Outlook TJ Rumfield
TJ Rumfield Surges into the Rookie of the Year Race with Elite Power Display
Rumfield is on an incredible tear, hitting .354 with four home runs and 12 RBIs over his last 14 days. The 26-year-old has locked down the role as the everyday starter at first base for the Rockies, who currently sit at 32-49 in the NL West standings. His presence has been a major bright spot for the club, recently joining elite franchise company by recording double-digit home runs before the All-Star break.
While he is currently crushing our initial season projections, a career .288 batting average and .365 on-base percentage suggest this production is rooted in high-level contact skills rather than just a hot streak. His power has reached a new gear lately, and while his 1.121 OPS over the last two weeks is likely to normalize, his profile as a middle-of-the-order run producer is sustainable. He is quickly evolving from a waiver-wire find into a legitimate corner-infield asset.
Colorado concludes the week with a three-game series in Minnesota beginning June 26. Rumfield faces a favorable run of matchups against Taj Bradley, Mike Paredes, and Connor Prielipp, the latter of whom carries a 5.17 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Given our projection for a .366 average for the remainder of the week and the quality of these matchups, he is an essential play in all formats. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
Latest News TJ Rumfield
Outlook Taylor Ward
Ward is rediscovering his power stroke as a vital table-setter for Baltimore.
Ward has been a bright spot for the fourth-place Orioles, batting .296 with two home runs and six runs scored over his last seven games. Despite the team currently being on a two-game slide, Ward remains the anchored everyday starter in left field. With key bats like Adley Rutschman currently sidelined on the injury list, Ward’s recent production is essential to keeping the lineup afloat while the club sits just 1.5 games back in the Wild Card race.
While his total of five home runs through 81 games is a step back from last year's career-high power numbers, his .391 on-base percentage is elite and significantly outpaces our season projection of .328. This disciplined approach suggests his floor remains high even when the power fluctuates. Given his career trajectory and recent road success, our data suggests he is due for a significant power surge to align closer to his projected 17 homers.
The Orioles wrap up the week with a three-game home stand against the Nationals. While the first two matchups against Andrew Alvarez and Foster Griffin are difficult given their ERAs in the low 3.00s, Ward gets a very favorable draw on Sunday against Zack Littell, who carries a 5.40 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. Ward’s ability to draw walks and his locked-in role as a primary run scorer make him a confident start in all formats.
Updated 1 day ago
