Agustín Hunger Force

 

Agustín Ramírez (MIA): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI

Agustín is only three games into his MLB career, but what a debut it has been – he has 8 hits across those three games, including 4 doubles and his first home run last night:

The swing is a little unorthodox, but the power is undeniable – and it was done at T-Mobile Park no less.  You may be thinking “It’s the Marlins” or “He’s just a catcher” but the Marlins have won three of their last four, and he’s been a major contributor in all three of those wins.  The Marlins currently sit third from the bottom in starting pitcher ERA for the season, so if they are going to compete, they need key players like Agustín to generate as many runs as possible.  He’s currently around 30% owned in Yahoo leagues, and your window to grab him off the wire for cheap is rapidly closing … so join the Agustín Hunger Force today!

 

Let’s see how the other hitters did Friday

 

Trevor Larnach (MIN): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI, BB.

Over the past week, Trevor Larnach has been one of the best hitters in average ISO.  He has hit four home runs and had a hit in every game except Thursday’s, which was called in the seventh inning due to rain.  When it comes to the Twins, you take advantage of the healthy, productive players while you can, and the Angels’ pitching is currently top 3 for allowing home runs, which offers more opportunities for him in the days ahead.

Byron Buxton (MIN): 2-3, 3B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.

Like his teammate Larnach, Byron Buxton has been mashing at the plate this week, although his ceiling has a similarly low floor.  His eight hits this week have included three home runs, two triples, a double, and a couple of singles.  This production comes at the cost of 11 strikeouts, making him more volatile than Larnach.

Dylan Crews (WSN): 3-4, 3B, 3 R.

About 10 days ago, Crews became a completely different player, and he’s been unstoppable ever since.  In his 37 at-bats since April 15th, he has amassed 13 hits with only three strikeouts after spending most of the first weeks flailing at the plate.  Because of this bipolar start to the season, he remains somewhat under the radar, sitting at 69% ownership in Yahoo leagues.

Jordan Beck (COL): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB.

Despite 40-degree temps and a freezing drizzle hanging around for most of the game, Coors Field still produced plenty of offense as pitches tended to hang around the plate.  Jordan Beck – elevated to the leadoff spot after having an impressive doubleheader vs. the Royals on Thursday – added another two home runs in the wet and wild conditions, giving him back-to-back-to-back two-hit games, including five home runs.  Both of the home runs in this game were no-doubters, ranked as home runs in 30/30 parks, and increasing in distance with each hit:

Hunter Goodman (COL): 2-3, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 BB.

Goodman has been the Rockies’ most consistent player since April 14th, and he may be finally rediscovering the power and confidence he had in the first week of the season and during spring training.  With two doubles last night and a home run during Thursday’s doubleheader, he’s trending upwards and should remain a solid streaming option during the series at Coors Field.

Jacob Wilson (ATH): 3-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.

He’s not as high-profile as most of his teammates on the Athletics roster, but Jacob Wilson is an underrated OBP darling in fantasy leagues.  He has 13 hits in his last 10 games, and the home field in Sacramento will only get more hitter-friendly as the summer approaches.

Wyatt Langford (TEX): 3-4, 2 2B, RBI.

Texas’ offense has been struggling over the past week, scoring more than four runs only twice.  Since Langford returned from the IL on April 20th, he’s been a key part of the runs they have scored, with three of those games being the multi-hit variety, including last night’s matchup.

Andy Pages (LAD): 3-3, 2 2B.

Paul Skenes is a legitimately talented ace, but Andy Pages may have him figured out.  Going into Friday’s game, Pages was 2-for-2 with a single and a home run vs. Skenes in their first meeting.  After last night, he’s now a perfect 4-for-4 after adding two doubles.  Tommy Edman should probably ask him for some pointers – he struck out three times against Skenes last night.

 

Notable Injury News:

Luke Keaschall is headed to the IL with a broken right arm after getting hit by a pitch in Friday’s game.  It’s a tough development for a kid who has had a hit in every game since his call-up on April 18th.