I’ve been watching Pirates SS Oneil Cruz for a long time, but the sensory shock of seeing him run the bases stays fresh. As does the thump of seeing him square up a baseball. On big league broadcasts, we get more angles from better cameras than we see in minor league games. Some minor league broadcasts show mostly just the hitter/pitcher interaction, so I’d almost forgotten what Cruz looks like tagging from third base on a shallow flyball, or throwing a laser across the diamond from shortstop. I would say it’s probably too late to trade for him now, but I did manage to acquire him that way in two dynasty leagues this season, so perhaps it’s not impossible. I paid a lot, to be fair, but I’m happy with it.
In the 15-team Razznasty League, I moved Shane Bieber, Anthony Rendon and Gabriel Moreno for Cruz back on May 12. Bieber had just gotten touched up by Toronto, and I was worried about his diminished velocity. He’s since rebounded, but I’m happy with that. Always good if your trade partner has positive trade remnants from you on the roster. This deal might be an overpay, but I have a constant need to clear roster spots in that format, especially on the big league side.
We’re not going to get four RBI every night from Cruz. He’s definitely going to struggle at some point, but the talent here is first-round fantasy gold type stuff. Prospect writers aren’t always great at differentiating between who’s a good prospect because he’ll be a major league regular and who’s a good prospect because he can help carry your fantasy teams. Even if they can see the difference, it’s complicated to articulate. Becoming a solid major league regular is an incredible outcome for any prospect, but guys like Cruz belong in a slightly different bucket.
At the time of his promotion, 26-year-old Pirates OF Bligh Madris ranked 4th in the AAA International League in terms of wRC+ at 141, just four behind Vinnie Pasquantino. He’s also a left-handed hitter whose swing seems perfectly geared for the right-center field power alley in Pittsburgh.
Padres SS CJ Abrams returns to San Diego swinging a hot bat, slashing .398/.442/.591 with 4 HR and 7 SB over his last 19 games at AAA. At some point in the second half, these Padres will feature Fernando Tatis Jr, Esteury Ruiz and CJ Abrams in a lineup that will look very different than the one that got them through May. I wonder if they’ll put MacKenzie Gore on ice for a week or so to work through some command stuff and save some innings for a postseason push.
Diamondbacks 3B Buddy Kennedy (23, MLB) made his debut on June 17 at DH and has played three games at second base since then. He wasn’t dominating at AAA (.296/.384/.429) but has shown great plate skills throughout his career. With Ketel Marte frequently on the mend, Kennedy could solidify a utility role by making consistent contact.
Hitters don’t get much hotter than Brewers SS Eduardo Garcia (19, A), who has six home runs over his last 12 games. He’s not walking at all, but I’m pleased to see he can do this kind of damage when he’s locked in. He’s also a plus defender up the middle, so he won’t have to be elite with the bat to climb the ladder.
Guardians RHP Carlos Vargas (22, AA) reportedly hit 101 on the radar gun in his first game action since 2019. He’s always had smooth mechanics and dynamic stuff, so he’s one to watch closely over his next few outings, especially insofar as his role within the organization is concerned. My guess is he’ll be a reliever at least for a little while, which could let him chase that fastball to the majors. I’m a little surprised he was assigned directly to AA after last pitching in Low A three years ago. Makes me think they’d like to fast-track him.
Rockies 1B OF Sean Bouchard (26) is probably going to ride the bench and eventually return to AAA. Such is life as a Rocky. If the planets align and harmonic convergence allows Bouchard to play baseball in Colorado despite being a rookie, I think he could hit some homers and steal some bases. He slashed .338/.430/.683 with 11 HR and 9 SB in 37 games at AAA, sporting a spiffy 13.3%/21.8% BB/K rate. I’m game if they are.
Angels 1B David MacKinnon (27) faces a similar fate as Bouchard. He’s added power the past few seasons while maintaining excellent plate skills but could be labeled a 4A drifter because he’s not especially versatile on defense. The moment I think, “perhaps they’ll try him at third” I realize Joe Maddon is gone. Maybe they still will, but most non-Maddon managers tend to play their players at the positions they play, and the Angels are stacked up at 1B and DH.
The Cubs recalled OF Nelson Velazquez (23) in accordance with the league mandate to reduce the number of pitchers on each staff to lucky number thirteen. Good call MLB. I’m sure that’ll go great.
Velazquez would be playing just about every day in a rational universe, which means he’s an end-of-the-bench fifth outfielder in the one.
Tampa recalled 2B/1B Jonathan Aranda (24), who they hope can get some of these injuries out of their heart. Pick him up if you can, where you can.
Boston recalled SS Jeter Downs (23), who was hitting .180 in AAA. There’s a Twitter thing going around about Derek Jeter not being a good hitter or something. I don’t know. I struggle to understand Twitter but keep returning for the confusing dopamine hits, and the links. If you ever liked a team that ever had to face Jeter, you’d have to call bullshizz on this one. Not on Twitter, obviously. That kind of noise would only bring replies. I’m mostly trying to hide out like Jeff Bridges in The Old Man. I might go on the occasional date, but that’s only in a must-date scenario, and even then I’ll wear some fake glasses. Hey, maybe Jeter Downs needs glasses? Then we can have the Rick Vaughn-esque bounce back! In his defense, Downs has managed 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases despite the contact struggles.
Thanks for reading!
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