Patrick Bailey (SF): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.

Bailey’s Comet

The Giants tacked 14 runs on Pittsburgh pitching on Monday, and Patrick Bailey was no small part of that. His three hits, which knocked in four runs and included a double and a home run, marked his second 3+ hit game in three games. The catcher was selected in the first round of the abridged 2020 draft and has quickly ascended to the majors after just two professional seasons.  According to MLB.com, the switch hitter does not project to blow anyone away at the plate, but he will offer consistent power and the ability to walk. At a position without an abundance of offensive upside to go around, Bailey could be a quality addition to your teams.

San Francisco has now won 11 of its last 14 games. Its pitching has been the star of the show by carrying the best ERA (2.76) in baseball over the last 15 days, but its bats have been no small part either. In addition to Bailey’s recent success at the plate, top-prospect Casey Schmitt has settled in, even going 3 for 5 with a double and a pair of RBI on Monday. The team is middle of the pack in OPS over the last 15 days, but is fifth in doubles and tied for fourth in hits during that span. After a disappointing and mediocre 2022, the Giants appear poised to reach October once again. Between a weak National League and the team’s budding young talent, a postseason berth seems well within San Francisco’s reach.

Let’s see how the other hitters did Monday:

Will Brennan (CLE): 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R.

After hitting four doubles over through his first 120 plate appearances this season, Will Brennan slugged half that number in just four plate appearances on Monday. After a strong showing in his limited major league exposure in 2022, the right fielder has struggled at the plate this season. However, like much of Cleveland’s lineup, the lefty does not strike out much. The approach that brought him up through the minors is still there, and if he can make the proper adjustments to get more quality contact, Brennan could become a decent pickup in batting average leagues.

Jack Suwinski (PIT): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.

Jack Suwinski is amidst a breakout season but he is still owned in just 15% of Yahoo leagues. The center fielder scorched a pair of solo shots into McCovey Cove late in the game Monday to put his home run tally at 11 on the year. His lack of fantasy ownership can likely be attributed to Suwinski’s low run and RBI numbers as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nevertheless, the lefty can still offer teams some outfield help in OPS leagues.

Tucupita Marcano (PIT): 3-4, 2 2B.

Tucupita Marcano just hit his fourth double in his last 15 plate appearances and has his third multi-hit game in his last seven games. The former top international prospect is off to a decent 2023 after struggling at the plate in parts of the last two seasons. In his 36 games this season, Marcano has sprayed the ball to all fields while also flashing some pop.

Ryan Jeffers (MIN): 3-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.

With Sonny Gray on the mound, the Twins pulled off a win against the defending World Series champions. Backup catcher, Ryan Jeffers was no small part of Minnesota’s seven-run affair. His 10th-inning go-ahead home run off of Bryan Abreu left the yard in a hurry after leaving Jeffers’ bat at a whopping 117.4 mph. With Christian Vázquez struggling at the plate of late, Jeffers will continue to get more playing time pushing him closer to becoming a viable option in fantasy.

Ryan McMahon (COL): 4-5, 3B, HR, R, 3 RBI.

A Rockies hitter nearly hit for the cycle on Monday and it wasn’t even in Coors Field. Ryan McMahon’s first-inning home run left the infielder’s bat traveling 111.5 mph and sailed 445 feet into deep center field and his fifth-inning triple carried an exit velocity of 106.9 mph. After his big game on Monday, McMahon now holds a .811 OPS on the year but still just a .636 OPS in away ballparks.

Michael Massey (KC): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.

Monday marked a third consecutive multi-hit game for Michael Massey. It was not just his usual singles either; the second baseman hit a ninth-inning home run off Drew VerHagen that had an exit velocity of 106.6 mph. Massey is hitting the ball harder than he did in his limited MLB exposure last year, but his strikeout rate is alarmingly high (32.5%) and his BABIP (.330) may signal that he has benefitted from some good luck.

Ryan Noda (OAK): 1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.

The A’s won their 11th game of the season on Monday in large part due to Ryan Noda’s three-run home run. The lefty strikes out a lot but carries an impressive 19.4% walk rate and hits the ball hard often. Noda could serve as a quality pickup in OPS leagues but avoid him for now in batting average leagues.

Royce Lewis (MIN): 2-5, HR, R, 4 RBI.

One year to the day that he tore his ACL, Royce Lewis returned to the Twins lineup. The former first-overall pick had been hitting well leading up to his injury last May and picked up right where he left off. His third-inning, three-run home run off of J.P. France down the right field line, left the bat at 99.4 mph and began the scoring. Then, his RBI single in the ninth inning tied up the game, allowing it to go to extras. Of course, we must see how the next few weeks unfold for Lewis, but his season debut makes him someone to keep a close eye on.

Corey Seager (TEX): 2-5, HR, R, 4 RBI.

Corey Seager has not missed a beat since returning from the IL on May 17th. He has four home runs, 19 RBI, and a .994 OPS since coming back, being a large contributor to the powerhouse that is the Texas Rangers offense. Seager’s 400-foot, three-run home run set the tone for the remaining four innings and his seventh-inning RBI single sealed the deal.

Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)