Outlook Byron Buxton
Byron Buxton returns from injury to anchor the Minnesota outfield
Buxton has been limited recently, playing in just two games over the last 14 days and recording three singles in seven at-bats while managing his lingering health concerns. The Twins currently sit in third place in the AL Central with a 50-53 record, looking to regain offensive momentum. Buxton slots in as the everyday center fielder when healthy, though the team is currently missing several key arms on the injured list like Pablo Lopez.
His .275 batting average and 25 home runs through 77 games heavily outpace our season projection of 17 homers, showcasing a massive power surge that highlights his elite offensive ceiling when on the field. While his recent quiet stretch points to typical post-injury rust rather than a skills decline, his lengthy history of lower-body issues suggests that sustaining this exact MVP-caliber power pace will require careful workload management.
The Twins are lined up for a busy week ahead, highlighted by upcoming games against Cleveland and a weekend series hosting the Athletics. Buxton will face some manageable pitching matchups, such as Jacob Lopez and his 6.91 ERA alongside Jeffrey Springs and his 6.10 ERA, giving him prime opportunities to drive the ball. Start.
Updated 2 days ago
Latest News Byron Buxton
Outlook Esmerlyn Valdez
Esmerlyn Valdez continues historic rookie tear with elite power surge
Valdez has been an absolute revelation for the Pirates over the last 14 days, slashing .286/.432/.943 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs. The Pirates currently sit in third place in the NL Central with a 53-50 record and a six-game win streak in their recent ten-game window, holding steady despite a lengthy injury list that includes Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz. Valdez anchors the outfield as the everyday right fielder and is carrying the offense through an impressive rookie campaign.
His absurd recent tear, highlighted by 13 home runs across 34 total career games, easily surpasses our season projection of 20 homers. While a regression in his jaw-dropping .717 slugging percentage and .211 weekly batting average is likely given his high strikeout rate, his immense raw power is very real and makes him a must-start fantasy asset.
The Pirates face a seven-game slate this week, opening with a brief road stop against the Yankees before returning home for a three-game series against the Cubs. Valdez will face manageable pitching matchups against starters like Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, who carry high ERAs above 4.00 and 5.00 respectively. With a massive seven-game volume and a red-hot bat, keep him locked into all fantasy lineups. Start.
Updated 2 days ago
