Outlook Troy Johnston
Troy Johnston's hot bat makes him an intriguing start at Coors Field
Johnston is absolutely locked in at the plate, batting .357 over his last seven days and maintaining a stellar .322 average over the last month. Even though the last-place Rockies are struggling at the bottom of the division with a 24-39 record, Johnston has taken full advantage of his opportunity. With outfielders Brenton Doyle and Mickey Moniak sidelined on the injured list, he has locked down everyday playing time as the primary left fielder.
His current .320 season average is vastly outperforming our modest .257 baseline projection, raising his stock in all formats. While a high-contact profile is sustainable, his complete lack of home runs over the last 30 days suggests his power ceiling is limited. Expect his average to normalize slightly, but his strong on-base skills make him a real asset.
Colorado has three games remaining this week, all at home against the Brewers. Johnston draws a fantastic matchup Friday against Brandon Sproat and his 6.56 ERA, though he must navigate a tough battle against Jacob Misiorowski on Saturday. Given the home-field advantage of Coors Field, Johnston is a solid weekly Start in medium and deep leagues.
Updated 3 days ago
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Outlook Nick Gonzales
Nick Gonzales is sizzling at the plate, making him a must-start despite a tough upcoming slate of pitchers.
Nick Gonzales has been absolutely sizzling over the last week, batting .455 with two home runs and eight runs scored to boost the second-place Pirates (33-29). Despite a brief scare with knee discomfort in late May, he has avoided the injured list and remains locked in as Pittsburgh's everyday third baseman.
Currently sporting a stellar .314 average on the year, Gonzales is vastly outperforming our model's projection of .259. While his recent power surge is likely to undergo some regression, his dramatically improved plate discipline this season suggests that his emergence as a high-average asset is entirely sustainable.
For the remainder of the week, the Pirates face a challenging road stretch against Houston and Atlanta. He will match up against Kai-Wei Teng (2.72 ERA) on Thursday before facing tough Braves starters like Martin Perez and Spencer Strider. Despite these difficult matchups, his elite current form makes him a mandatory option. Verdict: Start.
Updated 3 days ago
