Outlook Edwin Arroyo
Top prospect Edwin Arroyo steps into everyday role with Elly De La Cruz sidelined
The fifth-place Reds called up top prospect Edwin Arroyo to help weather the loss of superstar Elly De La Cruz, who is sidelined with a hamstring strain. Arroyo has started his major league career slowly, batting .214 with a .313 OBP and six strikeouts over his first six games. While Cincinnati is currently sliding on a four-game losing streak, the 22-year-old switch-hitter is locked into regular playing time in the middle infield.
In the minor leagues, Arroyo was absolutely mashing at Triple-A, displaying double-digit home run power and a stellar batting average before his promotion. While his initial major league sample is small and features a high strikeout rate, our projections suggest his contact skills and speed will stabilize. Fantasy managers should remain patient with the rookie, as his minor league track record indicates a much higher ceiling than this initial cold streak.
This week, the Reds face a six-game slate starting with a road series against San Diego before returning home to face Arizona. Arroyo will match up against some vulnerable arms, including Walker Buehler and Zac Gallen, though matchups against Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael King will test his young bat. Given his guaranteed volume and category upside, he is a viable middle-infield hold in deeper formats. Verdict: Hold.
Updated 22 hrs ago
Latest News Edwin Arroyo
Outlook Salvador Perez
Salvador Perez seeks to snap out of a recent funk during a six-game homestand.
The veteran backplate is currently mired in a slump, hitting just .176 over his last seven days and .158 over the past two weeks for the fourth-place Royals, who are riding a two-game win streak. Despite the cold stretch, he remains locked into a crucial daily role, splitting time as the primary designated hitter and the backup catcher behind Carter Jensen. His veteran presence is especially vital now with superstar teammate Bobby Witt Jr. battling knee soreness.
While his current .204 season average is a clear disappointment, our models expect positive regression back toward his projected .251 baseline and his established track record of heavy power. With nine home runs already on the year, he remains just five long balls away from tying George Brett’s franchise record, indicating that the elite raw power is still very much intact.
This week, the Royals host six games, starting with three against Texas and ending with three against Houston. Perez draws highly favorable matchups against high-ERA starters like Tatsuya Imai (5.24 ERA) and Mike Burrows (5.77 ERA), though he will face a tough test on Sunday against Spencer Arrighetti and his sparkling 1.94 ERA. Despite the recent slump, the volume and matchup advantages make him a clear weekly option. Start.
Updated 22 hrs ago
