanted from him, but ultimately I think he will be fine. Maybe he never pushes for the SP2 we all hoped but a perfectly fine number four starter is well within the cards. He needs to abandon his bad four-seamer which I know is easier said than done. Sproat’s sinker is a better pitch and a sinker-sweeper-curveball guy is the right sport of pitch-mix, especially from his arm-slot. The command taking a slight back has really hurt the swings and misses as well as the walks, as he is posting around a 10% swinging strike-rate.

Cam Schlittler, RHP NYY (Triple-A) 

5.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 7 K, HR Allowed

Holy Schlittler. Cam Schlittler is one of the Yankees' top 10 prospects in their system, and he could be called up if any injury arises. I like Schlittler more than most; I think he can be a good four or five starter. He can beat you with the fastball, as he did in this one, getting five whiffs, as well as four off the slider. The slider is the headliner of the package here. Schlittler could also be moved in a trade if the Yankees go big game hunting at the trade deadline.

Jhostynxon Garcia, CF BOS(Triple-A) 

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

The Password is hitting in full force, if Roman ANthony needs a miracle to break into the Red Sox lineup what does that mean for Garcia? Garcia’s best bet for playing time i probably outside the organization, unless he is willing to learn to play first-base which is the problem area for the Red Sox going forward. But hey he did hit this one 108 off the bat. He is a top 100ish prospect in my mind, i just have some concerns with playing time. 

Hao-Yu Lee, 2B DET (Triple-A) 

2-for-4, 3B

Lee has not had the season many Tigers would have hoped, some were hoping he would be up and playing third-base right now because they don’t really have an option there. That is a problem they are going to have to address this offseason or at the deadline. Lee could be dangled out there in a trade, because of the log jam of 2B the Tigers have coming down the pipeline. 

Alex Freeland, SS LAD (Triple-A) 

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

Freeland is an interesting one because I wonder if the Dodgers would move him to go big game hunting. There isn’t any motivation to get him up with the big league squad, despite him being the best shortstop defender they might have between the majors and Triple-A. If he does get the call and stays with the Dodgers, the counting stats could be appealing, even if he hits 6th or 7th in the lineup. The dream is he could hit 22-25 homers during his peak years

Harry Ford, C SEA (Triple-A) 

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

Sir Harry Ford hit a homer. He should really be up giving Cal Raleigh a day off from catching, but alas, here we are. Nate brought up a good point: could we see Ford moved as the Mariners push to win their division? Ford showing he can hit one 107 off the bat is impressive, and at this point, what does he have to do to prove he is the better option than Mitch Garver?

Bryce Eldridge, 1B SF (Triple-A) 

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

The big and tall guy hits the ball very hard and very far. I wish he could play even a competent right or left-field but that is not the world we live in. Elderidge has a ton of power, but could he be the first 30 homer bat for the Giants since Barry Bonds? I think this is what the Giants faithful are hoping.

Chase Burns, RHP CIN (Triple-A) 

5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K 

The next number one prospect in all of baseball? I think so, when Roman Anthony graduates. Everything was working for Chase Burns in this one, outside of the command, but he was adjusting to a new ball, so I will give him some grace on this one. 17 inches of IVB from his release point will play; that is a disgusting fastball he also pairs with one of the game’s premier sliders. Burns is about as good of a pitcher’s name as you could get. The changeup flashed average to above-average when I watched him.

Double-A

Covered by Matt Thompson 

Max Anderson, 2B DET (Double-A) 

3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI

Anderson would be the Eastern League MVP if the season ended today, and he’s first or second in all the triple crown categories. Anderson has greatly improved his profile and the power appears to be legit, at least to the pull side. I have him ranked 217 on my latest update and while that feels much too low, there is zero speed impact and he’s locked into second base.

Jim Jarvis, SS DET (Double-A) 

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

A nice game for the Morgan Wallen look alike. There’s no fantasy value here but I do like his game. He’s fun to watch play shortstop. 

Jack Brannigan, 3B PIT (Double-A) 

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

A personal favorite of mine, Brannigan is having a disappointing year in Double-A, struggling to hit for average. No fantasy value here right now, but I think he’s a Paul DeJong type eventually.

Murphy Stehly, 3B WSH (Double-A) 

2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI

He’s 26 in Double-A so I can’t recommend adding him, but he’s hitting .373/.456/.657 in his first 20 games this year in Double-A. 

JJ Wetherholt, SS STL (Double-A) 

2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB