Browsing: hitters

The Metshave a number of high-profile free agents they are looking to bring back, and Juan Soto is hoping New York brings back Pete Alonso and Starling Marte.

Speaking at the MLB Awards in Las Vegas on Thursday, Soto was asked about Alonso’s free agency. The slugger is testing the open market for the second time in as many years. He eventually re-signed with the Mets this past February but opted out after putting together a bounce-back 2025, where he became the franchise’s all-time leader in home runs.

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The Alonso-Soto, 1-2 punch worked out for both players — they combined to hit 81 home runs — and Soto wants to run it back.

“I hope nothing but the best and Iâ€m excited to see where heâ€s going to end up,” Soto told the media, including The Post’s Mike Puma. “Heâ€s one of the best power hitters in this generation. I really enjoyed my moment with him in a Mets uniform and I hope we can have more times to come. We can have fun together.â€

Marte may not get the headlines of Alonso or even Edwin Diaz, but the veteran outfielder is a free agent after four seasons in Flushing. Although his Mets tenure was marred by injuries, he was an All-Star in his first season with New York (2022) and was a solid player for them in 2025 as a bench hitter.

In 98 games, Marte slashed .270/.335/.410 with an OPS of .745 to go along with nine home runs and 34 RBI.

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However, Soto cites Marte’s leadership and presence in the locker room as big reasons the Mets should try and bring him back.

“You need a guy that helped you the most through those tough times and tried to bring the team back to where itâ€s supposed to be,†Soto said of Marte.

Whether or not the Mets have an appetite to sign the 37-year-old is unclear, but having an endorsement from your highest-paid player certainly doesn’t hurt.

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When it comes to college MLB Draft prospects, performance and underlying data can separate real impact from early noise.

Below, you’ll find 10 players ranked in Baseball America’s latest Top 100 draft board for 2026 who have already produced meaningful samples against strong competition, allowing clearer evaluation of their approach, contact quality and batted-ball shape.

Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 1

Cholowsky enters the 2026 draft cycle as the top player in the class with a complete data foundation and the defensive certainty clubs covet in a top-of-the-draft shortstop. The actions at short are easy and fully formed. He plays low to the ground with clean glove presentation, advanced footwork and internal clock and a short, accurate arm stroke that produces carry from multiple angles. The pace and decision-making separate him. UCLA coach John Savage publicly referenced Brandon Crawford when describing Cholowskyâ€s defensive presence, and the comparison aligns with how he organizes the field and manages tempo. There is no projection question about where he plays.

Cholowsky’s offensive profile is supported by one of the most convincing batted-ball datasets in recent college classes. Cholowsky, who hit .353/.480/.710 with 23 home runs and 45 walks to 30 strikeouts last season en route to being named Baseball America’s College Player of the Year, produced a 91.5 mph average exit velocity with a 106.5 mph 90th percentile mark. He paired a 54% hard-hit rate and 31.3% barrel rate with an 89% zone contact rate and 81.7% overall contact rate while also lifting the ball with intent, shown in his 44.3% air-pull rate. He was the only hitter in the country to reach all of those thresholds. The bat speed, contact frequency and contact quality allow him to profile without needing mechanical overhaul.

He will chase at times, and the approach in Japan with Team USA showed some timing drift against offspeed pitches, though that trip was a uniform struggle for the roster. The two-strike approach remains competitive and adaptable. Cholowsky’s overall profile is that of a shortstop with above-average defensive reliability and a hitter with top-tier contact and impact markers. He should be one of college baseballâ€s best offensive players in 2026.

Derek Curiel, OF, LSU

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 5

Curiel arrived at LSU with one of the more polished hit tools in the class, and it immediately translated against SEC competition. He hit .345/.470/.519 with seven home runs and 20 doubles while serving as the teamâ€s everyday left fielder and leadoff hitter. The swing is simple with a direct path and few moving parts, producing consistent line-drive contact rather than targeted lift. After adding strength over the offseason, he is expected to move to center field this spring, and evaluators anticipate at least average outfield defense with efficient routes and above-average feel for timing plays off the bat.

Curielâ€s offensive identity is rooted in swing decisions and contact quality. His 34% overall swing rate reflects a patient approach that can veer passive, but his contact skill is among the best in the class. Last season, he made contact on 94.7% of swings in the zone and 85.8% overall—both well above college first-round benchmarks. His 51% hard-hit rate and 89.9 mph average exit velocity, paired with a 104.1 mph 90th percentile, indicate that added strength is already materializing into firmer contact. His 31.8% air-pull rate and lower average launch angles support the observation that he generates flush contact but without consistent lift intent.

The developmental focus lies in how often Curiel is able to inflict damage. His 51.3% zone-swing and 56.6% heart-swing rates show an extremely tight approach that values base-reaching but leaves power untapped in hitterâ€s counts. The underlying markers suggest at least average raw power and the ability to access more if he selectively hunts lift in counts designed for damage.

Curiel projects as a high-contact, top-of-the-order profile with room to grow in impact if he refines when and how he looks to elevate.

Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 16

Burress has been a divisive evaluation for clubs due to his shorter stature. Despite the frame questions, Burress has produced high-level impact against ACC pitching and enters the spring as one of the more data-forward outfield bats in the class.

Burress is a selective but intentional swinger. His 36.8% overall swing rate shows he does not chase offense through volume. Instead, he targets pitches he can drive.

His 70.3% heart-swing and 62% zone-swing rates land around average for impact bats while supporting an approach built around controlling damage windows. He chased only 19.8% of the time, which is comfortably better than typical power profiles.Â

When he goes, the quality of contact stands out. Last season, Burress posted a 91.7 mph average exit velocity and 106.9 mph 90th percentile with a 52% hard-hit rate and 24.9% barrel rate. Each of those numbers indicates real strength in the hands and forearms with efficient bat speed.

The batted-ball shape is geared toward carry. Burress posted a 57.6% air-pull rate and a 14.7 degree average launch angle to the pull side, reflecting a deliberate attempt to lift and drive the baseball. The consistency of his barrel direction is a positive indicator for translating to wood, though the margin for timing error will tighten at the next level. Clubs that are skeptical cite the possibility that velocity at scale and professional breaking ball depth could limit how often he gets to his damage contact. Supporters see an efficient move, true strength and a well-structured batted-ball profile that is difficult to coach into players who lack it.

Burress enters the year as a data-supported power bat with clear conviction in approach and lift intent.

Caden Bogenpohl, OF, Missouri State

• 2026 Draft Ranking:No. 38

Bogenpohl fits into a well-defined physical and offensive archetype shared by recent Guardians draft picks Jace LaViolette and Nolan Schubart. All three are extra-large outfield profiles with real strength and plus raw power.Â

Bogenpohlâ€s quality of contact data from his sophomore season aligns closely with that group. He posted a 94.2 mph average exit velocity and a 110.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity. His 55% hard-hit rate supports the strength-driven contact profile. The bat speed and strength traits are evident and allow him to produce impact without needing to maximize swing length or external effort.

Where Bogenpohlâ€s profile diverges significantly is in batted-ball shape and contact consistency. His overall contact rate (69.6%) and zone-contact rate (76.9%) trail both LaViolette and Schubart, which places more pressure on the impact contact he does generate.Â

Bogenpohlâ€s groundball rate of 46.2% is significantly higher than LaVioletteâ€s (25.9%) and Schubartâ€s (19.6%). His hard-hit launch angles and pullside launch angles are notably lower, as well, which shows that much of his best contact is occurring on flatter or downward planes. His 26.5% air-pull rate reinforces the observation that he has not yet accessed his power consistently in the air.

The chase behavior is well above average. He chased 16% of pitches overall, and his two-strike chase rates are in line with LaViolette and Schubart. The developmental question is whether or not he can make more contact and how efficiently he can reshape his angles to convert power into more power production.

Bogenpohl enters the year as a high-exit-velocity center fielder with real strength and room for meaningful gains if he can adjust the swing plane to reduce ground balls and access more frequent pullside lift.

Maddox Molony, SS, Oregon

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 39

Molony has produced across two seasons at Oregon with a .314/.405/.569 line and 25 home runs. The foundation of his offensive profile is contact efficiency. Molonyâ€s 90.8% zone-contact rate and 81% overall contact rate are comfortably above the college baselines, reflecting a direct swing with minimal length and reliable barrel entry.Â

The swing decisions are assertive. A 47.7% overall swing rate paired with an 80.5% heart-swing and 76.2% zone-swing rate show he is proactively getting off swings at hittable strikes rather than operating passively or in react mode. Still, he limited chases to a 24.6% clip in 2025, which is moderate.

The contact quality shows real pullside intent. His 50.9% air-pull rate supports a swing geared to access the left-field line and left-center gap rather than working line to line. His 88.3 mph average exit velocity and 102.9 mph 90th percentile are closer to average among hitters in the top half of the class, while the 40% hard-hit rate and 20% barrel rate indicate that his best contact presents as selectively strong rather than universally loud.Â

The average launch and impact patterns suggest that the power he gets is primarily a product of how often he gets to the pullside air window rather than raw force.

A 33.1% chase rate with two strikes shows some approach leakage when behind. Overall, though, Molony is an athletic middle infielder with above-average contact skills.

Carson Tinney, C, Texas

• 2026 Draft Ranking:No. 43

Tinneyâ€s profile is built on baseball-melting power that shows up consistently in the data. The contact he produces at peak is among the firmest in the class. Tinney posted a 95.8 mph average exit velocity and a 111.1 mph 90th percentile with a 115.6 mph max in 2025. His 58% hard-hit rate and 31.5% barrel rate show that when his swing connects, it produces top-end damage.Â

A 55.8% air-pull rate with a 17.7-degree hard-hit launch angle indicate that his best contact is already organized in the air to the pull side rather than needing swing-path rework to access the power.

The question is how often heâ€ll get to it. Tinneyâ€s overall contact rate sits at 69.4% with a 79.4% rate in-zone. The approach is not reckless. His 39.3% swing rate and 20.8% chase rate show he is not expanding wildly or chasing power outcomes.

Reports out of the fall at Texas indicated a return to loud contact after a poor summer on the Cape, consistent with his underlying strength and bat speed.

Steven Milam, SS, LSU

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 57

Milamâ€s contact profile is built on frequency and barrel accuracy rather than raw impact. His 89.3 mph average exit velocity and 102.2 mph 90th percentile show that his hardest contact does not reach the top end of the class, but the ball comes off his bat with steady firmness. The contact rates are the defining feature. He made contact on 91.8% of swings in the zone and 84.8% of swings overall, which reflects a swing that finds the ball often.

The batted-ball shape supports how his production is built. Milam works to the pull side in the air.Â

Milam’s developmental focus is approach-based. He makes contact on much of what he chooses to hit, but LSUâ€s coaches would like to see him be more aggressive on pitches thrown in favorable locations. Last season, he posted a 66.7% heart-swing rate, which was below average. He also chased at a 24.5% clip, which is solid but far from elite.

Milam does not profile as a top-end power producer, but the underlying marker is that the process to create contact is stable, the angles are repeatable and the athleticism supports continued refinement. The path forward lies in leveraging those traits to convert swing decisions into more frequent damage outcomes.

Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 70

Helfrick enters the spring in the mix for the top catcher spot in the class with a profile that blends defensive stability and emerging offensive indicators. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn told Baseball America that Helfrickâ€s receiving took another step forward this fall and that he will call his own game this season—a notable marker of trust in his field awareness and handling. The arm strength and overall catching skills give him a real pathway to stay behind the plate.

