Rece Hinds Sight Is 20/20

Cincinnati Reds rookie outfielder slash heart throb slash ketchup billionaire Rece Hinds hit the first grand slam of his career Friday night going 1-for-3 at the plate with two runs scores and this spicy 397 foot grand salami! Have a day, rook! The Rece Piece is now slashing an insane .474/.500/1.211 through his first five games in the bigs, including three bombs, a triple, three doubles, two steals and eight runs batted in. Yes, please, and much more like this, thank you. That’s a 1.711 OPS if you’re into eye-popping statistics and small sample sizes. The last player to match that kind of production in a five day stretch? Willie Mays. I don’t know if you’ve heard of him? The nerd stats are all elite too: 97.8 exit velocity, 75.4 bat speed, 27.3 barrel rate, .874 xSLG. It’s almost like after struggling in the minors all year (.216/.290/.699 in 77 games at AA) Hinds is trying to dot, dot, dot…catch up for all the time he lost! Get it!? Because Heinz ketchup? I knew you guys would appreciate that one! Despite the ugly slash, Rece still managed 13 homers and 12 steals, and his 2023 (.269/.330/.536, with 23 homers and 20 steals) was much more respectable. He was a BUY, obviously, but before we go all starry eyed emoji and add him everywhere and yes even there let me Debbie Downer a sec by calling out that 33.8 career strikeout percentage, which was especially high this year as he struck out 38.4% of the time. Welp. So a .216 hitter who struck out over 40% of the time was called up and is suddenly hitting everything to the moon? Maybe he just really likes the CityConnect unis a lot, or the Great American Ballpark or the spaghetti chili, or MOST likely, he enjoys beating up on Colorado and Miami’s sad sack pitching staffs. So I might be prepared when the team’s with actual major league pitching get to face Rece they could figure him out fairly quick. Still, a streak is a streak and there’s no reason not to ride Rece while he’s a hot little Skyline chili Coney dog! If we ignore the strikeout rate, it doesn’t exist right? Hinds sight is 20/20 the way he’s seeing them baseballs. That’s a 20 homer, 20 steal second half, baby! Make it happen, MLB! Let’s go out of our minds for Hinds and ride this wave into the all star break and beyond!

Here’s what else happened Friday night in fantasy baseball:

Ranger Suarez – 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 4th L. Regression fairies are relentless this time of year and coming hard for my precious Ranger Danger. They think Harrison Butker makes some interesting points, they recorded the ESPYs so they could watch it twice, they think Trump and Biden are only as old as they feel and they will destroy your ratios.

Max Schuemann – 1-for-3, 2 runs. BUY. Max now has a 10 game on base streak, and is hitting.400 in the past week with a home run and two steals. If you asked me if my fantasy team needed a bat like Max, I’d tell you, “Sure, man.”

Lawrence Butler – 1-for-1, 2 run HR (6). The Butler did it, again! This time it was of the pinch hit variety which is always cooler, and looked like this. Yes, purdy, mmm. Another BUY and he was almost your lede. LB was a popular sleeper pick at the beginning of the season before we knew how bad the A’s were actually going to be, and he’s finally starting to deliver on some of that promise this month with four home runs, two steals and 10 RBI in July all while batting .313. He has struggled mightily against lefties so a platoon still seems likely but he’s a name to watch in the second half for sure, man. Hey again Max!

Freddie Freeman – 2-for-5, HR (14). Dodgers need Freddie to get hot, hot to restore faith in their fans who probably aren’t tuning in until October anyway. I say “get hot” about a guy who is slashing .294/.398/.499 with 59 RBI. I understand how stupid that sounds, and no one knows stupider than me, but they need a power binge from F² that would make Ohtani blush.

James Paxton – 3.2 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER, 4 BB, K. Or starting pitcher. On second thought, Dodgers could really use some starting pitching, right now. Soooo, Jack Flaherty, or…?

Shohei Ohtani  – 1-for-5, RBI. At what point does Ohtani say “Just give me the ball, Skip” and toe the rubber to do it all himself? Shohei hit a go-ahead double in the 9th to give LA their first lead of the night! How exciting! We didn’t really think they were going to lose to the Tigers did we? Be honest you totally did!

