It’s June 1, and that means it’s time for the Baseball Roundtable monthly Wrap Up for May – a look at the stories and statistics that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as the standings, Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month, the Trot Index and more.
As usual, there a few things unusual over the past thirty days. We saw:
- Luis Arreaz rack up eight consecutive multi-hit games and Rafael Devers going yard in six consecutive contests;
- Jeremiah Estrada‘s record-setting run of thirteen consecutive strikeouts broken by a batter to whom he did not throw a single pitch;
- Jose Altuve‘s 300th steal;
- Luis Gil setting a new Yankee-franchise record for strikeouts in a game by a rookie – in a game where the previous recordholder (Orlando Hernandez) threw out the ceremonial first pitch;
- Jarren Duran hitting a home run and stealing home in the same game;
- Mookie Betts‘ 50th leadoff home run;
- A two-homer inning by Brent Rooker;
- A half-inning that “featured” six bases-loaded walks; and
- M0re.
Read on for these highlights – and the more. As usual, we’ll start with Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH – MAY 2024
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Player of the Month – Bryce Harper, 1B, Phillies & Luis Arreaz, 2B,Padres
Photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Bryce Harper had a solid May, hitting .313, with an NL-leading (tied) seven home runs, as well as a league-leading 24 RBI. His 19 May runs scored tied for third in the NL. Harper had nine multi-hit games and six multi-RBI games during the month. In a three-game span from May 5 through May 7, Harper went seven -for-twelve, with three home runs and ten RBI. The Phillies won all three contests. Harper ended May at .270-13-42 on the season. Harper also drew 16 free passes, giving him a .407 on-base percentwge for the month.
You can’t talk May without lookin at Luis Arreaz’ trade from the Marlins to the Padres. At the time of the trade (May 4), Arreaz (the 2022 AL batting champion and 2023 NL batting champ) was hitting “just” .299 on the season. After the trade, he hit .398 over the remainder of May – raising his average to .342 and taking the lead in the NL batting race. From May 14 through May 23, Arreaz had eight straight multi-hit games – going 20 for 38 (.526), with two doubles, a home run, four RBI and four runs scored. Over the course of the month, he had 13 multi-hit games, including four four-hit contests. He had an MLB-high 44 hits in 26 contests. Arreaz’ stat line for the full month was .389-1-11, with 16 runs scored.
Honorable Mention: Dodgers’ DH Shohei Ohtani put together a .312-7-19, month – and stole eight bags in eight tries.
Pitcher of the Month – Chris Sale, LHP, Braves
Chris Sale went 5-0 in five May starts and his 0.56 earned run average was lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 25 May innings). The southpaw was second in the NL in strikeouts (45 in 32 innings), while walking just two batters. Between his May 8 start and the second inning of his start on May 26, Sale pitched 21 consecutive scoreless innings. He had a 0.78 WHIP for the month (second in the NL among pitchers with at least 25 May innings), held hitters to a .193 average and did not give up a single home run. At the close of May Sale was 8-1, 2.12 on the season.
Honorable Mentions: A shoutout goes to Rockies’ righty Carl Quantrill who went 4-0, 1.71 in five starts, with 32 strikeouts 31 2/3 innings. Quantrill’s month included two starts at hitter-friendly Coors Field (where he gave up three runs in 12 innings). Quantrill came into the month 0-3, 5.34 on the season and improved his 2024 line to 4-3, 3.53. Mitch Keller also deserves recognition, going 4-0, 1.30 for the Pirates, including a complete-game, five-hitter in a May 6 4-1 win over the Angels. Another Rockie, Austin Gomber only picked up one win (1-0) in four May starts, despite a sparkling 0.68 eared run average in 26 2/3 innings pitched. Gomber’s May performance was a bit of an eye opener. He came into the season with a 30-28, 4.90 record over five MLB seasons and was 0-2, 4.50 in April.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Player of the Month – Aaron Judge, CF, Yankees
Photo: Arturo Pardavila on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop), CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Aaron Judge’s bat literally exploded in May (okay, maybe not literally, but this is a blog not a novel). Judge hit .371 for the month (second among MLB players with at least 75 May at bats), with an MLB-leadings 14 home runs and an MLB-leading 24 extra-base hits. His 23 May RBI were second in MLB and his 28 runs scored first. He also drew 22 walks (second in MLB). His On-Base + Slugging percentage of 1.416 far outdistanced the runner-up (among MLB players with at least 75 May at ats) – Jose Ramirez at 1.061. Heck, Judge even stole a base. Judge collected hits in all but six of his 27 May games and had ten multi-hit games. Over the course of the month, he raised his 2024 season average from .207 to .282.
Honorable Mentions: Guardians’ 3B Jose Ramirez drove in an MLB-leading 33 runs in 28 May games. He also finished (tied) second in home runs with 11, while hitting .295 and scoring 23 runs. Ramirez had ten multi-RBI games in May and stole four bases in five tries. Royals’ SS Bobby Witt. Jr. gave Kansas City fans a bit of everything, hitting .315-5-25, and tossing in two triples, seven doubles, seven steals and 26 runs scored. He’s a major reason the Royals are one of the surprise teams of 2024.
