Major League Baseball

Covered by: Matt Seese

‼️ Max Fried, LHP NYY (MLB)

7 IP, 3 H, BB, 13 K

Max Fried is starting to get to top form at the right time for the Yankees. His 13 strikeouts tied a career high as his swing-and-miss stuff was the best it's been all season, inducing a remarkable 62% whiff rate. His changeup alone induced 10 whiffs on 12 swings (83%) while every pitch type he threw generated at least one swing and miss. Fried did allow his fair share of hard contact, though very little of it was optimal, allowing just four baserunners across seven dominant innings. This is the ace the Yankees need come October, and Fried is now peaking at the right time.

58 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 3.21 ERA, 23.4% K, 7.1% BB, 16.3% K-BB, 53.3% GB

💣💣 Blaine Crim, 1B COL (MLB)

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

Crim has been a surprisingly solid bat over the last week for the Rockies, and he crushed a pair of no-doubters on Thursday. Crim's first blast traveled 406 feet at 102.9 mph off the bat off of Sandy Alcantara, and then in the 9th inning, he bested himself as the home run traveled 424 feet at 102.5 off the bat. The 28 year-old rookie has now recorded a hit in five of his six games with Colorado.

120 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 19 HR, 3 SB, 7.4% BB, 23.6% K, .233/.298/.391, 93 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 128 PLIVE+, 1 HR, 0 SB, 4.2% BB, 33.3% K, .174/.208/.348

Brent Rooker, DH ATH (MLB)

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

Brent Rooker is pretty good. In the Athletics' 5-3 win over Boston, Rooker hit his 30th home run. He pairs this with his 40 doubles, and he now becomes just the fifth Athletic ever to have a 30+ HR, 40+ double season, joining 2019 Marcus Semien, 2001 Eric Chavez and Jason Giambi, and 1929 and 1930 Al Simmons.

167 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 31 HR, 7 SB, 9.2% BB, 25.8% K, .259/.337/.494, 130 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 152 PLIVE+, 2 HR, 0 SB, 18.2% BB, 9.1% K, .278/.409/.611
Last 30 Days: 137 PLIVE+, 4 HR, 1 SB, 7.8% BB, 18.3% K, .231/.296/.442

‼️ Jonah Tong, RHP NYM (MLB)

5 IP, 4 H, 8 K

Jonah Tong posted his best starter in the Bigs, and the Mets needed it in a major way. Tong's unique delivery had Padres hitters off balance all game. Tong threw his fastball two-thirds of the time, and even though he threw it with such volume, it still induced a 33% whiff rate, easily his best output thus far. The Padres could only muster four batted balls over 100 mph on top of that as Tong blanked them through five strong innings.

Juan Soto, RF NYM (MLB)

2-for-4, 2B, RBI, SB

Oh look, another game where Juan Soto put up an extra-base hit and stole a base! Here's a list of all the times a player has hit 40+ home runs, stole 30+ bases, drove in 100+ runs, and walked 100+ times: 1996 and 1997 Barry Bonds, 1997 and 1999 Jeff Bagwell, and 2025 Juan Soto. Even though the end of the season has gone a bit by the wayside for the Mets, Juan Soto is doing his part to keep their postseason dreams alive, including against the Padres in a 6-1 win. So much for not being an All-Star.

211 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 33 HR, 17 SB, 18.1% BB, 16.8% K, .286/.417/.549, 172 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 153 PLIVE+, 2 HR, 1 SB, 3.7% BB, 18.5% K, .200/.222/.440
Last 30 Days: 200 PLIVE+, 11 HR, 12 SB, 17.6% BB, 19.8% K, .302/.427/.651

‼️ Hunter Greene, RHP CIN (MLB)

9 IP, H, BB, 9 K

When Cincinnati needed a win, Hunter Greene took the mound and delivered them one almost single-handedly. A Will Benson RBI double was all Greene needed, fanning 9 batters and allowing just two baserunners all game in his complete game shutout over Chicago. Greene paced the way with elite swing-and-miss stuff while inducing optimal balls in play. Of the four balls in play that were registered as 'sweet spots' (8-32 degree launch), only one was hit over 70 mph, and he induced 12 groundballs out of 20 balls in play overall. Couple that with a 37% whiff rate on his slider, and Greene concocted a recipe for dominance. Cincinnati maintains their pace for the Mets and the WC3 spot, still sitting two games back.