Offensively, the contact quality suggests more impact may be coming. His 87.2 mph average exit velocity last season sits near the middle of the college range, but his 106.3 mph 90th percentile exit velocity shows there is real strength in the bat when he gets to his best contact. The 50% hard-hit rate supports that, too.

His barrel rate (16.9%) did not separate last year, but his batted-ball angles did. He created a 22.3 degree launch angle on his hard-hit balls and an average 13.1-degree launch angle to the pull side.

The swing decisions point to intent without over-expansion. Helfrick swung at 78.8% of pitches over the heart and 72.3% in the zone, while chasing at a 21.3% clip. The contact rates are lighter at 78.3% in-zone and 69.8% overall, which places more emphasis on how often he can get to the contact that produces his stronger batted-ball outcomes.

Van Horn said Helfrick was Arkansas†best offensive performer this fall. The data from 2025 supports the idea that his strength, swing decisions and batted-ball shape give him a chance to show more damage if the contact rate improves.

Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 87

Robbins†contact is consistently firm. He posted a 91.5 mph average exit velocity and a 107.1 mph 90th percentile with a 109.8 mph max in 2025. He recorded a 48% hard-hit rate and a 25.2% barrel rate, which indicates that a large share of his balls in play were struck with significant force.

His swing decisions show he is selective about when to unleash but does not get passive in the zone. He swung at 42.2% of pitches overall, with an 80.0% swing rate on pitches over the heart and a 69.5% swing rate in the strike zone. His 20.6% chase rate shows limited expansion outside the zone.

The contact rates reflect frequent ball-in-play outcomes. He made contact on 87.1% of his swings in the zone and 79.6% of swings overall.

The batted-ball direction is less air-pull oriented. His 30.2% air-pull rate shows that a smaller portion of his airborne contact occurred to the pull side compared to players who produced similar exit velocities. But the swing decisions, contact purity and raw strength are all working in the favor of the 6-foot-2, 190-pound outfielder.

Myles Bailey, 1B, Florida State

• 2026 Draft Ranking: No. 94

Bailey is a 6-foot-4, 265-pound lefthanded hitter whose offensive identity is built around top-of-the-scale raw power. He showed 70-grade raw power as a high schooler and carried it directly into college, homering 19 times as a freshman at Florida State.

The batted-ball data reflects the strongest impact contact in the class. Among college hitters with at least 100 batted-ball events in 2025, Bailey led the country in average exit velocity (96.9 mph) and ranked second in 90th percentile exit velocity (112.1 mph). The contact he produces when the barrel arrives is consistently gaudy, and his swing path is constructed to access that strength. The move to the ball is steep, producing high carry and long flight when with home runs leaving the bat to all fields.

Bailey’s swing characteristics that create that power also show up in the swing-and-miss. He struck out at a 31% rate in 2025, and his overall contact rate was 59%, which is well below average, even for a power hitter. The mismatch between contact frequency and the impact level of the contact he does produce is central to his offensive profile.

Bailey produces the hardest and most damaging contact in the class, and he will need to increase contact frequency to fully access the value of that power.

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  Sean AllenOct 21, 2025, 03:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

Is it really enough for a player to provide almost nothing but hits and blocked shots in fantasy hockey? Can those categories pile up at such a rate that managers can overlook empty returns elsewhere?

Based on the early returns this season … well, yeah.

Take the case of Brayden McNabb. The Vegas Golden Knights defender currently sits 16th among all blueliners in total fantasy points this season with 13.0. Aside from a single shot on goal, 12.9 of those fantasy points have come from his nine hits and 24 blocked shots. He is the epitome of earning value through defensive hustle alone, but he’s not alone.

Jump ahead: Goalies | Power Play | Droppables

Player, PositionTeamPercent of
leagues availableFPHBSBrayden McNabb, DVegas Golden Knights57%12.9Andrew Peeke, DBoston Bruins86%12Nikita Zadorov, DBoston Bruins56%11.4Darnell Nurse, DEdmonton Oilers13%11.2Adam Larsson, DSeattle Kraken38%10.1Conor Timmins, DBuffalo Sabres99%9.8Jared Spurgeon, DMinnesota Wild48%9.7Erik Cernak, DTampa Bay Lightning96%9.6Tyler Myers, DVancouver Canucks80%9.3Mike Matheson, DMontreal Canadiens4%8.6Shea Theodore, DVegas Golden Knights28%8.5Braden Schneider, DNew York Rangers95%8.5Jake Middleton, DMinnesota Wild67%8.5Brett Pesce, DNew Jersey Devils97%8.4Auston Matthews, CToronto Maple Leafs0%8.4Simon Edvinsson, DDetroit Red Wings37%8.2Joel Hanley, DCalgary Flames100%8.2Thomas Harley, DDallas Stars6%8.2Victor Hedman, DTampa Bay Lightning1%7.9Nick Seeler, DPhiladelphia Flyers96%7.9Charlie McAvoy, DBoston Bruins5%7.8Alexandre Carrier, DMontreal Canadiens99%7.7Mikhail Sergachev, DUtah Mammoth5%7.7Travis Sanheim, DPhiladelphia Flyers40%7.7Adam Fox, DNew York Rangers1%7.5Alexander Romanov, DNew York Islanders71%7.5Ryan Lindgren, DSeattle Kraken100%7.5Dylan DeMelo, DWinnipeg Jets91%7.5Mattias Ekholm, DEdmonton Oilers46%7.4Radko Gudas, DAnaheim Ducks76%7.4Jacob Trouba, DAnaheim Ducks40%7.3

Why 31? Because it felt wrong to cut off the list right before this generation’s rock star for FPHBS. Trouba has either led the league or threatened to do so in this category for several years.

Matthews stands alone in a sea of blueliners here, showcasing his renewed defensive focus. One of the game’s top snipers has blocked 16 shots through six games. If the power play starts clicking for the Leafs soon, Matthews could quickly become the leader in overall fantasy points.

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What jumps out most from that list is how many of these names have little or no offensive upside, yet they’re carrying steady value week to week. Peeke and Zadorov aren’t even defense partners for the Bruins, yet both benefit from the team’s physical play so far this season. Peeke is second in the league in blocked shots, while Zadorov is second in hits.

Of course, the real fantasy gold comes when a player contributes in those physical categories and chips in offense. Theodore fits that mold perfectly. Vegas has leaned on a five-forward power play early, but with Mark Stone sidelined for several weeks, Theodore will reclaim the quarterback role. That means some added offensive punch to the blocks foundation that’s already keeping him fantasy-relevant — the kind of blend that separates useful depth from true difference-makers.

Mikhail Sergachev is another example, with zero points but a solid base from the physical stats. We know he’ll start scoring eventually given his role as the Mammoth’s top offensive option on the blue line.

Goalie notes

Here’s this week’s goaltending snapshot, showing crease shares, fantasy production, and key notes where relevant.

Buffalo Sabres in six games (four last week):

• Alex Lyon (crease share season/week: 100.0%/100.0%, fantasy points season/week: 17.6/16.2, 84.4% available)

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Shutting out the defending champs and earning positive points in a loss to the Avalanche, it’s not like Lyon is getting a soft schedule to earn these fantasy points. There’s no clear timetable for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to return, so Lyon has some medium-term appeal now that the Sabres have remembered how to score.

Columbus Blue Jackets in five games (three last week):

• Jet Greaves (crease share season/week: 59.8%/66.8%, fantasy points season/week: 7.4/5.4, 91.2% available)

• Elvis Merzlikins (crease share season/week: 40.2%/33.2%, fantasy points season/week: 6.0/0.4, 73.1% available)

Keep your finger on the acquisition button for Greaves, as this already looks close to a 50-50 split of the crease, which is all Greaves needs to be worth a roster spot based on how he closed out last season.

Chicago Blackhawks in seven games (four last week):

• Spencer Knight (crease share season/week: 71.6%/75.8%, fantasy points season/week: 18.8/19.0, 70.8% available)

• Arvid Soderblom (crease share season/week: 28.4%/24.2%, fantasy points season/week: 1.4/2.6, 99.7% available)

Knight is getting a ton of volume and doing enough to earn positive points even when the ‘Hawks lose. Already he seems like a goaltender worth having as a third goalie in leagues with daily lineups, as long as you bench him for the toughest of matchups.

Detroit Red Wings in six games (four last week):

• Cam Talbot (crease share season/week: 55.7%/49.2%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/13.6, 63.8% available)

• John Gibson (crease share season/week: 44.3%/50.8%, fantasy points season/week: 3.0/11.4, 77.5% available)

Los Angeles Kings in six games (three last week):

• Anton Forsberg (crease share season/week: 50.8%/65.6%, fantasy points season/week: -1.4/-1.4, 98.4% available)

• Darcy Kuemper (crease share season/week: 49.2%/34.4%, fantasy points season/week: -5.8/-0.4, 19.5% available)

Kuemper is not expected to be out for a long time, but his absence could drag out another week or so while the Kings are on the road.

Montreal Canadiens in seven games (four last week):

• Sam Montembeault (crease share season/week: 56.6%/49.4%, fantasy points season/week: -2.4/-4.8, 26.1% available)

• Jakub Dobes (crease share season/week: 43.4%/50.6%, fantasy points season/week: 17.4/9.4, 84.9% available)

New Jersey Devils in five games (four last week):

• Jake Allen (crease share season/week: 53.5%/88.9%, fantasy points season/week: 12.2/12.2, 87.8% available)

• Jacob Markstrom (crease share season/week: 46.5%/11.1%, fantasy points season/week: -0.2/3.6, 42.7% available)

Allen gets the crease for at least two weeks. He’s definitely worth starting for the entire run if your lineup locks, but it’d be better if you could move him and and out of your lineup; To avoid the home-and-home with the Avalanche, for example.

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Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers in six games (four last week):

• Dan Vladar (crease share season/week: 66.0%/75.5%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/14.0, 92.1% available)

• Samuel Ersson (crease share season/week: 34.0%/24.5%, fantasy points season/week: -6.0/-6.0, 97.1% available)

Pittsburgh Penguins in six games (three last week):

• Arturs Silovs (crease share season/week: 50.2%/33.5%, fantasy points season/week: 10.8/6.0, 89.4% available)

• Tristan Jarry (crease share season/week: 49.8%/66.5%, fantasy points season/week: 13.6/8.8, 71.1% available)

Vegas Golden Knights in seven games (six last week):

• Adin Hill (crease share season/week: 51.1%/37.5%, fantasy points season/week: 1.8/5.6, 10.0% available)

• Akira Schmid (crease share season/week: 48.9%/62.5%, fantasy points season/week: 14.0/12.0, 95.0% available)

Editor’s Picks

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With the success the Golden Knights are having, Schmid becomes a must-add with Hill’s injury on Monday. Carter Hart isn’t available to the team until December, so any extended absence for Hill will mean a steady diet of Schmid.

Washington Capitals in six games (three last week):

• Logan Thompson (crease share season/week: 67.0%/67.8%, fantasy points season/week: 14.6/8.0, 9.7% available)

• Charlie Lindgren (crease share season/week: 33.0%/32.2%, fantasy points season/week: 10.0/-4.0, 46.7% available)

Power-play notes

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Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Josh Doan, RW, Buffalo Sabres (available in 89.8%): The Sabres finally got a power play working this past week and the ultimate combo was a little unexpected. No Alex Tuch, but Doan and Zach Benson were on the top unit. Doan managed three power-play points as the attack came together to collectively average four shots every two minutes on the advantage.

