Kumar Rocker opens the second half in the top spot on our Week 16 #HighFive list after a dominant showing against the first-place Chicago White Sox on the way to his first win in over two months.
1. Kumar Rocker
Kumar Rocker is going to have to be a critical piece in the Texas Rangers rotation if they have any chance of making the playoffs for the first time since their 2023 World Series run.
On Tuesday night, he threw six shutout innings, allowing just one hit, two walks and striking out six on the way to his first win since May 19 in Colorado.
Rocker had to sit on his final start before the All-Star break, where he allowed seven runs in a disappointing 5.2 innings for nearly two weeks before delivering one of his best performances of the year.
He currently sports a 3-8 record with a 4.13 ERA. His next start is projected to be on Monday in the final matchup of a four-game set between Rocker’s Rangers and the Seattle Mariners that will determine first place in the American League West.
2. Chase Burns
Chase Burns got paid over the All-Star Break and is already earning every penny of his record-breaking deal. He signed a 7-year, $105 million extension with the Cincinnati Reds, giving him the largest contract ever for a pitcher with less than four years of service time.
The first-time All-Star celebrated with five shutout innings of three-hit baseball and a win against Seattle to open his second half.
Burns’ quest to become the first Red to win a Cy Young in a full Major League season continues Monday in an interstate clash against the Cleveland Guardians.
3. Drake Baldwin
A career day to cap off a series at which he abused the Rangers pitching staff earns Drake Baldwin the three spot on our Week 16 #HighFive. In Sunday afternoon’s finale, Baldwin recorded a career-best five hits and hit two solo home runs to help Atlanta take the opening series after the break. In total, Baldwin went 10-for-14 for a .714 batting average with eight RBIs and three home runs during the three-game set.
Drake Baldwin Continues to Prove He’s One of MLB’s Best Catchers
The first-time All-Star and reigning National League Rookie of the Year will look to add a Silver Slugger and maybe even a World Series MVP trophy to his resume as the push for the playoffs begins.
4. C.J. Abrams “The Alien”
The National League starting shortstop in this year’s All-Star Game continued his case for being the best in baseball as he takes the cleanup spot on our Week 16 #HighFive.
C.J. Abrams leads all Major League shortstops in most major hitting categories, including home runs, RBIs, Slugging Percentage and OPS while also ranking in the top five for batting average, hits, runs scored and doubles. He has a slash line of .400/.438/.900 with four home runs, nine RBIs and a stolen base over his last seven games.
CJ Abrams’ Four-Hit Performance Powers Nationals To 8-0 Victory Over Rockies
Abrams and his Nationals begin a six-game homestand Friday, first welcoming the Arizona Diamondbacks before an interleague matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.
5. Jazz Chisholm “Bahamian Blur”
“I sucked all season,” Jazz Chisholm told reporters earlier this week. He has played below his own preseason expectations; however, he had himself a solid week at the plate on the way to earning the final spot on our #HighFive. Chisholm, who ranks third in the Majors in stolen bases, hit three home runs in two games this week, including a game-winning shot against the Los Angeles Dodgers for a win on Sunday Night Baseball.
‘I Sucked All Season’: Jazz Chisholm’s Game-Winning Homer Against Dodgers Is A Sign Of Hope
There is still plenty of time to turn his season around, and as we all know, with the New York Yankees, you are judged highly on how productive you are in the months of October and November.
