Trevor Story (SS-BOS) continued his comeback season as he went 2-4 with a solo homer, 2B, and an additional run scored against the Athletics on Thursday afternoon. After recording a combined 274 PA during the 2023 and 2024 seasons because of injuries, Story has compiled a .268 average to go with 25 dingers, 93 RBI, 87 runs scored, and 31 steals across 616 PA in 2025. He's fanned often (27%) while drawing few walks (5%) but his 84.5% in-zone contact rate comes in a bit above his 83.5% career mark in that department while his Statcast profile is among the best of his career with a career-high 47% hard-hit rate, 9.5% barrel rate, and career-high average exit velo just north of 91 mph. However, his career-low average launch angle of 14.2 has led to a career-high 43.5% groundball rate and career-low 37.5% flyball rate that have muted his power output a bit. But still, it's encouraging to see Story bounce back to threaten a 30-30 campaign. But his injury history and push into his mid-30s (he'll be 33 when next season starts) raise questions about whether fantasy owners should count on him in 2026.
Chandler Simpson (OF-TB) went 3-4 with a 2B, and 2 RBI as he batted leadoff against the Blue Jays on Thursday. He also was caught stealing for the 12th time this season. The 24 year-old rookie has basically produced as expected in the majors as he's now batting .301 with no homers, 26 RBI, 50 runs scored, and 42 steals through 413 PA. He's neither walked (5%) nor struck out (10%) often as he's made a lot of contact on pitches inside the zone (94.5%). Quality of contact represents his contact/speed profile as Simpson has logged a 17% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 84 mph while he's yet to barrel a ball. An average launch angle of 0.3 has generated a 24% liner rate, 59% groundball rate, and 17% flyball rate that works for a guy with his kind of wheels. A .335 BABIP is certainly repeatable, especially since he regularly surpassed that mark in the minors last season (.388 over 505 PA) and in Triple-A to open the current campaign (.369 over 156 PA).
Tarik Skubal (SP-DET) was effective in a no-decision against the Guardians on Thursday afternoon as he allowed 1 run on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9 over 6 IP. The 28 year-old southpaw yielded a solo blast while firing 71 of his 102 offerings for strikes. It was a positive outing for Skubal, who exited his previous start prematurely because of a side issue. The Cy Young candidate now boasts a 2.23 ERA, 11.1 K/9, 1.4 BB/9, and 2.67 xFIP through 30 starts (189.1 IP) as he's actually been better than he was a year ago, when he took home the Cy Young Award (2.39 ERA, 10.7 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, and 2.83 xFIP over 192 IP). Look for another strong outing when Skubal visits Cleveland for a rematch early next week.
Brayan Bello (SP-BOS) took the L against the Athletics on Thursday afternoon as he surrendered 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks while fanning 3 over 4 IP. The 26 year-old righty yielded a longball while throwing 42 of his 70 pitches for strikes in the outing. Look at Thursday's outing as a bit of correction to the mean for Bello, who entered the start with a 3.25 ERA against a 4.33 xFIP. He now owns a 3.34 ERA, 6.7 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and 4.34 xFIP through 161.2 IP on the year (27 starts). Bello's 8.5% swinging-strike rate is a career low while he's yielded a career-high 90% in-zone contact rate. His saving grace has been limited loud contact as Statcast shows a 39% hard-hit rate, 7% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 88.5 mph, all of which come in at or slightly below his career averages. Further regression should be expected when he visits Toronto next week.
Stephen Kolek (SP-KC) impressed again despite taking an L against the Mariners on Thursday, this time allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and a walk while recording 8 punchouts over 7.1 IP. The 28 year-old southpaw kept the ball in the yard as he tossed 74 of his 99 pitches for strikes. Kolek has now posted four straight quality starts since joining the Royals, although his 8 strikeouts on Thursday were an outlier as he hadn't fanned more than 4 in an outing since moving to KC. The good control, however, has been typical as he's walked just 3 batters across those 4 starts. Overall, though, there is real reason to question his fantasy value going forward as Kolek owns a 3.54 ERA, 6.3 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and 4.09 xFIP across 106.2 PA in the majors this season. He hasn't missed many bats (7.5% swinging-strike rate) while yielding a lot of contact inside the zone (91%). Meanwhile, there has been a lot of loud contact as Statcast shows a 48.5% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 91.5 mph, although an average launch angle of 7.8 has generated a 51% groundball rate. His next outing - scheduled for next week against the Angels - isn't exactly a daunting one.
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