#HIGHFIVE | Top 5 MLBros (Weeks 1-2)

Washington D.C.’s next ace Josiah Gray takes the No. 1 spot on our first #High/Five list of the season.

1. Josiah Gray

Josiah Gray is going to be the nation’s capitals next ace and he wants that crown sooner rather than later.

After starting off 2022 showing why he was rated as a top prospect for the Dodgers last year, he leads the wave on this years first #High/Five list.

The Nationals traded away Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, two pillars of their franchise, for Gray and another prospect at last season’s trade deadline.  They believe the deal will be worth it in the future.

In his last 10.1 innings he has allowed just one run and struck out 13 hitters.  Gray also gave up only four hits and won both starts.

He’ll look to continue his winning ways Sunday against the San Francisco Giants.

2. Hunter Greene

Hunter Greene is already a superstar. He’s one player that needs to be on the mound in this year’s All-Star Game, in his hometown of Los Angeles, to show the world.

Greene had one of what will be many MLB moments in just his second career start, on the Dodger Stadium mound last Saturday night.

He broke the Major League record for most pitches thrown over 100 MPH in a game (39), finishing the game throwing 5.1 innings, striking out six, and only allowing two runs against one of the baseball’s best lineups.

 

 

Greene began his career facing two tough opponents. He got the win in his debut versus the World Champion Braves striking out seven in five innings and only giving up three runs.

The No.2 overall pick in the 2017 Draft will have another tough test this Friday as he takes the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals.

3. Josh Bell

Josh Bell has been one of the best hitters on the planet and continues to shine during his time in D.C. He’s already earned the honor of being named in Rob Parker’s Homeboi Highlights.

Going into Thursday, Bell ranks 13th in the Majors in batting average and has collected a hit in every game he has played in every game this season except two. He has five multi-hit performances already.

 

Bell has an OPS of .977, a .354 batting average, drawn eight walks, hit two home runs and drove in 11 RBI this season.

4. Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Jazz Chisholm has everything needed to be the face of the franchise for the Miami Marlins.  His on and off-field swag, confidence, and skills put him in the conversation to be one of the best second baseman in the Majors.

Known to us as the “Bahamian Blur”, Chisholm Jr. is the eighth Bahamian-born player to play in the Majors.  The ninth, Lucius Fox, made his debut for the Nationals a few weeks ago.

 

Chisholm Jr. leads the Marlins in OPS, slugging percentage, RBI, home runs and slugging percentage.  Even more impressive – he has done so after missing some games due to injury.

Chisholm’s batting average stands at .296 this season with an OPS of 1.085 and two home runs.

5. Ke’Bryan Hayes

Before the season began, the Pittsburgh Pirates made it clear they wanted Ke’Bryan Hayes to be a part of their future success by signing him to an eight-year/$70 million deal, making him the highest paid player in their franchise’s history. Over the first few weeks of the season he’s made good on their decision.

Hayes has batted either first or third for a Pirates team that has turned some heads early this season. He has a .326 batting average with two steals and has continually flashed his leather, showing his potential to become one of the best defensive players at his position in the league this season.