A Few Goodman
Hunter Goodman (COL): 3-5, 3 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI.
It seemed like it would be tough for Colorado’s Hunter Goodman to repeat his 2025 numbers in 2026.
Yes, the power has always been prodigious. However, he struck out 26.3% of the time, whiffed 32% of the time, chased 36.7% of the time, and only walked 5.7% of the time. Thus, it seemed unlikely that he would match his 31-HR, .278 average, and .843 OPS from a season ago.
To be fair, Goodman has seen some regression in 2026. His K% is up to 32.9%, as his whiff rate (34.6%) and chase rate (41.7%). While his walking more (7.8% BB%), his batting average is down to .246.
Thus, one has to think that Goodman’s OPS is down too, right? Not quite the case, as the 26-year-old Rockies catcher has an .855 OPS, which is 12 points higher than a year ago.
A big reason for this OPS jump is Goodman’s increase in power, especially in the home run category.
Goodman has 25 home runs in 324 plate appearances this season. For context, he had 25 in 579 plate appearances. His barrel rate has improved from 12.9% to 16.4%, and his .297 ISO is 54 points higher than his 2025 mark. The former Memphis product should not only pass his 2025 home run total (barring injury), but he should also make his second-straight All-Star game.
On Saturday, he made his All-Star case even clearer. He hit three home runs and collected five RBI in an 8-5 win over the Minnesota Twins. While the Rockies have a lackluster record at 33-50, they are becoming more intriguing each game due to promising young hitters like Goodman, who offer an optimistic long-term outlook of the club if they can get their pitching right.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday
Rafael Devers (SFG): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
Devers is putting “Pinch Runner-Gate” behind him. After getting subbed out against his wishes earlier this week, Devers has been on a tear, with two home runs on Saturday against Atlanta. It’s been a down year for Devers, as his .757 OPS is nearly 100 points down from a year ago. He has 14 home runs this year, so he likely will hit the 20+ HR mark by season’s end. Even then, that will be down from the 35 bombs he launched in 2025.
Luis García Jr. (WSN): 4-5, 2B, HR, R, RBI.
Garcia was on a heater on Saturday with four hits, including his 14th of the season. Garcia has 18 home runs in 528 plate appearances in 2024 and 16 home runs in 525 plate appearances in 2025. He has 14 home runs in 265 plate appearances this year. He should hit the 20+ HR mark at the very least, if he can stay healthy. Now, he just needs to get more stolen bases (only two this year after 22 in 2024 and 14 in 2025).
Kerry Carpenter (DET): 2-4, HR, R, 4 RBI.
The Tigers lost, but at least Carpenter hit a grand slam, his 12th homer of the year. Carpenter’s batting average is .226, 26 points down from his mark a year ago. That said, his OBP is up (.300) and his slugging is pretty similar (.488) to what he did a year ago (.487). As a result, his .788 OPS in 2026 is identical to his 2025 mark. He remains a righty-only option, but the power makes him an intriguing fantasy outfield option.
Brandon Lowe (PIT): 1-4, HR, R, 4 RBI.
Remember when people were worried that Lowe would struggle in the transition to cavernous PNC Park? Well, on Saturday, Lowe hit his 20th home run of the year. He also had four RBIs and is hitting .246 with an .835 OPS. The Pirates are fading fast in the NL Central division standings, but Lowe has been a huge boost to this Pittsburgh lineup this season.
Eugenio Suárez (CIN): 1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB.
Suarez, who is only hitting .210 with a .655 OPS this year, came up clutch for the Reds on Saturday. He launched a huge three-run homer in the top of the ninth against Pittsburgh closer Gregory Soto that gave the Reds the lead and eventually, a 9-7 win. After hitting 49 home runs with the Mariners a year ago, he has only eight so far. This is despite playing at the GAB, which profiles as way more homer-friendly than T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Baseball is weird.
Jonathan Aranda (TBR): 1-2, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
It’s been a vintage Aranda fantasy season. He’s got 13 home runs, and is hitting .289 with an .861 OPS. However, he already has 345 plate appearances this year after having just 422 plate appearances a year ago. As long as he stays healthy, he should be getting 500+ plate appearances at the very least, which should make him 20+ HR candidate.
Randy Arozarena (SEA): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
The Mariners lost, but Arozarena went yard and had three RBIs to boost. On one end, Arozarena is doing well at the plate, hitting .288 with an .826 OPS, both better marks than a year ago. Conversely, he only has eight home runs this year after launching 27 home runs a year ago. Thus, it seems like Arozarena traded average for power, which has its pluses and minuses for fantasy managers who roster him.
Seiya Suzuki (CHC): 2-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.
The Cubs are trying to creep up on the first-place Brewers and they made steps toward that on Saturday in 8-2 win. Suzuki was one of the main catalysts as he had two hits and launched his 12th home run of the year. After dealing with an injury this spring, Suzuki has been solid at the plate with a .263 average and .801 OPS in 284 plate appearances.
Masataka Yoshida (BOS): 2-3, HR, 2 R, RBI.
It’s fun when the Red Sox beat the Yankees. It’s even better when they beat them at Fenway Park. And it’s the BEST when Yoshida goes yard in the win. Okay, that last one may be exaggerated but it was nice to see the Red Sox outfielder hit his second home run of the year. With a .245 average and .672 OPS, Yoshida is not the prototypical leadoff hitter. That said, he provided a spark in Saturday’s 4-1 win, so maybe he can provide some positive momentum for this Boston lineup in that leadoff spot.
