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You're not hearing much about Aaron Judge's slow start any more.  Not after a strong week, where he homered in four of his last five games and overtook teammate Juan Soto as the AL leader in OPS and on-base percentage.  His 18 doubles pace the league; now tack on 17 home runs (one behind Houston's Kyle Tucker) and you can see why the Yanks are living up to their Bronx Bombers nickname again.

(Below:)  As hot as Judge has been, that's how cold Victor Robles has been in '24.  Actually, it's been several years of declining production for the Nats' onetime top prospect.  With a batting average of .120 in the first two months of the season, Washington GM Mike Rizzo ran out of patience hoping for a turnaround.  After he clears waivers, another club will likely take a chance on Robles, who hit 17 homers and stole 28 bases in DC's 2019 championship season.
The rest of this baseball season will be a little less fun with Ronald Acuna Junior on the shelf.  The founder of the 40/70 club will miss the rest of 2024 with a torn ACL in his left knee.  The shocking injury took place during Sunday's Braves/Pirates game and means a rehab for the 2024 NL MVP that will likely also cost him time next year.

(Below:) While the slow starts by veterans such as Carlos Santana and Byron Buxton have the Twins looking up at the Guardians in the AL Central race, it's been a productive year for Max Kepler.  The only Minnesota regular hitting over .300, he's putting up good numbers at the right time -- he'll be a free agent next winter

Finally, because you can never have too much power, Yankees prospect Everson Pereira is producing at Scranton.  The Venezuelan outfielder, who began last year in Somerset and later appeared in 27 games for the Yankees, is leading their top farm club so far with 10 home runs.



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