Major League Baseball
Covered by Will Thompson
💣💣Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF CHC (MLB)
3-for-4, 2 HR, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB
There’s not much else to say other than PCA is an absolute superstar. A double dong day in Minnesota for Crow-Armstrong, who is now up to 25 home runs before the all-star break. He came back down to earth a little bit in June, but is red-hot so far in July. He’s probably going to be a 40-40 guy this year with elite CF defense which is simply absurd. For what it’s worth, PCA’s K rate is just 19.4% since June 1 too.
‼️Nick Lodolo, LHP CIN (MLB)
6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
After last season where Lodolo underperformed his peripherals pretty significantly, he’s been more of a pitch to contact guy this year and it’s worked out nicely. The lefty is throwing his sinker more and his four-seamer less and has benefited from some better batted ball luck this year. He’s not a frontline guy, but he’s about as steady of a mid-rotation arm as you can have.
‼️Bryan Woo, RHP SEA (MLB)
7.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Woo was masterful in this one before being let down by his bullpen, taking a no-hitter into the 8th. The Mariners have a lot of talented starting pitchers on their team, but at this point Woo is definitely the best one. The fastball is elite and he knows it, basically saying “here’s my best pitch, I dare you to hit it.” For most of the night, the Yankees could not and Woo threw 74% fastballs. I myself compare prospects with ride fastballs to Bryan Woo at this point because it’s so good.
Andres Munoz, RHP SEA (MLB)
1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Munoz blew the save in the 9th inning last night, which led to the Yankees winning in extras and completing the sweep. He was definitely tipping though and as Cal Raleigh said postgame, the Yankees weren’t exactly discreet about it at second base, waving their arms frantically whenever a slider was coming. It worked for the Bombers and I assume whatever the tip was, Munoz will have it fixed for his next outing.
Junior Caminero, 3B TB (MLB)
1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, K
Caminero just turned 22 years old and he’s got 23 home runs before the all-star break. The significant contrast in his home and road splits are worth noting, but he still has nine home runs in 37 road games. Plus, if we’re going to nitpick a guy this young who is probably going to hit 35 homers this year, he’s probably doing something right. Caminero is a future superstar.
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF BOS (MLB)
2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, SB
Boston is back in a playoff spot and the biggest reason why is Rafaela’s total offensive breakout. His contact quality has been excellent all year, but in his hot stretch his pull-air% is around 22%, compared to 10% early on. Simply put, his hard contact now turns into doubles and home runs over the monster instead of 380 foot flyouts to right-center. It’s remarkable he’s made the adjustment this quickly and it’s unlocked Rafaela’s star potential.
‼️Taj Bradley, RHP TB (MLB)
6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
I’m sorry but watching his start last night, it is shocking to me that Taj Bradley’s numbers aren’t better, especially given he’s with the Rays. He’s a solid mid-rotation arm most likely, but with his stuff he could be so much more. The fastball averages 18 in. of IVB, but it only has a 16% whiff rate this season. I’d assume that comes down to command more than anything, but I’m surprised the Rays haven’t fully figured him out yet.
Masyn Winn, SS STL (MLB)
2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI
When Masyn Winn was coming up as a prospect, all the talk was “can he just be a league average hitter?” Well that answer now is a resounding yes. He’s got a 103 wRC+ over the last two seasons and has 14 OAA at shortstop this year. There’s never going to be much impact in the bat, but his chase rate is also down 6% from last season which has made a huge difference.
Tyler Soderstrom, LF SAC (MLB)
3-for-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, K
Well the streakiest player of the year award isn’t much of a contest in 2025, the answer is Tyler Soderstrom. He sure is on a heater now though, going 10-for-27 to start July with 2 HR and 3 doubles after hitting just two home runs all of June. His 48% GB rate is what’s keeping him from really going to the next level and with some more pull and lift, I could see more consistency for Soderstrom because the raw power is there as shown by his 445 foot bomb off Strider yesterday.
‼️Spencer Strider, RHP ATL (MLB)
6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 11 K, HR allowed
The fastball isn’t quite back yet, but his slider sure is. Strider generated 16 whiffs at a 62% clip with his slider and the young A’s lineup simply couldn’t touch it (outside of one mistake Soderstrom hit out). He’s getting closer, but the fastball is still down two full ticks since the last time he was fully healthy in 2023. Also why won’t the Braves sell at the deadline again?
Marcus Semien, 2B TEX (MLB)
4-for-5, 3 R, RBI, K
Semien isn’t as bad as he was at the beginning of the season but still isn’t good. His bat speed is in the bottom 10% of baseball consistently too which isn’t a good sign. He did have four hits yesterday so Semien gets a shoutout for that, but after this year there’s still another 3 years and $72 million left on that contract. Not great.
