Outlook Spencer Steer
Spencer Steer's hot bat makes him a must-start as the Reds look to break their slide
Steer has been a bright spot for a fifth-place Reds squad currently mired in a four-game losing streak. Over his last 30 days, he has excelled with a .293 batting average, 24 runs, and a .381 on-base percentage. With star teammate Elly De La Cruz sidelined with a hamstring strain, Steer's everyday presence in the lineup as a primary first baseman and outfielder is more vital than ever.
While Steer's hot month is encouraging, our models project some rest-of-season cooling, expecting a .240 average with 12 home runs. However, his strong eye at the plate and career-best .350 OBP this year suggest he is establishing a much higher floor than his .226 mark from 2024. He should continue to beat his conservative baseline if he maintains this excellent plate discipline.
The Reds have six games this week, beginning with three on the road against San Diego before returning home to face Arizona. Steer gets some favorable matchups early against Walker Buehler (4.53 ERA) and Lucas Giolito (4.86 ERA), followed by tougher tests like Eduardo Rodriguez (2.52 ERA) before wrapping up against a struggling Zac Gallen (5.74 ERA). With secure playing time, lock him in as a weekly Start.
Updated 2 days ago
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Outlook Jac Caglianone
Jac Caglianone's red-hot streak is put on ice by a shoulder injury, clouding his weekly outlook.
Caglianone has been absolutely tearing it up over the last week, batting .389 with a 1.133 OPS and a home run. However, the everyday right fielder's hot streak was interrupted when he exited on June 6 with right shoulder soreness, leaving his status questionable. He is a major piece for the fourth-place Royals, who enter the week at 27-39 and riding a modest two-game win streak.
While his recent .389 batting average over the last seven days is a clear outlier, Caglianone's year-over-year growth is highly encouraging. He has raised his average from a dismal .157 last year to a respectable .250 this season, which actually beats our season projection of .236. If he can avoid a lengthy injured list stint, his improved plate discipline and double-digit power remain sustainable for the rest of the season.
The Royals have a six-game home stretch scheduled, starting with three against Texas and three against Houston. While there are some highly targetable matchups on tap, notably Houston's Tatsuya Imai with his 5.24 ERA and Mike Burrows at 5.77, the uncertainty surrounding Caglianone's shoulder makes him too risky to lock into weekly lineups. Play it safe and bench him until he is cleared. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 2 days ago
