Vinnie Pasquantino

Pasquantino has been heating up at the plate, with three multi-hit games in his last four contests. He collected three base hits and drew a walk to reach four times against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. His biggest hit came in the ninth, driving in two runs with a single to but the D-Backs' lead to two. The 26-year-old first baseman is slashing .258/.320/.425 with 11 homers and 66 RBI across 410 plate appearances.

It's understandable that the Royals got frustrated with Maikel Garcia's low OBP from the leadoff spot, but their only two better options are the guys they have batting second and third: Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino. Instead, they've chosen to go with Frazier for now, even though he's hitting .206/.286/.300. Such is the problem with signing Adam Frazier in the first place. Does he belong in the majors? Yeah, sort of, probably. Will his manager play him way more often than is appropriate? Yes, absolutely, always.

Welcome to the eighth edition of theScore's MLB Power Rankings for the 2024 regular season. The last edition was published June 24.1. Philadelphia Phillies Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 58-32 5-5 +109 1 (-) The Phillies are staying afloat without Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber thanks in large part to the play of Trea Turner. The All-Star shortstop had a pair of multi-homer games in the last week and looks to be completely recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for more than six weeks.2. Baltimore Orioles Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 57-33 7-3 +106 3 (+1) The Orioles became just the third team in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in a month. Baltimore leads all of baseball in total round-trippers with 146, and Gunnar Henderson, who leads the club with 27, is set to start alongside Adley Rutschman in the All-Star game.3. Los Angeles Dodgers Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 55-36 5-5 +104 2 (-1) Freddie Freeman is his own biggest critic amid a slightly underwhelming first half by his standards. However, the former MVP is rounding into form of late, slashing .326/.431/.559 over the last two weeks while driving in 12 runs. He and Shohei Ohtani will need to continue to do the heavy lifting with Mookie Betts sidelined.4. Cleveland Guardians Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 56-32 5-5 +97 4 (-) Rookie slugger Jhonkensy Noel immediately provided the Guardians with a boost, hitting three home runs with an OPS near 1.000 in his first nine games of his career. The 22-year-old went deep in his first MLB at-bat and is already turning into a fan favorite in Cleveland.5. New York Yankees Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 55-37 3-7 +101 5 (-) Starting pitching is the biggest culprit behind the Yankees' recent struggles. Rookie sensation Luis Gil has hit a rough patch, allowing 16 earned runs across three consecutive sub-five-inning starts, and Gerrit Cole has yet to rediscover his pre-injury form. Gil rebounded in a recent outing against the Red Sox, but the latter shaking off the rust would go a long way toward righting the ship in New York.6. Minnesota Twins Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 51-39 7-3 +51 7 (+1) The emergence of Jose Miranda is taking the sting out of another Royce Lewis injury. Since June 1, he's hitting .402/.450/.645 with 17 extra-base hits and 26 RBIs. Minnesota has also received excellent contributions from pitcher Bailey Ober; the 6-foot-9 right-hander has recorded four straight quality starts amid one of the best stretches of his career.7. Atlanta Braves Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 49-39 5-5 +59 6 (-1) The Braves need more from Matt Olson. The slugging first baseman set a franchise record with 54 home runs in 2023 but has gone deep just 13 times so far this season. The 30-year-old only has two long balls since mid-June and is really struggling of late, mustering just eight hits in 50 at-bats with one RBI in a 14-game span.8. Milwaukee Brewers Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 53-38 5-5 +79 8 (-) The Brewers continue to piece together a rotation riddled by injuries. Starting pitching was so dire in the Brew City that Milwaukee bought former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel off the Mariners' scrap heap for $1 and traded its No. 21 prospect for Aaron Civale, who joined the club with a season ERA of 5.07.9. San Diego Padres Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 49-45 6-4 +23 12 (+3) Manny Machado and Kyle Higashioka are leading the charge at the plate. The pair combined for nine homers and 26 RBIs over the last 15 days, helping push the Padres back into a playoff spot. San Diego is going to have to figure out a way to maintain this momentum without ace Yu Darvish, who was placed on the restricted list due to a personal matter.10. Boston Red