Jason Foley – 0.2 IP, 2 hits, ER, BS (3). Luckily for Dodgers fans basking in the Californee sun and not inside watching baseball, my closer Jason Foley was on the job. He hasn’t looked good since April, but neither has Detroit really.

Justyn-Henry Malloy – 2-for-2, run, RBI. OK, wow this was a tricky one with the hyphenated FIRST name, you just don’t see that! Also, the misspelled Justin. Curve ball for sure. He’s hitting .333 in the past two weeks with three home runs and a steal. He’s also got 11 strikeouts (ELEVEN) in that stretch. All that trouble spelling his name just to tell you to pass. Pfft.

Tarik Skubal – 6.0 IP, 2 hits, 2 ER, BB, 8 K. I know he’s not Paul Skenes, but let’s create some drama and look at the stats: 10 wins, 2.41 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 140/21 K/BB. That’s a better WHIP and more strikeouts than Skenes, I’m just saying! The Tigers’ bullpens is also much lowlier than Pittsburghs, depending on who you ask. Friday night’s game was case in point, Skubal leaves with the lead only to have it lost to Ohtani-san. Anyway, so Skubal is one of the best pitchers in fantasy this year and should start the All Star game. I suppose Corbin Burnes could start but Tarik seems like the obvious pick, but I think we all just want to see Skenes start for both teams. Give me Skenes vs Ohtani again, the fans want to see it!

Gerrit Cole – 6.0 IP, 5 hits, ER, BB, 7 K, 2nd win, ERA at 5.40. Cole was throwing some spicy high cheese in this one, topping out at 98 mph and if ever there was a time to sell, this could be his best start all year. And if I regret saying that fine, because I own him in one league and that’s risk aversion!

Clay Holmes – 1.0 IP, K, SV (21). Clay was looking shaky there for a moment, and despite a benches clearing brawl after he nailed Kjerstad he notched a clean save. This was so obviously not intentional based on the hitter and the situation and just everything about it is silly. O’s letting this team get under their skin or something? Don’t stoop to their level!

Aaron Judge – 1-for-1, HR (33), 4 BB. No, he’s not Bonds those were not intentional walks. It did bring his OPS to 1.102, which is good for first and more than 50 points ahead of Ohtani the next closest guy. Still, just three homers in two weeks? You’re a bum, AJ!

Heston Kjerstad – 1-for-3, run, SB (1). You better believe I’m watching him every day waiting for the outfield eligibility. And he steals!? *Swoons* Quietly, hitting over .400 in the past week, and can I boldly predict a huge second half for Heston? Or do we have to wait until next year?

Sean Manaea – 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER, BB, 9 K, 6th win. Dude, has only allowed more than three runs in three starts all year! It doesn’t get more reliable than that. He’s rocking a pristine 1.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP with a 20/6 K/BB this month and as the Mets are rolling Manaea remains out there on 60% of ESPN waiver wires. How even? Who are the pitchers being owned over guys like Manaea? Rodon? I demand to know!

Mark Vientos – 2-for-3, HR (12), 2 RBI. Another guy widely available who shouldn’t be. I was reading a scholarly article (Times or WSJ I think?) detailing the top 10 reasons why Francisco Alvarez and not Grimace are the reason for the Mets surge. But honestly, seems like the Mets have been winning ever since Vientos got hot, and he’s stayed hot, like McDonald’s fries glistening right out of the fryer. MV’s got a .922 OPS and 12 bombs, including this one, and they are absolute BOMBS aren’t they? Also, now I’m hungry.

Harrison Bader – 2-for-4, 2 HR (8), 3 RBI. Jose Iglesias also hit 2 HR (3) as the Queens Bombers put up seven runs including five home runs on the hapless Rockies. The Mets are a wagon, ya’ll! There I said it. Grimace was trying to out-purple the Rockies purple mountains majesty and he did just that. Bader’s now hitting close to .400 over the past week, but whoever you add today could be cold by next Friday so you might as well just wait it out.