51 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 2.89 ERA, 30.8% K, 8.4% BB, 22.4% K-BB, 33.9% GB

‼️ Tanner Bibee, RHP CLE (MLB)

6 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Cleveland's September surge revolves around its starting pitching, and Tanner Bibee's last two starts have been phenomenal. Coming off his complete game shutout, Bibee stared down the barrel of a newly-found divisional race with Tarik Skubal toeing the rubber on the other side. Bibee continued his stellar performance, leaning on his cutter for whiffs (32%) and weak contact. Bibee moving away from his fastball as his primary let his fastball play better in two-strike counts, and he allowed just two batted balls over 100 mph. Cleveland's starting pitchers since 9/3 have been other-worldly. The Guardians in that span have allowed more than four runs once, a 7-5 win over Detroit, and their starters are leading all of baseball in ERA (1.53), innings pitched (94.1), and groundball rate in that span.

70 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 3.81 ERA, 22.5% K, 7.1% BB, 15.5% K-BB, 38.3% GB

Jose Ramirez, 3B CLE (MLB)

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

Just when you thought it couldn't get more log-jammed in the American League playoff picture, the Guardians are officially here. Cleveland walked into Detroit behind 6.5 games in the division with 13 games to play. They left 3.5 back with 10 left and 3 more against the Tigers, and are you surprised that Jose Ramirez is at the forefront? Cleveland had their chances against Skubal, and they ultimately chased him after six innings. Ramirez took full advantage, crushing a 1-0 Troy Melton cutter into the seats, putting Cleveland up 3-1, a score they'd win and sweep Detroit by. Ramirez is beyond words at this point. He's at 5.8 fWAR, and with a consistent end to the season, he's pacing for his sixth 6+ fWAR season. The only other primary third basemen post-integration to do that six or more times are Mike Schmidt, Eddie Mathews, Wade Boggs, Chipper Jones, and Ron Santos.

174 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 24 HR, 32 SB, 9.6% BB, 12.1% K, .268/.342/.473, 128 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 130 PLIVE+, 0 HR, 2 SB, 15.4% BB, 19.2% K, .136/.269/.182
Last 30 Days: 138 PLIVE+, 3 HR, 4 SB, 10.8% BB, 13.5% K, .235/.324/.418

Triple-A

Covered by: Rhys White

Colt Emerson, SS SEA (AAA)

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

Colt hit his second homer in Triple-A. Colt is a big-time player, or whatever sort of cliché you want to use. But getting a chance to see him in Triple-A is exciting, as the resident M's fan Nate Rasmussen and I discussed on the new On Deck. Emerson is a top 10 prospect, and we discussed what the real difference is between Emerson and Wetherholt.

165 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 19 HR, 12 SB, 10.8% BB, 17.8% K, .278/.367/.461, 133 wRC+

🔜 Kyle Finnegan, RHP DET (AAA)

0.2 IP, BB, K

He will be back to hopefully help lock down the bullpen for the Tigers. Please don't put in the paper that I am worried about the Tigers.

80 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 4.33 ERA, 24.7% K, 9.0% BB, 15.7% K-BB, 48.0% GB

‼️ Logan Workman, RHP TBR (AAA)

6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K, HRA

The one thing you can be a bit hesitant about with Workman is he does give up his fair share of homers. He is giving up 1.6 HR/9 innings. The fastball, changeup, and slider were rocking and rolling here, as he collected a staggering 22 whiffs. Workman will work drum roll please his way into the Rays pitching club next year, at the very worst as a long-reliever or piggy-back option.

88 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 4.7 ERA, 18.6% K, 7.9% BB, 10.7% K-BB, 33.8% GB

🔜 Kodai Senga, RHP NYM (AAA)

3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

FORKBALL. The forkball generated 6 whiffs. It will be interesting to see what the Mets playoff (if they make it) rotation looks like. Nolan McLean might be the only guaranteed person with a spot.

70 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 3.83 ERA, 23.7% K, 10.1% BB, 13.6% K-BB, 43.7% GB

Jeferson Quero, DH MIL (AAA)

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

Go off Jeferson. I like Quero a lot, and I think he just might be the best backup catcher in the league as soon as next year. He is such a good defensive catcher, and the bat doesn't lag behind either. If the Brewers were more aggressive, I would even say he could be a nice trade candidate, especially to a team where full-time playing time would be easier to project. The Brewers are in such a good spot.

