Rhys and Grant have exited the everyday grind of the sheet as high-A and A-ball finished up. We'll have AA and AAA going into next week.

MLB - Smada

Shohei Ohtani, DH LAD (MLB) 6-for-6, 3 HR, 2 2B, 4 R, 10 RBI, 2 SB

If you’re just seeing this line right now I assume you’ve been sleeping over the last 24 hours. A 51/51 season and a week more of games to increase the total is beyond what we all thought was possible. Not just GOAT stuff, but the actual GOAT. Said it before, but he’s simply the top player in all formats. 

Griffin Conine, RF MIA (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, K

First time checking back in on Jeff’s son and the results have been about what we’d expect out of the 26 yr old who was an average bat at AAA. A .228/.302/.404 slash over 63 PA with a 7.9% BB and 31.7% K, he’s still running a lower SwStr% than he did in the minors and I still expect that to increase over time.

Edward Cabrera, RHP MIA (MLB) 2.1 IP, 4 H, 7 ER, 5 BB, 3 K

Between the control, command and injury risk I just don’t get the appeal anymore. We enter 2025 as his age-27 season without exceeding 100 IP in a season or getting the BB below 11%.

Kyle Manzardo, DH CLE (MLB) 3-for-3, HR, R, RBI

It’s just been 46 PA since returning to the bigs on 9/1 but Manzardo has done enough to make a strong case to be the primary DH in 2025. The slash in the small sample is .357/.413/.690 with all 4 of his career HR coming this month.

Joey Cantillo, LHP CLE (MLB) 4.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Cantillo was able to dance around his hits and walks through 4 IP without an ER then his LOB% luck ran out in the 5th. He was pulled at 86 pitches and when you walk 10%+ in a start this is going to happen. If CLE can get him to fix the control, even a touch, I think we’ve got a legit back end guy here with + Ks.

Blake Dunn, CF CIN (MLB) 2-for-3, HR, 3 R, RBI, BB, K, 2 SB

First career yack for Blake Dunn! Didn’t even know he was back up with the big club. But I guess that’s understandable when he only got in as a pinch runner and defensive replacement prior to this start. This statline is what I envisioned when I drafted him in the last couple rounds of a Draft Champion league. Unfortunately the year just didn’t play out how we thought it would. He was certainly derailed early on in the season with injuries, but it’s hard to ignore that he just never put it together at AAA this year. He enters his age-26 season next year and needs to put together a semblance of his AA standout 2023 season in AAA to get a real shot.

Kumar Rocker, RHP TEX (MLB) 3 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 BB, 5 K

On a pitch count, Rocker was pulled after the 3rd inning. The control was an issue in this one, but he still managed to rack up Ks at an impressive rate despite not getting the elite results out of the slider. Innings will be a question next year, but he’ll be a popular dynasty asset and redraft pick.

Pavin Smith, LF ARI (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI

Since the 3 HR game on 9/8 Smith has started in 8 of 9 games including 2 straight vs LHP. He’s racked up 4 doubles and this HR in that span and has moved from “heating up” to “on fire”. He’s had a 192 wRC+ over 74 PA since his recall from AAA on 7/30. The K% has always been better than average, but the BB% is up to 17.6%, a continuation from AAA where he walked at a 17.0% clip over 289 PA. With Christian Walker and possibly Joc Pederson gone next year, there is some sneaky super-post hype upside in 2025.

Triple-A - Matt Thompson

Carlos Rodriguez, RHP MIL (Triple-A) 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K

We saw Rodriguez get a brief cup of coffee for the Brewers earlier this year, and there’s a chance he gets a spot start as they try to set things up for the playoffs. He’s a six pitch right-hander with no real standout traits, and fringe command. It’s a backend starter profile. 

Dylan Beavers, OF BAL (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, K

Beavers had a 15 homer and 31 steal season in Double-A and has now played three games in Triple-A. I like Beavers as a low upside future everyday regular, but I’m not sure that is enough to carve out an everyday role with the Orioles. 

Moises Ballesteros, C CHC (Triple-A) 3-for-5

Three singles and no runs or RBIs. Ballesteros is hitting .290/.355/.475 between Double-A and Triple-A and showing strong ratios and developing power. His max EV at Triple-A this year is 109.9 so the power isn’t quite plus yet. He will work the gaps and put up strong overall numbers but despite his size and Alejandro Kirkian frame he's going to be a hit over power type guy.