Victor Olofsson, RW, Colorado Avalanche (available in 97.8%): It might not be Olofsson that ultimately sticks and becomes fantasy relevant, but note that the Avs are tinkering with their power-play deployment as they look to sail out of the advantage doldrums. Olofsson replaced Artturi Lehkonen on the top unit Saturday, but they still didn’t manage a goal.

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Trevor Moore, RW, Los Angeles Kings (available in 97.2%): With an injured Anze Kopitar, the Kings stuck to their five-forward power-play guns, moving Moore up to the top unit. That means neither Drew Doughty nor Brandt Clarke are getting the access they need on the advantage, even with the team’s best forward on the sidelines.

Ridly Greig, C, Ottawa Senators (available in 97.8%): A mainstay on the top unit since Brady Tkachuk was injured, we can probably skip Greig on rosters for now. If this power-play unit heats up though, he can be a streaming option.

Dmitry Orlov, D, San Jose Sharks (available in 93.7%): John Klingberg is considered day-to-day, but now we have the answer about who gets to quarterback the advantage in his absence.

Nick Schmaltz, RW, Utah Mammoth (available in 31.6%): This top unit for the Mammoth has been very steady and offers fantasy appeal all around. Schmaltz is the most available of all of them and he quietly leads the team in shots on goal.

Conor Garland, RW, Vancouver Canucks (available in 44.6%): There have been three players on the ice as part of the units that scored all four Canucks power-play goals this season. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are no surprises, but Garland has been the third consistent presence.

Shea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights (available in 28.3%): As mentioned at the top of this column, Theodore slides into Mark Stone’s spot on the top power-play unit as Stone is out for a couple of weeks.

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Alex Iafallo, LW, Winnipeg Jets (available in 96.7%): With Cole Perfetti still expected out for a few weeks, it may be time to consider streaming in Iafallo if you need some power-play help. He has what is likely Perfetti’s role on the top unit and has been picking up more than his fair share of stats.

Droppables

Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes (rostered in 62.4%): Appearing on what is essentially the fourth line in some games, Svechnikov isn’t getting time on the top power-play unit either. He has been a volume-driven fantasy producer in the past, so without the volume, he isn’t going to help your roster.

Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (rostered in 57.6%): As mentioned above in the power-play notes, the Kings are very much committed to a five-forward advantage. That means Clarke doesn’t even have the opportunity to compete with Doughty for looks on the top unit. Neither of them will be there.

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For the third consecutive year, Baseball America measured minor league performance using underlying Statcast metrics collected via Hawk-Eye data from across the minors. Our RoboScout model incorporates this data to evaluate the performance of hitters and pitchers and better project their future major league outcomes.

At the lower levels of the minors, surface stats alone can be misleading and noisy because of the quality of pitching and defense. That is especially true of the poor pitching control in the Dominican Summer League. As J.J. Cooper noted on a podcast earlier this year, in the DSL, hitters can post a .350 on-base percentage simply by just keeping the bat on their shoulder.

Thatâ€s where RoboScout helps. The model blends traditional statistics with underlying data like contact quality, swing decisions and exit velocity to provide a truer measure of performance and projection. But sometimes, looking only at the underlying data is even more revealing. If a hitter can produce a 115 mph exit velocity or whiff on just 5% of in-zone swings, thatâ€s an objective skill—unaffected by field conditions, defense or ballpark size.

This article highlights the hitters age 23 and younger who posted the best underlying Statcast data in 2025 (minimum 150 plate appearances). DSL players age 20 and older were excluded.

Our Methodology: How Hit+ Works

To capture a hitterâ€s true underlying performance, we used weighted on-base average (wOBA) as our baseline and created a Hit+ score that weights each key metric by how strongly it correlates with future wOBA. Like wRC+, Hit+ is centered at 100, so scores above that mark indicate better-than-average underlying performance or vice versa.

The primary inputs include:

• Contact rate and in-zone contact rate (zCon%)
• 90th percentile exit velocity (EV90)
• Chase rate and Swing%–minus–Chase%
• Barrel rate (BRL%)
• Expected weighted on-base average on contact (xwOBAcon)

One important note: Each hitterâ€s performance was compared to the overall minor league average rather than level-specific averages, due to data availability. As a result, a Double-A and Low-A hitter with the same contact rate against breaking balls, for example, are evaluated equally in that category.

Please note: Hit+ measures only offensive skill and does not account for defensive value or baserunning.

Age 16

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconSami ManzuetaHOU10979%87%102 mph18%14%.349Freiker BetencourtCHC10684%95%99 mph19%12%.308Miguel CarabelloSFG10267%88%102 mph20%12%.347Angel AbreuCLE9989%90%95 mph18%6%.259

There weren’t many 16-year-olds in this data set, let alone ones with above-average Statcast metrics. Astros infielder Sami Manzueta and Cubs outfielder Freiker Betencourt were the classes of this demographic.

Age 17

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconGabriel DavalilloLAA11383%90%102 mph23%15%.392Richard MaticNYY11374%81%104 mph16%18%.380Josuar GonzalezSFG11081%89%104 mph21%17%.318Elorky RodriguezTEX11077%84%99 mph15%16%.357Starlin MiesesBAL10968%75%103 mph11%18%.344Juneiker CaceresCLE10884%88%105 mph26%13%.321Hyun Seung LeePIT10879%86%101 mph21%19%.297Juan SanchezTOR10778%89%100 mph26%18%.353Sebastian Dos SantosSTL10676%83%99 mph12%14%.324Teilon SerranoMIN10667%75%104 mph24%17%.397

Although he is in the middle of the list, Guardians outfielder Juneiker Caceres not only achieved these metrics stateside, but impressively did it in full-season ball for Low-A Lynchburg.

Age 18

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconEdward FlorentinoPIT12183%88%104 mph20%25%.403Josue BritoBOS12176%83%103 mph17%31%.425Edgar MonteroATH12072%80%105 mph13%30%.374Rainiel RodriguezSTL11776%80%105 mph24%24%.409Emil MoralesLAD11470%77%106 mph25%24%413Edgardo De LeonCHC11466%76%108 mph28%22%.464Luis CovaMIA11380%85%102 mph17%20%.358Jose CastroMIA11371%85%103 mph20%20%.410Ching-Hsien KoLAD11276%81%104 mph18%19%.345Ramiro DominguezMIN11184%90%100 mph24%17%.310Jonathan RangelMIL11175%83%102 mph17%28%.357

To no oneâ€s surprise, top prospects Pirates outfielder Edward Florentino and Cardinals catcher Rainiel Rodriguez are prominently featured. Another pair of Dodgers outfielders also appear: Emil Morales, who was one of the top DSL performers in 2024, and Ching-Hsien Ko.

Age 19

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconAlfredo DunoCIN11669%73%105 mph15%25%.382Konnor GriffinPIT11674%84%108 mph25%20%.407Anthony HuezoHOU11464%86%107 mph24%27%.419Caleb BonemerCHW11476%85%105 mph18%19%.373Eduardo QuinteroLAD11376%80%104 mph18%18%.391Devin Fitz-GeraldTEX11281%88%104 mph20%14%.353Theo GillenTBR11274%82%103 mph15%20%.346Brendan TuninkLAD11166%73%103 mph18%26%.393Irvin NunezMIN11177%86%99 mph19%20%.377Franklin AriasBOS11088%93%103 mph25%16%.303

Reds catcher Alfredo Duno and BA’s No. 1 overall prospect, Pirates shortstop/outfielder Konnor Griffin, are the class of the 19-year-olds. Weâ€ve talked about Astros outfielder Anthony Huezo before here and here. Twins catcher Irvin Nunez is the biggest surprise. He barely qualifies with 152 plate appearances and is quite passive with a 36% swing rate, but when he swings, he makes contact and pulls it in the air, hitting it in the sweet spot 48% of the time (the minor league average is 31%).

Age 20

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconBryce EldridgeSFG12166%78%108 mph27%29%.483Kevin McGonigleDET11882%84%105 mph20%21%.379Ralphy VelasquezCLE11776%83%107 mph24%24%.373Samuel BasalloBAL11770%81%108 mph33%27%.443Josue De PaulaLAD11476%80%106 mph14%23%.346Demetrio CrisantesARI11486%91%103 mph20%19%.335Deniel OrtizSTL11470%77%104 mph21%24%.393Max ClarkDET11482%88%105 mph19%18%.329Walker JenkinsMIN11376%83%103 mph22%22%.370Zyhir HopeLAD11266%73%109 mph21%22%.368

The names in the age-20 bucket are a veritable whoâ€s-who of top prospects. To intermittent readers of RoboScout, perhaps Cardinals third baseman Deniel Ortiz sticks out, but we wrote about him as an underrated fantasy prospect last week.

Age 21

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconSal StewartCIN12078%82%107 mph28%27%.412Ryan CliffordNYM11972%80%109 mph21%24%.419Will BushHOU11772%80%106 mph18%20%.429Luke AdamsMIL11677%83%104 mph15%19%.392Victor FigueroaSDP11671%81%107 mph20%24%.385Esmerlyn ValdezPIT11670%86%108 mph21%20%.423Jacob ReimerNYM11575%85%105 mph23%20%.397Callan MossPIT11574%80%105 mph24%22%.405Aidan MillerPHI11376%83%106 mph17%15%.379Hendry MendezMIN11285%90%105 mph19%14%.322

Twins outfielder Hendry Mendez was another underrated target by RoboScout last week, and the data above explains why. Reds infielder Sal Stewart contributed to Cincinnatiâ€s brief playoff run and has been a RoboDarling for a couple years now. Geoff Pontes identified Astros catcher Will Bush as a prospect with strong underlying data, too.

Age 22

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconMike SirotaLAD12272%78%107 mph13%25%.432Izaac PachecoDET11967%73%107 mph23%30%.436Carter JensenKCR11973%82%107 mph20%25%.396Travis BazzanaCLE11879%84%104 mph15%23%.357JJ WetherholtSTL11779%84%104 mph17%24%.362Jason SchiavoneHOU11762%70%108 mph13%29%.395Ryan WaldschmidtARI11775%82%105 mph16%18%.414Carson BengeNYM11680%86%106 mph22%20%.372James Tibbs IIILAD11574%81%105 mph17%22%.362Joshua BaezSTL11573%80%107 mph23%22%.386

Age 23

NameOrgHIT+Cont%zCon%90EVChase%BRL%xwOBAconOwen CaissieCHC12372%81%108 mph25%31%.440Parks HarberSFG12172%83%108 mph22%29%.415Brock WilkenMIL12072%79%106 mph16%23%.454Chase DeLauterCLE12082%84%107 mph16%21%.381Dylan BeaversBAL11780%87%105 mph20%19%.385Jordan LawlarARI11773%82%104 mph24%23%.446Yohendrick PinangoTOR11680%85%109 mph22%17%.378Joseph SullivanHOU11672%80%108 mph13%21%.354Jonathon LongCHC11678%85%106 mph24%22%.374Kalaâ€I RosarioMIN11571%78%108 mph19%20%.384

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  Jesse RogersOct 8, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

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  Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.

CHICAGO — “That is clobbered. Right-center field. That one’s back, Garcia near the wall and … he reaches out and makes the catch. And Tucker absolutely annihilated that.

“There’s a welcome-to-Wrigley Field moment.”

