Happy Jackson Jobe getting promoted day to all who celebrate! Smada is back in the majors after Rhys pinch-hit for him yesterday!

MLB - Smada

Nick Yorke, 2B PIT (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB, K

First career homer for Yorke! Nice to see him get a couple week cup of coffee in the bigs. He’s played at 2B most, sliding Nick Gonzales over to SS, 3B moving Triolo over to 1B and LF with Reynolds at DH. He played all over for PIT in AAA as well, looks like they may be comfortable making him a super utility type and it gives him a ton of opportunity for PA in 2025. 

Paul Skenes, RHP PIT (MLB) 5 IP, 2 H, 9 K

Another dominant start, limited to 72 pitches. Simply SP1.

Jonathan Aranda, 1B TB (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, 3 K

We’re up to three straight games with a HR, bringing the season wRC+ up to 124 over 121 PA. After dominating AAA in 2023 to the tune of a 165 wRC+, he took an understandable step back this year. Aranda would be the perfect post-hype breakout candidate if he wasn’t on the Rays. If Yandy Diaz gets moved this offseason I’ll be more interested as he’s mostly restricted to 1B/DH. Always depends on price, but likely a nice NFBC DC pick.

Connor Norby, 3B MIA (MLB) 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI, 3 K 

Now up to 9 HR through 162 PA, but the swing and miss is still present with a 32.1% K on the year.

Grant Holmes, RHP ATL (MLB) 4 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K

Max Fried and Charlie Morton are FA next year which leaves 2 open spots until Strider gets back, plus Reynaldo Lopez is dealing with a shoulder. Obviously the Braves could, and likely will turn to the free agent pool, but Holmes is certainly a candidate to start 2025 in the rotation, if not be the 1st up for an opening.

Zach Neto, SS LAA (MLB) 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2B, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 K

Double dong to get up to 23/30. Don’t try to put too much stock in 1st to 2nd half changes, but 4.9% BB to 8.5% BB has been a positive development along with the HR/SB.

Spencer Arrighetti, RHP HOU (MLB) 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K, HR

A no walk start that ended with calf cramping. As of now we don’t know if it’s anything serious.

Andre Pallante, LHP STL (MLB) 7 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Back to back gems for Pallante. I’m becoming more and more confident that we can ignore the K-BB% due to the overwhelmingly high GB%. Don’t just overlook him because of the lack of K.

Wyatt Langford, LF TEX (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, K

This is the month we were hoping for when drafting Langford. 5 HR and 4 SB over 86 PA this month with a .316/.395/.605 slash.

Jasson Dominguez, LF NYY (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

Twelve games into his season and he’s racked up 2 HR and 4 SB with a strong 13% BB and 30.4% K that is elevated vs the SwStr%. 

Shohei Ohtani, DH LAD (MLB) 4-for-5, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB

The sole member of the 53/55 club… 60/60 in reach?

Miguel Vargas, 3B CHW (MLB) 2-for-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 K

Since joining the White Sox Vargas has been one of their worst everyday regulars. Yeah, that’s saying quite a bit. This is his 2nd HR with the club over 134 PA. If we’re being fair, we’ve got to mention the .156 BABIP that’s helping drive the .122/.231/.200 slash.

Triple-A - Matt 

Payton Henry, C TOR (Triple-A) 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI

Henry can hit a little bit but I’m a little concerned about the defense behind the plate and his viablility behind the plate. He’s not a fantasy relevant player as we head into the off-season. 

Andrew Alvarez, LHP WSH (Triple-A) 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 10 K 

The 2021 12th rounder out of Cal Poly has had a nice year between Double-A and Triple-A, making 26 starts and pitching to just under a 4.00 ERA. The ratios aren’t strong though. 

Wes Clarke, DH MIL (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR, 3 R, BB, K

I saw Clarke at the AFL which I kinda of consider the early start to 2025 and we finish with him on the sheet. Unfortunately I won’t be making the trip to Arizona this fall which stinks. Anyways, Clarke has serious power. Enough power to be worth a pickup if he ever gets an extended look. 

