Spencer Torkelson (1B-DET) was productive in Thursday's doubleheader with the Rockies as he went 5-9 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored, and 4 RBI on the day. The 25 year-old continues to be a fantasy contributor as he's now batting .254 with 10 dingers, 32 RBI, and 28 runs scored through 163 PA on the year. He's trimmed his strikeout rate to a more acceptable 24.5% while drawing walks at a career-high 12.5% clip. His swinging-strike rate (10.5%), contact rate (77%), and in-zone contact rate (84.5%) are all around his career averages, but Torkelson has dramatically improved his quality of contact with a 49% hard-hit rate, 16.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 91 mph. Those figures all compare well with his 2023 season in which he hit .233 with 31 homers in 684 PA. He's unlikely to be an asset in the average department, but a .240-30-100 season line is quite possible.
Casey Mize (SP-DET) earned the W in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Rockies as he went 6 IP in which he allowed just 1 run on 3 hits and no walks while fanning 8. The 28 year-old righty kept the ball in the yard as he fired 63 of his 86 pitches for strikes in the outing. Mize is in the midst of a surprisingly productive campaign in which he has amassed a 2.53 ERA, 7.4 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, and 3.81 xFIP through 42.2 IP (7 starts). In addition to harnessing his control, Mize has elevated his swinging-strike rate to a career-best 11.5% (9.5% career)) while the opposition's overall contact rate is down to 76.5% (80% career) while their in-zone rate is down to 84.5% (87% career). While his Statcast profile isn't great, it's better than it's been the last couple of seasons with a 41% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 90 mph. Up next is a start at home against the Red Sox.
Marcus Semien (2B-TEX) continued to scuffle as he went 0-4 with a strikeout against the Red Sox on Thursday afternoon. The 34 year-old is now hitting just .179 with 2 homers, 14 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a steal in 151 PA to open the campaign. Semien's 2024 season was subpar (.237 average, 23 dingers, 74 RBI, 101 runs scored, and 8 steals with a 99 wRC+ in 718 PA, but his woes at the plate have deepened in 2025 as his swinging-strike rate is up (11%), his contact rate is down (77.5% overall, 87.5% in zone), and his Statcast profile remains on the weak side (34% hard-hit rate, 88.5 mph average exit velo, and 8% barrel rate). There's little reason for optimism here as Semien seems to be simply declining with age and heavy use as he's registered more than 700 PA in every season since 2018 (aside from the shortened 2020 campaign). Some correction should come as a .212 BABIP is well below his .282 career mark and his quality of contact isn't horrible, but to expect anything more than .250-15-5 the rest of the way would be optimistic.
Nick Lodolo (SP-CIN) looked solid in a no-decision against the Braves on Thursday evening as he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and no walks while recording 7 punchouts over 6 IP. The lefty kept the ball in the yard as he fired 62 of his 93 offerings for strikes. The strikeouts were nice to see as Lodolo's K/9 was just 6.8 on the year entering the contest while his swinging-strike rate came in at a career-low 9%. He did get 13 whiffs on 44 swings on Thursday night, with his curve doing more work than any other pitch (6 whiffs on 14 swings). Overall, Lodolo now owns a 3.23 ERA, 7.2 K/9, 1.3 BB/9, and 4.02 xFIP through 47.1 IP (8 starts). The improved control (2.8 career BB/9) is encouraging while he's continued to induce lots of grounders (46%). Another encouraging development is his 7.5% barrel rate, the lowest of his career. Up next is a favorable matchup with the White Sox.
Cade Horton (SP-CHC) will reportedly join the big-league rotation to face the Mets this weekend. He should have the opportunity to make multiple starts for the big club with Shota Imanaga (hamstring) on the IL. The 23 year-old righty has looked good so far this season in Triple-A after an injury-shortened 2024 campaign as he owns a 1.24 ERA, 10.2 K/9, 4 BB/9, and 4.23 xFIP over 29 IP (6 starts). The walks are concerning and the gap between the ERA and xFIP points to a lucky 95% strand rate and .169 BABIP in particular suppressing the former. But reports indicate that Horton's stuff has been good as his swinging-strike rate is sitting at a healthy 13% while opposing hitters have registered just a 70.5% overall contact rate and 84.5% in-zone contact rate. He's also minimized the loud contact as Statcast shows a 28% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 87.5 mph so far. There will most likely be some ups and downs after he gets the call as there usually are with young arms, but Horton has a strong pedigree (he was the 7th overall pick in 2022) while he's generally earned high marks as a prospect. And he's healthy and has performed this season at the highest level of the minors.
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