Outlook Casey Schmitt
Casey Schmitt's power surge makes him a must-roster utility asset
Schmitt has been on a tear, swatting three home runs and driving in five runs over his last seven games for the fourth-place Giants. His elite defensive versatility has kept his bat in the lineup daily, especially with outfield injuries locking him in as an everyday starter.
While our models projected a modest eight home runs for the season, Schmitt has already blown past that with a career-high 15 longballs in 2026. His current .276 average is a substantial leap from his career mark of .237 in 2025, suggesting minor regression may lie ahead, but the breakout is largely legitimate.
The Giants finish their week at home against the Cubs, offering a mixed bag of matchups. Schmitt will face a tough test Friday against Ben Brown and his stingy 1.74 ERA, but Sunday brings an excellent opportunity against Colin Rea's 5.37 ERA. Weekly Verdict: Start.
Updated 2 days ago
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Outlook Cam Smith
Cam Smith shows signs of a power awakening despite ongoing contact issues for the fourth-place Astros.
Cam Smith continues to secure everyday duties in right field for the fourth-place Astros, though his bat has been quiet lately with a .217 average and 10 strikeouts over his last seven days. However, he hit a dramatic game-tying home run on June 10, showing flashes of his immense raw power. His consistent playing time is locked in, especially with Houston's lineup dealing with several key injuries, including Carlos Correa and Yainer Diaz.
While Smith's .220 batting average on the year is a liability, his underlying power metrics suggest better days are ahead, as our models project him to reach 10 home runs this season. His recent stretch—slugging .511 with two homers over his last 14 days—aligns more closely with his elite physical tools than his early-season struggles. Expect his average to hover around our projected .238 rest-of-season, making him a viable source of cheap power.
With the week already underway, the Astros head to Kansas City for three remaining games against the Royals. Smith will face highly manageable matchups, starting with Luinder Avila and Noah Cameron, before a tougher assignment against Stephen Kolek. Given his recent power surge and everyday role, he is a solid option to keep in active lineups. Verdict: Start.
Updated 2 days ago
