Cincinnati Reds first baseball slash former top prospect slash hearth throb Spencer Steer took his bull by the horns Friday night and his cow bell rang up three dings dongs starting the fun with this solo shot in the second inning, then again in the fourth, then completed the hat trick with a two run bomb in the fifth for his fourth run batted in of the night! Holy cow! He was the first Reds player with a three homer game since Jesse Winker in 2021. Spence is hitting .410 with four home runs, nine RBI and a 1.246 OPS in his last 10 games, slugging .846 in that stretch. Where have you been all this time, Mr. Steer? Spencer blasted himself onto the scene in 2023 when he hit .270 with 23 home runs and 15 steals, but disappointed in 2024 hitting just .225 despite hitting 20 home runs and 25 steals. A popular sleeper pick this year, Steer has an even more concerning start to 2025 hitting just .188 in April with two home runs, but he turned things around quick in May, and he’s now hitting a respectable .308 since May 11th despite a lack of power. Well, the power has finally arrived with five home runs in the past two weeks! They say you can get a good look at a T-bone steak by sticking your head into and taking a peak at his baseball savant page and they don’t tell the best story unfortunately. Not-a-lotta red for a Red, if you known what I mean. He’s still clearly a hot little potato covered in more cheddar cheese than you believe would ever be necessary, as is the Cincy way, but as Grey mentioned when he told you to BUY, the power and speed are pretty mid, he never walks and he’s striking out at an alarming pace. Still, I’m not about to cow plop his magical night. How dairy! Over the past two weeks his barrels are up and Ks are down a bit and he’s been on base in nine of his last 11 games. There’s some hope for our boy! Whether or not he’s figured his ish out, he’s .310/.322/.560 with five homers and 14 RBI in June and he’s been hotter than a bowl of Skyline spaghetti chili. Don’t buy the cow when you can grab the Steer off waivers, it’s time to grab this Steer by the horns and I’d add him everywhere he’s available. It would behoove you not to steer clear of Spencer!
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Nick Martinez – 8.0 IP, 1 hit, ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 5th win. N-Mart carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning and immediately gave up a double to Elias Diaz. I saw he was pitching a no-no and turned the game on the the ninth so, my bad, Nick, I likely fully jinxed you. Aside from this dominant start he is mostly underwhelming (69/21 K/BB) but he does get the Red Sox next week and they look terrible.
Will Warren – 5.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 5th win. Fantasy ‘perts, also known as n3rds, Will warn you about Will Warren and his bloated 4.37 ERA, but depending how ‘perty they are, and usually the more nerdy the less ‘perty, they will point out his high BABIP, low xFIP and low LOB% meaning he’s actually pitching a lot better than his ERA says. Well, with delicious 103/35 K/BB and five wins, I could really care less.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 1-for-4, HR (12). Yankees offense still looks mostly anemic every other day. You can blame that on Judge, who was apparently broked by the Red Sox. Jizzum Chizzum is hitting .324 since returning from his injury in early June. This isn’t on him!
Juan Soto – 1-for-2, HR (20). This was a fairly embarrassing loss for this Mets team but its wasn’t due to Soto who hit his 20th, and is clearly out there not having fun being a toxic member of the team clubhouse where everyone hates him. Anyone else remember that narrative? Me neither! The home run was his 11th in June (ELEVEN) and before he goes all Schwarber on us even more impressive is he’s walked 25 times this month, striking out just 15 times. He’s rocking a 1.259 OPS! Sweet sassy molassy!
Mitch Keller – 5.1 IP, 5 hits, ER, BB, 4 K. Well, I can’t say I saw this one coming. Mitch was hit pretty hard but only gave up the one solo home run to Soto. It’s amazing what a 4-run lead can do for a guy’s confidence. It was his first win since March (!) despite some respectable ratios. He’s gotta get off this Pirates team.
David Peterson – 4.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K. Did you think he was a sub-3 ERA pitcher? Regression fairies don’t find your JD Vance memes funny. They’re concerned it could put their end of summer trip abroad in jeopardy and they will destroy your ratios.
Bryan Reynolds – 2-for-5, HR (9), 3 RBI. B-Rey is hitting .385 in the past with going 10-for-22 in his past five games. What’s sad is the offense looks better without Oneil Cruz.