That was the call by Chicago Cubs play-by-play man Jon Sciambi on April 7 when Kyle Tucker flew out against the Texas Rangers after hitting a ball 104.6 mph with a launch angle of 29 degrees and an expected batting average of .880. Instead of clearing the fence, the ball dropped into the glove of right fielder Adolis Garcia — courtesy of the wind, which was blowing in at 17 mph. It was Tucker’s fourth game in his new home ballpark.

“That was an early one I can recall,” the low-key Tucker said this week. “I hit it pretty good off of [Nathan] Eovaldi. It didn’t go out.”

It would be the first of several balls Tucker hit well this season that died on the warning track — and he’s not alone. Once known for high-scoring, back-and-forth games, Wrigley Field has become one of the tougher parks for hitters due to a shift in the wind in recent seasons.

In 81 games played on the North Side this year, including three in the wild-card round last week (the Cubs opened the season with two home games in Japan), the wind blew in 51 times and 12 games featured a right-field-to-left-field crosswind. It only blew out in 19 games. In 2024, the wind blew in 39 times compared with out 21 and 21 games with a crosswind.

“The last two years, it’s blown in, in the summer,” veteran Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said. “When it’s gotten hot, it’s blown in. And that’s basically the opposite of what it was traditionally. Now, when it’s cool, it blows out.

“There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason that we know of but it’s been different.”

Cubs head groundskeeper Dan Kiermaier also can’t pinpoint the reason for the shift, but the man who studies wind patterns for the team can confirm that it is a real trend and not just hitters noticing when the wind works against them.

“It’s kind of bewildering. All my years prior to these past two years, the wind would blow out in the summer. I don’t have a backstory or anything. I can’t really put a finger on why it is the way it is the last couple of years.”

Happ and his fellow hitters are hoping for a shift outward when the National League Division Series resumes Wednesday night at Wrigley as temperatures are expected in the low 60s, but he’s not counting on it. Warm or cool, the Friendly Confines has not been a friend to hitters.

“More than any park I’ve ever played in,” 40 year-old Justin Turner said. “You can’t try to do something different. Hopefully it’s hit hard under the wind and away from a defender.”

Wrigley Field ranked fourth worst for hitters this year in extra distance a ballpark provides, according to Statcast, based on elements that don’t include the temperature. Last year, it ranked 29th. In or out on Wednesday, the Cubs need some runs to stay alive in the postseason as they’re down 2-0 in their best-of-five series against the Milwaukee Brewers. They shouldhave an edge dealing with the home elements considering all the time and energy the team has devoted to it.

“Embrace Wrigley,” hitting coach Dustin Kelly dubbed it. “Instead of shying away and saying the wind is going to kill us today, how do we flip that and use the wind to our advantage today.”

How it impacts hitters

Want to know what mood the Cubs’ hitters are going to be in? Just check which way the Wrigley flags are blowing. Luke Hales/Getty Images

After playing the first two games of the NLDS at Milwaukee’s climate-controlled American Family Field, the initial adjustments for dealing with conditions at Wrigley Field will begin far before the first pitch of Game 3 is thrown.

During their hitter’s meetings before every home game, Kelly shows a graphic of which way the wind is blowing that day. It comes courtesy of Kiermaier, the brother of former major leaguer Kevin Kiermaier. It’s as detailed as it can be, but Chicago isn’t exactly the most predictable of cities when it comes to its weather.

“It’ll switch,” Kelly said. “Our predictions aren’t always perfect but you’re trying to be as prepared for it as you can.”

For some hitters, thinking about the direction of the wind starts well before they get to the park.

“When I drive down Lake Shore Drive and see if the lake is calm or not,” Happ said with a smile.

Dansby Swanson added: “You can’t have it consume you, but it’s also reality. You would be foolish as a player to not take it into consideration when you go play.”

Kelly believes Swanson has been particularly impacted by wind taking away would-be extra-base hits, especially for a right-handed hitter. Just as it did for Tucker against Eovaldi, the ball often dies in right-center — and that was one of Swanson’s preferred places to drive baseballs before coming to Chicago.

“He was really good at it in Atlanta,” Kelly said. “There’s a jet stream that works well for that. He doesn’t have that here.”

“I can’t remember the last time I hit a double to right-center,” Swanson said. “It’s definitely caused its fair share of frustration.”

Of course the wind plays the same for the opponent as it does for Cubs hitters, so in one sense it evens out on a given day — but the difference for opposing hitters is that they’re at Wrigley Field for three games, not 81. Still, Swanson takes some solace in knowing that he is not alone in feeling the frustration of a well-hit ball that results in an out instead of extra bases.

“[Juan] Soto and [Giancarlo] Stanton hit some balls pretty hard last season that stayed in the park,” Swanson recalled. “You could see it in their faces.

“I laugh and I’m like ‘Not here, buddy.'”

So what’s the goal as a hitter when the wind is blowing in? Happ says the tendency is to try to pull the ball, using a player’s strength to that side of the field to hit through the wind. That’s a mistake.

“As a hitter, try to fight that and stay in the middle of the field,” he said. “Best thing you can do is stay with your approach and not worry about it. Easier said than done when you’re looking out there looking for hits.”

How it impacts pitchers

Though a weather report showing the wind blowing in can ruin the day for a hitter, it is always welcome news for the pitchers heading to the mound at Wrigley.

In the 51 games when it did blow in this season, the Cubs and their opponent combined to average just 7.4 runs per game. Those numbers are a stark difference from when the wind isn’t working to a pitcher’s advantage: Teams combined to average 12.4 runs per game when the wind was blowing out, and just under 10 runs when it was deemed a crosswind.

“It could be your best friend or worst nightmare,” St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore said. “I remember a ball that Patrick Wisdom hit (in 2024) that was 110 mph at 35 degrees (launch angle). Everyone dropped their head and thought it was gone. It was a routine pop fly to left field. The next time I was there, balls were flying out everywhere.”

For better or worse — depending on the day — the Cubs employ several fly ball pitchers, including Shota Imanaga. Seventeen of the 31 home runs he allowed this season came at home.

“My job is to have them hit fly balls that die on the warning track,” Imanaga said through the team interpreter.

Righty Andrew Kittredge, who was acquired at the trade deadline this year, learned quickly how unpredictable that job can be at Wrigley Field simply by being surrounded by his teammates in the bullpen.

“Someone in the bullpen usually comments on it in the first inning,” he said. “I try not to pay too much attention to it. I can’t let that dictate how I pitch a hitter.”

Catchers have an even more mixed feeling working at Wrigley Field since they would love to see the Wrigley flags blowing out when they are batting, but also know the added challenges those days bring for the pitchers they are working with from behind the plate.

“I look at it every inning,” Cubs catcher Carson Kelly said. “More defensively because if there is a fly ball somewhere where the wind is blowing against it, it might come back to you at some point.

“It’s all-hands-on-deck when a ball goes up in the air.”

What it means for free agency

Whenever the final out of the Cubs’ 2025 season comes, Chicago will immediately be in the offseason spotlight with Tucker likely to be one of this winter’s highest-paid free agents, whether that contract comes from the Cubs or another suitor.

The high-profile free agency comes at a time when the hitting environment at Wrigley Field seems to be a topic among agents more than ever.

After Cody Bellinger hit 26 home runs for the Cubs in 2023, he signed a three-year, $60 million deal with opt-outs, thinking even better offensive days were ahead. But that’s just about the time the conditions began to shift against hitters, and Bellinger hit just 18 home runs in 2024 before being traded to the Yankees over the winter.

Kelly thinks the wind shift in 2024 impacted Bellinger as much as anyone.

“I love him and he’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached, it was Belli,” Kelly said. “The way that his swing plays. He doesn’t hit balls 112 or 113 mph. He’s a plus contact, launch-angle guy, but with the wind blowing in from right, it cuts down that ball that is hit at 102 mph at 28 degrees. That’s a homer in a lot of places.”

In fact, Bellinger hit 18 home runs in 80 home games with the Yankees this season and an additional 11 on the road.

Bellinger is represented by Scott Boras, who also is the agent for Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman. When the Cubs were recruiting Bregman to play for them during free agency, they had one thing working against them compared to the team he eventually chose: Wrigley Field vs. Fenway Park.

Bregman wanted more guaranteed dollars to sign with the Cubs — at least five years’ worth — but was willing to take a shorter deal in Boston, with opt-outs, because it has a better hitting environment, according to sources familiar with the situation. Bregman compiled an 0.821 OPS this season, his highest since 2019, and seems likely to opt out of his three-year, $120 million deal.

“I don’t think it’s shying hitters away, but guys are more aware of it now,” Kelly said. “Agents are aware of it.”

Perhaps no player in Chicago is more aware of how the Wrigley wind can affect a player and change over time than Happ, a switch-hitter who has been with the team since 2017. After signing a three-year contract to stay with the Cubs in 2023, Happ will hit free agency again following next season. Happ was asked how the conditions at Wrigley might impact a player who is headed to the open market, like Tucker will be in November.

“Expected (stats) help tell a different story going into free agency, but it doesn’t factor in that you knowthe wind is blowing in,” Happ said. “Mentally, it’s challenging.”

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Image credit:
Guardians OF Juneiker Caceres (Photo by Tom Priddy/Four Seam Images)

There are a few different ways that a hitter can be considered underrated as a prospect.

In some cases, projection models like RoboScout forecast stronger future production than industry consensus or traditional rankings may suggest. Players such as Reds infielder Sal Stewart and Royals catcher Carter Jensen fit this mold over the past two years, consistently ranking as RoboScout favorites well before broader lists caught on, providing an opportunity to get ahead of the industry and identify some hidden gems.

Another category of underrated prospect is one whose underlying data indicates more promise than surface-level performance shows. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, for example, had excellent underlying Statcast hitting data that didnâ€t seem to actualize in minor league games. Those who were leery of taking the plunge on him, because the surface stats werenâ€t all that compelling, could have invested with confidence had they looked at the underlying metrics.

Let’s identify a few hitters that fit either of those profiles below for Baseball America subscribers.

Juneiker Caceres, OF, Guardians

In 2024, RoboScout ranked Caceres near the top of its DSL list after he produced solid underlying data for his age. Despite being only 16 at the time, the Guardians outfielder posted a 90th percentile exit velocity of 101 mph while pairing it with a plus-to-double-plus contact rate (86%) for the level, At 5-foot-10 and likely limited to a corner outfield spot, he received little prospect fanfare, and much of his production was met with skepticism despite the underlying indicators pointing toward more upside.

That upside began to materialize in 2025. Playing the entire season at 17 years old, Caceres raised his 90th percentile exit velocity to 105.1 mph—plus for both his age and level—while maintaining a better-than-plus contact rate and strong in-zone contact ability. Although his swing decisions remain closer to average, and his barrel rate sits right at league norms, showing that his best contact has not yet consistently come at ideal launch angles, he has an excellent hit-power foundation. The fact he produced this profile as such a young age is notable.

Based solely on production, Caceres already projects as a potential .270/.345 hitter with 20 home run power in the majors. After seeing his Statcast data over back-to-back years, RoboScout will take the over.

Wilder Dalis, 3B, Rockies

Although fellow 18-year-old Rockies infielder Roldy Brito gets most of the fanfare, Dalis has solid numbers too. In other words, he’s potentially underrated.

Across 219 plate appearances at the complex, Dalis showed modest power with three home runs, though his .173 ISO was notably higher than Dodgers outfielder Ching-Hsien Ko at the same level. After a promotion to Low-A Fresno, Dalis added another 137 plate appearances, three more home runs and a .138 ISO—again better than Koâ€s mark in Low-A, and even higher than Giants shortstop Jhonny Level, who is the same age and generally more highly regarded as a hitter.

