Week 18 Advanced Hitting Stats: Kurtz Goes Wild

The object of the game is to hit the ball hard. When that happens, good things, and fantasy production generally follow. Sometimes, especially in the case of Nick Kurtz, you don’t need to look at the barrel rate to know he’s crushing the ball. With Austin Riley, the data helps to support the upside that’s still present. And in the case of Mickey Moniak, his barrel rate helps to substantiate the performance. Using advanced hitting stats, let’s dig a little deeper.

Fantasy Baseball Advanced Hitting Stats

Buy on Riley

The 2025 season hasn’t gone according to plan for the Atlanta Braves. While he has solid statistics through 96 games, Austin Riley has left something on the table. The third baseman has just returned from a quick stint on the Injured List as he looks to finish the season strong. While his .162 ISO is a far cry from his career mark of .221, I’d still look to add Riley.

Granted this could be a case of picking which advanced hitting stats to target, but I put faith in Riley’s 14.7% barrel rate. Additionally, Riley has a 50.7% hard hit rate. Between both of those metrics, good things are bound to happen.

By no means can we suggest that Riley is a true disappointment this season, but his stat line also leaves you wanting more. The third baseman is hitting .267 with 14 home runs, 48 RBI, and 51 runs scored to this point. Atlanta’s struggles also work against Riley from a team perspective, but it’s clear he’s capable of more. Depending on the price on the trade market, there’s value in finding out how much more.

Kurtz Goes Boom

Four home runs in a game certainly passes the eye test. We don’t need advanced hitting stats to tell us that Nick Kurtz is doing some real damage to the baseball, but since July 1, the numbers really are staggering.

Over that stretch, in 89 plate appearances, Kurtz has an insane 36.5% barrel rate and 67.3% hard hit rate. The rookie also has a 98.1 mph average exit velocity so far this month as he’s truly coming into his own. If you needed any more proof of that, his four home run game last week certainly supplied it.

While the July numbers are crazy, Kurtz didn’t just start hitting. Overall, Kurtz is hitting .309 with 23 home runs and 59 RBI in 67 games. This month though, his average jumps to .429 with a 1.052 slugging percentage. On the season, Kurtz’s barrel rate is 21.8% is impressive.

It appears that Kurtz has adjusted to major league pitching and his power is on full display. While he is striking out 31.2% of the time, we can’t ignore what happens when he puts the bat on the ball. Kurtz has a double-digit walk rate as well. His .273 xBA with elite ball striking skills supports future success as his 2025 season might end with Rookie of the Year honors.

Something Good in Colorado

I’ll admit it, I was initially in shock when I saw that Mickey Moniak is up to 16 home runs on the season. When you dig into his advanced hitting stats, Moniak’s success does make sense.

To this point, in July, Moniak has a 17% barrel rate along with a 51.1% hard hit rate. The former first-round pick is also batting .393 this month. On the season, Moniak has a 12.8% barrel rate along with a 46.2% hard hit rate and a .269 ISO. That has generated a .273 batting average with 16 home runs, 40 RBI, 40 runs scored, and five stolen bases this season. Production at this level makes Moniak one of the more pleasant surprises of this season, along with one of the more valuable waiver wire pickups.

We do have to add a caveat, though, as Moniak does play for the Colorado Rockies. At home, Moniak is a true All-Star, batting .317 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI. That’s in stark contrast to his .224 batting average away from Coors Field with six home runs and 11 RBI.