Aces Only Association:

2026, Week 16

Written by Cory Puffett
Published July 12, 2026

Cory Puffett joined Rich Blorstad with a secured spot in the playoffs following his win over Cory Frontin this week.

There are no clinching scenarios this week, but Sam Martin can secure at least a tie for a playoff spot if he beats Eric Meyer and either Sean Kennedy beats Stephen April or Alex Mayo beats Cory Frontin.

Players of the Week

Catcher - Ben Rice, 16.70 points (Rich Blorstad)

1st Baseman - Rafael Devers, 8.20 points (Sean Kennedy)

2nd Baseman - Brice Turang, 10.00 points (Sam Martin)

3rd Baseman - Alex Bregman, 7.60 points (Eric Meyer)

Shortstop - CJ Abrams, 8.95 points (Cory Frontin)

OF - James Wood, 19.65 points (Rich Blorstad)

UTIL - Elly De La Cruz, 9.25 points (Cory Puffett)

SP - Zack Wheeler, 24.25 points (Rich Blorstad)

RP - Mason Miller, 12.75 points (Rich Blorstad)

Rich Blorstad's four players on this list accounted for nearly 50% of his team's total score this week, which is also more points than two managers scored and nearly as many as our #6 scorer for the week.

Rafael Devers and James Wood were our two repeat players of the week from Week 15, but every other player on this list has been a player of the week previously this season.

Elly De La Cruz earned his first career Hal McRae Award as the highest scoring player in his team's UTIL spot, but he's earned a pair of Barry Larkin Awards already this season.

Game of the Week: Rich Blorstad (149.60) vs Stephen April (107.05)

All-time H2H: Rich leads series 4-3

This one was a massacre. Rich’s Dredgers held dominant 20-point advantages over Stephen’s Orange Team in both hitting and pitching disciplines. It’s pretty remarkable that this was the case considering he didn’t hold dominant volume advantages over Stephen, particularly on the pitching side where he managed the second most points of the week in the AOA.

But where Stephen had three starting pitchers reach double digits for the week, one of whom needed two starts to get there, and one hitter who squeaked into the mix, Rich had three hitters clear 10 points and four pitchers, including a reliever, with one of his starters easily clearing 20 points.

It was a dominant performance by the Dredgers heading into the All-Star Break. Stephen, meanwhile, maintains his narrow advantage in the AOA West and will be sweating over the final month of the season.

Rich's top scorer: Zack Wheeler, 24.25 points (2 starts)

Stephen's top scorer: Paul Skenes, 15.45 points (2 starts)

Cory Frontin (88.80) vs Cory Puffett (111.85)

All-time H2H: Cory P leads series 18-2

Cory F's top scorer: Landon Roupp, 12.10 points (1 start)

Cory P's top scorer: Jhoan Duran, 12.45 points (3 appearances)

Alex Mayo (66.85) vs Sam Martin (96.30)

All-time H2H: Sam leads series 14-2

Alex's top scorer: Gavin Williams, 11.60 points (1 start)

Sam's top scorer: Cade Smith, 10.55 points (4 appearances)

Eric Meyer (56.00) vs Sean Kennedy (74.15)

All-time H2H: Sean leads series 9-6

Eric's top scorer: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 9.20 points (6 games)

Sean's top scorer: Juan Soto, 10.50 points (7 games)

Rich Blorstad remains atop the power rankings this week. It is his 23rd #1 ranking in his career.

Alex Mayo has now been at the bottom of the power rankings for 11 weeks in a row, though for the first time since Week 7, his power score is greater than zero. This is his 25th career appearance at the bottom of the power rankings.

Note: MLB issues stat corrections up to 7 days after games. These corrections will be applied to games, including those that have been completed, but these articles will not necessarily be updated with those stat corrections.

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