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP ARI (MLB)
4.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR allowed
Speaking of bad contracts, ERod has had an absolutely miserable tenure in Arizona. Watching him last night, the stuff looked really bad to be frank. His fastball doesn’t have the natural cut to it that it once did and was sitting 90-91 with below average secondaries. I don’t mean to totally bury the guy and at least the K rate is solid, but he looks rough. He’s not 5.94 ERA bad, but nowhere near good enough to justify the contract.
Fernando Tatis Jr, RF SD (MLB)
2-for-4, HR, R, RBI, BB
I truly think Tatis is going to rip off a massive hot streak after the all-star break. All his under-the-hood numbers suggest it’s coming. He’s got a .390 xwOBA compared to a .349 actual wOBA and he’s making more contact than last season too. A 129 wRC+ is still good of course, but Tatis is about to get red-hot here pretty soon.
Manny Machado, DH SD (MLB)
3-for-5, HR, 2B, R, RBI
Machado is having his best season at the plate since 2022 and he continued that with a solo shot off Eduardo Rodriguez last night. He’s having a mediocre season defensively, but the offense is still there and he’s been remarkably consistent in a Padres uniform since signing his big contract. Machado also is currently posting the best barrel rate of his career at 13.6%.
Triple-A Baseball
Covered by Rhys White
Spencer Jones, RF NYY (Triple-A)
2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI
Is Spencer Jones on an all-time heater, or is this just who he is? It takes guys with longer limbs a while to get everything synced up. Now, I do have questions about him because he is always tinkering with his swing, which can be perceived as a good or bad thing depending on how you want to look at it. Jones’ power surge has been awesome to see; he may be promoted and graduate from prospect status. Please, please, please!
Jeferson Quero, DH MIL (Triple-A)
2-for-5, 2B, RBI
Quero is gearing towards making his major league debut this year. If not for an injury, there is a slight chance he would have graduated. Quero’s blend of contact and glove gives him such a high floor as both a real-life and fantasy prospect.
Mick Abel, RHP PHI (Triple-A)
6 IP, H, BB, 4 K
Abel has really taken a step forward with his stuff and strike-throwing ability as of late; he has overtaken Painter for the Phillies right now. Painter will be better in the long term, but he is still feeling the effects of TJ, so this gives Abel a chance to carve out some time with the Phillies when a need arises. Abel’s showing improved command, and the stuff hasn’t taken a step back in my mind.
Brandon Sproat, RHP NYM (Triple-A)
7 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K
Sproat has gone to a more kitchen-sink approach, and honestly, he needs to dial the four-seam usage down slightly. It’s both got generic shape, and when you watch him, it’s a generic release point without much deception. Sproat is an interesting one to rank in the Mets system because he is close to the majors, but I don’t think the Mets value him that highly. They have gone elsewhere when they need a spot start here and there. As Nate would say, it’s a generic right-handed pitcher without much else. Throw the sinker more, please.
Jhostynxon Garcia, RF BOS (Triple-A)
2-for-4, R
Kristian Campbell, 2B BOS (Triple-A)
1-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI
The Red Sox Triple-A squad is loaded with talent. The question here is when will Campbell and Garcia be up with Boston. Garcia is a bit harder to project because that outfield mix is loaded, and honestly when Wilyer Abreu comes back that is going to make projecting playing time in Boston that much harder. Campbell has not been performing well in Triple-A, and I am starting to worry about him.
Bubba Chandler, RHP PIT (Triple-A)
6 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K
This is what to expect from a top-10ish prospect in all of baseball. Chandler has been working on establishing his changeup in recent outings, but in this one he seemed to dial back the changeup. The slider is really good. I do have some slight concerns about the lack of deception in Chandler’s delivery.
JJ Wetherholt, SS STL (Triple-A)
1-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB
Wetherholt is one of my personal favorites. There is some Alex Bregman in his game. I think he will out-slug his power because he can shape his batted balls in a very special way. The question is, where does Wetherholt play? He is not going to beat out Masyn Winn at short. He isn’t going to beat out Arenado at third. He isn’t going to beat out Victor Scott at CF. He shouldn’t beat out Brendan Donovan at second base. He could beat out Jordan Walker, but most batters can beat out Jordan Walker.
Tekoah Roby, RHP STL (Triple-A)
5.2 IP, 6 H, BB, 6 K
Tekoah Roby is someone that when talking with someone on a team, we need to be talking about Roby more as a top 100 prospect. And I tend to agree; I think there is some prospect fatigue going on here. The stuff is good, and when healthy, he is one of the best pitchers in the upper minors.
Alex Freeland, SS LAD (Triple-A)
1-for-3, R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB
Freeland is one of my favorite prospects in the minors, but I am just wondering if he is going to have a home with the Dodgers. I mean, a team like the Dodgers doesn't need Freeland at shortstop, because teams like the Dodgers tend to have a top 5 option at shortstop, and Mookie Betts is currently that for the Dodgers.
Owen Caissie, LF CHC (Triple-A)
1-for-4, HR, R, RBI
Caissie is on an all-time heater, and let's hope the hot streak carries over to Pittsburgh when he gets traded for Mitch Keller.