Darrick Hall, 1B PHI (Triple-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, K

Hall is a Quad-A bat and he’s got big power from the left side. Like Clarke above there are some big time whiff issues.

Curtis Mead, 3B TB (Triple-A) 4-for-5, 2B, R

Mead is a big mystery to me, unless he starts playing first base or left field. He can hit and that’s what’s most important but he’s a liability on defense and I’m not sure the Rays would let him play on the infield. 

Akil Baddoo, OF DET (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, K

Baddoo has spent most of the season in Triple-A which says more about the Tigers actually having quality depth than anything. Baddoo is limited, but he’s still a big leaguer. 

Dane Myers, OF MIA (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI

Myers is a fun player, capable of playing the infield and outfield and can run well while hitting the ball hard. I’m sure you can guess what the major problem is. 

Graham Pauley, 3B MIA (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K

Another AFL standout that I get on the bookend of the Triple-A season. Pauley is a player I’m going to be all over in deep 2025 leagues. 

Bobby Miller, RHP LAD (Triple-A) 5 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 6 K

The Dodgers might need Miller with the way the pitching staff is looking heading into the playoffs. Nobody will feel bad for the Dodgers but this team is shakier than they have been in years. 

C.J. Alexander, 1B/OF OAK (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K

I think if I ever joined a front office for whatever reason the first player I’d trade for might be Alexander. I really do believe he can hit and just hasn’t found the right opportunity yet. 

Tirso Ornelas, OF SD (Triple-A) 2-for-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB

A double-dong for Tirso! He’s rehabbed his prospect stock a bit but he’s just a role player since he can’t play centerfield. 

Yanquiel Fernandez, OF COL (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, K

He has his flaws but I really like Fernandez in Coors. He’s a free swinger that has power and good contact skills, the only thing he really lacks is speed. His swing decisions will be the deciding factor. 

Carson Whisenhunt, LHP SF (Triple-A) 6 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 10 K

Another AFL bookend. Talk about finishing strong, as this was badly needed. It’s been a tough year for Whisenhunt but the ingredients are still here to make a solid mid-rotation arm. Changeup heavy left-handed starters aren’t a real popular democgraphic though, so it’s likely backend unless one of his breaking balls really takes off. 

Ryan Bliss, 2B SEA (Triple-A) 3-for-4, 2 2B, K

This might be the guy I trade for before Alexander. Bliss runs well, hits, has sneaky power and plays above-average up the middle infield defense. It’s been a little weird how they handled him but give him a legit look in 2025 please!

Double-A - Tom

Henry Bolte, OAK LF (Double-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K

Impressive power output this year from someone who hits in on the ground over 50% of the time. He mostly pulls everything. Needs to do some work in the whiff department. 38% in Double-A. We saw Clarke improve. Bolte is in the same mold.

Noah Schultz, LHP CHW (Double-A) 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K

Started to get around in the 4th inning before getting replaced. He gave up two doubles to start the inning, followed by a single and hit by pitch. Tre’ Morgan got to Schultz twice, producing two doubles. His fastball was lively tonight. He lived up in the zone with it and hitters had no chance. 

Wilfred Veras, DH CHW (Double-A) 4-for-5, 3B, R, RBI, K

On most other teams, Veras would have a hard time cracking the Majors, but the White Sox are looking to cut costs. That could mean more rookies play next year. He did show some contact improvement throughout the season. Not sure it’s enough to keep him in the line up. When he does make contact, he punishes the ball. 

Jacob Gonzalez, SS CHW (Double-A) 3-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI, SB

Batting a crazy .538 in the playoffs so far. The high average is what you’d hope for with Gonzalez. The steals are nice. Potential to add some power but he seems to be focused on contact.

Spencer Jones, CF NYY (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

113 mph off the bat. He started the season hot and is ending on the hot streak. What happened in the middle?!

Rafael Flores, C NYY (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 K

Flores continues to impress. He’s probably on the cusp of the top 300 prospect ranks. Catchers find it harder to make the list but he’s shown a great ability to hit this year combining power and average.