Here’s a rewritten version of the content in my own words:
The Marlins are making waves with a remarkable winning streak! Last week, Kyle Stowers, Agustin Ramirez, and Otto Lopez collectively notched 30 hits, 16 extra-base hits, and 27 RBIs, each boasting OPS figures over 1.200. Though these names might not be widely recognized yet, their impressive performances deserve attention.
Celebrating the Marlins’ seven-game winning streak, this week’s power rankings highlight unsung players fueling their teams’ lineups. For instance, the Rockies snagged Tyler Freeman in a trade for Nolan Jones before the season, and Freeman leads all qualified MLB right fielders in June with a .373 batting average and ranks fourth in OPS at .985.
Kyle Thiel, a 23-year-old catcher for the White Sox, has been hot lately, entering the scene with a .421 on-base percentage and a 136 OPS+, hinting at his potential as part of the team’s future. Rookie Nick Kurtz, despite Jacob Wilson being the AL rookie favorite, smashed 7 homers with a .934 OPS in June, leading MLB’s first basemen in home runs that month.
Andrew McCutchen stood out as one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable hitters during their sweep of the Mets, while Luis Garcia Jr. is stepping up for the Nationals, batting .292 in June amid a team desperate for more offensive support beyond James Wood and CJ Abrams.
The Marlins continued their hot streak, sweeping the Giants and Diamondbacks with Lopez posting a stellar 1.200 OPS and 15 RBIs in his last seven games. For the Orioles, despite Ryan O’Hern’s All-Star DH role, Ramon Laureano has the best OPS (.863), making both potentially valuable trade assets if the team stalls.
With Bobby Witt Jr. as the Royals’ standout player, Maikel Garcia’s superior batting this year deserves more recognition as the team struggles, losing seven of their last eight games. Even among stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson, rookie Drake Baldwin impresses as the Braves’ third-best hitter with a 130 WRC+.
Willi Castro, an All-Star last year, has regressed to league-average performance while covering multiple positions. The Guardians barely managed a win over the Blue Jays last week and rank 27th in OPS, with Kyle Manzardo’s 13 homers providing a bright spot in a weak lineup.
The Red Sox continue struggling post-Devers trade, losing seven of eight and ranking 27th in WRC+, though Romy Gonzalez’s success against lefties remains a positive. In Cincinnati, power hitter Eugenio Suarez leads despite injuries to Corbin Carroll and Josh Naylor, marking his best career OPS+ at 141 with 25 homers.
The Angels, just two games shy of the wildcard, rely on Joe Adele, who leads the team with 18 homers as the club improves. For the Diamondbacks, Josh Smith’s league-average hitting matches Corey Seager’s OPS, contributing to a still-mysterious offense.
JP Crawford’s rebound has been pivotal for the Mariners’ offense, reminiscent of his MVP vote-worthy season two years ago. For the Giants, Matt Chapman’s injury has shown how critical he is, as the team fell to 1-5 in his absence while awaiting his return.
The Reds recently earned series wins against the Yankees and Padres, with Ellie de la Cruz emerging as MVP-caliber talent amid contributions from Spencer Steer. Toronto’s Ernie Clement has surged with a .379 average and .959 OPS in his last 30 games, as the Blue Jays close in on the division-leading Yankees.
The Padres have limited offensive depth beyond stars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jackson Merrill. The Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson continue to propel the team offensively, leading in WRC+ and OPS.
Milwaukee remains strong with Sal Frelick and Brett Barlowe exemplifying their winning formula through high offensive production, speed, and solid defense. The Mets, despite Juan Soto’s return to form, have endured a tough stretch, but Brandon Nimmo’s strong June performance stands out.
The Rays’ offense extends beyond Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero, with Brandon Lowe leading MLB second basemen in homers and Yandy Díaz hitting over .400 in June. For the Yankees, healthy Jazz Chisholm Jr. ranks second in OPS behind Aaron Judge, bringing consistent above-league-average performance.
Despite Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong grabbing headlines, Michael Bush quietly posts the team’s second-best OPS with a powerful June. The Phillies’ offense hinges on Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, with Trea Turner’s impressive June (.856 OPS, six homers, six steals) providing crucial support.
The Astros have surged lately, dominating the Phillies and Cubs, with Jeremy Pena and Kyle Tucker playing key roles. Isaac Paredes also shines with 17 homers and a strong June OPS. Rookie Zach McKinstry is becoming a valuable contributor for the Tigers, boasting over .800 OPS and leading the team with 10 stolen bases.
The have extended their NL West lead to seven games. While Max Muncy is an All-Star, Andy Page’s impressive stats—second in hits and homers on the team—deserve more recognition for his 30% above-league-average performance.
Rowan Kabner is an MLB writer for Fox Sports, covering teams like the LA and Dallas Cowboys, with personal roots stretching from California to Texas.
Fan Take: This rundown of emerging and underrated players highlights the depth of talent shaping MLB’s current landscape beyond the superstars. For baseball fans, these stories emphasize how unexpected contributors can tilt the balance in tight races, making every game more exciting and unpredictable.