Sox Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 49-40 6-4 +36 9 (-1) Rafael Devers is one of baseball's least talked-about stars outside of Boston, but he continues to anchor a Red Sox offense that has become a really fun watch thanks to their young talent and base-stealing ability. Devers recently became the 33rd player to reach 1,000 hits for the Red Sox and just the sixth to do it before turning 28.11. Houston Astros Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 46-44 6-4 +37 13 (+2) Reports of Houston having a problem were greatly exaggerated. The Astros have clawed back above .500 and sits a mere two games back of first in the AL West after an awful start. Yordan Alvarez, recently named the AL's starting DH in the Midsummer Classic, has posted a 1.183 OPS over an excellent stretch the last two weeks.12. Kansas City Royals Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 49-43 5-5 +56 11 (-1) June was a rough month for the Royals, and July isn't off to a pleasant start. Kansas City has dropped four of six and lost its grasp on the final wild-card spot. GM J.J. Picollo said two weeks ago that he planned to be aggressive before the trade deadline, but that might not happen if Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino don't get more support from the players already on the roster.13. Seattle Mariners Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 49-43 4-6 +4 10 (-3) It turns out pitching can only take you so far. The Mariners' once-firm grip on first place in the AL West has shrunk to two games as they continue to field one of the worst offenses in the league. Since the beginning of July, Seattle has slashed .195/.286/.328 with an 83 wRC+ and minus-0.5 offensive rating. Jorge Polanco has been particularly bad, posting a .298 OPS with a 57.1 K% this month.14. Arizona Diamondbacks Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 45-45 6-4 +8 14 (-) The D-Backs showed they can still play with the big boys, taking series from the Dodgers and Padres to begin the month, while scoring 50 runs across the six games. They've still got ground to make up to nab a playoff spot, which shouldn't be a problem if Christian Walker continues to rake. The first baseman already has five homers this month to go along with a 1.467 OPS.15. St. Louis Cardinals Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 47-42 6-4 -39 16 (+2) The Cardinals stumbled onto something when they shifted Andre Pallante from the bullpen to the rotation. Pallante struggled as a reliever this season, posting a 6.30 ERA in nine appearances, but he's turned things around as a starter, going 4-2 with a 3.34 ERA and 30 strikeouts across seven starts.16. New York Mets Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 44-44 5-5 +4 15 (-1) Mark Vientos is finding his groove. The 24-year-old hit 11 home runs in 156 at-bats to begin the season and has destroyed left-handed pitching to the tune of a .338/.394/.662 slash line with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Vientos has all the makings of a future All-Star at third base.17. Cincinnati Reds Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 42-48 5-5 +14 18 (-1) Jonathan India continues to get it done at the plate amid trade rumors. India's production is in line with his NL Rookie of the Year season in 2021. If the Reds decide to move him at the deadline, he should fetch a strong return with another two years of club control following this campaign.18. Pittsburgh Pirates Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 42-47 4-6 -29 20 (+2) Paul Skenes continues to dominate. The rookie phenom owns a 1.80 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 20 innings over his last three starts. His dominance has earned him a reserve spot on the NL All-Star team, and it's the first time ever that the Pirates boast an All-Star rookie pitcher.19. San Francisco Giants Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 44-47 5-5 -27 22 (+3) Heliot Ramos is establishing himself as a consistent contributor in an otherwise streaky Giants lineup. The 24-year-old has accrued 2.3 WAR in just 54 games played since his promotion, largely thanks to his 12 home runs. Strong underlying metrics - 96th percentile in barrel rate and 95th in hard-hit rate - suggest his power is legitimate.20. Texas Rangers Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 42-48 5-5 +8 17 (-3) The defending World Series champions have one winning month this season - a 14-13 record in April - and could wind up dismantling their roster before the trade deadline. Rival executives reportedly expect the Rangers to trade any or all of Max Scherzer, Michael Lorenzen, Andrew Heaney, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates before the end of the month. Doing so would be a huge disappointment for a team that looked primed to contend for years.21. Tampa Bay Rays Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 44-46 4-6 -67 21 (-) The Rays may not be