Angel in the Outfield
Angel Martínez (CLE): 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI.
The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox are going back and forth at it in the AL Central like a championship prize fight.
After beating the White Sox in a series in Cleveland and winning four in a row, the Guardians lead the AL Central by one game over the South Siders. Even though the White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 3-1, Cleveland beat the Athletics 12-6 to hold off Chicago, much to the chagrin of White Sox fans everywhere.
Outfielder Angel Martínez was key to Cleveland’s victory.
The 24-year-old went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs, three runs, and four RBI. With today’s performance, he’s increased his average to .255, his OPS to .759, and his home run total to 17. All those numbers are career highs for Martínez in his second full season in the majors (he had 169 plate appearances in limited action in 2023).
Before 2026, Martínez was known more for his glove than his bat. However, he’s launching the ball with a sweet-spot rate of 36.1%, which helps offset a hard-hit rate that ranks in the 26th percentile. He also doesn’t swing-and-miss much, as evidenced by his 20.4% whiff rate, which ranks in the 73rd percentile. Those two traits have helped him succeed this year despite paltry percentiles in other Statcast categories.
For example, his .304 xwOBA is 11 points lower than his actual wOBA. That hints at future regression in 2027. He also only walks 3.1%. While his contact skills are nice, his inability to get on base in other ways is concerning long-term.
These question marks may not make Martínez an ideal candidate for Dynasty League rosters. That said, for fantasy teams in the playoffs, and the Guardians as well, the Cleveland outfielder is doing exactly what is needed at the plate. He’s the kind of player lately (.326 average and 1.084 OPS in September) who can help a team win a division, whether in real life or in fantasy baseball.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday
Donovan Walton (ATH): 3-3, HR, R, 4 RBI, SB.
The A’s lost badly to the Guardians, but Walton had a banner day with three hits and his eighth home run of the year. He also drove in four and stole his third bag of the year. The former Mariner, Giant, and Phillie wasn’t expected to be a part of the A’s plans this year, but he’s hitting .269 with an .825 OPS in 247 plate appearances. The 32-year-old former fifth-round pick is showing that he still has something left in the tank for 2027.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL): 2-3, HR, R, 4 RBI, 2 BB.
Acuña hit his 20th home run of the year (a grand slam) against the Astros, giving him another 20 HR-20 SB season. He also had four RBI and two walks, pretty vintage Acuña. However, his average is down to .259, and his .815 OPS is solid but down from his standard (.935 OPS last season). Acuña’s no question one of the more productive players in fantasy baseball when healthy. Unfortunately, it’s that “when healthy” part that holds him back.
Carson Benge (NYM): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
The Mets played spoiler on Saturday, beating the Phillies 10-3 in Queens. Benge led the charge with three hits, a homer, two runs, and two RBI. It’s been a nice rookie year for the 2024 1st-round pick, with 19 homers, 22 stolen bases, a .276 average, and a .759 OPS in 622 plate appearances. The former Oklahoma State product has been a nice bright spot for a Mets team going through a disappointing season.
Victor Bericoto (SFG): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
The Giants have been giving rookies opportunities in September, which makes sense with the team at 64-91 and near the bottom of the NL West. Bericoto has been one of those rookies, and the outfielder has produced mixed results in his MLB debut. In 89 plate appearances, he’s hitting .241 with a .672 OPS. However, he has four home runs, with his latest coming on Saturday against the Dodgers.
Will Smith (LAD): 3-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Injuries have limited the Dodgers catcher to just 259 plate appearances. In that small sample, he hasn’t quite been as impressive a fantasy producer. Smith is hitting .249 with a .756 OPS, significantly down from his .296 average and .901 OPS a year ago. On a positive note, he hit a home run on Saturday (his ninth) and had three hits. A strong Smith in October could help the Dodgers win a third straight title.
Isaac Paredes (HOU): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
Paredes has been a dependable bat for Houston. The exit velocity and hard-hit metrics aren’t great, but he pulls the ball at an elite level. His 33.7% pull-air rate ranks in the league’s top percentiles. Add that with a righty-friendly ballpark in Daikin Park, and it’s a match made in heaven. On Saturday, Paredes hit his 22nd home run of the year, his most in a season since 2023 with Tampa Bay, when he hit 31.
Miguel Vargas (CHW): 1-2, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB.
Vargas spoiled a quality start by Jackson Jobe, hitting a big home run in the sixth off the Tigers starter. Vargas has had a memorable year, with 33 home runs and 20 stolen bases, his latest coming in Saturday’s win. He’s also hitting .250 with an .841 OPS in 675 plate appearances. The talent has been there for Vargas since he was a Dodgers prospect. It’s finally coming to fruition now.
Cal Raleigh (SEA): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Not many players have been more disappointing than Raleigh this year, who went from AL MVP runner-up in 2025 to a struggling hitter in 2026. His .673 OPS is 275 points down from a year ago, and while he has 23 home runs, that’s 37 fewer than his 2025 mark. On a positive note, he’s been better in the second half, with 14 home runs and a .791 OPS. He may not reach those MVP levels again, but he could still be a valuable (though flawed) fantasy catcher in 2027.
Brandon Lowe (PIT): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Even though the Pirates were eliminated from the postseason for another season (they haven’t made the postseason since 2015), Pirates magic continued on Saturday night. Down by one run in the 8th, Lowe launched a two-run home run off Royals closer Steven Cruz to give them a 6-5 lead and an eventual win. Fantasy managers raised concerns during draft season about Lowe’s outlook after the move from Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay last year to the more pitcher-friendly PNC Park in Pittsburgh. However, Lowe hasn’t missed a beat with 33 home runs and an .826 OPS.
