Mookie Betts was in a class of his own during Opening Week, picking up right where he left off from the 2023 season that saw him finish second in the race for National League MVP. The most versatile player in the Majors earns the top spot on the inaugural 2024 #HighFive List.
1. Mookie Betts
Betts, who recorded career hit number 1,500 via a home run off of Logan Webb Tuesday night, is off to the best start of his career as he currently leads the Majors in nearly every single offensive category through the first week.
The lights shine brighter in Los Angeles, and this season the expectations have never been higher for a Dodger team that went on a spending spree this off-season after a disappointing playoff run; headlined by their acquisition of Shohei Ohtani.
What makes Betts’ offensive output even more impressive is the fact that he is doing it while being asked to play shortstop for the first time in his career.
More Milestones For Mookie Betts: LA Dodgers Star Shortstop Reaches 1,500 Hit Milestone
The law of averages will at some point bring Betts down a little closer to Earth, but I believe he is prime to join the rare company of players that have won an MVP award in both Leagues.
2. Marcus “Stro Show” Stroman
The New York native looked sharp in his Yankee debut last weekend throwing six innings and allowing no earned runs off four hits with four strikeouts in a win in Houston over a tough Astros lineup.
Stroman, who signed a two-year $37 million deal over the off-season will make his home debut in the Bronx Friday night when their American League East rival Blue Jays visit for a weekend series.
3. Trey Lipscomb
DMV native Trey “Tha Truth” Lipscomb left his mark on the Washington Nationals front office and management during Spring Training as he hit .400 with a .900 OPS, seven RBI and a .540 slugging percentage.
After an injury gave him the opportunity to be promoted to the Majors, Lipscomb has made the most of his time through his first week, slashing .357/.400/.571 through 14 at-bats. Lipscomb hit his first career home run last Sunday; an opposite field shot to right off Reds reliever Buck Farmer to break a 3-3 tie in the seventh.
This weekend, he will look to continue his early success when the Phillies visit Nationals Park.
4. Ke’Bryan Hayes
Pittsburgh is off to one of their best starts in franchise history and 2023 National League Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes has been a major contributor to the success of the Buccos.
Hayes started the season with four consecutive multi-hits games, becoming the first Pirate to accomplish that feat since the legendary Barry Bonds did it in 1988.
Alongside former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen and 2019 World Series hero Michael A. Taylor, Hayes has the Steel City buzzing with the hopes of obtaining the N.L. Central Pennant for the first time in franchise history.
He has both scored and driven in five runs while posting a .333 batting average and an .868 OPS.
5. Josh Naylor
In 2023 Josh Naylor was one of the most consistent players offensively in the Majors and that has carried through the first week of 2024. Naylor, who drove in a season-high three runs thanks to two sacrifice flies and a groundout Wednesday against the Mariners, is hitting .318 with a .915 OPS and five RBI.
Last season Naylor collected a career-high 97 RBI. With a better Guardian offense expected around him this season, including a full year for his brother, catcher Bo Naylor on the roster, “The Impaler” will hit the coveted 100 RBI mark and possibly finish with close to 30 homers.
