The 2022 MLBbro.com All-Bro Team | The Best Black MLB Players

The 2022 MLBbro.com All-Bro Team | The Best Black MLB Players

by | Dec 16, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Since its founding MLBbro.com has been committed to promoting the game of baseball and Black and brown players that have helped contribute to its enduring legacy and eternal appeal.

At the end of each season, we celebrate the very best of those players with the naming of our annual All-Bro Team.

The All-Bro Team includes one player at each infield position, three outfielders, two designated hitters, a starting pitcher and a reliever.

The team is led by American League MVP Aaron Judge and includes four all-stars, the 2022 All-Star Game MVP, and a Gold Glove winner. 

2022 All-Bro Team:

CATCHER

Chuckie Robinson, Reds

Former 21st round draft pick Chuckie Robinson became the first Black catcher to play since 2018 and the first in more than 20 years to spend significant time behind the plate for a major league team, appearing in 25 games for the Reds.

After batting .266 in AA/AAA for the Red, Robinson was called up on Aug. 24. He smacked his first big-league home run on Aug. 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Chuckie Robinson had a solid defensive season, but will have to improve with his bat in order to stick with the Reds next season.

FIRST BASE

Josh Bell, Padres

Bell split time between Washington and San Diego, but whether he was on the East Coast or the West Coast, Josh Bell provided power at the first base spot all season long.

In 2022 Bell played in 156 games, the second most of his career. His 552 at-bats were a career-high. Bell got off to a great start with the Nationals. In 103 games in the nation’s capital, Bell batted .301, with 14 home runs, 57 RBI, and a combined 41 extra base hits.

After being traded to San Diego to help the Padres’ playoff push, Bell’s numbers weren’t the same. However, once the playoffs began, Josh Bell was at his best. In five games, he batted .353, collecting six hits, driving in three runs, and scoring two more. Now, Bell will take his bat to Cleveland to help boost the Guardians’ offense.

 

SECOND BASE

Marcus Semien, Rangers

The 2021 MLBbro Player of the Year didn’t match his record-breaking totals in 2022, but there’s still no question that Marcus Semien is one of the elite middle infielders in the game today.

Semien got off to a slow start after making the move from Toronto to Texas, but still the finished the season with a slash line of .248/.304/.733. Playing in 161 games, Semien hit 26 home runs, drove in 83, scored 101, and stole a career-high 25 bases.

He’s topped 100 runs scored and 161 games played in three of the past for seasons and has at least 30 doubles in four of the past five. As long as Semien continues to stay healthy, it looks like he’ll continue to put up numbers.

 

SHORTSTOP

JP Crawford, Mariners

Crawford’s biggest achievement this season was helping to lead the Mariners back to the postseason for the first time in two decades though he provided plenty of individual highlights throughout the summer and into the fall.

 

Injuries limited Crawford to 145 games this season, though he still managed to hit 24 doubles, three triples, and drive in 42 runs for Seattle. 

In the playoffs, the Mariners eliminated Toronto before falling to the eventual champion Astros. Crawford had four hits in five games, including a pair of doubles and a homer, and had four RBI. 

THIRD BASE

Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates

Hayes may already be the best defensive third baseman in the major leagues. Plays like this make it easy to see why so many have such a high opinion of his work with the glove.

 

He committed only 12 errors all season and has only 15 in 255 career games. Hayes was first in Defensive Wins Above Replacement in the National League (3.0) after finishing fourth in 2021. He also led all NL third basemen in putouts and assists.

With the bat in his hands Hayes isn’t quite as dangerous, though his offensive game continued to expand in his second season. Ke’Bryan stole 20 bases in 2022, good enough for ninth in the National League.

OUTFIELDERS

Aaron Judge, Yankees

All Aaron Judge did in 2022 was put together one of the greatest offensive seasons in MLB history.

Appearing in a career-best 157 games Judge was the driving force behind the American League’s best offense. He set career highs in batting average (.311), OBP (.425), slugging (.686), OPS (1.111), hits (177), runs (133), doubles (28), stolen bases (16), and of course home runs (62), and RBI (131).

His 62 home runs set the new Yankees and American League record and Judge nearly claimed the triple crown. He did take home the American League MVP with 98 percent of the first place votes to go along with three AL Player of the Week awards and three AL PLayer of the Month awards.

