J.P. Crawford is a top 5 shortstop in Major League Baseball when he performs at the plate like he did to earn the top spot on our Week 11 #HighFive list. The 2013 first round pick is the heartbeat of a Seattle Mariners team trying to stay afloat in a wild American League West.
1. J.P. Crawford
Since he was ejected last Thursday for calling the home plate umpire out for two suspect strike calls, J.P. Crawford has been on an absolute tear posting a .400 batting average and On Base Percentage that’s kissing .500 over his last seven games.
READ: JP Crawford’s Batting Average Is Up 58 Points & Seattle Mariners Are Pulling Up In AL West
In last Saturday night’s contest against the Minnesota Twins, he hit a go-ahead two run homer in the 7th inning of a 5-4 Mariners win in extra innings. That gives Crawford five bombs on the year, which is already more than halfway to the nine he hit the 2024 season.
One of the best abilities he possesses is the ability to get on base, whether it be via the walk, which he has the third most in the American League or by the base hit as he ranks in the top five among all A.L. players with a .396 OBP.
This weekend Crawford will play in his home state of California as his Mariners take on Ron Washington and fellow #HighFive member Jo Adell’s Los Angeles Angels.
2. Xavier Edwards
Xavier Edwards was one of very few bright spots this week for a Marlins team that just got swept by the worst team in the Majors, the Colorado Rockies.
READ: Miami Pound Machine: Xavier Edwards Returns From Injury With 5-for-5 Night
In his first full game since a back strain landed him on the Injured List he went 5-for-5 with a double and RBI against San Francisco. In three games this month, he is slashing .583/.615/.667 with seven hits and just one strikeout. Despite missing a chunk of May Edwards 11 stolen bases lead Miami while fellow MLBbros Dane Myers and Derek Hill rank second and third with seven and six respectively.
3. “Black Jack” Flaherty
(Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)
Jack Flaherty’s third straight quality start earns him the three spot on our Week 11 #HighFive list. Flaherty took advantage of a weak White Sox lineup Monday throwing six innings of four hit baseball where he allowed only one earned run and struck out four.
He now has 76 strikeouts which leave him slightly out of the top five among all American League pitchers while his .212 batting average against ranks him in the top 15. One important note on Flaherty over his last three starts has been his success against left handed hitters as they are only hitting .121 versus him.
READ: ‘Black’ Jack Flaherty Is Back Mowing Em’ Down In Motown
He will look to earn a win in his third consecutive start Sunday afternoon when he takes on the Chicago Cubs who have one of the best offenses in baseball.
4. Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge was the only player in baseball with 50 hits, 75 times reaching base and 85 total bases prior to May this season. (Photo by Joy Washington for MLBbro.com)
Aaron Judge takes the four spot on our #HighFive list after winning the American League Player of the Month award for a second straight month.
In May he slashed .364/.453/.798 with 11 home runs, 18 RBI, 17 walks and a stolen base. Judge still leads the Majors in most hitting categories including hits which he has 88 and an OPS of 1.237. His 21 home runs trail only Shohei Ohtani and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh who will be the only person standing between him and his fourth career MVP award.
READ: These MLBbros Blew Everybody’s Mind Last Night : Aaron Judge, James Wood, Jordan Lawlar Go Crazy
This weekend we will see Judge and his Yankees in their first matchup against their rival Red Sox.
5. “The Show” Jo Adell
Sunday May 12, 2024; Jo Adell #7 of the Angels during the game. The Kansas City Royals defeated the Los Angeles Angels the final score of 4-2 in Anaheim, CA. (Kevin Reece/MLBbro.com)
Jo Adell cracks the #HighFive for the first time this season in a week that is highlighted by his second multi-home run game of the season.
In Monday night’s massacre of the Red Sox in Boston, Adell launched two bombs over the Green Monster in left field. He has a slash line of .318/.400/.773 over his last seven games with five RBI, three home runs and a stolen base.
READ: Jo Adell’s Big Moments Are Adding Up For LA Angels
This weekend Adell and his Angels will look to gain ground on the Mariners in the American League West during their three-game set.
