Tampa Bay Rays former highly touted prospect slash first baseman slash Mexican WBC hero slash heart throb Jonathan Aranda hit his second home run in three days and third of the year Friday night and has been smoking every baseball he sees over the past week. Now batting .318 in the past week with the two homers, Aranda looks to be coming on now that he’s getting the consistent at bats he needed to show he’s got what it takes. He’s got a six game hitting streak going with RBIs in three straight and the hits keep coming! Aranda was most recently featured on the site as one of Itch’s dynasty league drop candidates due to the LACK of playing time, but not-so-fast, he was also featured as a prospect to stash back in March due to his propensity to hit for a high average. So now that he’s finally got the PT he was lacking, time to rake, right? Yes? OK, his minor league numbers this year are nothing to gush over, but his .302/.390/.870 career slash is more than respectable. Did I mention his exit velo last night was 90+ on all three baseballs he made contact with? He could have had three home runs in an alternate reality where Deadpool is a girl and Wolverine is the Witcher. I’m just saying, bro looks locked in and could be a sneaky add as the Rays give him an extended tryout over the final weeks. Not to mention, it’s Mexican Independence Day weekend and Aranda is basically a home country hero! Maybe he’s feeling that national spirit. We always knew he could hit, it was just a matter of opportunity, and now that the Tampa has nothing to lose it could finally be this Rays chance to shine!
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Brant Hurter – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, BB, 8 K, 5th win. Hurter combined with Beau Brieske and Tyler Holton to one-hit the O’s, but don’t look at Brant or Beau, they were almost perfect, with Hurter making it into the 8th before allowing a walk to Adley Rustchman after a long at bat. Bra-Hur’s now won five in a row and his ERA is a sparkling 2.56, the assistance of an opener certainly helps in the dubya column and he should get a rematch with these same O’s next week if you’re feeling extra dangerous.
Tyler Holton – 1.0 IP 1 hit, 0 ER, 2 K, SV (8). Does anyone actually care about a combined no-hitter? Even as a fantasy player I barely care about no-hitters, but combined is more or less nothing to me. Perfect game though, now THAT’S impressive! Rare. Holton is splitting closer duties with Jason Foley, both have been good, Holton has been better, it’s the 0.79 WHIP and 67/14 K/BB for me.
Zach Eflin – 6.2 IP, 5 hits, ER, BB, 3 K, 9th L. After winning his first five starts with Baltimore, the O’s have scored just one run in his past two starts, despite some fairly weak comp (TB and Detroit). Zach has been fine but the Eflin run support has been Eflin frustrating.
Alec Marsh – 5.1 IP, 5 hits, ER, 2 BB, 11 K, 8th win. The 11 strikeouts (ELEVEN) matched a career high for Darsh. This start was clearly a result of unstoppable force meets an immovable object, the irresistible force paradox. With the Bucs bats being the immovable objects. Mighty Marsh had it all working Friday though, with 16 whiffs and should get another chance versus Detroit next week.
Salvador Perez – 2-for-3, HR (27), 2 RBI. Sally shells seashells, 430+ feet! I know, I know, as fantasy master savants we should never, not ever, pay for catchers. But, not even this one? I just enjoy him so much!
Adam Frazier – 1-for-4, 2 runs, HR (4). This was actually Adam Frazier’s first return to PNC Park since he was traded in 2021, which can be the only explanation for why he was starting and why I’m mentioning him and his .570 OPS. The Bucs apparently showed a highlight reel slash tribute video which I assume couldn’t have been very long and included the home run he hit last night. The blast was also his 900th career hit, and I promise I won’t mention Adam Frazier again this year.
Jose Quintana – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 4 K, 9th win. Oh boy! This was vintage Quintz! Started ugly with Jose getting hit pretty hard, as the Phils are wont to do (besides Harper who hasn’t homered since August 9th) before Quintana retired 15 in a row en route to win number nine! StreamONator hated this start but SoN doesn’t know about the Mets magical season we are witnessing. That’s his third win in a row and he gets the Nats next week. I could see considering the prospect of maybe thinking about mulling over the possibility of contemplating whether or not I should review the option of potentially picking him up. I still don’t know for sure though!
Aaron Nola – 4.1 IP, 6 hits, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 8th L. Doing what he does best, giving up long balls. Looked strong through four but the wheels came off in the fifth as he gave up two three run homers. This is a lot like a night out on Bourbon St. for NOLA, but it starts out so fun but by the end of the night you’re throwing up on yourself.
Francisco Alvarez – 2-for-4, HR (8), 3 RBI. Foul pole homers are cute, but I’d rather see them mash it 400 feet than these cute little trick shots. His second ding dong in as many days and let me tell you, when I added Alvarez back in May I thought I’d hit the jackpot at catcher, so the fact that he’s still at just eight home runs is fairly disappointing. There’s still time to get to 20, my head to head league would really love that actually.
