Cherry García
Luis García Jr. (WSN): 3-4, 3 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI.
2025 was a small step back for Luis García Jr., but he’s already managed to set a new career high in runs, and last night’s performance put him within striking distance of career highs in home runs and RBI. Two of García’s three homers were a pair of blistering barrels that clocked in at 106.6 and 110.3 mph.
One of the biggest differences from García’s breakout campaign last season has been the drop in stolen bases. While his stolen base percentage has dipped from 81% to 72%, the drop in stolen base opportunities from 27 to 18 has likely hurt him even more, especially as the 25-year-old has struggled to get on base at the same clip as last year.
It may not be the most interesting take to suggest this is the result of bad luck, but sometimes that is the case, and a .273 BABIP this season is definitely a sign that balls just have not been going García’s way.
Take a look at his Process+ from this season:
While the Decision Value+ isn’t pretty, it’s in line with last season’s numbers, and a 117 zDV+ this season is a major step forward. García’s zDV+ isn’t the only step in the right direction he’s taken in 2025. A 90.3 mph average exit velocity, 9.1% barrel rate, and 46.1% hard hit rate are all improvements over last season.
García is definitely one worth watching going into 2026, and a hot finish to the season is just the cherry on the sundae.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Friday:
Spencer Horwitz (PIT): 3-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB.
After missing the start of the season recovering from wrist surgery, Spencer Horwitz has been red hot lately. Last night’s bombs put Horwitz up to nine home runs, a .303/.393/.523/.916 slashline, with a 0.90 BB/K and 154 wRC+ since the All-Star break. This performance has come with a modest .323 BABIP, so this may be a case of Horwitz simply getting full healthy and knocking off some rust after missing Spring Training. After all, the 27-year-old has been a Top 25 hitter against right-handed pitchers since making his debut in the summer of 2023.
Giancarlo Stanton (NYY): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI.
2025 has been a resurgent year for Giancarlo Stanton in his age-35 season. Father Time has yet to come for Stanton as he hit a pair of towering home runs at 108.8 and 112.2 mph to help get the New York Yankees the win last night. While Stanton has only played in 75 games this season, he’s now hit 23 homers in 273 plate appearances with a .267/.342/.584/.926 line. If it weren’t for the small sample size, this would be his best campaign since winning the NL MVP in 2017. Don’t sleep on Stanton going into 2026; he has yet to show any signs of slowing down.
Mike Trout (LAA): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Mike Trout may not have had as triumphant a return as Stanton, but he was able to stay healthy this year and record his most plate appearances since 2019. Last night’s home runs put Trout up to 25 on the season, the 10th 25+ home run campaign of his career. Now, that’s the good news. The bad news is that this comes with a career-worst 32.3% strikeout rate, .230 batting average, and 117 wRC+ (in a season with 200+ PA).
Trout’s also had a rough second half with eight home runs, a .221/.347/.385 triple slash, 0.39 BB/K, and 106 wRC+. Yikes. I’m more worried about Trout than Stanton going into 2026. It’ll be interesting to see what Trout’s ADP will be come draft season.
Nico Hoerner (CHC): 2-5, HR, 2 R, RBI.
Yesterday afternoon’s home run was only the seventh of the year for Nico Hoerner, but the speedster has put together a strong finish to 2025 of late. Hoerner has two homers, six steals, 23 runs, and a .354 average in 23 games through this point in September. Hoerner is getting hot at the right time for the Chicago Cubs as he’ll be a key piece of their lineup in the postseason.
Nathan Lukes (TOR): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Nathan Lukes has been the breakout star of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025. Injuries to Anthony Santander, Daulton Varsho, and Myles Straw early in the season opened the door for Lukes to receive regular playing time. The 30-year-old has rewarded the Jays with 12 home runs with a .254/.322/.406 triple slash, 0.67 BB/K, and 103 wRC+. Those may not be the gaudiest numbers, but they are a welcome surprise from a player who went undrafted in all but the deepest of leagues.
Michael Busch (CHC): 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
Michael Busch has built on his Chicago Cubs breakout last year and hit his 32nd homer yesterday afternoon. The power surge is real, too, as Busch jumped up to a 92.1 mph average exit velocity, 16.5% barrel rate, and 47.0% hard hit rate. With a 23.3% chase rate, 112 DV+, and 115 Strikezone Judgement+, Busch doesn’t sell out for power either. Sure, he doesn’t hit lefties well (82 wRC+ this season against LHP), but if he continues to hit at this level against RHP, it won’t matter.
Daylen Lile (WSN): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Daylen Lile has been one of the Washington Nationals‘ bright spots this season. Yesterday was his eighth major league homer and 12th of the year. Now, the power may not stay at this level as this is the first season of Lile’s career with double-digit home runs, but his speed and contact abilities give him a similar profile to the aforementioned Nico Hoerner. Lile has recorded eight steals, a .298/.345/.492 triple slash, and 130 wRC+ in his 89-game major league debut. His 29.2 sprint speed (93rd percentile), 109 DV+, 109 Contact+ suggest this is sustainable too. Not bad at all for a 22-year-old who started the year in Double-A.
George Springer (TOR): 2-3, 2B, 2 R, BB, SB.
I’ve gone all year without mentioning George Springer and couldn’t let the season end without changing that. Springer has been the MVP of the Blue Jays in 2025, and if he had been a little bit worse in 2024, he would be in the running for the AL Comeback Player of the Year. The 35-year-old outfielder has put together the best season of his career with 31 homers, 17 steals, and a .305 batting average. Springer hasn’t slowed down throughout the year either. In fact, he’s been the best hitter in baseball in the second half with 15 homers, six steals, a .361/.445/.654 triple slash, and 205 wRC+.
Chase Meidroth (CHW): 1-5, R, SB.
One of the key pieces of the Garrett Crochet trade, Chase Meidroth didn’t have to wait long to make his debut with the Chicago White Sox. Meidroth has put together a solid rookie season, adding his 14th stolen base of the year last night. Yesterday’s performance also brought him up to a .257/.333/.325 triple slash, alongside five home runs and an 89 wRC+. The 23-year-old infielder is far from a finished product, but a 21.4% chase rate, 111 DV+, and 119 Contact+ this season show there’s still untapped promise in his bat. This White Sox lineup should guarantee him an everyday role going into next season, with eligibility at both middle infield positions, making Meidroth a fun sleeper that will be available late in drafts next spring.
