This week, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado became the fifth active player with at least 2,000 career hits; Boston Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman (quad) thinks he could return later this week; and Los Angeles Dodgers SP Clayton Kershaw was selected as the Legend Pick to go to his 11th All-Star Game. Other Fantasy baseball related stories we’re following include…

Spencer Steer Getting Better Each Month

Other than a horrific 100-loss season in 2022, the Cincinnati Reds feel like they’ve been perfectly meh the last few years, never really good, never really bad. They’ve just been sitting around the .500 mark, much like they are this season as a recent down stretch has dropped them five games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central.

Part of the problem is that despite the Reds’ home park having the reputation of being a hitter’s paradise, they aren’t taking advantage of it. Against right-handed pitching, Cincy has an average offense at home (100 wRC+).

This was never more evident than on Monday as Miami sent three righties to the mound and they combined to hold the Reds to three hits and one run. The only Cincinnati hitter to record a hit off Marlin starter Janson Junk was Spencer Steer.

With hits in four of five games this month, Steer has gotten progressively better as the season has gone along. Just check out his OPS by month: 167 in March, 570 in April, 726 in May, 841 in June and 1111 so far in July. Sensing a trend?

Two years ago, Steer surprised many by emerging with a full-time role, but last year his power waned and that’s continued this season as his ISO is just 155. Worse yet, while his pop is down, his K rate is up.

Another concern? Steer is sitting on 10 games played in the outfield, so if your dynasty league rules need him to hit 20 to maintain eligibility in 2026, that’s something to keep an eye on. He’s shown great defensive improvements at first base, so he seems to have settled in as an infielder.

Coming out of Oregon, Steer projected as more of a bat tool type than a power hitter, but so far he’s never hit higher than .271 yet could post a third straight season of at least 20 homers this year (and for some reason, he’s Babe Ruth against the Padres — see video below).

Still, he’s trending in the right direction from a production standpoint and could very well be available in some leagues (47.8 per cent ownership rate on ESPN), so he’s definitely someone you need to consider.

MLB Draft 2025 Preview: Seth Hernandez

Back to Miami, after crashing to 100 losses last year, they have bounced back this season. Not to a level of contention, but definitely more competitive and they continue to trend in the right direction. The Fish has won seven of the last 10 games to pull within shouting distance (10 games) of the second-place Mets. The Marlins sit just 7.5 back of the final Wild Card slot, but with five teams to pass.

Hey, at least it’s a bit more interesting this season.

And next week when the MLB Draft kicks off, things will get even more interesting as Miami holds the seventh overall selection. The most recent mock draft at The Athletic has the team taking the top high school pitcher, righty Seth Hernandez. With the sixth highest odds (+2600) to go first overall as per FanDuel, there’s a good chance he’s there when the Marlins are on the clock — especially when you consider that only nine righties have ever gone as high as even second overall in history.

Armed with a ridiculously good changeup, Hernandez also possesses a mid-’90s heater that could be even better. The Corona, Calif. product has a nice pitcher’s frame (6’4”, 190) and really, he’s been the projected top high school arm in this draft for some time, really announcing his presence when he was named MVP of the National High School Invitational as a junior.

Waiver Wire Pick of the Week

Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers (ESPN: 3.7 per cent; CBS: 9 per cent): In making his first start since Milwaukee acquired him last month, Vaughn smacked a three-run dinger and scored twice on Monday. He’s now getting a chance to start with Rhys Hoskins (thumb) on the IL, and wasted zero time in making an impact. Just two years ago, Vaughn was nearly a top 25 OFer, but things have gone downhill since. Last year, his counting cat numbers regressed and before the ChiSox dealt him, he had been hitting horribly this season. Vaughn hasn’t even been at a replacement level player since 2023, but has a chance now to provide at least some short-term value.

RotoRob Tune of the Day

American psychedelic band Joe Country and the Fish got their start in 1965 and remained active until 1970 before reforming briefly in 1977 and then again from 2004 to 2006. In 1968, they released their fourth single “Rock and Soul Music,” a tune immortalized by its inclusion on the official Woodstock festival album.