JJ Bleday Goes Deep for Reds – Fantasy Hitting Recap 5/2/26
All in a Day’s Bleday
JJ Bleday (CIN): 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a profession thus far for outfielder JJ Bleday.
The fourth general choose within the 2019 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt, Bleday appeared to be turning a nook in 2024. In 642 plate appearances that season with the Athleticshe hit 20 residence runs and posted a .761 OPS within the closing season on the Oakland Coliseum. It was anticipated that he would publish monster numbers in Sacramento in 2025, particularly contemplating Sutter Health Park’s hitter-pleasant confines.
While he did hit 14 residence runs, he solely hit .212 with a .698 OPS in 344 plate appearances. As a outcome, he misplaced his spot with the Athleticsthey usually designated him for project this offseason.
The Reds signed him as a free agent in December, though he did not initially make the Opening Day roster. They recalled Bleday on April twenty fifth after placing Eugenio Suarez on the IL, and the previous Vandy product has been on fireplace since returning to the foremost leagues.
On Saturday, of their tough 17-7 loss to the Pirates, Bleday had an enormous day, with two hits, together with a double and a house run, three runs scored, and two RBI. In 17 plate appearances this season, Bleday has two residence runs, 4 runs scored, three RBI, a .308 common, and a 1.317 OPS.
It’s a small pattern, however he seems assured on the plate and is hitting the ball with authority. He’s at present sporting a 12.5% barrel fee, a 50% exhausting-hit fee, and 75% launch-angle Sweet-Spot fee.
Thus, this is not only a fortunate streak for Bleday. He’s legitimately wanting just like the participant that he was again in 2024, when it appeared like he might be a protracted-time period constructing block for the Athletics. Now, does that imply he’ll be a protracted-time period piece for the Reds? That’s exhausting to say, particularly with the Reds having so many outfielders with upside on the roster.
However, Bleday is doing all he can to show that he at the very least belongs on this Cincinnati lineup regularly.
Let’s see how the opposite hitters did Saturday
Cody Bellinger (NYY): 4-4, 2B, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, SB.
Another recreation, one other huge efficiency from Bellinger. Against the rival Orioles, Bellinger collected 4 hits, together with his fourth and fifth residence runs of the 12 months. He additionally stole his fourth base of the 12 months, placing him 9 away from his 13 stolen base mark in 2025. He might want to keep wholesome, however Bellinger appears to be setting himself up for a doable 20-20 HR-SB season in his second season within the Bronx.
Shea Langeliers (ATH): 3-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Langeliers is changing into a mannequin of consistency for the Athletics. He had one other multi-hit day on Saturday, even in his loss to Cleveland. In addition to 3 hits, he hit two residence runs, bringing his residence run whole to 10 for the season. His 31 residence runs final 12 months have been a profession excessive. He could also be on tempo to surpass that in 2026, particularly with Sutter Health Park being so hitter-pleasant, particularly in the summertime months.
Drake Baldwin (ATL): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI, BB.
Atlanta acquired after Colorado’s Chase Dollandergetting eight hits and 6 runs off the proficient Rockies rookie pitcher. Baldwin led the cost for Atlanta, with three hits, 4 RBI, and a house run, his eighth of the season. In 156 plate appearances, Baldwin is hitting .312 with a .913 OPS and is making his case to be the beginning catcher for the NL squad within the All-Star Game.
Ian Happ (CHC): 3-3, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB.
The Cubs solely acquired 5 whole hits within the recreation, and Happ had three of them. He additionally scored the Cubs’ solely runs of their 2-0 win. One of these runs got here on a house run, his eighth of the 12 months. It’s been one other banner 12 months for Happ on Chicago’s North Side. In 142 plate appearances, he’s hitting g.246 with an .890 OPS, 23 runs scored, and 15 RBI.
Marcell Ozuna (PIT): 3-5, 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB.
It hasn’t been transfer to Pittsburgh for Ozuna, whom the Pirates signed in free company this offseason. He’s hitting .185 with a .560 OPS, each main declines from what he was producing with Atlanta final season (.232 common and .755 OPS). However, he could have gotten heading in the right direction on Saturday. Against the Reds, he had three hits, two doubles, three runs scored, and three RBI. Ozuna has a protracted technique to go to show that he can nonetheless be a productive DH for the Pirates, nevertheless it’s good to see him present some indicators of life on the plate.
Austin Hedges (CLE): 3-5, 2 2B, HR, 3 R, RBI.
Hedges is understood extra for his protection behind the plate than his hitting on the plate. However, he was in a position to have an enormous day within the Guardians’ 14-6 win over the Athletics in Sacramento. The veteran catcher collected three hits, three runs scored, two doubles, and hit his first residence run of the 12 months. Hedges has been on fireplace to start the 12 months, as he’s hitting .325 with a .864 OPS in 44 plate appearances. The small pattern sizes trace that this is not sustainable for Hedges, however Cleveland followers will tackle their manufacturing with out hesitation.
Brice Matthews (HOU): 2-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB.
The Astros have an intriguing expertise in Matthews, who hit his third residence run of the season on Saturday in Houston’s 6-3 win over the Red Sox. The 24-12 months-outdated outfielder is hitting simply .231, however his .727 OPS is rather more tolerable, particularly for a hitter on the backside of the lineup. He might minimize down the strikeouts (39.7% Ok%) and whiffs (38.8% whiff%). However, he is aware of methods to launch the ball, as evidenced by his 38.9% LA Sweet-Spot proportion this 12 months.
Dillon Dingler (DET): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Dingler got here up huge for the Tigers of their 5-1 win over the Rangers. In addition to 2 hits, he hit his sixth residence run of the season, a 3-run residence run within the first inning off Texas starter Kumar Rocker. For the season, Dingler is hitting .257 with a .825 OPS, and his 16.7% barrel fee and 52.6% will not be simply profession highs but additionally rank within the higher percentiles of the league. The former Ohio State Buckeye is proving that he is usually a lengthy-time period answer for Michigan’s baseball workforce, even when his alma mater could elicit some grumbling amongst Tigers followers.
Lenyn Sosa (TOR): 2-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
It’s been quiet for Sosa since coming over from the South Side of Chicago in mid-April. However, he began to interrupt out a bit on Saturday of their 11-4 win over the Twins in Minneapolis. He hit his first residence run of the season, and he additionally collected two hits and two RBI. Sosa is barely hitting .257 with a .640 OPS, which is 87 factors down from a 12 months in the past within the latter class. That mentioned, he launches the ball nicely, and his first residence run might assist him get going on the plate. That is a growth the Blue Jays would welcome, particularly after George Springer acquired injured once more on Saturday and it’s day-to-day.