Ryan Pepiot – 1.2 IP, 5 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, K. Pep was given a comfy six run cushion in this one but was unable to capitalize being pulled in the second after surrendering four runs. It was the first time since April he allowed more than 3 ER in a start. It was that kind of Friday. He should fare better against the A’s next week.
Tomoyuki Sugano – 5.0 IP, 9 hits, 7 ER, BB, 2 K, 6th win. He actually got the win for this performance despite surrendering three home runs in the second inning. Tomo arrigato Mr. Sugano! His underlying metrics are, well, not good and suggest he’s had a bit of good luck and for a pitcher who’s surrendered 17 home runs this year that’s a tad concerning. But hey, nice win!
Gary Sanchez – 4-for-4, 4 runs, HR (4), 2 RBI. The Sanchize had capitalized on his extra playing time with Adley sidelined and is hitting .382 with four homers in the past two weeks including this shot to erase a 6-run deficit. The crowd was chanting “GAR-RY” and he’s got a 1.186 OPS since returning from the IL earlier this month. O’s really need something to cheer for I guess. Let them have this.
Gunnar Henderson – 4-for-6, HR (9), 2 RBI. Jackson Holliday (10) and Coby Mayo (5) also homered. Basically everyone homered. O’s scored 20 runs with 21 hits and trailed 6-0 at one point. Gunnar’s home run came in the 9th off a position player and was just barely gone and was his first time going yard since June 5th. Yeesh. If I’m not mistaken the last home run he hit was also off a position player so it’s hard to glean a ton of hope from this as the O’s literally feasted but I will still take it.
Brandon Lowe – 2-for-5, 2 runs, HR (17), 4 RBI. Josh Lowe also homered (5). They shared a last name so this was an obvious opportunity to give them a shared blurb. No they are not brothers, but Josh’s brothers, Nathaniel Lowe also had a great game. Lowe and behold!
Chandler Simpson – 1-for-3, run, SB (20). We’re so back! Never been so back.
David Festa – 5.2 IP, 2 hits, 6 K, 2nd win. Uncle Festa did his Wednesday dance for what was a pretty dominant outing for him, especially considering the opponent. He made the Tigers look like kittens and lowered his ERA to a sparkling 5.40. Ew. It was a Festa fiesta and he gets the Marlins next week and I could see considering the prospect of maybe thinking about mulling over the possibility of contemplating whether or not I should review the option of potentially picking him up. I still don’t know for sure, though!
Byron Buxton – 1-for-4, 2 runs, HR (18), SB (14). He’s hitting .3286 with 7 homers and 3 steals over the past two weeks, scoring 12 runs and driving in 8 RBI. The home run was a 420 foot tank. He looks like a top 10 player right now and his .911 OPS is top 5 among all outfielders. The speed is especially impressive for a glass 31-year old. Grey told you to SELL and I can’t imagine his ceiling is much higher than this? How is this dude not an all star?
Brooks Lee – 2-for-4, 2 RBI, slashing .281/.316/.417. Hitting .400 over the past week and a good answer to the question “Who else is even on the Twinks?”
Sonny Gray – 9.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 11 K, 8th win. Definitely more Sonny than Gray in this one needing less than 90 pitches to complete a one hit shut out and struck out 11! The Guards look pretty hapless without JoRam, but credit where credit is due. I’ll let Vin tell you where he ranks on the top 100 starts of the year but I bet he’s up there! And how about that 101/17 K/BB. *swoons* Sonny Gray! Racking up, Ks all day! On his way, to making my fantasy dreamsssss. Can you tell me how to get, Sonny Grey on everyyy teammmm!
Alec Burleson – 2-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI. He was a BUY and a pre-season sleeper and even though the second I added him I wanted to drop him but he’s already hit three homers this week with 8 RBI. My therapist, aka Chat GPT, says I just can’t be happy being happy.
Jose Berrios – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, BB, 8 K, 4th win, ERA at 3.26. One of his best starts of the year, which is saying something as dude is a quality start machine. That’s back to back wins against two of the worst offenses in the league, things get tough next week versus New York but seems like you can’t jam this Berrios!
