Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - MLB Midseason Awards!

Episode Date: July 8, 2026

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Hello and welcome to Talking Baseball. It's the first annual mid-season award show. We hand them all out, even some weird ones along the way. Let's talk ball. Let's talk ball. An hell Zerpa. Nard span. Foul ball.

We'll do it again. There's the 3-10. Hello and welcome to talking baseball. Presented by Fanatics Markets, where fans trade on sports. Fanatics Market's available now on the app store. I am Jake Storelli. That is Trevor Plouffe. Rob Chiracco-producing, Dalton Feeley,

assembling all the info for us. As we've crossed mid-season, games-wise, we're sneaking up on the All-Star break, the midsummer classic. And we're going to give out some of our awards in our own style. You might not get rookie of the year on this one, but you might get who in today's game

is most like Trevor Plouf. Speaking of, Coach Trev, live from the Twin Cities? I am in Minneapolis as we speak in my hotel room. Yes, I'm excited to do this episode. And I think when you say first annual, is it inaugural? No idea. Could be.

Yes. I think that's what you say, yeah. You can say both, right? We speak for a living, so that's good. Yes, I was in the booth last night doing some zany, all-analyst broadcast. Players own. I never know who's going to like this type of stuff. Some people tuning in for the game

We're like, can we just like call the game? But then some people have fun with it. I don't know, man. We're trying some. I'm trying to get an Emmy. Trev, you're going to get that Emmy. I believe this is the year. And yeah, man, you can't make everyone happy.

You know, we had our Blitzball battle. BB8 came out last night, episode one on our warehouse games channel. And we, I mean, the way that our graphics and crew and editors have put that together, it's amazing. And yeah, you get, There's some people in the comments that are like, just, I don't, I don't want to hear that.

Just straight, give me the next pitch. And other people are like, this is amazing. So you can't make everyone happy, coach. Players only. People forget when this show once became players only. That, yeah, I liked you. The boys were bopping in the booth last night in Minnesota. I loved it.

What you were bopping? I'm curious to see some of your answers. We have a pulling back the curtain, which we like to do all the time here. In the shower. We had a list, Dalton, our guy, Rob Seraco, put a list of kind of different types of awards that we could go through. And as I was perusing the list and making my selections and doing all that, I started to try to put myself in your head and like your brain. Scary.

Too small. Some people couldn't fit. Oh, it went to too small early. I'm going to get in there. All right. rude like it um i feel like i know like i feel like i can just pinpoint a few things you're going to say on this episode i can't wait to see if i'm right a couple of these are awesome and yeah we're going to hit some baseball we're going to hit some silly as we always do i mean things like the most

most good surprising team uh that they are who we thought they were is an awesome category there are five teams that are living up to their reputation perfectly um MVP of baseball will see who gets that game of the year excited for that the best material change that was left open to the people i i'd like to see your uh because you know you created it um and then we've got the best throw best double play that we tweeted out and we let the people vote on so uh it's going to be a mix of everything and it's the inaugural first annual talking baseball and season award show let's just do it um and trevor we're starting off a baseball focus because, again, I think that's why people tune in.

We like to think it's for our kook fest, but I think the people like the ball. And we are giving out the weight. They're actually good award. The most good, surprising team this year and the candidates, and I'll take this one, and maybe we can do a little back and forth as we go through this. And, again, people, you might be able to anticipate some of these.

The Marlins, who have been hot to trout recently, currently on an 88 win pace. The fish sticks. Owen Casey has kicked into gear. Up the middle, we've been talking about them a lot. On pace to have, you know, a top three season in franchise history. The Nationals who offensively have run things throughout the season. Again, a team expected to be kind of horrible has been punchy, if not more.

The Chicago White Sox on pace to potentially win the AL Central. One of the stories of this season, and it's been so far. fun to watch with all of their young talent, bringing it on every night. My St. Louis Cardinals, Oli Marmal, again, they were openly rebuilding, and they've been a competitive team this year with a bunch of breakout players. And then the Tampa Bay race, who going back at the start of the season and being like, whoa, this team has a chance. And they've had more of a chance from the start.

They've been the best team in the American League. So, coach, how did you value this category and where are you looking? This is a good one I think that Every single baseball season When we do our TPPs We go through lineups And you can dream

I mean everyone has so optimistic at the time I kind of went process of elimination here The Marlins are a fun story for me Not a fun story They're a good baseball team But they also played really well Second half last year So like the

The bread crumbs were there If you will Tampa Bay I think the same thing We knew that they were going to be Pretty damn good Maybe not this good and jump out to this sort of lead in this American League.

I do think that has something to do with it as well. So I think we had them on our radar. And then that leaves the nationals, the Cardinals, and the White Sox. In between those three teams, I ended up going with the team that I said is going to win their division. And that's the AL Central leaders right now, the Chicago White Sox. Jake, this has been a team that has been struggling for so long. I mean, 2024, do you have many games they won? you know it's a little bit, but do you even know the exact number?

God, where'd they land? Is it like 44? 41 games. They won 41 games. Jake, they've already won 47 this year, running at the All-Star break. So the rapid turnaround for me is the reason I went with the White Sox. And you could say, yeah, Colesne Montgomery, he was good at the end of last year. He kind of came on.

No one even noticed. He debuted on the 4th of July, this tall. Adonis of a shortstop and it kind of went under the radar that should not happen to us but they've been so bad that it did you know and now they've got Sam Antonacci and Braydon Montgomery and Colson's doing his thing and they went in sign Murakami the pitching's been great Davis Martin's been awesome I think their pitching staff is probably a little bit better than people give them credit for and I do have them winning the AL Central I had that a while ago I think before it was fashionable if we will they're they're a team that kind of

I think if they get into the playoffs, they can surprise a bunch of teams because they can win games in a bunch of different ways. And I think just the rapid turnaround of that organization is the reason I gave them what I'm calling the most surprising team, right? Yeah. Yeah. It's a great pick for every reason you gave. I had them as third on my ballot. I landed between the two Florida teams because I think what's happening in Miami right now,

I know we've been telling people to take notice. I don't think people are taking notice. But if you watch the broadcast last night, like, again, we always say it slash we forget to say it a lot. But you guys know your team better than us. People that are true Miami Marlins fans, which, okay, insert joke here. But like, there exists.

It's been a franchise for a long time. That city should love baseball. I don't need to go on my Miami rant right now. But they're awesome. And they're starting to like, they went from pesky, like, let's win a game on any given night if the pitching's there. Now they're like, we're about to knock you around.

And, hey, last night's walk off against the Mariners, Marcy. Dude, their record the last 30 games now is it's like a 22 and 8. Like this is becoming special. And I do think there's something to it happening in the middle of the season. Like, you know, sometimes you could get off to a hot start, but other teams, you know, how often do we see great players just get off to a bad start? Because the season hasn't, like, gotten rolling late. And it's just a tough sport.

Like something about it happening now. I don't know, man. I think they're a tough out. I think Max Meyer is real. All that being said, they finished second place for me that I took Tampa because I think, I think they're World Series like contenders. Like if you start talking World Series, I know right now the ALE is not sexy,

but I can give you guys in the rotation. Baker on the back end is nasty. A three-headed monster in the lineup. And a bottom of the lineup, Joe Girardi, shout-out was talking about it on the broadcast last night. They produce runs. Like, they manufacture.

It's a little bit old school. And you're going to see bunts and you're going to see platoon guys. And it's, yes, it shouldn't strike fear into your pitcher, but at least those guys know what their job is down there. If someone gets on, get them over. And I know that sounds so unsexy, but it's still working that. Out of the AAL, I think if we're being honest,

the raise should be the World Series favorites. And we didn't have them as hopefully the fourth best team in the ALEs to start the year. So I went with the race. On the Marlins, the turnaround is crazy. At the end of May, they were 20. and 34, and right now they're 50 and 42. Like, that is just, okay. Love that.

