Professor X
Xavier Edwards (MIA): 4-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB.
While the Marlins continue to sell off Major League assets as the deadline approaches, one player that will be staying in Miami is former top prospect Xavier Edwards. The 2023 Marlins Minor League Player of the Year had a Sunday to remember, becoming the third player and second rookie to hit for the cycle this season, which included the first HR of his MLB career. The 24-year-old is now hitting .379/.462/.494 with 8 stolen bases in his first 87 at-bats in the Majors and should be picked up in all fantasy leagues immediately.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Sunday.
Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Kyle Schwarber did everything in his immense power to win the game for the Phillies on Sunday, but apparently 2 HRs and 3 RBI were not enough. Both homers came off a lefty, albeit one making his MLB debut, and Schwarber accounted for 8 of Philadelphia’s 11 total bases.
Jhonkensy Noel (CLE): 3-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
The reason the Phillies didn’t get the win on Sunday is because Jhonkensy Noel crushed a 436 foot three-run HR off starter Kolby Allard to tie the game for Cleveland. The rookie now has an impressive 6 HRs in just 60 MLB at-bats and has provided a spark to a top heavy Guardians lineup.
Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (TOR): 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Few hitters are hotter than Vlad Guerrero, Jr. over the last two weeks (303 wRC+) and he hit his 6th HR in that span, a solo shot in the 3rd inning that ultimately served as the winning run. With trade rumors swirling around the Blue Jays superstar, he hasn’t let any of it affect his game and continues to carry the Toronto offense on a daily basis.
Austin Riley (ATL): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
The Atlanta Braves desperately need Austin Riley to step up at the plate and he did so with two hits on Sunday, including a two-run HR in the 7th inning. The HR was Riley’s 14th of the season and 13th in his last 30 games. With all of the injuries Atlanta’s endured this season, Riley is going to have to have a big 2nd half for them to make a run in the playoffs.
Gavin Lux (LAD): 1-2, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB.
Even with all of his struggles this season, Gavin Lux is still somehow worthy of the #3 spot in the Dodgers order. He proved his worth on Sunday, walking 3 times and taking Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti deep in the 6th inning for a go-ahead two-run HR. Lux is now hitting .415/.489/.805 with 4 HRs in his last 15 games and could be showing signs of a 2nd-half breakout for Los Angeles.
Cal Raleigh (SEA): 2-5, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Big Cal Raleigh got the Mariners started early against All-Star Garrett Crochet with a 2-run HR in the 1st inning. Raleigh’s 22 HRs lead all MLB catchers and he has proven to be a reliable source of power in the middle of the Seattle lineup.
Jake Bauers (MIL): 2-3, HR, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
Xavier Edwards may have stolen the headline in Milwaukee on Sunday, but Jake Bauers helped power the Brewers to a 6-2 win over the Marlins. Bauers hit for the harder half of the cycle and 7 of his 8 HRs on the season have come off of RHP.
Taylor Ward (LAA): 2-5, HR, R, 4 RBI.
Looking like he will almost certainly get traded prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline, Taylor Ward boosted his stock on Sunday with a 4th inning Grand Slam to help the Angels to an 8-6 comeback win. Despite the big game, Ward has struggled immensely over the last two months, hitting just .174 with 5 HRs since the start of June.