It’s July 1 and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s traditional previous month wrap up – touching on the statistics, standings and stories that caught BBRT’s eye over the previous month, along with the BBRT Players and Pitchers of the Month and the BBRT Trot index. Here’s a bit of a spoiler – a brief sampler of the kind of things you’ll read about – as always, if you last to the end of the post. Among the things we saw in June:
- One six-game winner (Max Scherzer) and one six-game loser (Aaron Sanchez).
- One .400+ hitter (Charlie Blackmon).
- A batter (Luke Voit) fanning 38 percent of the time, but still managing to hit .333 for the month.
- A player (Charlie Blackmon) collecting a record 15 hits in a four-game series.
- A record 13 home runs hit in a single game (Phillies/Diamondbacks).
- Two cycles in two days (Shohei Ohtani & Jake Bauers).
- A three-game hitting streak (Wilkin Castillo) that took just over ten years to complete.
- A team (Yankees) homer in every game of the month – and then some.
- A pitcher (Louis Castillo) leading MLB in walks for the month (with 20 in just 28 2/3 innings) and managing to go 2-2, with a tidy 2.83 earned run average. (He gave up just 16 hits in those 28+ frames).
- A player (Freddie Freeman) drive in 33 runs in 28 games..
Oh yes, and if you read on, you’ll find out why the Yankees versus Red Sox in London was not my cup of tea.
If You aren’t Familiar with …
Jeff McNeil, you probably will be soon. The 27-year-old Met (who has played 2B, 3B, RF and LF this season) ended the month of June as MLB’s leading hitter – with a .348 average. It should be no surprise, McNeil – a 12th round draft pick in 2013 – has hit wherever he has played. In six minor league seasons, he put up a .311 average (.327 at Triple A; .315 at Double A and .296 at A/High A).
In a July 2018 call up, he hit .329 with three homers, 19 RBI and seven stolen bases in 63 games. Thus far, in 2019, he is .348-6-34, with 37 runs scored three steals. Looks like he’s here to stay.
Now, on to …
—-BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS & PITCHERS OF THE MONTH—–
National League Player of the Month – Charlie Blackmon, RF, Rockies
Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann 
Okay, I’ve admitted in the past that (as was often said of the zany, but talented, Rube Waddell) I can be distracted by bright and shiny things. Well, in June, there were a couple of “bright and shiny” things that caught BBRT’s eye as I considered my National League Player of the Month.
They were the .412 June average (which led all qualifying hitters for June) put up by Rockies’s RF and lead off hitter Charlie Blackmon and the MLB-leading 33 June RBI recorded by Braves’ 1B Freddie Freeman. Blackmon’s .400+ average for the month – coupled with his ten home runs (MLB’s third-best), 25 RBI (sixth in MLB for June) and MLB-leading 30 runs scored took the day; but it was by a razor-thin margin. For the month, Blackmon had MLB’s 38 hits (seven doubles, two triples, nine home runs). In his 22 games played (Blackmon missed the first six games of the month on the Injured List due to a right calf strain), Blackmon had 11 multi-hit games – at one point collecting 15 hits in a single four-game series. (See more on Blackmon’s multi-hit achievement in the “Highlights” section of this post.) As a side note: On June 29, Blackmon became the first left-handed hitter ever to go yard off Clayton Kershaw’s curve ball. (Another case of in baseball we track everything.)
Other contenders: Braves’ 1B Freddie Freeman, who went .322, with nine home runs, 24 runs scored and an MLB-high 33 RBI in June – helping the Braves surge to first place (the Braves started the month three games behind the Phillies and ended it with a 5 ½ game lead); Brewers’ RF Christian Yelich, who did a little bit (a lot, really) of everything – hitting .365 with power (eight home runs), driving in 18, scoring 20 and even swiping eight bases in eight tries.
American League Player of the Month – DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Yankees
Photo by jenniferlinneaphotography
The Yankees, beset by injuries all season, needed players like DJ LeMahieu to step up – and step up he did. In June, LeMahieu hit a robust .395 (second in MLB only to Charlie Blackmon’s .412), with six home runs, an AL-best 26 runs scored and an AL-high 29 RBI. LeMahieu generated this offense while serving primarily as a lead off hitter and spending time at first base, second base and third base.
Other contenders: Blue Jay’s 2B Lourdes Gurriel, Jr., who hit .337 for June, bashed MLB’s third-most home runs (10), drove in 20 and scored 20; Angels’ CF Mike Trout (isn’t he always on this list), who went .320-9-23 and scored 24 times. Just a typical June for Trout.
_____________________________________________________
National League Pitcher of the Month – Max Scherzer, Nationals
Photo by apardavila
Easy call here. The three-time Cy Young Award winner got off to a slow start, going 2-5, 3.26 through May – but made up ground big time in June. He was MLB’s only six-game winner in the month, going 6-0 (in six starts), with a 1.00 ERA (five earned runs in 45 IP), just five walks and an MLB-high 68 June strikeouts. He average 7.5 innings per start and helped lead the Nationals to a 18-8 month. His 1.00 ERA for the month was the lowest among pitchers with at least 25 innings on the mound.