How do we decide who gets the... Are we having our own... I think we have our own ballot. I think it's our own individual awards. I think it's fine. I agree with you. The Rays are a great team here, and I agree with you.

They seem to me, and there's one thing that you can point to me. You're talking about what the Rays can't do in the playoffs. They got, they don't have home run. They have a home run hitter. Sure. Maybe two home run hitters.

And that's kind of what separated teams in the past. When you get in the playoffs, you got to be able to put the ball in the seats. Like junior caminer can do it or they can put up a four to them, whatever you need to do. But you're right, they can when it calls for it, move runners, expose bad defenses. I think we've seen that a lot from them. And they can pitch. So that does keep them in all the games. if they get that big swing, and you're right,

they have that top three that can really, really do it. So I'm in on the raise. I think they're having a great season, but I also don't think they surprise me too much. We knew they could be this type of team. That's the gap. It's the how do you measure surprise on it? And yeah, man, I don't know,

going back to Miami, dude, I feel like I had like my big short moment, like looking at the team and being like, okay, Adolopez and Xavier Edwards, I really believe in that up the middle. And it's like Liam Hicks has just been nothing but good. And now Stowers and Casey's back in the equation. And I think Marcy's good.

And Joe Mack has been, it's like, wait, they've got the, this is real. This isn't a hot streak. The punchy Marlins reeled off a couple series. Like, these guys are guys. It happens, it happens quick in baseball. I full-blown think the Marlins are good. I love going, my favorite thing right now is, my favorite thing.

There's a lot of things I like more than this. List them. What's your number one favorite thing to do? Being home with my family in my backyard. Barbecue and a try tip. Pools at, I don't know. Livy likes at 93. I like it maybe more like 88.

90s. Get a little refreshingness. Easy Liv. My kids are on the slide, like the water slide that I just bought from Target. That was nice. You go to a fan grass page in the Marlins right now of their 40-man roster breakdown. Only eight are homegrown. And I mean, they've traded for 21 of these

players on the, I just, that's the way that they've constructed this team. And you got to get credit to the front office. Peter Bendix, Rob, I know, I know you're putting in a lot of work over there. If we could get Peter Bendix with that Miami-Southish haircut going. So if you, their active roster, you know, Fangrass will list one through nine of their lineup right now. The only one that is homegrown at all is, oh, that's actually never, that's not true. They have Snowha listed and he was a free agent signed by them in 19.

But Joe Meck, first rounder, the rest of them trades, waivers, rule fives, just all that good stuff. They've gone all around to put this team together. Okay, so, and they didn't win either of our vote. They got second place, I think, I have the raise for their world seriousness. You took, who'd you take again?

I'm sorry. The White Sox. The White Sox are great there. They got a lot of guys that can pop you out of the ballpark, man. I love the White Sox. I do, I live in fear of the AL Central. I do feel like it's going to be September 1st and the White Sox, the Guardians, the twins, and somehow the tigers are all going to be tied for first place.

And it's just going to be like, all right, whoever can put this together, whoever can get 83 wins. no offense to your central let's keep it moving and yeah we just took a series from you in new york pop yeah i i know i'm not i'm not i'm not hyping the yanks right now um let's move on is it the most disappointing team uh we have it listed as the check engine award i like that i like that uh just kind of driving around in fear uh the new york metts have have obviously lived up to that billing the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Giants. Trev, and I said I was going to let you tee it up.

I named the teams, but walk us through it. What are the teams again? Do you name them all right there? Mets, Tigers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Giants. I'm still in on the Red Sox. I'm not out on the Red Sox. I mean, I'm... I've said from the get-go that I really liked what they did in the offseason,

and I like the lineup. I like everything just didn't happen early on in the year. They're not dead. reason they couldn't hit at Fenway. They couldn't win there. I don't know what's going on. I think this is a clear-cut answer right here. Okay. I think it's the New York Mets and it's not even,

it's not even close. At preseason I had them rank third. I bought into like this young pitching staff, some of the changes that needed to flip that roster because the vibes weren't good. And here we go, Juan Soto, Lendor, Bichet, I can see this happening. It hasn't happened at all. I mean, Lindor has played 35 games, 652 OPS.

Boba Chet, hey, he's played a lot of games, but hasn't done anything with them at all. Juan Soto has been fantastic. They haven't been on the field altogether too much. The pitching hasn't been good. If you look at what they've done offensively, they're 22nd and runs, 28th in OPS. That's with Juan Soto in your lineup having an incredible offensive. offensive season. The starting pitching's been horrendous. 24th and whip, 27th in ERA, 28th and walks per nine. It's just, it hasn't worked for them at all. And the record speaks for itself.

Right now, they're 34 and 47. And they have a new manager, and it's Andy Green. And I don't know. I just, I think they're in such a weird position as a franchise. There's been some Steve Cohen quotes. Is David Stern's going to be there? He's got the vote of confidence. But I think whenever you get the vote of confidence, that means like the axe is coming next. Like, that's just how it works. If you need the vote, that means things aren't that confident. Are I saying that right? Is it the vote of confidence? Okay. Nailed that. I just think this is a clear cut winner. With the expectations, they had the changes, almost like the, um, the gusto and what, and what and the changes that they made. They said that kind of did it with their chest. Like

Peter Lons will get out of here. Brandon Nill will get out of here. We're bringing the dogs in. just hasn't worked at all, Bob. The Mets are a great choice. I did not believe in them as much coming into the season because I do know one thing. They're the New York Mets until they show me they're not the New York Mets. They are. And baseball-wise, despite all those factors,

I was doing the math on Alonzo out, Nimmo out, Simian and Robert in, and then we're doing defense, but Bichette's at third and Polanco's at first. And it's like, what was the focus? It just didn't, it didn't add up in a division where the Braves, we were hoping we're going to be a version of the Braves, and they've been better than that.

The Phillies are who we thought they were. That I just, for me, expectation-wise, if it wasn't there for the Mets this year, I wasn't going to be that shocked, and it's not there for the Mets this year. The winner for me And the AL teams, I kind of ruled out Second place for me was the Tigers

Because it's almost over I still don't think in my head it is And maybe I'm just flying to AL scared right now Five games out of a wild card Like they still have another push They can point to health Same as the Blue Jays can point to health Like I don't think they're dead yet

Oddly enough, I went with the San Francisco Giants that AL West, like the Diamondbacks haven't been great this year. The Padres got dropped back under 500 recently. So, okay, then what, sure, the Dodgers are mighty, but we knew that was going to happen. The Giants are just so flat and are one of the worst teams in the league. And I realize, like Vitello, I know that was a talking point to start the year. But man, we're excited about Buster Posey coming.

in. We were excited they've actually signed guys for years. And to have this be the product that they've built up for? Yeah, man, I'm highly disappointed in it. Um, because it shouldn't be this. So I, may be a tough draw for them, but this is also like a historically great franchise. Like, we've done this with them and the Cardinals. They don't just be horrible. This is one of their worst teams ever, ever. And it, it shouldn't be that way. We always like the names on the San Francisco Giants. We like the, they've signed guys. I feel like that's been their, like the air around them is they can't land the free agent,

but they have. They've signed a bunch of guys. They traded and took a huge contract down to Raphael Devers. Like if you look at the names in the line, I'm like, okay, Jung Hulie, now we got Bryce Eldridge up, which they kind of played that card wrong at the beginning of the season. He's been doing fantastic. but Jake if you look back at their last three seasons prior to this I mean they're they're a 500 I know that's just what they've been I mean so maybe you just think it's all going to work out

Devers is going to be like hey he's going to be an even better version of himself as he gets comfortable in this ballpark but I don't I just yeah it just hasn't worked out I didn't have the expectations like they're kind of like you what you said about the Mets like you're the Mets until you prove be wrong. I feel like with this Giants team, like it's in that NL West, you're already like punching up hill. Yeah. And until they, until they get out of whatever they're in right now, like I think you have to construct the team a little differently if you're, if you're the giants. Like I think, I think if you play in that ballpark with today's pitching, like, maybe you just need a bunch of like contact hitters, a bunch of Louisa Rise and guys that can

run and guys they can defend in the outfield and you just play that game almost like what we talk about with cores like um having a completely different way that you manage your your roster so it hasn't worked out i didn't have the expectations for them a lot of it does you know dwell on the fact that they play in a pretty good division although it hasn't been good this year that's what i'm saying man like they should be they should be 500 should have been like okay like that's what we expected and they've been one of the worst teams in ball. I don't know what they do. Now they have an interesting trade deadline coming up.

