Outlook Chandler Simpson
Chandler Simpson regains high-average form as first-place Rays remain hot
Simpson has found his rhythm at the plate again, batting .325 over his last 14 days with five stolen bases. He continues to slot in as the everyday left fielder for a first-place Tampa Bay squad that leads the AL East with a 50-33 record and a seven-game win streak. Despite previous injury scares involving his left leg and a mid-June slump, his place in the lineup is currently secure given his elite defensive highlights and spark-plug speed.
Under the hood, Simpson's .268 season average is starting to trend back toward our projection of .282 and his career mark of .297. While he provides nearly zero home run upside, he is a premier asset for managers hunting speed, as he is comfortably on pace to reach 45 stolen bases. His high-contact approach makes the recent batting average surge a sustainable baseline rather than an outlier, as he has limited his strikeouts to just 32 through 295 at-bats.
The Rays finish their series in Kansas City against Stephen Kolek and his 4.15 ERA before a three-game weekend set in Houston. Simpson faces a challenging matchup on Saturday against Hunter Brown and his elite 1.78 ERA, but he should have better luck against Spencer Arrighetti (4.00 ERA) and Peter Lambert (3.51 ERA). His ability to manufacture runs in a winning environment makes him a valuable source of steals and average in all formats. Start.
Updated 23 hrs ago
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Outlook Esmerlyn Valdez
Esmerlyn Valdez makes MLB history with record-breaking power surge
Valdez has been the hottest hitter in baseball, posting a staggering .478 batting average with four home runs and seven runs scored over the last seven days. His recent four-game home run streak etched his name into the history books as one of the few players to achieve such a feat within their first 16 career games. He has firmly established himself as the primary starter in right field for a 43-44 Pirates squad currently looking to climb out of fourth place in the NL Central. With key teammates like Oneil Cruz still sidelined, his emergence is vital for the Pittsburgh offense.
While his 1.643 OPS over the last week is obviously unsustainable, the raw power is undeniably legitimate, as evidenced by a recent 461-foot blast. Our models suggest his .302 career average might see some regression given his high strikeout rate—fanning 20 times in his first 53 at-bats—but his ability to drive the ball makes him a high-upside fantasy asset. Compared to his brief early-season stint, this version of Valdez looks much more comfortable at the plate, making his recent power surge feel like a true breakout rather than a mere flash in the pan.
The Pirates continue their road trip with a final game in Philadelphia today against Alan Rangel before heading to Washington for a three-game weekend set. Valdez draws some excellent matchups against a Nationals staff featuring Zack Littell (5.29 ERA) and Miles Mikolas (5.38 ERA), both of whom have struggled with limiting damage this year. While Foster Griffin presents a tougher challenge on Friday, Valdez’s elite form and history-making power potential against high-ERA starters make him a must-play in all formats for the remainder of the week. Start.
Updated 23 hrs ago
