Jeremy Pena SS HOU
Pena is quietly having an elite season at shortstop. The high-visibility numbers are there: 9 HR with a .382 OBP and .324 BA, not to mention every day reliability and measurable speed. Pena's 29.7 MPH speed has led to some clean swipes: 11 of 12 in 2025. Take into account his strong OBP and the path to 30 SBs is real, not to mention 20 plus homers. Pena is a great trade target if he has a down week. I dropped him because I'm ignorant, but you can learn from my mistakes.
Victor Scott II OF STL
Great Scott!? Ok, maybe not at batting, but his 17 for 18 is stolen base attempts, further buttressed by a clean 0 pickoffs thus far point to a strong SB campaign for Victor. He may not be the most useful hitter (understatement), but speed kills at 30 MPH and Scott is set to burn whenever he gets on base which is a manageable 3 out 10 in 2025. So go ahead and scoff at Scott's .314 xSLG and 3.7% Barrel Rate but don't sleep on the efficient stolen bases that could total 50 by year's end.
Matt McLain 2B CIN
Great buy low, buy now candidate. Despite a tough start with some unsightly stats, .573 OPS, batting average under .200 and sky-high 30% K Rate, Mr. McLain is running wisely. He is 11 for 11 on the stolen base path, with a 29 MPH Sprint Speed that indicates good choices and fleet feet. Despite the eyesore numbers, McLain has 6 HR already and could be a 20 HR 30 SB guy by year's end, which is solid at 2B.
Sal Frelick OF MIL
"Hey, I need you to take care of this thing."
"That thing upstate?"
"Yeah, the thing with the guy with the gold glove, can't hit..."
That's how you should start the conversation regarding a trade or waiver wire pickup for Salvatore Frelick, who is suddenly a bit of a hitman. He's also the owner of elite speed and surging on base skills (.354 OBP) and elite 10.8 Whiff Percentage. His speed has translated to 11 of 13 steal success on the diamond and his bat to ball skills, highlighted by a 33% Square Up Rate, indicates return trips to first base (Sal typically singles) and solid 30 SB potential. The batting average is hovering at xBA of .273 so he may end up being a two-category wonder, but that is valuable in 5 OF and certainly in NL-Only. So don't rat on your friends, but do try to extract Sal Frelick from them if he's riding the pine.
Bryson Stott 2B PHI
Stott is often stuck on the waiver wire or on the fringes of rosters, but his 11 out 12 stolen bases indicates that he could end up with 30 or more steals in 2025. His batting average is low (.240) and OBP is only .310 but he plays on the Phillies who offer run scoring potential. His eye has been a keen 23% Chase Rate with a nice 18.6% Whiff Rate, so his OBP should hold firm and lead to more opportunities for theft. History shows 30 SB on his resume and there are worse options for cheap steals moving forward in 2025 than Bryson Stott.
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