Willson Contreras (STL): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.

Contreras to Popular Belief

Remember the truly horrendous start Willson Contreras had to begin the season? Pepperidge Farms remembers. Contreras went hitless in March to begin the season, and many wondered if the move to first base was messing with his routine and ability to make hard contact. Well, those doubts should be quelled at this point, as Contreras is on fire over the past two weeks, slashing .385/.475/.635 after another stellar performance on Monday night: 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.

Contreras has always been the type of player to run hot and cold, so this pattern of performance shouldn’t be anything new to those familiar with rostering the former backstop. However, the fact that he’s a former backstop and current first baseman could lead to Contreras having a career year offensively–after appearing in more than 128 games just once in his career, Contreras has appeared in all but one of the Cardinals’ games so far in 2025. Contreras does have a lengthy injury history, but as long as he stays healthy, he has a good chance to reach something like 20 homers, 10 steals, and around 150 combined runs and RBI. His 2025 numbers are quite comparable to his brother William Contreras, who was widely regarded as fantasy’s top catcher for the season and went about 60 picks earlier in drafts.

So, what do we do about Willson for now? I certainly wouldn’t try to trade for him amid a scorching hot streak unless his manager is looking to offload him on the cheap, but if he starts to slump again, I’d recommend trying to swoop in and buy low. The only other caveat I have is for keeper leagues–Willson is yet to make an appearance at catcher this season, even with Iván Herrera missing several weeks, so it’s likely Contreras will lose that oh-so-valuable eligibility at catcher for 2026. Enjoy having that everyday player in your catcher slot while you still can.

 

Let’s see how the other hitters did Monday:

 

Shohei Ohtani (LAD): 1-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.

That’s three homers in the last six games for Shohei Ohtani, who was going through a mini power drought after going on paternity leave for the birth of his first child. The combo meal gave Ohtani his ninth homer and 10th steal on the season, so while he might not reach the incredible 50/50 mark he did last season, he’s still doing just about everything you want him to. The only knock against him so far is his disproportionately low RBI totals–even with nine homers, he only has 13 RBI on the season! If only we could get a few games with him hitting outside of the leadoff spot…

 

Dansby Swanson (CHC): 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI.

Dansby Swanson has taken his demotion to the eight-hole in the lineup quite well. Since moving down in the order, Swanson is crushing the ball, going 12-for-26 with three homers, per Marquee Sports Network. Despite the poor ratios for most of the season, Swanson is still putting up solid counting stats thanks to being a part of the highest-scoring lineup in the league. Swanson is also hitting for power, with his seven long balls tied for third amongst all shortstops. There will be frustrating times owning Dansby, but he should still produce solid numbers as long as the Cubs’ offense is cooking.

 

Agustín Ramírez (MIA): 1-2, HR, R, 3 RBI.

After a brutal 1-for-24 stretch in last week’s action, Agustín Ramírez came off the bench to hit his fourth home run of the season. The sample size for Ramírez is small, but he’s hitting the ball hard and only striking out 15.6% of the time in his young career. If you roster him now, you’re likely streaming a catcher, so don’t hold on to him too hard if his recent struggles continue. However, I’d give him the week to see if he can bounce back from last week.

 

Trent Grisham (NYY): 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.

Trent Grisham’s red-hot start is one of the biggest surprises this year, as the lefty clubbed his ninth home run of the season on Monday night to open the game’s scoring. It’s possible that Grisham’s sudden power surge isn’t entirely smoke and mirrors, as the outfielder made changes to his grip and stance in the offseason that seem to be paying immediate dividends. Grisham’s 25.4 Pull Air% is the highest of his career, and it’s a great batted ball profile to have as a lefty playing at Yankee Stadium. He’s still available in about 75% of Yahoo! leagues, so if you need a change of pace in your outfield, you might as well pick up Grisham while he’s hot. It doesn’t hurt that he’s getting leadoff reps and hitting in front of Aaron Judge against righties, either.

 

Teoscar Hernández (LAD): 2-2, 2B, RBI.

This one isn’t fun–Teoscar left Monday’s game against the Marlins with left hamstring tightness and is slated to get an MRI on Tuesday. Ugh. Teo has been nothing short of excellent this season, so hopefully it’s nothing serious, but hamstrings are no laughing matter. If you roster Hernández, you’ll likely need a substitute in the outfield for the short term… might I suggest the player above?

 

Christian Yelich (MIL): 1-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.

A combo meal is a great way to break out of a slump. After collecting just one hit in his last 20 at-bats, Yelich launched his sixth homer of the season and added his seventh stolen base on Monday. The output for Yelich this season is pretty similar to Swanson’s–poor ratios, but decent counting stats all around. As long as Yeli can stay healthy, he should put together a hot streak sometime soon. He’s too talented to stay down this long.

 

Shea Langeliers (ATH): 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.

That’s the seventh home run of the year for Shea Langeliers, who is doing exactly what you expected from him when you drafted him–supply steady power numbers with a slight knock to your ratios. One of the more promising signs for continued success for “Bangeliers” is his strikeout rate, which sits at 15.4% for the season after never sitting below 27.2%. He’s somewhat functioning as a mini version of Cal Raleigh. Does that make him… Little Dumper?

 

Alex Verdugo (ATL): 2-3, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB, SB.

I highlighted Alex Verdugo last week as a potential short-term fill-in in the outfield, as he functions as Atlanta’s leadoff man against right-handed pitching. Over the past week, Verdugo has slashed .263/.364/.368 while adding three runs, an RBI, and a steal in last night’s game. The counting stats and power aren’t eye-popping, but he should at least be a decent source of ratios and runs with Austin Riley and Matt Olson hitting behind him. I still think he’s worth an add if you have a hole in your outfield.

 

Hyeseong Kim (LAD): 2-4, R, RBI, SB.

That’s a successful first start for Hyeseong Kim! Kim made his MLB debut as a pinch runner on Sunday, but made his first start on Monday, collecting his first two career hits and adding a run, RBI, and steal. Kim is a fairly enticing pickup at a shallow position, but it’s yet to be seen how much Dave Roberts will play him. Even so, he should be a good source of streaming steals in daily leagues, and you should monitor his playing time to see if he becomes a regular in the lineup. Maybe hitting near the bottom of the order will give Shohei a few more opportunities to get some RBIs, too.

 

Jacob Wilson (ATH): 3-6, 3 RBI.

We’ll close this article in the same fashion as last night’s slate of games–with a Jacob Wilson walkoff. Maybe intentionally walking someone to get to a guy batting .341 isn’t the best idea, huh, Seattle? The rookie has been exactly as advertised in 2025–excellent ratios make up for the underwhelming home run and steal numbers.