Outlook Eugenio Suarez
Suárez Mired in Deep Slump Amidst Reds' Struggles in NL Central
Suárez continues to struggle at the plate, batting just .176 over his last five games as the fifth-place Reds, currently sitting at 37-42, endure a three-game losing streak. Despite firmly holding the everyday third base role following a back injury earlier this season, the veteran hasn't found his rhythm, contributing only one RBI and striking out seven times in his most recent stretch of play.
Our models projected a .235 average with 22 home runs this year, but his current .209 mark and 35 strikeouts over the last month suggest a significant departure from his elite 2025 production. While the raw power that produced 52 homers last year is still physically present, a dismal .165 batting average over his last 30 days indicates that he is currently a major liability in most fantasy categories.
Cincinnati finishes the week with a three-game road series against the Pirates, starting with a daunting matchup against Paul Skenes and his 2.86 ERA on Friday. While the weekend brings more favorable pairings against Jared Jones and Mitch Keller—both of whom carry ERAs north of 5.00—Suárez’s recent inability to make consistent contact makes him too risky to trust in active lineups. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 1 day ago
Latest News Eugenio Suarez
Outlook Samuel Basallo
Basallo assumes primary catching duties with elite power potential while Rutschman is sidelined.
Basallo has stepped into the primary catching role for the fourth-place Orioles with Adley Rutschman currently on the 7-day injured list due to a concussion. The 21-year-old is finding his rhythm, evidenced by a massive multi-homer performance on June 24 that helped lift his slugging percentage to .524 over the last week. Our data confirms he is currently the top option behind the plate as Baltimore looks to snap a two-game losing streak and stay within 1.5 games of a wild card spot.
The power production is no fluke, as Basallo has already amassed 12 home runs through 68 games this season, showcasing the elite slugging ability that recently put him in company with Johnny Bench for historical production at his age. While his .237 average over the last month aligns with our projection, his current .785 OPS suggests he is trending upward compared to his earlier career baseline. Expect the power to remain sustainable even if his batting average fluctuates due to a high strikeout rate.
Baltimore finishes the week with three home games against the Nationals. While Andrew Alvarez and Foster Griffin represent respectable matchups with ERAs near 3.30, the week ends with a highly favorable draw against Zack Littell and his 5.40 ERA. Given Basallo’s recent power binge and his secured volume in the heart of the order, fantasy managers should treat him as a high-upside catching option for the remainder of the scoring period. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
