MLB Player News

If you feel like you've gotten burned with Jon Singleton, Oscar Taveras and Gregory Polanco already (though Polanco, I'd argue, gave you everything you could have wanted for all but his last two weeks on the job), you may be reluctant to take a flier on Jorge Soler, who's supposed to join the Cubs in Cincinnati Tuesday.

But he's worth it, for the reasons I spell out in my latest post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog and more.

You could argue any prospect of his caliber is worth it, but I want to use this space to emphasize just what caliber of prospect he is. We weren't so sure coming into the season. He spent much of last year injured and tinkering with his swing. But for all the hype Kris Bryant has gotten, Soler actually has a higher batting average and slugging percentage between the same two levels of competition this year. And he heads to the majors on a high note, batting .625 (10 for 16) with three homers in his last four games.

Maybe he makes a big splash in September; maybe he doesn't. But surely this time of year, you'll want to be the one who capitalizes if he does.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton 1 for 3 with two walks and a three-run home run in his team's 7-1 victory over the Angels Monday.

The National League home-run and RBI leader, Stanton is squarely in the middle of the MVP race, and his batting average is threatening to cross the .300 threshold for the first time since the All-Star break. He owns a .299/.407/.566 line with 33 home runs and 97 RBI in 482 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen belted his 20th home run Monday against the Cardinals.

McCutchen struck in the ninth inning. He took a 94 mph fastball from Trevor Rosenthal out to left for a solo shot. McCutchen also singled twice earlier in the contest. He finished 3 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI. 

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler will be called up Tuesday, according to CSNChicago.

Soler was pulled from Monday's Triple-A game, prompting speculation he would be coming up. Soler went 1 for 2, with a three-run homer during Monday's game. He's hit .278/.376/.593 over 108 at-bats in Triple-A. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been able to resume working out, according to MLB.com.

Belt remains a few weeks away due to a concussion, but has started working out again. He has not started baseball activities yet. Belt has been out since August 6 due to the injury.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper left the yard Sunday afternoon at home against the Giants.

Harper launched a two-run shot in the eighth inning. He finished 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBI in a 14-6 victory. He owns a .265/.343/.398 slash line with seven homers and 25 RBI in 249 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 1 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 4-3 loss to the Brewers Sunday.

McCutchen brought his team to within one run with his ninth-inning blast, but it wasn't enough to avoid taking a loss. The outfielder has hit .305/.403/.533 with 19 home runs, 69 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 433 at-bats.

Marlins emerging slugger Marcell Ozuna came up in the ninth inning Friday night in Colorado with the bases loaded and unloaded them.

Ozuna blasted one 428 feet to complete the rout. He has not only homered in three straight games, but he also added two singles and scored twice against the Rockies. He has 10 RBI in the last four games to give him 70 on the year and an outside shot at 100 this season.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt said he expects to be back before the end of the season, according to 95.7 The Game.

Belt will be re-evaluated in three weeks. He's been out since August 6 due to concussion-related issues. Belt has hit .237/.296/.446 over 186 at-bats. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper put together a three-hit game Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, his second since returning from the disabled list, the Washington Post reports.

Harper sparked the team's game-winning rally in the ninth inning with his third single of the game, and manager Matt Williams said how he got the hit was the most encouraging part of the performance.

"He hit the ball back through the middle [Wednesday], which is really important for him," Williams said.

Harper has struggled to find his power swing this season thanks to a thumb injury, but he is hitting .282 with a .375 on-base percentage since the All-Star break. Impressed by his approach Wednesday, Williams believes the power will follow.

"But if he stays through the middle like that, he's going to get a lot of hits, and I feel if he trusts himself to do that, the home runs will come," Williams said. "They will come. They'll come on hanging breaking balls and change-ups up in the zone, if he can stay middle of the diamond. And he's working hard on that. So I'm proud of his approach."