I Got Coop Dreams, Coach
Garrett Cooper (MIA): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
The featured hitter could’ve gone to Buxton or Machado today, but we know those guys; let’s talk about the beanstalk in South Florida. When on the field, Garrett Cooper is an on-base machine and in my opinion, underrated. More of a 90s first baseman in that he does not hit for much power, he makes up for it by getting on base at a solid clip.
The power showed up on Thursday for Cooper with a victory over the scuffling Pirates. The Pirates have lost 10 in a row. I was a believer early cause why not—have to root for a team that is usually bad—but they look like the Pirates of old.
Cooper is not the most exciting player, but with how Miami has looked, it feels like a healthy Cooper could really help them keep up their surprising 2023 start. I love when a team zigs when everyone zags. The three-true-outcome baseball may apply to Jorge Soler, but the rest of the lineup is more OBP guys, which is valuable but not what many teams want. So far so good for the Marlins, run differential be damned. Point to Peter Brand cause it’s important to remember why a player is valuable; because they get on base.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Thursday
Byron Buxton (MIN): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Buxton is back from the IL and doing Buxton things right away. One of the most exciting players when healthy, Buxton doesn’t have any question marks around ability. If he can stay healthy, the limit does not exist. Someone wrap this man in, titanium? Bubble wrap? Anything at this point because I want to watch him hit more home runs.
Manny Machado (SD): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Firmly in the “what else is there to say?” category, Machado is back and still good. The Padres stopped the Giants’ 10-win streak Thursday night behind Machado and a gem out of Blake Snell. It feels like the Padres will go on a run any day now. But I also said that about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I still believe this lineup is too good to not figure it out.
Gary Sánchez (SD): 3-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Sanchez has been a nice surprise for the Padres so far. That’s almost putting it too light. He’s been somewhat of a godsend for them, but that may be too much. They don’t have much else trending in the right direction, so anything helps. They’ll go on a run; it feels like they have to.
Teoscar Hernández (SEA): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Speaking of a godsend, this is such a nice sign for the Mariners offense when Hernandez is leading the charge on offense in a hostile environment like Yankees stadium. The strikeouts are out of control for Hernandez but also for all of the Mariners. They are also another team like the Padres that is too good to be performing this meh. Getting Teoscar going is step one toward a full turnaround.
Drew Waters (KC): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, SB.
Remember Drew Waters, the Braves top 20 prospect? Feels like a fever dream. I picked him up in a dynasty league in 2017 and felt on top of the world. Sadly, he never figured it out in Atlanta, but, got a fresh start in Kansas City. Thursday he was a main part of the Royals’ late win over the Rays. There may be something here with Waters, keep an eye on him.
Maikel Garcia (KC): 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, 3 SB.
I hope you like the Royals cause I’m going to talk about a few of them in a row here. When does anyone get a chance to talk about the Royals? They aren’t just a Lorde song, they are also a team on a 111-lose pace.
Maikel Garcia is a name to watch in fantasy leagues. Thursday he had 3 stolen bases along with a walk, 2 runs, and an RBI. In the minors, he didn’t show much power, but the stolen bases have always been there. If stolen bases aren’t happening for your fantasy team, Garcia is a great dart throw.
MJ Melendez (KC): 3-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB.
Last Royal of the night I swear. Melendez put together a great game Thursday which was a sight for sore eyes. Off to a sophomore slump in 2023, Melendez isn’t what many thought he would be so far offensively. He’s still young, there is time to figure it out, and this game is a positive step in the right direction.
Riley Adams (WSH): 3-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Riley Adams is the backup catcher for the Washington Nationals. There, we are all caught up now. The Nationals couldn’t pull it off against the Diamondbacks Thursday but the Nationals catchers, Adams and Keibert Ruiz, put up really solid games. The Nationals have some tough years ahead but 2 or 3 guys break right, maybe they can catch lightning in a bottle.
Kolten Wong (SEA): 2-3, HR, R, RBI, BB.
Seattle put up some offense in the Bronx Thursday and Kolton Wong hit his first home run of the season. Pre-season I had Wong on my second base sleeper list, and to be honest, I was wrong about all of these sleepers except Jonathan India. Wong felt like a perfect fit for the Mariners but so far, the Mariners offense has not figured it out.
Ketel Marte (ARI): 1-5, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Ketel is healthy and it’s a beautiful thing. Arizona has turned a corner in a big way and it’s hard to not smile seeing what Marte is doing. 1-5 isn’t a great line but a 3 run home-run is worth noting. Marte was my biggest second base bust for the 2023 season and I’ve had to apologize to him multiple times this year. He is Carlos González when healthy. I’ll continue to make that comp until it catches on.