J.D. Davis (SF): 3-4, HR, 2 R, RBI.
The Giants may have lost their 57th game; Davis’s 3-4, HR, 2 R, and RBI night certainly weren’t to blame. In fact, he even reached base one more time via a hit-by-pitch. Unfortunately, the Padres’ bats went off in the third and sixth inning to put this game out of hand. The Giants, a team that fired on all cylinders last season, isn’t finding nearly the same offensive success. So, finding more offensive players was needed.
After the trade deadline, J.D. Davis found himself in a new home on the west coast. Although, based on the results, I don’t think he’s complaining. In only 24 at-bats with the San Francisco Giants, Davis has already collected eight hits(including three HRs). Furthermore, he finds himself playing nearly every day. Which is something the New York Mets simply couldn’t provide for him.
What does a future in San Fran hold for Davis? The team’s veteran third basemen(Evan Longoria) can’t seem to stay on the field due to injury. Furthermore, the Giants are a platoon-happy organization that likes to mix-and-match, rather than denote a single player at a position. Well, Longoria has a $19.6MM club option that surely won’t get picked up. Will we see Davis on opening day as the Giants starting third basemen? I think so.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Wednesday.
Daniel Vogelbach (NYM): 2-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI.
It’s been a tale of two seasons for Mr. Vogelbach. The first, a 75-game(237 AB) stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he flexed a .203 ISO as he crushed 12 HRs. The other is a 15-game(44 AB) sample with his new ball club, the New York Mets. Similarly, he’s showcasing a .227 ISO with a pair of HRs. Additionally, both stops include an elite walk rate. Some pop, a bunch of RBI, and terrific OBP? Yep, that’s Daniel Vogelbach.
Leody Taveras (TEX): 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, 5 RBI.
Taveras, who’s most known for his speed and range in the outfield, added another element this season. The answer is a more refined hit tool. In a little over 300 plate appearances from 2020 through 2021, Taveras had a strikeout rate north of 30% by a few ticks. However, this season he’s swinging more; specifically, more in the zone too. Furthermore, the newfound approach spikes his batting average to .296 with a wRC+ that’s 19% better than the league average.
Brandon Drury (SD): 2-5, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
Show of hands: who remembers Drury as a member of the D-backs in 2015-2018? Or perhaps, his two season’s with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 and 2020? Ok, wait, maybe his season with the New York Mets last year? Well, if you do, you’re likely able to remember Drury had a little power but equated to below replacement level. While he may fall short of 30 HRs, the season has been a breakout for his career as his quality of contact(11% barrel rate), zone-contact(90.3%), and fly-ball rate(40.5%) are piquing at the right time.
Nolan Arenado (STL): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Back in a familiar place(Coors Field), Arenado opened up the scoring with a first-inning double and later parked his 26th HR over the outfield fences. While many speculated that “it might just be Coors Field” and “he can’t be a good playing somewhere else”, neither is the case. In fact, Arenado has thrived in St Louis and even carries a 6.0 fWAR, which is tops among all qualified third basemen. He’s a perennial top-five 3B, and it’s not even much of a debate.
Vaughn Grissom (ATL): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB.
Due to an injury to Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia, Grissom is thrust into second base for the Braves. Before this stop in the MLB, Grissom had never played above Double-A ball. However, in 91 at-bats, he’s showing a 147 wRC+ with three HRs and seven SBs. Not too shabby, especially when you consider he is only 21 years old. Last night, the youthful prospect put his skillset on display as he completed a combo meal(HR+SB in one game). Most likely, he’ll grab everyday at-bats in a respectable lineup at a tough position to find. He’s worth your attention for the power and speed combo.
Kyle Tucker (HOU): 3-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.
In the bottom of the 10th, Tucker’s single scored Alex Bregman. But that came after Texas put up five in the first half of the inning. Still, his three-hit night moved his .247 batting average in the right direction. However, that’s a far cry from the .294 from last season. Unfortunately, his BABIP is down nearly 60 points after perhaps some bad luck is to blame. When the season concludes, outside of a shotty BA, the HRs will be there and the SBs too.
Kyle Isbel (KC): 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB.
The Royals are a team filled with fresh faces, and Isbel is quite an intriguing one. The team has been content with primarily giving him work against right-handed pitching. Which makes perfect sense when you consider his wRC+ against southpaws is only 28. No, that’s not a typo. Additionally, he does just enough(three HR and seven SBs in 175 AB) to keep us interested in fantasy. But given the massive shift in splits, he’s not viable in three outfielder leagues. Consider him more of a fifth OF or bench bat in deeper leagues with daily transactions.
Albert Pujols (STL): 4-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
As the farewell tour continued, Pujols provided a reminder of what he was capable of. In a limited sample(176 at-bats), he’s still showing off a 118 wRC+ and .188 ISO, which is better than the league average. That’s remarkable when you consider he is twice the age of one of the other highlighted players. Furthermore, he’s still not striking out(15.8%) and still walking at a solid rate(8.9%). Again, remarkable on all accounts.
Luis Rengifo (LAA): 1-5, HR, R, 3 RBI.
In a battle between two teams not making the playoffs, Rengifo started the scoring by swatting his seventh HR in the 6th inning. The accomplishment tied a career-high in HRs. The only difference is he’s done it in 70 fewer at-bats. While it may have been his only hit on the night, Rengifo is quietly adding doing a bit. Sure, seven HRs isn’t game-changing, but he’s also chipped in five stolen bases. If you’re looking to add a depth piece to your bench that can play literally everywhere, Rengifo could help maximize.
Aaron Judge (NYY): 1-2, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB.
Aaron Judge is VERY good at hitting baseballs. That is all.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)