His reward? A nine-year, $360 million deal to stay in The Bronx and try to help bring the Yankees that elusive 28th world championship.

 

Mookie Betts, Dodgers

The discussion surrounding who the best all-around player in the game had started to move away from Mookie Betts. This past season, he re-entered the conversation.

Betts was named an All-Star for the seventh time, won his sixth Gold Glove, his fifth Silver Slugger, and finished fifth in the balloting for National League MVP after leading the Dodgers to their greatest regular season in the history of the franchise.

Betts batted .269 and slammed a career-high 35 home runs while driving in 82, his highest total since 2017. He topped 40 doubles for the first time in three years and led the NL with 117 runs scored.

George Springer, Blue Jays

When healthy, there aren’t many more dynamic lead off hitters than Toronto’s George Springer. Once again the versatile outfielder put up solid numbers that also left fans wondering what could have been.

What Springer was, was highly productive, earning an All-Star selection for the first time since 2019, though he missed the game due to injury. He did play in 133 games, the most he’s seen since 2018. 

 

When he played, the Jays were 76-57, when he didn’t they were 16-13.

Springer finished the year with 25 home runs, 76 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 89 runs scored as the Blue Jays made it back to the playoffs for just the fourth time in the last 28 years. If they’re going to make it back in 2023, Springer will once again have to be the five-tool star all of baseball knows he is.

DESIGNATED HITTERS

Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees

Andrew McCutchen, Brewers

Stanton and McCutchen continued to provide experienced bats for potent offenses in 2022. Stanton was named as an All-Star for the fifth time in his career and his first in the American League since joining the Yankees in 2018. Though he batted a career-low .211, he still slugged 31 home runs and drove in 78 runs in 110 games.

 

“Cutch” made the move from Philly to Milwaukee and almost pushed the Brew Crew into the playoffs. At age 35, McCutchen hit 17 home runs and 25 doubles, his 13th season with at least 25 two-base hits. His 69 RBI gave him a career total of 1002, moving him into 297 on the all-time standings.

 

PITCHERS

Triston McKenzie, Guardians

In his third season Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie established himself as one of the best players under the age of 25 in MLB, regardless of position.

McKenzie went 11-11 over 30 starts for Cleveland, racking up 191 innings and a 2.96 earned run average. He ranked in the top 10 for ERA, WAR, strikeouts per nine innings, hits per nine innings, and innings pitched.

“Dr. Sticks” is on his way to becoming both an ace and a workhorse.

 

Devin Williams, Brewers

The 2020 NL Reliever of the Year and Rookie of the Year may be the Brewers closer of the future after the 2022 season he put together.

Williams appeared in 65 games for Milwaukee, earning a 6-4 record, recording 15 saves, and posting a minuscule 1.93 ERA. He struck out 96 batters in 60.2 innings and was named to his first All-Star team.

 

 

All-MLBbro Team | Midseason Stars

All-MLBbro Team | Midseason Stars

by | Jul 5, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

The 2022 MLB All Star Game is almost here, which means it’s time for MLBbro.com to give you an All Star team of our own.

Bros like Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts are a lock for the MLBbro.com All Star roster, much like any other Black player who made it through to the final phase of voting. The remainder of the roster will be filled with the best bros in the game.

Let’s get to it.

Outfielder – Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

The only bro with a guaranteed nod, Judge has made the Yankees regret not locking him up long term since the opening pitch this season. Judge is currently leading the bigs with 29 home runs and the Yankees are running away with the AL East.

Outfielder – Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

Mookie has bounced back in a major way for the Dodgers, and even a quick trip to the IR couldn’t stop him for nearly securing an automatic bid to the summer classic. Betts will certainly be front and center in Los Angeles, but we’ll take this bro in any setting.

Outfielder – George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays

Tim Anderson may be the best leadoff man in the game, but George Springer has the most pop. With 50 career leadoff homers and playing high end centerfield, OG George brings a lot to any ball club, and would be a killer in this lineup.

1st Base – Josh Bell, Washington Nationals

Josh has been on fire all season, slashing .318/.399/.514, but he has gone nuclear in his last seven games. Josh is hitting .423 with a .500 on base percentage for the ball club representing the nation’s capital. Bell could be an intriguing name to look at before the trade deadline.

