Cam Smith makes his #HighFive debut in the top spot of our Week 13 list after a historic week for the Astros rookie.
1. Cam Smith
Cam Smith holds the key to the future of the Houston Astros franchise. He was the main piece in the trade that sent Kyle Tucker packing this offseason and with Alex Bregman gone and an aging Jose Altuve, he is next in line for stardom.
He is currently in the middle of the best stretch of his career as he became the first Astros rookie since 2017 to have seven hits in a two-game span and the first to do it at age 21 or younger since 1974. He also has hits in nine of his last 10 games and is slashing .321/.345/.528 with 10 RBI, five doubles and an .873 OPS in June.
Wall Ball | Every Rookie Hits A Wall. Cam Smith Is Starting To Break Through It.
Smith has played a major role in the Astros winning seven of their last 10 games entering Thursday. He will look to continue his hot streak this weekend in a series against the Ron Washington led Los Angeles Angels.
2. Byron Buxton
Byron Buxton continues to make his case to start in Atlanta in the American League outfield for the All-Star Game.
READ: Byron Buxton Is Still One Of The Best Players In MLB
On Tuesday he displayed his skillset on both sides of the field: first with a home run on the first pitch of the game, then in the following inning he robbed fellow MLBbro Will Benson of what would have been a home run to deep center field. Over his last seven games, Buxton had a slash line of .409/.500/.909 with three home runs, five RBI, three walks and two steals.
He ranks in the top five among all Major League outfielders in OPS and slugging percentage while ranking in the top 10 in RBI.
3. J.P. Crawford
J.P. Crawford powered his way to the third spot on our Week 13 #HighFive list in large part to him hitting a grand slam on his first ever Father’s Day after he and his wife welcomed their daughter Korra to the world over the offseason. It has been a solid first half of the season for Crawford who is looking to capture his first All-Star nod of his career.
He entered Thursday ranking fourth in the Majors with a .416 On Base Percentage and is top five among shortstops in batting average and OPS while being first in walks drawn.
READ: JP Crawford’s New Baby Is Fueling His Career Season
This week Crawford registered back-to-back three hit games for the first time in his career during their series against the Guardians to raise his June batting average to .389.
4. James Wood
James Wood continues to dominate in his sophomore season as he earned the fourth spot on this week’s #HighFive. Ranking in the top 10 in the Majors for both doubles and home runs, Wood should find himself starting for the National League at next month’s All-Star Game.
He ranks top five among all outfielders for WAR, RBI, Slugging Percentage and walks drawn. His .925 OPS only trails Aaron Judge for the Major League lead. Over his last seven games Wood has homered twice, drove in seven runs, walked six times and is slashing .386/.484./720.
This weekend his Nationals will take on Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game series.
5. Marcus Semien
Marcus Semien has compiled a season-long 10-game hitting streak to take the final spot on our Week 13 #HighFive list
READ: Marcus Semien Reaches Base Four Times, Scores Three Runs In Rangers’ 8–1 Win.
It seems like he has fully shaken off his typical early season start as he entered Thursday hitting .313 with three home runs, nine RBI and two stolen bases in June. His batting average for the season is now up to .226 after being under the Mendoza Line through the first two months of the season.