That's for sure. Well, they've got those teams, dude. The Mets and the Giants are going to be sellers and it's, I mean, look, I know the Mets are still a proud franchise. Maybe not because they've had recent success necessarily, but they are. Fan base. Rout's tricky. Rockies and Giants play the next five games against each other.

and I don't know who's a better team. Tough. Congrats to our award winners and eligible candidates for that category. Today's episode is sponsored by Xfinity. Imagine everything that can change in five years. Jobs. Kids are going to grow up. New memes.

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Lock it in. Lock in your price and unlock the possibilities. Exfinity. Imagine that. Restrictions apply, select plans only. This was my favorite one, Trev. The most predictable team, they are who we thought they were. And we've got five teams that landed on the nose that I'm fascinated to see your thought

process. The Los Angeles Angels, they are who we thought they were. I haven't won 80 games since 2018. They're currently on pace to win six. 63 games and the pitchers are bad, the hitters are bad. The Brewers are who we thought they were. They're playing brewer ball. They're fantastic.

They're the only financial advice I give out. They play a different brand and it's amazing. The Dodgers, they are who we thought they were. On pace to win 104 games going for the 3P. The Texas Rangers landed on this list. On pace to win 82 games. Last year they won 81. they're over under this year was 83 and a half.

And then the Cleveland Guard Dogs who just are who we thought they were. They're on pace to win 83. They are trending ahead of their TPP over under total. And it just feels like the same teams we watched for five years. So I want to know how'd your brain work? I like all the candidates in this category. I just watched the guard dogs play last night.

They uncharacteristically played horrible defense, especially there was one inning where like every single person in the infield made a mistake. So they are a good answer here. They can pitch. They run prevent. They can't really hit Jose Ramirez kind of carries. And then every once in a while somebody else steps up. They have been essentially the same team.

But for me, it is your financial advice team. It is the blue crew. in what was supposed to be, I don't know, the Cubs year. I don't know, the pirates were going to be resurgence. They signed all these guys. They got this great pitching staff. They're going to come up and get it. The Brewers are running away with this division.

Yeah. Everything the Cubs have done. And the Cubs are having a fantastic season. They're 11 games over 500. Okay, the Brewers don't care. They're 15 games over 500. And they continue to just like find pitching. Other organizations just give them players.

And like, thank you. We got it from here, Pop. What Kyle Harrison's been able to do is incredible. Jacob Mizorowski's taking the next step or like a massive leap in his development. And then you got like a guy like Garrett Mitchell was finally getting like his first true like run of baseball games. and go look what his offensive stats have turned into. They got a bunch of, it's like death by a thousand paper cuts

when you play the Brewers. And then every once in a while, they'll just pop you in the mouth. Like they are every single year we say it. Like they are going to perform better. They use the computers better than anybody else. But the computers don't respect this team. Every single year.

I don't understand it. Last year, 97 wins. The year before that 93, the year before that 92. And every year they're projected to win, what, like 83 games or something like that? I don't know what we're doing. The Brewers to me are they are a problem. And I truly hope that we do get them in the postseason against the Dodgers again.

I want to see that match. I know it didn't turn out the way they wanted last postseason, but I think it's a little bit different in the year with the way Mizorowski's pitching. They're all amazing options. Brewers were two-hole for me, for everything you said. I think the Dodgers were three because they are them. The only thing that jumps out is like it's guys, there's a few guys you didn't really expect.

Andy Pahas being who he's been, like Robleski and how he's been performing, that the Dodgers are the Dodgers, and they might even have Max Muncie being the best third baseman. and that's before we get to all those guys you know about. Rangers are frustrating for me. I had to move on. Guardians are just on the button. My winner, it's sadly a sad one.

It's the Angels, man. Oh, Jake. Trev, everything you said positively about the brewers, you can almost say the exact opposite about the angels, and it's expected. Some of the guys they brought in before the season? I mean, remember when we were looking at the, rotation and you're almost like, it felt like a prank.

It felt like, it felt like we asked, you're talking about the computers and if they like the brewers and they don't, like, the Halo's computers are like, what? Like you trade, okay, you traded for gray rod and then Alec Manoa was on the, and you're just the bullpen Kirby Yates and some other olds lurking back there. I don't know, man. It currently has Tony Rendon on their 60-day IL. I'm worried about that. Trout is hurt again.

Moncada's on the IL. Like, it's just they're the angels again and again and again. And I don't know. And that's what, like talking with Bobby Golfs before we recorded this, like other teams just have the good thing happen sometimes. Like, look at the white socks right now. I mean, they were pretty. Not well-regarded franchise, but like they caught lightning in a bottle and there's young talent and it's jelling together.

It never happens for the angels. Never. They've had, the white socks have hit in the draft. And I think that's one of the hardest things to do. Or maybe it's, yeah, I think it still is. I think it's very difficult. I think it's getting a little easier as we're mixing traditional skills. outing with, you know, we have, we have numbers now. You know, we can see, you know, what a guy,

you know, what the path is on the swing, you know, how hard he's swinging that bad. A lot of that does correlate, you know, you want to have, you know, you want to be able to hit some of those numbers. And I think that we're able to rank prospects a little bit more effectively because of that. We have the track band in all of the minor league stadiums now. So it is surprising the Angels just haven't really been able to develop like really anybody. But I think that's, it's an organizational problem. And I don't know if it was Perrymanasian's fault.

I think he was hamstrung a little bit by ownership. And they are in desperate need. The Angels fans will tell you it's their owner. And until they get rid of Artie that nothing is going to change. And for their sake, I hope that's not true because I don't think he's selling the team anytime soon. I know he thought about it for a quick second there. But yeah, it seems to me like it's a, it's a from the top down changes need to be made up and down from the minors all the way to the big leagues. And we just really haven't seen that. If you're Kurt Suzuki,

what are you, what are you doing? Move on. Get in that twins players only booth next year and then find your next gig. Congrats. Congrats to the winners. Sorry. landed on that note. Go Brewers. Go Brewers. I went on a positive note. Yeah, I'm sorry. Not normally my lane, but that's where I landed. Trev, this is where things might get a little off the rail, because then we left it open. And it was players, player we wish we knew more. Oh, God. Sorry. Edit that out. My gosh. Leave it. I like it. Player we wish we knew more about I'll go first because I'm sick of you and you got a frog in your throat. This was just left open.

Like for the other categories, we adult throw some things together. And obviously, you know, some of the teams jump to the forefront. This was just open-ended a player we wish we knew more about. It could be for any reason the way they play, their personality. I guess I put all of that in the blender. And I started off with like, I want a good player. someone who was bawling out this year. Like, that's part of the reason I want to know more about them.

And then I was like, okay, someone jumped out. This guy was like sixth in war this year. He kind of, by the common fan, he gets confused because of a couple slippery things that happened. And he's on a slippery team. He's on the Marlins. I want to know more about Otto Lopez. I want to know more about Otto Lopez.

Dominican ball player. played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Like, I don't know the connection there. What's the story? I already grew up. I just started clicking around. He grew up in Montreal. What?

