Thumpers From Big Dumper
Cal Raleigh (SEA): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Affectionately named Big Dumper, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh made history with his 100th career HR after hitting two on Wednesday night in Cincinnati, including one from each side of the plate. That is now the fourth time in his career he has homered from both sides of the plate, good for fourth-most all-time among catchers, and he has now hit five HRs in his last five games. It is about time we start recognizing Raleigh’s greatness on a larger scale. His seven HRs are tied for second in baseball, and his 154 wRC+ would easily be a career high. And that is all coming with an unsustainably low .190 BABIP. Fans and pitchers alike, give Big Dumper the respect he deserves!
Let’s see how the other hitters did Wednesday:
Rhys Hoskins (MIL): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI.
It was a HR party for the Brew Crew against Detroit starter Keider Montero on Wednesday, and Rhys Hoskins celebrated with a two-run shot in the third inning. His second of the year, and second in as many games, the veteran 1B has enjoyed a solid start to 2025 despite the absence of the long ball, slashing .255/.361/.392. If he can continue to get on base at an above-average clip while supplying his usual 25-30 HRs, the Brewers may be able to continue to ride their offense and contend for an NL Central title.
Sal Frelick (MIL): 2-4, HR, 2 R, RBI.
Could we be seeing a breakout season from the diminutive Sal Frelick? The 24-year-old OF is now slashing .318/.408/.455 after hitting his first regular season HR since May, and his discipline at the plate is as good as ever with a 10.5 BB% and 13.2 K%.
Lars Nootbaar (STL): 1-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB.
Speaking of breakouts, don’t you just hate when players realize their potential one year after you predict them to? I was all in on Lars Nootbaar in 2024, and injuries caused the Cardinals OF to have a somewhat disappointing season. Now that the calendar has turned, the 27-year-old LHH is off to a phenomenal start at the top of the lineup with a .284/.422/.463 line that includes an 18.1 BB%, 14.5 K%, and .179 ISO. As a Pirates fan, it pains me to see the Cardinals churn out another quality hitter, especially one drafted in the eighth round, but Nootbaar is certainly fun to watch in the batter’s box.
Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (TOR): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
Vlad Jr. spoiled Spencer Strider’s debut with his first HR of 2025, following up a third-inning RBI single with a 412-foot blast that registered a 108.9 mph exit velocity. I’m not concerned about the lack of power, and you shouldn’t be either, as the newly extended 26-year-old will continue to be one of the superstars of the MLB for a long time.
Oneil Cruz (PIT): 2-4, HR, R, 4 RBI.
God, I want Oneil Cruz to also be one of the superstars of the MLB for a long time. His breakout has felt right around the corner for years now, and hopefully his grand slam on Wednesday is a sign of things to come. He is walking at a much higher clip than last season (14.9 BB% to 8.5 BB% in 2024), and Cruz is still hitting missiles when he puts bat to ball. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Pirates gave Cruz even a little bit of support around him in the lineup?
Pavin Smith (ARI): 2-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB.
Oh, look at that, Pavin Smith dominating a RHP. Sunrise, sunset. Smith now has as many HRs as at-bats against LHP, and he is hitting .405/.479/.690 against righties so far this season. That’s just what he does.
Bryce Harper (PHI): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
Bryce Harper tried his best to keep the Phillies in this game against San Francisco, smashing a two-run HR off Robbie Ray in the fourth inning to tie the game. Sadly, the rest of the lineup could only muster one additional extra-base hit. Harper is cruising once again at age 32, and the 2-3-4 combo of him, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos has carried Philadelphia to start 2025.
Jung Hoo Lee (SF): 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI.
The Giants scored 11 runs on the Phillies without hitting a HR, and Jung Hoo Lee played a big role in the blowout win. One of the best stories of the young season, Lee’s 188 wRC+ is tied for fourth in the NL, and his .338/.395/.647 line is a big reason for San Francisco’s 13-5 record. After missing most of 2024 with a gruesome shoulder injury, the 26-year-old signee from the KBO is looking like a future star in the Bay Area.
Tyler Fitzgerald (SF): 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI.
I was very high on Tyler Fitzgerald coming into the season as a potential 20/20 guy, and he is starting to right the ship after a slow start. He is now hitting .314/.352/.490 on the season, and I’m confident the HRs (one so far) will start to come as the weather heats up.
Michael Toglia (COL): 1-4, HR, R, 4 RBI.
Another hitter I was high on coming into the season, Michael Toglia has been absolutely dreadful to start 2025. He finally hit his first HR of the season, a third-inning grand slam off Dodgers starter Bobby Miller, but it also came with three more strikeouts. Playing half of his games in Coors Field will certainly help the young power hitter, but a 3.0 BB% and absurd 47.8 K% are simply not going to cut it. Until those numbers take a drastic turn, I’m stowing my pre-season optimism for Toglia.
Shohei Ohtani (LAD): 2-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.
And we round out the night with the best player in baseball. The great Shohei Ohtani looked like he was in for another historic night after hitting a solo HR and an RBI single just in the first inning. Unfortunately, he was unable to reach base the rest of the game, but the Dodgers rode their seven-run first inning and held on for an 8-7 win over Colorado. What more is there to say other than it is a blessing to have Ohtani in the game of baseball, and it will be exciting to see him dominating both hitters and pitchers again soon.
