For a second season in a row, “Black Jack” Flaherty is proving to be the Detroit Tigers “Robin” to their “Batman” Tarik Skubal.  His six-inning shutout victory over the San Francisco Giants Tuesday night earns him the top spot on Week 10 of our #HighFive list.

1. “Black Jack” Flaherty

Flaherty’s best start of the season earns him the top spot on our list for the first time in 2025.

He got through six innings for the second start in a row and only the third time this year, finishing with eight strikeouts and allowing just two hits and one walk to bring his record to 3-6. Flaherty’s 72 strikeouts leave him just off the top five amongst all American League pitchers and in his last three starts, which all have been quality outings he has only surrendered five runs in 18 plus innings.

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He will have the chance for a fourth consecutive quality start and even a second week atop the #HighFive when he takes the ball Monday on the Southside of Chicago as he faces the White Sox.

2. James Wood

Washington Nationals slugger James Wood stands an intimidating 6-foot-7 at the plate. (Photo by Joy Washington for MLBbro.com)

James Wood is on pace for 45 home runs, 120 RBI and his first career All-Star appearance as he has now entered his hottest stretch of the season.

James Wood’s first-inning homer gave the Nationals a 2-run lead on Saturday at Nationals Park. They went on to beat the Giants 3-0.

He had a slash line of .346/.433.808 with 10 RBI, three home runs and a stolen base over his last seven games. Along with Shohei Ohtani, Wood is the only player in the Majors with an average over .280, 15 or more home runs and eight stolen bases. His 435ft homer Wednesday left the bat at 113 mph and made for the second time this season where he homered in back-to-back games.

3. Aaron Judge

Thursday May 30, 2024; Aaron Judge #99 of the Yankees during the game. The New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels the final score of 8-3 in Anaheim, CA. (Kevin Reece for MLBbro.com)

Another week, another #HighFive appearance for the King of New York Aaron Judge. Although he has come slightly closer to Earth with his batting average now at .391, he is still the most feared hitter in the Majors. In Wednesday night’s game in Anaheim, Ron Washington joked with Judge from across the field as he elected to intentionally walk him twice in the first two innings.

That made him the first Yankee to be given an intentional walk in the first since Robinson Cano in 2012. One of the most impressive things Judge has done this season is attack and succeed against left-handed pitching.


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He is hitting .432 with seven home runs and 14 RBI in 49 plate appearances against them. Over his last seven games Judge is slashing .304/.467.609 with two homers, six runs scored, seven walks and three RBI.

4. Lawrence “Law Dawg” Butler

It has been a slow start for what was expected to be a breakout season for Lawrence Butler, but this week he has shown signs of getting right at the plate.

He collected hits in nine straight games, four being multi-hit efforts including a three-hit game Tuesday against the Astros before a Wednesday night 0-for-4 ended that streak.

Over his last seven games, Butler has a batting average of .367 with a stolen base and five RBI.

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Butler will need to go on a tear in June for a chance to accomplish his goal of making the All-Star team in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia beginning with the A’s weekend series against the Blue Jays.

5. Masyn Winn

Masyn Winn steps to the plate in a game against Washington Nationals. (Photo by Joy Taylor for MLBbro.com)

 

Do not sleep on Masyn Winn when it comes to the conversation of best shortstops in the Majors. His first four-hit game of his career Wednesday locked him into the final spot on our Week 10 #HighFive list.

Winn just missed batting over .300 for consecutive months as his average for May is at .292 as of Thursday. He has however matched his home runs total from April and doubled his RBI count which stands at 13.

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Winn brings a slash line of .278/.357/.795 into his home state of Texas as his Cardinals prepare to take on a struggling Rangers team this weekend.