#HIGHFIVE | These Five MLBbros Are So Hot They Don’t Want The Season To Stop For All-Star Break

Mookie Betts is baseball’s most versatile player and he celebrated being named to his seventh career All-Star Game with one of his best weeks of his season as he slashed .435/.545/1.043 and added three home runs, earning the top spot in Week 14 of our #HighFive List.

 

 

1. Mookie Betts

 

 

Mookie Betts represents the culture to the fullest and he will inspire a new era of Black baseball fans when he participates in the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career.

 

 

“It is the last thing I haven’t done,” Betts told reporters.

 

“My wife compared it to LeBron not doing the dunk contest.  And that’s not a knock or anything, but she just feels like for what I am trying to do in baseball, bring awareness to Black culture, I should probably be more involved.”

 

In addition to the top spot on the #HighFive Betts’ also was given the honor of being named Rob Parker’s Home Boi Highlights.

 

 

Betts will take on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the first round of the derby as looks to become the first MLBbro to win since Aaron Judge in 2017.

 

2. Corey Julks

 

The hype train for Astros rookie outfielder Corey Julks is on full-go and it is time to join or get left in the dust.

 

On the Fourth of July against the Colorado Rockies Julks recorded the first four-hit game of his career and finished the two-game set 6-for-8 with an RBI, two runs scored and stolen base.

 

 

The faith Dusty Baker showed in Julks to begin the year has paid off recently in light of injuries to superstars Jose Altuve and Yordan Alavarez.

 

The 27-year-old rookie sensation is hitting .444 over his last seven games and .373 through his last 15.

 

Legendary outfielder Reggie Jackson had good things to say about Julks when MLBbro.com spoke to him earlier this year.

 

“He is going to be a threat,” said Jackson.  “We have been helping him develop his swing since he was in Triple A last year and now we think he can have an impact in the Majors.

 

The Houston native and graduate of the University of Houston, has his Astros only two games behind the Texas Rangers entering play Thursday.

 

3. Byron Buxton

 

 

Injuries are always a dark cloud that will hang over the head of Byron Buxton, but just like he showed this week, when he is available, he is easily one of the most explosive players in the Majors.

 

He homered twice this week while going back-to-back with his teammate to help his Twins to a victory over the Royals on the Fourth of July.

 

 

Buxton hit .333 this week with six RBI, two steals, seven runs scored and drew four walks. This weekend the Twins will take on the Orioles in a matchup that will feature a few of the best MLBbros in the league in Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins and Buxton.

 

4. Josh Naylor

 

 

Josh Naylor is the undisputed biggest All-Star snub of 2023, but he paid the disrespect no mind, continuing his season long tear at the plate this week.

 

 

Naylor, who is sixth in the Majors in RBI and 13th in batting average slashed .345/.387/.586 this week with a home run, four RBI and scored five runs.

 

Over the weekend in the 10th inning with runners on second and third with only one out in a 2016 World Series rematch against the Cubs, Naylor singled in both runners to lead Cleveland to a 8-6 win.

 

The Guardians will face the Royals in a four-game series this weekend before their much-needed All-Star Break.

 

5. “Money” Michael Harris II

 

“Money” Michael Harris II is hitting so well that opposing teams are starting to celebrate his homers.

 

 

 

 

Harris went yard twice Monday against the Guardians and after the first shot, the Cleveland fireworks operator shot off the cannons as fans booed while Money rounded the bases.

 

 

Harris has put his early season struggles in the rearview mirror and now his average sits at .265 with nine home runs, 25 RBI and 11 steals.