Pitcher of the Month – Luis Gil, RHP, Yankees
Wow!!! Luis Gil went 6-0 (the only MLB pitcher with six May wins) in six starts and delivered a 0.70 earned run average (second-lowest among AL pitchers with at least 25 May innings). He also notched a league-leading 44 strikeouts (38 2/3 innings) and a stingy 0.67 WHIP and .109 batting average against. In his six May starts, Gil never went less than six innings and never gave up more than one run. At the end of May, Gil’s record on the season was 7-1, 1.99. Gil was originally signed by the Twins in 2015 and traded to the Yankees in 2018. He’s coming off Tommy John surgery in 2022. Side note: In seven minor-league seasons, Gil never won more than five games in a season and in two callups before this season, he went 1-1, 3.78 for the Bronx Bombers.
Honorable Mentions. Royals’ righty Seth Lugo went 5-0, 1.79 in six May starts, fanning 43 batters in 40 1/3 innings. At the end of May, Lugo, who had never won more than eight games in any of his eight previous MLB seasons, was 9-1, 1.72. White Sox’ southpaw Garrett Crochet, went 4-1, 0.93 in May, fanning 38 batters in 29 innings. He gave up just three runs in 29 May innings.
Surprise Player of the Month – Ben Brown RHP, Cubs
Ben Brown was signed out (Phillies) of Ward Melville High School (East Setauket, NY) in the 33rd round of the 2017 MLB draft. He was traded to the Cubs in November of 2022. In six minor-league seasons – interrupted by Tommy John surgery in 2019 – he was 19-17, 3.67. Brown made his first MLB appearance on March 30 0f this season – giving up six earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. At the end of April, he was 0-1, 4.30. Then came May. Brown made six appearances, three starts, and went 1-0. The surprise? A 1.16 ERA. In his final two starts (May 23 & May 28) Brown went 11 innings and gave up just 1 hit, no runs, with four walks and 16 strikeouts.
Honorable Mentions: Bryan Woo of the Mariners went 2-0, 1.30 in five May starts, fanning 18 and walking just two in 27 2/3 frames. I saw him as a little less of a surprise than Brown because he was a sixth-round draft choice (in 2021) to Brown’s 33rd round. In 2023, Woo was 4-5, 4.21 in 18 start for Seattle. Tigers’ 2B Colt Keith hit .342 for the month, with two home runs, 14 RBI and ten runs scored. This follows an April in which he hit .154-0-5 in 26 games. Maybe the April should be more of a surprise than the strong May. Keith, who signed as a teenager (fifth round, 2020 draft), did hit .306-27-101 at Double-A and Triple-A in 2023, after .301-9-31 at High-A in 2022.
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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE
Through May 31, 34.6% of the MLB season’s 64,638 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 (22.3%); walks (8.4%); home runs (2.7%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 14,422 to 13,875.
The 34.6% figure is down from 35.6% through May in 2023. I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: in 2023; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.
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The Phillies Run (20-7)
The Phillies were one of MLB’s hottest teams in May – putting up a 20-7 record, after going 20-11 in March/April. They moved from second place 1/2-game behind the Braves to first place with a six-game edge on the Marlins. And, the Phillies were hitting on all cylinders. They scored the most May runs in MLB (156), led by the likes of : 1B Bryce Harper (.313-7-24); DH Kyle Schwarber (.297-3-18); and SS Edmundo Sosa (.306-3-13). Overall, they had six players with 15 or more May RBI.
Just as – or even more -important was the Phillies’ status as the May NL ERA leaders (and one of just four teams with earned run averages under 3.00 for the month). The Phillies’ staff put up a 2.62 ERA in May and gave up the fewest earned runs in the NL (72). The Phillies’ total runs surrendered of 87 was second (fewest) only to the Dodger’ 82 in May. Key contributors included: starters Ranger Suarez (4-1, 2.32); Zack Wheeler (4-0, 2.72); Aaron Nola (3-1, 2.84); and Christopher Sanchez (2-0, 2.03). Out of the bullpen, Matt Strahm went 2-1 in 13 games, giving up just one (unearned) run in 12 frames; Jose Ruiz put up a 1.04 ERA in nine appearances; Jeff Hoffman had a 0.84 ERA and four saves); and Jose Alvarado was 2.13 with five saves. Overall, the Phillies used 13 pitchers and ten put up earned run average south of 3.00.
