Devastation Tide
Rafael Devers (BOS): 2-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB.
It feels like I haven’t heard anything about Devers all year. I don’t have him on any fantasy teams so I naturally assumed he was doing poorly. Also, I have a friend in a dynasty league who loves him, and he was very vocal about his early struggles, so I thought they continued.
HA.
Guess, what, they didn’t. Those early struggles are a thing of the past. .282/.373/.543 is currently his slash line with 11 home runs, so I think it’s safe to say, Devers is fine. We saw some early injuries so we have to have that in the back of our minds like a tick, but other than that, he’s a forever boy.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, might be cursed. With the injuries they are seeing up and down the roster, I’m not sure how long they can keep up this .500 record. Devers is going to be the main cog but keep an eye on his supporting cast throughout the rest of the year.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Wednesday
Heliot Ramos (SFG): 2-2, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 4 BB.
I’m starting the Ramos write-up with his prospect rankings over the years.
This is your most recent reminder that baseball is difficult and it takes a little extra time for some prospects. Ramos seems to be the most recent example. Clearly, the pedigree was there with these rankings, so now all we have to keep an eye on is if he can keep it up. Add him.
Luis Torrens (NYM): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Gotta give out credit where credit is due. Torrens had a great game with the Mets on Wednesday and deserves a shoutout. Also, yes, he is a journeyman player (only 28 so who knows honestly), but since the Mets are just weird right now, he may see more playing time than previously thought. He isn’t an add quite yet, but he’s someone to keep an eye on in deep leagues.
Josh Smith (TEX): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.
Smith has been a pleasant surprise to begin the year for the Rangers. Bochy loves his super-utility players and so far, Smith is a perfect fit for him in 2024. He plays a solid defense and he is showing that he is more than capable of delivering at the plate. Once Josh Jung is back we may see Smith’s playing team diminish, but for now, he is getting a lot of starts.
Wilmer Flores (SFG): 2-4, HR, R, 5 RBI, BB.
A grand salami for the Flores man on this very fine Wednesday. He isn’t having the year he had last year, in fact, he’s been pretty bad. He isn’t worth an add right now but he’s been a consistent bat over the past few years so he’s a guy to monitor.
Jonathan India (CIN): 1-3, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, BB.
Coors Field is really good at helping teams break out of offensive slumps. I don’t mean it helps the Rockies, I say this because it helps other teams. The Reds were in a bit of an offensive slump, and boom, Coors Field and that Rockies pitching staff came in to help them break into more offensive times. I still love India, he may not be a drop-down stud, but he’s a solid option at MI.
Jonah Heim (TEX): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Heim has proven to be a solid option at catcher for the year. He hasn’t had a torrid streak quite yet, but you could do much worse at the catcher position. He’s definitely worth a start.
Elias Díaz (COL): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Díaz, I’d maybe put one spot above Jonah Heim for catching rankings. So far, he’s been producing at a decent clip for the last-place Rockies. There has been some chatter that the Rockies may trade him, which makes sense with Drew Romo on the way. I don’t see Díaz losing much value away from Coors, he’s a good enough hitter that the altitude change won’t affect him much.
TJ Friedl (CIN): 1-2, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.
Coors does wonders, as I stated above. Friedl hit a home run, that, off the bat looks like a flyout. It was hot in Denver today so the ball was flying. I’m not saying this to dunk on Friedl, I like Friedl. Outfield continues to be a wasteland and he’s proving to be a solid option. See if he’s available on the waiver after that injury stint.
Jarren Duran (BOS): 2-5, 3B, HR, 2 R, RBI.
No stolen base, but I guess we will take a home run. He has been a godsend in my new dynasty categories league. I waited far too long for outfield and he has made me forget all of my outfield troubles, at least in that league. If you took the discount around draft season, I’m sure you’re feeling great. If you didn’t, bummer dude.
Jeimer Candelario (CIN): 2-5, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 SB.
Is he heating up? Or is it Coors Field? I choose to think he’s heating up, and I cite the stolen bases as proof. Candelario is not a stolen base threat, but seeing him run shows confidence in his game, something that’s been lacking. I dropped him in the aforementioned categories league and I’m already regretting it. Grab him for your bench if you can.
Aaron Judge (NYY): 1-3, 3B, R, 5 RBI, BB.
Aaron Judge is good. The only controversial thing I’ll say is I think he’s the face of the MLB. Insane, I know.