What happened: A widely shared projection lays out Ben Rice's full-season pace based on his production so far: 121 runs, 121 RBI, 38 doubles, 47 home runs, 165 hits and 80 walks. The numbers are anchored by a .306/.397/.658 slash line, marking one of the most productive stretches of his young career.

Why it matters: A 47-homer pace paired with a near-.400 on-base percentage would vault Rice into the middle-of-the-order, MVP-tier conversation and reshape expectations for his role. Sustaining that line over a full season would be a significant leap in offensive value at a premium production spot in the lineup.

What to watch: The key question is durability and consistency, including how Rice handles tough left-handed pitching down the stretch. Watch whether the slugging pace holds as the season's sample grows and the schedule stiffens.