Brenton Doyle – 1-for-4, HR (14). Charlie Blackmon (5), Brendan Rodgers (6) and Michael Toglia (13) also homered. OK, so the purple mountains weren’t about to let Grimace shake them down like that. As for Brenton, ohh Doyle rules! And I’m not just saying that because he saved my fantasy season. There are few hotter Ds in all of Westeros as this HotD makes those mighty dragons look like kittens. Doyle is hitting .380 in the past two weeks with 8 home runs, 16 RBI and two steals. Including this one, that’s seven ding dongs in his past 11 games and dude is somehow not an all star? Well, you’re my all star, B-Doy!

Bobby Witt Jr. – 2-for-4, HR (16). That’s four wins in a row for the Royals, and how about the Royals fan catching this one in the monstah! You love to see it! With this 420+ foot blast BWJ looks primed for derby day!

MJ Melendez – 2-for-4, HR (11). Despite the unsightly .196 average, MJ always always kills the Red Sox. He’s got a .426 AVG, with 7 homers, and 18 RBIs in 13 games versus Boston and someone is definitely a chowder head. Get this man a Dunkin Iced Coffee!

Cole Ragans – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, BB, 7 K, 6th win. Another all star! Ragans made the team despite a losing record, but with the 3.16 ERA I guess we can blame his offense for that. He’s got 10 starts this year allowing one earned run or less. Ice cole!

Jeimer Candelario – 2-for-3, 2 runs, HR (15). Jonathan India (8) also homered. The Candelario is littttt! His first bomb since returning from the injured list, and he’s now reached base in 12 straight. Much of Jeimer’s value is tied to his power but batting in the heart of this line up methinks he should do just fine.

Elly De La Cruz – 3-for-5, SB (46). I’m not even kidding when I tell you there are three teams in one of my leagues with less stolen bases than EDLC.

Jesus Sanchez – 1-for-4, HR (11), 3 RBI. Jesus doesn’t go on hot streaks, he is perpetually on the cusp of a run and just never gets there. Sounds a lot like the Marlins.

David Bednar – 1.0 IP, K, SV (17). Returned from the IL and immediately thrust back into his ninth inning duties and this guy didn’t miss a beat needing just 12 pitches to take care of the murderer’s row of Eloy, Lenyn Sosa and Paul Dejong.  Hope you’re ready NL East!

Garrett Crochet – 2.0 IP, 4 K. ShiteSox are trying to limit his innings for, um, trade value I guess, so he only threw 28 pitches in this one but made them count and heads into the break with an elite 0.95 WHIP and 150/23 K/BB. Oh boy yes, daddy like! Uhh, sorry about that, I got excited. Crochet looks to be the best pitcher available via trade this year which should intrigue a lot of teams but I can’t imagine he’ll be cheap. We can speculate wildly, but it’s just safer to say he’ll be a Dodger.

Marco Gonzales – 5.0 IP, 7 hits, ER, 4 K, 1st win. His first game back since a forearm injury suffered way back in April when the Pirates weren’t America’s new darling. Marco could be a popular streamer for us in the second half now that the Bucs are a wagon and he lines up for a start against the Cardinals after the break. 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!

Hunter Brown – 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 7th win. Now that’s what I call a Hot Brown! @Louisville, KY. Hunter gave up 25 runs in April posting an 11.84 ERA, and has a 2.36 since the end of May. Hopefully you didn’t give up on him before he made it to Brown Town!

Jose Altuve – 1-for-4, HR (14), 3 RBI. Don’t call it a jumbo jack! It’s funny to me (incoming unfunny thing) that guys like Altuve and Devers who are skipping the All Star break to lick their wounds are also two of the hottest hitters in all of baseball.

Alex Bregman – 2-for-4, HR (12). Batting .348 with two bombs in the past week, Bregs got multi-hit games in 6 of his last 11 starts. We didn’t really think the Astros were going to suck all year right? In that division?

Corey Seager – 2-for-4, HR (18), 3 RBI. July has been good to Corey! Someone likes it sweatie! He’s slashing .361/.410/.750 with three home runs and was just added to All Star roster over some much more deserving players. What does it sound like I’m throwing shade? I’m not, good for you Corey, I’m SO happy for you. Better?

