Esmerlyn Valdez (OF-PIT) went 3-4 with a pair of homers and 6 RBI as he powered the Buccos to victory in the first half of Saturday's twin bill before going 1-4 with a 2-run jack in the second game. The 22 year-old is on quite a tear to begin his big-league career as he's now batting .311 with 10 homers, 26 RBI, and 19 runs scored through his first 100 PA. He's fanned often (36%) as his in-zone contact rate is poor (72%) and his swinging-strike rate is high at 15%. But Valdez doesn't chase a lot (25%) and tends to do damage when he does get the bat on the ball as his 28% barrel rate, 50% hard-hit rate, average exit velo of 91 mph, and 40% LA sweet-spot % are all legit. Valdez's average will dip as his .400 BABIP inevitably declines, but the power is real.
Jake Bauers (1B/OF-MIL) went 1-3 with a 2-run dinger and a walk in game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader in Pittsburgh 0-2 with a pair of walks in game 2. The 30 year-old is enjoying a breakout campaign as he's hitting .267 with a career-high 18 homers, 59 RBI, and 55 runs scored through 342 PA while chipping in 6 steals (in 7 tries). His 26% strikeout rate is a career low while he's drawing plenty of walks as usual (13.5%). Bauers's in-zone contact rate is one of the better ones of his career at 85%, but he's especially excelled at generating loud contact as his 92.5 mph average exit velo and 53% hard-hit rate are career highs while his 13.5% barrel rate is tied for the second best of his career. His LA sweet-spot % is also well above average at 36%.
Zach Neto (SS-LAA) went 2-5 with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base as the Angels nevertheless fell to the Twins. The 25 year-old now owns a .237 average to go with 19 homers, 45 RBI, 67 runs scored, and 12 steals (albeit in 20 attempts) through his first 419 PA of the campaign. While Neto's walk rate sits at a career-high 10.5%, he's also fanning more often than ever before with a 31.5% strikeout rate as his swinging-strike rate is up to a career-worst 15.5% and his overall contact rate is down to 69.5%. The issue is not in the zone as his 84% in-zone contact rate is a career best, but outside the zone as Neto's 35.5% chase rate is a career high and his 47% o-contact% is down from last season's 50.5%. While his Statcast metrics are still alright, they are down across the board from 2025 as they include a 40% hard-hit rate, 13.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89.5 mph. While an average north of .250 seems unlikely this season, Neto is on pace for 30 homers and 20 steals.
Joe Ryan (SP-MIN) earned the W against the Angels on Saturday afternoon as he allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while fanning 6 over 6 IP. The 30 year-old RHP kept the ball in the yard as he tossed 61 of his 94 pitches for strikes. Ryan is putting together another quietly productive campaign as he now owns a 2.85 ERA, 10.4 K/9, 2 BB/9, and 3.44 xFIP through 20 starts (110.1 IP). In some ways, it's more of the same as his 11.5% swinging-strike rate and the opposition's overall contact rate (76.5%) are right around his career norms, but the opposition's in-zone contact rate is up a touch from 81% to 83% while They are making a bit more loud contact than usual as Statcast shows a career-high 43% hard-hit rate (39.5% career average) while his 11% barrel rate (9.5% career) and average exit velo of 90 mph (89.5 mph) are all up. Ultimately, his plus control and ability to fan a little over a batter per inning help to make him a solid if unexciting arm in fantasy. Look for more of the same in the second half, although that ERA could rise a bit since he's benefited from a career-low 7.5% HR/FB despite the career-high Statcast metrics..
Grant Taylor (RP-CHW) earned a save with 1.2 scoreless IP against the Athletics in which he allowed no hits and walked one while fanning a pair on 22 pitches (14 strikes) . The 24 year-old righty has now picked up 4 saves this season, including 2 in his last 3 appearances. It appears that Taylor is taking hold of the closer role in Chicago, unseating Seranthony Dominguez, who has largely struggled this season. For his part, Taylor has looked the part of a closer, compiling a 2.79 ERA, 12.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 2.75 xFIP Across 48.1 IP. Taylor certainly has the stuff to close out games, headlined by a 98-mph average heater that he complements with an 84-mph curve and 90-mph slider. He should be added wherever he's still available in fantasy.
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