Varsho and Tell

Daulton Varsho (TOR): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.

Wasn’t Daulton Varsho born exactly 9 months after his dad’s final MLB game? I guess Gary Varsho knew he was going to have more time on his hands, good call Gary, and congrats.

The son of Gary, Daulton, has been off to a slow start in 2024, so we love to see games like this from him. He’s going to be in that lineup every day, and he plays a great outfield, but so far the bat hasn’t looked the same as it did in 2022. His first year in Canada didn’t go quite according to plan, although he did hit 20 home runs. I don’t think we’ve seen the real Daulton Varsho yet, just a thought.

I say this because he’s only 27. 27, if survived and not a part of the 27 club, is usually when a baseball player figures things out. Their prime, if you will. So far in his career, Varsho has looked like a player who can hit home runs, but one who cannot get on base. Early returns are showing this player again.

But, let’s be optimistic, that’s the only way to be when it comes to fantasy baseball. Well, not the only way, I’ve had to pound sand many times over fantasy baseball, but hey, optimism. Varsho hit two tonight. We need those home run totals to increase, as do the Blue Jays.

The Jays gave up a lot for Varsho, a trade that is looking pretty lopsided these days. However, I hold out hope that Varsho can still produce power for fantasy owners.

 

Let’s see how the other hitters did Wednesday

 

Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.

My runner-up player of the night is Kyle Schwarber. He gets dinged a point because he was against Rockies pitching. My god do the Rockies look bad. Schwarber, however, looks like Kyle Schwarber. He’s off to a bit of a slow start but nothing that would cause panic. He’s going to hit like, five home runs in one week coming here soon. That’s kind of what he does. Easily the funniest lead-off hitter ever.

Juan Soto (NYY): 3-3, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.

Soto looks so good in pinstripes. Some players just fit in the Yankees look. That goes for every player though, some guys just look right in certain uniforms. This is the most Juan Soto line that has ever existed. The poster child of there is nothing more to say, we know who he is. I hope some of you put a one dollar bet on him to win MVP. I know I did.

Paul DeJong (CHW): 3-3, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.

Remember Paul DeJong? When he joined the Cardinals and Cardinals fans jumped for joy? Well, he’s on the White Sox now and is possibly their best hitter. Maybe Gavin Sheets. That’s what the Sox are working with right now. DeJong can definitely go on home run streaks so if you are desperate, maybe. For now, he’s best left to AL-only leagues.

Ketel Marte (ARI): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.

I heard Chris Towers on CBS FBT podcast say today that Ketel Marte is the most underrated hitter in baseball. I think I agree with him. Marte stays hot with a double and a home run on Wednesday. The Diamondbacks look legit and it’s because of who Ketel Marte is as a player. I don’t think it’s crazy to say he is the most underrated hitter in the game.

Trea Turner (PHI): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI.

The Phillies, as mentioned above, were against the Rockies tonight, so it goes without saying that the bats would be hot. Schwarber led off the game with a dinger and Trea followed right behind him. Turner has been off to a much better start than last year and, even if you root for the Braves, that’s a good thing. It was brutal to watch his start last year.

Cal Raleigh (SEA): 1-2, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.

Big Dumper dumped a home run Wednesday helping Seattle to their first series sweep of 2024. Their offense has not clicked yet but Raleigh is always good for a home run or two. Seattle’s rotation is too legit to quit, all they need is for the offense to figure it out. Maybe tonight was the turning point.

Mitch Garver (SEA): 1-3, HR, R, RBI, BB.

Speaking of Mariners catchers, Garver hit a home run, his first in Seattle. We all needed this, especially Garver. His head is going to hit the pillow hard tonight, no scrolling Instagram for hours before bed, no sir. Garver can breathe easy tonight. I expected Garver to take a small step backward offensively mainly because T-Mobile Park is tough on hitters, but the start so far hasn’t been encouraging. Let’s see if he can string together a few nice games.

Esteury Ruiz (OAK): 1-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB.

Ruiz is playing angry right now. His home run tonight came off the bat at 109.8 mph, so, crushed. Ruiz was a decent to solid fantasy option last year because of the ridiculous stolen base totals, great in categories leagues. However, going into the year there were question marks. When he got called down, it was a bit weird, but I understood it to a degree; his outfield defense isn’t great and he just wasn’t impacting the ball. I don’t think it warranted a call down, the A’s aren’t playing for anything, but so far it looks like it lit a fire under him. If Ruiz can add close to 10 home runs, he is a fantasy asset.

Amed Rosario (TBR): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.

The Rays signed a player everyone gave up on and he looks good. Weird, so weird. Everyone saw this coming right? Same with Caballero, right when they got him we knew. Rosario hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth to put the Rays up, but then Pete Fairbanks blew the save. As the season goes on we will see if the Rays play him every day, but with the time he’s gotten so far, he’s looked good.

Cedric Mullins (BAL): 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.

Mullins with the walk-off Wednesday so he deserves a shout. The Orioles’ offense is insane, so much so that we forget that Cedric Mullins is really good. He looks healthy to start the season, the second half of last year it was clear something was affecting him. Let’s see if he can keep hitting for power because he will always be a threat on the basepaths.

Parker Meadows (DET): 1-3, HR, R, RBI, BB.

It’s been a rough start to 2024 for young Parker Meadows. I almost didn’t do a write-up here but again, optimism. Meadows only has three hits on the year so far, one of them being this home run. There was some hype around Meadows entering the year so this has been a disappointing start. Patience. He’s young and still getting acclimated to the majors. I understand dropping him if needed but if there’s a roster spot to play with, keep him.

Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL): 2-5, HR, R, RBI.

Let’s finish it off with major news. Acuña finally hit a home run in 2024. And the crowd goes wild. I, like many, am shocked that it took Acuña this long to hit his first home run in 2024 but hey, that’s baseball sometimes. There was no worry here, still a stud.