Jared Jones (SP-PIT) spun a gem against the Angels as he fired 6 shutout IP in which he allowed just 3 hits and a walk while racking up 9 punchouts on 91 pitches (63 strikes). The 25 year-old RHP now owns a 4.46 ERA, 10.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 3.62 xFIP through 78.2 IP this season. He could be a nice bargain on draft day given the gap between his ERA and xERA (3.84). Jones has missed lots of bats (13.5% swinging-strike rate) while limiting the opposition to a 72% overall contact rate and 84.5% in-zone contact rate. There's been some loud contact (40% hard-hit, 8% barrel, and 90 mph average EV), but his stellar whiff rate (31%) helps to mitigate the damage. He should be a solid play at the White Sox on Thursday while he's an interesting arm for fantasy in 2027.
Nolan McLean (SP-NYM) earned the W against the Giants on Friday with a wildly effective outing in which he allowed 2 R on 6 H and 4 BB while fanning 6 over 6 IP. The 25 year-old RHP kept the ball in the yard as he threw 65 of his 105 pitches for strikes in the contest. McLean has posted a strong 3.06 ERA and 10 K/9, this season, but his 3.6 BB/9 is concerning while a .264 BABIP in particular has helped to suppress his ERA a bit. His 10% swinging-strike rate isn't impressive while the opposition's 78% overall contact rate and 86.5% in-zone contact rate are roughly league average. To his credit, McLean limits loud contact as Statcast shows an average EV of 88 mph, 6.5% barrel rate, and 35.5% hard-hit rate while there are some groundballs in there (45.5%). The peripherals aren't exciting as he prepares for a start in Miami on Wednesday, and fantasy owners would do well to not overvalue him in 2027 since a low-3 ERA is lucky per his 3.57 xERA.
Keider Montero (SP-DET) did not factor into the decision in game 1 of a doubleheader at Cleveland on Friday as he yielded 6 runs on 8 hits and a walk while striking out 4 over 4 IP. The 26 year-old RHP surrendered a grand slam as he tossed 51 of his 82 offerings for strikes in the outing. Montero now owns a 3.52 ERA, 6 K/9, 2 BB/9, and 4.61 xFIP through 143 IP on the year. The ERA and walk rate are nice, but a .233 BABIP and 7.5% HR/FB in particular are suppressing his ERA while Montero misses few bats (8% swinging-strike rate), yielding lots of contact overall (83.5%) and in the zone (88.5%). What has saved him has been modest loud contact as Statcast shows a 37% hard-hit rate, 7% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 88.5 mph. Regression is in the cards when he faces the Twins next week while Montero is not a particularly interesting arm for 2027.
Francisco Alvarez (C-NYM) went 2-4 with a pair of solo homers as the Mets defeated the Giants on Friday evening. Despite being slowed by injuries (again), the 24 year-old is hitting .234 with 15 HR, 36 RBI, and 31 R over 363 PA. His strikeout rate is up to a career worst 30.5% as he's been more prone to chasing (32.5%) than in the past and his swinging-strike rate remains lofty at 14.5%. Meanwhile, his quality of contact remains good, with his 15.5% barrel rate, 45% hard-hit rate, and average EV just north of 90 mph all plus metrics. His whiff (35.5%) and strikeout (30.5%) rates raise big questions about his ability to hit higher than .250 in the future, but the pop is legit; he just needs to be able to stay on the field and he'll give fantasy owners 25+ dingers.
Sebastian Walcott (SS-TEX) has been on an absolute tear as of late as he's hitting .452 with 4 HR, 6 RBI, 18 R, and 4 SB across his last 41 PA entering Friday's action. The 20 year-old started the season late as he recovered from offseason elbow surgery, but he's now raking at Double-A Frisco as he eyes a likely MLB debut in 2027. Overall, Walcott is hitting .316 with 7 HR, 16 RBI, 37 R, and 7 SB across 134 PA with Frisco, commanding the dish well enough - especially for his age - with a 12% walk rate and 22% strikeout rate. In doing so, he's ripped tons of liners (35%) while lofting enough flyballs (32%) to support power output. Widely viewed as a top-15 prospect in baseball, Walcott should be on the radar of fantasy owners as his plus power in particular is intriguing while he'll also contribute SB; the hit tool isn't the strongest, but he's not expected to be a liability in the average department.
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