Major League Baseball

Covered by Will Thompson

‼️Hurston Waldrep, RHP ATL (MLB)

Game One: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Sinker Hurston Waldrep is here and he’s beautiful. Finally, he’s consistently throwing cutters and sinkers and laying off the four-seamer which has awful shape. The sinkers and cutters set up his splitter a lot better, which has always been a double plus pitch. Another good outing for Waldrep and I’m a lot more intrigued now that he’s going away from the four-seamer. 

💣💣Marcell Ozuna, DH ATL (MLB)

Game Two: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

I was really surprised that Ozuna stayed put at the deadline given he’s a pending free agent this winter, but maybe his 10-5 rights had something to do with that. It was going to be hard to replicate his amazing 2024 season, but Ozuna is still a very productive player. He’s been a lot less aggressive at the plate which is hurting him some I think. The walk rate and chase rates are excellent, but his Z-Swing% is down to 57% which is by far the lowest of his career. 

Carlos Correa, 3B HOU (MLB)

2-for-3, RBI, BB

Apparently all Carlos Correa needed to get back on track this season was to be back in an Astros uniform. Since his trade from Minnesota, Correa has gone 13-for-32 (.406 AVG) with a homer and two doubles and more walks than strikeouts. The most promising part is he hasn’t even played a game back in Houston yet, but that will come Monday in a series against the Red Sox. Bregman and Correa’s return to Houston in the same game is going to be fun. 

Trent Grisham, CF NYY (MLB)

3-for-4, HR, R, RBI

Multiple times this year Trent Grisham has launched a clutch home run late in the game to help save the Yankees from another blown lead. Grisham now has 21 homers on the season and a .351 OBP. The Yankees finding a way to bring back Cody Bellinger this winter seems like a no-brainer, but Grisham’s case will be a lot more interesting. 

Rafael Devers, DH SF (MLB)

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

Devers had a great day against the Nats yesterday but as has happened too often since the trade from Boston, no teammates wanted to help him out. Devers has been good but not great in a Giants uniform, hitting .236/.357/.418 with 7 HR in 45 games, a significant downgrade from his early season Red Sox production. Going from Fenway to San Francisco is certainly a big adjustment for any hitter, but no one else in the Giants lineup is doing much of anything. 

Carson Whisenhunt, LHP SF (MLB)

4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 3 HR allowed

I wrote about Whisenhunt in my Sacramento Live Looks piece from June, but I wasn’t a big fan. Yes the changeup is awesome, but how can you stick as a lefty starter with a 40 slider at best? Whisenhunt did generate 11 whiffs on 13 swings against the changeup yesterday which is just silly, but the sinker and slider got hammered. I think this start is more reflective of the type of pitcher he is. 

Noelvi Marte, RF CIN (MLB)

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

Marte missed two months with an injury from May 4-July 4, but when he’s been on the field he’s hit really well. The sustainability is a question though because of how hyper-aggressive he is. Marte owners should be ready for some high highs and very low lows. 

Shea Langeliers, C ATH (MLB)

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

Shea Langeliers has dramatically cut down his strikeouts and whiff rates this year and now he’s a complete monster offensively. The 27-year-old launched his 23rd homer of the season yesterday and his K rate has dropped from 27% last year to just 18% in 2025. Defensive issues hold Langeliers back from being an elite player, but he sure is an elite fantasy option. 

CJ Kayfus, 1B CLE (MLB)

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

I just cannot get enough of CJ Kayfus’ swing. He never tries to do too much and is comfortable sitting back and hitting line drives to all fields. The rookie did launch his first career homer yesterday and has looked very comfortable at the plate since being called up. Whether it’s first base or the outfield, the Guardians have to find a way to get Kayfus’ bat in the lineup every day. 

Matt Shaw, 3B CHC (MLB)

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

The roller coaster ride of the season award has to go to Matt Shaw, who is now back on another hot streak. He’s mashed since the all-star break, hitting .333/.356/.754 with 6 HR and four doubles in 19 games in that span. I really hope the Cubs stick with him and ride the wave for this year because I’m still really high on Shaw long-term. 

Shohei Ohtani, DH LAD (MLB)

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

Ohtani hit his 40th home run of the year last night, marking the fourth time in the last five years he’s hit that number. That’s all really cool, but he also has a 2.37 ERA and a 1.95 FIP in his first eight starts on the mound (even if they’ve been short outings). Once again, an easy NL MVP pick. 

Max Muncy, 3B LAD (MLB)

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

Say it with me kids, I will never doubt Max Muncy after a slow start to the season again. Now that we’ve established that, he’s wasted no time since coming back off the IL and has now hit three home runs in his first five games back. The Dodgers are close to healthy now and this is where they inevitably rip off wins in 18 of 21 games or something like that and cruise to another NL West title. That probably is going to happen again. 

‼️Blake Snell, LHP LAD (MLB)

5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 K

Make that 18 strikeouts in 10 innings off the IL for Blake Snell, who looks basically back to full strength again. We are so close to the Yamamoto, Snell, Ohtani, Kershaw, and Glasnow rotation that will inevitably dominate the league. 

Roman Anthony, LF BOS (MLB)

1-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 K

The line won’t jump out at you, but Anthony came up against one of the best closers in the game in Robert Suarez and ripped a 99 MPH into the left-center gap for a game-tying double. For a 21 year old to have the kind of poise and clutch factor he’s already shown is incredible. Thank goodness the Red Sox locked him up quickly because there’s no way he doesn’t become a star. 

Junior Caminero, 3B TB (MLB)

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

Speaking of young superstars, this Junior Caminero guy is an absolute problem. The 22-year-old could hit 40 home runs this season, which minor league home ballpark or not, is absolutely insane. If only he could take a walk once in a while, he would be unstoppable. 

💣💣Julio Rodriguez, CF SEA (MLB)

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

Second half J-Rod continued his power surge with a double dong day against the Rays. He’s hit 12 home runs in his last 25 games over this power surge and now has so much more help around him in the Mariners lineup. This Seattle team is dangerous and I’m looking for them to push the Astros to the brink for the AL West title. That race is going to be really fun down the stretch. 

Triple-A

Covered by Mitch Stachnik

Carter Jensen, C KC (Triple-A)

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

Just a single shy of hitting for the cycle, Jensen continues to prove why he's one of the top catching prospects in the game. With the Fermin trade to the Padres, a clear path has opened for Jensen to get his call to the show.

Dylan Crews, RF WSH (Triple-A)

1-for-5, HR, 2R, 1RBI, 2K

The former LSU star has been out since May 21st but began his rehab assignment on July 29th. He and James Wood form one of the most exciting corner outfields in baseball, giving the Nationals hope for the future. A 103.9 mph exit velocity and a 413-foot homer earned Crews a well-deserved shoutout.

🔜‼️Shane Bieber, SP TOR (Triple-A)

5.2IP, 4H, 2R, 1BB, 6K

Acquired by the Jays at the deadline in exchange for a hefty haul, Bieber is working his way back to help the team push for a division title and a deep October run. According to the Blue Jays' manager John Schneider, he’ll likely need just one more rehab start before joining the big-league club.

Owen Caissie, RF CHC (Triple-A)

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

A 110.8 mph exit velocity and a 422-foot bomb earn Caissie a spot on today's sheet. Surprisingly not dealt at the deadline, he appears to be the contingency plan if the team is unable to re-sign Kyle Tucker this offseason. Unfortunately for Caissie, he’d likely already be in the show with most other organizations, but for now he’ll have to wait his turn.