Luke Keaschall (2B-MIN) enjoyed another productive day at the dish as he went 2-5 with a pair of 2B and 3 RBI against the Tigers on Wednesday. The 22 year-old rookie is now hitting .393 with a homer, 5 2B, 8 RBI, 5 runs scored, and 5 steals (in 6 chances) through a small sample size of 35 PA in the majors. He's also walked (14.5%) more often than he's struck out (5.5%). That's obviously a tiny sample size, but Keaschall has continued to rake since returning from the IL and should be rostered in all fantasy leagues, at least as long as he's red-hot. After all, he hit .303 with 15 homers, 48 RBI, 80 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases across 464 PA in High-A and Double-A a season ago, logging only 118 PA in Triple-A this season (.263 average, 1 homer, 9 RBI, 16 runs scored, and 11 steals while fanning and walking at an identical 14.5% rate) before team management decided he was ready for big-league action. His scouting profiles indicate a plus hit tool and plus speed to go with below-average pop, but there is certainly fantasy value in that, especially at the keystone.
Gavin Williams (SP-CLE) took a no-hitter into the 9th in Wednesday's start against the Mets before finishing the game allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 4 walks while fanning 6 over 8.2 IP. The 26 year-old righty fired 75 of his 126 pitches for strikes while lone hit (and run) came on a solo dinger. Williams now claims a 3.17 ERA, 8.9 K/9, 4.9 BB/9, and 4.19 xFIP through 125 IP on the year. The control is concerning and the gap between the ERA and xFIP indicates that a .252 BABIP and 81% strand rate are keeping the ERA artificially low. There's been some loud contact as Statcast shows a 40.5% hard-hit rate, 8.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89.5 mph. He misses his share of bats (12% swinging-strike rate), but isn't electric enough to make his poor control a non-issue. He's slated to face a Marlins lineup early next week that's actually been decent since the All-Star break, posting a .736 team OPS that ranks 13th in the majors during the second half.
Trevor Rogers (SP-BAL) continued his strong 2025 campaign as he picked up a tough W against the Phillies on the road on Wednesday. The 27 year-old southpaw allowed just 1 run on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 over 6 IP. Rogers kept the ball in the yard as he threw 73 of his 104 offerings for strikes. He now boasts a 1.44 ERA and 2.2 BB/9 through 62.1 IP on the year, but a 7.8 K/9 and 3.64 xFIP are both less impressive as a .212 BABIP, 85.5% strand rate, and 3% HR/FB are all suppressing his ERA. While the improved control is encouraging, Rogers has yielded a good bit of loud contact as Statcast shows a 49.5% hard-hit rate, 7.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89.5 mph. So, while some regression in the ERA is an easy call, a few more strikeouts should be coming as his swinging-strike rate is solid at 12%. He does face a tough test when the Mariners visit town early next week.
Jack Leiter (SP-TEX) scuffled against the Yankees but avoided major damage as he allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3 over just 3.1 IP. The 25 year-old righty threw just 33 of his 68 pitches for strikes while keeping the ball in the yard. Leiter now claims a 4.05 ERA, 8.4 K/9, 4.7 BB/9, and 4.86 xFIP through 100 IP on the campaign. His control remains an issue while he's benefited from a lucky .264 BABIP that has helped to suppress his ERA. Concerningly, Leiter has surrendered a good bit of loud contact, with Statcast showing a 44% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90.5 mph. His 11% swinging-strike rate is also not bad, but it's not anything to write home about. Up next is a Diamondbacks lineup that ranks 19th in the majors with a team OPS of .699 since the All-Star break, so his luck may last a little longer.
Jack Flaherty (SP-DET) did not fare well against the Twins at home on Wednesday, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits and a walk while striking out 3 over 4.2 IP. The 29 year-old righty allowed one homer while firing 49 of his 82 offerings for strikes on the afternoon. Flaherty now claims a 4.56 ERA, 11 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, and 3.66 xFIP through 23 starts (120.1 IP) on the year. The gap between his ERA and xFIP does suggest that a 14.5% HR/FB and 73% strand rate are inflating his ERA, but Flaherty has surrendered more loud contact this season than ever before, with Statcast showing a 44% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89.5 mph; the first two are career highs. And while his swinging-strike rate is solid at 12%, Flaherty has issued more free passes than usual (3.2 career BB/9), which doesn't pair well with elevated hard contact. If there ever was a get-right spot, it's next week in Chicago against the White Sox.
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
