Jacob Misiorowski (SP-MIL) hurled a complete game 1-hitter against the Phillies on Friday piling up 15 punchouts and walking nobody on 95 pitches (74 strikes). The 24 year-old righty has been nothing short of electric in 2026 as he now owns a 1.34 ERA, 13.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, and 2.01 xFIP through 87 IP. Sure, the gap between his ERA and xFIP suggests that a .230 BABIP, 84% strand rate, and 7.3% HR/FB are suppressing his ERA, but Misiorowski has limited loud contact (32% hard-hit, 2.5% barrel, and average exit velo of 87 mph per Statcast) while he misses tons of bats (16.5% swinging-strike rate) and doesn't allow much contact in general (65.5%) or in the zone specifically (76%). Oh, and he's improved his control considerably as his BB/9 was 4.2 in last year's 66 IP debut. He's an auto-start against the Cleveland lineup on Thursday.
Roki Sasaki (SP-LAD) struggled at the White Sox on Friday evening, surrendering 7 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4 over just 4.1 IP. The 24 year-old RHP gave up 1 homer as he tossed just 53 of his 91 offerings for strikes in the contest. Just when it seemed like Sasaki had figured things out, regression came for him and he's now the owner of a 4.76 ERA, 9.3 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 3.96 xFIP through 62.1 IP. He's suffered from some poor luck in a 16.5% HR/FB, but Sasaki has yielded plenty of loud contact in a 45% hard-hit rate, 10.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 90 mph. Encouragingly, though, his swinging-strike rate is up to 13.5% so far this year after coming in at just 8.5% a year ago while he's reduced the opposition's overall contact rate to 74% (80% in 2025) and their in-zone contact rate to 85% (91.5%). He's just 24 and possesses elite raw stuff, so there is reason for fantasy owners to hold out hope of him turning a corner. Up next is a start against the Orioles.
Jake Bauers (1B/OF-MIL) went 1-3 with a 3-run blast and a walk against the Phillies on Friday. The 30 year-old is quietly putting together the best season of his underwhelming MLB career as he's hitting .278 with a career-high 13 homers, 46 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 5 steals (in 6 opportunities) through 238 PA. The most exciting part of Bauers's profile is his Statcast metrics, which include a 54.5% hard-hit rate, 13.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 92.5 mph. Pair that with a patient, disciplined approach (41.5% swing rate, 19% chase rate) and one has a guy who can make the most of his middling contact ability (76.5% overall, 85.5% in zone). The dual position eligibility is a nice bonus for fantasy owners that helps to keep him in the lineup.
Samuel Basallo (C-BAL) went 1-4 with a 2-run shot against the Padres as the pain in his wrist has apparently subsided enough. Despite some soreness in his wrist causing him to miss some time, the 21 year-old is enjoying a productive first full season in the majors as he now claims a .257 average to go with 10 dingers, 29 RBI, and 26 runs scored through 207 PA. His 26% strikeout rate isn't terrible while he's drawn some walks (8.5%) and posted an 85% in-zone contact rate that's improved from the 82.5% that he logged in last year's 118 PA. The most exciting part of his profile is the loud contact as Statcast shows a 48% hard-hit rate, 13% barrel rate, and average exit velocity north of 92 mph while an average launch angle of 13.1 has generated 22% liners, 40.5% grounders, and 37.5% flyballs. At just 21, Basallo is an exciting talent for fantasy who is on pace to hit .250+ with 20+ dingers in 2026.
Sonny Gray (SP-BOS) was sharp against the visiting Rangers on Friday, yielding just 1 run on 5 hits and no walks while fanning 7 over 6 IP. The 36 year-old RHP kept the ball in the yard as he tossed 60 of his 88 offerings for strikes in the contest. The grizzled veteran now boasts a 3.03 ERA, 7.4 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, and 3.71 xFIP through 62.1 IP on the year. Gray's swinging-strike rate is down to just 9.5% after it came in at 12% last year while his overall (80%) and in-zone (92%) contact rates are among the highest of his career. But he's done a good job of limiting loud contact, as his Statcast profile includes an 8% barrel rate, 36% hard-hit rate, and average exit velocity of 88.5 mph, with the latter two at or below career norms. He'll look to keep rolling against the Twins on Thursday.
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