Brayan Bello – 6.0 IP, 8 hits, 3 ER, 3 BB, K, 3rd L. Bello has put together a solid-ish June (2.87 ERA, 23/10 K/BB) and his Ks have gone up a tick after introducing a cutter which he barely threw on Friday. The ceiling for BB still seems too low to risk it.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 2-for-4, 3 runs, SB (3). Vlad was an early scratch and somehow talked the trainers into playing and then he’s out there and he’s getting hits and stealing bases and definitely didn’t look hurt? Sucha diva.
Landen Roupp – 5.1 IP, 7 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 6th win. Just keep streaming against the White Sox and all will be well.
Cade Horton – 4.0 IP, 8 hits, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 K. Horton fears a Houston line up. Not sure they read me that one in pre-school, but the Stros are one of the hottest teams in June and I’m not sure you’ve read this one but it’s called, Houston is a wagon, ya’ll!
Brandon Walter – 6.0 IP, 5 hits, ER, 5 K, 1st win. Astros could turn Kike Hernandez into a quality starter. Not to take anything away from B-Wals who literally does not walk anyone. Your dog’s least favorite pitcher, Walter has a 30/2 K/BB through five starts and gets the Rox at Coors next week. Unclear if he gets bumped for McCullers but regardless you could potentially start an Astros there. Any Astro.
Cam Smith – 2-for-4, HR (6), 3 RBI. Have a day rook! Here’s the sweet, sweet revenge jack against the team who traded him! You will regret! His third homer in the past two weeks and he’s got a .990 OPS in that stretch. He hit clean up last night and has had great success there, although limited opportunity (two games). If he can do this more, ie hit for power, he’s in for a huge second half. I’d be buying!
Yainer Diaz – 3-for-4, HR (10), 3 RBI. His stats are mostly yawnstipating but I feel like I mention him a lot. He must be a big Friday guy.
Jose Quintana – 5.2 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 6th win. Just keep streaming against the Rockies and all will be well.
Jackson Chourio – 1-for-4, HR (13), 4 RBI. The Brew Crew had a 6-run fourth inning including this 3-run shot from JC. He’s hit a bit of a slump lately but overall a nice June slashing .250/.291/.458 with 4 homers and 4 steals. That’s a 25/25 player, internet friends and stalkers.
Sal Frelick – 2-for-4, run, RBI. Brewers scored nine runs with 13 hits. The Brewers have like four prototypical lead off hitters and I’ll be honest with you Mr. Manager, I don’t know which one I’d lead off either. I understand the dilemma!
Bryce Elder – 2.0 IP, 8 hits, 9 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, ERA at 5.82. Bryce the Elder burned me two weeks ago in his cake start vs. Colorado and despite an xFIP that suggests he’s been unlucky I beg to differ. Pick him up if you hate yourself.
Trea Turner – 4-for-6, 4 runs, 2 HR (11), SB (20). Treat Urner fully earned this cookie! G o o d b o y e!
Kyle Schwarber – 1-for-4, HR (25), SB (7). Nick Castellanos and Otto Kemp also homered as the Phillies scored 13 runs with 17 hits, including five home runs. His 6th jack this month! Which after hitting 10 in May seems like a let down given his June history, but this was a slam and legs and he still has two more days so we’ll give him a pass.
Alan Rangel – 5.0 IP, 6 hits, 0 ER, BB, 4 K. That’s a five inning save which is something I don’t know I’ve ever seen before so here it is.
Nathan Eovaldi – 3.0 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. Nasty Nate returning fresh from the IL with no rehab starts even in a soft matchup is tuff and not-so-nasty, but Kevin from ESPN’s Get-Him-In-Your-Lineup department went to the lake early Friday morning so you didn’t activate him yet, right? Right???
Logan Gilbert – 5.1 IP, 5 hits 4 ER, BB, 7 K. After allowing three homers in his last start was hoping for some improvement here but methinks he’s one more rough outing away from back-to-Ace status. He gets the Royals next week and I might buy low before Weapon X Logan returns to go all berserker on them!
Julio Rodriguez – 3-for-5, 2 runs, RBI. M’s scored 7 with 16 hits. Yes, even Juul-Rod is vaping hella fat rips now. Summer is here!
Eury Perez – 4.1 IP, 2 hits, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. The fastball is filthy. The changeup is disgusting. But he’s been inefficient and hard to trust. His 6.19ERA is ugly but again…That fastball. The upside is immense and I’d give him another shot versus the Twinks next week.