Connor Gillispie, RHP CLE (Triple-A) 5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Randy Labaut, RHP CLE (Triple-A) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Anthony Gose, LHP CLE (Triple-A) IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Tanner Burns, RHP CLE (Triple-A) IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K 

A combined no-hitter! Yay!

Drew Waters, OF KC (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI

Drew Running Waters has only played seven games this year in the big leagues after being an everyday guy for the Royals in 2023. He’s hitting .281/.373/.471 with 12 homers and 19 steals in Omaha, but he’s still striking out at just under 27% of the time. I’d imagine he probably loses his 40-man spot after the season.

Jett Williams, SS NYM (Triple-A) 1-for-3, 2B, R, 2 BB

It’s been a lost season for Jett due to a should injury that has limited him to just 30 games. He hasn’t hit a homer either, which makes sense due to the nature of the injury. He’s a good athlete with excellent on-base skills and if there’s a buy low window you should pursue it.

Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B MIA (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI, K

Agustin Ramirez, C MIA (Triple-A) 3-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, BB

The new modern bash brothers for the Jacksonville squad. I’m shocked we haven’t seen De Los Santos in the big leagues this year since their first base situation still isn’t strong. I know Bride has hit but he’s not a long term solution. Ramirez has stuff to work on behind the plate and is an offensive first catcher. Reports on the receiving and blocking are ok, but there’s room for improvement. 

Joe Rock, LHP TB (Triple-A) 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 10 K

Rock has made a strong case for himself to get some big league innings next year, and he’s been one of the best pitchers in Triple-A all season. The 4.58 ERA doesn’t stand out at all but he’s been really strong in the second half of the year. His best pitch is his changeup, and his sinker, four-seam, and slider are all average offerings that he can locate and sequence very well. He’s essentially the next Ryan Yarbrough.

Quinn Mathews, LHP STL (Triple-A) 6 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K

Mathews has eclipsed the 200 strikeout mark this season, which is something worth noting, especially for a team that hasn’t had a 200 strikeout starter in a few seasons. (Sonny Gray did it this year though.) Mathews needs to improve his command but will be in the mix for a rotation spot next year because he's cheap, wait I mean because he’s young and earned it.

Alex Freeland, SS LAD (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

Freeland has scuffled some at Triple-A, but its still been an excellent season as he’s rocketed through three levels. He’s hitting .257/.386/.431 with 17 homers and 31 steals. He’s always been considered a strong on-base guy, but the secondary skills look playable. Not sure if he’s a shortstop though but that matters less for fantasy. 

Jordan Lawlar, 3B ARI (Triple-A) 3-for-4, RBI

We will still be ranking him all off-season which is a bummer. He’s a good player, but I expected him to graduate by now. Injuries suck.

Jason Vosler, 1B SEA (Triple-A) 5-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI

Impressive work from one of the best quad-A hitters you’ll find. 

Double-A - Tom Gates

Rafael Flores, C NYY (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, RBI, BB, K

Flores has been a riser in my ranks in the second half. If he can stick at catcher, he has the hit-tool and power to be fantasy relevant. He’s in an organization that already has a few catchers ahead of him so it’ll be harder to crack. Starting in June, he has hit five home runs in each month with a solid average.

Adael Amador, 2B COL (Double-A) 4-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI

This is going to be a Ryan McMahon/Brendan Rodgers post because that’s really only stopping Amador from being up in the bigs next year. McMahon is turning 30 later this year and has seen his strikeout rate creep up to the upper 20’s. He really struggled against breaking pitches this year, whiffing at 43% and having a .230 batting average against. I would assume the Rockies would love to move on from him  but he has three years left making 12 million next year and 16 million each of the following two years. Rodgers just turned 27 and is entering arbitration year 3. He made 3.2 million last year and avoided arbitration. I don’t think anyone would be surprised if they just let him walk. So, this is the easiest opportunity for Amador to start in the Majors next year.

K.C. Hunt, RHP MLW (Double-A) 7.2 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 K

A little blip on September 5th where he walked five but other than that he’s been hard to hit and in the zone frequently. 

Cam Smith, 3B CHC (Double-A) 2-for-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB

A huge riser in FYPD ranks. Already was probably a 1st rounder but I think now we might see him in the top 5. Contact was in question before he had professional debut and he’s been making people forget about that.

Jacob Gonzalez, SS CHW (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, SB

86.5% in-zone contact rate at Double-A. Being a spray hitter, we won’t see too much pop with this approach. Not a .225 hitter. I expect him to hit for a higher average. Would like to see harder contact. 

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B TEX (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K

The second half power surge continues, making up for that first confusing line.