Comparing Brito’s production against Dalis is instructive. Both logged nearly identical sample sizes, first at the complex and then in Low-A.

Complex:

NamePABB%K%wRC+HRSBGB%Brito20910.5%20.1%15932256%Dalis21913.2%20.1%14931039%

At the complex, the two were comparable, with Dalis walking more often and hitting the ball in the air more consistently.

Low-A:

NamePABB%K%wRC+HRSBGB%Brito1569.0%17.3%15611356%Dalis13711.7%19.0%1013645%

Brito maintained essentially the identical wRC+ (and groundball rate) in full-season ball for Low-A Fresno as he had at the complex, while Dalis had more home runs but his wRC+ dropped 48 points.

Under the hood, though, letâ€s compare their Statcast data across the levels:

NameCont%z-Cont%90th EVChase%Barrel%Brito74%81%103.2 mph34%15%Dalis75%85%102.5 mph28%20%

Dalis has better contact rates, with an above-average contact and borderline plus in-zone contact rate, along with a league-average chase rate. In other words, Dalis arguably has a better hit tool than his org-mate.  And while Brito has a slightly higher 90th percentile exit velocity, Dalis’ barrel rate sits more than one standard deviation above the league average. Combined, those inputs yield a HIT+ metric in the 95th percentile for the level—yet he receives little fantasy fanfare.

Ethan Frey, OF, Astros

The indicators are stacking up in Frey’s favor. A few weeks ago, RoboScout tabbed him as an FYPD option with excellent Statcast data. Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo recently ranked his debut seventh best among 2025 draftees.

In 122 plate appearances for Low-A Fayetteville, Frey had a 165 wRC+ with three home runs and nine stolen bases. Although he had a 20.5% strikeout percentage, his swinging strike rate was only 6.2% which is more indicative of a lower strikeout rate.

On the surface, a 21-year-old posting this line in Low-A projects to a modest peak: roughly a .240/.315 hitter with 15 homers and 15 steals, good for about a 90 wRC+.

Under the hood, however, he has plus contact and in-zone contact rates. He chases at a rate one standard deviation less than the rest of the league, while putting up a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108.3 mph. That’s higher than Dodger outfielder Mike Sirota, who is one year older. The 6-foot-6 outfielder is someone I would target inside the top 50 of FYPD drafts.

Deniel Ortiz, 3B, Cardinals

Ortiz made a strong impression in 2025, splitting time between two levels while showing impact across the board. In 320 plate appearances at Low-A Palm Beach, the 20-year-old posted a 145 wRC+ with 10 home runs and 31 stolen bases. Promoted to High-A Peoria, he continued to produce, recording a 169 wRC+ with three home runs and eight steals in 130 plate appearances.

This performance corresponds to a major league projection of a .245 batting average and .325 on-base percentage with 20-25 homers and 15-20 stolen bases. Considering he projects as an average or better major league hitter with 20/20 potential, he falls into the bucket of underrated fantasy prospects despitethe production.

There aren’t any under-the-hood indicators that suggest regression is coming. His power output is backed by plus exit velocities and strong barrel rates, while his contact rates are fringe-average but playable. He chases one standard deviation less than league average, adding a layer of plate discipline to his offensive game. Put it altogether and Ortiz has been a nice breakout for the Cardinals in 2025.

Nathan Flewelling, C, Rays

In his first pro season, the 2024 third-rounder produced a 124 wRC+ with six homers and nine steals of 439 plate appearances for Low-A Charleston, then added 22 more plate appearances at High-A Bowling Green. That corresponds to a MLB projection of .255/.345 with a 110 wRC+ and 20 home runs. With that type of projection, based solely on his surface stats, he already seems underrated.

But itâ€s under the hood where we see the potential for a significant breakout in 2026. Flewelling rarely chases at all (18% chase rate) and it’s not as a byproduct of passivity: his Swing%-minus-O-Swing% is essentially average. His average exit velocity, 90th percentile exit velocity, barrel rate and xwOBA are all plus. Only his contact rate is below-average, and it’s more of a 45 closing in on a 50 grade compared to a 40.

Last month, RoboScout compared Flewelling’s Statcast data with Reds backstop Alfredo Duno, who is a year older than the Rays backstop. Here are the updated numbers for the season:

NameAgeCon%z-Con%90th EVChase%xwOBAconNathan Flewelling18.669%77%105.1 mph18%.357Alfredo Duno19.569%73%105.5 mph15%.382

Considering Duno’s age and lack of Statcast data advantage over Flewelling, the wide disparity in their perceived value as fantasy prospects provides a potential investment opportunity.

Anthony Huezo, OF, Astros

A few weeks ago, Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes explained why the 19-year-old Astros center fielder is a scouting and development win for the Astros, who drafted Huezo in the 12th round in 2023. RoboScout doesn’t have much to add, except maybe a gif nodding approvingly.

In 160 plate appearances at the complex, Huezo produced a 143 wRC+ with six home runs and 12 stolen bases. After his promotion to Low-A Fayetteville, he added a 128 wRC+ with two more homers and six steals over 91 plate appearances.

Combined, his performance projects to a 96 wRC+ at the major league level with 21 home runs and 13 stolen bases. The trade-off is clear: his 30% strikeout rate limits the projection to a .236 batting average and .305 on-base percentage at peak.

Still, Huezo fits the mold of a prototypical Astros prospect. The contact rates are below average, but he has double-plus thump with a 107 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and a 24% barrel rate. With average swing decisions and the ability to impact the ball as consistently as he does, Huezo has all the ingredients for a high ceiling if he can continue improving his bat-to-ball skills.

Izaac Pacheco, 3B, Tigers

Pacheco is 22 years old, the average age for a High-A hitter, and has yet to reach the upper minors despite spending parts of the last four seasons at the level. So it would require undeniably excellent minor league production to consider Pacheco a notable prospect.

He delivered exactly that in 2025. Across 425 plate appearances for High-A West Michigan, he posted a 155 wRC+ with 17 home runs. Translated to the major leagues, that line projects to a 105 wRC+ with 25-28 homers and a .240 batting average, which is limited by his 29% strikeout rate. For perspective, Blue Jays slugger Addison Barger has been a 2025 major league breakout with a .241 batting average and 20 home runs. For that very reason, I think that makes Pacheco underrated.

The underlying data supports the performance. Pacheco produced double-plus exit velocities and barrel rates, and in 2025 those gains were optimized. His sweet-spot percentage and damage-launch-angle contact both graded as plus, and his air pull rate also sat in the plus range. This level of damage-on-contact helps overcome his slightly below-average contact rate.

Like with Huezo, this is a prototypical Astros profile where the quality of contact is above-average or plus, at the expense of contact rates. But Pacheco makes league-average swing decisions, and he should be an above-average big league hitter who plays adequate third base with a strong arm.

Sam Antonacci, 2B/3B, White Sox

The early read on Antonacci entering 2024 first-year player drafts was straightforward: he had a great hit tool and little power. His 100.1 mph 90th percentile exit velocity in his brief pro debut last year supported that outlook.

In 2025, Antonacci continued to demonstrate elite plate skills. His contact, in-zone contact, chase rate, and swing%-minus-chase% all graded as plus over a full season. The more exciting development was in his power. His 90th percentile exit velocity jumped to 103.1 mph, with a max of 110 mph and an above-average barrel rate. Even more encouraging, his exit velocities actually ticked up after his promotion to Double-A Birmingham.

Across 288 plate appearances with High-A Winston-Salem and another 217 in Double-A, Antonacci projects to a .265/.340 line with a 108 wRC+, 10 home runs and 23 steals at peak. But given the gains in exit velocity and barrel rate, his true ceiling could be higher—potentially pushing into 20/20 territory if the power continues to play.

His statcast actually looks quite similar to JJ Wetherholt, though Wetherholt did have 221 plate appearances in Triple-A, arguably better pitching against which he put up these numbers:

NameAgeCon%z-Con%90EVChase%xwOBASam Antonacci2285%89%103.1 mph17%.355JJ Wetherholt2279%84%103.6 mph17%.365

Geoff Pontes recently explored how Antonacci’s numbers stack up relative to his level. Spoiler alert: he described 70-grade plate skills.

Hendry Mendez, OF, Twins

At 21 years old, Mendez isn’t quite on the same level of the other candidates here because he has a clear flaw he must overcome. Long known for his excellent bat-to-ball skills, the lefthanded-hitting outfielder has battled a career groundball rate around 60%, limiting his ability to translate raw strength into in-game power.

In 2025, however, he reached double-digit home runs for the first time in his career while walking more than he struck out, finishing his Double-A season with a .299/.399/.439 line over 491 plate appearances. And while his launch angle still averaged 3.5 degrees, he did improve his ground ball rate significantly in the first half of the year (53%) before he was traded to the Twins by the Phillies. Unfortunately, the regression monster struck again, his groundball rate became closer to his career average of 58% once he joined his new organization.

The launch angle is a key hurdle. That said, his Statcast data is otherwise quite good. Here’s how it compared to Tigers outfielder Max Clark who, granted, is one year younger than Mendez:

NameAgeCon%z-Con%90th EVMax EVChase%xwOBAHendry Mendez2185%91%104.8 mph113 mph19%.332Max Clark2082%88%104.8 mph112 mph19%.339

What’s not depicted above—though it’s indirectly captured within xwOBA—is that Mendez’s league-average 13.6% barrel rate trails behind Clark’s 18.1% rate. Even so, with one of the best pure hit tools in the minors, Mendez projects as a .280/.360 hitter with a 120 wRC+ at peak. To fully unlock that ceiling—and sustain a long major league career—heâ€ll need to elevate the ball more consistently.

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Sep 26, 2025, 07:32 PM ET

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee’s Jose Quintana and Trevor Megill threw to hitters Friday as they attempt to work their way off the injured list while the Brewers sort out their pitching options for the postseason.

Quintana threw 45 pitches while going up and down three times to simulate having worked three innings. Megill worked the equivalent of one inning.

“I thought Quintana looked fantastic,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.

Quintana last pitched for the Brewers on Sept. 14 as he deals with an injured left calf. Megill, the All-Star closer recovering from a right flexor strain, made his last appearance Aug. 24.

Given Megill’s long layoff, the Brewers would like to play him in a game this weekend so that he doesn’t go straight from the injured list to pitching in the postseason. Murphy said Megill’s chances of pitching this weekend depend on how the right-hander responds Saturday.

The Brewers, who have clinched their third straight NL Central title, have plenty of uncertainty regarding their postseason pitching staff due to multiple injuries.

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Brandon Woodruff went on the injured list Sunday with a right lat strain, leaving Milwaukee’s starting rotation for the NL Division Series unclear beyond Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester. Woodruff’s status for the postseason remains uncertain.

Quintana, who owns an 11-7 record and 3.96 earned run average, went 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA in three postseason starts with the New York Mets last season. In his last four starts before going on the injured list, Quintana allowed 17 runs over 20â…” innings.

Murphy has indicated that rookie Jacob Misiorowski likely wouldn’t be a Game 3 starter in the NL Division Series. Misiorowski pitched so well in his first five starts that he earned an All-Star Game selection, but he has allowed 21 runs over 30â…“ innings since coming off the injured list in mid-August.

But it doesn’t appear as though Misiorowski would work in short relief. Rather, the Brewers would probably try to find a way for Misiorowski to have essentially the same pitch counts he’s produced in a starting role.

