Aces Only Association:

2026, Week 9

Written by Cory Puffett
Published May 25, 2026

Players of the Week

Catcher - Ivan Herrera, 8.35 points (Cory Frontin)

1st Baseman - Nick Kurtz, 10.65 points (Sam Martin)

2nd Baseman - Xavier Edwards, 7.35 points (Cory Puffett)

3rd Baseman - Junior Caminero, 7.80 points (Sean Kennedy)

Shortstop - CJ Abrams, 9.25 points (Cory Frontin)

OF - Juan Soto, 12.65 points (Sean Kennedy)

UTIL - Jordan Walker, 7.70 points (Cory Puffett)

SP - Bryan Woo, 13.00 points (Sam Martin)

RP - Cade Smith, 16.65 points (Sam Martin)

Nick Kurtz is trying to close the gap on Matt Olson for the most Paul Goldschmidt Awards of the 2026 season. He's up to three after claiming the last two.

Cade Smith earned his first career Eric Gagne Award last week and then did it again, this time more than doubling the next higher point total among relievers for the week, giving Sam a huge boost that went to waste.

The only other repeat winner from last week was Xavier Edwards at second base. Meanwhile Ivan Herrera and Jordan Walker each earned their first career player of the week honors.

Game of the Week: Cory Frontin (100.85) vs Sam Martin (90.05)

All-time H2H: Sam leads series 10-3

An incredibly close game worth the Game of the Week billing until Friday, Cory finally took control of his matchup for good with a pair of gems by Bryce Elder and Kevin Gausman.

After leaving Corbin Carroll out of his lineup for much of Week 8 and paying the price in a narrow loss, Cory returned the Diamondbacks outfielder to everyday status and the all-star turned in the top point total amongst the Trowels offensive players thanks in part to four triples on the week!

With Ivan Herrera and CJ Abrams, who combined to hit more home runs than Sam’s entire Lowlanders squad, joining Carroll, Friday’s starters and three other pitchers who turned in quality starts, it’s a wonder Cory barely managed a double-digit margin of victory in this one.

Cory's top scorer: Kevin Gausman, 11.15 points (1 start)

Sam's top scorer: Cade Smith, 16.65 points (4 appearances)

Rich Blorstad (99.20) vs Sean Kennedy (97.25)

All-time H2H: Rich leads series 6-3

Rich's top scorer: Jacob Misiorowski, 11.40 points (1 start)

Sean's top scorer: Juan Soto, 12.65 points (6 games)

Cory Puffett (97.35) vs Alex Mayo (38.45)

All-time H2H: Cory leads series 11-2

Cory's top scorer: Framber Valdez, 10.15 points (2 starts)

Alex's top scorer: George Kirby, 6.20 points (1 start)

Stephen April (70.00) vs Eric Meyer (42.00)

All-time H2H: Stephen leads series 8-1

Stephen's top scorer: Cristopher Sanchez, 11.40 points (1 start)

Eric's top scorer: Chris Sale, 12.10 points (1 start)

Rich Blorstad remains atop the power rankings this week. It is his 16th #1 ranking in his career.

This marks four consecutive weeks with Alex Mayo at the bottom of the power rankings, and the second week in a row he's ranked dead last in every single power metric. This is his 18th career appearances 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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