The Heimlich Maneuver

Backup catcher Jonah Heim pumped some life into the Atlanta offense in the second inning on Sunday, smashing a two-run HR 425-feet to the deepest part of Coors Field in the second inning to give the Braves an early 2-1 lead over Colorado. The 30-year old switch-hitter added a sac fly and a two-run double later in the game to finish 2-4 with a HR, 2B, 2 R and 5 RBI in the Braves’ 11-6 win. Heim had himself a modest five-year stretch with the Texas Rangers that peaked in 2023 when he hit .258/.317/.438 with 18 HRs and 95 RBI. Those days are certainly behind him, especially with Drake Baldwin ahead of him at catcher, but Heim clearly still has enough pop left in his bat to provide Atlanta with some offense when Baldwin needs a rest.

 

Let’s see how the other hitters did on Sunday:

 

Jasson Domínguez (NYY): 3-5, HR, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI.

Former Yankees top prospect Jasson Domínguez had himself an encouraging day at the plate on Sunday, getting a hit from both sides of the plate, including a two-run HR in the eighth inning, his first of the season. Dominguez returned to the Majors on Monday after starting the year in the minors and he is hitting a solid .278/.316/.556 in his five games back after hitting .326/.415/.478 in 24 games at AAA. The 23-year old is certainly one to keep an eye on, especially if he can maintain a spot in the vaunted Yankees lineup going forward.

 

Aaron Judge (NYY): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.

Aaron Judge put the Yankees out in front 3-1 with a two-run HR in the third inning of New York’s 11-3 win over Baltimore. The .264 batting average is not up to Judge’s standards of the past couple seasons, but he is heating up with a .400/.516/.960 line and four HRs over his last seven games.

 

Jonathan Aranda (TB): 4-5, 4 RBI.

The Rays were able to do just enough at the plate on Sunday, defeating the Giants 2-1 at home despite not getting a single extra-base hit, led by Jonathan Aranda and his four singles, including a walk-off hit in the tenth. Although power hitting was not the name of the game yesterday, Aranda has shown a power surge for Tampa Bay in 2026, with a career-high .210 ISO and seven HRs already after hitting just 14 in 370 at-bats in 2025.

 

Michael Busch (CHC): 2-3, 3B, 2B, R, 4 RBI, BB.

After a breakout 34-HR campaign in 2025, Michael Busch struggled mightily to start this season for the Cubs and he still only has two HRs. But after a two-extra base hit performance on Sunday, it looks like the 28-year old might be starting to turn things around, hitting .261/.438/.522 over his last seven games. While the early season chill and wind may be partially at fault for his woes, the fact remains that Busch’s Barrel% and Average Exit Velocity are way down from 2025, so I’m not sure he’s out of the weeds (or vines) yet.

 

Jorge Mateo (ATL): 2-5, HR, R, 2 RBI, SB.

Jorge Mateo continues to do an admirable job filling in at SS for the Braves, as he hit his second HR and stole his third base of the season in Atlanta’s win over the Rockies. Mateo is hitting a very respectable .286/.318/.476, although his time as a starter may be over soon as Ha-Seong Kim is currently on a rehab assignment.

 

Mickey Moniak (COL): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB.

I think we can officially put to bed any notion that Mickey Moniak’s breakout 2025 season was a fluke, as the Colorado outfielder hit his tenth and eleventh HRs of the season in just his 27th game yesterday. The former No. 1 overall pick looks poised to easily eclipse his great numbers from last season and an All-Star Game could be in his future as Moniak is hitting .327/.374/.724 with a 185 wRC+.

 

TJ Rumfield (COL): 3-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.

The Yankees certainly aren’t wanting for offense, but they may regret trading first baseman TJ Rumfield to the Rockies when its all said and done. The 25-year-old smashed his fourth HR of the season 423-feet on Sunday and is hitting .268/.329/.425 with an excellent 16.4 K% so far in his rookie season.

 

Tyler Soderstrom (ATH): 3-4, HR, 2 R, RBI.

Tyler Soderstrom put together a very strong day at the plate for the Athletics in their 7-1 win over the Guardians, collecting three hits and a HR off lefty Parker Messick. The HR was just his first of the season off a lefty and he has struggled mightily against southpaws in 2026, with a 21 wRC+ compared to a 131 wRC+ against righties.

 

Mark Vientos (NYM): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.

Mark Vientos did all of the heavy lifting for the Mets in their 5-1 win over the Angels, doubling his 2026 HR total with two blasts and adding four RBI. With the Mets desperate for offense, especially at corner infield, it looks like Vientos should have every opportunity to prove himself at the plate and Mets fans are hoping he can return to his 27-HR form of 2024.