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 3 days ago
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Outlook Spencer Horwitz
Spencer Horwitz's Hot Bat Makes Him a Locked-In Weekly Play
Spencer Horwitz is on a spectacular run for the third-place Pirates (35-33). Over his last 30 days, he has posted an outstanding .322 average with six home runs, including a pair of leadoff blasts and a home run yesterday against the Dodgers. With Oneil Cruz on the injured list, Horwitz's role as Pittsburgh's everyday first baseman is completely secure.
His hot streak is backed by strong plate discipline, holding a .394 on-base percentage and 33 walks through 62 games this year. While his rest-of-season projection of nine home runs suggests a power regression, his career-best .473 slugging percentage indicates a genuine step forward in his overall development. Trust his elite OBP to remain highly sustainable.
For the remaining games of this week, Horwitz faces Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski (2.62 ERA) today, followed by a three-game home series against Miami. Despite a Saturday matchup with Sandy Alcantara (4.43 ERA), Horwitz's current elite form makes him a mandatory option in all formats. Verdict: Start.
Updated 3 days ago
