Jake Bauers (1B/OF-MIL) went 2-5 with a 3B and run scored as he returned to the starting lineup in San Francisco on Wednesday. The 30 year-old is dealing with a fractured right big toe but will try to play through the injury. It's too bad that he'll play at less than full strength as Bauers is in midst of a career year in which he's hitting .265 with 18 dingers, 60 RBI, 62 runs scored, and 8 steals (in 9 chances) through 386 PA. His 26.5% strikeout rate isn't great, but it's the lowest of his career while his 13.5% walk rate is elite, as are his 13.5% barrel rate, 53.5% hard-hit rate, and average exit velocity of 92.5 mph. Patience, discipline, and loud contact - a great recipe for success.
Coby Mayo (3B-BAL) went 2-5 with a 3B, 2 walks, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored at Detroit on Wednesday afternoon. The 24 year-old has underwhelmed to say the least as he's now batting just .204 with 14 dingers, 40 RBI, and 38 runs scored across 275 PA in 2026. A 70% overall contact rate, 84% in-zone contact rate, and 14% swinging-strike rate aren't great as his 33.5% strikeout rate and 32% whiff rate are well below average. There's been some loud contact as Statcast shows a 49% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 92.5 mph, but his subpar discipline (31.5% chase rate) and contact issues hold him back.
Gabriel Moreno (C-ARI) powered the Diamondbacks to victory over the Pirates on Wednesday as he went 1-3 with a 2-run homer, a walk, and an additional run scored while batting 3rd. The 26 year-old backstop is now hitting .308 with 8 homers, 45 RBI, and 46 runs scored through 336 PA while chipping in 4 steals (in 5 attempts). Moreno has commanded the dish well with a 12% walk rate against a 15% strikeout rate, making plenty of contact (86% overall and 91.5% in zone). There's also been some quality contact, with a 38.5% LA sweet-spot %, although his 89.5 mph average exit velo, 7.5% barrel rate, and 42.5% hard-hit rate are all in the middling range. An average launch angle of 11.2 has, meanwhile, limited his power output as he's generated 22.5% liners and 43.5% grounders, leaving 34% for flyballs.
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP-ARI) threw 8 innings of shutout ball in Pittsburgh on Monday, scattering 5 hits and a walk while fanning just a pair on 105 pitches (73 strikes). The 33 year-old southpaw has been a pleasant surprise in 2026 with a 2.48 ERA through 130.2 IP, but his 6.1 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and 4.60 xFIP all raise red flags. Indeed, Rodriguez has done a good job of limiting loud contact as the opposition's average exit velo of 88 mph and 36.5% hard-hit rate are both good, but he's below-average across the board otherwise, with an underwhelming 17% strikeout rate, 20% whiff rate, and 29% chase rate while his 8.5% walk rate is below average. Some correction to the mean is possible when he faces the Padres next week as he's benefited from a .258 BABIP (.303 career) and 86% strand rate (74.5% career).
Casey Schmitt (1B/2B/3B/OF-SF) will "more than likely" miss the rest of the 2026 campaign as he'll undergo surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee. It's a disappointing development as the 27 year-old put together a breakout campaign in which he hit .271 with 21 longballs, 55 RBI, 47 runs scored, and 9 steals (in 10 attempts) across 409 PA. Although he chased often (36.5%), he posted an 80% overall contact rate, which included a 59% o-contact% and 90.5% z-contact% while his swinging-strike rate was a career-low 10.5%. He shined in the quality of contact department as he logged a 39.5% LA sweet-spot %, 45% hard-hit rate, 12.5% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90 mph. He'll look to pick up where he left off in 2027, and that position versatility is nice for fantasy owners.
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