Other contenders: The Rockies’ Jon Gray, who went 5-1, with a 2.65 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings (despite having four of his six June starts at Coors Field); Walker Buehler, Dodgers, who went 3-0 in five starts, with a 2.45 ERA and 46 strikeouts (versus just two walks) in 35 2/3 innings.
American League Pitcher of the Month – Lance Lynn, Rangers
Okay, maybe I could have gone with big names and big swing-and-miss arms like Justin Verlander or Chris Sale, but (from BBRT’s perspective) the Rangers’ Lance Lynn put it all together in June. Lynn tied for the AL lead in June wins – going 4-0 in six starts, with a respectable 2.90 earned run average. He also fanned 48 batters in 40 1/3 innings, while walking only four. (If only Lynn had pitched like this for my Twins. He went 7-8, 5.10 in 20 starts for Minnesota last season.)
Other contenders: Luis Giolito, White Sox, who went 4-1, 2.50 and whiffed 46 batters in 36 innings (six starts); Mike Minor, Rangers, who went 3-0, 1.70 in five starts (30 strikeouts in 37 IP);
TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE
Through June, 36.0 percent of all MLB’s 96,145 2019 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.7%); Walks (8.6%); home runs (3.6%); HBP (1.0%); Catcher’s Interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.
For the 2018 season, 34.8 percent of all MLB’s 185,139 plate appearances ended in a trot.
________________________________________________
THE BEST OF TEAMS, THE WORST OF TEAMS
We did see some movement in the standings in July. The Braves put up an MLB-best 20 June wins (versus just 8 losses) and went from three games back of the Phillies on June 1 to 5 1/2 games up on Philadelphia on July 1. Two other NL teams with solid June results were the Dodgers (18-10), who extended their lead in the West from 8 1/2 to 12 games – and the Nationals, who used an 18-8 month to move past the Mets (10-18) into third place in the East. The NL Central Division had a “blah” month, with no team playing better than .500 ball.
The Braves offense fueled their 20 June wins, as they led MLB in runs scored (187) and home runs (56) for the month. Key contributors for the Braves were: Freddie Freeman (.322-9-33); Ozzie Albies (.317-6-22); Ronald Acuna, Jr. (.31-9-21); and Nick Markakis (.270-4-20). The Dodgers rode MLB’s best pitching (MLB-lowest 3.08 ERA in June) to continued success. Key mound work was provided by the likes of Rich Hill (3-0, 2.25), Walker Buehler (3-0, 3-0, 2.45), Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 2.93) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-1, 2.70). Their offense also contributed, scoring the NL’s fourth-most runs – led by the likes of Cody Bellinger (.272-7-15) and Max Muncy (.287-8-23)/
IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY – YOUR PLAYOFF TEAMS WOULD BE …
AL: Yankees; Twins; Astros. Wild Cards: Rays; Rangers.
NL: Braves; Dodgers; Cubs or Brewers. Wild Cards: Cubs or Brewers; Phillies or Rockies.
YOU’LL FIND FULL STANDINGS – AS OF JULY 1 – NEAR THE END OF THIS POST.
Over in the junior circuit, the Rangers went 18-11, and gained two games on the Astros (but are still 6 1/2 back)(. In the East, the Yankees went 17-9 and expanded their lead from 1.5 games over the Rays on June 1 to 7 games on July 1. The Indians were the other AL team with 17 June wins (nine losses), gaining 2 1/2 games on the Twins, but still eight back. The Yankees pounded their opponents into submission, leading the AL in runs scored (176) and homering in every June game. By contrast, the Bronx Bombers June earned run average (5.46) was the third-worst in the AL. Lot of contributors to the Yankees’ surge. including: DJ LeMahieu (.395-6-29); Gleyber Torres (.333-5-17); Gary Sanchez (.255-6-21). Overall, power up and down the Yankee lineup.
At the other end of won-lost spectrum, two teams failed to win even ten games in June – The Tigers (5-20) and the Orioles (6-20). Both of those squads had June earned run averages north of 5.00 and the Tigers also finished last in MLB in runs scored. The Orioles had the fourth-fewest runs scored in the AL – even after a pair of late-June games in which they outscored the Indians by a combined 26-0.
_______________________________________
—-LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS – MONTH OF JUNE —–
(Stats as of July 1, 2019, a.m.)
RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 134
AL: Yankees (176); Red Sox (159); Mariners (153)
NL: Braves (187); Rockies (167); Padres (153)
The Tigers scored an MLB-low 82 runs in June, while the Cardinals and Reds were at the bottom of the NL with only 92 tallies.
BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .255
AL: Red Sox (.291); Yankees (.286); Twins (.266)
NL: Pirates (.288); Rockies (.280); Braves (.277)
The Cardinals were the only team to hit under .230 for the month – at .223.
HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 38
AL: Twins (51); Blue Jays (48); Yankees (47); Mariners (47)
NL: Braves (56); Mets (48); Dodgers (47)
The Tigers hit only 20 home runs in June, the fewest of any MLB team.
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE – MLB Team Average – .440
AL: Yankees (.499); Red Sox (.488); Indians (.479)
NL: Braves (.520); Dodgers (.479); Pirates (.478)
STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 13
AL: Rangers (25); Royals (25); Indians (19)
NL: Cardinals (26); Brewers (18); Padres (18); D-backs (18); Nationals (18)
The White Sox, Yankees, Twins and Marlins each stole an MLB-low four bases in June – with the Twins having the worse success rate at 40 percent (four steals, six thrown out stealing).
BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 233
AL: Rangers (288); Mariners (273); Rays (273)
NL: Rockies (260); Marlins (253); three with 250
The Braves led MLB in June extra-base hits with 126, while the Cardinals were at the bottom of the list with only 62 extra-base knocks. Teams with at least 100 XBH for the month (after the Cardinals) were the: Red Sox (112); Dodgers (108); Pirates (107); A’s (106); Twins (104); and Rockies (100).
WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 84
AL: Mariners (120); Astros (107); Yankees (106)
NL: Brewers (103); Braves (100); Padres (98)
_______________________________________
EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.60
AL: Rays (3.92); Twins (3.95); A’s (3.99)
NL: Dodgers (3.08); Cardinals (3.65); Reds (3.78)
June was a tough month for pitching staffs, as ten teams put up earned run averages north of 5.00 – with the Orioles at the bottom (or top, depending how how you look at it) at 5.81. The Orioles were a close second at 5.80. Together, these teams produced 16 wins and 37 losses during June.
BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST … MLB Average – .256
AL: Indians (.231); Astros (.236); Rays (.239)
NL: Dodgers (.217); Reds (.223); Nationals (.228)
STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 223
AL: Red Sox (304); Astros (282); Rangers (266)
NL: Brewers (257); Dodgers (256); Mets (254)
The Red Sox and Angels were the only teams to average ten or more strikeouts per nine innings – 10.80 and 10.01, respectively. A total of 11 teams averaged at least one K per frame for the month.
SAVES … MLB Average – 6
AL: Twins (9); Yankees (9); Royals (9)
NL: Braves (10); Nationals (10); Brewers (9)
The Reds had June’s best save percentage at 100 percent (six saves in six opportunities).
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED … MLB Average – 84
AL: Rangers (74); Yankees (75); three with 77
NL: Dodgers (60); Nationals (70); Padres (74); Cardinals (74)
Only three mound staff surrendered 50 or more home runs in June: Astros (56); Phillies (54); Yankees (50). The A’s surrendered the fewest June long balls (27).
___________________________________________
—–JUNE HIGHLIGHTS … THE STORIES —–
Sale’s Immaculate Innings – Keeping Company with Lefty Grove
Photo by Keith Allison
On June 5, Boston southpaw Chris Sale was truly dominant versus the Royals, picking up his second win of the season with a complete game, three-hit shutout. In the contest, he did not yield a single walk and fanned a dozen. In the eighth, he tossed an “immaculate inning” – fanning the three batters he faced (Kelvin Gutierrez, Nicky Lopez and Martin Maldonado) on nine pitches. It was Sale’s second immaculate inning of the season (the first came May 8 against the Orioles), making him just the second major leaguer with two immaculate frames in a season. The other was Lefty Grove in 1928. As June closed, Sale’s record on the season was 3-7, 3.82 – and he had fanned 148 batters in 101 1/3 innings.
It’s Raining Baseballs
On June 9, the Nationals loaded up on the Padres in San Diego – bashing back – to back– to back – to back home runs in the eighth inning of a 5-2 win. All the long balls – which broke open a 1-1 contest – came off reliever Craig Stammen. The homers were hit by PH Howie Kendrick, SS Trea Turner, RF Adam Eaton and 3B Anthony Rendon. It was only the ninth time in MLB history that a team had cracked four consecutive home runs.
On June 10, it was raining baseballs again. This time In Philadelphia – as the Diamondbacks and Phillies combined to hit an MLB record 13 home runs in a game. The teams got off to a rolling start, as the D-backs first three batters in the top of the first inning (CF Jarrod Dyson, SS Ketel Marte and LF David Peralta) homered off Phillies’ starter Jerad Eickhoff) and Phillies’ SS Jean Segura homered in the bottom of the frame off Taylor Clarke. Here are the homer hitters for the contest, won by the visiting D-backs 13-8:
Diamondbacks: Eduardo Escobar (2); Ildemaro Vargas (2); Alex Avila; Jarrod Dyson; Ketel Marte; David Peralta.
Phillies: Scott Kingery (2); Jean Segura; Rhys Hoskins; Jay Bruce.
That Was Fun, Let’s Do it Again
Before the Phillies-Diamondbacks 13-home run game on June 10, the previous record for combined home runs in a game was 12 – accomplished twice – both times by the Tigers/White Sox (once in each team’s home park) on May 28, 1995 and July 2, 2002.
