The Adames Family
Willy Adames (MIL): 3-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, BB.
It was a back-and-forth affair between the Brewers and Diamondbacks in Arizona on Saturday night. Both teams combined for 23 runs and 30 hits in a nine-inning game. The Brewers prevailed 15-8, improving their record to 86-62 for the year. They sit comfortably in first place in the NL Central with an 11-game lead.
Brewers shortstop Willy Adames stood out the most in this slugfest.
He went 3-for-3 with two home runs, including a grand slam in the second inning that gave Milwaukee an 8-0 lead in the second inning off of Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt. He also scored two runs and collected five RBI. It was a dominant performance from Adames on a fantasy end, much-appreciated by teams who roster Adames during this fantasy playoff season.
Adames is producing one of the best seasons of his career. This comes at the right time, as he becomes a free agent this offseason.
In 634 plate appearances, the 29-year-old shortstop has 32 home runs, 107 RBI, 87 R, and a .810 OPS. His 142 hits this year is a career-high, and his .476 slugging is his best mark in that category since 2021 when he split the year between the Brewers and Rays (his previous organization).
He will be 30 years old next season, which could deflate his value in free agency. However, there’s no question that he’s one of the best power-hitting shortstops in Major League Baseball today.
His 32 home runs lead all NL shortstops, and they are only five behind Gunnar Henderson. He also leads all shortstops in RBI, with Bobby Witt Jr. only five away. His 4.7 fWAR ranks fifth for MLB shortstops, putting him ahead of other big names such as Corey Seager, Dansby Swanson, and Trea Turner, who all received mega deals not too long ago.
It’s unlikely that the Brewers will make a play to retain him this offseason, as they have shown a propensity to let their expensive star talent walk (the Brewers are taking “Moneyball” to new levels). Then again, if the Brewers go on a playoff run, and if Adames continues this hot bat into the postseason, Milwaukee may be sentimental and bring him back, even if it may not be in their financial nature.
The following month could be huge for Brewers fans, Adames, and his future in Milwaukee.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday.
Bryce Harper (PHI): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
The Phillies won a key game over the rival Mets, with Harper leading. He hit two home runs and drove in three of the Phillies’ six runs. Harper is on fire in September as he has matched his HR total from August in half the plate appearances. He also is hitting .400 with an OPS of 1.149. If the Phillies want to make noise in the postseason, they will need Harper’s hot bat to carry over into October.
Gunnar Henderson (BAL): 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.
With the Orioles trying to stay in the division race, they got a big 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park. Henderson led the way with two hits, including his 37th home run of the season. He also stole his 19th base of the year and improved his run total to 119. The All-Star shortstop continues to have a sensational season and gives Orioles fans hope that a playoff run could be in the cards if he can keep this up.
TJ Friedl (CIN): 4-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
The Twins welcomed Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa back to the lineup, but Minnesota’s woes continued as they lost 11-1 to the Reds. TJ Friedl dampened the mood at Target Field, as he had four hits, two RBI, and launched his 13th home run. It’s been a disappointing season for Friedl and the Reds, but they would be happy to play playoff spoiler to the Twins this weekend.
Bobby Witt Jr. (KCR): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB.
Witt has cooled off in September, as he is only hitting .250 with a .760 OPS this month. That isn’t great timing, especially since Vinnie Pasquantino is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. Nonetheless, against the Pirates on Saturday afternoon, he showed why he is an MVP candidate as he had two hits, collected his 31st home run, and boosted his RBI total to 102, a career-high. Witt getting on a hot streak to finish the regular season would increase his MVP case and improve the Royals’ positioning in the postseason.
Davis Schneider (TOR): 3-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Much like the Blue Jays overall, Schneider has disappointed this season. He is only hitting .197 with a .633 OPS in 414 plate appearances. This lackluster performance muddles his future in Toronto, especially with the club at a critical point this offseason. He helped his case by having three hits, two RBI, and a home run in Toronto’s win over St. Louis. He will need more games like that down the stretch to solidify his place with the Blue Jays in 2025.
Randal Grichuk (ARI): 2-2, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Grichuk didn’t start, but he had one of the best performances of any Diamondback hitter in their 15-8 loss to Milwaukee. He had two hits, including his 10th home run. The 33-year-old outfielder has settled into an excellent platoon role in Arizona, as he has a .843 OPS in 285 plate appearances this season. He’s not much use in fantasy leagues due to his lack of consistent playing time, but he could be an option for those who participate in daily fantasy.
Lane Thomas (CLE): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI.
The Guardians got a much-needed win against the Rays on Saturday to keep their place atop the AL Central. Thomas contributed to the victory by hitting a double and his 12th home run of the year (his fourth with Cleveland). Thomas started slowly with his new club, posting a .434 OPS in August. However, he is hitting .367 with a 1.115 OPS in September, which is much-needed for a Guardians club trying to hold off the Royals in the AL Central division.
Andrew Benintendi (CHW): 3-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.
The White Sox avoided loss No. 116 as Benintendi hit a walk-off home run against the A’s. After only hitting five home runs in 2023, Benintendi has seen a surge in power this year, increasing his home run total to 17. He’s been particularly serviceable in the second half, hitting .262 with a .830 OPS in 191 plate appearances. Chicago GM Chris Getz hints that they won’t be active in free agency. Thus, Benintendi looks like he’ll be a vital part of this club in 2025. White Sox fans hope his second half can be a full-season trend next year.
Matt Olson (ATL): 2-5, 2 2B, R, 4 RBI.
Atlanta thumped the Dodgers 10-1, putting them in a tie with the Mets for the final Wild Card spot. Olson had a big day with two doubles and four RBI. It hasn’t been the greatest of years for Olson. He has seen his average go from .283 last season to .239 this year, and his OPS decline from .993 in 2023 to .759 in 2024. With no Ronald Acuña Jr. or Ozzie Albies down the stretch, Olson must play his best ball to get Atlanta into the postseason.