The Yankees (21-7)
Like the Phillies, the Yankees pitching was dominant (see a pattern here). The teams 2.40 ERA was MLB’s lowest, as were their 66 earned runs and 73 total runs surrendered. It all starts with Luis Gil (6-0, 0.70 in six starts). They were also strong contributions from veteran starters Marcus Stroman (3-1, 1.91); Carlos Rodon (5-1, 3.67). Those three accounted for 14 of the Yankees 21 wins (seven losses). Clay Holmes saved seven games in nine chances (3.67 ERA). The Yankee offense put up 135 runs (third in the AL) led (as your would expect) by CF Aaron Judge (.371-14-27) and RF Juan Soto (.296-7-24). The Yankees moved from one game behind the Orioles at the end of April to three games up on the Birds at the end of May.
Pitching-Pitching-Pitching
The four teams with ERA’s below 3.00 (Yankees, Phillies, Orioles and Dodgers) went a combined 75-33 in May. The five teams with ERA’s north of 4.50 (Mets, D-backs, White Sox, A’s and Tigers) went a combined 49-88).
A Royals Surprise
The Kansas City Royals (17-11 in May, led the AL in scoring for the month, with 148 runs – and showed a balanced offense: SS Bobby Witt, Jr. (.315-5-25); 2B Michael Massey (.333-5-18); 3B Maikel Garcia (.305-1-15); C Salvador Perez (.284-3-15). Overall, they had three players with 50 or more at bats hit .300; five players with 15 or more RBI; and six with 12 or more runs scored. Their 3.85 ERA was 11th in MLB and fifth in the AL. Seth Lugo was the heart of the staff at 5-0, 1.79.
See full year-to-date standings at the end of this post.
——-Team Statistical Leaders for May 2024 ———-
RUNS SCORED
National League – Phillies (156); Brewers (144); Giants (133)
American League – Royals (148); Guardians (141); Yankees (135)
The fewest runs in May were scored by the White Sox (82). In the National League it was the Reds at 84. Also under 100 runs were the Braves (93); Diamondbacks (97); and Cubs (99).
AVERAGE
National League – Padres (.269); Brewers (.260); Phillies (.259)
American League –Royals (.269); Yankees (.261); Astros (.251)
The lowest team average for May belonged to the Reds at .213. The lowest in the AL was the White Sox (.217).
HOME RUNS
National League – Dodgers (39); Brewers (30); Cardinals (30)
American League – Yankees (47); A’s (35); Angels (35); Guardians (35)
The Nationals, Rays and White Sox tied for the fewest home runs in May at 20.
The Yankees led MLB in slugging percentage for at .470. The Dodgers led the NL at .424.
Hmm? Does This Mean Anything?
Eight of the top nine teams in May home runs were in the AL. By comparison, the top eight spots in slugging percentage were split evenly among AL and NL teams.
TOTAL BASES
National League – Brewers (403) ; Phillies (384); Dodgers (383)
American League – Yankees (437); Royals (414) A’s (391)
STOLEN BASES
National League – Nationals (40); Brewers (36); Phillies (36)
American League – Rays (29); Royals (24); Guardians (24)
The Giants stole the fewest sacks in May – six in eight attempts. The Tigers were at the bottom of the AL, with eight in 14 attempts.
WALKS DRAWN
National League – Phillies (103); Cubs (96); Brewers (94)
American League – Rays (105); Blue Jays (93); A’s (93); Guardians (93)
The Phillies led MLB in May On-Base percentage at .337. The Yankees led the AL at .330.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Pirates (251); Cubs (249); Mets (249)
American League – Mariners (288); A’s (275); Red Sox (263)
Padres’ batters fanned the fewest times in May (174). The Blue Jays had the fewest whiffs in the AL at 176. They were the only two team under 200 strikeouts for May.
Bonus Stats
- Three teams (Braves, Twins and Mariners) recorded zero sacrifice bunts in May. No team recorded more than seven (Royals).
- The Braves are the only team to not record a single sacrifice bunts since Opening Day.
- Mariners’ batters were hit by a pitch an MLB-leading 18 times in May. The Angels suffered the fewest HBP – four.
- Year-to-date, Guardians hitters have bene plunked an MLB-highest 44 times, nine ahead of the second-place Twins.
- The Giants grounded into an MLB-highest 32 double plays in May. The Cardinals hit into an MLB-low eight.
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EARNED RUN AVERAGE
National League – Phillies (2.62); Dodgers (2.93); Braves (3.30)
American League – Yankees (2.40); Orioles (2.86); Guardians (3.53)
The Mets had the highest May ERA at (4.85).
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Padres (265); Cubs (263); Giants (262)
American League – Astros (246); Yankees (241); Red Sox (239))
The Padres averaged an MLB-best 9.94 strikeouts per nine innings in May. The Yankees averaged an AL-best 8.78. Four teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better – all in the NL (Padres, Cubs, Giants, Braves).
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED
National League – Padres (61); Dodgers (66); Cardinals (68)
American League – Twins (60); Blue Jays (64); Tigers (67)
The Twins walked an MLB-lowest 2.18 batters per nine innings in May. The Rangers walked an MLB-worst 4.22 batters per nine frames.