Verlander Likes Swing Music- As Long as It’s Swing and Miss
On June 12, the Astros’ Justin Verlander was truly in the wing of things. – striking out a career high 15 batters in seven innings of work. What may be of interest is that fact that all 15 were swinging strikeouts. Still when, the Brewers swung and didn’t miss, they made it count. Verlander allowed only four hits (no walks) in his seven innings, but three of the four hits were homers (Ryan Braun – first inning; Yasmani Grandal – second inning; and Eric Thames – seventh inning). As a result, Verlander left with the game tied at three and the Astros eventually lost to the Brewers 6-3 in fourteen innings. Back to the “in baseball we count everything” trend, MLB.com reported that Verlander is the first pitcher (since 1908) to record 15 strikeouts and give up at least three home runs in a game.
No, the Speed Game Does not Belong Exclusively to the NL
On June 14, the Rangers’ Elvis Andrus stole home with two outs in the top of the first inning of a game against the Reds. It was Andrus’ second steal of home this season and the sixth of his career. It was the Rangers’ third steal of home this season – and second in June. On June 9, Rangers’ 2B Rougned Odor stole home against the A’s. For those who are interested, the record for most steals of home in a season belongs to Ty Cobb (eight in 1912). Cobb also holds the career record for steals of the plate (54).
As the month of June came to a close, four of the top five teams (on the season) in stolen bases were in the American League. The top five were the Royals (79); Rangers (65); Indians (58); Mariners (58); Cardinals (57).
Two Days – Two Cycles
In June, two players hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and homer in one game) – the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani on June 13 and the Indians’ Jack Bauers on June 14. Both, by the way, were in the DH spot for the game.
Ohtani’s cycle came in a 5-3 win over the Ray s in Tampa. He went 4-for-4, with two runs and three RBI, collecting a home run in the first; double in the third; triple in the fifth; and single in the seventh. Bauers’ cycle came in a 13-4 win over the Tiger in Detroit. Bauer was 4-for-5, with two runs and four RBI. He had a double in the second; single and triple in the fourth; strikeout in the sixth; and the home run in the eighth. For more on cycles, click here.
92 Runs in Four Days – Only in Colorado
From June 13 through June 16, the Padres and Rockies played a four-game series (in Colorado) in which the teams combined for a MLB four-game series record 92 runs (44 for the Padres and 48 for the Rockies) – and came away with two wins (and two losses) apiece. The 92 runs broke the old four-game series record of 88 (Dodger and Phillies), which had stood since 1929. The Rox/Padres combined for 131 hits, two short of the all-time record. (They also hit a combined 17 home runs.) The final scores, in order, were Rockies win 9-6; Padres win 16-12; Rockies win 14-8; Padres win 14-13. In the series, Rockies’ OF Charlie Blackmon stroked 15 hits – an MLB record for a four-game set (see more on Blackmon in the next story in this post).
It’s Not Always About the Home Run
Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann
From June 13 through June 18 Rockies’ outfielder Charlie Blackmon recorded five straight games of at least three hits – falling one game short of the record set by the Royals’ George Brett in 1976 (May 8-13). Blackmon began his streak with three consecutive four-hit games (June 13-14-15 versus the Padres) and add a pair of three-hit contests (June 16 versus the Padres and June 18 versus the D-backs). During the streak, Blackmon went 18-for-29 (.621), with ten singles, three doubles, one triple, four home runs, 11 runs scored and 10 RBI. Surprisingly, despite his hot bat, he did not walk once over the five games. The streak raised his season batting average from .305 to .341. Blackmon’s 18 hits, by the way, fell just one hit shy of the most hits in a five-game span – set by Brooklyn’s Jimmy Johnston (June 25-30, 1923).
Yankees Homer Happy from May Right Into June
On June 25, the Yankees set a new MLB record – homering in their 28th consecutive contest (breaking a tie with the 2002 Rangers) – and wasted no time doing it. DJ LeMahieu homered to lead off the bottom of the first inning in a 4-3 Yankee win over the Blue Jays. The Yankees put an exclamation point on the record by scoring all four of their runs on solo homers – LeMahieu, Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Edwin Encarnacion. The Yankees continued the homer happy streak, which began on Mays 26 right to the end of June – stretching the streak to 31 games.
Updating the tale of the tape, the Yankees, in their streak (through June 30):
- Hit 57 home runs;
- Averaged .282;
- Won 20 and lost 11;
- Outscored their opponents 195 to 164;
- Had 14 different players go yard; eight of those at least four times.
Homering for the Yankees in the streak were Gary Sanchez (8 homers); DJ LeMahieu (8); Gleyber Torres (7); Brett Gardner (5); Aaron Hicks (5); Luke Voit (4); Gio Urshela (4); Cameron Maybin (4); Didi Gregorius (3); Edwin Encarnacion (3); Clint Frazier (2); Aaron Judge (2); Austin Romine; Giancarlo Stanton .
250 for C.C.
