Outlook Maxwell Muncy
Maxwell Muncy's limited playing time caps his fantasy utility
Muncy has barely seen the field lately, appearing in just two games over the last 14 days and going 1-for-8 with two RBIs. Meanwhile, the third-place Athletics (33-35) are on a two-game win streak, but Muncy's path to plate appearances remains blocked as he slots in behind Zack Gelof and Darell Hernaiz on the infield.
Our models projected a .250 batting average and eight home runs for Muncy this year, which is a modest bump from his career .230 mark. However, unless injuries strike the Athletics' infield, his lack of regular playing time makes it nearly impossible to sustain any rhythm, meaning his current quiet stretch is a direct result of his bench role.
Looking at the week ahead, the Athletics finish with a three-game home stand against the Rockies. While matchups against Kyle Freeland (7.81 ERA) and Tomoyuki Sugano (4.23 ERA) are highly enticing, Muncy cannot be trusted in lineups given his spotty playing time. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 2 days ago
Latest News Maxwell Muncy
Outlook Sal Stewart
Rookie standout Sal Stewart looks to shake off a minor lull during a weekend homestand against Arizona.
Stewart has hit a brief speed bump, batting just .217 over his last six games, but he remains an indispensable asset for the fifth-place Reds (32-35). With superstar teammate Elly De La Cruz sidelined on the injured list, Cincinnati relies heavily on Stewart, who has locked down everyday duties as the team's primary third baseman.
The recent slowdown is a typical rookie adjustment phase, but Stewart's underlying profile is rock-solid. With 13 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and a healthy .258 average over 67 games, his year-to-date production mirrors our season-long projections of a .263 mark with 18 homers. His balanced spray chart and advanced plate approach show this breakout is no fluke.
With the week already underway, Stewart has three remaining home games against Arizona starting Friday. While his weekend begins with a challenging matchup against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and his elite 2.52 ERA, he will close the series against Michael Soroka and a struggling Zac Gallen, who carries a generous 5.81 ERA. Trust the rookie's power and deploy him as a weekly Start.
Updated 2 days ago
