Lights, Abrams, Action
CJ Abrams (WSN): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Abrams, 25, owns just a 70 wRC+ since he wasn’t moved at the trade deadline, but that hasn’t been stopping him recently. The young shortstop has managed to go 11-for-37 (.297 BA) with a .964 OPS and 152 wRC+ over his last nine starts including last night. Abrams crushed a pair off home runs against Tigers right-hander Drew Anderson… here’s a good look at those via statcast:
| Result | EV | LA | Distance (FT) | HR/Park |
| HR | 104.2 | 30 | 404 | 30/30 |
| HR | 106.4 | 26 | 418 | 30/30 |
Let’s see how the other hitters did Tuesday…
Randal Grichuk (CHW): 4-5, 2 2B, HR, 4 R, 3 RBI.
Grichuk played a crucial role in Chicago’s thrilling 14-11 victory over the Royals yesterday. He was flawless through his first four plate appearances, nearly completing the cycle off starter Daniel Lynch IV alone. He smacked a single (100.2 EV) in the first, doubled (109.7 EV) in the third) and crushed a 105.2 EV / 415 FT home run in the fourth inning. The 34-year-old has been stellar against lefties throughout the entirety of his career, and that’s been on full display this season (182 wRC+).
Vinnie Pasquantino (KCR): 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 5 RBI.
Pasqutch helped the Royals fight back valiantly, accounting for eight of Kansas City’s eleven total runs. Four of his five RBIs came from his nine inning grand slam off Luis Castillo that boasted a 104.5 EV and went 412 feet.
Carlos Cortes (ATH): 2-2, 3B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Cortes was one of baseball’s greatest hidden talents to start the season, but since cooled off a bit in terms of his slug. That wasn’t the case yesterday, as the 29-year-old scorched a 107.1 EV triple and 103.4 EV / 386 FT home run late in the game, helping fuel a 9-7 victory for the Athletics. Cortes’ SwStr% is down and overall zCon% is up even compared to what he was doing in the minors a few years back… this is a guy I think can take off with the right offseason under his belt.
Kyle Stowers (MIA): 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB.
Stowers launched his 20th home run of the season yesterday (106.1 EV / 372 FT), marking back-to-back 20+ homer campaigns for the 28-year-old. While this season may not have been exactly what he or the Marlins dreamed about over the offseason, it’s clear there is still quite a bit left in the tank. This is another bat to watch out for heading into 2027.
Elly De La Cruz (CIN): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB.
Yawn. Elly only managed to register a 100.9 EV on his 368 foot home run off JR Ritchie in the third inning… nothing special. The 24-year-old superstar is in line to set career-highs in nearly every notable offensive category this season and is just one homer and stolen base shy of the 30/30 club.
Nolan Arenado (ARI): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI.
Arenado had himself a nice little resurgence offensively this season, turning in a 115 wRC+ through 147 games — his best mark since that very notable 2022 season with the Cardinals. He was torching baseballs left and right in Arizona’s win over their division rival Rockies yesterday:
| Result | EV | xBA | Distance (FT) |
| HR | 106.2 | .920 | 421 |
| Double | 107.3 | .550 | 319 |
| Single | 103.8 | .940 | 296 |
Yordan Alvarez (HOU): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB.
Can Yordan claim the Triple Crown? He sure is chugging towards the finish line. Alvarez launched a terrorizing 109.5 EV / 386 FT home run in the eighth inning to cap off Houston’s shutout win over the Mariners, and more importantly, kept pace with Junior Caminero for the AL lead in home runs (41). He has a five-point lead in batting average (.314) over Chandler Simpson, but remains six RBIs behind Pete Alonso. It’s going to be a close call…
Featured image by Aaron Polcare (@abeardoesart on Bluesky and X) and adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
