Bryan Reynolds (PIT): 3-5, 3 HR, 3 R, 6 RBI.
Last night was a one-person show for offense as the Bryan Reynolds produced a 3-5, 3 HR, 3 R, 6 RBI night. He accounted for nearly all the Pirates’ production, and his third HR in the 7th inning was the deciding factor. Point blank, the Nationals’ pitching staff didn’t have an answer for Reynolds as he took three different pitchers deep throughout the game.
Things haven’t been all terrific for Reynolds, quite the opposite. The first two months were BRUTAL for him. It wouldn’t have shocked me to learn fantasy managers in 10, or even 12-team leagues were dropping him by mid-May. However, if you take a look at the chart below, he’s been a force in June.
| Month | AB | HR | R/RBI | AVG |
| April (19 Games) | 82 | 2 | 7/4 | .194 |
| May (26 Games) | 98 | 5 | 10/8 | .224 |
| June (27 Games) | 112 | 8 | 18/19 | .337 |
Sure, June will look a bit skewed due to last night. However, subtract that game, and Reynolds was still batting .323 with five HR, 15 runs, and 13 RBI. He’s turned the corner and is finally producing. It’s likely far too late to buy low on him, and if you held on through the hard times, you’re reaping some massive benefits for the patience.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Wednesday.
Willson Contreras (CHC): 3-4, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Contreras has been, if not the, best catcher of the season. After last night’s impressive day at the dish, he now stands atop the catcher leaderboards for HR (13) and Runs (42). Furthermore, he’s doing all this with a .280 batting average. This is nearly unheard of as only three qualified catchers have a batting average of .260 or better. Surrounding Contreras is the talk of trade as the Cubs are 17 games under .500 and not making a run at the playoffs. If he gets moved to a contender, WOW, it could be a fantasy boost from an already stout contributor.
Rowdy Tellez (MIL): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
The Brewers need all the offense they can get these days, as the team showcases a wRC+ under 100 for June. Answering the call, Rowdy crushed his 14th HR in the 2nd inning and hit his 15th HR in the 6th inning. He’s well on pace to smash his previous personal best of 21 HRs in 2019. Furthermore, he’s mashing this year while keeping the K-rate at a respectable 20.5% and walking at a career-high rate. There’s a solid chance Tellez ends the season with 30 dingers and a .250 batting average; someone remind me why he’s only rostered in 50% of Yahoo leagues?!?
Brendan Rodgers (COL): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Only a triple shy of a cycle, huh? Who doesn’t love games in Coors Field? We know Rodgers does. His batting average is 44 points higher, and all seven of his HRs have come at home. It’s not the first time we’ve seen a Colorado player with home/road splits like this. However, Rodgers has zero HRs outside of Coors and a 71 wRC+ in over 108 ABs. At home, a 106 wRC+ with an OPS north of .800. What’s this mean for fantasy purposes? You start him at home and bench him on the road.
Franchy Cordero (BOS): 4-5, 2B, R, 2 SB.
With two solid pitchers on the mound, any offense would not come easy for either team. However, Cordero didn’t have issues as he collected his 12th double to go along with a trio of singles. Nothing cleared the fences, but reaching base against Alek Manoah is not a small feat. What was the significant accomplishment was Cordero’s pair of stolen bases. This unexpected aggression on the base paths bumps his season-long total to three. Franchy has done an excellent job carving out a role in Boston as their 1B/RF, partly due to a decrease in K% and ability to draw walks at a 10% clip.
Alex Kirilloff (MIN): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.
The start of 2022 didn’t go according to plan for Kirilloff. It’s been riddled with injuries that severely stunted his production. Although, that’s been the story of his time in the MLB. But it’s not all raindrops, as AK is back on track as of late. Since his return on June 17th, he’s touting a 140 wRC+ with 13 hits (1 HR, 5 2B, 7 1B) in 40 ABs. Furthermore, he’s always been mentioned for his 60-grade raw power. So, as many fantasy managers struggle to find offense, perhaps take a look at Kirilloff. He’s available in 68% of Yahoo leagues and most likely on your wire.
Aaron Judge (NYY): 1-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
Making his daily appearance in the Batter’s Box is New York’s destroyer of baseballs. He wasted very little time as he took a 3-2 sinker deep to left field. The towering shot traveled a projected 429 feet with a launch angle of 26 degrees and 111.3 mph exit velocity. His 29th blast of the season would be the longest ball hit on the night. There is not much left to say about Judge, other than WOW, and keep watching to see if he makes it to 50.
Josh Bell (WSH): 3-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 BB.
In the first two months, Bell touted a boistrous 121 wRC+ on the backbone of a .298/.377/409 slash line. Which doesn’t look too shabby; however, only four HRs most certainly infuriated fantasy managers. While he did rack up an abundance of counting stats (27 R and 28 RBI), the void of power kept many questioning. Although, since June 1st, Bell started eating his spinach, the power is BACK! In his previous 95 ABs, he’s hit seven HRs while maintaining a .358 batting average and looks poised for a big season.
Steven Kwan (CLE): 3-4, 2B, 3 R, BB, SB.
Kwan reached base via the walk in the bottom of the 10th inning with one out. While the team went on to rally back from a three-run deficit, the free pass became the fourth time standing on the basepaths. Currently, Kwan touts a .374 OBP, putting him in 22nd place among all MLB players. Will he put one over the fences? No, but his extraordinarily great plate discipline will help bolster a plus batting average while he chips in a steal from time to time.
Sam Haggerty (SEA): 3-3, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, SB.
With all the Mariners’ elite outfield prospects, who would have guessed that Sam Haggerty would end up here. Well, for those who don’t know Haggerty, he’s FAST! Not like Alex Fast, but exceedingly quick. In 39 minor league games this season, Haggerty swiped 15 bags. But also launched six hits over the fences. Last night was his first appearance since being recalled, but it looks at his ability to impact a game. Haggerty could serve as a beneficial bench bat in deeper leagues if you’re desperate for speed.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)