#HIGHFIVE | Top 5 MLBbros Week 1

#HIGHFIVE | Top 5 MLBbros Week 1

by | Apr 7, 2023 | THE LEAD OFF

Aaron Judge, who won the 2022 MLBbro of the Year award after hitting an American League-record 62 home runs, takes his familiar spot atop the #HighFive throne after the first week of Major League Baseball.

 

1. Aaron Judge

After having the greatest regular season in Yankees history, Aaron Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million deal and was awarded the Captain “C” on his jersey – the first person to get the honor since Derek Jeter retired.

Judge showed no signs of a hangover this past weekend when he took on his hometown team, the San Francisco Giants.

 

 

He went 7-for-21 with two home runs, four RBI and earned the honor of being the subject of Rob Parker’s first Home Boi Highlights of the Year.  The segment debuted as the MLBbro.com video of the week (which will air weekly, Wednesday mornings on MLB Central).

 

Judge is batting .348 through the first week of the season and will take on the Cedric Mullins-led Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series this weekend.

 

2. Trayce Thompson

 

Good things seem to always come in threes for the Thompson family. This held true this past Saturday when the third “Splash Bro” Trayce Thompson became the first player this year to have a three-homer game.

 

 

He began the night with a grand slam, then added a three-run home run and finished the night off with a solo shot.

Thompson racked up a career-high eight RBI in the game. If he can stay consistent this season, it would be a huge boost for a Dodger team dealing with a litany of injuries around the diamond to begin the year.

 

3. Jordan Walker

 

At just 20-years-old Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals is currently the youngest player in Majors. Through the first week of his career, it looks he more than belongs.

 

 

 

Walker hit the first home run of his career Wednesday. It happened to be against the team he grew up rooting for, the Atlanta Braves. Walker came up through the minors as a third baseman and looks comfortable both in the box and as a corner outfielder.

 

Through his first six games he has a batting average of .333 with a .902 OPS and five RBI. Walker and his Cardinals will travel to Milwaukee this weekend for a three-game series against the Brewers.

 

4. Marcus Stroman

 

Marcus Stroman becomes the only pitcher in the #HighFive after opening Wrigley Field up with a six-inning, 8-K outing, surrendering 0 runs in a win over the Brewers.

 

 

He began the game with three first-inning strikeouts and also made history by becoming the first ever player to be called for a pitch-clock violation.

 

After excellent outings for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, it looks like Stroman is already in prime form. His next start will be today in Wrigley when he takes on Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers.

 

5. Jason Heyward

 

World Series Champion Jason Heyward has resurgence on his mind all 2023.

 

 

Los Angeles brought him in on a Minor League contract and Heyward made the most of his opportunity, earning a spot on the 26-man roster. He’s started the season with a .300 average, 1.300 OPS, four RBI and homered in consecutive games.