Clubber Langford
A big night for the Texas Rangers was punctuated by a Wyatt Langford 3-run HR in the top of the 8th inning that not only cemented the team’s 11-2 victory but also meant that the rookie had hit for the 11th cycle in team history. The 4th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Langford struggled for the first few months of the season while also dealing with injuries. However, over his last 15 games, he has started to figure it out, hitting .309/.377/.582 with 3 HRs. 2024 hasn’t gone exactly as the defending World Series champs would have hoped, but if they are going to fight their way back into the playoff picture, Langford is going to have to continue progressing toward living up to his high expectations.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Sunday
Oneil Cruz (PIT): 2-3, HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB.
It looked like the Pirates’ offense was going to fail the team yet again until Oneil Cruz unleashed an absolute rocket of a 2-run HR off of Atlanta starter Spencer Schwellenbach. Launched 452 feet at 117.3 MPH, the go-ahead HR showed what Cruz is capable of when he is on and if Pittsburgh is going to make a run at the playoffs they will need more performances like this.
Rafael Devers (BOS): 2-4, HR, 1 R, 2 RBI.
Perennial All-Star Rafael Devers put the Red Sox up for good with his 18th HR in the 1st inning off San Diego knuckleballer Matt Waldron. The 27-year-old just continues to hold down the Boston lineup with a .286/.368/.571 line as the surprising Red Sox continue to fight for a Wild Card spot.
Alec Bohm (PHI): 2-5, HR, 1 R, 2 RBI.
Alec Bohm continues to post a career year for the Phillies and is now leading the National League in RBI with 68, despite having half as many HRs as the players behind him. Despite injuries to prominent position players, Philadelphia continues to be the class of the NL and Bohm is a big reason why.
Aaron Judge (NYY): 2-5, HR, 1 R, 1 RBI.
Another day, another HR for Yankees legend Aaron Judge. Now up to 31, he might not approach is career-high of 62 but he is still poised for another MVP.
Isaac Paredes (TB): 3-4, HR, 1 3B, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI.
Isaac Paredes came up one measly single short of hitting for the cycle in propelling Tampa Bay to a 5-0 victory. After a career year in 2023, Paredes has actually improved in several areas and has really carried a Rays offense that has struggled across the board.
Andrew Vaughn (CHW): 2-4, HR, 1 R, 3 RBI.
Andrew Vaughn has started to pick up his game at the plate lately and became the White Sox’s second player with double-digit HRs on Sunday. It will be interesting to see what Chicago does at the trade deadline and if Vaughn can get hot at the right time he could garner some interest.
Brice Turang (CHW): 2-5, HR, 1 R, 4 RBI.
It seems to me that a lot of people are not recognizing the big season that Brice Turang is having, but he made sure that at least Cubs fans took notice on Sunday. The 24-year-old went 2 for 5 in the Brewers win, including a Grand Slam off Kyle Hendricks in a 7-run 4th inning for Milwaukee. Turang is now up to a .292/.354/.417 line with 6 HRs and 28 stolen bases in 288 at-bats this season after a .218/.285/.300 line with 6 HRs and 26 stolen bases in 404 at-bats in 2023. One of the biggest fantasy steals of 2024, Turang is a huge reason for Milwaukee’s 50-34 record.
Carson Kelly (DET): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Carson Kelly powered Detroit to victory on Sunday with a 5th-inning 3-run HR as the Tigers held on to defeat the Angels. Kelly had some solid offensive seasons in the past with Arizona, but he is no longer a fantasy-relevant catcher.
Brandon Nimmo (NYM): 3-4, HR, 1 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB.
The New York Mets have been one of the top offenses in baseball over the 2nd half of June and Brandon Nimmo’s resurgence has been a big proponent. Over his last 15 games, he is hitting .362/.471/.741 with 6 HRs and a 10 to 11 K/BB ratio.
Trevor Larnach (MIN): 2-4, HR, 1 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB.
Trevor Larnach’s 2-run 8th inning HR proved to be the game-winner for Minnesota as they continue to battle for the AL Central crown. A true platoon player, Larnach has as many HRs (8) against RHP as he does at-bats against LHP (also 8).
Derek Hill (TEX): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB.
Not to be outdone by Langford, fellow Rangers OF Derek Hill got the party started with a 2-run HR in the top of the 2nd inning and followed it up with a solo shot in the 5th. The 28-year-old now has 7 career Major League HRs in 303 at-bats spanning five seasons with three teams, so it is fair to consider this just a fun anomaly.