#HIGHFIVE | Top 5 Black & brown MLB Stars (Week 23)

#HIGHFIVE | Top 5 Black & brown MLB Stars (Week 23)

Aaron Judge is at 57 home runs this year which is the fourth most ever in a single season by a Black player and only four behind former Yankee Roger Maris for the American League record of 61.  The King of New York takes the top spot on Week 23 of our #HighFive list as he puts the pedal down in the race for his first career MVP award.

1.  Aaron Judge

 

 

Both home runs by Aaron Judge this week came Tuesday night against the Red Sox.

In both the sixth and eighth innings, with his team trailing by one, Judge blasted a pair of game-tying solo shots as his Yankees would win and end up sweeping the two-game set. On the season Major League Baseball’s home run and RBI leader has a .310 average, just slightly off the American League lead and the third leg of a possible Triple Crown.

 

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Judge once again earned the honor of being named Rob Parker’s Home Boi Highlights after getting a hit in eight out of nine games including going 6-for-12 with an RBI in each game of their series against Tampa Bay which gives him a .523 average against the second-place team in the American League East in his last five games versus them.

2. Taijuan “Fly High Tai” Walker

 

 

Last Sunday afternoon Taijuan Walker continued his dominance over the Miami Marlins this season as he struck out 10 batters and only gave up one run through seven innings.

That was Walker’s first winning decision since August 10th against Cincinnati where he went six innings and only gave up two runs. With multiple options for their playoff rotation, Walker has made himself a strong case to get the ball this postseason. Walker has an 11-4 record with a 3.45 ERA and 106  strikeouts in 25 starts.

 

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His next time on the mound will be Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

3. Marcus Semien

 

 

For his 32nd birthday MLBbro.com would like to gift Marcus Semien the third spot on our #HighFive list.

In addition to hitting a three-run home run Wednesday night, Semien was 4-for-9 nd collected a home run and three hits in the nightcap of a double header Monday in Miami. The next day Semien hit a career-high three doubles, including one where he did not even remember he was up to bat.

Semien is now batting .247 with 75 RBI this season.

 

 

He currently leads the Majors in plate appearances and could do so for the third time in four seasons.

4. Triston “Dr. Stix” McKenzie

 

 

Triston McKenzie is going to be a major factor in October as his Guardians inch closer to a playoff berth thanks in part to his emergence from top prospect to superstar on the mound. McKenzie received the honor of being the Cleveland Guardians Roberto Clemente Award nominee this week for his work on the field and in the community.

Saturday McKenzie handled business on the mound in Minnesota.

 

 

He threw seven innings and added five strikeouts to boost his total to 159 Ks on the year. That’s the 11th most in the American League and he will have a chance to add to that total this Friday in another matchup with Nick Gordon and the Minnesota Twins.

 

5. Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins

 

Cedric Mullins stole the 31st base of his season Wednesday night, giving him a new career high and a slight edge for the American League lead.

In the past week Mullins has had three multi-hit games and a home run which came Saturday against the Red Sox. In his last seven games Mullins batted .391 with three RBI, two steals and scored six runs. His Orioles, who are only four games out of the final American League Wild Card spot, have a three-game set this weekend against one of the teams they are chasing, George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

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