Not a lot of us saw this major league breakout coming from Jesus Aguilar. We were all expecting an awkward OF & 1B battle in Milwaukee between Eric Thames and Ryan Braun. Then here comes Jesus walking on the waters of Lake Michigan from Cleveland to Milwaukee to become an All-Star with the Brew Crew (he should be — stay tuned.) Maybe we all should’ve seen this coming — in 655 minor league at-bats in 2016 Aguilar hit 40 HR and 114 RBI. The average was only .261, but in the Indians minor league system he has some high average seasons (2011: .288; 2013: .291; 2014: .304.) Aguilar has already dropped his strikeout rate from 30% to 24.6% and if that number continues to go down while his contact rate continues to climb — Jesus’s ascension could continue.
Rising:
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B, CIN: Guess who is second in RBI in all of baseball? Good guess, considering this is Eugenio Suarez’s paragraph. If Suarez was playing for a team with a .500 record he’d be an NL MVP candidate. Suarez has upped his hard hit percentage from 33.8% last year to 48.6% this year. He’s also upped his fly ball percentage from 37.1% last year to 40% this year. Add those last two sentences together and you get a believable growth in HR/FB of 22.9%. He’s also striking out about 5% less from last year. Pair all this was a BABIP of .314 (which is almost identical to his career .315) and you’ve got a believable NL MVP candidate on your hands.
- Eduardo Escobar, 3B/SS, MIN: Escobar is the only hitter in the top-10 in slugging percentage with less than 15 HRs. His high slugging percentage is due to his league-leading 32 doubles so far on the season. Here’s the fun thing about that number — the Twins have only played 73 games on the season. The record for most doubles in a single season was 67 way back in 1931 by Earl Webb. Right now, Escobar is on pace for 71. Obviously a lot can happen between now and the end of the season, but how cool would it be to see Escobar break this 87 year old record? And just as a predictor — Jose Ramirez hit 56 doubles last season and look where he’s at now.
Falling:
- Dee Gordon, 2B/OF, SEA: Who is Dee Gordon if he isn’t stealing bases? Well in the past 17 games he has 0 SBs and only 8 runs. The .290 average is fine — but without the power or speed, he’s essentially Melky Cabrera. I wonder if the broken toe injury that he returned from at the end of May is still affecting him. The 19 steals he has collected keeps him in the top-5 in that category, but if he doesn’t start swiping some bags again you basically have Melky Cabrera at second base — and nobody wants that.
- Gary Sanchez, C, NYY:
Oh, he has the second worst BABIP (.197) to only what’s left of Dexter Fowler. Gary is still hitting the ball with authority as evidenced by his 36.7% hard hit rate, but he’s only hitting line drives at a 14.5% clip and is hitting 40% of his balls into the ground. Hit it as hard as you want, but if you’re hitting a lot of ground balls and have almost a 50% pull rate and you’re a slow catcher — defenses are going to shift and easily throw you out at first.
Top 100 Hitters
GREEN: Rising | BLUE: New Additions | RED: Falling
| RANK | NAME | TEAM | POSITION | LAST WEEK |
| 1 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | 1 |
| 2 | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | 2 |
| 3 | Jose Ramirez | CLE | 2B/3B | 3 |
| 4 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | 5 |
| 5 | Francisco Lindor | CLE | SS | 6 |
| 6 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | 7 |
| 7 | Manny Machado | BAL | 3B | 8 |
| 8 | J.D. Martinez | BOS | OF | 9 |
| 9 | Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | 10 |
| 10 | Aaron Judge | NYY | OF | 11 |
| 11 | Freddie Freeman | ATL | 1B | 12 |
| 12 | Paul Goldschmidt | ARI | 1B | 18 |
| 13 | Bryce Harper | WAS | OF | 4 |
| 14 | Trea Turner | WAS | SS | 14 |
| 15 | George Springer | HOU | OF | 15 |
