Freddy Peralta, SP, MIL
Peralta continued his fantastic stretch against the Phillies on Thursday, tossing 5 shutout innings, while striking out 8 and allowing just 2 hits and 3 BB's. He has now not allowed a run in five straight starts, totalling 28 IP, 35 K's, 12 BB's, and just 9 hits allowed in that stretch. His season ERA is down to 2.50 which would be the best mark of his career and just the second time he finished with an ERA south of 3.50. One knock on Peralta this season is that he hasn't managed to go deep into game; he has completed 6 innings in just 12 of his 29 starts, and he has pitched more than 6 innings only twice. His high walk rate could be a large reason for that - he owns a 3.46 BB/9 this season, and even during his scoreless streak, he's still been handing out plenty of free passes. Peralta's lack of length hasn't stopped him from winning 16 games so far this year, but that's not something we should expect him to replicate in the future. His career high in wins before this season was 12. In general, we should be cautious about expecting a repeat performance from Peralta next season, as he's posted an ERA between 3.50-4.00 in each of the previous three seasons, and his current 3.97 xFIP suggests that he's really still somewhere in that range. Still, a pitcher with a mid-to-high 3.00's ERA and around 10 K/9 is good to have, even if he doesn't turn into a perennial Cy Young contender.
J.T. Realmuto, C, PHI
Realmuto went 1-4 with 2 K's against the Brewers on Thursday and is currently in the midst of a 4-34 stretch in which he's struck out 16 times. It's been a disappointing season for the veteran catcher who has collected 11 HR's, 47 RBI, and 7 steals through 116 games. Unless he gets hot over the last few weeks of the season, he'll fall short of the 15 HR mark for the second straight year, after hitting at least 17 bombs in each of the prior 6 full length seasons. He's also in danger of finishing with single-digit steals for the 2nd year in a row, after grabbing 50 SB's from 2021-23. With several catchers having breaking campaigns this season, such as Hunter Goodman, Drake Baldwin, and Augustin Ramirez, as well as rising stars like Cal Raleigh and She Langeliers, Realmuto could find himself outside the top ten catchers for the first time in about a decade. He's a free agent at the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up and whether he retains an every day role at age 35 next season.
Mookie Betts, SS, LAD
Betts went 1-4 with his 15th HR of the season against the Pirates on Thursday as he looks to put a strong finish on what has been a disappointing season for the star outfielder. His numbers have been down across the board this season, but he's picked things up over the last month or so, hitting .327 with 4 HR's, 13 RBI, and 20 runs scored in his last 26 games. He has continued to make contact at an excellent rate this season, but his HardHit% has fallen to 34.0%, an 8% drop from his career average. Betts is no longer a 1st round draft pick in fantasy drafts, and probably not a 2nd rounder either. He's still worth an early draft choice due to his ability to contribute in all categories, but his name may lead him to getting picked earlier than he deserves.
Kyle Manzardo, 1B, CLE
Manzardo went 1-4 with a HR against the Rays on Thursday, giving him 4 HR's in his last 7 games and 25 longballs for the season. It's been a breakout campaign for Manzardo, who has hit the ball hard (43.8% HardHit%) and in the air (50.7% FB%) - a good recipe for home runs, although the fly balls haven't been good for his BA. Manzardo seems to have established himself as a legitimate power bat for a Guardians lineup that desperately needs one.
Kyle Teel, C, CWS
Teel went 3-5 with a HR and 4 RBI against the Twins on Thursday, as he continues to be a bright spot for the White Sox this season. Teel has been exceptional since the all-star break, hitting .328 with 6 HR's and 21 RBI across 35 games. For the season, he's hitting .293 with an .830 OPS, while posting a strong 26.5% LD%. His .368 BABIP will likely come down, causing his BA to drop as well. But Teel appears to be a viable catching option for fantasy owners down the stretch as well as into 2026.
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