Carlos Correa (SS-MIN) went 2-4 with a solo blast against the Rays on Thursday. The 28 year-old has largely disappointed in his first season after re-signing with Minnesota as he's battled some minor injuries, logging a .210 average to go with 7 homers, 25 RBI, and a below-average wRC+ of 90 across his first 226 PA of the campaign. Correa has fanned a bit more than usual (25% in 2023, 21% career) while logging a below-typical contact rate (75% in 2023, 79% career, and swinging-and-missing a little more often (11% swinging-strike rate in 2023, 9% career). While his o-swing% has remained stable at about 29% (30% career) and he's continued to make contact on pitches chased outside of the zone at the same exact rate (64%), Correa's ability to make contact on pitches offered at inside the zone has slumped (84% z-contact% in 2023, 87% career). Meanwhile, his liner (18%), groundball (45%), and flyball (37%) rates aren't far off his career averages (21%, 45%, and 33%, respectively), and his hard-hit rate (per Statcast) remains healthy at 43%. In short, there's no great explanation for his sagging BABIP (.254 in 2023, .314 career) and so that should rebound a bit going forward (and with it, his average), as should his power output.
Josh Lowe (OF-TB) went 2-4 with a pair of singles as he batted leadoff against the Twins on Thursday afternoon. The 25 year-old is enjoying a breakout campaign, as he has compiled a .295 average, 11 homers, 39 RBI, 29 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases (in 16 attempts), with a wRC+ of 149 attesting to his productivity. Strikeouts were a significant issue during his 198-PA sample last season (33%), but Lowe has tempered those considerably in 2023 (24%) while simultaneously logging a healthy 43% hard-hit rate per Statcast (was 37% last season). He's posted a batted-ball profile (22% liners, 40% grounders, and 38% flyballs) that is conducive to both average and power, especially given his plus speed and pop. Even though he's been more aggressive at the dish than last season - with a swing rate up from 46% of 53% and an o-swing% up from 29% to 38% - Lowe has especially improved his ability to make contact on pitches inside the zone (up to 80% from under 75%) to raise his overall contact rate from 70% to 72%. Overall, it's been an impressive campaign and all signs point to continued productivity going forward.
Matt McLain (SS-CIN) continued his productive start to his big-league career by going 2-4 with a 2B against the Dodgers on Thursday. Although much less heralded than teammate Elly De La Cruz, the 23 year-old McLain has impressed in his rookie campaign with a .354 average, 11 extra-base hits (2 homers), 10 RBI, 19 runs scored, and a pair of stolen bases through his first 104 PA, with a wRC+ of 149 attesting to his productivity. Hitting toward the top of the Reds lineup, McLain has made plenty of hard contact (41% per Statcast) while ripping tons of liners (30%). Although his 27% strikeout rate seems high, McLain's contact rate (81%) and swinging-strike rate (8%) aren't bad at all. A 27% flyball rate caps his power output, but given his demonstrated ability to make hard contact, more homers should be in his future if he can raise his launch angle (8.5) just a bit.
Kyle Bradish (SP-BAL) allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk against Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon, but racked up 10 strikeouts in doing so. He fired 63 of his 98 offerings for strikes in the outing while keeping the ball in the yard. The 26 year-old righty has been solid but unspectacular so far in 2023, recording a 4.25 ERA, 8.7 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, and 3.96 xFIP through 11 starts (53 IP). Bradish has limited the opposition to a 30% hard hit rate as he's deployed his sinker a bit more often this year (up to 14% usage to 4%) while using his cutter 32% of the time, his slider 27% of the time, and his curve 18% of the time. His keys to improvement from last season (4.90 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 4.01 xFIP over 117.2 IP) include improved control, a slightly higher swinging-strike rate up from 10% to 11%), and a higher called-strike rate (up to just over 17% from under 16%). His next start will be a challenging one, though, as the Blue Jays - who rank #4 in baseball with a team OPS of .768 in road games - will visit Baltimore.
AJ Smith-Shawver (SP-ATL) will make his first big-league start on Friday against the Nationals. The 20 year-old righty flew through Atlanta's minor-league system after being taken out of high school in the 7th round of the 2021 draft and reached the majors after throwing just 19 IP in Double-A and Triple-A combined. Armed with a mid-90s average heater that he can push into the upper 90s, Smith-Shawver also possesses a plus slider and developing change. Scouts have lauded his slider, which has a chance to be a "special" out pitch. He remains raw as a pitcher since he only recently focused on baseball (and pitching) full time (as he was also a quarterback prospect in HS), with his command, especially a work in progress. But Smith-Shawver has demonstrated his strikeout ability at each minor-league stop and was effective in a relief appearance against Arizona last weekend (2.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K). The Nationals offense isn't anything amazing (ranking #19 in baseball with a team OPS of .717 and #23 overall against righties with a .683 OPS), so consider adding him if you have a roster spot to spare for a possible impact arm. He's currently available in some 91% of ESPN leagues.
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