Okay. I want more of that. 4.6B war, heading into the All-Star break. I mean, that's, you're on pace for like an eight-war season. That's rare air. Him and Xavier Edwards switched positions at one point,

and they're both bawling out. So, like, that's part of the confusion, I think. It's like, wait, who's the shortstop? Who's the second baseman if you're not following these guys? And know what I like? He leads the league in hits, in doubles, a 343 batting average. 17 stolen bases. I need to know more about this guy,

because Otto Lopez is a guy guy. It's a fun name to say. Three O's to open up the vowels. I want more Otto Lopez. He won my award. 3 O's to open up the vows. Okay, you don't want to know what's funny, Pop. This is why we're the best show in the business.

I also have Otto Lopez, but I went with two guys. Okay. His middle infield combo, him and Xavier Edwards. I got some stats on Otto Lopez if you want him, coach, because I kind of got into this one. I just want to reiterate this for the people. This was completely open board, all 30 teams, all players. There was no point at all.

and this is where we both landed. So for Otto, you're right, full-time shortstop this year, it's been great. The BABIP has been the thing that's changed the most for him. So last year, 264, now it's 374. But all the things have been, so that's like a little bit of luck involved, I think. But there's also, you know, the metrics behind. The bat speed's been increasing. The barrel rate's been increasing.

He's hit so much better at home this year, which has been crazy. In 2025, 627 OPS at home. This year is 914 at home. So you're talking about all these hits we're seeing. He's got career highs and average exit VLO, max exit VLO. By the way, 112.8. Love that. A hard hit rate.

So like the quality of his contact is, it's real. He's using the whole field. The opposite field rate is up, like almost 4%. So he's like, all this seems somewhat sustainable for Otto Lopez. So you have to love that for that. The walk rate, obviously not great for him. That's not what he does. He's a guy that's going to swing the bat.

There's no doubt about that. But he was, he was DFA by Toronto in 2024, traded the San Francisco for cash, DFAed again, and then claimed from Miami off waivers in April of 2024. So like, this is what I'm talking about. about with their team. It's been fantastic the way they've found these guys. And then for Xavier Edwards, he's swinging a little bit less this year. The swing rate went from 49% to under 40. First pitch swings have been cut in half from 35% to 19%. So there's like meaningful changes, which means like this isn't these guys just doing this on their own. This is a Marlins coaching staff,

you know, analytically driven team that's helping these guys become the best versions of themselves. And we're seeing it with a lot of these guys. We mentioned they come from other organizations and look at all the guys in their lineup that are having success.

We used to call them the fish with arms. Now we're calling them fish sticks. And a lot of that has to do with just like good information and being able to translate it to these guys and let them take it into into the baseball field right now. But I just, these guys steal bases.

They get hits. They play good defense. Like everything about these two. It's a big reason why the Marlins are having this season that they're having. So I'm glad we picked them. I love the middle infield combination of both these guys. It's awesome. It's a little jarring.

Again, there was no direction. And we 50% kind of landed on the same guy. Yeah. And I just want to drive this like, here's your top six in B-war this year. It's Shohei Otani. Talk about him. Pete Crowe Armstrong. We talk about him.

Chris Sanchez. Talk about him. Kevin McGonigal. We've given him every flower we could. Bobby Wood Jr. Talk about him. And it's Otto Lopez, man. Next Mizorowski.

So this guy, I'm on his wiki right now. His dad's a teacher and took a job in Montreal. So he like went from the streets of Santo Domingo to growing up in Montreal. That's a lot of ways you can do this life. Tried his hand at hockey, skiing basketball, and badminton. Maybe we'll ask him about that. He's going to Philly, right? All-Star?

Big time. You're muted, coach. Xavier Edwards, 695 OPS last year, 808 this year. Otto Lopez, 672 OPS last year, 889 this year. That helps. That helps. Congrats to the first inaugural annual winners of the players. Players, we wish we knew more.

Trev, the off-season trade signing that's panning out the best. We got a nice list here, and it's a mix of studs. It's a mix of big contracts given out. It's a mix of trades. I'll reel them off. You tell me what you got. Brandon Lau, Pete Alonzo, Kazuma Okamoto, Wilson Contreras, Ranger Suarez, and Sunny Gray, three Red Sox.

Dylan Sees, it's been amazing for Toronto, and Luke Weaver made his way on the ballot. What do you got? So I've been flip-flopping on this one. Initially, I wanted to combine Dylan Sees and Okamoto. Dylan Sees signed what we felt like was like this big boy starting pitcher contract. It's actually not that big of a deal if you look at it. like it's like averaging right around like $25 million a year and you're like, okay,

for a starting pitcher that's actually like that. There's some deferred money in it, whatever it is. He's lived up to the hype leading the American League in strikeouts. Okamoto, a guy that's making 15 a year. Any team could have had this guy. He's got 20 homers on the year.

I think I landed on, I think I landed on just like the Red Sox guys. Wilson Contreras coming over from the Cardinals, Sunny Gray coming over for the Cardinals. Cardinals. Wilson just got added to the All-Star team. Sunny Gray should be on the all-star team. And you talk about Rangers, Swarrest. They, like, had a fantastic offseason. Crazy. A fantastic off-season. And they're still kind of sitting where they're sitting, although they're getting better.

41 and 48 right now. They're four and one in July. So that helped. I don't know. Those guys have all been great. and Wilson Contreras, I want to say it's been really, really good for them. I know statistically he has been. And I'm thinking out loud right here, people, so bear with me. Has he been great for like the vibes of the Red Sox? Or has he been like a little too much? It's an interesting convo. I would say right now as they're starting to rally around it, it's great.

Like Boston loves that. love energy. We love that you care. Am I saying we? They. Um, yeah. And dude, he's balled out. 926 OPS. Yes. So like, you know, they missed out on Pete Alonzo, but they got this guy who's having a better year than Pete Alonzo. Like they did it this offseason. Well, Trev, that's where things almost become more interesting because, okay, they sign Ranger, which him and Cease, you know, have both signed big contracts and they both perform. to AL East. Wilson Contreras and Sunny Gray were salary dumps.

Yeah. Like straight up. And they've been awesome. That I combine those two. I combine Sonny and Wilson. I thought they stood out. Like Brandon Lau balls out when he plays. And he's played and he's balled out.

Pete Alonzo has been Pete Alonzo, like a few of the other transactions. These were salary dumps that it was tough. It was easy to be critical of. It's like, oh, you didn't really go out and get guys you wanted. You just, you didn't want to trade prospect capital. That now, Trevor, it's insane seeing the three of them on this list when you add Ranger. And it's like, what, Red Sox? They are playing with some, some piss and vinegar right now. But the other thing that's going to be nuts is with the

trade line approaching, trade line, trade line, trade deadline, trade line. They might get some interesting calls on Wilson and Sonny. And I know there's no trade clause involved, but like a lot of GMs who speak a different language, in this case, one GM that speaks a different language, even though he speaks our language, that if you could then turn Wilson Contreras or Sonny into better prospects than you trade it away, that's sometimes like the chip they like to put in their back pocket. I don't know. It's going to be a very interesting few weeks in the Commonwealth. I thought for me, combining those two St. Louis, like Sunny Gray and Wilson

where would the Cardinals be with those two? Like that's a sick game to play but that's not how baseball works. It's not how baseball works. Boston went out and got them without giving real prospect capital Hunter Dobbins in the mix there.

Who else did they give up? Dick fits and Hunter Dobbins along with a couple other bodies to get two All-Star's or All-Star-level players. A couple team options with both Contreras and Sunny Gray. Contreras, there's a team option in 2028. Sunny for next year at $30 million.

Gray may opt out of contract if option is exercised. Oh, he's probably got one of those. Yeah, sometimes you got the they can opt in, but you can opt out of that. Okay, okay. Either way, The Red Sox have won 10 of their last 13 games. So they are a hard charging.

