Outlook Tommy Edman
Tommy Edman is surging at the plate following his return to the Dodgers lineup
Edman has been a spark plug for the first-place Dodgers since making his season debut in June, riding a 56-31 team record. Over his last 14 days, he is hitting a blistering .395 with a 1.031 OPS, highlighted by his first home run of the year on June 30. Our data shows him currently providing critical infield and outfield depth, which is especially vital as the team monitors Mookie Betts and his recent wrist soreness.
While the .395 average is a significant jump from our season projection of .239, his high contact rate suggests he is fully recovered from the ankle surgery that delayed his start. However, fantasy managers should note he has yet to record a stolen base this year, a sharp departure from his career norms of 25-plus steals per season. We expect his average to normalize toward his career baseline, but his run-scoring potential remains high in this elite lineup.
The Dodgers finish the week with a four-game home stand against San Diego. Edman faces a mix of matchups, including a difficult test against Michael King and his 3.54 ERA, but he closes the week against Griffin Canning and JP Sears, who both carry ERAs near 7.00. Given the high-ERA matchups on the horizon and his elite recent form, Edman is an excellent middle-infield play in all formats. Start.
Updated 1 day ago
Latest News Tommy Edman
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 1 day ago