Andrew Heaney – 5.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 5 K, 10th L, ERA at 3.79. Only Dakota Hudson of the Rockies has more Ls than Heaney. You really did it, Andrew, a league leader!

Juan Yepez – 2-for-4, run. BUY! I had no idea he was on the Nats now and that somehow makes him more appealing. He can get hot in a hurry and is hitting .346 over the past week. He’s hit safely in every game since taking over at first, and if there’s one adjective to describe a fantasy player you want it’s “safe.”

Kyle Hendricks – 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, BB, 3 K, 2nd win. This might have been Hendricks best performance since Woodstock. Well, maybe not that long, but it’s been a while.

Marcell Ozuna – 2-for-4, 2 HR (26), slashing .301/.377/.584. OZUNA hate baseballs. OZUNA make them go bye bye. Remember when we did that? Me neither. Marcell the Shell with cleats on is the first Brave in history with 25 bombs and 75+ RBI before the all star break. In fact, his 77 RBI is second only to Aaron Judge, the only other player in the 25/75 club right now, and it’s a wonder where the Braves would be now without MO. Can you say Derby dark horse? I just did! Everyone’s taking Alonso and Gunnar but give me the terrible human every time!

Spencer Schwellenbach – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, BB, 3 K. A fun game for the pre-all star game post is telling you which starters could be valuable streamers in the second half since I have no idea the next time anyone will pitch. Vin will correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s back to back quality starts against strong line ups for Swollen Back and he looks like he’s figured his shizz out.

Joe Ryan – 5.1 IP, 6 hits, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 6th L, ERA at 3.53 ERA. Oh no, it’s starting. Joe Ryan is famous for his second half implosions but in my mind the second half doesn’t technically start till after the break, despite there being more than 82 games pre-break. I was supposed to have more time, Joe! Say it ain’t so!

Jorge Soler – 2-for-4, run, RBI. When the whether heats up so does the Soler Power! Could be in for a big second half, what team is he on again?

Corbin Carroll – 1-for-4, RBI, 2 SB (18). Well if you’re going to ruin my day at least steal some bases, and he’s doing that.

Bryan Woo – 3.1 IP, 9 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, K. Help me understand the hype for Woo, because when I see him I’m just like, Woo who? I knew the M’s coddle this guy too much to give him any chance at a win in his first start back from the IL but I will say he certainly is a popular fantasy player. High praise!

Willie Calhoun – 2-for-5, 2 HR (4), 4 RBI. My 2017 fantasy team would be so pleased! Pick him up if you hate yourself.

Julio Rodriguez – 3-for-5, HR (10), 2 RBI. The ten tanks is a serious let down, but when they look like this, there is still much hope Juul-Rod will start ripping vapes again. One of the streakiest hitters known to fantasy man Julio looks like he’s on the cusp of a major run, batting .625 (!) in the past week with the two home runs. Here’s hoping the break doesn’t disrupt the offensive explosion owners have been waiting all year for. We need this!

Cal Raleigh – 2-for-4, HR (20). Now that’s what I call a Big Dumper! Dude has five bombs in the past week! FIVE! Sweet sassy molassy! There are few hotter potatoes in potato land and this baby potato who got BACK BACK BACK GONE!

Taj Bradley – 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 4th win. Speaking of back, what’s the action on the Rays in the second half look like? This is assuming they don’t trade all their starters, of course. I just think with Yandy finally heating up, that starting pitching (particularly Taj, Baz and Pepiot) is going to eventually break out. Not to mention Jeffrey Springs looks strong in rehab! As for all the names I just said, Bradley has been the most exciting, a budding Ace and looked unhittable Friday night. He can be wild, but when the stuff is that filthy and the team is that bad like last night it doesn’t really matter. Since giving up 9 runs to Baltimore back on June 1, he’s got a 1.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 53/15 K/BB through seven starts (42 IP). Get yourself a gymnast girlfriend, Taj, and join Skenes in the starting pitcher renaissance. This kid’s gonna be a star! Ha-cha-cha!

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!