And with this a L the way it is, it takes a good month of baseball and you're going to be back in the swing of things. And if you kind of like look at their team, yes, offensively, there's some big holes there. There's no doubt about it. But there's some good players that are just not having, I think, good seasons. So if we get a little bit of regression and kind of, or positive regression, if you will, I don't know what the hell is going on with Roman Anthony. I don't think anybody does.

He was supposed to be in the middle of this lineup. And you can kind of envision what this team would look like if he was. For a lot of time early in the season, Mickey Gasper was hitting like in the middle of their lineup. I love Mickey Gasper. Love Mickey Gasper. That was crazy. I still got, I still have my Red Sox stock. There's no doubt about it.

And they did a fantastic job in the offseason. Congrats to the Red Sox in a way. Let's see what's next. Today's episode is sponsored by Best Western Hotels and Resort. Summer baseball means road trips, driving out to catch a series in a city you'd never been or flying somewhere just to watch your team play. And when you're making those trips,

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No additional purchase necessary for sweep. See bonus points, terms and conditions, and sweep rules for details. Let's see our We Are So Back, award, the comeback player of the first half. Eduardo Rodriguez made his first all-star game, whether it's injury or performance. He has been fantastic. Max Meyer, the Minnesota King, the fish with arms still, 9-1, 116 ponches,

2580, R.A. Foster Griffin, 18 games started. 9 and 2, 287-ERA. Jordan Walker and his breakout campaign. Miguel Vargas, his breakout campaign. And of course, it's always Otto Lopez, but I'm guessing you and I steered clear because we already gave him something.

Yeah, coach, where'd you go? I did steer clear of Otto Lopez. I have a sort of a kink fetish for guys who go overseas and kind of become the best versions of themselves and then come back to the States. It's fascinating to me that the leagues over in Asia have changed from, hey, tail into my career,

let's go make a few extra bucks, go travel the world, and there is still a little bit of that going on. But with pitchers, it's like, I'm going to go over there and I'm going to refine my repertoire. I'm going to learn like new pitches. And then I'm going to come back and get like a deal, a real major league deal from the big leagues and I'll be effective. I mean, the baseball scene is littered with guys that have done it

over the last couple of years. Foster Griffin being one of them goes over to Japan had essentially just a couple cups of coffee in the big leagues early on. with Kansas City and a few other teams. But goes over to Japan, comes back, and now he's one of these guys, Jake, that has six different pitches that he throws 10% or more of the time,

not a guy that's going to blow you away with any sort of velocity. So you know that also is something that I love right now. Left-hander, kind of, you know, mix and matching, reading swings, doing all this. And he's also like he's eaten up innings. most games with five or more innings pitched and one or fewer earned runs allowed this season. Cam Schlittler 13, Jacob Mizorowski 12, Foster Griffin, 12.

Where would the nationals be without this guy? And again, you watch him pitch and it's just like a little something here, little something there, okay, I'm going to X this part of the plate, I'm going to go up, I'm going to go down, I'm going to make you guess. Cutter 32% of the time. 14% or 17% of time. Sweeper is a pitch. Obviously he added because of course he did.

14% of the time. Curb ball 10, change up 10, and then the sinker to play off for the cutter. That was another pitch he added at 10%. So you don't know where the pitch is going. He's got a 104 whip. Everything this guy's done has been fantastic. And again, it's just,

I like these types of pitchers, man. He's a rarity in today's game. and to go over there, refine yourself, come back, and be part of this resurgent Nationals team. I thought he deserved the award. Because you got it right, Trev. That's where I went as well. Tough to ERO.

I mean, Erod's got the bag. Erod's been around for a while and, you know, come back and mean a lot of different things. Max Myers is kind of just joined the scene. I mean, top draft pick, and I think this is what he's going to be. Same with Walker. Same with Vargas.

Same with Lopez. Man, you mentioned about going overseas. you hope you go over and you fine tune it and then you come back and you can Merrill Kelly or some of the guys that we've seen. I'm trying to think it's Fetty one over there. It's Merrill Kelly. Cody Poggs. You haven't really seen anything from him in the Biggies, but he got a big deal out of it.

Yeah. Dalt's on it right now. I guess wrapping up Foster Griffin, like you said, he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year with that pitch mix. And I, there's another. side to that story, man. There's guys that go over, and that's the final stop. Like, that's the, you're not coming back to Major League Baseball.

I was watching some Dodgers Rockies late night last night, because obviously. And Jake McCarthy was up, who, by the way, going nuts this year. Yeah. Tenet bats never got a hit. Joe McCarthy went overseas. He played a few years there, and that was that was that. I mean, Foster Griffin, when he goes over there, he hopes he dominates and he hopes something clicks,

but you don't know. It did. He came back. I'm wondering if he's a trade deadline guy. Like, is Foster Griffin going to end up twirling the pill in some playoff innings this year? We'll find out. But yeah, him and Erod were in lockstep for me,

but Foster Griffin's story is just so much different that he got the dub. His teammate could also be on this list as well, Luis Garcia Jr. And what he's been able to do this year, I mean, he's slugging 559 right now, 874 OPS last year, 701 OPS. He had 16 homers last year in 139 games. This year's already got 19 and 86, Jake.

Could have been him, but I think Foster Griffin's a fun story. Congratulations, Foster Griffin. and I'm wondering if we talk about him. Who else you got, Dahl? Other names, Anthony K. Nick Martinez. Drew Anderson for the Tigers in the bullpen a little bit, either in Japan or Korea that have come back.

Nick Martinez, he's done very well for himself. You know, I think it's really like hitters go over there to end their career. You don't see too many hitters, like go to Japan and come back into the States. Yeah, who's my guy? Did Mike Talkman do it? I'm trying to think, I think so. I think Talkman left for a couple years and came back. It's tough.

Eric Tames, maybe. Am I in my bag right now? Yeah, you nailed it. Wow. A little mixtape. Trev, this one, oddly enough, should be very high and tight. The MVP of baseball, I'll cast my ballot. It's Shohei because he pitches and he hits.

And that's kind of it. I think you went a step further. So bring us all your journey. I think the thing we forget about Shohay is, yeah, he pitches and hits. Great. But he's also, he's an elite hitter and an elite pitcher. Yes, yes. Like that, it can't like gloss over the fact that right now he's got the last three years,

23, 24, 25. He ended the season with a one in front of the decimal point in his OPS. He's one dotted it for the last. for the last three years. That is insane. I don't think we comprehend what that means for your season. This year, it's ho-hum, a 949 OPS. This guy is elite in every facet of the word when it comes to, you know, his offense.

He can, we saw it, by the way, when he stole 59 bags one year, because he just wanted to go 50-50, which is just insane. 54-59 people don't forget that so yes offensively he's an elite and then when he gets on the mound he's made of the point he says i want to win the si young uh at some point 179 era they got some other guys in the national league going off right now but just think about that 14 starts he's given up 17 earned runs uh his era plus is 235 right now the whip is under one like it's he's just he's elite on both sides of the ball. He doesn't just do both.

He's elite at both. And I don't know, man. It's fantastic to watch him. Argument for best pitcher. Argument for best hitter. I do. I rue the day. I hope we get to future baseball where there's like two-way players just exist.

But like I want a media. I'd love a mediocre one. Like if Michael Conforto was also just a starting pitcher with like a 4-2ERA, like yeah. Nice. Instead, Shohei's just the best at everything. Also, as you mentioned, one of the fastest guys to play the game, which that really freaks me out. Who is your, you picked a second place or if Shohei didn't exist? I think right now we're looking at the second best player in baseball, and it's Pete Crowe Armstrong. What he brings defensively, I think everybody knows he's an absolute world-class defender. He's probably the best defender in all of baseball. I know Patrick Bainter. I know Patrick Bainty. Daily defenders are going to be out there. But always. Watching this guy run around in center field is an absolute treat.

