Josh Naylor is the best player that nobody talks about. He was snubbed from the All-Star Game despite ranking near the top of the Major League leaders boards in RBI and batting average.
His tear continued this week, highlighting it by hitting a historic home run in the same inning as his younger brother and earning the top spot on the high five list.
1. Josh Naylor
If it wasn’t for Josh Naylor, the Cleveland Guardians would have already mailed in their chances to win the American League Central and make a push for a World Series title.
His 75 RBI are for most fourth in the Majors while his .310 batting average, 22 doubles, 15 home runs, .350 OBP and .872 OPS are all top 10 amongst all first basemen.
Last week was a historic one for the Naylor family.
Brothers Josh and Bo Became the first pair of brothers to hit multi-run home runs in the same inning in Major League history Friday against the Rangers while their youngest brother Myles was drafted by the A’s in week’s draft.
This weekend Naylor and his Guardians will take on the Phillies as they continue the fight for their second straight Central division title.
2. Devin Willams
Baseballs best closer gets the two spot in this weeks #HighFive List.
The two-time All-Star has been almost completely lights out through the first three months of the season, only giving up runs in three of his 38 appearances.
Devin Williams Remains Consistent In His Second All-Star Appearance | He Is Determined To Help Capture The NL Central https://t.co/DG3CFNVcqJ is at the Midsummer Classic interviewing Black and brown major leaguers.
•@Brewers
•@DTrainn_23 #allstargame #mlb… pic.twitter.com/a5LZYqtPQY— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) July 11, 2023
Williams has converted 14 of his last 15 save opportunities including earning his 24th of the year Wednesday night in a win over the Phillies.
3. C.J. Abrams
The key piece the Nationals got back in the Juan Soto trade last off-season is starting to show promise after earning last week’s National League Player of the Week award and being named Rob Parker’s Homeboi Highlights.
CJ Abrams Is Blossoming With The Bat | MLBbro SS Has Been On A Tear pic.twitter.com/urOCILForN
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) July 17, 2023
He batted .462 with three extra base hits and a 1.385 OPS.
Abrams has turned his game up to another level since manager Dave Martinez moved him to the leadoff spot.
Over his last seven games he is slashing .400/.438/.600 with five steals and eight runs scored.
4. Mookie Betts
The most versatile player in the Majors is batting .373 with seven home runs over his last 15 games as his first place Dodgers get ready to take on Marcus Semien and the Rangers in a three-game battle this weekend.
Betts ranks fourth in the Majors in both runs scored and home runs with 75 and and 27 respectively, while his 65 RBI are 10th most.
“It is hard trying to hit home runs, they just happen,” Betts told MLBbro.com after participating in last week’s Home Run Derby.
“It was a unique experience to be around the guys in their element, what Julio and Vlad did was special to see.”
5. J.P. Crawford
Through the first three weeks of July Seattle Mariners Capitan J.P. Crawford is hitting .350 with a .433 OBP and six doubles.
In the beginning of his career,Crawfords biggest strength was his defense which was recognized when he was awarded the American League Gold Glove at shortstop in 2020, but now in year seven his bat is starting to catch up.
He ranks sixth amongst all shortstops in batting average along with being top five in runs scored and 10th in slugging percentage.
With his Mariners five and a half games out of the final Wild Card spot and 10 games back of the Rangers for first in the A.L. West, it is time to start playing playoff baseball in July if they want any shot at a second straight playoff berth.
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