Pasquatch Fever
Vinnie Pasquantino (KCR): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI.
The Kansas City Royals finally won their first home game in June. Their 9-5 victory over the Royals snapped a streak of 11 straight losses at Kauffman Stadium.
A catalyst in the victory was Vinnie Pasquantino. The 27-year-old first baseman collected two hits, including a double and his 12th home run of the year. He also scored two runs and amassed five RBI in the Royals’ four-run win over the NL West-leading Dodgers.
The Royals’ offense has been subpar this year in most categories, which explains their 39-44 record. They rank 27th in OPS, 29th in home runs, and 30th in runs scored, as of Saturday. Pasquantino was expected to be a primary run-producer for this Kansas City lineup in 2025, especially after hitting .262 with a .761 OPS, 19 home runs, and 97 RBI in 554 plate appearances in 2024.
Unfortunately, Pasquantino (known as the “Pasquatch” by Royals fans) has experienced some inconsistency this season.
In 345 plate appearances, he has 12 home runs and seems to be on pace to hit the 20-HR mark by the end of 2025 (as long as he stays healthy). He also has a better batting average (.271) and OBP (.333 this year compared to .315 in 2024). That said, his .422 slugging this year is 24 points down from his mark a season ago. Pasquantino has also struggled with runners in scoring position, as evidenced by a .212 average and .605 OPS in such situations.
The Royals need a productive and consistent Pasquantino at the plate if they want to make any run toward the postseason. Thankfully, Pasquantino delivered on Saturday against a good Dodgers team, led by Shohei Ohtani on the mound.
Kansas City will need more performances like that from him (as well as others like Bobby Witt Jr., Jonathan India, and Salvador Perez, who also had good days) in the second half of the season, both leading up to and after the All-Star Break.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday
Kyle Tucker (CHC): 4-5, 2B, HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, SB.
Tucker continued to mash in his return to Houston. On Saturday, he collected four hits, including a double and his 17th home run of the year. He also scored four runs, produced three RBI, and stole his 20th base of the year. It’s been a rousing success for Tucker on the North Side of Chicago this year. Unfortunately, Houston fans have learned that the hard way this weekend.
Gavin Sheets (SDP): 3-5, 2 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.
It’s been quite the first season in San Diego for Sheets, as he had three hits and launched his 13th home run of the year. Released by the White Sox this offseason, Sheets is hitting .265 with a .792 OPS in 295 plate appearances and appears poised to surpass his career-high of 15 home runs, which he set in 2022 with Chicago.
Wilyer Abreu (BOS): 2-6, 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
It’s been rough for the Red Sox offense since Rafael Devers was traded to San Francisco. Thankfully, on Saturday, the Boston hitters were able to let out some steam in a 15-1 win over the Blue Jays. Abreu was one of the many standouts with two hits, four RBI, and his 14th home run of the year. The 26-year-old outfielder seems primed for a 20+ HR season, which highlights his bright future in Boston (hopefully).
Freddie Freeman (LAD): 3-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB.
The Dodgers got beat down in Kansas City, but Freeman carried the Los Angeles offense on Saturday. He went 3-for-3 with two walks, and he also hit his 10th home run of the year. The home runs feel a bit down for Freeman, but he’s been sensational everywhere else, as demonstrated by a .312 batting average and .895 OPS in 306 plate appearances.
Sean Murphy (ATL): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI.
Drake Baldwin has been getting the most hype lately, but Murphy showed on Saturday why Atlanta still has him as one of their primary catchers. Against the rival Phillies, Murphy hit his 10th home run of the year and also had a double and four RBI. His average (.225) and OPS (.769) are both up from a year ago, though it’s unlikely Murphy will match again what he did during his Athletics days.
Byron Buxton (MIN): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB.
It’s always a question of health with Buxton, but when he’s on the field, there are few players as talented. Buxton has been the Twins’ primary run producer, with 19 home runs and a .286 batting average, along with a .927 OPS in 284 plate appearances. Minnesota seems to be fading quickly in the AL Central race with a 40-43 record. However, Buxton has been a bona fide All-Star this year in the Twin Cities.
Nick Kurtz (ATH): 1-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB.
Kurtz continues to adjust as he gets more plate appearances at the MLB level. He only had one hit on Saturday against the Yankees, but he made it count: a three-run home run off of Clark Schmidt. The Athletics rookie now has 12 home runs and is hitting .256 with an .843 OPS in 179 plate appearances. Safe to say, he’s solidifying his spot as the AL Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Brendan Donovan (STL): 1-2, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
Donovan has thrived as the Cardinals’ leadoff man in 2025. He is hitting .302 with an .806 OPS in 332 plate appearances. He also has scored 45 runs and hit his sixth home run of the year on Saturday in Cleveland. He may get overshadowed by other bigger names on the Cardinals roster, like Willson Contreras, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Arenado. That said, there has arguably been no more valuable hitter in the St. Louis lineup than Donovan.
Zach McKinstry (DET): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Needing a bounce-back win after losing to the Twins on Friday, the Tigers hung ten on Minnesota in a five-run win. McKinstry was part of Detroit’s offensive effort, with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored. He also hit his 10th home run of the year. He’s not an everyday guy (he typically sits against left-handed starting pitchers). However, the Tigers’ utilityman is having a sensational season nonetheless, as evidenced by his .287 average and .819 OPS in 283 plate appearances.
Gabriel Arias (CLE): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
The Guardians have been starved for offense in June. They got some on Saturday against St. Louis with six runs. Unfortunately, Slade Cecconi and Matt Festa combined to allow nine runs in five innings. On a positive note, Arias had a big day with two hits and a home run, his sixth of the year. Conversely, he’s only hitting .232 with a .664 OPS in 280 plate appearances. It’s unlikely that Arias will turn things around, especially with a career OPS of .637.
