O’Neill’s Arms, Strong

Tyler O’Neill (BOS): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.

He’s had his fair share of injury concerns this year, but Tyler O’Neill has taken off in his first season with the Boston Red Sox and sent plenty of balls into the stratosphere. Monday’s line of 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB gave O’Neill his 13th and 14th home runs of the season, and he’s now slashing .258/.354/.534 across 178 at-bats with his new team.

After a red-hot April in which he posted a 1.062 OPS, O’Neill cooled off significantly in May with a .545 OPS and only two home runs in that month. After taking some time off to deal with right knee inflammation, O’Neill appears to look more like his April self in June, with three home runs in 34 at-bats. It’s a small sample size, but the 1.112 OPS this month is an encouraging sign for those rostering the slugging outfielder, as it shows that his hot start to the season wasn’t just a fluke.

Like many power hitters, O’Neill is sure to go through peaks and valleys as the season progresses, but it sure is fun to enjoy these hot streaks while they’re happening. O’Neill does have a 33% strikeout rate that could use some work, but his aggressive approach has paid off with excellent power numbers this year. As long as he stays healthy, he can be a draft-day steal that will help you (and the Red Sox!) make a playoff push.

 

Let’s see how the other hitters did Monday:

Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB.

It’s June, which means Kyle Schwarber is nearing his final form. The hefty lefty hit two more home runs on Monday to bring his season total to 16, with five of those homers coming in his last seven games. We know what to expect at this point with Schwarbs: as the weather heats up, so does he. Hopefully, you took advantage of that mini-slump at the beginning of the month and were able to buy low.

 

Brandon Nimmo (NYM): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.

Brandon Nimmo seems to be one of the prime beneficiaries of the Power of Grimace, as he’s been swinging a red-hot bat over the past week, slashing .417/.462/.583 in that time frame. Nimmo has back-to-back three-hit games and four straight multi-hit performances. If the Mets are able to keep this streak going, their leadoff man will be one of the prime beneficiaries in the counting stat department.

 

Thairo Estrada (SFG): 2-3, HR, R, 4 RBI, BB.

Thairo Estrada was the hero for the Giants on Monday night, as his three-run blast in the ninth inning gave the Giants a 7-6 victory over the struggling Chicago Cubs. It was Estrada’s first home run in nearly a month and his ninth of the season. Estrada’s numbers have taken a dip this season, especially in the speed department, as he only has one steal in 2024 compared to 23 last season. Adding him is a cautionary tale, but he’s worth keeping an eye on if he can keep his four-game hit streak going and stay hot.

 

Justin Turner (TOR): 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB.

Speaking of breaking home run droughts, we have Justin Turner, who hit his first long ball since he had two of them on April 29th. The veteran provides a stable presence and good plate discipline in Toronto’s lineup, but he doesn’t appear to have an everyday role at this point. He’s also showing his age by slowing down considerably during this home run drought, meaning he could do more harm than good in your lineup until he shows more consistent signs of production.

 

Francisco Lindor (NYM): 4-4, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI.

Francisco Lindor is another beneficiary of Grimace’s Blessing, as he’s notched two home runs and two steals over the past week and posted a four-hit performance last night. Lindor isn’t quite on pace for the 30-30 season he had in 2023, but he’s heated up considerably in May and June after an incredibly rough April.

 

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA): 2-2, 3B, R, RBI, 3 BB.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is quietly having a fantastic season for the Miami Marlins, and he’s on track for career highs in several categories as long as he can stay healthy. He’s been living at the top of the lineup since the departure of Luis Arraez, which understandably boosts his fantasy value.

 

Freddie Freeman (LAD): 1-1, 2 R, 5 BB.

We all know Freddie Freeman is a great hitter, but I had to give him some extra props tonight for drawing five walks in a single game. Ok, sure, one of them was an intentional walk, but I see that more of a sign of respect than anything else. Freeman maintained his spot at third in the order in the Dodgers’ first game without Mookie Betts, with Shohei Ohtani leading off and Will Smith batting second. It’s worth wondering if Freeman will get more chances to hit first or second with his excellent plate discipline and patience, especially on days Smith will rest his legs.

 

Zach Neto (LAA): 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI.

That’s three home runs over the past six games for Zach Neto, who is enjoying a solid boost of power in his second year in the big leagues. Neto is quietly on pace for 20+ home runs and steals this year. If there’s a caveat with his performance, it’s that he most often bats ninth and rarely bats above sixth in the order, but maybe his hot streak can convince the Angels to move him up the order soon.

 

Miguel Rojas (LAD): 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI.

Miguel Rojas figures to be one of the prime beneficiaries of the injury to Mookie Betts, and he took advantage of his first game as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop by notching three hits. It’s impossible to replace a star of Betts’ caliber, but for those looking to fill the void in their lineups (and hearts), he’s at least a solid short-term solution while you search for other options via trade or the waiver wire.