The Brewers figure to test that out this weekend by having Misiorowski work multiple innings in relief. The likely scenario would have him come in Saturday in relief of starter Robert Gasser, who will be making just his second major league appearance of the season after coming back from Tommy John surgery.

“I think he’s an important piece,” Murphy said. “I think he’s got huge upside and he’s got huge possibilities, huge possibilities for us.”

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Image credit:
Aaron Judge (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

There was a fun discussion during the Yankees/White Sox game on YES Network Tuesday night in which it was noted that Aaron Judge gets more called strikes below the zone than any other MLB hitter.

The logic is that if that’s the case, Judge may benefit dramatically from the new ABS challenge system when it comes to the majors in 2026.

And it’s true. Judge has taken pitches in the shadow area below the zone called strikes 41.6 percent of the time. The MLB average is 36.2 percent.

But there’s one problem with this thinking as it pertains to the ABS challenge system. While Judge does get a larger number of called strikes in the shadow area at the bottom or just below the zone, he also gets an extremely low number of called strikes at the shadow area at the top of the zone.

This season, Judge has had pitches in the shadow area at the top of the zone called strikes only 5.7 percent of the time. The MLB average is 30.1 percent. On the sides of the zone, he’s gotten a 59.5 percent called-strike rate compared to the MLB average of 56.2 percent.

So, things average out for Judge. In all, sees a called strike rate of 41.6 percent of pitches in the shadow zone at the edges of the strike zone. That’s slightly below the MLB average.

Heard a stat on the Yankees broadcast suggesting that Aaron Judge will get a lot of calls overturned in an ABS challenge system. I will note that Aaron Judge has a slightly below league avg 41.6% called strike pct on pitches in the shadow zone this year (LG avg is 42-43%).

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) September 24, 2025

Still, it’s an interesting discussion, and it has us wondering: Which hitters and pitchers stand to benefit the most with the implementation of the ABS challenge system next year?

For example, it’s fair to say those hitters with excellent batting eyes will have a better idea of which pitches to challenge. But are there other factors potentially at play? That’s harder to say. logic

Below, you can find the called-strike percentage on pitches in the shadow zone for every MLB hitter with 100 or more taken pitches in 2025 in those zones. Do these numbers suggest Wilmer Flores will benefit more than anyone from the ABS system while someone like Corey Seager is in for a world of trouble?

Maybe. Or maybe not.

We saw more modest, but somewhat similar ranges of called strike rates for hitters in Triple-A, where Diego Castillo, Josh Rivera, Jimmy Herron and Nick Solak all total called strike rates of 51-52 percent in the shadow zone while Joey Loperfido, Spencer Jones and Walker Jenkins all had called strike rates of 33 percent or lower in the shadow zone. Since Triple-A has already been using the challenge system, this makes it clear that the challenge system doesn’t even things out at the edges of the zone.

Only time will tell what the effects are at the MLB level next time. In meantime, we present Statcast data to study on called strikes in the shadow zone for both hitters and pitchers.

Shadow Zone Called-Strike Percentage For 2025 MLB Hitters (Min. 100)

PlayerCALLED StrikesBALLSSHADOW ZONE
Taken Strike %Flores, Wilmer20716855.20%Fitzgerald, Tyler816754.73%Duran, Ezequiel605154.05%Rojas, Johan605253.57%Lopez, Otto24221053.54%Meidroth, Chase27023553.47%Altuve, Jose21018553.16%Toro, Abraham1018953.16%Kim, Hyeseong666052.38%Slater, Austin676152.34%Báez, Javier11810852.21%Jung, Josh17716252.21%Beavers, Dylan605651.72%Wagaman, Eric21320051.57%Sanoja, Javier13212451.56%Hassell III, Robert706651.47%Lewis, Royce14513851.24%Gonzalez, Romy10810351.18%Santander, Anthony797650.97%Canha, Mark595750.86%Sosa, Edmundo737150.69%Higashioka, Kyle12412150.61%Dezenzo, Zach515050.50%Marte, Noelvi10410250.49%Smith, Dominic767550.33%Wilson, Jacob15415350.16%Thomas, Lane646450.00%Massey, Michael828250.00%Iglesias, Jose13914149.64%Tena, José686949.64%Matos, Luis565749.56%Perkins, Blake899149.44%Burger, Jake10410749.29%Solano, Donovan676949.26%Schneider, Davis9710049.24%White, Eli939649.21%Wade, Tyler586049.15%Beck, Jordan22623549.02%Bogaerts, Xander22323249.01%Sheets, Gavin22223149.01%Campbell, Kristian11712248.95%Arcia, Orlando626548.82%Cowser, Colton15516348.74%García Jr., Luis15015848.70%House, Brady717548.63%Rosario, Amed495248.51%Hayes, Ke’Bryan21823248.44%Betts, Mookie28130048.36%Sosa, Lenyn17418648.33%Ramírez, Agustín17418748.20%Caballero, José14715848.20%Neto, Zach17118448.17%Polanco, Jorge18019448.13%Taylor, Tyrone11412348.10%Peña, Jeremy15717048.01%Ramos, Heliot22324247.96%Hoerner, Nico20822647.93%Mountcastle, Ryan10111047.87%Hampson, Garrett556047.83%Straw, Myles11012047.83%Bleday, JJ12013147.81%Correa, Carlos21723747.80%Urías, Luis14115547.64%Farmer, Kyle9910947.60%Rushing, Dalton596547.58%Waters, Drew566247.46%Garver, Mitch12914347.43%Keaschall, Luke829147.40%Chourio, Jackson16017947.20%Saggese, Thomas11512947.13%Allen, Nick14616447.10%Ozuna, Marcell29032647.08%Díaz, Elias849546.93%Arenado, Nolan13715546.92%Kiner-Falefa, Isiah16718946.91%Schneemann, Daniel16518746.88%Trevino, Jose9610946.83%Pagés, Pedro11813446.83%Fermin, Freddy11012546.81%Alexander, Blaze9510846.80%Yoshida, Masataka657446.76%Frazier, Adam14816946.69%Clement, Ernie14016046.67%Mayo, Coby11112746.64%Garcia, Maikel26930846.62%Yelich, Christian24327946.55%Toglia, Michael12814746.55%Andujar, Miguel9010446.39%Alvarez Jr., Nacho778946.39%Harris II, Michael16318946.31%Gasper, Mickey505846.30%McCarthy, Jake758746.30%Jeffers, Ryan18621646.27%Paredes, Isaac18621646.27%Pérez, Wenceel11713646.25%Bailey, Patrick16519246.22%Stott, Bryson26931446.14%Westburg, Jordan10712546.12%Ortiz, Joey19022246.12%Doyle, Brenton17120046.09%Gurriel Jr., Lourdes16519346.09%Isbel, Kyle14717246.08%Rocchio, Brayan11413445.97%Rice, Ben20424045.95%Ward, Taylor34040045.95%Williamson, Ben11313345.93%Rivas, Leo627345.93%Kwan, Steven28233345.85%Arraez, Luis21024845.85%O’Neill, Tyler667845.83%Triolo, Jared13716245.82%Cruz, Oneil23327645.78%Acuña, Luisangel546445.76%Simpson, Chandler15017845.73%Julien, Edouard8510145.70%Bregman, Alex20724645.70%Call, Alex15318245.67%Pasquantino, Vinnie22526845.64%De La