Yasmani Grandal (CWS): 4-6, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 8 RBI
Grandal may have the lowest swing rate among batters with 100 PAs but decided to take his bat off the shoulder last night. His season’s 15th and 16th HR helped put away the crosstown rivals as the White Sox threw a staggering 17 runs on the board(eight of which were driven off by Grandal). Additionally, last night was Grandal’s first game back since July 5th, and he’s still tied for eighth in HRs for all catchers. Due to his mammoth power, he must be rostered in all formats-regardless of his batting average being slightly over the Mendoza line.
The Chicago White Sox are in no need of adding thump to their lineup. However, Grandal is not only a tremendous source of power. The veteran backstop is an excellent framer and routinely leads the MLB in balls called strikes. In lamens terms, that is the number of times a catcher induces an umpire to call strikes on pitches outside the zone. Therein lies precisely why the White Sox would be ecstatic to get Grandal back on the field. But the power is always welcome too.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Friday
Nick Solak (TEX): 2-3, R
Since returning to the MLB squad, Solak has gone 8-for- 21 and hit safely in all five games. He’s also done an excellent job showcasing his skillset by putting one over the fences and swiping a base. However, what really stands out is that Solak hasn’t struck out yet. He’s accomplished this by swinging out of the zone 10% less than before the demotion. If the gains stick, keep an eye on Solak as a toolsy multi-eligible player to help you down the stretch.
Salvador Perez (KC): 3-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, BB
Perez’s season-long stats would be impressive at any position, let alone catcher. Not only is he playing nearly every day behind the plate, but among all MLB hitters, Perez is tied for second in HRs and fourth in RBI. Although, what might be the most impressive part of last night is the walk since Perez only takes four balls on 3.6% of his ABs.
Will Smith (LAD): 3-3, HR, R, RBI
The fresh prince of LA does everything you could want from a catcher. He plays every day, takes walks, doesn’t strike out, and often puts the ball over fences. All these aspects help fuel is 138 wRC+ and 4.2 fWAR, which is tops among all catchers. While his draft-day price may be pricey, Smith has done everything to live up to it.
Mitch Haniger (SEA): 2-4, 2 R, 2 BB
After sitting out all 2020 with injury, Mitch Haniger is back, baby! His four times reaching base help bolster a .792 OPS, and even though he didn’t go yard, his 29 HRs are a career-high. Furthermore, his 88 RBI and 73 runs have made him a tremendous waiver wire pickup for some fantasy managers.
Tyler Naquin (CIN): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI
Naquin is doing everything necessary to soften the blow of the injury to Jesse Winker. In fact, in his last 83 ABs, Naquin is batting .398/.462/.747 with a 1.209 OPS and six HRs. I would highly suggest you double-check your waiver wire, as Naquin was added in 23% of leagues this last week. Maybe, just maybe, he hasn’t been scooped up in yours.
Austin Hays (BAL): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Touch ’em all, Austin Hays! The 412-foot HR was his 14th and took the RBI count to 47 on the season. However, Hays is playing in a very crowded outfield that’s only allowing him to get ABs vs. southpaws with an additional start here and there. For fantasy purposes, he is only viable in five-outfielder leagues or AL-only.
Jeimer Candelario (DET): 2-4, 2 2B, R
Candelario’s ten HRs, 60 runs, and 47 RBI with a .275 don’t stand out as elite. However, he does come with a 116 wRC+, which is only two points shy of early-round draft pick Manny Machado. His ability to walk 10% of the time and spray the ball to all fields will keep him in the Tigers lineup most days, but sadly, he is a much better real-life baseball player than for fantasy purposes.
Jorge Soler (ATL): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Soler’s power shines again, and the HR brings his total to 12 since the All-Star break. Included in that timeframe are 21 runs, 25 RBI, and a .260 batting average. The former-Royals outfielder has done a complete 180 and looks like his old 2019 self that smashed 48 HRs. Yet somehow, he is still available in 44% of Yahoo leagues, so double-check your waiver wire just in case.
Paul Goldschmidt (STL): 3-4, 2B, 3B
Quietly, Goldschmidt is having a spectacular season. The pair of extra-base shots bring his season to 47, and he has been white-hot lately. In his last 25 ABs, Goldy is slashing .400/.423/.960 with three dingers and even a stolen base. He has done everything in his power to say this is not just a kid’s game.
Jacob Stallings (PIT): 3-4, R
Stallings’ high zone contact rate mixed with a low reach rate help make his .240 batting average look respectable. Especially at catcher, where many hit below the .200 mark and don’t play nearly as often. Unfortunately, Stallings bats in the poultry Pirates lineup that fails to produce runs consistently. His hollow batting average makes him only a streaming option at backstop in most formats.
Andy Ibáñez (TEX): 2-5, HR, R, RBI
Ibáñez is enjoying plenty of success as she showcased in the minors. In 27 Triple-A games, he swatted six dingers with a .353 batting average and K-rate under 14%. Since getting promoted to the bigs in 61 games, he has swatted six dingers with a .263 batting average and a K-rate under 13%. While he isn’t viable in many fantasy leagues, it’s good to see a 28-year-old career minor league player get a shot in the bigs, even for a little while.
(TEX): 2-5, HR, R, RBI
Ibáñez is enjoying plenty of success as she showcased in the minors. In 27 Triple-A games, he swatted six dingers with a .353 batting average and K-rate under 14%. In 61 MLB games, Andy has slapped six dingers with a .263 batting average and a K-rate under 13%. While he isn’t viable in many fantasy leagues, it’s good to see a 28-year-old career minor league player get a shot in the bigs, even for a little while.
Featured Imaged by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter)