No AAA today, but Smada back covering two day's worth to make up for yesterday.

MLB - Smada

Jordan Walker, RF STL (MLB) 1-for-2, HR, R, RBI, BB, K

A rough year is an understatement for Walker who spent most of the season back in AAA posting a below-average line by wRC+. Since being recalled on 8/30 he’s been playing mostly every day and aside from the 3 HR he’s hit in 45 PA, it’s been more of the same. This is his first walk in those 45 PA and he’s struck out over 35% of the time. He’s still just 22 yrs old and we need to have some patience while he figures out his patience in the box.

Jose Tena, 3B WSH (MLB) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, SB

The Nationals have a nice little young core all of a sudden. Tena has 3 HR and 5 SB over his 117 PA with a more-than-solid .306/.342/.432 slash. I will say I’m a bit skeptical that the whiffs will hold as he’s running a better SwStr% in the MLB sample than any other prolonged stop in the minors. Regardless, it’s likely he’s their guy at 3B entering 2025.

Parker Meadows, CF DET (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, K

Even with the horrible start to the year, he’s rebounded the wRC+ back up to 113. His 8 HR and 9 SB over 244 PA put him on pace for a 20/20 season over 600 PA. Just needs to stay healthy next year as he appears to have figured it out at the dish.

Junior Caminero, 3B TB (MLB) 3-for-4, 3 2B, RBI, K

Imagine hitting three doubles and not scoring once… that’s been the Rays offense lately, running a team 85 wRC+ since 8/1, good for 27th /30. Caminero has been fine since finally getting called up, just a little underachieving the HR with just 3 in 129 PA. Given that’s not going to be a long term problem, we keep buying the elite upside for the 21 yr old.

Drew Rasmussen, RHP TB (MLB) 2 IP, H, 2 K

Since returning from TJ on 8/7 he’s been going in 2 IP stints mostly as a reliever, opening games in 4 of his 12 appearances. From what I’ve read, he should be back in the rotation in 2025. Good news is he’s back up to his 97.5 mph RP velo and running a 21.8% K-BB over 19.1 IP. Still profiles as more of a 5-and-dive SP but no reason to believe he won’t have sparkling ratios once again over 150 IP pending health in 2025.

Joey Cantillo, LHP CLE (MLB) 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 6 K

What a two-step for Cantillo who balled out on Monday against the White Sox and follows it up with this 5 scoreless IP and a W against the Rays. I’m drawn most to just the one BB between these starts as that’s been his career kryptonite.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF CHC (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, K

In a dynasty league I sent this note on 8/1 when PCA was slashing .191/.236/.307: “wanted to check in on PCA and see if there were any prospects of mine you like better?” Ugh, wish I would have pushed harder for this one after not getting a response. Since then he’s posted a 142 wRC+ with 6 HR and 6 SB over 139 PA. This HR was a 438 ft blast to CF. While PCA has improved I’m not ready to anoint him as a well above average bat quite yet. Fantasy owners will be dreaming of a 15 HR, 45 SB season but I’m taking the under on both of those in 2025. That said… all arrows pointing way up on his dynasty league value.

Sorry for missing games yesterday, weekend life is getting busy with kids stuff. Here’s some make-up notes from the 9/13 games.

Brant Hurter, LHP DET (MLB) 5.2 IP, BB, 8 K

Hurter threw the bulk of the game that nearly ended in a combined no-hitter. He came in as a follower with 1 out in the 2nd inning. He’s only started one game and has followed the rest, consistently going into a 6th inning, finishing that once. After asking on Twitter about the following, I was told “Had a lot of issues at Triple-A with rough first innings. For some reason he settles in better this way”. Hurter has been a “projections” guy due to solid K-BB% over 2022 and 2023. His 71 IP in AAA this year were not quite as good and maybe some of that is the 1st inning stuff, but he’s been excellent in his 8 big league games, limiting hard contact and suppressing walks. He’s also running a 56.7% GB rate, consistent with the minor league performance where he’s been 50%+ at each stop above A-ball. Yeah we want to see him actually starting games, but sign me up as a back end rotation guy I wouldn’t mind rostering.

Francisco Alvarez, C NYM (MLB) 2-for–4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K

It’s been a rough Sophomore year for Alvarez who many had pegged as a year 2 breakout. Unfortunately the ball has been on the ground a lot more and the HR have nearly disappeared. The Max EV is in the top 5% of the league, so we know he get get them out with ease, but the quality of contact needs to improve significantly. Not unlike Jordan Walker, he’s just 22 yrs old and has plenty of time for improvement. I’d consider buying in the offseason if the owner has grown impatient. 

