Alec Bohm (1B/3B - Phillies)
Bohm returned from the IL and hit cleanup going 2-4 with his 9th HR of the season. He was hitting a solid .278 before his rib injury but it was mostly empty batting average as he had a .324 obp and .391 slg to go along with it. Bohm drove in 97 runs last year despite hitting just 15 home runs but did his damage roping 44 doubles. That number fell off before his injury as he had just 12 in 92 games. He had always had a solid hit tool and despite going 3-21 on his rehab assignment, the Phillies wanted to get him back as they have lost 5 of 6.
Aaron Nola (SP - Phillies)
Nola made his first start since May 14 and lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing 6 ER on 7 hits. He struck out 4. He looked strong over the first 2 innings before the wheels fell off in the third inning. Overall it has been a down year for the usually consistent Phillies arm as he struggled to a 6.16 ERA / 1.51 WHIP over 9 starts prior to the injury. Nola got crushed by the longball before his injury and his 10.57 H/9 is the worst he had allowed ever. With the recent news of Zack Wheeler to the IL, the Phillies will need vintage to pick up the slack over the last month + of the season and Sunday was not a good step in that direction.
Alejandro Kirk (C - Blue Jays)
Kirk blasted his 9th Home run of the season Sunday. His big season continues as the day after stealing his first career base he adds another HR as he approaches his career high of 14. The 26-year old has been getting it done with elite bat-to-ball skills (9.8 K%, 8.8& BB rate and a 51.1% hard hit rate is by the far the best of any full season. He has always been a contact hitter but he has taken new strides in driving the ball as his 2025 numbers are more reminiscent of his 2022 All-Star Season.
Marcus Semien (2B - Rangers)
Semien reached base 4 times Sunday including blasting his 15th home run of the season.It's been an overall rough year for the vet who has seen his success come in bursts. After sitting Saturday following hitting a home run Friday he was back at it Sunday homering and doubling. Other than an elevated strikeout rate not much in his batted ball profile has changed although his xAvg of .249 is more in line with his career compared to his .225 mark he sports this year. Owners should take note of his streaky nature, and Semien still has 15 HR 11 SB in a down year.
MLB Debut:
Samuel Basallo (C/1B/DH - Orioles)
Basallo delivered a 2-run single for his first career hit Sunday. One of the top prospects in baseball, Basallo was recalled by the Orioles Sunday and slotted right into the lineup at DH hitting 6. The 6'4 Basallo has split his time between DH, C and 1B at AAA this year and he should do that over the next month. He delivered a .270/.377/.589 line with 23 HR and 17 2Bs over 76 games this year, navigating injuries as well.
