Jose Ramirez (3B-CLE) went 2-5 with a homer, 2 RBI, and a stolen base as the Guardians topped the Athletics on Friday night. In a season sidetracked by a broken hamate bone that sidelined him for over a month and has obviously sapped his power since he returned after the All-Star break, Ramirez has compiled a .232 average to go with 12 HR, 51 RBI, 65 R, and 34 SB (in 38 chances) across 511 PA. He's continued to command the dish well with an 11% walk rate against a 13% strikeout rate but his pop is unsurprisingly down a bit as his 4% barrel rate and average exit velocity of 88.5 mph are both down significantly from his career averages of 6.5% and 89 mph, respectively. Otherwise, he's been largely the same hitter as in the past, with high rates of contact in general (86.5%) and in the zone (92.5%). And there's a bunch of bad luck in his career-worst .245 BABIP (.278 average career). Look for him to bounce back in 2027.
Andy Pages (OF-LAD) is "very likely" to be reinstated from the IL (hand) during the team's final homestand (September 18-24) without completing a rehab assignment. The 25 year-old last played on August 21, so it seems the team is just wanting him to shake off some rust before the playoffs begin. He's followed up his breakout 2025 campaign (.272 average, 27 HR, 86 RBI, 74 R, 14 SB across 624 PA) with a nearly identical 2026, posting a .272 average to go with 21 HR, 80 RBI, 72 R, and 12 SB over 550 PA. But there's been some improvement under the hood as his walk rate is up from just 4.5% to 8% while his strikeout rate is down from 21.5% to 19.5%. That's a result of his swinging-strike rate dipping from 10.5% to 9%, his chase rate dipping from over 33% to 31.5%, his swing rate sliding from 53% to 47.5%, his overall contact rate climbing from 80% to 81%, and his in-zone contact rate jumping from 88% to 91%. Meanwhile, Pages' Statcast profile has improved in some areas as his hard-hit rate is up from 37% to 42% while his average EV is up from 88.5 mph to 89 mph. He's a "stock up" guy for 2027 fantasy drafts.
Zac Thornton (SP-NYM) earned the W against the Phillies on Friday evening as he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk while recording 4 punchouts over 6 IP. The 24 year-old LHP yielded one big fly as he threw 59 of his 87 offerings for strikes. Thornton now owns a 3.40 ERA, 6.7 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, and 4.12 xFIP across 79.1 IP this season. The gap between his ERA and xFIP indicates that he's benefited from a .270 BABIP and 83% strand rate. Meanwhile, he's registered an unimpressive 9.5% swinging-strike rate, 82% overall contact rate, and 89% in-zone contact rate. And there has, concerningly, been some loud contact in there as Statcast shows a 41.5% hard-hit rate, 9% barrel rate, and average EV of 89.5 mph. Don't be surprised if the Nationals get to him next week. And, for 2027, he's a regression candidate.
Ian Seymour (SP-TB) took the L against the Red Sox on Friday as he yielded 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5 over 5 IP. The 27 year-old LHP served up a pair of long balls while throwing 59 of his 87 pitches for strikes in the contest. It was a speedbump for Seymour in which has otherwise been a breakout campaign as he's registered a 4.38 ERA, 11 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and 3.51 xFIP over 127.1 IP this year. He's missed lots of bats with a 14% swinging-strike rate, 73% overall contact rate, and 81.5% in-zone contact rate while his 35.5% chase rate is strong. There have been some barrels (10%), but overall loud contact has not been an issue as Statcast shows a 37.5% hard-hit rate and 88 mph average EV. He's an intriguing option for 2027, but one thing to note is that he's made 15 starts against 30 relief appearances this season. If he's a full-time starter in 2027, there's #2-3 potential here. For now, Seymour is slated to finish the campaign in the Bronx next week.
Clay Holmes (SP-CHC) labored through 5.1 IP in Cincinnati on Friday, allowing 6 ER on 3 H and 5 BB while recording 4 punchouts over 5.1 IP. The 33 year-old RHP kept the ball in the yard as he tossed 57 of his 97 offerings for strikes. Holmes now owns a 3.25 ERA through 97 IP this season, but behind that are a concerning 3.83 xFIP, 7 K/9, and 3.6 BB/9. He's benefited from a .245 BABIP even though there's been some loud contact in there (41.5% hard-hit rate and average EV of 89.5 mph). But Holmes has helped to limit the damage with a 60% groundball rate, which is a good thing given the opposition's 9% swinging-strike rate, 80% overall contact rate, and 90% in-zone contact rate. He lines up to face the Marlins at home next week and is not a particularly exciting option for fantasy in 2027; another ERA in the low-3s seems highly unlikely given his peripherals.
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