Dude, You’re Getting Adell
Jo Adell (LAA): 3-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Adell’s been a happy surprise for the owners who have stuck with him this year, even if they might hold their noses during his slumps. A former first-round pick out of high school and a top-5 fantasy prospect for years, Adell entered post-hype territory after several call-ups that ended in disappointment. The monster home runs he mashed in the minors never materialized, and he struggled to meet the Mendoza line (he had a .162 expected batting average in 2023).
In April, though he was getting regular playing time, it felt like more of the same—he finished the month with a .175 average and .514 OPS, along with a 30% K-rate. But then things started to click. He had five homers with a .233 average in May, and then broke out big-time in June with eleven bombs and a .293 average. He’s been up and down since, but it’s clear he now belongs in this league (and really, what other choices do the Angels have?).
Adell hits fastballs well, with a .300 BA against, and manages to hold his own against sliders. Offspeed pitches and curveballs are where he’s struggled, but he’s shown significant improvement against both pitches this season compared to last (he hit just .108 off changeups in 2024). His overall barrel rate has also soared to 17.1% compared to 11.7% last season.
Adell’s expected stats are typically better than what he’s been actually doing, including a .563 xSLG that’s 80 points higher than his real number (and is in the top 4% of the league).
Adell managed fifteen swipes last year, but so far, he has only had three in ’25 (he was caught ten times in 2024, so perhaps management told him to cut it out). Still, he’s more than capable in the other four categories and should give you 35 homers this season and in many years to come.
Let’s see how the other hitters did on Tuesday:
George Springer (TOR): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB.
It’s been a Renaissance year for Springer, who many thought was past his prime at age 34. But after coming back from a concussion a few days ago, Springer looked just as solid as he’s been all year, helping in all five categories last night with a pair of hits that included a homer, a stolen base, and four total runs produced. That’s now twenty homers on the season to go with thirteen steals, and he’s still flirting with a .900 OPS.
Michael Harris II (ATL): 1-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.
On many drop lists a couple of months ago, Harris has caught fire. Batting .408 in August (after a .301 July), Harris has as many homers this month as he did in the hundred games before the All-Star Break. However, his owners should be aware of his history—last season, he had a .250/.295/.358 slash line in the first half before going .283/.318/.506 in the second, and in 2023 he hit .325 in the second half with an .878 OPS. Ironically, though Harris is hardly selective at the plate (his 2.6% walk rate is one of the lowest in baseball), he seems to hit better the less patient he gets (he has zero walks in August to go with that .408 BA).
Kyle Teel (CHW): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI.
On a team without many bright spots, Teel is standing out. Called up on June 6 after he batted .295 with eight homers in 50 games with Chicago’s AAA affiliate this year, Teel is a rookie who seems to improve with every game. He followed up last night’s 4-for-5 performance with another multi-hit performance, both of which went for extra bases. Though many other catchers stood out last night (see below), Teel might be the most interesting, with 20-25 homer upside, a solid average, and great metrics for a rookie. He should be a starter in most leagues.
Iván Herrera (STL): 2-5, 3 RBI, SB.
A pair of leg injuries has limited Herrera to just 73 games played this season, but he’s still been everything the Cardinals could hope for. Herrera came out scorching in his first week of the season, capped by a three-homer game on April 2, and was still hot after a month away due to a bad hammy. The knee issue that cropped up in June appeared to limit his second comeback, however, as July was his first month with a sub-.800 OPS (.644). He’s only managed a .668 OPS in August but might be turning things around—it’s also his third steal of the month, which shows any leg problems should be behind him. He’s not the flashiest catcher in the league, but if healthy next year, he’d be good for a near-.300 average with 20 home runs and maybe a dozen steals. He’s also batting second in the lineup with an 11.7% K-BB rate, both of which should jump out to points league owners.
J.T. Realmuto (PHI): 2-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, SB.
Perhaps the reported demise of this 34-year-old catcher was premature. Drafted in the top 150 in most leagues, Realmuto showed little of the power/speed combo that made him a top backstop in years past. It also looked like he could no longer hit for average, hitting under .230 as of June 1. He’s turned it around since then, at least in the contact department, and solid run production has come with it. And after stealing just two bags last year, he should crack double-digits for the fifth time in his career. Still, though he’s now had back-to-back nights with a homer, this was only his fourth since May 21, which might not cut it compared to this new group of power-hitting catchers.
Mark Vientos (NYM): 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
Vientos came out of nowhere last year to hit 27 home runs in just 413 at-bats, but this year he’s not had the same type of success (a .249 ISO has now become a .149 ISO). 2024’s .325 BABIP might’ve helped keep his average afloat—a lot of his fly balls did sail over the fence—but the regression has been painful, including an August where he’s hit just .207 with a .194 OBP. That’s also hurt his playing time as he’s logged just nine games this month. The Mets have a crowded roster, but injuries may help Vientos get in the lineup more often going forward.
Nathaniel Lowe (BOS): 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Released by the Nationals last week, Lowe found a buyer in Boston and made his first start with the Red Sox last night. He would reward his new team with a clutch, game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth. Lowe batted seventh and DH’ed, and it remains to be seen whether he has a full-time role (he has a .516 OPS against lefties this year). Lowe’s seventeen homers on the year are worth keeping an eye on, but since he’s not a pull-hitter, only ten of his dingers would have gone out at Fenway. With a career .770 OPS and a walk rate that’s usually above ten percent, he’s worth keeping an eye on (but not much more than that).
Noelvi Marte (CIN): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.
I first profiled Marte in a sleeper post a few years ago, comparing him to Mookie Betts. After an excellent rookie debut where he had a 16-game hit streak and a .316 average in 114 ABs, his career took a downward tumble last year with his suspension. He’s turned things around since, and at age 23 is showing the makings of a future star. The Reds have been looking for a capable all-around hitter to bat after Elly, and while Miguel Andujar has capably filled that role of late, it should eventually go to Marte for the next several seasons (or he could bat second, though he doesn’t walk a lot). Marte’s got a top 2% Max EV this season, owns a sub-20% K-rate, and has other solid metrics that back up his .299 average. He’ll be a five-category asset next year with a 30/30 ceiling, and should go in your top 100. Draft him.
Cody Bellinger (NYY): 4-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI.
The Yankees had a homer parade in Tampa’s AAA version of their home park, going back-to-back-to-back in the first inning and never looking…back (where have you gone, Shane Baz?). Bellinger had been scuffling of late with a .203 average on the month, but last night’s pair of homers gave him four in August, along with a steal and 12 RBIs. Belly’s the rare lefty that mashes southpaws (he’s got a 1.072 OPS against them this year), so it was a bit surprising the Rays left in Ian Seymour to face him in the sixth. Cody made them pay with his 24th homer of the season, and the Yanks finished with seven dingers on the night.
José Caballero (NYY): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB.
Two of those Yankee dingers were from an unlikely source: Caballero, whose .332 xSLG and 5.6% barrel rate don’t exactly scream ‘masher’. But the Yankees seem to like their recent addition and are giving him playing time (last night, he started at shortstop over Anthony Volpe). Caballero doubled his season’s homer total in one night with one of the shorter round-trippers you’ll ever see (at 322 feet, it’s a wall-scraper even in Williamsport). But they all count the same, and perhaps José wanted to show his former team what they were missing. Caballero is one steal away from 40 on the season—if the Yankees keep playing him, he should be able to top 50 by the end of the year.