| 16 | Andrew Benintendi | BOS | OF | 16 |
| 17 | Jean Segura | SEA | SS | 17 |
| 18 | Giancarlo Stanton | NYY | OF | 19 |
| 19 | Christian Yelich | MIL | OF | 20 |
| 20 | Anthony Rizzo | CHC | 1B | 13 |
| 21 | Kris Bryant | CHC | 3B | 21 |
| 22 | Joey Votto | CIN | 1B | 22 |
| 23 | Carlos Correa | HOU | SS | 23 |
| 24 | Lorenzo Cain | MIL | OF | 24 |
| 25 | Alex Bregman | HOU | SS/3B | 26 |
| 26 | Eddie Rosario | MIN | OF | 32 |
| 27 | Javier Baez | CHC | SS/2B | 30 |
| 28 | Mitch Haniger | SEA | OF | 35 |
| 29 | Ozzie Albies | ATL | 2B | 28 |
| 30 | Cody Bellinger | LAD | 1B/OF | 29 |
| 31 | Khris Davis | OAK | OF | 31 |
| 32 | Starling Marte | PIT | OF | 33 |
| 33 | Justin Upton | ARI | OF | 34 |
| 34 | Eugenio Suarez | CIN | 3B | 47 |
| 35 | Trevor Story | COL | SS | 40 |
| 36 | Nelson Cruz | SEA | DH | 55 |
| 37 | Jose Abreu | CHW | 1B | 25 |
| 38 | Daniel Murphy | WAS | 2B | 36 |
| 39 | Xander Bogaerts | BOS | SS | 37 |
| 40 | Tommy Pham | STL | OF | 38 |
| 41 | Adam Eaton | WAS | OF | 39 |
| 42 | Brandon Belt | SF | OF | 41 |
| 43 | Nomar Mazara | TEX | OF | 43 |
| 44 | Edwin Encarnacion | CLE | 1B | 42 |
| 45 | Scooter Gennett | CIN | 2B | 45 |
| 46 | Didi Gregorius | NYY | SS | 48 |
| 47 | Whit Merrifield | KC | 2B | 49 |
| 48 | Dee Gordon | SEA | 2B/OF | 27 |
| 49 | Ender Inciarte | ATL | OF | 51 |
| 50 | Travis Shaw | MIL | 3B | 52 |
| 51 | Mike Moustakas | KC | 3B | 53 |
| 52 | Brian Dozier | MIN | 2B | 46 |
| 53 | Michael Brantley | CLE | OF | 54 |
| 54 | Anthony Rendon | WAS | 3B | 56 |
| 55 | Cesar Hernandez | PHI | 2B | 57 |
| 56 | Shin-Soo Choo | TEX | OF | 71 |
| 57 | Rhys Hoskins | PHI | 1B/OF | 58 |
| 58 | Jose Martinez | STL | 1B | 65 |
| 59 | Matt Kemp | LAD | OF | 79 |
| 60 | Eric Hosmer | SD | 1B | 44 |
| 61 | Nicholas Castellanos | DET | 3B/OF | 61 |
| 62 | Joey Gallo | TEX | 3B/1B | 62 |
| 63 | Josh Donaldson | TOR | 3B | 63 |
| 64 | D.J. LeMahieu | COL | 2B | 64 |
| 65 | Yoenis Cespedes | NYM | OF | 59 |
| 66 | Chris Taylor | LAD | 2B/OF/SS | 66 |
| 67 | Gleyber Torres | NYY | 2B/SS | 67 |
| 68 | Wil Myers | SD | 1B/OF | 68 |
| 69 | Jesus Aguilar | MIL | 1B | 90 |
| 70 | JT Realmuto | MIA | C | 70 |
| 71 | Matt Olson | OAK | 1B | 72 |
| 72 | Carlos Santana | PHI | 1B | 73 |
| 73 | Max Muncy | LAD | 1B/3B | 74 |
| 74 | Adrian Beltre | TEX | 3B | 76 |
| 75 | Nick Markakis | ATL | OF | 77 |
| 76 | Ian Desmond | COL | 1B/OF | 95 |
| 77 | Eduardo Escobar | MIN | 3B/SS | 109 |
| 78 | Gary Sanchez | NYY | C | 50 |
| 79 | Andrew McCutchen | SF | OF | 60 |
| 80 | Marcell Ozuna | STL | OF | 78 |
| 81 | Michael Taylor | WAS | OF | NR |
| 82 | Juan Soto | WAS | OF | 80 |
| 83 | Ronald Acuna | ATL | OF | 82 |
| 84 | Buster Posey | SF | C/1B | 69 |
| 85 | Yoan Moncada | CWS | 2B | 83 |
| 86 | Odubel Herrera | PHI | OF | 93 |
| 87 | Brandon Nimmo | NYM | OF | 107 |
| 88 | Kyle Schwarber | CHC | OF | 84 |
| 89 | David Peralta | ARI | OF | 100 |
| 90 | Justin Smoak | TOR | 1B | 75 |
| 91 | Tim Anderson | CWS | SS | NR |
| 92 | Yangervis Solarte | TOR | 2B/SS/3B | 85 |
| 93 | Andrelton Simmons | LAA | SS | 87 |
| 94 | Brett Gardner | NYY | OF | 81 |
| 95 | AJ Pollock | ARI | OF | 88 |
| 96 | Jed Lowrie | OAK | 2B | 91 |
| 97 | Yasiel Puig | LAD | OF | 96 |
| 98 | Evan Gattis | HOU | C | 97 |
| 99 | Brandon Crawford | SF | SS | 98 |
| 100 | Austin Meadows | PIT | OF | 101 |
Looking In:
| CJ Cron | TB | 1B | 86 |
| Leonys Martin | DET | OF | 102 |
| Adam Jones | BAL | OF | 103 |
| Asdrubal Cabrera | NYM | 2B/SS/3B | 105 |
| Ryan Braun | MIL | OF | 89 |
| Marcus Semien | OAK | SS | 106 |
| Brian Anderson | MIA | 3B/OF | 108 |
| Jeimer Candelario | DET | 3B | 110 |
| Rafael Devers | BOS | 3B | NR |
| Delino DeShields | TEX | OF | NR |
| Aaron Hicks | NYY | OF | NR |
| Ryon Healy | 1B/3B | SEA | NR |
| Yadier Molina | C | STL | NR |
If you’ve got any questions, complaints or arguments about my rankings — please leave them below!
