​It’s an All-Star edition of the Monday market movers, with every upgrade chosen for the summer showcase in Philadelphia next Tuesday. Hey now, you’re an All-Star, get your game on and go play. As always, use this column as you see fit — for self-scouting, pickup advice, or trade counsel. And if you have a respectful disagreement, I’m all ears — catch me on social media.
Upgrade: Otto López, 2B/SS, Marlins: This year’s winner of the Geraldo Perdomo/Maikel Garcia Award for most improved player. López has long shown elite bat control, but this season he’s added technical tweaks and raised his quality of contact. The slash line is a touch optimistic, but Statcast points to a .300 average and a .464 slugging. The cherry on top is the basestealing; López could reach 30 steals or more this year. He’s earned down-ballot MVP chatter with a remarkable turnaround after being cut by the Blue Jays and Giants.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers: Freeman isn’t a proactive pick from March given his age-36 season, but he remains incredibly consistent. OPS+ has trended at 141, 143, and 144 over the last three years. Last year he hit .295/.367/.502; this year it’s .293/.383/.502. Sometimes we must apply a different aging curve for future Hall of Famers.
Sal Stewart, 1B/2B/3B, Reds: The leader in challenges won among hitters, thanks to an elite eye at the plate. He also sports a modest strikeout rate and excellent walk rate, with a strong hard-hit profile. Stewart adds value with versatility—stealing bases and covering three infield spots for Yahoo managers. Impressive stuff from a 22-year-old.
CJ Abrams, SS, Nationals: He may be slightly underrated because James Wood dominates the Washington lineup, but Abrams has learned to attack, pulling the ball more while boosting his hard-hit rate and handling off-speed pitches. His defense may eventually move him off short, but that’s not an issue right now.
Dillon Dingler, C, Tigers: Detroit could be a seller at the trade deadline, but players like Kevin McGonigle and Dingler aren’t going anywhere. Dingler already showed Gold Glove defense and is developing as a hitter—walking more, striking out less, hard-hit contact rising, and more pull-focused at the plate. The Tigers are prioritizing his at-bats, including DH time when needed.
Max Meyer, SP, Marlins: Following the pedigree with a low-investment pick, Meyer—a top-3 draft pick in 2020—has battled injuries, missing all of 2023. It’s all coming together in his age-27 season, even if his 2.53 ERA is a touch fortunate relative to his expected numbers. Meyer is a value pick.