And then you know, you could point to PCA. Okay, offensively hasn't been that great. Well, this year he has been. 908 OPS. The on base percentage is what everyone always points to. Last year, it ended up at 287. This year he's at 383. Almost 100 points jump in his in his, on base percentage.

he's increased his walk percentage from four and a half last year to 10.4 so above major league average. The strikeout percentage has been consistent throughout his time in the big leagues, but bringing the walks up is a big thing for him. And again, you're talking about a guy that's the best defender in baseball with a 908 OPS. I mean, if it wasn't for Shohei, this would be the National League MVP. Yeah, and I, you know, there are some Cubs fans that'll tell you. I mean, Shohei 5.5B war, PCA 5.2. Like, it could get interesting, and I also MVP of baseball that they don't give out.

Where Yordaun's final numbers land could make things interesting. Like I think Pete with the way he runs and his defense, I do think all around you'd have to give him the nod. But man, how dominant Yordaun has been offensively. Where those numbers land. But that being said, Pete's got a 908 OPS. I mean, guys don't do that. Like, you mentioned the walk stuff. Like, the light bulb's gone on for him,

and that's the light bulb going on for a seven-war player, which it's scary what he could turn into. Shout out James Wood, Camero, Nick Kurtz listed, but fight in a tough fight. Trev, this is one of our last couple fun ones before we get to the fan submissions. It's the game of the year, and it's presented by X-Finity,

some amazing options. We got extra inning games. We got walk-offs. I'd love to know your thought process because you and I, I feel like this is one that we're seeing the board differently. Do you know what I picked?

I do not. I'm just guessing. Yeah, look, we've had some obviously incredible games. I kind of threw the games in like Vegas out the window, like just like the Homer Fest. Same. I'm kind of out on that. I like lead.

changes. I like big time players coming through, but I also like, you know, different guys showing up in moments. And I like when a team, I feel like has one game that puts them on this trajectory. And I think

this is what we have here for my White Sox. It's been a big White Sox episode for me. I am going with the White Sox versus the Cubs and their walkoff. different reasons, okay? The Cubs at the time, 29 and 18. This is a game that the White Sox won 9 to 8, so there was a walkoff here.

9, excuse me, 29 and 18 for the Cubs. The White Sox's second essential, so behind the guardians, they were 24 and 22 at the time. You have a big, big homer by, let's see, I have it up here, by Tristan Peters in the bottom of the eighth. So all of a sudden, boom, you're up seven to four in this game. And again, Tristan Peter's a guy not really well known, a guy that's stepped up for this White Sox team. It's kind of like what I think embodies what they do.

Yes, they have some of these guys like a Miguel Vargas having a great year. Murakami's hitting homers in Montgomery. We talk about those guys a lot. But the bottom part of their lineup can really do some damage. So now you get Tristan Peters, seven to four, bottom on the eighth. All we got to do is close it out. games ours well Michael Conforto says not so fast three run homer in the top of the night so all a sudden you got a tie ball game um and that's that can take you know obviously the momentum is gone

but it can take the wind out of your sales especially for a team that's like are are we good like are we really good like is our bullpen going to continue to blow games i'm not really sure it seems like it today the cubs take the least lead in the 10th on an Alex Breggman ground ball so they get that runner in. It's eight to seven. And then who comes to bat in the bottom of the 10th and Ices the game puts it away. Edgar Carrow, another guy at the bottom of their lineup comes through. He's got, this is an incredible trip around the bases here too. And I think this is when the White Sox were like, oh, we're, we're legit. Like this, we're actually a really good team. And we can come back against.

anybody and we can withstand a big knockout punch. To me, this is the game of the year. I should have never doubted it. You hear me a little choked up. Yes, Trev, you nailed it, man. This was the White Sox announcement. This was baseball mattering for both Chicago teams for the first time in a little bit. The Cubs, yes, it was everything.

You nailed it. I, you know, the Yordawn walkoff on 4th of July, that's definitely a signature. one, especially if he were to go on and have like an MVP type season. And if Houston gets back in the mix, those Brewer's Braves games recently that each ended it with walk-off one-run games. Like, yes, those were kind of playoff baseball, the two top dogs meeting up in the NL. But yeah, what it meant for the White Sox, what it meant for, are we calling it the Cross Town

Classic in Chicago? Sure, the Windy City Showdown. Yes, it was the White Sox arrival, and it was, like, I think it might have been the first playoff atmosphere of the year. Like, I know we get kind of flippant with that term because playoffs are completely different. But that game meant more for everything that mattered and to have the lead change or lost so many times early and often and late. Well done.

I should have never doubted you. That's on me. That wasn't the PCA S-MyD game, was it? Ooh, it was definitely that weekend. It was that weekend. It was that weekend? That would just add,

that's a cherry on top. How are you going to Google that, Dahl? Because I just thought about it. Tricky, tricky words. Pete, Pete yells at fan. That was May 17th.

So that was later. That was like a... Wait? Oh, no, same game. Same game of the year. Game of the year. Game of the year. I thought it might be, but I didn't really,

yeah, I didn't run a search B. Cromchong S my D. Oh, man. Tough Google search. Yeah, and look, I've said it before. When the White Sox are good, that stadium fills up and it is awesome. Hostile. It is hostile.

It's a great word for it. But they do love the socks. They just haven't had anything to root for. Would you go root on a 41 win team? Oh, dude. Right. They're back in it now and the stadium's filling up again. And you're right.

Like doing it against the Cubs. Everything about that game. Phenomenal. Thanks to our partners at Xfinity with All-Star Weekend right around the corner. Make sure you're connected with Xfinity home and internet so you don't miss a single moment of the action. Xfinity get it now. So you can watch these amazing, amazing games. This is where things are really about to tip.

maybe one of the few awards I said we need to give out on our first inaugural, semi-annual mid-season award show. What did you say? inaugural? I can't say that word, it turns out. That's time four that I can't. The R is at the end.

inaugural. Okay. Close enough. The player most like Trevor Plouf. Again, this was a wide open board. Do I have to do this one? do this one. Okay, that's fine. I did. And I can, I can give you a full kick on this one, because I really, I really dug in. Because I didn't want it to just be left side of the infield, although that has

some of your roots. I also wanted to go, you know, it could be, could it be end of career, Trevor Plouffe? Could it be early in career, Trevor Plouffe? Could it be mid-career Trevor Plouf? I looked at the board. Someone who just retired, we've said this before, Gio or Shella? Like, I don't know. He's just a third baseman. He, you know, got some real pop in his back. Could pick it a little bit around. You can't give me a retired guy? He retired.

He's out. But I just wanted to show people that, you know, this could go wide and far. When I wanted to look, because I didn't want it to just be infielders, I wanted to get the feel of Trevor Plouf. We're mashing lefties. We're contributing. Lane Thomas popped up. And I was like, I don't know.

An outfield Trevor Plouf a little bit? You know, a little white bread. You might have a little more in there. I don't know. I don't know. Patrick Wisdom's been thrown out before, no time for it, having a tough year, that I really started to run into some things. My fourth place winner, it's a little too on the nose while not being on the nose,

and that's why it's fourth place. Josh Young, just like third base, like he's got some go in that bat. He can pick it a little bit. Young third baseman might be finding it on his way. But I don't know. It was just like, oh, white third baseman, I don't know. here you go, maybe this is true. Third place, you're going to like this and royal fans aren't.

Michael Garcia. A.L. Central. Coach, that's tough. That's tough for Mikel. That's tough for the rest of his career, because you guys are around the same career war right now. Right now, Michael, last year is the outlier for Michael Garcia. And obviously your games are different, but I don't know. Like, you know, chippy AL Central guy, you know, bright future ahead that there's a

a reason he finished third place, but I don't... All right, he's a 700 career OPS, you're right. That's what I'm saying. Like, you got some juice in that stick. And you could have cooked the books if you knew more about the defensive war stuff earlier. You know, like, I've got... The 5-8 season has my famous 4-2 season. You know, if you cook the books with defensive war, you would have been a 15-war guy, but we didn't know all the numbers that went into it.

