MLB Streaks & Trends: Votto Power

Who's Hot

Joey Votto, Cincinnati

For fans of Ted Lasso, imagine this being sung down the first base line after a home run: Joey Votto, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo..Joey Votto. And get accustomed to it since he's launched at least one one home run six straight games with two multiple-home run efforts among them. He's produced an eye popping .926 isolated power, not slugging percentage, his last seven games with 10 runs, eight home runs, 16 RBI and a robust .444/.515/1.370 slash line. He's generated 20 batted ball events with seven barrels (35 percent) and 14 hard hits (70 percent). Oh, and he's trying to hit home runs now. Love this guy:

Austin Riley, Atlanta

If not for Votto, Riley would be in line for the National League player of the week. He's hitting .438/.471/1.094 his last eight games with seven runs, six home runs and 13 RBI. This translates to a .656 isolated power, .633 wOBA and 303 wRC+ over his last 34 plate appearances. He's also produced 24 batted ball events with five barrels (20.8 percent) and 14 hard hits (58.3 percent).

Rowdy Tellez, Milwaukee

Making the most of his new opportunity, Tellez has crushed four home runs in his last six games scoring eight runs and driving in 10 with a .500/.556/1.083 slash line. He's walked (three times) more than he's struck out (twice) in this sample with a .583 isolated power and .665 wOBA. Of his last 22 batted ball events he's hit two barrels (9.1 percent) with eight hard hits (36.4 percent) so it's time to see if the power remains sustainable. 

Who's Not

Mike Yastrzemski, San Francisco

It's been an up and down season for Yastrzemski but he's in the midst of a cold stretch hitting .048/.130/.048 his last six contests with one run scored and a 39.1 strikeout percentage his last 23 plate appearances. Hopefully matching up with the Dodgers and a bevy of southpaws caused this cratering but he's on watch going forward. 

Adolis García, Texas

Once viewed as a contender for American League Rookie of the Year, the league seems to have adjusted to him. Over his last 11 games, he owns a .128/.190/.154 slash with two runs in 92 plate appearances. His strikeout rate of 26.2 percent does not jump off the page but his .026 isolated power cannot be ignored nor his wRC+ of three. Bench or cut him if necessary. 

Eugenio Suárez, Cincinnati

From the life comes at you fast department, at least one could rely on power when Suarez struggles at the plate. However, he's hit one home run his last 13 games spanning 54 plate appearances with three runs and four RBI. In this time frame he's produced a 33.3 strikeout rate and looks lost in his at-bats. It's time to cut bait if there's better options on the wire for power. 

Migration to the Mean

Jorge Soler, Kansas City

On a power surge of late with six home runs in his last nine games, Soler's trying to regain fantasy player's trust. He's hitting .231/.348/.718 with 11 runs and seven RBI his last 12 games over 46 plate appearances. Will he keep improving or was it a hot streak? His expected statistics suggest he will continue turning his season around, but enough to be fantasy relevant? Feeling lucky? 

• .192 batting average versus a .232 expected batting average (xBA) - plus 40 points
• .370 slugging percentage versus a .468 expected slugging (xSLG) - plus 98 points
• .365 wOBA versus a .395 expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) - plus 30 points

Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers

Not only did his team add talent ahead of the trade deadline, they also project to get Seager back this weekend. His power may take a bit to recover, but he deserved much better numbers than he produced prior to his injury. Here's where he stands entering game action: 

• .265 batting average versus a .292 xBA - plus 27 points
• .422 slugging percentage versus a .501 xSLG - plus 79 points
• .343 wOBA versus a .381 xwOBA - plus 38 points