#HIGHFIVE| Top 5 Black & Brown MLB Players (Week 24)

#HIGHFIVE| Top 5 Black & Brown MLB Players (Week 24)

by | Sep 23, 2021 | THE THREE SPOT

Cedric Mullins is about to put the cherry on top for one of the greatest seasons ever for a Baltimore Oriole.  He is now one home run away from joining the 30/30 Club and may have pulled off the robbery of the year this week.

For that he takes the top spot on Week 24 of our #High/Five List.

1. Cedric Mullins

I think we should start this #High/Five List with what may be the catch of the 2021 season.

Cedric Mullins got HOPS!  And he showed them off by taking this home run away from Gary Sanchez last week.

What Cedric Mullins has accomplished this season is a testament to the work he put in to turn his career around over the off-season.  After stealing two bases on Saturday against the Red Sox he officially reached 30 stolen bases on the year, which is good for second in the American League.

Cedric Mullins On Verge Of 30-30 Club, Superstardom

Now, he is just one swing away from being the first member of the Baltimore Orioles to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season.  A feat that Adam Jones, Don Baylor and Reggie Jackson could not even reach.

The first time All-Star is sure to steal some MVP votes this season, and not even those can do him justice.  He’ll look to join the 30/30 Club this weekend in front of the Baltimore Faithful during their series against the Texas Rangers.

2. Andrew McCutchen

 

Andrew McCutchen is coming alive as the Phillies attempt to chase down a playoff spot entering the final week of the season.  Wednesday night his two-out two-run home run in the bottom of the 6th inning propelled the Phillies to a 4-3 win.

Over his last seven games McCutchen has a .259 batting average, five RBI and scored seven runs, but it’s something he did without even taking a swing that may have been his greatest play this week.

On Sunday Cutch wore a “Fair Ball” wristband during the game.  The wristbands were worn by some Phillies and Mets minor leaguers for a protest towards minor league payment wages.

The maturation of McCutchen from his electric rookie season, to Most Valuable Player award winner to now veteran and leader for all of baseball is one of the great aspects of his illustrious career. The journey has been plentiful.

3. JP Crawford

J.P. Crawford has his Mariners fighting to end the longest postseason drought in baseball, all while making his case at back-to-back Gold Gloves.

Every out counts for a Mariner team which is trying to leap into the playoffs for the first time since 2001, and J.P. Crawford has done his part by putting on a defensive clinic.

However he has become much more than just his glove. In addition to his leadership, since being moved into the leadoff spot, Crawford has been one of the better hitters in baseball posting a .267 batting average, nine home runs and 50 RBI.

Entering Thursday the Mariners are just two and a half games behind the Yankees for the final wild card spot.  They control their own destiny with a series against both their divisional rivals the Angels and Athletics to end the season.

4. Marcus Semien

Marcus Semien has a chance at history as he is just two home runs away from tying the record for most home runs in a season by a second baseman in Major League history.

Home Boi Highlights | Marcus Semien

For his historic season Rob Parker named him our Home Boi Highlights this week.

Semien is the only American-born player to have 40 home runs this season and he has literally been getting it done in two different countries.

If it wasn’t for Semien’s teammate closing in on a Triple Crown, and Ohtani’s performance as a two-way star, Semien would be the clear cut favorite for the American League’s Most Valuable Player award.

His 6.7 WAR is fourth in MLB and he has added 41 home runs, 97 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

Entering Thursday his Blue Jays are just a half game out for the final wild card spot.

5. Aaron Judge

This season Aaron Judge has shown he is a top 10 player in the Majors, but that won’t mean anything if he can’t carry his Yankees to the playoffs.

Judge’s 36 home runs are good for second in the American League for all outfielders and his .371 On Base Percentage is first.

One of the most underrated parts about Judge’s game is his defense and he has done a great job this year whether it being in centerfield or right.

This week Judge collected six hits, drove in five runs and scored four times.  His Yankees will match up for a series with the Red Sox this weekend that will have major playoff implications.