The Buzz — Tuesday, August 25

Cal Raleigh

The take three-homer breakout night after season slump

The number that settles this is 83 — his wRC+ after Monday, up from 73. He hit three home runs for the first time at any level, called it 'hard to fathom,' and became the first Mariners catcher since Dan Wilson in 1996 with a three-homer game, ending the Phillies' nine-game winning streak in a 9-2 win.

One night lifted his average from .159 to .167 and his OPS from .579 to .618. The power was always in there. But a wRC+ of 83 still sits well below average, and three home runs do not erase a career-worst season. The crowd is right to celebrate. They are not right to call it fixed.

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Brandon Nimmo

The take Nimmo's leaping HR robbery in top plays packages

Benintendi's ball left the bat at 96.4 mph, projected 353 feet — a home run in eight ballparks. Nimmo went up and took it back to end the first, preserving a 2-0 lead the Rangers turned into an 11-2 win. It led MLB's Top 5 Plays, and the robbery was genuine. He entered the play at -3 outs above average and -4 defensive runs saved on the season. A glove running those numbers does not flip on one catch — but this one was worth the highlight.

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Pete Crow-Armstrong

The take PCA hot MVP contender on leaderboards

Crow-Armstrong became the first Cubs player with consecutive 30-30 seasons, and the crowd calling him an MVP contender is not reaching — those are published leaderboard placements. He is first in the NL in slugging (.554) and total bases (279), second in OPS (.930), runs (93), and stolen bases (32), and fourth in home runs with 33.

The MVP case lives in two numbers: his 8.2 fWAR against Ohtani's roughly 7.0. Over his last seven games he slugged .897 with five home runs. What separates him from every other name on the board is the glove — he ranks first in MLB with 23 outs above average, and in July he set a Statcast-era record with his 33rd five-star catch. The bat says contender. The glove closes the argument.

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Aaron Judge

The take just endless star rankings and chatter

Judge has not played in a game since May 31, and the cost of that absence is not abstract. The Yankees' team batting average since June 1 is .217 — 30th in baseball. They are tied for 28th in OPS at .666 and 28th in runs scored. That is the hole a three-time MVP leaves in a lineup.

He played through the injury for more than a month before the IL, posting a .248 average with 17 home runs and a .907 OPS in 59 games — solid by any standard except his own, compiled with a stress fracture in his first right rib. The fear was thoracic outlet syndrome, which could have ended his season. The stress fracture was the better answer. Better is not fast.

On August 20, he hit off a tee for the first time since May 31. Boone said a return before September was unlikely. Judge said on August 5 he would be back this season. Both can be true — he will return, and it will be September at the earliest, after a progression that has not reached live pitching. The chatter says any day. The tee says not yet.

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Zach Neto

The take Named AL Player of the Week on hot streak

The award is earned, not debated. Neto hit .500 across six games — 14-for-28 with four doubles, a triple, two homers, nine RBI, and a .929 slugging percentage. It is his second career Player of the Week honor. With 22 home runs and 18 steals on the season, he is two steals from a third consecutive 20-20. The week was real. The career is the pattern.

Zach Neto cards on eBay →(paid link)