MLB Stock Up, Stock Down: Angels, Braves, De La Cruz and All-Star Game

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The week leading into the All-Star Break is a big one around MLB. This year, it’s an important one for a lot of teams as there are more teams in contention for a playoff berth whether it’s through their division on a Wild Card spot.

The last seven days have been a difficult one for multiple teams with injuries and it puts their buy or sell trade deadline decisions in a very difficult spot. Two players in the National League, one veteran and one young rising star, both put their talents on display with some impressive performances.

With all of that said, let’s fire up the latest Stock Up, Stock Down, and the final one before MLB takes a break for the All-Star Game in Seattle.

Stock Down: Los Angeles Angels injuries and losses piling up at bad time

Throughout the first half of the 2023 season, the Los Angeles Angels have hung around a playoff spot longer than they usually do and have avoided any major injuries. That all changed in the last seven days and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

In six games against the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, they went 1-5, were swept by the Padres, and have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games. To compound matters, they have lost All-Star outfielder Mike Trout for four to eight weeks after getting injured fouling a pitch off of his wrist, which caused him to undergo surgery on his left hand after a fracture of his hamate bone.

To matters even more worse, one night later on July 4, Shohei Ohtani was lifted in the middle of his start against the Padres with a reoccurring fingernail and blister problem on his right hand, and Anthony Rendon left after fouling a ball off of his leg. Ohtani returned to the lineup the next day as the DH, but Rendon missed the series final after X-rays were negative.

Missing Trout is going to be a big blow to Los Angeles and could very well extend their nine-year postseason drought.

Jul 6, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) slides into third base after a fly out by Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (not pictured) against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Cincinnati Reds young star Elly De La Cruz adds to the hype

There has been a lot of hype surrounding Cincinnati Reds’ young star Elly De La Cruz and rightfully so. He busted onto the scene as an exciting young player and made a big impact which is part of the reason why they were able to go on a 12-game winning streak last month.

He struggled in a three-game series against San Diego at home, going 2-for-13, but he made up for it and then some against the Washington Nationals in a four-game series in the nation’s capital during their Fourth of July series. He went 10-for-16 with three doubles, a home run, four runs scored, and three RBI.

Things were going so well for De La Cruz that Nationals manager Davey Martinez asked the umpiring crew to check his bat before his first plate appearance during the second inning on Wednesday. Martinez requested that the umpires perform an equipment rules check on his bat regarding the housing of a swing tracker that was covering the knob. Crew chief Adrian Johnson made the Reds slugger take off the knob cover until MLB told Washington it was approved.

After striking out without the knob, De La Cruz exacted revenge by blasting a solo home run to the second deck at Nationals Park in the fifth inning of a 9-2 win.

111.6 MPH
455 FEET

ELLY DE LA CRUZ IS GOOD AT BASEBALL pic.twitter.com/OV9D3jzccx
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 6, 2023

De La Cruz is quickly rising into a must-watch player on a team that is turning into one of the best stories in the majors with their turnaround that has them on top in the NL Central nearing the mid-summer break ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers. If there is an example of someone’s stock rising during a season, it’s De La Cruz.

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – MAY 03: Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Tropicana Field on May 03, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Stock Down: MLB All-Star Game Snubs and voting process

In reality, we could write a book on what’s wrong with the All-Star Game voting process and snubs. We could actually write a yearly story on it. Once again this season, it’s front and center after the rosters were announced with some noticeable omissions.

Two of the noticeable omissions from next week’s game are Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres and Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays. I get it, Tatis started the season by finishing out his 80-game PED suspension, but once he’s been back in the San Diego lineup, he’s been a staple at the top of the order and he is strong in the analytics side of the game. He moved to the outfield after Xander Bogaerts took over the spot full-time and he has thrived defensively in the outfield. Could he be a byproduct of his suspension from the fans and players? Yes, of course, but if the goal is to get the best players there, then it’s an issue.

Another notable missing piece of the Midsummer Classic is Franco, who rates better in analytics than Whit Merrifield of the Toronto Blue Jays. Franco leads the American League in defensive WAR and has been big with the bat for manager Kevin Cash. If there is a last-minute replacement, Franco should be the first one selected. Nothing against Merrifield, but Franco has almost the same offensive numbers, but he is on a different level definitely.

This is where the All-Star voting process comes into play. It has turned into a popular vote in recent years and fanbases like the Blue Jays stuff the boxes and get their players to the game, even if they are better players more deserving. The process needs to be evaluated, something that people have been calling for in the past.

Jun 12, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) hits a two RBI double in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Acuna, Jr. joins elite company as Braves continue to roll along

The Atlanta Braves have been separating themselves from the rest of the pack in the majors by winning 18 of their last 20 games. They have been getting contributions from up and down the lineup, as well as their starters and relievers.

Out of all the contributions they have got this season, Ronald Acuna Jr. continues to bolster his case for National League MVP. He’s slashing .337/.414./594 and has an OPS of 1.008. He has 21 home runs, 24 doubles, and 54 RBI for the 58-28 Braves. Tuesday, Atlanta dropped a 6-5 decision to the Cleveland Guardians, but Acuna Jr. managed to set a modern streak era.

He stole his 41st base of the season off of Shane Bieber and it was the 13th straight game where he either had a home run or stolen base in the game. The Braves have been the most consistent team all season long since the season started, but Acuna Jr. at the top of the order has set them apart from everyone else … for now. His defense has been at an elite level too.

Today marks the 13th consecutive game that Ronald Acuña Jr. of the @Braves has either hit a home run or stolen a base.

That's the longest streak by any MLB player in the modern era, surpassing the 12 straight by Oakland's Bert Campaneris in 1969 (entirely on stolen bases). pic.twitter.com/Rc56LaNTak
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 5, 2023

Atlanta faces a very interesting final series before the All-Star break when they play three against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in a matchup of the two best teams in each league. Depending on how the series goes, it’s a safe bet the Acuna Jr. will have a say at least a couple of times this weekend.

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