On June 19, C.C. Sabathia picked up his fourth win of the season (4-4. 4.14 ERA). All those four may be lucky, as it was also Sabathia’s 250th MLB win. Sabathia went six innings in the game (leaving with a 6-1 lead), won by the Bombers 12-1 over Tampa Bay. He gave up three hits and one run, walking three and fanning seven. As June closed out Sabathia was 5-4, 4.04 on the season and 251-157, 3.71 for his career.
C.C. Sabathia led the AL in victories in 2009 and 2010.
Its’s Not Likely Even Ali Could have Stopped Scherzer
On June 19, Max Scherzer took the mound looking like he’d just dropped a heavyweight fight – black and swollen eye and broken nose. His start, against the Phillies, came just a day after he fouled a batting practice bunt attempt off his face. How did he do? He threw seven shutout innings, giving u just four hits and two walks, while fanning ten – picking up the win as the Nationals topped the Phillies 2-0.
Weekends Belong to the Young
On Friday night, June 21, Dodgers’ 26-year-old rookie LF Matt Beaty got the weekend rolling with a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth (as the Dodgers topped Colorado 4-2). It was Beaty’s second MLB round tripper. On Saturday, June 22, it was rookie CF Alex Verdugo’s turn – as he popped a walk-off, solo long ball in the bottom of the eleventh to give the Dodgers a 5-4 win over the Rox. Note: the 23-year-old Verdugo in his third MLB season, still has his rookie status. Then, on Sunday, 24-year-old rookie Will Smith hit a three-run, walk-off dinger in the bottom of the ninth to put the Dodgers over the Rockies 6-3. It was Smith’s seventh major league game and third MLB home run.
The string of finishes marked the first time in MLB history that rookie batters provided walk-off homer victories for their team in three consecutive games. More proof that in baseball we track everything.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
On June 22, Reds’ 2B Derek Dietrich got “nailed” by a 71-mph change up from Brewers’ reliever Alex Claudio – marking an MLB-record six HBP’s in a single series (of any length). Notably, Dietrich had tied an MLB record getting hit by three pitches (in a single game) on Friday (June 21). More on this story, click here.
A FEEL GOOD STORY FOR JUNE – AND A TRIBUTE TO PERSISTENCE
On June 22, 35-year-old Wilkin Castillo started at catcher for the Miami Marlins (versus the Phillies) and produced a two-run double in the seventh that helped the Marlins top the Phils 5-3. It was Castillo’s first MLB game, first hit and first RBI in ten years and two days. Castillo had last played in an MLB game on June 20, 2009, when (as a member of the Reds) he hit a pinch-hit, seventh-inning RBI-single versus the White Sox in a 10-8 Reds loss. He tore his labrum and had to leave the game – and hadn’t played in an MLB game since. (At the time of the injury, the 25-year-old Castillo had played in 22 MLB games – going 11-for-35, with two RBI.)
Since coming back from the 2009 injury (before his recent call up), Castillo played in more than 800 minor league, Dominican League, Mexican League and independent league ball games. Side note: After his first game with the Marlins, Castillo could boast of a three-game major league hitting streak that spanned more than ten year (June 1, 2009 to June 22, 2019). In his second game for Miami (June 25), he went zero-for-three, ending the streak.
More Homer Happy History
On June 22, Mets’ rookie first baseman Pete Alonso slugged his 26th home run of the season – setting a new NL record for home runs by a rookie before the All Star Game (set by Cody Bellinger in 2017). (The MLB record of 33 belongs to Mark McGwire.) Alonso ended June with 28 round trippers – just a hot streak away from the overall pre-ASG rookie record – but with just a handful of games left before the break. Beyond that is Bellinger’s NL rookie full season record of 39 and McGwire’s overall rookie record of 49 dingers.
Only One Chance to Make a First Impression
On June 25, an MLB-record was tied when five batters opened their team’s games with lead-off home runs. Here’s look at the three times we’ve seen five lead-off long balls in a single MLB day.
A Minor Shout Out
On June 26, the Rangers’ Mike Minor pitched his second complete game of the season – a one-run, five-hitter (two walks/seven whiffs) – as the Rangers topped the Tigers 4-1 in Detroit. Why a shout out? Because complete games have gone from the mundane to the sublime in major league baseball. Minor’s two complete games are enough to tie him with Zach Elfin (Phillies) and Lucas Giolito (White Sox) for the MLB lead. On the season, Minor is 8-4, 2.40.
STOP THE INSANITY PART ONE
It was reported this past month that MLB’s Executive Committee has given the Tampa Rays permission to explore the possibility of being a two-town team – splitting their season between Tampa and Montreal. Heck, they wouldn’t just be a two-city team, they’d be a two-country team. Hats and jersey sales? Stop the insanity.
Suitcase Simpson Step Aside
On June 28, 42-year-old Fernando Rodney pitched a clean, two-strikeout ninth in for the Nationals – picking up a save as Washington topped the Tigers 3-1. It was the record ninth MLB team for which Rodney had recorded a save. Here’s a breakdown of his 326 MLB saves: Rays (85); Tigers (70); Mariners (64); Diamondbacks (39); Twins (25); Angels (17); Padres (17); Marlins (8); Nationals (1).