SAVES
National League – Brewers (9); Cardinals (9); Rockies (9)
American League – Twins (11); Guardians (10); Orioles (10)
The Mets blew the most saves in May – recording seven blown saves in 12 opportunities.
Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WFIP)
National League – Dodgers (1.05); Padres (1.12): Phillies (1.15)
American League: Yankees (1.02); Orioles (1.11); Mariners (1.13)
Bonus Stats:
- The White Sox. Astros and Mets each gave up an MLB-high 35 home runs in May. (The Orioles gave up an MLB-low 15 home runs.
- The Yankees held opponents to an MLB-low .196 average in May. The Diamondbacks’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .277 average.
- The Padres’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for May topped MLB at 4.34. The Rockies had MLB’s worse ratio at 1.76.
– MAY HIGHIGHTS –
Roundtable Extra Observation – Not an On-Field Highlight
The biggest thing that happened in May (at least for followers of MLB history) may not have been on the field at all. It may have come on May 27, when MLB announced the further (overdue) documentation and incorporation of Negro League records into the MLB record books. (In 2020, MLB announced seven Negro Leagues from 1920-48 would be recognized as major leagues). Given that Negro League seasons were shorter than AL and NL seasons, the Roundtable expects the greatest impact on the leader boards will be on percentage statistics as opposed to raw number stats (i.e. batting average versus number of hits). For example, Josh Gibson’s career .372 batting average, has supplanted Ty Cobb’s .367 as MLB’s highest career average; Gibson’s .718 career slugging percentage is now the MLB’s highest; moving Babe Ruth’s .690 to second place; and Gibson’s .466 batting average in 1943 is now the single-season mark. Another example, is Negro League pitcher Dave Brown, now atop the career winning percentage list at .738 over six seasons.
There are also some changes for AL/NL players who begam their careers in the Negro Leagues. Hall of Famer Minnie Minoso is now a member of the 2,000-career-hits club and Joe Nuxhall is no longer the only 15-year-old to play in the major leagues. He’s been joined by Roy Campanella, who began his career with the Baltimore Elite Giants as a 15-year-old (awaiting confirmation, but it appears Campanella is now the youngest major leaguer ever).
Don’t want to belabor the point, but it exploring the impact of this change in recordkeeping – and incorporating it into blog articles – should be interesting.
Jose Ups His Game
On May 3, as the Astros edged the Mariners 5-3, Astros 2B Jose Altuve showed that there is still some speed left in his 34-year-old legs. In the bottom of the seventh, with the score knotted at three-three, one out and a runner on third, Altuve laid down, and beat out, a perfect bunt on a suicide squeeze – plating the go-ahead run. Two pitches later, he stole second and later scored an insurance run. The steal, by the way, was Altuve’s seventh of the season and 300th of his career.
Now in his 14th MLB season (all with the Astros, Altuve has a .307-218-767 career line, with 301 steals and 1,096 runs scored (as of close of play May 31). The eight-time All Star has led the league in hits four times (over 200 hits each time), steals twice and batting average three times. At the end of May, Altuve was .291-9-20, with 34 runs on the season.
When It Rains, It Pours, Just Ask Brent Rooker
The Oakland A’s May 4 game (in Oakland) against the Marlins was delayed for nearly 3 ½ hours by a pouring rain. For A’s DH Brent Rooker, it was worth the wait, as he poured on the power in the third inning. With the A’s up 2-0, no outs and a runner on first, Rooker homered on a 3-2 pitch from Marlins’ starter Trevor Rogers. Eight batters later (or nine, depending on how your count it), Rooker was again at the plate, this time against reliever Darren McCaughan, with two-on and one out and the A’s up by a 9-0. This time, he homered on an 0-1 pitch. This made Rooker the 60th player to smack two homers in one inning – the first A’s player to do so since Mark McGwire on September 22, 1996. At the end of May, Rooker was .280-11-35 on the season.
Muncy Shoots a Three
May 4, as the Dodgers toppled the Braves 11-2, LA 3B Matt Muncy went four-for-five, with three runs scored and four RBI. It makes the highlights because three of Muncy’s hit were home runs, the power hitter’s first-ever three-homer game. Muncy ended May hitting .223-9-28 on the season..
Double Your Pleasure – Double Your Fun
On May 8. The A’s and Rangers faced off in a doubleheader in Texas. At the time, A’s catcher Shea Langeliers was hitting .179, with seven long balls and 16 RBI in 32 games. Playing two, however, seemed to agree with Langeliers. in Game One, a 9-4 Oakland win, he went three-for-four with a double, a triple a home run and five RBI. Then in Game Two, now serving as DH, Langeliers went two-for-five, with another home run and three RBI. (The Rangers prevailed 12-11.) The eight runs driven is set a record for RBIs in a doubleheader for a player in an Oakland A’s uniform (the A’s moved to Oakland in 1968). At the end of May, Langeliers was hitting .211-12-29 on the season.
