Triston McKenzie has molded himself from top prospect to Ace of a playoff team. He showed out in most recent start getting the win after eight shutout innings, allowing just two hits on eight strikeouts against the first place Houston Astros to take the top spot in Week 18 of our #HighFive list.
1. Triston “Dr. Sticks” McKenzie
Since debuting in August of 2020, Triston McKenzie has allowed an opponents batting average of .194 which is the fifth lowest for any starting pitcher who has thrown at least 200 innings.
That is lower than the likes of eight time All-Star Max Scherzer and last year’s American League Cy Young winner Robbie Ray.
In his last seven starts, McKenzie has a 1.70 ERA with 48 strikeouts and a 4-2 record.
Before his last start McKenzie cut his braids and stayed solid on the mound with a fade.
It was the second time a Guardians pitcher allowed no hits after the second inning in a start this season, the other was also done by McKenzie in a May start against the Blue Jays.
McKenzie’s Guardians currently sit in first place in the American League Central and down the stretch he will need to perform against multiple contenders on their schedule.
In three starts against the two best teams in the American League, the Yankees and Astros, he is 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA, 18 strikeouts, three walks and has given up only one run.
His next start will come Saturday in Toronto against the Blue Jays.
2. Aaron Judge
The quest for history continued for Aaron Judge this week as he hit home runs #44 and #45 to go along with a .375 batting average, six RBI, five runs and a stolen base.
Judge is now on pace for 65 homers which would tie him with Mark McGwire for fourth most All-Time. He would also pass Roger Maris who hit the most ever by a Yankee in 1961.
This weekend Judge brings his Yankees into Fenway for a series against the Red Sox, culminating with a matchup on Sunday Night Baseball.
3. Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts has been one of the best players in the National League since the All-Star Game and has a hit in eight of nine games in August.
In his last seven games Betts is batting .333 with four RBI, two steals and eight runs to add to his National League leading total of 81.
Today in the Lead Off: When asked about his shirt by https://t.co/DG3CFND3cB reporter @_teammill, Betts’ response was, “there’s not a lot of Blacks in baseball, so I’m trying to change it.”
Read more about @mookiebetts iconic shirt up now https://t.co/Wb7MQibErY pic.twitter.com/GBnKIURSNx
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) July 21, 2022
His Dodgers have won ten games in a row and will look to make it 13 after this weekend’s series in Kansas City against the Royals.
4. “Money” Michael Harris II
Michael Harris is working towards becoming the fifth Brave ever to win National League Rookie of the Year.
He helped himself this week, batting .360 with four RBI and his 10th home run of the season.
Harris is now joined by another Braves MLBbro prospect Vaughn Grissom, which gives Atlanta two of the three youngest players in the Majors.
Wednesday night fans got a taste of what could end up being one of the best outfielders in the game when Harris greeted Grissom at the plate after his first career hit and home run at Fenway Park.
#MLBbro Travis Demeritte and future bro Michael Harris II are two prime examples of how developing players in house works in the present while also setting your team up for sustained success. @OctobersOwnTae shares his thought’s in todays Lead Off on https://t.co/QotOB4bcEx pic.twitter.com/cOHcCeTTPI
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) May 17, 2022
5. Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins
Cedric Mullins has his Baltimore Orioles tied for one of the three American League Wild Card spots entering Thursday ahead of a weekend series against the team they are tied with, the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his last seven games Mullins is batting .286 with two steals.
He now has 24 steals this year and is looking to hit 30 for the second straight season.
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