MLB Streaks & Trends: Frank The Tank

Who's Hot

Teoscar Hernández, Toronto 

Perhaps shrouded by his teammates, Hernandez currently owns a 10-game hit streak with 11 runs, five home runs, 15 RBI and a .525/.537/.975 slash line. Over his last two weeks he's carried the Blue Jays offense. He's also recorded 41 batted ball events with eight barrels (19.5 percent) and 23 hard hits (56.1 percent) with an exit velocity of 95 MPH or better. Yes, he can be streaky but ride the heater. 

C.J. Cron, Colorado

No team displays a greater chasm between road and home results, and Cron's a poster boy for it: 

• Cron at Coors: 50 games, 196 PA, 37 runs, 17 HR, 55 RBI; .317/.413/.695
• Cron on the road: 52 games, 190 PA, 15 runs, 4 HR, 13 RBI; .219/.337/.338

He's produced power before becoming a Rockie, so this may be a blip or injury related. During his last two weeks, he's launched seven home runs in 12 games spanning 49 plate appearances with a robust .610 isolated power and 1.049 slugging percentage, not OPS (1.581). He's home this weekend and remains a source of power the remainder of the season while determining how to value him for 2022. 

Frank Schwindel, Chicago Cubs

Provided runway for playing time with the Cubs enacting an in-season rebuild, Schwindel's produced four home runs with 14 RBI his last 13 games with a .404/.440/.809 slash line. He's not selling out for power but carries a .404 isolated power and a .518 wOBA his last 50 plate appearances. Of his 35 batted ball events, he's generated four barrels (11.4 percent) with 16 hard hits (45.7 percent) so there's hope he continues producing below the radar for those in need in deeper formats (and even in 12-team mixed leagues), give him a look. 

Who's Not

Franmil Reyes, Cleveland

It's a long season, so slumps will happen. The "Franimal” currently resides in one hitting .100/.250/.175 his last two weeks over 48 plate appearances in 11 contests. Of bigger concern, the one home run in them and a paltry .075 isolated power. He's displayed patience with eight walks against 12 strikeouts in this sample, so not sure if it's health, how he's being pitched or just a power outage. Of his 28 batted ball events he's produced one barrel (3.6 percent) with eight hard hits (28.6 percent), so monitor how he performs against the Angels this weekend before deciding on benching him next week. But with Texas coming to town, his fortunes may turn soon. 

J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia

Usually a source of batting average insulation at a position bereft of many options, Realmuto's recorded a .135/.200/.297 slash line his last 40 plate appearances during an 11-game stretch. This does not time well with his team vying for a play-off spot, but he's also not 100 percent healthy. Injury updates often occur well after a slump so monitor this closely. With just over a month left in fantasy, production remains tantamount for success. He's generated 26 batted ball events the last two weeks with one barrel (3.8 percent) and six hard hits (23.1 percent) with a .218 wOBA. Of course he's better than this, but be prepared in case the Phillies fall out of contention and he lands on the injured list if there's an issue he's playing through. 

Austin Meadows, Tampa Bay

Although his team owns the best record in the majors since July, Meadows lack of production causes some concern for fantasy. He's hitting .135/.283/.324 his last 46 plate appearances with one home run and seven RBI. This includes two series with the Orioles beleaguered pitching staff. Good news, he's drawn more walks (eight) than struck out (five) in this time frame but can he overcome a .189 isolated power with no barrels his last 33 batted ball events and only eight hard hits (24.2 percent)? Stay tuned. 

Migration to the Mean

Jarred Kelenic, Seattle

Hyped rookie disappoints during his debut, gets optioned, adjusts, returns but now underappreciated? Welcome to Kelenic's 2021 capsule. First, there's reports regarding his batting stance shifting to a more upright position fueling his recent success by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Can it be sustained? It's under the microscope but here's his actual versus expected numbers entering the weekend: 

• .150 batting average versus a .206 expected batting average (xBA) - plus 56 points
• .278 slugging percentage versus a .335 expected slugging (xSLG) - plus 57 points
• .240 wOBA versus a .288 expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) - plus 48 points

Charlie Blackmon, Colorado

Guess who benefits from a hot Cron? Why, yes, Blackmon. He's hitting .300/.378/.575 the last two weeks with three home runs and eight RBI through 12 games covering 45 plate appearances. He's produced 36 batted ball events in this time frame with five barrels (13.9 percent) and 16 hard hits (44.4 percent) with potential for more positive movement to the mean in his expected statistics: 

• .272 batting average versus a .296 xBA - plus 24 points
• .405 slugging percentage versus a .450 xSLG - plus 45 points
• .334 wOBA versus a .361 xwOBA - plus 27 points

Yasmani Grandal, Chicago White Sox

It's been a rough and volatile season for the talented backstop. He's on his way back from Triple-A soon. On Wednesday during his last game, he went 3-for-3 with a double and a home run. If someone lost patience with him in your league, this weekend may be the last one getting him ahead of his promotion. Joining an already loaded lineup with eyes on the postseason, there's hope for a strong finish to his 2021 campaign: 

• .188 batting average versus a .226 xBA - plus 38 points
• .436 slugging percentage versus a .462 xSLG - plus 26 points
• .364 wOBA versus a .394 xwOBA - plus 30 points

Statistical Credits: 

BaseballSavant.com

Fangraphs.com

MLB.com