Now that we’re well into the “unofficial” second half of the season and are flying past the 100-game mark, it’s time to give props to the MLBbros who’ve set the pace over the last four months plus.
So far, we’ve seen some dominant performances from established veterans as well as emerging superstars.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Best Player: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
After battling with injuries most of 2023, “The Judge” has been relatively healthy and the rest of the American League is paying the price. Two years removed from breaking Roger Maris’ AL single-season home run record and winning an MVP award, No. 99 is on a pace where he could shatter his own record and then some. He’s not only leading the league in homers, total bases, and RBI, he’s also in the top 10 in several offensive categories including hits, runs scored, and WAR. All of this while his slugging partner in crime (Giancarlo Stanton) remains on the disabled list. All rise indeed.
Best Pitcher: Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers
Along with teammate Tarik Skubal, the former Cardinal and Oriole has given Detroit one of the league’s best 1-2 punches on the mound. Currently, “Black Jack” has kept his ERA just under 3.00 (2.95) and is enjoying his best season since 2021, when he went 9-2 in St. Louis. In his last 7 starts, Flaherty is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA including 43 K’s in 39 IP. Ironically, Flaherty’s name has come up in trade talks as the deadline approaches. The Cali native is set to be a free agent at season’s end.
Best Breakout Player: Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians
The native Canadian has taken his overall game to another level and was rewarded by being named to his first All-Star Game. At the break, he was hitting .246 with a career-high 22 home runs and 70 RBI, just behind fellow All-Star Jose Ramírez. Both marks currently lead all AL first baseman. Naylor is the first Cleveland first baseman to be named an All-Star since Carlos Santana in 2019 and is the 2nd Canadian to make the All-Star team for Cleveland, joining Jeff Heath (1941, 1943).
Best Rookie: David Hamilton, Boston Red Sox
After being thrust into the lineup following Trevor Story’s season-ending injury, the Texas native struggled at the plate. The early season woes also affected his fielding as the normally sure-handed Hamilton had several physical and mental miscues in April. However, manager Alex Cora stuck with him, and he has slowly turned his season around. After flirting with the Mendoza Line early on, Hamilton has hit .273 in his last 7 games raising his average to a season-high .265. Hamilton has only 2 errors since April.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Best Player: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
MLBbro.com’s reigning Player of the Year began 2024 just how he ended 2023, establishing himself as one of the game’s best. The versatile shortstop/outfielder was on a torrid pace during the first two months of the season. He hit a sizzling .368 (46-of 125) with 6 homers, 23 RBI, and a combined .532 OPS.
However, everything changed on June 16th when he suffered a left-hand fracture after being hit by a pitch. While Betts has been out ever since, his overall numbers (304 with 10 homers and 40 RBI) were good enough for him to be named to his eighth straight trip to the All-Star Game.
Best Pitcher: Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
The Reds’ Opening Day starter continues to make strides while Cincy tries to remain relevant during the wild NL Wild Card race. Named to the NL All-Star team, Greene has already set a career-high in wins (7) with a 3.34 ERA with 126 strikeouts through 110.1 innings of work at the break. This included a season-high in strikeouts with 10 against the Colorado Rockies in his last start before the break on July 11th. Following his win at Atlanta from Monday, Green dropped his ERA to 0.54 for the month.
Best Breakout Player: C.J. Abrams, Washington Nationals
It was just a matter of time before the 23-year-old shortstop would make an impact not only in D.C., but in MLB overall. In a season, where he was tabbed for his first All-Star Game, Abrams batted .295 in his first 26 games this season, totaling seven home runs and seven stolen bases. He also hit a sizzling .373 in June including 4 homers and 16 RBI during that stretch. With 15 homers and 15 steals at the break, he’s on pace for a possible 30-30 season, the first in Washington since Alfonso Soriano turned the trick in 2006.
Best Rookie: Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals
After getting a brief taste of the Majors last year, the Texas native has taken a full bite this season and established himself as one of the best young players in the league. Winn made the Opening Day roster and has been one of the most consistent players in the Cards’ lineup. He was hitting .284 at the break, with 5 homers, 33 RBI, and 9 steals.
He also hit .309 during the month of June while also establishing his presence in the St. Louis infield. One of the highlights during the month was his performance against the San Francisco Giants on June 20th in the Negro Leagues Classic played at Rickwood Field. Winn was the only Black player in the game and went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and two runs scored as the Cardinals won 6-5.
Recent Comments