Cruz, Elly23427945.61%Alvarez, Yordan839945.60%Dingler, Dillon15118145.48%Soler, Jorge13015645.45%Smith, Cam18522245.45%Walker, Jordan11614045.31%Clarke, Denzel627545.26%Espinal, Santiago12415045.26%Myers, Dane12314945.22%Kirk, Alejandro17020645.21%Norby, Connor9411445.19%Rave, John759145.18%Hamilton, David799645.14%Rutschman, Adley16620245.11%Herrera, Jose10112345.09%Volpe, Anthony22427345.07%Mead, Curtis9812044.95%LeMahieu, DJ627644.93%Rogers, Jake627644.93%Rojas, Miguel11514144.92%Fortes, Nick8410344.92%Langeliers, Shea13616744.88%Donovan, Brendan18823144.87%Martínez, Angel13216344.75%Bride, Jonah678344.67%Vientos, Mark12715844.56%Bellinger, Cody22728344.51%Fry, David486044.44%Arozarena, Randy27634544.44%Refsnyder, Rob8911244.28%Stephenson, Tyler13917644.13%Carlson, Dylan10112844.10%Schanuel, Nolan20726344.04%Jansen, Danny12916444.03%Marsee, Jakob8110344.02%Bader, Harrison15820144.01%Young, Cole9512143.98%Lockridge, Brandon516543.97%Ritter, Ryan506443.86%Lee, Jung Hoo22328643.81%Adams, Riley10213143.78%O’Hoppe, Logan11614943.77%Marsh, Brandon14418543.77%Bichette, Bo17722843.70%Aranda, Jonathan13817843.67%Witt Jr., Bobby18523943.63%Freeman, Tyler14318543.60%Murphy, Sean12015643.48%Alonso, Pete22929843.45%Rafaela, Ceddanne12215943.42%Torres, Gleyber27435843.35%Goldschmidt, Paul17222543.32%Langford, Wyatt22229143.27%Diaz, Yainer9312243.26%Lee, Brooks15720643.25%Schmitt, Casey10213443.22%Pham, Tommy17523043.21%Caminero, Junior18324143.16%Peraza, Oswald699143.13%Verdugo, Alex9712843.11%Meyers, Jake13017243.05%García, Adolis16321643.01%McLain, Matt22630042.97%Lux, Gavin18224242.92%Maldonado, Martín516842.86%Tawa, Tim668842.86%Edman, Tommy11715642.86%Conforto, Michael18925342.76%Bohm, Alec16522142.75%Laureano, Ramón18725142.69%Baldwin, Brooks9012142.65%Vázquez, Christian7510142.61%Nootbaar, Lars24833442.61%Díaz, Yandy23932242.60%Winn, Masyn22029742.55%Vierling, Matt446042.31%Henderson, Gunnar21329142.26%Hernández, Teoscar16322342.23%Adell, Jo14920442.21%Crow-Armstrong, Pete10514442.17%Dubón, Mauricio8611842.16%Turner, Trea18225042.13%Keith, Colt16823142.11%Wade Jr., LaMonte11716142.09%Freeland, Alex537342.06%Biggio, Cavan456242.06%Semien, Marcus16923342.04%Hummel, Cooper425842.00%Carter, Evan8111241.97%Rortvedt, Ben446141.90%Young, Jacob13218341.90%Stanton, Giancarlo10614741.90%Hays, Austin10815041.86%Suzuki, Seiya24934641.85%Rodríguez, Julio15421441.85%Tellez, Rowdy11816441.84%Ibáñez, Andy466441.82%Clemens, Kody11516041.82%Misner, Kameron8912441.78%Rooker, Brent18525841.76%Karros, Kyle436041.75%McCutchen, Andrew22030741.75%Soto, Juan30843041.73%Marte, Starling10614841.73%Kelly, Carson14320041.69%Mauricio, Ronny507041.67%Vaughn, Andrew15221341.64%Machado, Manny21830641.60%Palacios, Joshua527341.60%Giménez, Andrés10414641.60%Judge, Aaron23232641.58%Mastrobuoni, Miles649041.56%Swanson, Dansby19227041.56%Naylor, Bo13919641.49%Castellanos, Nick11616441.43%Perdomo, Geraldo29742041.42%Malloy, Justyn-Henry537541.41%Moore, Dylan9112941.36%Canario, Alexander557841.35%Barger, Addison15321741.35%Torrens, Luis8111541.33%Pederson, Joc10214541.30%Tatis Jr., Fernando24034241.24%Jones, Jahmai568041.18%Manzardo, Kyle17024341.16%Pages, Andy17224641.15%Kim, Ha-Seong7911341.15%Grichuk, Randal8111641.12%Schuemann, Max679641.10%Herrera, Iván15722541.10%Cronenworth, Jake20329141.09%Morel, Christopher7610941.08%Hernández, Enrique7811241.05%Roden, Alan486941.03%Steer, Spencer19628241.00%Edwards, Xavier18426540.98%Urías, Ramón10915740.98%Friedl, TJ24735640.96%Collins, Isaac18526740.93%Wood, James29142040.93%Canzone, Dominic7210440.91%Busch, Michael19828640.91%Rengifo, Luis15522440.90%Guerrero Jr., Vladimir24235040.88%Taveras, Leody588440.85%Hicks, Liam16924540.82%Bauers, Jake8211940.80%Suárez, Eugenio20329640.68%Santana, Carlos17024840.67%Anthony, Roman13519740.66%Holliday, Jackson20029340.57%Happ, Ian26238440.56%Chisholm Jr., Jazz18126640.49%Moncada, Yoán10615640.46%Taylor, Michael A.10615640.46%Martin, Austin7811540.41%Larnach, Trevor19829240.41%Vargas, Miguel20830740.39%Bell, Josh16324140.35%Greene, Riley19428740.33%Realmuto, J.T.16424340.29%Kurtz, Nick17826440.27%Baldwin, Drake13019340.25%Profar, Jurickson13820540.23%Frelick, Sal19328740.21%Adames, Willy22934140.18%Outman, James477040.17%Caglianone, Jac578540.14%Hoskins, Rhys13620340.12%Baty, Brett15823640.10%Smith, Will20430540.08%Torkelson, Spencer23034440.07%Marte, Ketel18928340.04%Lindor, Francisco22333440.04%Narváez, Carlos13620440.00%Kemp, Otto619239.87%Robert Jr., Luis11216939.86%Muncy, Max14521939.84%Contreras, Willson17226039.81%France, Ty12719239.81%Walls, Taylor11517439.79%Shaw, Matt13320239.70%Jackson, Jeremiah426439.62%Yastrzemski, Mike19629939.60%Freeman, Freddie15623839.59%Carpenter, Kerry11417439.58%Ruiz, Keibert6510039.39%Sánchez, Jesús15624039.39%O’Hearn, Ryan18228039.39%Osuna, Alejandro578839.31%Urshela, Gio446839.29%McNeil, Jeff11718139.26%Thomas, Alek11317539.24%Wagner, Will477339.17%Nimmo, Brandon21934139.11%Riley, Austin13120439.10%Moniak, Mickey9514839.09%Abreu, Wilyer10917039.07%Alvarez, Francisco8313038.97%Perez, Salvador10716838.91%Hernández, Heriberto10316238.87%Lowe, Nathaniel21433738.84%Smith, Josh18929838.81%Durbin, Caleb15224038.78%Haggerty, Sam507938.76%Teel, Kyle10516638.75%India, Jonathan23437038.74%Wells, Austin12920438.74%Buxton, Byron13421238.73%Albies, Ozzie14623138.73%Springer, George18529338.70%Contreras, William21233638.69%Lukes, Nathan12319538.68%Duran, Jarren20532638.61%Crews, Dylan9014438.46%Hernaiz, Darell569038.36%Davis, Henry599538.31%Ramírez, José19030638.31%Montgomery, Colson6310238.18%Loftin, Nick589438.16%Suwinski, Jack8313538.07%Kjerstad, Heston386238.00%Bart, Joey11418638.00%Trammell, Taylor416737.96%Reynolds, Bryan20533537.96%Benintendi, Andrew13021337.90%Castro, Willi13021337.90%Smith, Pavin11418737.87%Mangum, Jake7312037.82%Moore, Christian599737.82%Turang, Brice22537037.82%Turner, Justin6210237.80%Meadows, Parker6510737.79%Tauchman, Mike13422137.75%Chapman, Matt19131637.67%Caratini, Victor11118437.63%Burleson, Alec13822937.60%Quero, Edgar12420637.58%McKinstry, Zach16928137.56%Lile, Daylen9215337.55%Moreno, Gabriel10116837.55%Goodman, Hunter11719637.38%Kepler, Max13322337.36%Story, Trevor14925037.34%Carroll, Corbin17729737.34%Grisham, Trent22938537.30%Paris, Kyren417036.94%Harper, Bryce10818636.73%d’Arnaud, Travis5810036.71%Schwarber, Kyle23039836.62%Heim, Jonah13022636.52%Fraley, Jake6311136.21%Wilson, Weston437636.13%Abrams, CJ15126736.12%Crawford, J.P.22940536.12%Arias, Gabriel9016036.00%Jones, Nolan13724435.96%Domínguez, Jasson10719235.79%Trout, Mike24744435.75%Raleigh, Cal15628135.70%Walker, Christian16129135.62%Wong, Connor488735.56%Monasterio, Andruw386935.51%Naylor, Josh10919835.50%Pauley, Graham509135.46%Gorman, Nolan13023735.42%Mullins, Cedric16329835.36%Soderstrom, Tyler16329835.36%Olson, Matt24044135.24%Ohtani, Shohei21739935.23%DeJong, Paul458434.88%Koss, Christian387134.86%Lowe, Josh10820234.84%Rojas, Josh6011334.68%Lowe, Brandon12122834.67%McMahon, Ryan19937734.55%Sweeney, Trey8215734.31%Tucker, Kyle17734034.24%Horwitz, Spencer13225434.20%Stowers, Kyle9819034.03%Scott II, Victor10320233.77%Hedges, Austin397733.62%Merrill, Jackson8116033.61%Gonzales, Nick7514933.48%Thaiss, Matt5911833.33%Butler, Lawrence17735733.15%Devers, Rafael19239932.49%Tovar, Ezequiel5111131.48%Wallner, Matt10623431.18%Acuña Jr., Ronald10924530.79%Varsho, Daulton5212030.23%Benson, Will5613030.11%Raley, Luke399329.55%Seager, Corey9225126.82%Muncy, Max6621923.16%