So that was... He was a high-end model of Trevor Plouf. Your second place, finisher, I went young. L.A. guy can play some corner. Got a little, uh, uh, jeanisequaha. I don't know, he's got a little good looks. He might like a nice dinner. Kyle Caros.

Kyle Caros from your Colorado Rockies, you know, has grew up in L.A. You know, it's the light bulb starting to go on. He's mashing lefties this year. He's like, okay, young Kyle Caros, young Trevor Plouf. Okay. I wasn't ready to go there. There's a guy, again, some corner infield moving around. He's got a little more pool, pool man in him.

You're the son of a pool man. But it looks like it might be coming on a lot of pop from this guy. I think we're about to see him have a couple. couple nice years, maybe at third, maybe all over. The Trevor Plouffe Award goes to Casey Schmidt from your San Francisco Giants. Pop, I have his page up right now. That's who I, on a whim, I said, I have a guy in my mind. I went Casey Schmidt.

That's just strong arm, third baseman, little bit of popping is that competing with Matt Chapman. High T. Like getting his opportunity and it's starting to. go now. He's got some real power. I feel like it's going to be there. Here's the face mash of you two. I mean, they need more of me in that. They took a lot of Schmidt. They took a lot of that just looks like Casey Schmidt. Yeah, that looks like that looks like a player you just see who gets on the raise and has an 800 OPS. We debuted same age. You know, kind of struggling to find our footing right away.

He's getting some more opportunity this year running with it. I like it. I like the call there. Another California. He has a chance to win one of the best defensive plays later on in the game. I had a few times in my life where I made some plays. Yes. Okay.

Another California guy. I think he's a little San Diego. Not a great OBP. We're in lockstep, baby. Congratulations. The first ever midseason Trevor Plouffe Award winner. All right. Let's keep true. Actually, this is one that people would probably care about that we shouldn't be high and tight with, but the game on the line award. This is easy for me. Oh, then please. It's Yordaun Alvarez. Yeah, it is Yordaun Alvarez.

Game on the line. There's no, he's, he's, he's platoon proof, like he's hits lefties, he hits righties. He hits homers. He puts together good at bats, doesn't care about two strikes. He is, to me, right now he's the most he should be the most fearful hitter in all of baseball so i yeah i you know i i think you can put won soto in this discussion as well obviously but to me if i see big bad you're non walking up to the plate that's he's going to get it done every single time guy has a world series winning home run uh every time you bring up his career page it's shocking the other guys listed i mean erin judge sure kurt's common nick show hey schwartz Orber Witt. Yandi Diaz has some clutch stats that are impressive, and again, there's a different argument there.

It's Yordan, and the two stats that jumped off the page to me, runners in scoring position and two outs. He currently has a 1.6 OPS, all the other guys in that category. Only one other guy is one dotting. and then with two strikes like two strikes is everyone in the world has bad stats with two strikes

because the pitchers almost won the war at that point Yordon with two strikes is 282, 349 and 889 OPS those other guys I just mentioned the best hitters in the world Schwarber

470 Otani 537 Judge 641 like in that situation you have lost the war except Yordaun Alvarez. Yeah, he is the pick. 100 percentile and expected Wobha, 100 percentile and expected batting average, 100 percentile and expected slug,

average exit veloat, 94.8, that's 99 percentile, barrel percentage 98, hard hit percentage 96, launch angle, sweet spot percentage 98. Like, what do you want from this guy? Oh, you think he strikes out too much? 73rd percentile in K percentage 17.4. So yeah, Juan Soto has him in that a little bit, but this guy also walks 14.7% of the time, 94 percentile on that as well.

Like he just, I think what you mentioned and I kind of said it in passing as well, it is the two-strike ability, still to do damage, doesn't care, never off balance. I don't think I've ever seen Nordaun Alvarez off balance. and that to me is the mark of, I mean, what you could say is the best hitter in baseball right now. Yes, the stats are there, the balance is there, well done. And it's a reason Houston's still very much in the mix of this season. I'll kick to you, pal, because this is our final award before we get to, we put out some tweets for the fans to vote on best outfield throw,

best double play, best home run robbery, although I'll still love to hear your opinion. But the best material change, something we've talked about on this show for a while. A good, you're losing in the eighth inning, you flip the script, here comes your closer, you've won the game. We tried to name it.

Treve landed on material change. He loves it. We're trying to figure it out. Maybe this will be the final sticking point. There's some amazing candidates. Do you want me to rip them? Do you want to rip them? As far as the candidates,

Go ahead. I'll have my answer. So seeing your guy, Christian Yellich here, with his go-ahead pinch hit home run for Milwaukee, against those White Sox, down 7-6. He hits the three-run, home run, and a little, a yelly bat drop, maybe more impactful than the bat flip. As this kind of got the Brewers going into Brewers on.

Look how excited that fan was, almost too excited, but it's material change, people. That's what gets you going. Look at that. That's baseball. This Jose Fernandez, his debut, his second home run, comes off. Kenley Jansen for the material change scoreboard flip. Just absolutely unreal.

And we love this just because, like, you're only young once. You only have your first game once. And the look on his face of confidence with just that natural youth off of Kenley was amazing. Kyle Caros with another shout out. A 471-foot ding-dong for the Rockies against the Giants going to left center. I mean, just one of the longest home runs you're going to see of this 2026 baseball season. He hits it and he knows he got it, by the way. A couple casual steps out of the box there.

Where does that one go? And then Will Smith, who ends up on every list, usually in second place for us. Opening weekend, getting the sweep against the diamond backs. This one might have been Dalton just trying to get another snake's loss on the list, if I'm being honest. I went with an opening weekend material change here. And I did go with my guy, Christian Yellich. I love the bat drop. I love the fact that it was a pinch hit.

This was against the white socks. So, like, we didn't know what kind of team they were going to be at this point. They lost the first game 14 to 2. And then the Brewers won the next one, six to one. So they're already feeling themselves. Like, okay, you know what? If we lose this game, we win the series, no big deal. And Pat Murvery said, hey, Yelly, why don't you go win the game for us?

Yeah, that's their clothes are on the mound. 2-2. Two-strikes split that he hangs. And Yelly puts it in the freaking seats for the three-run homer. Three run material changes. That is to put your team up by two, you got breathing room going into the ninth, started their season off with a sweep.

I don't know. There's just something about this. I remember when this happened, we're like, there's Yelly, and there's the Brewers again. I think if this wasn't the inaugural award show, I think Jose Fernandez gets it. Two homers, Ken Lee,

also a three-run material. change. It was neck and neck with Yelly. I don't even know if I got a vote on this one, but I also gave it to Yelly. It's your guy. It's material change. It's the White Sox whose season goes on to better things. It's the Brewers whose season goes on to better things. And that Yelly Batflip, that one stuck with me. Like when I first, when I rewatch that, I was like, oh yeah. Oh, yeah. It's the pinch hit material change, I think is the best type of material change. Hey, go, we need your dog. I know it was kind of your semi-off day, but why don't you just go win it for us? And he does. The coolest thing you can do in baseball right there. The pinch hit is impressive.

This is, this is my day's work. How about we win today? Not bad. I doubt he even went and played defense in the top of the night. Like, yeah, you just, you hit the ball, you trotted on the base is, hey, good job. Put your turf song. All right. Who wants to interview me post game? Yeah, I was looking for a pitch to drive and I drove it and we won. I got the splitter and it was up and I didn't miss it. Congrats to the best material change award, prestigious. Let's start getting into these. We put these out for the fans.

The best seed, the best outfield throw, Trev, did you have a pick? So the fans already voted on this? The fans have already voted. So their ballot counts. I have. Okay, yeah, I mean, I did make my selections here. For the best, though, I went Addison Barger. Sure, bam, bam.

