When you take a peek at Week 7 of our #HighFive list, you will see Aaron Judge on top, where he became accustomed to last season on his way to the American League MVP award and a record 62 home runs.
1. Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge looks locked in after returning from a hip injury that caused him to be placed on the Injured List for a few weeks.
He has five home runs over his last seven games, three coming against their American League East rivals the Blue Jays.
That makes 73 homers for Judge since last season, however one of his two Monday night blasts came with some controversy.
Aaron Judge Is Accused of Cheating? MLBbro.com Weighs the Evidence!
Judge was facing Blue Jays reliever and fellow MLBbro Jay Jackson in the top of the 8th when he hit his second home run of the game. During the at-bat Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected for arguing strikes and balls that were not going in Judge’s favor. Then the Blue Jays broadcasting crew caught Judge peeking over towards his dugout a few times during the at-bat and accused him of sign stealing.
“There was kind of a lot of chirping from our dugout, which I did not really like in that situation,” said Judge when reporters asked to explain what he was looking at.
“I feel like after the manager does his thing, it’s like our pitcher still has to go out there and make some pitches. We have got the lead, let’s just go to work here,” said Judge.
This weekend the Yankees will travel to Cincinnati for a series against the Reds that will feature a matchup between flame thrower Hunter Greene “Machine” and Judge on Sunday.
2. Marcus Semien
The Inaugural 2021 MLBro.com Player of the Year is looking to lock up the award for a second time in three seasons.
https://t.co/DG3CFNUEBb analyst @LaTroyHawkins32 discusses the consistency in production that Marcus Semien has exhibited throughout his 11-year career.
He’s finally playing for a first-place squad and making his five-tool impact felt. pic.twitter.com/6WYB4XobQ2
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) May 18, 2023
The Texas Rangers second baseman is batting .310 with five RBI a homer and got the first triple of his season over his last seven games while he has also reached base safely in 30 of his last 31 games.
Semien’s 35 RBI are the 6th most in the Majors and his 37 runs scored lead the American League. His first place Rangers welcome the Colorado Rockies to Arlington for a three-game set this weekend.
3. “Black Jack” Flaherty
Jack Flaherty took a step in the right direction with his best start of the season Monday night against the Brewers. He had 10 strikeouts in seven innings while giving up no runs on just three hits and two walks.
Flaherty’s teammates had high praises for him as the Cardinals are beginning to turn around a slow start to their season.
“That was one of the best outings I have ever seen him have,” said multiple time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado.
“He just seemed in control of the game.”
He will have to be on his game during his next start this Sunday he takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
4. Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor became the first player to ever hit three go-ahead home runs in the 8th inning or later in three straight games when he did it against the Los Angeles Angels last weekend.
My Two Cents | Josh Naylor The Impaler Homered In Three Straight Games For Cleveland@1stladyofsports
📺: https://t.co/N9jHJa1ZZ2 pic.twitter.com/7C6B8DfXSD
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) May 18, 2023
That doubled his home run total for the season which now stands at six.
Naylor has seen his playing time go down compared to last year with the addition of Josh Bell to the Guardian’s lineup, but for a team that lacks power he can be a huge piece in their quest to get back to the playoffs and make a deep run.
5. Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen is doing his best to keep his Pirates ship above water after falling to a 3-7 record in their last 10 games.
Last week he hit his 7th home run of the season and in his last seven games is slashing .308/.400/.423 with four RBI and four walks.
With Pittsburgh only a game back of the Brewers for first place in the National League Central, Cutch will need to keep swinging a hot bat this weekend in their series against a tough D-Backs team.