The Dynasty Digest: August 28, 2024

Chris Clegg breaks down all the top performers from the Minors to the Majors.

MLB Standouts

Ezequiel Tovar, SS, COL

Tovar went deep not once but twice on Tuesday, with one of the bombs traveling an impressive 456 feet with a 106 mph exit velocity. He nearly left the yard a third time with a sac fly that would have left the yard in six parks. The two home runs pushed Tovar to 21 home runs with 61 extra-base hits.

The OBP is under .300, largely thanks to one of the worst walk rates in baseball and a hyper-aggressive chase rate. Still, Tovar is putting the ball in play enough to make things happen.

Maybe you think it is only Coors Field that is boosting his numbers? Well 12 of Tovar’s home runs and 36 of the extra base hits have come on the road. The OPS is nearly identical both at home and on the road. It is pretty interesting to see, but it is also important to remember that Tovar just turned 23 years old. Maybe he is just a player that always overperforms his statcast data.

Will Wagner, 2B, TOR

Wagner has always been a data darling and put up impressive performances after being drafted in the 18th round of the 2021 draft. While hitting the ball hard and making plenty of contact, Wagner’s biggest flaw has been too many ground balls.

After being traded from the Astros to the Blue Jays, Wagner has gotten off to a strong start to his MLB career, hitting over .300 in his first 12 games. On Tuesday, Wagner hit his first MLB home run and added two doubles.

Wagner has the potential to be an MLB regular for the foreseeable future.

Logan Gilbert, RHP, SEA

Despite coming off one of the worst starts of his season, Gilbert rebounded in a strong way, tossing six scoreless innings without issuing a walk and striking out ten. He generated 17 whiffs at the start, with the majority actually coming on his four-seam fastball. Gilbert added 19 more called strikes, giving him a 37 percent CSW.

Gilbert is now up to 171.2 innings on the year with a 3.09 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. In 14 of his 27 starts, Gilbert has allowed one earned run or less. While he does not post super high strikeout rates, Gilbert has 172 on the year and has walked just 31.

Jeffrey Springs, LHP, TB

Springs dueled against Gilbert and held his own. It was Springs’ best start since returning from Tommy John Surgery as he struck out nine batters over five scoreless innings. He allowed just one hit and two walks while posting a 42 percent whiff rate. The changeup devastated hitters, generating ten of his 16 whiffs.

The velocity is still not back close to where it was pre-injury as he is averaging under 90 mph when Springs used to sit near 92 in 2022. The good news is the changeup is as good as ever, and it is playing off the fastball well. It will be interesting to watch if the velocity comes back, but even if not, it seems like Springs will be okay.

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