MLB Highlights: 2026-04-18

Yesterday’s Top Major League Performances!

Cody Bellinger, LF, NYY
3-for-4, 2 HR, BB, 2 R, 5 RBI.
Cody Bellinger powered the New York Yankees to a dominant 13-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals, smashing two home runs and driving in five runs. He reached base safely in four of five plate appearances, including a walk, while scoring twice. Bellinger’s three hits, all for extra bases totaling nine, were pivotal in the Yankees’ offensive explosion, leaving just one runner stranded.
MLB Rank: #362
STS Projection: 103.5 wRC+, 0.255/0.319/0.415, 18 HR, 14 SB, 74 Runs, 68 RBI
Corbin Carroll, RF, ARI
1-for-3, HR, BB, 2 R, 4 RBI, SB.
Corbin Carroll sparked the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays with a solo home run, a walk, and a stolen base. He scored twice and drove in four runs across four plate appearances, reaching base twice without leaving any runners on. Carroll’s blast and speed on the bases highlighted his multi-faceted contribution to the Diamondbacks’ comfortable triumph.
MLB Rank: #16
STS Projection: 139.4 wRC+, 0.268/0.359/0.505, 26 HR, 31 SB, 98 Runs, 82 RBI
Heliot Ramos, LF, SFG
3-for-5, HR, 2B, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, K.
Heliot Ramos delivered a strong performance in the San Francisco Giants’ thrilling 7-6 win over the Washington Nationals, going 3-for-5 with a home run, double, and walk while scoring twice. In a matchup featuring the 9-12 Giants, fourth in the NL West, against the 9-12 Nationals, third in the NL East, Ramos added two RBI and seven total bases, stranding two runners in a key offensive showing despite one strikeout.
MLB Rank: #744
STS Projection: 107.2 wRC+, 0.252/0.321/0.425, 22 HR, 7 SB, 71 Runs, 72 RBI
James Wood, LF, WSN
1-for-3, HR, 2 BB, HBP, 3 R, 2 RBI, K.
James Wood shone brightly despite the Washington Nationals’ 7-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants, blasting a home run, drawing two walks—including both intentional—and getting hit by a pitch. He scored three runs and drove in two across six plate appearances in the contest between the 9-12 Nationals, third in the NL East, and the 9-12 Giants, fourth in the NL West, reaching base four times with four total bases.
MLB Rank: #59
STS Projection: 139.4 wRC+, 0.267/0.363/0.498, 28 HR, 17 SB, 84 Runs, 87 RBI
J.C. Escarra, C, NYY
2-for-4, 3B, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI.
J.C. Escarra contributed significantly to the New York Yankees’ 13-4 rout of the Kansas City Royals, ripping a triple and double for five total bases while scoring twice and plating three runs. His two hits in four at-bats fueled the Yankees’ big win, with no walks or strikeouts, leaving one on base in a clean, extra-base filled outing.
MLB Rank: #1097
STS Projection: 82.8 wRC+, 0.228/0.305/0.346, 11 HR, 4 SB, 66 Runs, 56 RBI
Yordan Alvarez, DH, HOU
2-for-4, HR, 2B, BB, R, RBI, K.
Yordan Alvarez provided power in the Houston Astros’ 7-5 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals, hammering a home run and double for six total bases, adding a walk and driving in a run while scoring once. Across five plate appearances, he reached base three times without stranding runners, showcasing his slugging ability despite the strikeout.
MLB Rank: #8
STS Projection: 169.2 wRC+, 0.305/0.396/0.578, 36 HR, 5 SB, 91 Runs, 99 RBI
Carter Jensen, C, KCR
2-for-3, HR, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, K.
Carter Jensen stood out for the Kansas City Royals in their 13-4 loss to the New York Yankees, going 2-for-3 with a home run, walk, two runs scored, and two RBI. He reached base three times in four plate appearances, adding five total bases without leaving runners stranded, providing a bright spot with his power.
MLB Rank: #99
STS Projection: 120.2 wRC+, 0.252/0.343/0.446, 22 HR, 5 SB, 81 Runs, 75 RBI
Luke Raley, RF, SEA
1-for-3, HR, BB, 3 R, RBI.
Luke Raley fueled the Seattle Mariners’ 7-3 victory over the Texas Rangers with a home run, walk, three runs scored, and an RBI. In four plate appearances, he reached base twice, added four total bases, and left one runner on base, his speed and power key in the Mariners’ solid win.
MLB Rank: #363
STS Projection: 112.8 wRC+, 0.245/0.326/0.437, 24 HR, 11 SB, 76 Runs, 75 RBI
Brice Turang, 2B, MIL
2-for-3, HR, 2 BB, R, 3 RBI.
Brice Turang drove the Milwaukee Brewers to a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins, hitting a home run, drawing two walks, scoring once, and knocking in three runs. In five plate appearances, he totaled five bases but grounded into a double play, reaching base four times and leaving one on base in a patient, productive effort.
MLB Rank: #146
STS Projection: 108.0 wRC+, 0.266/0.340/0.401, 14 HR, 30 SB, 72 Runs, 63 RBI
Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, SDP
2-for-3, HR, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, K.
Ryan O’Hearn powered the Pittsburgh Pirates in their tight 8-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, going 2-for-3 with a home run, walk, two runs scored, and two RBI. Across four plate appearances, he reached base three times with five total bases and no runners left stranded, offering a strong offensive showing despite the strikeout.
MLB Rank: #809
STS Projection: 106.5 wRC+, 0.258/0.329/0.411, 18 HR, 5 SB, 72 Runs, 67 RBI