On Any Given Day
The Baltimore Orioles went into their June 28 game against the Cleveland Indians with the worst record in the major leagues (22-58) – and having given up the most 2019 runs in MLB and scored the fourth fewest. They had reached double-digit in runs scored in just two times (12 each time), given up double-digit runs 16 times, shut out only one opponent and been shutout four times.
So, how did they fare against the second-place Indians? They topped the Indians 13-0 on Friday (June 28th) AND Saturday (June 29) – becoming the first MLB team to win back-to-back shutouts while scoring at least 13 runs in each game.
STOP THE INSANITY – PART TWO
Photo by 小卡
MLB scheduled a pair of mid-season contests in London (You all saw it, Yankees/Red Sox, June 29-30). My thoughts as the day(s) approached, shared over brews with baseball “buds,” were that the combination of disrupting the scheduling and routine for players, tiring travel, squeezing a baseball field into a football pitch and playing on temporary artificial turf could result in baseball that more resembled pinball. In addition, I had (still have) some concern regarding how this “overseas” series might affect the Yankees and Red Sox in the first few games after their return to the regular schedule.
Turns out, the enthusiastic crowds, in two games, saw 50 runs scored on 65 hits (nine home runs). It was, I believe, a marketing success. I may be old school, but I’d still prefer to see these marketing efforts come in the form of exhibitions (as opposed to mid-season games “that count.”) If exhibitions don’t meet MLB needs, I’d prefer to see the uniquely located games at the opening of the season, when I believe they would be less disruptive (but still showcase MLB abroad). (That’s just my take, others I’ve talked to found the Yankees/Red Sox match up quite exciting.) It remains to be seen what impact the London series will have on the Yankees and Red Sox. I am sure, however, that the fans (for the most part) went home both pleased and entertained. It was just not my cup of tea.
—-INDIVIDUAL LEADERS For THE MONTH OF JUNE 2019—–
BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 June at bats)
AL: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (.395); Eric Sogard, Blue Jays (.374); Hanser Alberto, Orioles (.354)
NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (.412); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (.383); Ketel Marte, D-backs (.374)
The lowest average among players with at least 75 June at bats belonged to the Cardinals’ Stephen Piscotty at .169 (14-for-83).
HITS
AL: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (45); Elvis Andrus, Rangers (37); Whit Merrifield, Royals (36)
NL: Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (41); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (40); Ketel Marte, D-backs (40)
When it came to extra-base hits, your June leader was the Braves’ Freddie Freeman with 20 … ten doubles, one triple and nine round trippers.
HOME RUNS
AL: Edwin Encarnacion, Yankees (11); Lourdes Gurriel, Jr., Blue Jays (10); five with nine
NL: Manny Machado, Padres (11); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (10); five with nine
RUNS BATTED IN
AL: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (29); Nelson Cruz, Twins (24); Mike Trout, Angels (23)
NL: Freddie Freeman, Braves (33); David Dahl, Rockies (32); Manny Machado, Padres (29)
RUNS SCORED
AL: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (26); Mike Trout, Angels (24); three with 22
NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (30); Dansby Swanson, Braves (28); Ronald Acuna, Jr, Braves (28)
STOLEN BASES
AL: Alberto Mondesi, Royals (7); Mallex Smith, Mariners (7); three with six
NL: Trea Turner, Nationals (9); Christian Yelich, Brewers (8); Jarrod Dyson, D-backs (7)
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
AL: Michael Chavis, Red Sox (45); Miguel Sano, Twins (39); Domingo Santana, Mariners (38)
NL: Austin Riley, Braves (37); Trea Turner, Nationals (35); two with 33
All or Nothing
The Yankees’ Luke Voit fanned 33 times in just 87 at bats (38 percent), yet still managed to hit .333 for the month (29-for-87), with three home runs and 12 RBI.
WALKS
AL: Dan Vogelbach, Mariners (23); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (23); Alex Bregman, Astros (22)
NL: Brandon Belt, Giants (24); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (21); Max Muncy, Dodgers (19); Bryce Harper, Phillies (19)
Brandon Belt’s ability to draw walks resulted in a .387 on-base percentage for June, despite a .213 batting average.
ON-BASE PERCENTAGE (Minimum 75 June at bats)
AL: Luke Voit, Yankees (442); Mike Trout, Angels (.446); DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (.434)
NL: Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (.457); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (.441); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (.438)
_________________________________
PITCHING VICTORIES
AL: Mike Fiers, A’s (4-0); Lance Lynn, Rangers (4-0); Brandon Workman, Red Sox (4-0); Marcus Gonzales, Mariners (4-1); Lucas Giolito (4-1)
NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (6-0); Jon Gray, Rockies (5-1); five with four
The Blue Jays’ Aaron Sanchez was the only pitcher to lose six games in June. Sanchez went 0-6, with a 12.00 ERA in six starts – giving up 44 hits and 19 walks (36 earned runs) in 27 innings.