Shadow Zone Called-Strike Percentage For 2025 MLB Pitchers (Min. 100)

playercalled strikesballsSHADOW ZONE
CaLLED Strike %Rogers, Tyler1118257.51%Bender, Anthony977955.11%Bummer, Aaron1089154.27%Fisher, Braydon948353.11%Lauer, Eric17816252.35%Burnes, Corbin1059652.24%McLean, Nolan756952.08%Romero, JoJo10710151.44%Clarke, Taylor908551.43%Webb, Logan35433551.38%Bird, Jake999451.30%Bieber, Shane585650.88%Berríos, José27726850.83%Gray, Sonny30629750.75%Hendricks, Kyle27827250.55%Hancock, Emerson12111950.42%Romano, Jordan737350.00%Rodón, Carlos32833049.85%Bivens, Spencer12312449.80%Weissert, Greg10310449.76%Gausman, Kevin28628949.74%Leiter Jr., Mark808149.69%Warren, Will29830249.67%Woodford, Jake636449.61%De los Santos, Yerry636449.61%Herget, Jimmy11812049.58%Molina, Anthony535449.53%Topa, Justin10310549.52%Flaherty, Jack30330949.51%Boushley, Caleb939549.47%Garrett, Reed818349.39%Dubin, Shawn636549.22%Messick, Parker586049.15%Faucher, Calvin10110549.03%Ortiz, Luis L.16016748.93%Walker, Ryan10511048.84%Hart, Kyle768048.72%Thompson, Ryan565948.70%Milner, Hoby12513248.64%Bazardo, Eduard14515448.49%Bednar, David9510148.47%Gibson, Cade758048.39%Allen, Logan27028848.39%Assad, Javier566048.28%Borucki, Ryan525648.15%Olson, Reese11512448.12%Bachar, Lake11112048.05%Fluharty, Mason808747.90%Martin, Chris576247.90%Ashby, Aaron11412447.90%Lee, Chase657147.79%Jax, Griffin9710647.78%Bernardino, Brennan869447.78%Armstrong, Shawn10511547.73%Johnson, Pierce10211247.66%Freeland, Kyle23025347.62%Quintana, Jose22925247.61%Cleavinger, Garrett778547.53%Gallen, Zac33036647.41%Roupp, Landen20022247.39%Richardson, Lyon707847.30%Newcomb, Sean15717547.29%Buehler, Walker20122547.18%Yarbrough, Ryan9610847.06%Holton, Tyler10311647.03%Teng, Kai-Wei536046.90%Uribe, Abner11713346.80%Little, Brendon10211646.79%Francis, Bowden10812346.75%Morgan, David576546.72%Peralta, Freddy25829546.65%Alexander, Jason13115046.62%Gomber, Austin9611046.60%Alexander, Tyler15517846.55%Lucchesi, Joey677746.53%Houck, Tanner738446.50%Lugo, Seth24528246.49%Graceffo, Gordon728346.45%Herrin, Tim728346.45%Horton, Cade16919546.43%Evans, Logan12714746.35%Mattson, Isaac698046.31%deGrom, Jacob22526246.20%Alcantara, Sandy26130446.19%Kelly, Zack546346.15%Miller, Shelby607046.15%Kelly, Merrill27832546.10%King, John708246.05%Young, Brandon9911646.05%Ragans, Cole8610145.99%Maton, Phil9110745.96%Iglesias, Raisel8510045.95%Bassitt, Chris27732645.94%Taillon, Jameson18922345.87%Lee, Dylan9110845.73%Kittredge, Andrew647645.71%Junk, Janson13616245.64%Rea, Colin22927345.62%Rogers, Trevor15017945.59%Darvish, Yu10812945.57%Speier, Gabe779245.56%Santana, Dennis8710445.55%Holmes, Clay25430445.52%Hill, Tim667945.52%Jobe, Jackson8610345.50%Soriano, George607245.45%Sale, Chris18822645.41%Liberatore, Matthew22727345.40%Junis, Jakob10112245.29%Mazur, Adam485845.28%Ramírez, Yohan485845.28%Hurter, Brant9111045.27%Skubal, Tarik23928945.27%Peralta, Wandy9411445.19%Stroman, Marcus617445.19%Gaddis, Hunter8910845.18%Verlander, Justin22827745.15%King, Bryan10212445.13%Clase, Emmanuel597245.04%Seymour, Carson597245.04%Svanson, Matt9011045.00%Povich, Cade18022045.00%Yamamoto, Yoshinobu28334644.99%Burrows, Mike13917044.98%Beck, Tristan8510444.97%Keller, Brad10713144.96%Vargas, Carlos10212544.93%Sugano, Tomoyuki22928144.90%Smith, Cade9912244.80%Green, Chad607444.78%Whitlock, Garrett10713244.77%Henriquez, Ronny8510544.74%Hanifee, Brenan8911044.72%Muñoz, Andrés9311544.71%Eisert, Brandon9712044.70%Dobbins, Hunter9211444.66%Sánchez, Cristopher25832044.64%Cano, Yennier8710844.62%Garcia, Robert749244.58%King, Michael11013744.53%Cortes, Nestor698644.52%Kershaw, Clayton16220244.51%Montas, Frankie556944.35%Thielbar, Caleb749344.31%Pivetta, Nick25732344.31%Bibee, Tanner27134144.28%Schmidt, Clarke10413144.26%Springs, Jeffrey26933944.24%Mikolas, Miles21827544.22%Cecconi, Slade18723644.21%Kahnle, Tommy9512044.19%Adams, Travis536744.17%Barlow, Scott12115344.16%Lorenzen, Michael20325744.13%Hoffman, Jeff8210444.09%Garcia, Rico526644.07%Suárez, Ranger23229544.02%Koenig, Jared10313144.02%Kremer, Dean21727644.02%Pilkington, Konnor445644.00%Peterson, David25332343.92%Smith-Shawver, AJ648243.84%Nola, Aaron14919143.82%Estévez, Carlos8811343.78%Estrada, Jeremiah10113043.72%Sasaki, Roki526743.70%Brash, Matt698943.67%Carrasco, Carlos7910243.65%Cease, Dylan23029743.64%Zerpa, Angel11314643.63%Matz, Steven10613743.62%Lopez, Jacob12616343.60%Jacob, Alek476143.52%Quantrill, Cal17122243.51%McCullers Jr., Lance10713943.50%May, Dustin20626843.46%Abbott, Andrew23530643.44%Brown, Hunter27836343.37%Brown, Ben15320043.34%Canning, Griffin12316143.31%Ober, Bailey18123743.30%Scherzer, Max11615243.28%Walter, Brandon648443.24%Hamilton, Ian516743.22%Akin, Keegan8611343.22%Fulmer, Carson445843.14%Payamps, Joel445843.14%Baker, Bryan8811643.14%Allard, Kolby8811643.14%Hicks, Jordan12216143.11%Vest, Will10013243.10%DeSclafani, Anthony537043.09%Hader, Josh597843.07%Funderburk, Kody719443.03%Giolito, Lucas22129343.00%Vesia, Alex8010742.78%Ferguson, Tyler7710342.78%Cruz, Fernando689142.77%Winn, Cole537142.74%Alcala, Jorge8711742.65%Castillo, José466242.59%Matthews, Zebby10914742.58%Morejon, Adrian9713142.54%Morton, Charlie21128542.54%Woodruff, Brandon9412742.53%Mejia, Juan8811942.51%Williams, Trevor13918842.51%Megill, Trevor689242.50%Cabrera, Edward20427642.50%Lynch IV, Daniel10714542.46%Gonsolin, Tony537242.40%O’Brien, Riley7510242.37%Elder, Bryce23031342.36%Soto, Gregory8311342.35%Singer, Brady26536142.33%Fried, Max25534842.29%Montero, Keider13117942.26%Bello, Brayan23432042.24%Wentz, Joey14419742.23%Stanek, Ryne7610442.22%Kinley, Tyler9513042.22%Dreyer, Jack8411542.21%Williams, Devin8411542.21%Patrick, Chad14920442.21%Lively, Ben658942.21%Kelly, Kevin466342.20%Greene, Hunter11916342.20%Spence, Mitch9913642.13%Wilson, Steven8812142.11%Holderman, Colin456242.06%Schlittler, Cam9713441.99%García, Luis7610541.99%Henry, Cole8912341.98%Palmquist, Carson689441.98%Eovaldi, Nathan16222441.97%Rodríguez, Randy7310141.95%Corbin, Patrick22931741.94%Lodolo, Nick18425541.91%Pfaadt, Brandon25034841.81%Leahy, Kyle10214241.80%Ray, Robbie25235141.79%Rogers, Taylor8912441.78%Dollander, Chase14720541.76%Anderson, Tyler20027941.75%Houser, Adrian15922241.73%Doval, Camilo10314441.70%Ginn, J.T.14320041.69%Englert, Mason557741.67%Blackburn, Paul608441.67%Webb, Jacob7210141.62%Woo, Bryan22231241.57%Kerkering, Orion10815241.54%Weaver, Luke8512041.46%Gómez, Yoendrys9213041.44%Gordon, Colton11616441.43%Meyer, Max9413341.41%Hoglund, Gunnar486841.38%Strahm, Matt8411941.38%Pérez, Martín9112941.36%Arrighetti, Spencer557841.35%Domínguez, Seranthony8812541.31%Senzatela, Antonio20429041.30%Ogasawara, Shinnosuke649141.29%Cruz, Steven456441.28%Detmers, Reid9713841.28%Blalock, Bradley7510741.21%Rodriguez, Eduardo22732441.20%Severino, Luis24134441.20%Cabrera, Génesis568041.18%Kolek, Stephen15422041.18%López, Pablo10014341.15%Helsley, Ryan659341.14%Glasnow, Tyler13919941.12%Miller, Bryce11716841.05%Simpson, Josh557941.04%Okert, Steven8712541.04%Buttó, José8912841.01%Priester, Quinn20729840.99%Keller, Mitch23333640.95%Adam, Jason7611040.86%Walker, Taijuan18126240.86%Cavalli, Cade588440.85%Anderson, Grant9814240.83%Scott, Tanner6910040.83%Sands, Cole8912940.83%Valdez, Framber24936140.82%Gilbert, Tyler608740.82%Waddell, Brandon426140.78%Stewart, Brock426140.78%Bowlan, Jonathan558040.74%Ashcraft, Graham7210540.68%Finnegan, Kyle6910140.59%Schreiber, John8812940.55%Wheeler, Zack20129540.52%Thornton, Trent476940.52%Pérez, Eury11116340.51%Kelly, Michael649440.51%Brazobán, Huascar8111940.50%Luzardo, Jesús24335940.37%Williams, Gavin24035640.27%Palencia, Daniel629240.26%Suter, Brent9514140.25%Gordon, Tanner9914740.24%Casparius, Ben9914740.24%Lazar, Max537940.15%Coulombe, Danny598840.14%Chivilli, Angel7911840.10%Díaz, Edwin7911840.10%Rodríguez, Yariel8512740.09%Eflin, Zach9213840.00%Imanaga, Shota16124239.95%Kirby, George15723639.95%Mlodzinski, Carmen13520339.94%Bubic, Kris13520339.94%Castillo, Luis21031639.92%Morales, Luis598939.86%Bellozo, Valente10215439.84%Holmes, Grant14922539.84%Gilbert, Logan14321639.83%Sterner, Justin7411239.78%Wacha, Michael21732939.74%Phillips, Tyler9113839.74%Ferrer, Jose A.8713239.73%Schwellenbach, Spencer11717839.66%Wilson, Bryse659939.63%Megill, Tylor10315739.62%Baz, Shane21132239.59%Skenes, Paul23535939.56%Seymour, Ian7010739.55%Montero, Rafael8713339.55%Cantillo, Joey15223339.48%Brogdon, Connor609239.47%Ureña, José7311239.46%Pallante, Andre20731839.43%Soriano, José24437539.42%Chapman, Aroldis548339.42%Ryan, Joe23636339.40%Sears, JP18728839.37%Senga, Kodai15323639.33%Gore, MacKenzie21032439.33%Waldrep, Hurston7511639.27%Pomeranz, Drew629639.24%Banks, Tanner8012439.22%Festa, Matt568739.16%Pepiot, Ryan20732239.13%Ashcraft, Braxton7912339.11%Nelson, Ryne18428739.07%Abreu, Bryan9114239.06%Rocker, Kumar9214438.98%Flexen, Chris518038.93%Erceg, Lucas6810738.86%Rasmussen, Drew18629338.83%Uceta, Edwin8513438.81%Pressly, Ryan528238.81%Neris, Héctor457138.79%Boyd, Matthew19731238.70%Heaney, Andrew16926838.67%Festa, David6310038.65%Miller, Mason7311638.62%Gillispie, Connor396238.61%Paddack, Chris18329138.61%Bautista, Félix447038.60%Misiorowski, Jacob8814038.60%Vasil, Mike13221038.60%Lord, Brad16926938.58%Vásquez, Randy17928538.58%Rolison, Ryan548638.57%Mears, Nick599438.56%Long, Sam6410238.55%Fedde, Erick20232238.55%Leiter, Jack18930238.49%Oviedo, Johan508038.46%Myers, Tobias6510438.46%Suarez, Robert8012838.46%Gusto, Ryan14723638.38%Javier, Cristian467438.33%Parker, Mitchell22235838.28%Santillan, Tony8113138.21%Bradley, Taj17328038.19%Martinez, Nick22035738.13%Varland, Louis7712538.12%McGreevy, Michael11218238.10%Crochet, Garrett23638438.06%Gil, Luis7011438.04%Rutledge, Jackson10417037.96%Chafin, Andrew447237.93%Scott, Tayler508237.88%Civale, Aaron14323537.83%Hernández, Carlos6210237.80%Alvarado, Elvis487937.80%Shugart, Chase548937.76%Snell, Blake7412237.76%Treinen, Blake406637.74%Woods Richardson, Simeon14123337.70%Taylor, Grant498137.69%Ohtani, Shohei528637.68%Jansen, Kenley6410637.65%Cameron, Noah15826237.62%Fitts, Richard538837.59%Mahle, Tyler10918137.59%Falter, Bailey17729437.58%Manaea, Sean7412337.56%Booser, Cam457537.50%Mize, Casey16327237.47%Duran, Jhoan7612737.44%Strider, Spencer14924937.44%Birdsong, Hayden8614437.39%Vodnik, Victor7111937.37%Burke, Sean16728037.36%Márquez, Germán15225537.35%Boyle, Joe6911637.30%Jackson, Luke6010137.27%Ort, Kaleb579637.25%Legumina, Casey6410837.21%Kranick, Max396637.14%Nicolas, Kyle467837.10%Kochanowicz, Jack13723337.03%Blewett, Scott549236.99%Enns, Dietrich417036.94%Ross, Joe6511136.93%Zeferjahn, Ryan7713236.84%Martin, Davis15526636.82%Soroka, Michael11820336.76%Mey, Luis406936.70%Irvin, Jake24542436.62%Bergert, Ryan10818736.61%Ferguson, Caleb7513036.59%Harris, Hogan8414636.52%Melton, Troy468036.51%Burke, Brock7312736.50%Blanco, Ronel6210836.47%Leasure, Jordan7012236.46%Fermin, José478236.43%Yates, Kirby478236.43%Knack, Landon559636.42%Kikuchi, Yusei23140436.38%Cannon, Jonathan12021036.36%Pagán, Emilio6511436.31%Littell, Zack20736436.25%Hodge, Porter508836.23%Burns, Chase508836.23%Trivino, Lou6311136.21%Wrobleski, Justin7713636.15%Hernández, Daysbel569936.13%Fairbanks, Pete7313035.96%Sheehan, Emmet6912335.94%Weathers, Ryan397035.78%Weathers, Ryan397035.78%Montgomery, Mason5810535.58%Hall, DL488735.56%Beeks, Jalen539735.33%Reynolds, Sean427835.00%Latz, Jacob9317434.83%De Los Santos, Enyel7313734.76%Wilson, Justin5310034.64%Matsui, Yuki7113434.63%Banda, Anthony6612734.20%Smith, Shane16331634.03%Curtiss, John346733.66%Halvorsen, Seth438533.59%Perkins, Jack397933.05%Bido, Osvaldo8317332.42%Orze, Eric449232.35%Abel, Mick388231.67%Sousa, Bennett449631.43%Morillo, Juan347531.19%Hatch, Thomas347630.91%Salazar, Eduardo337730.00%

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Kodai Senga hasn't yet taken the mound for the last time this season, but the Mets already know the right-hander's next…