2nd Base – Jazz Chisholm Jr., Miami Marlins

The swaggiest player in the game, Jazz belongs in LA for every All-Star festivity. Jazz has turned it on as of late with a starting All Star spot in the balance, slashing .400/.520/.700 over his last seven games. Jazz has hit 14 bombs and stolen 12 bases so far this season, so 20/20 looks more than achievable.

Shortstop – Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox

Arguably the best leadoff man in baseball, Anderson is still in the running for the spot of starting SS for the American League. He’s cooled down lately, but Anderson is slashing .333/.372/.432 on the season, and is looking to help the Sox repeat as AL central champs.

3rd Base – Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates

Hayes remains a key building block for the forever rebuilding Pirates. If the Pirates look to return to the glory days where names like Willie Stargell, Al Oliver and fellow third baseman Dave Cash were putting in work, Hayes will be key.

Catcher – Unknown

Another year without a prominent black catcher on any roster, so we have to ask the question again–when will we see another great Black catcher?

Pitcher – Taijuan Walker, New York Mets

Walker regressed toward the end of 2021, but has bounced back to become a steady hand for the Mets. Walker swapped out his sinker for his split finger and the opposition has suffered because of it. Opponents are hitting .151 against his split finger, which he has thrown 30 percent of the time this season.

Pitcher – Triston McKenzie, Cleveland Guardians

Triston has continued to come into his own this season, and the Guardians look to have a future ace on their hands. McKenzie is currently rocking a .98 WHIP and opposing hitters are hitting .200 against his fastball and .113 against his curve.

Jazz Chisholm Is On Beat, On Brand & On His Way To A Breakout Season With The Miami Marlins

Jazz Chisholm Is On Beat, On Brand & On His Way To A Breakout Season With The Miami Marlins

by | Apr 26, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Miami Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. has turned heads across the league since the day he stepped foot on the baseball field. The blue hair, diamond chains, waffle-cone inspired gloves and euro-step home run celebration have all been a breath of fresh air in a game desperate for new blood.

Chisholm has embraced the spotlight like a natural, and now he looks to get comfortable at a new spot, leadoff hitter. I ran into Jazz during pregame warmups in Atlanta and asked him about his mentality when stepping into his new role in the lineup. Marlins fans should enjoy what the young star had to say.  

“I just keep my dog mentality,” said Chisholm Jr. “Just letting people know that there’s no one that can stop me. Going in there and knowing that’s my spot, and I’m going to do my thing every time I step in the box. I’m trying to get back locked in and not give away any at bats.”

That dog mentality was on display in game two of the Marlins’ three-game set in Atlanta. Chisholm stepped into the box and launched Ian Anderson’s first pitch of the game off the scoreboard in deep right center field for a leadoff home run. 

The leadoff homer was just the beginning, as Jazz would end the night 4-for-6 with a single, double, three RBI and two stolen bases. Even after having a day most big leaguers would kill for, young Jazz still wanted more.

“The last at-bat I wanted it (a triple),”Chisholm said after the game. “I was going for the gaps. I won’t lie.”

We all know the speed that Chisholm possesses, but it’s his power numbers to start the season that make him especially dangerous as the lineup’s party starter. As of Monday morning, Jazz’s 1.067 OPS ranked sixth in the league, and that number is bolstered by his league leading .727 slugging percentage. A .295 batting average is nothing to mull over either, so if the power numbers can hold, Chisholm may be headed for a true breakout season. 

All of his recent success at the plate may allow some to forget that Chisholm rated as a plus shortstop coming into the bigs. Despite such a high grade from scouts, Jazz has spent most of his time in the bigs at second base. One can only imagine how his development at short would have gone under the stewardship of Yankee legend and former Marlins CEO Derek Jeter.

Most CEOs aren’t involved directly with player development, they just hire the people who handle that aspect of team construction. But with a talent like Chisholm, who expressed his preference of shortstop to me directly, you would think one of the all-time greats would have no issue passing on knowledge.

But as Jeter expressed when he made his shocking decision to step down as CEO and shareholder, “The vision for the future of the franchise is different than the one I signed up to lead.”

The Miami Marlins brought in vets, like World Series MVP Jorge Soler, to help Don Mattingly’s youngsters on the daily, but history has shown us that any Marlins playoff run will be sparked by their young stars. With a budding superstar like our MLBbro Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the fold, that breakout may come sooner than we expected.