I’m a Travelin’ Man
Luis Arraez won the American League batting champion (.316 average) with the Twins in 2022. Then, in January of 2023, he was traded to the Marlins. He went on to win the 2024 NL batting crown (.354) with the Marlins – making him the first MLB player to win a batting title in the AL and NL in consecutive seasons. On May 4 of this season, he was traded to the Padres from the Marlins – he was hitting .299 at the time – giving him a chance to be the first MLB player to win a batting title with three different teams – and he could do it in consecutive seasons.
Since joining the Padres, he has hit .398 (through May 311), raising his overall season average to .342. A couple of other notes:
- In his first game as a Padre (May 4), he collected four hits in six at bats.
- In his first home game as a Padre (May 10), he had a ninth inning, walk-off, game-winning RBI single in a 2-1 win over the rival dodgers.
- He recorded ten multi-hit games in his first 17 games as a Padre, hitting .419.
Third-to Home? It’s a Walk in the Park
The Cubs came into the top of the fifth inning of their May 11 games versus Pirates trailing 6-1. By the end of the inning, they would enjoy an 8-6 lead – scoring seven runs on just three hits. Spoiler alert: All seven runs scored after two outs and there were six based-loaded walks. It went like this:
DH Mike Tauchman … Double off Paul Skenes.
RF Seiya Suzuki … Ground ball double, Tauchman holds at second.
Kyle Nicolas replaces Skenes on the mound.
CF Cody Bellinger … Strikes out on four pitches.
3B Christopher Morel … Strikes out on six pitches.
LF Ian Happ … Hit-By-Pitch, loading the bases.
SS Nico Hoerner … Four-pitch walk, forcing in a run.
1B Michael Busch … Four-pitch walk, forcing in a run.
2B Miles Mastrobuoni … For -pitch walk, forcing in a run.
Josh Fleming replaces Nicolas on the mound.
C Yan Gomes … Five-pitch walk, forcing in a run.
Tauchman … RBI single, bases still loaded.
Two-Hour and 20-minute rain delay.
Colin Holderman replaces Josh Fleming on the mound.
Suzuki … Four-pitch walk, forcing in a run.
Bellinger … Five-pitch walk, forcing in a run.
PH Nick Madrigal … Lineout to center.
In a bit of irony, the Pirates actually came back to win the game 10-9.
Seth (Lu)go-ing Strong … 12 on the 12th
Coming into the 2024 seasons, 34-year-old Royals’ right-hander Seth Lugo had never won more than eight games in a season (8-7, 3.57 for the Padres in 2023). That changed this season, as Lugo closed May with a 9-1, 1.72 record on the season. His performance needs to be highlighted, so we’ll give him a shoutout for his May 12 game against the Angels (a 6-1 Royals win). Lugo went eight frames, giving up just one run on five hits, walking no one and putting up a career-high 12 strikeouts.
Lucky 13
On May 13, as the Dodgers topped the Giants 6-4 in ten innings (in San Francisco), Dodgers’ SS (and leadoff hitter) Mookie Betts went two-for-five with two runs scored and one RBI. It was his first hit that helped make the game memorable. It came as Betts leadoff the top of the first – on a 1-2 pitch from Jordan Hicks – and it was Betts’ 50th leadoff home run. That gave him the fifth-most MLB leadoff homers all-time. He trails only Rickey Henderson (81); still-active George Springer (57); Alfonso Soriano (54); and Craig Biggio (53).
A Freak Injury Leads to a Memorable First Bingle
On May 7, during the second inning of a 7-5 Cardinals’ loss to the Mets, Saint Louis’ veteran catcher Willson Contreras suffered a fractured forearm when hit on the swing by Mets’ DH J.D. Martinez. To add insult to injury, Contreras was called for catcher’s interference on the play, and Martinez was awarded first base. Contreras’ injury, indirectly, led to rookie catcher Pedro Pages first big MLB hit.
The 25-year-old pages started the season as the third catcher for the Redbirds, but was optioned back to the minors on May (after just five games and four plate appearances). He was called back up after Contreras’ mishap – to serve an expanded role as the number-two backstop. On May 14, in his second game in the lineup after his return to the Cardinals, Pages collected his first MLB hit. It was a third-inning, three-run double off the Angels’ Reid Detmers – part of a 7-6 Cardinals’ victory. #InBaseballWeCoutEverything … Elias Sports Bureau reported that Pages is the first Cardinal to record at least three RBI on his first MLB hit since Tim Worrell in 2008.
For those who like to know such things, Pages was a sixth 2019 Round MLB Draft choice out of Florida Atlantic University (where he hit .295-14-98 in 143 games over three seasons). In five minor-league seasons, he has hit .256-38-178 in 340 games.
Four-for-Four … and Four-for Five … in The Same Game
On May 16, the Reds’ dynamic (21-tar-old) SS Elly De La Cruz went four-for-four at the plate (three doubles and a single) AND four-for-five on the bases (four steals/one caught stealing) to become just the 29th player in the Modern Eras (post-1900) to collect four hits and four steals in a single game. For more on De La Cruz (and the others who have had a four-hit-four steal game), link here.