Why so high on Eaton? Very little power and SB potential. Also hasn’t been starting much with Soto and Taylor emerging.
You’re sleeping on Mitch Moreland BIG TIME. He’s mashing the ball (48% hard hit rate, .625 xSLG, .421xWOBA) and hits in the middle of one of the best lineups in baseball. Top 50 hitter ROS i’d wager.
I think Rendon will be moving up at least 30 spots in the next month. I would also have Soto quite a bit higher. Even major regression for Soto and he would still be excellent. Very good list though-thanks for the rankings.
@JPR: I agree with you 100% on Rendon. His last two weeks have been fyyyyreeeee.
Soto is really doing a lot more than I expected as a teenager getting this level of a promotion. I think he’ll have some ups and downs as good pitchers/teams figure him out, but is looking like a keeper/dynasty darling.
Joey Gallo continues to be the most overrated piece of garbage by every pundit. What is the infatuation with this joker? So he hits one ball far every 2 weeks and K’s 3 times a game. He’s an absolute cancer to his team. He is now sitting vs lefties. He hits 6/7 on a terrible team. The guy has a freaking negative WAR for Christ sake. He’s going to be a Quad A player the rest of career, while he teases the Sportscenter masses with the rare Statcast moon shot. The fact he cannot even get a base hit against the beer league softball shifts being deployed against him says all you need to know. You have him ranked 62! He’s should be in the minor leagues learning to hit the broad side of a barn! Get him off this list already. No one hitting 192 in the 6 hole is the 62 best at anything!
@Turd Ferguson: You might be on to something. I’m digging the long ball way too much.
He bunted once against the shift — I wish he would do that every time. Easy singles.
I’m a bit Surprised that you don’t have Teoscar Hernandez in the top 100 or even in the “Looking In” section. Where does he fall in your opinion?
I currently have 3 spots in my starting lineup for the following 6 players on my roster. Which 3 guys do you like the most for this week, and which 3 guys do you like the most for the rest of the season?
Max Muncy
Manuel Margot
Brett Gardner
Miguel Andujar
Teoscar Hernandez
Jonathan Schoop
Thanks!
@Skinny Mike:
Week; Muncy, Margot, Teoscar
ROS: Margot, Schoop, Gardy
Have Nimmo as my 3rd OF in. H2H 6×6 OBP League. The pinky is concerning. Would you start Winkler and the Reds 6 starts v RHP or take a shot with a half healthy Nimmo?
@Chucky: As much as I hate to say it I think you should go with Winkler. Nimmo might miss a game or two and the Mets have an off day this week while the Reds don’t.
Rough week for my team this week. Thankfully, I’ll still be In first place. However, I’m trying to plug any holes before the deadline. I’m trying to target a closer and an impact bat, like judge, Stanton or manny.
Below is my roster. Given what I have, I think trying to buy low on Stanton before he goes on a tear.
Bats: Wilson Contreras, Hosmer, alibes, seugra, Eduardo Escobar, gleyber Torres, muncy, dee Gordon, aguilar, trout, Harper, Springer, McCutchen and Soto
Pitching: Paxton, nola, pivetta, chacin, Stratton, Kershaw, Verlander, bumgarner, thor, soraka, hader, Giles, vizcaino, Blake parker
Thoughts?
Of course target Stanton, but the tear has already begun so good luck with buying low
@Mike: You have to take a look at what your trade partner is lacking and offer that. Honestly I don’t know that OF is your issue at all. Really all you need is 1 ace closer and your team should win your league.
How many teams is this league? I think you can not change your roster for the rest of season and still win.
Are Manny Margot, Profar, or Alen Hanson getting close to the radar?
@Iifish Horton Heat:
Hanson: No. Before his injury he was getting there, but he hasn’t done much since his return.
Profar: Maybe. He’s only hitting .233 in June.
Margot: Yea he’s getting there. Since his averaged dropped below .200 on May 21st he’s hitting .345/.427/.524. He’s only got 1 HR and 1 SB in those 27 games — but you have to believe those will come around.
As a Gary Sanchez owner, are you trying to give me a hint to pick up Dexter Fowler too? I don’t think I could handle all the positive regression!
@Simsbad: I’m not so sure about Fowler…I don’t know what his deal is.