Leave it to Seager
Corey Seager (TEX): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB.
I was watching the Blue Jays/Rangers game and was genuinely confused as to why the Jays continued pitching to Seager. He got 1 intentional walk, but especially during his second at-bat where he knocked in 2 with a double, he should’ve been walked—that’s how hot he is.
Corey Seager missed numerous games during the end of April into May and missed time at the end of July due to lingering injuries. However, when looking at his stats, it’s hard to imagine he has missed any time at all. After tonight’s game, his triple slash is .344/.406/1.069, and he has 31 home runs and 92 RBIs. That is truly unbelievable.
Seager signed a deal for 10 years worth 325 million dollars with the Rangers prior to the 2022 season. At the time, his deal and Marcus Semien’s deal were seen as extreme overpays. But as it stands right now, with the production both have put up, both deals look well worth it. Semien was cold to start last year but has since been fantastic. This year he has already accumulated a 6.4 bWAR, and Seager is already at 6.6, and that’s with missing about a month’s worth of time.
The Rangers needed the wins they got in Toronto to start this week. As it sits right now, they are in a wild card spot. They may get Josh Jung back next week, which would be a bost, but the main source of offense for this team is Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. And even though Seager has missed some time, he has produced like a top-10 player in the league.
He may not be in the first round for redraft leagues next year, but man I am going to be aggressive in drafting him. And as someone who owns him in a dynasty league, he has helped a ton in the semi-finals of this playoff race.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Thursday
Aaron Judge (NYY): 1-2, HR, R, 4 RBI, 3 BB.
The Yankees split a doubleheader with the Red Sox on Thursday. Both teams are still somewhat in the wild card race, but one or the other really has to go on a run. Judge since his injury hasn’t been quite right, but he did hit a grand slam in the evening affair. He is still a top talent in the game, but we can all agree he’s had a disappointing year this year due to injury. Can’t fault someone for getting injured though. And I say disappointment and am reminded that he has 32 home runs. He will be a force these next few weeks and will be an easy first-round pick next year.
Matt Vierling (DET): 1-3, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, SB.
I was really excited to see Vierling get full-time playing time with the Tigers this year, but it didn’t end up being a full-time gig. He landed on the IL a few times and didn’t show enough consistency for AJ Hinch to play him regularly. Thursday he hit a grand slam to help the Tigers beat the Reds, who are in the middle of a wild card race. The Tigers aren’t as far as many think. I now don’t think Vierling is going to be a full-time player; he didn’t show enough this year. But this team is turning it around with Torkelson, Carpenter, and Greene. He could be a nice find for deep 5 outfielder leagues. And a short shout-out to his teammate Akil Baddoo who also added a home run. Baddoo is only 25! Always a guy to just keep a mindful eye on with regard to fantasy. Low risk high reward guy.
Oswald Peraza (NYY): 4-7, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Man, I thought the Yankees were going to play Peraza a ton this year. They just kind of didn’t. His AAA stats weren’t incredible this year, but they definitely weren’t bad. Thursday he accumulated 4 hits over the two games and added a home run. 2024 is going to be a big year for the young infielder. So many different things could happen with the Yankees heading into next year, so the fantasy situation with him will be fluid. I wouldn’t be shocked if he is traded, or if he is their starting 2nd basemen for all of 2024 and he is excellent. We have no idea what Cashman and the gang are thinking with him.
Rafael Devers (BOS): 4-6, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB.
Devers added a home run in Thursday’s affair, bringing his total to 31 on the year. Devers has done exactly what he’s done over the past few years: hit home runs, and produced an average in the .270-.300 range. Over the past few years, he has been a picture of consistency at the third base position. I think the only thing fantasy owners have to worry about heading into the future is if he sticks at third because he is not much defensively.
Luke Raley (TB): 2-3, HR, 2 R, RBI.
Raley was playing center field for the Rays tonight. Kevin Cash is a madman. He also hit a go-ahead home run that helped assure a win for the Rays late in Baltimore. The Rays are only a game back from the Orioles for the AL East crown. The Orioles aren’t playing the best ball right now and lately, the Rays have been nails, especially their bullpen. Raley has been a pleasant surprise this year coming out of nowhere. The Rays are good at that though, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
Royce Lewis (MIN): 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
He’s healthy. My prayer circle worked. Thank you, Royce. The Twins are headed to the playoffs thanks to a weak AL Central; however, they also have some great young talent on offense headlined by Lewis. The talent has always been there, but he has had a tough time remaining on the field. Please stay healthy Royce. I cannot wait to watch him in the playoffs.
Ceddanne Rafaela (BOS): 4-9, 2B, HR, 3R, RBI. Wilyer Abreu (BOS): 4-5, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.
Rafaela’s batting stance is crazy similar to Mookie Betts, right? Am I crazy? It’s eerie. I am going to put the two Red Sox rookies into the same section since they both have been quite impressive. I did a profile on Wilyer a few weeks ago pointing out that it was possible that he may get a good chunk of playing time with the Red Sox down the stretch. I had a few say this would be not the case, which I understood, but injuries have cleared a path for both young players. I’d say Rafaela has the higher upside long term, but so far what we’ve seen from both has been impressive. I’d say both are worth a look in the later rounds next year, and I’d be happy to have either in dynasty.
Trevor Story (BOS): 1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
The only recent Rockie I have a jersey of, it has been tough to watch his tenure with the Red Sox so far. He hasn’t been healthy, plain and simple, but at a certain point, it’s tough to continue to make excuses for him. He only played in one game during Thursday’s doubleheader but smashed a 3-run home run. Having an offseason where he is healthy and can have a regular ramp-up to a season is going to be so important for Story. I’m willing to bet he has a monster year in 2024, if, and it’s a big if at this point, he can stay healthy.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR): 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Did Vlad need this or what? I wish he put up more hits in the game, but I will take a 2-run home run. I’ve been a huge Vlad defender this year, and I’ve taken some flack for it. I get it, he should be a top-10 hitter and he hasn’t been, I’ll wear that. His draft stock will most likely fall for next year and, depending on where he lands, I’d still want to have him on my team. But, because of this year, he has shown he is not in the same realm as the top 1st basemen in the league, Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson. The Jays need him and Bo down the stretch if they want to sneak into a Wild Card spot.