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 May innings)
AL: Andrew Cashner, Orioles (1.44); Mike Minor, Rangers (1.70); Jesse Chavez, Rangers (1.73)
NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (1.00); Cole Hamels, Cubs (1.22); Dakota Hudson, Cardinals (2.25)
STRIKEOUTS
AL: Justin Verlander, Astros (52 in 40 1/3 IP); Chris Sale, Red Sox (50 in 33 IP); Gerrit Cole, Astros (49 in 38 IP)
NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (68 in 45 innings pitched); Jacob deGrom (51 in 40 IP); Robbie Ray, D-backs (47 in 36 IP).
Among pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched in June , Red Sox’ starter Chris Sale had the highest rate of strikeouts per nine innings at 13.64. In the NL, the highest rate went to the Nationals Max Scherzer at 13.60.
In the category of strikeouts-to-walks, Walker Buehler of the Dodgers led the way at 23 – with just two walks and 46 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings.
SAVES
AL: Ian Kennedy, Royals (8); Brad Hand, Indians (8); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (7); Alex Colome, White Sox (7)
NL: Will Smith, Giants (8); Sean Doolittle, Nationals (8); Josh Hader Brewers (7)
—-LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS – SEASON-TO-DATE —
(As of end of day, July 31, 2019)
RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 401
AL: Yankees (476); Twins (474); Red Sox (463)
NL: Rockies (475); Braves (461); Dodgers (459)
Only two teams had scored fewer than 300 runs through June: Tigers (274) and Marlins (299).
BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .251
AL: Twins (.270); Red Sox (.269); Astros (.267)
NL: Rockies (.269); Dodgers (.267); Pirates (.264); Braves (.264)
The Giants had the lowest team batting mark through June at .226 – and had just three players with at least 100 at bats hitting at least .250 (Pablo Sandoval at .284, Buster Posey at .251 and Kevin Pillar at .250).
HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 114
AL: Twins (157); Mariners (150); Yankees (138)
NL: Brewers (141); Dodgers (139); Braves (132)
The Marlins and Tigers are the only teams with less than 75 round trippers through June, at 64 and 68, respectively. Miami’s home run leader was 3B Brian Anderson with 11; the Tigers’ long ball leader also had just 11 round trippers (LF Brandon Dixon). By contrast, the Twins had seven players with more than 11 home runs through June.
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE … MLB Team Average – .430
AL: Twins (.496); Astros (.468); Yankees (.466)
NL: Dodgers (.473); Rockies (.462); Braves (.461)
The Twins finished June with a year-to-date slugging percentage of .496. The MLB season record is .491 (2003 Red Sox.)
STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 40
AL: Royals (79); Rangers (65); Mariners (58)
NL: Cardinals (57); Brewers (51); Nationals (59)
The Twins do not play the speed game. While they lead MLB in home runs, they are last in stolen bases (through June) with just 20 (in 33 attempts).
BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 729
AL: Mariners (859); Rangers (828); Rays (799)
NL: Padres (808); Brewers (799); Rockies (795)
The Angels have fanned the fewest times at 565. The only other team under 600 whiffs (under 648, actually) is the Astros (587 through June).
WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 275
AL: Mariners (336); Red Sox (327); Astros (316)
NL: Dodgers (332); Brewers (324); Cubs (324)
The least selective batters were found on the White Sox (197 walks) and Marlins (199).
When it comes to pinch hits, the Pirates lead the way with 38 pinch hits in 115 PH at bats for a .330 average. The Red Sox have the best pinch hitting batting average through June at .442 (19-for 43).
_______________________________________
EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.46
AL: Rays (3.21); Astros (3.83); Twins (3.91)
NL: Dodgers (3.41); Reds (3.69); Cubs (3.94)
The best starters’ ERA through June belonged to the Dodgers in the NL at 3.01, while the Rays had the best starting ERA in the AL at 3.06.
Bullpen ERAs saw the Rays best in the AL at 3.35 and the Reds lowest in the NL at 3.73.
The worst? Nationals’ bullpen at 6.30 and Orioles’ starters at 5.50. The Orioles also had the worst overall ERA through June at 5.73.
BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST … MLB Average – .251
AL: Astros (.218); Rays (.222); Indians (.240)
NL: Dodgers (.226); Reds (.233); Marlins (.243)
STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 729
AL: Red Sox (858); Astros (848); Rays (792)
NL: Brewers (788); Nationals (786); Mets (777)
The Red Sox remained the only team to average ten or more strikeouts per nine innings (10.12), while a total of nine teams averaged at least one K per frame through June.
SAVES … MLB Average – 21
AL: Yankees (29); Twins (24); Indians (24)
NL: Padres (32); Dodgers (26); Brewers (25)
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED … MLB Average – 272
AL: Twins (229); Indians (234); Astros (235)
NL: Dodgers (188); Padres (212); Nationals (261)
No team has shut out the opposition more often (through June) than the Dodgers (10 shutouts). The next best is eight (Indians). The Angels and Mariners have each recorded just one shutout through June.