Let’s Put Up Some Numbers
Coming into the Giants/Rockies game on May 17, San Francisco’s 22-year-old CF Lui Matos had .250-1-6 on the season and had driven in a total of 20 runs in 81 major-league games. That was about to change. On the 17th, as the Giants topped the Rockies 10-5, Matos set a career-high for RBI in a game – going two-for-three with two doubles and five runs driven in. The very next day, in a 14-4 triumph over the Rockies, he did himself one better, going three-for-five, with a double, a homer and six RBI. So, at the close of play on May 18, Matos had recoded 64.5 percent of his career RBI in 2.4 percent of his MLB games. #InBaseballWeCountEverythning – Those 11 RBI tied Matos for the Giants’ franchise record for RBI in any two-game span.
More #InBaseballWeCountEveything
On May 18, Cubs’ southpaw Shota Imanaga may have gotten a no-decision – despite seven scoreless innings (four hits, one walk, seven whiffs) – in Chicago’s 1-0 win over Pittsburgh, but he also earned a little bit of history. During the outing, his ninth MLB start, Imanaga lowered his earned run average from an already minuscule 0.96 to 0.84 – the lowest mark over a pitcher’s first nine starts since ERA became an officially reported MLB statistic (1913).
The previous “record holder” Fernando Valenzuela, had a 0.91 ERA over his first nine starts.
There are some differences:
- The nine starts span represented Imanaga’s first nine MLB appearances. Valenzuela had made ten relief appearances with a 0.00 earned run average the previous season.
- Imanaga is a 30-year-old, in his first MLB season, but with eight seasons in Japan under his belt; while Valenzuela was 20-years-old, in just his third professional season.
- Valenzuela’s span of nine starts included 79 innings pitched. seven complete games, five shutouts and only one outing of less than nine frames; Imanaga’s nine-start span included 53 2/3 innings pitched and no outing of more than seven innings.
When You Count Counts
In his first nine MLB starts, Shota Imanaga gave up just five earned runs in 53 2/3 innings. In start number-ten, he surrendered seven earned runs in 4 1/3 frames.
Here’s a look at their ERA’s along the way;
Imanaga Valenzuela
After Game One 0.00 0.00
After Game Two` 0.00 0.50
After Game Three ` 0.00 0.33
After Game Four 0.84 0.25
After Game Five 0,98 0.20
After Game Six 0.78 0.33
After Game Seven 1.08 0.29
After Game Eight 0.96 0.50
After Game Nine 0.84 0.91
After Game Ten 1.86 1.24
Taking One for the Team
The May 18 Angels-Rangers tilt (in Texas) seemed like a lesson in futility. The two teams were tied 2-2 after nine frames and despite the placed runners (at second base) in innings 10,11 and 12, were still knotted at two in the thirteenth. In fact, going into the bottom of the thirteenth the two teams were one-for-29 with runners in scoring position and had left a combined 20 runners on base. The Rangers walked-it-off in the bottom of the 13th, when 1B Nathaniel Lowe took one for the team. The inning started with Travis Jankowski placed at second. Pinch hitter Ezequiel Duran singled him to third. 2B Marcus Semien then lined out and SS Corey Seager was walked to load the bases. Lowe was then hit by a pitch to bring home the winning tally.
Way to Go Rook
On May 18, Yankees righty Luis Gil pitched a gem in a New York 6-1 win over the White Sox. The rookie (he appeared in seven games for the Yankees in 2020-21 (1-1, 3.78) went six innings, giving up five hits and one earned run -while fanning 14. Those strikeouts, according to Elia Sports Bureau, were a record for a Yankee rookie.
The Roundtable Loves a Good Coincidence
On May 18, when Luis Gil set a new Yankee record for strikeouts by a rookie in a game at 14, he broke Orlando Hernandez’ record for K’s by a rookie (13). Coincidentally, Hernandez threw the ceremonial first pitch that day.
In his six frames, Gil threw 98 pitches (65 strikes) and seemed to get stronger as the game progressed (he faced seven of his total of 24 batters in the first inning, when he gave up his only run). Gil fanned the side in order in the fourth and fifth innings and in the top of the sixth (his final inning) he went strikeout, single, strikeout, strikeout. Of his 14 whiffs, 12 came on swings and misses.
A Handful of Homers – Plus One
On May 20, in an 5-0 Boston win over Tampa Bay, Rafael Devers set a new Red Sox franchise record by homering in his sixth consecutive game. Over the six-game span, Devers had seven hits (one single, six dingers) in 24 at bats, scoring eight runs and driving in nine. Despite Devers’ power display, the Red Sox lost four of the six games: For those who like to know such things:
- The previous Red Sox record of homering in five consecutive games was shared by Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Dick Stuart, George Scott, Jose Canseco, and Bobby Dalbec.
