Cam Smith (3B/OF-HOU) continues to adjust to the MLB level as he went 2-3 with a SB and RBI against the Phillies on Thursday afternoon. The 22 year-old rookie is now hitting .271 with 5 homers, 28 RBI, 29 runs scored, and 4 steals (in 5 attempts) through 254 PA on the year. That might be an underwhelming stat line, but Smith claims an above-average 115 wRC+ just a year after being drafted #14 overall in the 2024 amateur draft. Entering the contest, Smith was hitting .313 with 2 homers, 10 RBI, and 11 runs scored across 71 PA since June 5 while tempering his strikeout rate (21%) and making more loud contact (56% hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of 93 mph per Statcast). He's definitely trending in the right direction, so consider adding him if you could use OF help.
Josh Lowe (OF-TB) went 3-4 with a 2B and a stolen base against Kansas City on Thursday. The 27 year-old has been solid if unspectacular so far in 2025 as he now owns a .254 average to go with 4 longballs, 13 RBI, 25 runs scored, and 6 steals (in 7 chances) through his first 151 PA. Despite the meh stat line, there is a lot of good news here as Lowe has tempered his strikeout rate (career-low 22%) while drawing more walks (10%) and making a lot more contact (81.5% overall and 88.5% in zone). Oh, and his Statcast profile shows a 46% hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of 90.5 mph. Lowe's 4% barrel rate is down a bit from 2023 (11%) and 2024 (10.5%), and that can probably be largely attributed to a downtick in his average launch angle to 9.1 (was 14.3 in 2023 and 16.9 in 2024). That has meant more liners (28% in 2025, 23% career) and grounders (44% in 2025, 38.5% career) to the detriment of flyballs that are more likely to clear the fences (28% in 2025, 38.5% career). The power-speed combination remains enticing, and the improved ability to not strike out is encouraging.
Samuel Basallo (C/1B-BAL) is putting together a nice season with Triple-A Norfolk and should reach the majors by season's end. But then again it's the Orioles, so who knows? Entering Thursday's action, Basallo is batting .266 with 15 homers, 35 RBI, and 34 runs scored. After fanning at a 31.5% clip in his first taste of Triple-A last season (albeit in just 86 PA), he's striking out at a more reasonable 23% rate so far this season while drawing walks at a robust 15.5% clip. His overall contact rate is up only slightly from 72% to 73.5%, but his in-zone rate is up a lot from 75.5% to 85%. And then there's the loud contact as Statcast shows a 57.5% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 94 mph. He's done some of his best work in June, batting .333 with 6 homers, 15 RBI, and 14 runs scored over 70 PA, with a 20% strikeout rate and 15.5% walk rate.
Shane Baz (SP-TB) was electric against the Royals on Thursday afternoon as he fired 8 shutout IP in which he scattered 3 hits and a walk while racking up 9 punchouts on 97 pitches (69 strikes). The 26 year-old righty now owns a 4.37 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 3.94 xFIP through his first 90.2 IP (16 starts) of the 2025 campaign; those 90.2 IP are the most he's throwing in the majors since making his debut back in 2021. Baz's 2025 season has been up and down as he started the season red hot but has surrendered 5 or more ER in 4 of his 16 starts this season. Overall, he's just not missing lots of bats (10.5% swinging-strike rate, 77.5% overall contact rate, and 86.5% in-zone contact rate) while the opposition has made some loud contact (41.5% hard-hit rate, 10% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90 mph per Statcast). Baz is difficult to trust as he prepares to face a visiting Athletics lineup that currently ranks 10th in the majors in team OPS against RHP (.733).
Shota Imanaga (SP-CHC) returned from the IL (hamstring) to spin 5 shutout innings against the Cardinals, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while fanning 3. The 31 year-old lefty now claims a 2.54 ERA, 6.7 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, and 4.83 xFIP through 49.2 IP (9 starts) in 2025. A .209 BABIP and 87.5% strand rate contribute to the huge gap between the ERA and xFIP, cautioning fantasy owners to expect some regression. Imanaga has, however, posted a solid 12.5% swinging-strike rate while limiting the opposition to an 82% in-zone contact rate. There's been a bit of loud contact as Statcast shows a 90.5 mph average exit velocity and 10.5% barrel rate. Overall, this is a bit of a mixed bag as there's more strikeouts to unlock but he's been lucky in the BABIP and LOB departments. Fortunately for fantasy owners, it's an easy decision to run him out there next time as Imanaga is slated to take on a Cleveland lineup that ranks 26th in the majors in team OPS (.623) against LHP.
This is just a small sample our daily analysis, join our member area for tools that will help you win your fantasy championship. Click here for details: http://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Click here to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
