Brandon Lowe (2B-TB) went 1-3 with a 2-run shot and a walk against Cleveland on Wednesday. The 31 year-old has finally stayed healthy, and that's been good for fantasy owners as he's hit .264 with 26 dingers, 65 RBI, and 66 runs scored across 452 PA this season. Since reaching the majors back in 2018, Lowe has recorded more PA in a single season only once before this year - in 2021. As usual, he's fanned a good bit (25%) while posting a typically high swinging-strike rate (16.5%), but his 82% in-zone contact rate is the second-highest of his MLB career. Meanwhile, Lowe has assembled one of the strongest Statcast profiles of his career as it boasts a 46% hard-hit rate, 12.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 91.5 mph. His second career 30-homer campaign seems likely.
Eugenio Suarez (3B-SEA) went 2-4 with a homer, 3 RBI, SB, and an additional run scored against the Padres on Wednesday. The 34 year-old slugger now owns a .237 average to go with 42 homers, 104 RBI, and 78 runs scored across 537 PA. The homer total is the second-highest of Suarez's career while the RBI total now matches his career best. While he's a bit of a windmill (27.5% strikeout rate) who doesn't walk often (7%), Suarez has made the most of his subpar 82% in-zone and 69.5% overall contact rates to register a career-high 49% hard-hit rate to go with a robust 14.5% barrel rate and average exit velocity of 90.5 mph. He's disappointed since rejoining the Mariners, however, as he was hitting just .174 with 5 dingers, 14 RBI, and 12 runs scored in 96 PA entering Wednesday's action. During that span, he's fanned at an elevated 32.5% clip while his loud contact is down (39.5% hard-hit rate, 12.5% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 87.5 mph). Maybe Wednesday's outburst indicates that he's breaking out of his funk.
Ben Rice (C/1B-NYY) stayed hot as he went 3-5 with a solo blast and an additional run scored against the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon. The 26 year-old slowed a bit following a hot start to the campaign, but he's heated back up recently as he was hitting .311 with 5 dingers, 11 RBI, and 8 runs scored over 55 PA since August 11 entering Wednesday's action. During that span, Rice has fanned at an acceptable 22% clip while drawing a lot of walks (18%), elevating his in-zone contact rate to 91%, and absolutely destroying the baseball; Statcast shows a 63.5% hard-hit rate, average exit velocity of 97.5 mph, and 24% barrel rate during that time. Oh, and he's batting 2nd in one of the best lineups in the majors. Make sure he's not somehow a free agency in your league(s).
Eric Lauer (SP-TOR) got beat up by the Twins on Wednesday as he surrendered 8 runs (6 earned) on 10 hits and no walks while striking out 4 over 4.2 IP. The 30 year-old lefty tossed 68 of his 98 pitches for strikes while serving up four big flies. Regression was to be expected for Lauer, as he entered the outing with a 2.76 ERA against a 4.17 xFIP. He now owns a 3.21 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, and 4.21 xFIP across 92.2 IP this season. A .267 BABIP and 82.5% strand rate continue to suppress his ERA. Although Lauer's control has been a plus, his 9.5% swinging-strike rate isn't great while he's yielded his share of loud contact, with Statcast showing a 41% hard-hit rate, 7% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 90.5 mph while the opposition's average launch angle of 21.7 raises the risk of shellackings such as what happened on Wednesday. Up next is a visit to Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Jonah Tong (SP-NYM) should be immediately added in fantasy leagues as he will be promoted to make his MLB debut against the Marlins on Friday. The 22 year-old righty has impressed in the minors this season, opening the campaign in Double-A, where he registered a 1.59 ERA, 14.3 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, and 2.06 xFIP over 102 IP. He's logged only 11.2 IP in Triple-A following a promotion, allowing no runs on 8 hits and 3 walks while recording 17 strikeouts. Tong most recently fired 6 shutout IP in which he scattered 5 hits and a walk while fanning 8 on Saturday. He misses lots of bats (16.5% swinging-strike rate in Double-A and 21.5% in Triple-A) but his control is a concern. Tong's repertoire revolves around a north-south approach based on elite induced vertical break that features a plus mid-90s heater and improving mid-80s vulcan-grip change while he mixes in a slider and curve. His unorthodox delivery has drawn comparisons to Tim Lincecum, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out at Citi Field on Friday.
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