Otto Lopez – 3-for-5, HR (7), 3 RBI. Kyle Stowers (13) and Heriberto Hernandez also homered. His name is Otto he likes to get blotto!
Geraldo Perdomo – 1-for-3, HR (9). He’s been extremely valuable as a lead off hitter considering I barely knew who he was going into this year. Pardon me, Perdomo, but who are you again?
Jake McCarthy – 1-for-1, 2 runs, HR (1), SB (2). Alek Thomas (4) also homered. Ahh yes, the battle for Corbin Carroll’s playing time begins and it resulted in a slam & legs for McCarthy. In ‘Zona the slam & legs is served in a taco with lettuce and cheddar cheese and all other stuffs you wouldn’t find in a taco in Mexico.
Jose Soriano – 4.0 IP, 9 hits, 8 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Stream-O-Nator loooooved this start. Don’t. Trust. Robots. I asked ChatGPT what they thought about SoN’s miscue, and I think I broke it? It’s been thinking for hours and my laptop is on fire. I should probably take it off my balls.
Jake Irvin – 4.1 IP, 9 hits, 8 ER, 4 BB, 5 K. Friday was a terrible night to be a pitcher. He combined with Soriano to give up 16 runs, and miraculously both of them escpaed with no decisions. Who do we blame then???
Josh Bell – 1-for-4, 3 runs, HR (11), 3 RBI, slashing .194/.282/.355. Wouldn’t you just love if your team traded for him at the deadline. Sarcasm font!
James Wood – 1-for-2, 2 runs, RBI, SB (10). CJ Abrams also had three hits and a steal (17) as the Nats scored 15 runs with 19 hits! How is J-Dubs not an all star!? He’s one of the most exciting young players in the league. Whata snub. And I know its early and guys will bow out and he will ultimately more likely than not end up on the team but he’s not on the team now and I’m complaining now. I have a blog to write today. Hear me whine!
Jo Adell – 2-for-5, HR (18). Taylor Ward (20) and Nolan Schanuel (7) also homered who was a BUY. If there’s one thing the Angels do really well it’s hit home runs. Adell is just two shy of his career high and looks poised to shatter that. Along with his .806 OPS, its a career year for the post post post post…(used infinity stone to go forward in time where I view myself hunched over still typing post at my desk months later) hype sleeper and uber prospect. I think Angels fan(s) would be satisfied if this was his ceiling but he’s still only 24. He’s batting .350 over the past week. Dream bigger!
Max Muncy – 1-for-3, HR (13). His fourth homer in four games. New glasses? Something tells me it’s the new glasses. If Rick Vaughn taight us anything it’s that glasses are and always will be cool. 4 eyes > 2 eyes. That’s just math.
Dustin May – 4.0 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. May day! Things were going so well for him you knew something had to give cause Carrot top is just not that good without his suitcase full of props. The 2.1 K/BB is just not safe enough for me but he does get the White Sox next week so I’m holding him for that before saying good bye.
Tanner Scott – 1.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, BB, K, SV (18). There was a brief period there I was concerned he might lose his closing gig to Kirby or Kopech but he’s got four saves in the past week and despite being an absolute cardiac event to watch him pitch he’s getting it done, I guess. Just look away and collect your saves. It hurts to watch!
Bobby Witt Jr. – 1-for-5, HR (11). BWJ took this ball yard for 420 blaze it feet and at this point any runs for this Royals team are welcome but it wasn’t enough to avoid their sixth loss in a row. Bobby? Hank Hill would say that boy ain’t been right. If 2024 was the year of BWJ and Gunnar, in 2025 Elly has outperformed both considerably. Not to mention Pena, Wilson, and Abrams. If you could draft one short stop for the next 10 years, you still taking Bobby?
Shohei Ohtani – 2-for-3, HR (29), 2 RBI, OPS at 1.045 OPS. He also tripled. Wait, back to the last question. Can I take this guy? He seems pretty good. Does he really need to pitch? He can probably short stop. He can do anything and I liked it better when he stole 50 bases. You know I save the best for last and more often than not this year it’s been Brohei. This was his 8th lead off home run of the year, and I think we went down this rabbit hole earlier in the year and the record is 15. Can Shohei break that record? Probably! Someone tell him it’s a record he can break and he’ll likely get right on that.
Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts, or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
