Jonah

Cox

Cox has taken advantage of his opportunity with the rebuilding Giants, hitting .313 (15-for-48) with three homers and five steals in 18 games since returning from the minors on August 14. The unheralded 25-year-old rookie offers an interesting power and speed blend for fantasy purposes and should be rostered in deeper formats, especially since he appears poised to continue batting near the top of San Francisco’s lineup for the final three-plus weeks of the season.

Since Cox stole 58 bases in the minors last year and had 34 steals in 55 minor league games this year, you may think of him as just a speed threat, but he also has a 13 percent barrel rate and 43.6 percent hard-hit rate with the Giants this season. Since being recalled again on August 14th, Cox is hitting .302/.362/.581 in 16 games with three home runs, eight runs scored, seven RBI, and four steals. He has played his way out of a short-side platoon role at the moment and could be worth a look in deeper formats.

No word yet on the reason for the move. It’ll be Jonah Cox taking over in center field. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Cox homered in his 10th big-league game back in June, but that was off Carson Kelly in 16-3 game against the Cubs. This one came off Jake Bennett in the second. Cox, who could be looking at more playing time if Victor Bericoto goes on the IL, is batting .255/.255/.489 through 50 plate appearances. He’s struck out 26 times, but he has a .526 BABIP, which seems totally sustainable.

Cox hit .269/.269/.500 in 29 plate appearances with the Giants earlier this year and was raking to the tune of a .468/.519/.660 line in Sacramento after being sent down earlier this month. Presumably he’ll get more of a look in the bigs this time. The 25-year-old stole 21 bases in 55 minor-league games this year and could help out fantasy managers in that category.

Even though the Giants have been shedding position players, the team decided there was no room for Cox on the roster following his four-week absence due to a strained oblique. He was 7-for-26 with a homer and four steals before landing on the injured list.

Cox was having a really solid season in Triple-A and had hit .269/.269/.500 with one home run and four sterals in 29 plate appearances for the Giants this season. There’s no word yet on the severity of the oblique strain, but it should keep him out a month or more.

San Francisco was down five runs at the time, but Chapman seemed to suffer a right leg injury while making a play at third base to end the sixth inning. He stayed in momentarily to bat in the ensuing frame before leaving the contest. Luis Arraez was forced to move over to the hot corner with outfielder Jonah Cox entering the game at second base since the Giants were playing without any backup infielders with Willy Adames (back) hurt. Not great.

Schmitt caught the bug that has been going around the clubhouse and will miss at least one game. Jonah Cox will enter the lineup in center field and will bat ninth for the Giants against Braves’ left-hander Chris Sale.

Adames is out because of lower-half discomfort he felt during last night’s game. As of now, there’s no indication this will be a lengthy absence. Casey Schmitt will start at shortstop with Victor Bericoto in left field, batting eighth, and Jonah Cox in center field, batting ninth.