- The MLB record for homering in consecutive games is eight, shared by Dale Long, Pirates (May 19-28, 1956); Don Mattingly, Yankees (July 8-18, 1987); and Ken Griffey Jr. (July 20-28, 1993).
Shut ‘Em Down – Then Light ‘em Up
On May 14, the Marlins shutdown the Tigers (in Detroit) holding the Bengal’s to four nits in a 1-0 ten-inning Marlin’s win. They followed that up with a 2-0 win over the Tigers on the 15th and an 8-0 win over the Mets (in Miami) on the 17th. It was the first time the Marlins had recorded three straight shutouts since 2005 (and the third time overall). The Marlins changed their approach on the 18th – recording their fourth straight win (their longest win streak of the season), topping the Mets 10-9 in ten innings.
For Those Who like to Know Such Things
The most consecutive shutout win by a team is six, by the Pirates from June 1, 1903 through June 9, 1903. All six games were home contests and the Pirates prevailed by a combined 32-0. The wins, all complete games (Deacon Phillipe 2; Sam Leever 2; Irvin Wilhelm and Ed Dohey) started a 14-game win streak that included eight shutouts.
Skenese on the Scene
You often here about “the long-awaited arrival” of ballyhooed (always wanted to use that word in a post) MLB rookies. Well, that’s not the case with the Pirates’ Paul Skenese – the number-one overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, who made it to the majors after just 12 minor-league appearances In that dirty dozen outings, he went 0-0-1.85, with 55 strikeouts (just ten walks) in 34 innings.
Skenese wasted no time making his mark on the MLB scene. He made his MLB debut on May 11 (versus the Cubs) and, while he lasted only four innings (six hits, three runs, two walks, seven strikeouts) he made an impression – reaching 100 MPH or higher on 17 pitches.
In his second start – again against the Cubs – on May 17, Skenes struck out the first seven batters he faced and a total of 11 (one walk) in six hitless, scoreless innings (picking up his first MLB win as the Pirates prevailed 9-3). Elias Sports Bureau reported that Skenese became the first Pirate to fan the first seven batters in a game – just one short of the longest streak to open a game (since 1920), by Jacob deGrom (Mets – September 15, 2014) and Jim Deshaies (September 23, 1986).
Skenese closed out May with a 2-0, 2.45 record in four starts – with 30 strikeouts and just five walks in 22 innings.
Skenese played college ball at the Air Force Academy and Louisiana State where, in three seasons, he was a combined 24-6, 2.18 – with 335 strikeouts in 235 innings. Over his college career, he also hit .367-24-81 in 100 games.
We Recognize You
In 2023, with Louisiana St University, Paul Skenese was the Division One National Baseball Player of the Year, The College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year, SEC Pitcher of the Year, a first-team All American the Dick Howser Trophy winner and the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
More #InBaseballWeCountEvrythning. On May 29, Skenese picked up his second MLB win, going six innings and giving up just three hits and two runs in a 10-2 Pirate win over the Tigers. That happened to be his 22cnd birthday and his nine strikeouts that day were the most strikeouts by a Pirates’ pitcher on his birthday. A little deep into the woods there?
Power AND Speed
Red Sox speedy CF Jarren Duran really came into his own in 2023 – when he played in 102 games for the Red Sox and hit .295-8-40, with 24 steals in just 26 attempts. As May closed, he had played in 58 games, hitting .253-3-23, with 32 runs scored and 11 steals. He also had a league-leading eight triples.
On May 21, Duran flashed a bit of power and speed, as the BoSox topped the Rays 5-2 in Tampa Bay. Duran went one-for-four, with two runs scored and on RBI – but it was how he scored those runs that made this game specials.
Duran led off the sixth frame (versus Zack Littell, with a game- tying (2-2) solo home run to deep center field. Then in the eighth inning, after drawing a walk off Jason Adam (with CF Ceddanne Rafaela on first), Duran moved to third on a run-scoring single by RF Wilyer Abreu. Later in the frame, with two outs, and 3B Rafael Devers on first and Duran on third, the Red Sox pulled off a double steal. Rays’ C Ben Rortvedt tried to throw out Devers at second and Duran headed for home. He beat the return throw to the plate with a headfirst slide. (It was, by the way, the first Red Sox steal of home since the 2016 season – and was made all the sweeter by coming in a game when Duran also had a dinger).
Happy Birthday Zebby … From a Twins Fan
As a Minnesotan, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how darn controlling Zebby Mathews can be. On May 22, the Twins farmhand celebrated his 24th birthday by taking the mound for the Wichita Windsurge. In the fifth inning, a rare thing happened. Mathews issued a walk. Why rare? It was his first walk of the 2024 minor-league season – in his seventh start and after facing 141 batters and recording 49 strikeouts. Mathews’ last walk had come in his final start of 2023 (High-A Cedar Rapids). At the close of his birthday start, Mathews was 4-0, 1.34 on the season, with 51 strikeouts and one walk in 40 1/3 innings. Looking over the longer span. At those close of play on May 30, Mathews had 153 2/3 minor-league innings on his professional resume – and was 11-4, 3.10, with 173 strikeouts and just 76 walks. Hope to see in in the Twin Cities so9n, Zebby.
