Juan, Two Step
Juan Soto (NYM): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
Last night wasn’t just Juan and done, for Mr. Sotomatic-Supersonic-Hypnotic-Funky Fresh. Juan Soto put the New York Mets on the board early and often. Both home runs came with Soto’s signature power, clocking in at 100.5 and 105.0 mph, bringing him up to 17 on the year. 10 of those homers have come in the last 30 days, alongside a .311/.410/.687/1.087 line, 1.50 BB/K, and .257 BABIP. Yowza. Soto is doing what he does best right now and should be considered second in baseball to Shohei Ohtani only because of Soto’s lack of stolen bases.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Thursday:
Trevor Larnach (MIN): 3-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
It’s been a slow start to 2026 for Trevor Larnach. Yesterday was only Larnach’s fifth home run of the year, and his 86.3 mph average exit velocity, 6.4% barrel rate, and 30.0% hard hit rate would all be career lows. Now, it isn’t all bad. Since the start of the month, Larnach has gone 14-for-41, with two homers, eight runs, and five RBI. He may finally be turning a corner.
Nathan Lukes (TOR): 1-4, HR, R, RBI.
Toronto Blue Jays corner outfielder Nathan Lukes hit his second home run of the season yesterday afternoon in Fenway Park. Since Lukes returned from the IL after receiving treatment for a case of vertigo, he’s gone from a .250/.286/.327/.613 line and 0.14 BB/K to a .361/.418/.444/.862 line and 0.33 BB/K. Who’d have thought that a condition which impacts balance, coordination, and reaction time could impact a hitter’s performance?
Ryan Kreidler (MIN): 1-2, HR, R, 2 RBI.
The Minnesota Twins claimed Ryan Kreidler off waivers in the offseason, and he’s found new life in Target Field. So far, Kreidler’s posted three homers, 10 RBI, and a .297/.422/.649/1.071 line in 45 plate appearances at home. Yesterday’s home run was a 100.1 mph bomb that showcased his newfound 74.3 mph bat speed, so there is some real power here. The 28-year-old outfielder’s main issue right now is playing time, but if the Twins do wind up as sellers at the trade deadline, Kreidler’s certainly a name to watch.
Colt Emerson (SEA): 1-2, 2 RBI, BB, SB.
Last night marked rookie Colt Emerson’s first major league stolen base. The steal was Emerson’s 11th of the season between the majors and Triple-A, putting him on pace to set a new career high. The 20-year-old top prospect is also sitting on 13 total homers this season, just three shy of last year’s career high, and including six homers in 25 games since his major league debut. If you still aren’t excited about Emerson, yesterday’s single clocked in at a blistering 106.4 mph, setting a new maximum exit velocity for the young infielder.
David Fry (CLE): 1-2, HR, R, RBI, BB.
Nice try, David Fry. Fry’s fourth home run of the year was a shallow flyball that would’ve only been ruled a home run in two other ballparks. Fry has struggled since his 14-home run breakout campaign two years ago. While he has more to offer than last season’s below-Mendoza Line performance, I wouldn’t count on a return to his 2024 form. Fry’s current .311 BABIP isn’t outrageous, but it is a career high, and his 65 BBE Quality is one of the worst marks in the league.
Lane Thomas (KCR): 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI.
Now here’s a bounce-back I will buy in on. After signing with the Kansas City Royals in the offseason, Lane Thomas’s arm strength and speed have earned him an everyday spot in the outfield. While Thomas only has three stolen bases so far this season, there will be plenty more to come with regular playing time and a 29.0 ft/s sprint speed (92nd percentile). Since June 1st, Thomas has recorded four home runs, a .280/.390/.560/.950 line, and moved into the leadoff spot. On the season, he’s also posted an above-average 114 Decision Value and an elite 20.4% Chase rate.
Just don’t expect another 20+ home run campaign any time soon.
Justin Foscue (TEX): 1-1, HR, R, RBI, BB.
Former Top 100 prospect Justin Foscue came through with a pinch-hit solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was the Texas Rangers‘ top of the lineup that blew the comeback yesterday. Foscue’s fourth of the season was a 102.8 mph, 429-foot no-doubter, which brought him up to 10 runs, 10 RBI, and .264/.316/.444 triple slash in 80 plate appearances. His defense has taken a step forward as well, and could lead to regular playing time as he continues to move up the order.
Andrew Benintendi (CHW): 1-1, HR, R, 4 RBI.
In a surprising turn of events, the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Yankees after Andrew Benintendi drove in a pinch-hit grand slam off Camilo Doval in the eighth. With the White Sox currently holding down the AL Central division title, Benintendi’s unlikely to be moved as the trade deadline draws near. That may be for the best, though, with the veteran DH holding down a spot at the top of a lineup that ranks Top 10 in wRC+ this season.