dead in the water after all. Tampa Bay has played the majority of the campaign without most of its starting rotation but has won five out of its last six series and crawled its way back into playoff contention. The Aaron Civale trade was not an indicator of the Rays selling, according to executive Erik Neander, which is a good sign for a club featuring a revitalized Randy Arozarena, who looks like his old self again after a rough couple of months.22. Washington Nationals Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 42-48 4-6 -17 19 (-) The Juan Soto trade continues to bear fruit for the Nationals. The latest piece from that deal to make an impact in Washington is outfielder James Wood. The 21-year-old hit the ground running, showing good plate discipline with one homer, six RBIs, and one stolen base in his first 23 at-bats. 23. Chicago Cubs Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 42-49 5-5 -24 23 (-) The disappointing Cubs, now 11 games back of the first-place Brewers in the NL Central, are looking like sellers with the trade deadline approaching. Chicago has simply struggled to put the bat on the ball consistently, posting a .223 average and 27.2% strikeout rate as a team over the last two weeks.24. Detroit Tigers Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 42-48 5-5 -19 24 (-) Rookie second baseman Colt Keith is looking more comfortable at the plate as of late. Keith had the first multi-homer game of his career against the Reds and has settled into the No. 2 spot in manager A.J. Hinch's lineup against right-handed pitching.25. Toronto Blue Jays Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 41-49 4-6 -60 25 (-) Things continue to spiral for the Blue Jays. The bullpen has been a major sore spot for manager John Schneider, sitting 29th in the league in ERA, 30th in home runs allowed, and 28th in strikeouts. The Blue Jays will be a team to watch at the trade deadline, as they appear to be sellers for the first time since 2019.26. Los Angeles Angels Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 37-52 4-6 -78 26 (-) Mike Trout - sidelined since May with a torn meniscus - wasn't elected to start in the All-Star Game for the first time in 12 years. He and the Angels appear headed for another lost season - this one without the entertainment provided by Shohei Ohtani in past campaigns.27. Oakland Athletics Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 34-58 5-5 -89 27 (-) The A's played some pretty decent ball to begin July. They swept a three-game series from the Angels before playing well against a tough Orioles squad and grabbing a 19-8 win. Brent Rooker has been marvellous, slashing .529/.571/1.059 this month. He would have made a solid All-Star reserve for the A's, whose lone representative is closer Mason Miller.28. Colorado Rockies Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 32-58 5-5 -149 29 (+1) Brenton Doyle is on a heater, which is one of the only good pieces of news for the Rockies, who have 11 wins since the beginning of June. The outfielder has five homers and nine extra-bases hits in his last 11 games to go with a ridiculous .805 slugging percentage. He's also one of the best defenders in baseball, ranking seventh in the majors by fielding run value.29. Miami Marlins Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 32-58 4-6 -134 28 (-1) The Marlins signed Tim Anderson in the offseason as a reclamation project - and potential asset at the trade deadline - who was coming off a tough year. Unfortunately, rather than rediscover his All-Star form, the 2019 AL batting champ slashed a paltry .214/.237/.226 before being designated for assignment. Substantial changes are needed in Miami.30. Chicago White Sox Record Last 10 RD Previous rank 26-66 5-5 -164 30 (-) Luis Robert Jr. isn't doing himself any favors. The ultra-talented outfielder is under the microscope for a perceived lack of hustle, the result of opting not to throw home with the game on the line and choosing to jog up the line on grounders. He'll need to dial it up a notch if he wants to entice a contender to trade for him.Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Garcia's last stint of being dropped from the leadoff spot lasted two games, so we'll see if this one is any longer. He's been quite a disappointment for the Royals this season, though not really for fantasy purposes with his 21 steals, 52 runs scored and 40 RBI. It's big for his fantasy value that he lead off, though, and since the Royals aren't moving Bobby Witt Jr. or Vinnie Pasquantino up to that spot, Garcia probably remains the team's best option. Adam Frazier got the nod there today and went 0-for-4.

Pasquantino's sixth-inning blast off Rockies starter Austin Gomber was his 11th deep fly of the season and represented the lone run for Kansas City in a rare low-scoring affair at Coors Field. The 26-year-old first baseman is batting .305 (18-for-59) with four homers and 13 RBI over his last 15 games.