Harrison Bader – 2-for-4, HR (12), 3 RBI. Pete Alonso also homered (32). The Mets scored 11 runs on 14 hits, if this is a preview of the NLCS then we should be in for a treat, folks! The rivalry is back! NY Strip vs Philly Cheese! Who can choose?
Francisco Lindor – 2-for-4, run, RBI. People who say that Lindor should win MVP over Ohtani because Lindor plays great defense every day are baiting you and are bored with their life. Do not engage. Lindor left this game in the seventh with a lower back injury, but Manager Mendoza said he’ll likely be back out there Saturday.
Luisangel Acuna – Being called up to replace Jeff McNeil. He was slashing .258/.299/.355 with 7 bombs and 40 steals at AAA. The speed is intriguing but I’m only mentioning him because he’s Ronald’s brother, which basically makes him my brother-in-law.
Edward Cabrera – 6.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, BB, 9 K, 7th L. Has E-Cab finally figured his ish out? Something has clicked? He added a two-seamer and a slider and the extra pitches have allowed him to be a bit less predictable. He’s allowed just four hits in his past 13 IP, and could have been in line for a win if not for his own fielding error. He gets a scary start with the Dodgers next week but I could be all in on Cabrera for 2025.
Kyle Finnegan – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, SV (37). The 37 saves trails only Helsley and Clase and he’s blown just five all year. I will never forget that he got me two saves in one day last weekend, and for that I am forever indebted. Josh Hader was the last guy to do this and we consider him one of the tops in all of beisbol, why not Finns?
Otto Lopez – 1-for-4, HR (5). BUY. His name is Otto, he loves to get blotto!
Dylan Crews – 1-for-4, run, 2 SB (8). Nats stole five bases including two from Crews in the first as he beat out a ground ball for a single to lead off the game and then proceeded to steal second, third and score on an error. Washington has 10 more steals than the next closest team, and Crews has played just 16 games. Eight steals in 16 games is an 81 steal pace! Is it bad I want it to be March already so I can draft him everywhere?
Thomas Saggese – 1-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI. The game tying shot for his first Major League home run! Have a day, rook! He could be a BUY as long as the Cards insist on playing everyone but Jordan Walker.
Alejandro Kirk – 2-for-5, 2 RBI. He’s got a nine game hitting streak and could be at least a little hotter than whatever player is rotting in your catcher spot right now.
Zack Littell – 6.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 5 K, 7th win. Littell came up big Friday night and looked mostly dominant against the Guards in their CityConnect best. I actually really like Cleveland’s CityConnect jerseys. I am also shocked by this. Anyway, 18 whiffs for Littell which tied his career high and why can’t I help myself around Rays pitchers. I just can’t get enough of them! Hopefully, the Rays bats will be better next year cause I’m gonna own a whole lot of these guys.
Jorge Soler – 2-for-3, HR (18). The power has not been there but he’s batting .353 in the past week, but oh wait, there’s the power! It would be a really good time for you to get hot right now. Summer is almost over, gotta get the last of the Soler Power before the darkness falls.
Gio Urshela – 1-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI. The Sea Witch Urshela used his ocean magic to injure Riley and steal a spot in the line up along with Riley’s beautiful singing voice and in exchange Urshela agreed to give Riley a new non-injured human hand, but he can only use it in 2025. You don’t have to be a little mermaid to know you don’t make deals with Sea Witches. That Poor Unfortunate Soul, Riley. Meanwhile, Urshela the Sea Witch is batting just .130 in the past week so you can let him Flounder on waivers, he has no Part of Your Fantasy World.
Spencer Schwellenbach – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, BB, 6 K, 6th win, ERA at 3.73 ERA. Swollen back is 5-0 when he pitches a quality start, which seems like a pretty obvious trend to repeat! Just pitch quality starts, Spence! This is a no-brainer. And yes, the Braves are a wagon, ya’ll!
Brady Basso – 5.1 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, BB, 2 K, 1st win. I remember the last REALLY negative comment here I received was when I offered up my all alliterative team of players with the same first and last initial. I swore I would never do it again, so you will never get this dream team from me, but just saying Brady Basso might be in the pen.
Garrett Crochet – 4.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, 4 K, 12th L. I remember in June writing about Crochet and his 6 wins being responsible for 2/3 of the Shite Sox wins at the time. Still at six wins, he’s been basically useless for fantasy since then.
Elly De La Cruz – 1-for-4, Grand Slam HR (24). His first ever grand slam in ever! And whata slam! The most electrifying slam, some would say. 30-75 still in reach for Elly which is probably some kind of record, and the 25-75 would put him in company of Acuña and Henderson. Not too shabby, Elly.
Byron Buxton – 1-for-4, 2 runs, HR (17). Wait you’re still healthy this deep in the year–oh, he just came off the IL. I’ll give it a week!
