16 Candels
Jeimer Candelario (WSH): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
The last week before the trade deadline kicked off with a bang for a likely trade target, Jeimer Candelario. Going into free agency in the offseason, the 29-year-old 3B is getting red hot at the right time for the Nationals’ front office. Candelario put a charge into a first-pitch fastball down the middle for a 3-run home run, his 16th long ball of the season:
COL @ WSH
July 24, 2023Jeimer Candelario (16) Three-Run Home Run
EV: 107 MPH
Launch Angle: 37°
Distance: 388'Pitcher: Gavin Hollowell, 93.8mph Four-Seam Fastball [2488 RPM]
8th Inning pic.twitter.com/Sg38ggNLxh— Nationals Homers (@Nats_HRs) July 25, 2023
Jeimer Candelario (WSH): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
The big hit production came through last night while the Nationals were down 7 runs in the 8th inning, but the switch-hitting ability and strong defense make him an ideal trade asset. Something the Nationals surely had in mind when they signed him to a 1-year deal.
Candelario has been linked to the Marlins, who look to improve their run-scoring, which is near the bottom of the NL. The availability, along with his 124 OPS+, has made Candelario a no-brainer for fantasy owners. In the last 7 games, since he was briefly sidelined with a bone bruise in his thumb, Candelario has 3 HR, 7 R, and 7 RBI.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Monday
Chas McCormick (HOU): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, 6 RBI, BB.
6 RBI is surely a standout! Chas McCormick started his night with a bases-loaded 2B which netted 2 RBI, and then 1 sac-fly later, McCormick launched a 3-run home run in the 7th inning to tie the game at 9 runs against their intrastate rival. In what was a high-flying battle of Texas, all of McCormick’s production was needed as the Astros ended up winning 10-9.
When McCormick has been available this season, he’s been great. Through 206 AB, he has a .876 OPS and is primed for more opportunities in the middle of the lineup.
Carlos Santana (PIT): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB.
Carlos Santana was one of two players who went for two homers in this matchup. Santana hit home runs in the 3rd and 5th inning, propelling the Pirates to an 8-1 lead going into the bottom of the 5th. During the last three games, Santana has 7 RBI. Although, it has been another year with his OPS below .700, which has come to be expected. Since 2020 Santana hasn’t finished with an OPS above .700, and prior to that season, he had never been below .750.
Ha-Seong Kim (SD): 2-3, 2 HR, 2R, 3 RBI, BB.
The second of our double-jack performers is Ha-Seong Kim, who, unlike Santana, has had an impressive year overall. The hitting numbers aren’t elite, but he has been remarkably consistent and continues to rack up great production. Kim has a great eye at the plate, with Whiff%, BB%, and Chase Rate all sitting in the top 20 percentile. On top of that, Kim is now nearing 20 SB and has a shot to notch a 20/20 season.
Sal Frelick (MIL): 1-3, HR, R, RBI, BB.
The rookie call-up for the Brewers has had a hit party during his first few games. Frelick hit his first career home run Monday night and has started 5/9 at the plate with 3 R and 3 RBI. Frelick hit 4th in the lineup, and his big swing was also timely by tying the game in the 6th with his solo shot.
Tom Murphy (SEA): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI.
Big shot alert. Tom Murphy took advantage of a start on Monday night with a 421-foot bomb to center off Kenta Maeda’s hanging breaking ball. Murphy has not seen many at-bats this season with Cal Raleigh leading the way, but with 2 HR in the last week, he may be worth keeping an eye on when he does get starts moving forward.
Alan Trejo (COL): 4-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI.
Whenever you see a 4-hit night popup from an unexpected source, that brings some intrigue for waiver scouts. Does Alan Trejo have a surge of hitting ahead of him? Unfortunately, Trejo has been an underperformer at the plate during his MLB appearances. Before being sent down to Triple-A earlier in the year, Trejo struggled to have any pop, and that is a trend we should expect to continue moving forward.
Riley Greene (DET): 3-4, 2B, 2 R.
Greene is hitting an impressive .309/.375/.462 on the season and has shown consistent production since coming back from the IL on July 8th. Greene has hit safely in 10 of 13 games and started out quickly last night with a double to left in the 1st inning. Greene would reach again in his next two at-bats and has made a habit of getting on base frequently.
Tyler O’Neill (STL): 1-2, 2 B, 3 RBI.
In dramatic fashion, Tyler O’Neill delivered a major blow to the Diamondbacks late in the game. After entering the game for Jordan Walker in the 7th inning, O’Neill flew out in the 8th. Another chance presented itself for O’Neill in the 9th inning. With 2-outs and the bases loaded, he doubled and cleared the bases. O’Neill has found a streak of production since his return from the IL-60 and will certainly find everyday playing time with the Cardinals in the middle of a clouded trade deadline.
Daulton Varsho (TOR): 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI.
Varsho is having an underwhelming season after being traded to the Blue Jays from the Diamondbacks, but tonight he came up big. After a scoreless 10th inning against the Dodgers, Varsho doubled to right and gave Toronto the extra-inning lead. Even with the lack of performance, Varsho will continue to see reps at the plate, and if he comes out of his funk, it could provide a lot of joy for fantasy owners who have hoped for a breakout stretch.