As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Ever in a slump? Ever scuffling on the mound? Just go face the Rockies at PetCo. Randy Vasquez had been getting hit around pretty good across his previous three starts, but a return home against the struggling Rockies helped get him straight. Coming into this start, Randy Vasquez had not struck out more than five batters in any outing this season. He nearly doubled that, fanning nine Colorado bats and generating groundballs on 8 of the 13 balls put in play against him. Vasquez gave San Diego a career outing when they needed it most. The Friars had dropped two straight and six of their last nine entering the night.
The Cam Schlittler train keeps on rolling, and it's not stopping for anyone. Schlittler screeched the red hot Tigers offense to a halt, fanning seven and allowing just one run to a Detroit team that had cracked double digits each of the two games prior. Schlittler, as always, continues to feast with his plus fastball, generating a 32% whiff rate, and he has only allowed more than one earned run once over his last six starts. The Yankees have a clear SP3 for the postseason.
Kevin Gausman was excellent on Thursday afternoon, tossing a complete game shutout against Houston. Gausman struck out nine Astros, allowing just three baserunners. He threw one pitch too many to get the Maddux, but his CGSO is just the fourth this season where three baserunners or fewer reached. Gausman's splitter had Houston batters fooled all day, generating a 38% whiff rate.
Does a historical season overmatch consistent greatness? Award season is about to be very interesting as Aaron Judge just keeps on doing what he's doing, and that's be the best right-handed hitter this century. Judge blasted out two home runs in the Yankees' 9-3 win over Detroit, salvaging a game and avoiding a sweep. Judge's first home run got the scoring started as he smoked a ball 110 mph off the bat to left center. The second extended New York's lead to 4-1 and moved Judge into a tie with Joe DiMaggio with 361 career home runs as a Yankee, and Judge got there in over 2,500 fewer plate appearances.
With a series win and possibly all of Cleveland's remaining slim postseason hopes on the line, CJ Kayfus stepped up and delivered the biggest swing of his young career. With the Guardians trailing 2-1 with one on, nobody out in the eighth and the FOX broadcast wondering if he'd consider laying down a bunt, Kayfus took a low and in John Schreiber fastball 425 feet to dead center, giving Cleveland a 3-2 lead and subsequent win. Kayfus does not miss a lot of lower end velo fastballs, and he made Schreiber and KC pay dearly. Cleveland remains 3.5 back of Seattle with 18 games to play.
Rada is far too small to ever consistently impact baseballs, and his swing is weird. But as a speed and defense fourth outfielder for any other team, I am with it. But this is the Angels we are talking about. In his best seasons, he could be an 8-homer bat who steals 20-25 bags and probably hits at the top of a lineup that is technically in a wild card spot, but not really actually fighting for a wild card spot, because that is what the Angels do.
A double scoop of doubles, and both of these doubles were hit hard. Interestingly enough, both were hit around the same launch angle, 12 and 13 degrees, respectively. I would have expected Eldridge to be up at this point last year, but I also didn't expect Rafael Devers to be available. This is going to require some interesting roster management next year. Eldridge might have to play a corner-outfield spot in one of the harder places to play corner outfield a few times a week. But this is the Giants, so who the heck knows. Wait, I can’t have any more Giants rants; my therapist says it's not good for me.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