Yeah, I believe he was coming back from injury in this game. And it was kind of a, he gets behind it enough. You're seeing it right here. It's kind of like a soft line drive and kind of catches it like a little bit glove side open. But he's able to like turn his shoulder. shoulders back towards the plate and fires an absolute strike. And we know the type of arm that he has.

And it's just kind of jarring to see a nice pick here at the plate too. But this thing is an absolute C. I believe it was 101 miles an hour into the plate. Of course, it's the angels that get out. But whenever he's out in the outfield and he gets a chance to throw the ball, you got to be on the lookout because that thing is an absolute rocket. I like it. I left it for the people here.

The sicko and me might go for Eli White's throw just because it was literally perfect. It was literally perfect. It was literally perfect. Jack Caglione's on here. Who'd the people go with, Bobo? The people went with Addison Barger. Wow.

Snaps. Yes. He won 41.3%. Andy Pahez coming in at 25.5%. Jack Caglione and then Eli White. I do like watching any Pahas play out there. He plays like a middle infielder. So he does,

he will get behind balls and make accurate throws, but he also will sidearm a ball and get it into the middle infielers and have them kind of complete the relay, if you will. To me, Pahas has the best transfer to throw like quickness of any outfielder right now. Yeah, this throw, it's a great throw. Obviously, it's on the list.

For me, it's a little shallow. Like, I think if you compare where Paez gets that ball compared to Bam Bam, like those are two very different throws. But he's been awesome. He wins everything else. The best double play turns. We've got your guy Casey Schmidt on here, literally your guy. Brian Rokio had to pop up at some point.

We've got Nassim Nunez, a favorite. And we've got a Mariners versus Red Sox double play. Which one did you like, Treve? And then we'll see what the people had. At first I was going to go with Rokio, just kind of like the baseball IQ type of situation going on here. It kind of slides up the middle, the touch of the bag, the spin, the throw to our guy, Reese Hoskins, who makes a really nice pick. So it involves a couple different people. I thought it was cool.

We've always loved watching Rokio play middle and field. We're going to show it here on the screen here. My God. podcast only. I'll try to describe it to you. Jazz Chishol goes up the middle, puts Rochio right on the base, and he tags it with his glove, spins all in one motion, and then Reese Hoskins kind of in between a hop, goes back. Doesn't go out and try to get it, but goes back, which makes it really difficult. You've got to get really handsy right there.

And obviously a big part of the game was first and third tie ball game late there to save the game. The one I ended up actually picking, though, was my guy, Casey Schmidt. before I thought you were going to give him the award for me. Again, another technical play. Base is loaded right here. A lot of times when you're in this situation, you're going to cross the bag. I used to tell Kurt Suzuki this all the time.

If I go across the bag, I'm going to come to you and you've got to make a tag. So you kind of communicate with your catcher because the force will no longer be there. But he decides to throw at first base, Al-a-Mani Machata going across. And he gets some absolute steam on this ball. a short hop over there to Eldridge who he picks it. And that was, he didn't plant at all.

He was still running away when he threw that ball. To be able to get that much on the throw, I thought was really impressive. That's why he won the Trevor Plouffe Award. And that's also why Casey Smith won the fan vote for the best double play. We know ball. Are people no ball? Damn.

That, uh, that Rokio one is I can, I watched that all day. It's fun baseball play. To field it, tag the bag, spin and throw in essentially one motion, that's a near impossibility. Not for Rokio. Congrats to this year's Trevor Plouffe Award winner.

Casey Schmidt cleaning up at the first semi-annual. Sorry, Chapie. Inogural awards. Our last one, the home run robbery, the Crem de la Crem. Derek Hills jumps out because we called it the perfect robbery. Joe Adele had a three home run robbery game. Colby Thomas entered in the mix.

Is that the back crack? Yeah, it is. Yeah, it is. We like the fan catch more in that game. And Nathan Church is game winning home run robbery against the rats. Coach, what do you see? I know we've said Derek Hill on this show because it was, really like perfect route perfect sprint perfect

timing of the jump full extension over the wall it was against Juan Soto I feel like always has balls robbed against him for some reason hit the ball a little farther Juan jeesh I don't know that was awesome and then when you remind me that Joe Adele had the catch in right field goes into the stands the picture's amazing and that was the third one of the night I think I think I go I'll vote for Joe Adele

just because it was the third one. And you get this iconic picture. And I don't know, man. That was the angels need something, Coach. In my head, it was Hill because it was picturesque. Rewatching that Joe Adele one, I'll give him my vote. Because that's not picturesque. And that ironically makes it more picturesque.

Like he goes flying into the stands. And then while not being picturesque has one of the more iconic photos we've seen taken at a baseball game that, where'd the people go, Bobbo? Well, you guys are in lockstep with the people because it is Joe Adele. Okay, good. By 58.1% of the vote over Derek Hill

who got 28.7. Derek Hill, the other, I mean, if you're a baseball sicko, Derek Hill being a vagabond this season and just showing up on different teams and like, all right, I'm on the Phillies. Let me bring this one back. and Joe Adele

Futurally traded to the Philly So how do you like that? Wow. Wow! Snaps to us, snaps to Robin Doll the first, the inaugural

semi-annual half-year award show. What did you? Did you guys agree with us? Let us know. Because it is Wednesday, now I'm losing my voice, we're going to send you guys out with our

Fanatics Wednesday market, look in fanatics markets where we check out a couple of the games. And you guys see what you trade. Speaking of trades. Brewers versus Cardinals. Kyle Harrison versus Michael McGreevy, a little NL Centrale for you. The Brewers off to their vastest start in franchise history. That's not bad. Treve, what do you see in the Midwest?

I just love this matchup between these two teams. Cardinals trying to punch up, I guess, at the Brewers. Miseraowski, Gasser, did a great job with the sweep of the Cardinals last night, and now it is, I mean, you get swept if you're the Cardinals and the double-header, then you get Kyle Harrison on the bump the next day. That's tough. Tough. One in seven against the Brewers this season.

Cardinals have lost seven of eight home games, but it's Michael McGrady's birthday. So let's see what happens there. The final game we're looking into Angels versus Rangers. It's your guy, Walbert, Urania. It's my guy, Mackenzie Gore. Angels have lost seven straight games,

cheese. Rangers have not lost a season series to the Angels since 2021. Coach? Well, you do have your guy, Walmart, Urania on the hill, if you're the Angels, The stat I mentioned earlier with Foster Griffin,

five innings pitch of one earned runner less this season. In the AAL, he's only behind Schlittler, Martin, Gilbert Gray, and Martinez. So he's been one of these guys that's taking the ball, gone deep in the games, and hasn't given up any damage. And then you got McKenzie Gore on the other side, who's been fantastic against the Angels

and three career starts of 198 E-R-A. So this could be end up being a pitcher's duel. That's what it's telling us. This episode is brought to you by Fanatics Markets, fans trade on sports. It's simple. Pick a game, choose an outcome. Which team is going to win? Which player will hit a home run? And more. Get involved. And then buy contracts based on what you think will happen. Yes, if you think it will. No, if you don't. Buy as many as you want. Sell if the price moves in your favor or let them settle when the event ends. And Fanatics markets just got even more

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Must be 21 plus see important disclosures in Fanatics Markets of App. Customers are introduced to crypto.com by Paragon Global Markets LLC, DBA, Fanatics Markets, IB, and introducing broker, registrar. with CFTC and a member of the NFA. That was the first half of the season award show. Yeah, mid-season awards. That's what we're calling. I don't want to give it like some weird name like everyone does.

This is what it is. Half of the season award show. No, like material change award show. Trev, I cannot wait. Friday we record. Saturday we touch. Go Twins go. Jake sucks.

If we win the next two games against the Guardians, we're back to 500. We catch him in the Central. It's Cody Clemens. It's Ryan Crather, the cry baby. It's September 1st. Four AL Central teams are tied for first place at 500. A hockey sack with the entire bullpen yesterday on the field. Hackie sack's back.