Swings and Takes: Young stars front and central

With the trade deadline passed, we now have a four-month sample for hitters from which to draw from. This allows us to dig deep into two of the best young hitters in the AL Central, one of whom has improved his approach in 2025, and one who has shown some concerning signs. Stats are as of the start of play on 8/3/2025.

 

Royal Approach

One common complaint about baseball today is that there are no .300 hitters anymore. This is only a slight exaggeration, as there are currently eight qualified hitters hitting .300 or higher. Our focus today is on a 25-year-old hitter who is slightly below that line currently, Maikel Garcia (3B, KC). Garcia is hitting .299/.355/.467 in 448 PAs, with great contact ability (13% strikeout rate), roughly...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Batters

JJ Bleday's combination of surging batted ball quality and plate discipline gives him the tools to become an impact bat.
May 25 2026 3:10am
This week's installment of Lineups Outlook highlights three batters benefiting from new batting order spots; plus, hoping for more for two rookies.
May 22 2026 3:07am
Jarred Kelenic's marginal post-promotion production is hiding elite batted ball quality.
May 18 2026 3:07am
Noelvi Marte has rebounded nicely at Triple-A after an ugly early start with the Reds.
May 11 2026 3:06am
This week's column focuses on hitters receiving a boost in fantasy value by rising in their respective lineups.
May 8 2026 3:07am

Tools