133 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 18 HR, 2 SB, 7.8% BB, 16.9% K, .254/.317/.413, 105 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 125 PLIVE+, 0 HR, 0 SB, 19.0% BB, 14.3% K, .118/.286/.118
Last 30 Days: 117 PLIVE+, 1 HR, 0 SB, 6.5% BB, 16.9% K, .176/.234/.294

Riley Cornelio, RHP WSN (AAA)

2 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 K

Cornelio might be an interesting streaming option as soon as next year. If you are a competitive team and your league allows you to shuttle prospects between the major league squad and your farm, there is some value here as one of the last prospects in your farm system.

107 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 5.65 ERA, 14.4% K, 11.6% BB, 2.8% K-BB, 37.2% GB

Spencer Jones, CF NYY (AAA)

1-for-4, 2 K

I can't believe I got duped into thinking this guy could hit at the midseason list update. I'm going to go away this weekend and camp and think about all the decisions in my life that led me to this point. Maybe find some inner peace, see some animals, and think the Yankees knew this guy wasn't going to be able to help them... until they trade for Paul Skenes, if you ask Brian Cashman. I'm going to get tattooed on my body like Teddy from Memento: Don't fully buy in on any Yankees hitting prospect.

151 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 28 HR, 22 SB, 8.3% BB, 36.4% K, .241/.307/.455, 110 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 121 PLIVE+, 2 HR, 2 SB, 12.0% BB, 44.0% K, .318/.400/.636
Last 30 Days: 93 PLIVE+, 5 HR, 3 SB, 6.5% BB, 50.5% K, .240/.290/.470

🔜 Anthony Santander, DH TOR (AAA)

1-for-3, HR, R, RBI

Has anyone noticed how the Blue Jays got good as soon as Santander got hurt? Is this a "Ewing Theory" guy for all my Bill Simmons heads out there? I am mostly joking. Did you know that since the All-Star break, George Springer is the second-best hitter in baseball according to wRC+, Bo Bichette was 4th, and Vladdy is 7th?

139 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 26 HR, 3 SB, 9.0% BB, 22.4% K, .232/.308/.428, 105 wRC+

Blaze Jordan, 1B STL (AAA)

2-for-4, 2 R, RBI

Blaze Jordan is going to enter the Luken Baker zone here soon. I just don't know if you want him as your starting first baseman. But the idea of Luken Baker...I mean, Blaze Jordan is more interesting than what they actually are. They are perfectly fine bench pieces.

138 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 19 HR, 1 SB, 6.1% BB, 13.6% K, .267/.314/.434, 109 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 124 PLIVE+, 1 HR, 0 SB, 6.9% BB, 17.2% K, .148/.207/.296
Last 30 Days: 128 PLIVE+, 4 HR, 1 SB, 5.2% BB, 13.0% K, .215/.252/.374

🍔🍟 Kemp Alderman, RF MIA (AAA)

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

Your favorite weatherman came away with a combo meal. Kemp smashed this homer; it was 113 off the bat. He has 80 raw power, but with that power comes some serious hit tool risks. I worry Alderman will never be able to make meaningful contact to allow that power to play in-game. He could be an interesting fantasy player if he puts it all together; he has 30-homer potential while being a non-zero in the stolen-base department.

140 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 24 HR, 12 SB, 5.5% BB, 26.1% K, .254/.297/.444, 105 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 126 PLIVE+, 0 HR, 0 SB, 0.0% BB, 30.8% K, .231/.231/.308
Last 30 Days: 157 PLIVE+, 9 HR, 1 SB, 7.7% BB, 25.6% K, .255/.316/.575

Trey Gibson, RHP BAL (AAA)

5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

Gibson is generating some buzz at the end of the season, and 166 punchouts in 120.1 innings of work will do that. The four-seamer and cutter generated three whiffs apiece, and he collected 10 on the evening. He throws three different fastballs and will mix in a curveball and a slider. He has all the makings of an interesting back-end starter type.

76 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 4.13 ERA, 23.1% K, 10.1% BB, 13.1% K-BB, 48.6% GB

The Daily Sheet Emoji Appendix

🆕 for debuts at a new level

💣💣 for Double Dongs (💣💣💣 for a Throng of Dongs)

🍔🍟 for a Combo Meal (HR & SB)

👟 for multiple SB (👟👟 for 4+ SB)

🔄 for a Cycle

‼️for stand out starting pitching

🔜 for rehab assignments

🚑 for in-game injuries