Carson Kelly, C, CHC
1-for-1, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Carson Kelly provided a massive boost off the bench in the Chicago Cubs’ 4-2 win over the New York Mets. With one plate appearance, Kelly crushed a home run that drove in three runs and crossed the plate himself, helping secure the victory for the Cubs (11-9, fifth in the NL Central) against the struggling Mets (7-14, fifth in the NL East). His perfect 1-for-1 outing with four total bases was pivotal in a tight contest, showcasing his power potential as a prospect behind the plate.
MLB Rank: #350
STS Projection: 99.4 wRC+, 0.242/0.323/0.388, 18 HR, 3 SB, 67 Runs, 65 RBI

Brayan Rocchio, SS, CLE
1-for-3, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Brayan Rocchio sparked the Cleveland Guardians’ 4-2 triumph over the Baltimore Orioles with a solo home run that plated three runs including himself in a three-plate-appearance effort marred by one fly out and one line out. The Guardians (12-10, first in the AL Central) leaned on Rocchio’s clutch power to outpace the Orioles (10-11, third in the AL East), as his four total bases proved decisive in a low-scoring affair. The shortstop’s performance highlighted his growing impact in the lineup.
MLB Rank: #411
STS Projection: 95.8 wRC+, 0.245/0.321/0.377, 12 HR, 16 SB, 69 Runs, 62 RBI

Nick Kurtz, 1B, ATH
2-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, 3 BB.
Nick Kurtz was a force at the plate during the Athletics’ thrilling 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a run scored, two RBI, and three walks—including two intentional—in six plate appearances. His five total bases and patience wore down the White Sox pitching, contributing significantly to the close win. Kurtz’s productive outing underscored his prospect pedigree at first base.
MLB Rank: #60
STS Projection: 146.8 wRC+, 0.270/0.367/0.524, 33 HR, 6 SB, 86 Runs, 91 RBI

Kyle Tucker, RF, CHC
3-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Despite the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 3-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies, Kyle Tucker shone brightly with a 3-for-5 performance featuring a home run, a run scored, and two RBI across five plate appearances. Battling through one fly out and one ground out, Tucker’s six total bases kept the Dodgers in contention against the Rockies (8-13, fifth in the NL West), even as the first-place Dodgers (15-5, NL West) fell short. His multi-hit effort displayed elite outfield production.
MLB Rank: #38
STS Projection: 136.3 wRC+, 0.272/0.365/0.482, 25 HR, 23 SB, 83 Runs, 81 RBI

Shay Whitcomb, 2B, HOU
1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, 2 K.
Shay Whitcomb delivered for the Houston Astros in their 5-7 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals, smacking a home run for a run scored and three RBI in four at-bats, though he struck out twice and left three on base. The fly out couldn’t overshadow his four total bases in a key moment, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Cardinals. Whitcomb’s power surge highlighted his infield versatility as a prospect.
MLB Rank: #1055
STS Projection: 87.7 wRC+, 0.225/0.282/0.406, 25 HR, 19 SB, 62 Runs, 75 RBI

Cedric Mullins, CF, NYM
2-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI, K, CS.
Cedric Mullins powered the Tampa Bay Rays’ 8-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 2-for-5 with a home run, a run, three RBI, and a strikeout in six plate appearances, adding five total bases despite two pop outs, a caught stealing, and catcher’s interference. His production was crucial in the high-scoring battle, helping the Rays edge out victory. Mullins’ athleticism shone in center field.
MLB Rank: #977
STS Projection: 88.2 wRC+, 0.231/0.305/0.371, 14 HR, 30 SB, 69 Runs, 61 RBI

Kerry Carpenter, RF, DET
2-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB, K.
Kerry Carpenter fueled the Detroit Tigers’ 4-1 domination of the Boston Red Sox, ripping 2-for-3 with a home run, a run, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout over four plate appearances for five total bases. His efficient outing with no outs in the air propelled the Tigers’ offense in the lopsided win, affirming his right field prowess as a key contributor.
MLB Rank: #525
STS Projection: 112.1 wRC+, 0.253/0.311/0.460, 28 HR, 4 SB, 74 Runs, 82 RBI

Ian Happ, LF, CHC
1-for-2, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB.
Ian Happ complemented the Chicago Cubs’ 4-2 win over the New York Mets with a 1-for-2 line including a home run, two runs scored, an RBI, and two walks in four plate appearances, generating four total bases. A fly out was his only blemish. Happ’s on-base skills and power aided the Cubs (11-9, fifth in the NL Central) against the Mets (7-14, fifth in the NL East) in a solid team effort.
MLB Rank: #373
STS Projection: 112.2 wRC+, 0.242/0.336/0.421, 21 HR, 9 SB, 73 Runs, 74 RBI

Marcell Ozuna, DH, PIT
2-for-6, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 K.
Marcell Ozuna battled valiantly for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their 7-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, posting 2-for-6 with a home run, a run, two RBI, and two strikeouts across six plate appearances for five total bases, despite a ground out, air out, and six left on base. His extra-base pop kept the Pirates close in a wild finish.
MLB Rank: #934
STS Projection: 114.2 wRC+, 0.246/0.329/0.441, 27 HR, 1 SB, 70 Runs, 78 RBI

Andrew Benintendi, LF, CHW
1-for-6, HR, R, 3 RBI, K.
Andrew Benintendi offered a bright spot in the Chicago White Sox’s 6-7 defeat to the Athletics, launching a home run for a run scored and three RBI amid a tough 1-for-6 night with a strikeout, two ground outs, a fly out, and a line out over six plate appearances. Four total bases and five left on base reflected his fight, but the Sox fell just short.
MLB Rank: #2626
STS Projection: 97.2 wRC+, 0.250/0.315/0.394, 16 HR, 7 SB, 69 Runs, 64 RBI