In the final game of a series that may have just decided the AL West, a second inning JP Crawford grand slam likely wrapped up the division with six games left to play. Seattle has played second fiddle to Cleveland for the hottest team in the AL this month, but they've been a team on fire. The M's have won 14 of their last 15 after losing their first four games of September, and Crawford's 400-foot blast may be seen as the end-all be-all for the AL West.
Corbin Carroll continued his stellar 2025 campaign, and with a stolen base (as well as his 31st home run) against Philadelphia in Arizona's 9-2 win, Carroll notched his first 30/30 season, but it goes deeper than that. With that stolen base, Carroll is just the second player EVER to hit 30+ homers, 30+ doubles, 15+ triples, and swipe 30+ bags. The only other player to do so was Jimmy Rollins in his MVP 2007 campaign. The triple threat of Carroll, Marte, and Perdomo have carried Arizona into a dark horse Wild Card push, something everyone wrote off when they sold their other two good hitters (Naylor, Suarez) at the deadline.
It wouldn't be an outstanding start from a Dodgers pitcher without the offense picking them up even slightly. Emmet Sheehan absolutely dominated the Giants on Sunday, and though the offense gave him zero run support, Sheehan shined regardless. Sheehan's fastball and slider were nearly unhittable, generating 16 whiffs (42%) on the day combined. Sheehan allowed just four hard hit balls, two of which were groundballs. The depth of LA's starting pitching is going to be put to full use as their bullpen continues their implosions, so expect to see Sheehan as a bulk guy in October.
Chad innings eater, Kyle Freeland, has put together a really solid month of September, and that continued against the Angels as Freeland struck out seven Halos across six innings. Freeland, a pitcher with a near sub-40% groundball rate, generated 8 groundballs out of 15 balls in play. He found the Angels' tendency to attack early in counts and chase out of the zone to play to his strengths, and the Angels mustered just two hard hit balls that weren't hit on the ground. Freeland lived off his cutter and knuckle curve, using it to get swings and weak contact out of the zone.
Wyatt Langford has followed up a successful rookie season with a very good, under-the-radar sophomore campaign. Langford's home run and stolen base weren't enough to lift Texas over the Marlins, but he's just the 13th Ranger to post a 20/20/20 season.
Jacob Young is not here for his offensive performance. He made two unbelievable catches for Washington that saved extra bases and possibly more from the Mets in a game New York had to have. The first catch saw Young sprint straight back on a Brett Baty flyball, and at the last second, he had to readjust to his right, crashing into the wall as he leapt for the ball. As he hit the wall, the ball jarred loose, but with the best hacky sack move you'll ever see, he kicked the ball back up, catching it on the ricochet for the out. It was truly electric, and it may have been the play of the year if not for Denzel Clarke and the play Young would make later in the game. In the bottom of the 9th with Washington leading 3-2, Francisco Alvarez drove a ball to the deepest part of Citi Field. Young, on a dead sprint, full on jumped into the wall, catching the ball at the top of the wall, crashing into the wall and robbing Alvarez of possibly a home run and a tie game. Young's stellar defensive season rolls on. He is one of just four center fielders in baseball with 10+ DRS and 10+ OAA, and he's the only player with fewer than 1,000 innings logged.
Ben Rice led the Yankees offense on Sunday, essentially providing all the offense they needed in a 7-1 win in extras. Rice came up in the 10th with the bases loaded and promptly uncleared them with a grand slam, essentially winning the game for New York. Rice had been swinging a hot bat entering the game as he was 10 for his last 28 with six doubles, and a 4-for-5 effort with a grand slam and double has turned a hot streak molten for the best offense in the league.
It's been so great to see Kyle Bradish return to the mound. Bradish came into his start on Sunday on a four start streak of two or fewer runs allowed, going 5+ innings in three of those starts since his long awaited return from injury. He came up against the rolling Yankees offense, and he stymied them. Across his six innings, just 11 balls were put into play, and his slider/curveball combo was cooking. Between his two breakers, Bradish recorded 10 whiffs across 21 swings (47%). With Bradish and Rogers seemingly finding their stride towards the end of the season, a full season with the two of them heading their rotation could see a much different, much better 2026 for Baltimore.
I was really encouraged by Spencer Strider in his outing at Detroit. The Tigers, despite their recent offensive struggles, grind at-bats, and Strider's fastball wasn't all that sharp, but he found a way to use his slider and curve to finish hitters off and strand baserunners every single inning. Strider didn't have a single clean inning across his five frames, but the slider to righties and curve to lefties led to a combined 47% whiff rate and kept him unscathed as the Braves capped off their sweep of the Tigers.
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.
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.
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!