The following teams have yet to record a complete game this season: Padres; Brewers; Twins; Braves; Cardinals; Tigers; Astros; Angels; Rays; D-backs, Royals; Orioles. The Phillies and Rangers each have an MLB-leading three complete games through June.
Now let’s move on to the individual leaders through June.
—-INDIVIDUAL LEADERS THROUGH JUNE 2019—–
BATTING AVERAGE (QUALIFIERS)
AL: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (.345); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (.322); Jorge Polanco, Twins (.320)
NL: Jeff McNeil, Mets (.348); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (.346); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (.337)
The lowest average among qualifying players through June belonged to the Rangers Rougned Odor at .187 (46-for-246).
HITS
AL: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (108); Whit Merrifield, Royals (106); Jorge Polanco, Twins (105)
NL: Freddie Freeman, Braves (104); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (103); Ketel Marte, D-backs (103)
When it comes to on-base percentage, your leaders through June are:
- Mike Trout of the Angels (.452);
- Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers (.442).
Other players at .400 or better were: Christian Yelich, Brewers (.425); Jeff McNeil, Mets (.412); Carlos Santana, Indians (.411); Juan Soto, Nationals (.402)
HOME RUNS
AL: Edwin Encarnacion, Mariners/Yankees (24); Gary Sanchez, Yankees (23); Mike Trout, Angels (22); Jorge Soler, Royals (22); Alex Bregman, Astros (22)
NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (29); Pete Alonso, Mets (28); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (27)
The player with the most 2019 at bats without going yard is the Marlins’ Miguel Rojas, who stands at .287-0-23 after 279 at bats.
RUNS BATTED IN
AL: Domingo Santana, Mariners (62); DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (61); Eddie Rosario, Twins (60); Jose Abreu, White Sox (60)
NL: Josh Bell, Pirates (70); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (67); Freddie Freeman, Braves (65); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (65)
RUNS SCORED
AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (66); Mike Trout, Angels (63); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (63)
NL: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (67); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (65); Trevor Story, Rockies (65)
STOLEN BASES
AL: Adalberto Mondesi, Royals (27); Mallex Smith, Mariners (21); Jose Ramirez, Indians (18)
NL: Jarrod Dyson, D-backs (19); Christian Yelich, Brewers (18); Trea Turner, Nationals (17)
Kolten Wong has the most 2019 stolen bases without being tossed out (14). Whit Merrifield of the Royals leads in times caught stealing (seven in 18 attempts).
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
AL: Domingo Santana, Mariners (110); Jorge Soler, Royals (104); Brandon Lowe, Rays (103)
NL: Bryce Harper, Phillies (101); Javier Baez, Cubs (101); Wil Myers, Padres (99)
WALKS
AL: Mike Trout, Angels (70); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (62); Alex Bregman, Astros (61)
NL: Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (61); Bryce Harper, Phillies (56); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (52)
Nobody had drawn more intentional passes through June than the Phillies’ Maikel Franco (15). This despite a .227 average (12 home runs).
PITCHING VICTORIES
AL: Lucas Giolito, White Sox (11-2); Justin Verlander, Astros (10-3); Jake Odorizzi, Twins (10-3); Lance Lynn, Rangers (10-4)
NL: Brian Woodruff, Brewers (10-2); Mike Soroka, Braves (9-1); Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (9-2); Max Fried, Braves (9-3); Zack Greinke, D-backs (9-3); Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (9-4); Jon Gray, Rockies (9-5)
No one has lost more games through June than the Blue Jays’ Aaron Sanchez (3-11, 6.31). What is a bit surprising is that Sanchez got off to a good start. He was 3-1, 2.32 at the end of April.
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying)
AL: Max Minor, Rangers (2.40); Charlie Morton, Rays (2.43); Frankie Montas, A’s (2.70)
NL: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (1.83); Max Scherzer, Nationals (2.43); Luis Castillo, Reds (2.47)
Among qualifiers, the Astros’ Justin Verlander has held opposing hitters to the lowest average through June (.162). In the NL, the top dog in this category is the Reds’ Luis Castillo (.178).
STRIKEOUTS
AL: Gerrit Cole, Astros (161); Chris Sale, Red Sox (148); Justin Verlander, Astros (147)
NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (170); Robbie Ray, D-backs (129); Jacob deGrom, Mets (128)
Only four qualifying pitchers average 12 or more strikeouts per nine innings through June:
- Gerrit Cole, Astros (13.21);
- Chris Sale, Red Sox (13.14);
- Max Scherzer, Nationals (12.51); and
- Blake Snell, Rays (12.39).
SAVES
AL: Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (23); Brad Hand, Indians (23); Shane Greene, Tigers (22)
NL: Kirby Yates, Padres (27); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (23); Will Smith, Giants (21)
Primary Resources: MLB.com; ESPN.com; Baseball-Reference.com
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST
Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. To see the full list, click here.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