Dylan Crews, RF WSH (MLB) 1-for-4, K, 2 SB

At this point I’m willing to write 30 SB in ink for the 2025 season.

Richard Fitts, RHP BOS (MLB), 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K

Fitts’ 2nd start was much like the first as he hasn’t had an earned run blemish his ERA yet. Stuff+ loves him with a 104 FA, 125 SL and 152(!!) Splitter (only thrown 7% of the time). So where are the whiffs? Only 4 whiffs on the day and just 4 K through 10.2 IP thus far. I’m not buying it yet.

Thomas Saggese, 2B STL (MLB) 1-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI, K

First career HR comes in game #4. Still hasn’t walked yet.

Logan Driscoll, C TB (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI

First career HR for Driscoll who has played in 6 games as a split time catcher with Ben Rortvedt. The bat has never been amazing, but had a solid year in AAA with a 118 wRC+ and a .292/.367/.473 slash mostly driven by a .356 BABIP. Not much to get excited over here.

Brady Basso, LHP OAK (MLB) 5.1 IP, 5 H, BB, 2 K

Another solid start from Basso, although I’m always putting the asterisk on against CHW. Unfortunately I think the HR will come.

Hunter Goodman, C COL (MLB) 3-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 7 RBI

Hunter Goodman can hit a HR but I’m not sure he can do much else. He’s 4 games played at catcher away from qualifying for 2025. That would make him a bit more interesting for 2025. Do we have the 2nd coming of Mike Zunino?

Wyatt Langford, CF-LF TEX (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, R, 2 BB, K

Fine, get toasty with 2 weeks left in the season. 

Jacob deGrom, RHP TEX (MLB) 3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 K

The GOAT is back.

Double-A - Tom Gates

Isaac Coffey, RHP BOS (Double-A) 5.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 10 K

Grande strikeouts! Coffey has tuned it up his last six starts. He’s reached at least nine strikeouts five times. It helps that he has faced the Rumble Ponies twice who like to swing and miss. 

Cam Schlittler, RHP NYY (Double-A) 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Back to back games with 24 swings and misses. That’s kooky talk! He’s only going four to five innings a game. The pitch counts are high. He is hittable but also isn’t. This is someone I’d have to dive in to. From the highlights, he likes to throw the elevated fastball and also the slider up at the letters.

Noah Schultz, LHP CHW (Double-A) 4 IP, 8 H, ER, 6 K

Looks like it’s going to be one of those days the arms dominate the sheet in Double-A. Schultz gave up 8 hits but half were on ground balls through the infield. The batted balls that were in the air seemed to find the outfield grass. I wonder how the White Sox will deploy him next year after keeping him at four innings an outing this year. 

Nathan Martorella, 1B MIA (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB, 2 K

His swing is designed to lift the ball and it’s been working. Seems like I’m writing about him on the sheet every other day. Really impressive second half of the season. 

Christian Moore, DH LAA (Double-A) 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, K

Back from injury and hasn’t missed a beat. Notice the DH. Easing him back in. A big riser in FYPD ranks and you know he’ll be in the Majors soon.

George Klassen, RHP LAA (Double-A) 6 IP, BB, 12 K

Here we go! 21 swinging strikes. It was actually the most he’s had all year. Breath a little sigh of relief after the struggles post trade.

Will Johnston, LHP OAK (Double-A) 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 10 K

Really had the batters off balance with their swings. I’ve been writing more about the Oakland arms of late. They might have something going down there. 137 strikeouts in 99.2 innings for Johnston. Lefties have actually fared better against him than righties. If we set aside a brutal June, he’s been great. He’s bounced back and forth between bullpen and starter. An arm to keep an eye on.

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B TEX (Double-A) 5-for-6, 2 HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, K

Alejandro Osuna, RF TEX (Double-A) 4-for-6, 2B, HR, 3 R, RBI, K

Sebastian Walcott, SS TEX (Double-A) 2-for-6, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 K

Didn’t I do this yesterday, too? Men’s softball game vibes. At least for the RoughRiders. The Sod Poodles only managed one run. Everyone for the RR’s got a hit, RBI, and run except for their catcher. Not sure all these balls leave the yard in other venues other than Walcott's. 

Emiliano Teodo, RHP TEX (Double-A) 1 IP, BB, 2 K

A personal favorite of mine. Teodo went to the development list in August and has returned to the pen. Good to see him back and striking guys out. 

High-A - Grant Carver

Charlie Condon, LF COL (High-A) 2-for-3, 2 1B, RBI, BB, K

Positive game for Condon, which is much needed given his pro struggles so far. The whiff numbers are still alarmingly high and the power has yet to translate over. I’m still very high on him and if people want to sell his stock after 100ish PA’s in pro ball, I’ll happily buy it instead.