Yusei Kikuchi – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 9th win. Was this the best trade of the deadline? Arraez comes to mind but that was earlier. Maybe Flaherty? Kopech? Yusei he just needed a decent offense behind him to become a winning pitcher? He’s got five wins in his eight starts with Houston, and the Stros have won all eight. Dude is undefeated as an Astro, but he looks exactly the same to me!
Yordan Alvarez – 1-for-4, HR (33). Yordo go BOOM! If you could boom seven more times before October that’d be super!
Alex Bregman – 2-for-4, HR (23). He’s going to be an interesting free agent next year!
Eduardo Rodriguez – 5.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 3rd L. I will never forget how he rejected a trade to the Dodgers in a playoff race to stay and suck in Detroit. For this, he will always be a loser to me.
Rhys Hoskins – 1-for-3, HR (24). All Rhys! Well, it’s not 40 homers but 25-30 is respectable and expectable and the swing is still pretty.
Jacob deGrom – 3.2 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 4 K. Velocity looked good, he had 10 whiffs, but if you’ve been waiting on deGrom all year, I hope at least you have a good fantasy football team.
Julio Rodriguez – 4-for-5, 2 runs, HR (15), 3 RBI. Juul-rod vaping the fatttttest clouds! The go-aheader and wow look at that thing go ahead! If you could just do this again tomorrow we can be best friends again. Game night back on!
Wyatt Langford -1-for-2, 2 runs, HR (11). I think that’s about as many home runs as he hit in spring training.
Dylan Cease – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 13th win. Honestly, the Padres make the best moves in baseball. The Braves might be the smartest with the next level moves, but Preller is the best at identifying a need and going out and getting the BEST available players to fill that need, not just guys that “might help.” He might decimate his farm system to do it but it sure is fun to watch.
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 1-for-4, HR (17), 2 RBI. Look at this power to center! Fun the jewels! Fun the jewels forever! That’s three straight games with jacks! Los Padres are set to make some real noise in the Wild Card before ultimately losing to the Dodgers in the first round. Lezgooo boys!
Michael Busch – 3-for-4, HR (18), 3 RBI. A 450 footer! We call that a Busch whack! His longest big league jack, MB got the start against the lefty since he’s been so hot, he’s hitting .400 with 2 homers and 7 RBI over the past week. He’s at Coors, what are you even waiting for?
Hunter Goodman – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 HR (11), 7 RBI. You can’t keep a Goodman down! He launched a two run bomb in the second, and came back for more in the 8th inning to break a tie with a go ahead grand salami! SEVEN ARE BEE EYE! Sweet sassy molassy! As if your catcher situation isn’t pathetic enough, the Rox catcher is always a fine play IMHO, and Hunter is extra interesting due to all his positional eligibility. He could be a big brained move in the stretch for your FT.
Ezequiel Tovar – 2-for-5, HR (23). Do we think Tovar has benefited from playing half his games in Coors and he would be just a meh-ddling infielder on any other team?
Trevor Story – 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI. His first extra base hit since returning from the IL and first home run in about a year. Let me tell you a Story about one of the worst contracts in all of baseball. The oppo-fieldo shoto was nice though!
Clarke Schmidt – 5.2 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, BB, 5 K. Schmidty looked dominant through five innings before surrendering a bomb to Masataka Yoshida, rip the quality start. He gets the M’s next week and I could see streaming the Schmidt out of that!
Luke Weaver – 2.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 5 K. BUY. Last week I told you he’s probably not the closer and I might have been wrong. Well, I guess I’d rather be wrong in September than May but he’s still not exactly the closer but he’s probably definitely an add and probably definitely the most reliable arm in this bullpen right now.
Richard Fitts – 5.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. The spot-starter for Tanner Houck and affectionately known to the Fenway faithful as Dick Fitts, Fitts was the return from the Yanks in the Alex Verdugo trade and maybe they didn’t win the game but Dick’s showing Friday suggested they won the trade. He walked three to start the game but settled down after that allowing just one runner to get in scoring position. He seems to have earned another chance in the rotation. If the Dick Fitts, start him!
Aaron Judge – 2-for-4, HR (52), 4 RBI. 83.4 mph bat speed! Hello! The 16 game homerless drought was the longest of his career and of course he broke the streak in the grandest of grand fashion. You know what is coming. Everyone in Yankee stadium knew it was coming especially Red Sox pitcher Cam Booser. YES! Grand Salami! The eighth of his career. So many salamis last night, we could have made one heck of an antipasti. Interestingly enough all the longest homer droughts in Judge’s career have been snapped versus Boston, so I bet he was waiting for this series for the past few days. It was quite a moment, and Judge admitted the vibes were vibing and he hopes the 16 games is a streak he never beats, but this was the type of hit that hypes your team into October-mode. Could this be the start of another one of his patented homer binges? Someone get the Maris family on this line, we might be needing their daily attendance in the Bronx sooner than later.
Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