Mathews, by the way, was taken by the Twins in the Eighth Round of the 2022 MLB draft. He played college ball at Western Carolina University, where he went 13-9, 3.49 -with 211 strikeouts and just 30 walks over 183 1/3 innings. This kid is stingy.
Over Almost Before It Started
On May 22, Marlins’ CF Jazz Chisholm led off the bottom of the first inning by taking a 3-1 pitch from the Brewers Freddie Peralto deep to right field for a home run. And, offensively that was pretty much it, as the Marlins triumphed 1-0. Well, remember #InBaseballWeCountyEverything and the Elias Sports Bureau reported that it was just the 30th time (since 1900) that a leadoff home run accounted for the only run in an MLB game. If you are counting, it was Chisholm’s seventh home run of the season.
On the Way to Unicorn Status
Let’s face it, in today’s game, a one-pitcher shutout is a rarity – on its way to unicorn status. In fact, through May of this season, there have only been six such whitewashings (the Astros’ Ronel Blanco’s no-hitter and shutouts by the Phillies’ Ranger Suarez and Aaron Nola, Red Sox’ Tanner Houck, Braves’ Max Fried and, most recently, the Marlins’ Braxton Garrett.
Garrett’s shutout makes the highlights because (like Blanco and Houck before him), it was also his first major-league complete game – and of, of course, it came in May (May 24 to be exact) and this is the May Wrap Up.
Garrett shut down the Diamondbacks (in Arizona) on four hits (no walks, six strikeouts) in a 3-0 win. It was the 26-year-old’s first win of the season, coming in his third start. And, it may have been a bit of a surprise. In his first two starts, he had lasted a combined total of 9 2/3 innings and had given up 11 earned runs (10.24 ERA). (Over his first four MLB seasons – 2020-23 – Garrett was 14-17, 3.86 in 58 games – 56 starts.)
The Sultan of Swing
On May 23, the Padres brought in righty Jeremiah Estrada to face the Reds in the bottom of the eighth of a tie (4-4) game. After giving up a flyout and a single, Estrada fanned the next two batters (RF Nick Martini and 2B Jonathan India to close out the frame. Estrada came out to the mound again in the ninth and fanned C Luke Maile, LF Will Benson and CF Stuart Fairchild in order. The Pirates scored two in the top of the tenth and Robert Suarez came on to get the save for the Pirates.
Three days later (May 26), Estrada was called in to replace Joe Musgrove in the top of the sixth inning – with the Pirates down 1-0 to the Yankees and a runner on second with one out. Estrada fanned CF Aaron Judge and LF Alex Verdugo on seven pitches to get out of the inning. He got a second inning of work in the top of the seventh, fanning DH Giancarlo Stanton, 1B Anthony Rizzo and 2B Gleyber Torres in order. Wandy Peralto replaced Estrada in the top of the eighth,
Estrada’s next outing came on May 28, against the Marlins (in San Diego). He came on in the top of the ninth with the Padres up 4-0. You guessed it – 12 pitches, three strikeouts (RF Jesus Sanchez, 3B Jake Burger, LF Nick Gordon).
At this point, Estrada had fanned 13 batters in a row – all swinging – which MLB.com writer AJ Cassavell reports is the longest string of consecutive whiffs by a pitcher since at least 1961.
Then on May 31, the streak came to a screeching (and unfair) halt. Estrada was called to the mound in the sixth inning (replacing Dylan Cease) with the Padres and Royals tied at two, runners on second and third and one out. C Salvador Perez was up and was waived to first on the Intentional Walk. So, the streak was broken, by a batter Estrada never threw a pitch to. Estrada got the next two batters on a sac fly and pop out.
Estrada finished May with a 2-0, 0.53 record on the season – with 28 strikeouts (just five walks) in 17 innings. Not bad for a 2023 Waiver Wire addition. Prior to joining the Padres, his MLB stat line (17 games with the 2022-23 Cubs) was 0-0, 5.51 with 21 strikeouts and 15 walks in 16 1/3 innings.
Climbing the Ladder
On May 24, the Astros’ Justin Verlander picked up his third win of the season (at 41-years-old proving old guys can still rule). He went six innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on eight hits and no walks. He also fanned nine batters. His fourth strikeout of the game – Abraham Toro in the bottom of the second – gave him 3,372 for his career – putting him past Greg Maddux for number-ten all-time for career strikeouts. He ended the contest with 3,377 career whiffs. Next up in the chase? Walter Johnson at 3,509.
A Feel Good Story for May
On May 31, 27-year-old righthander Justin Sterner made his MLB debut for the Rays (versus the Orioles at Camden Yards). His path to the majors was not an easy – nor a predictable – one. It was, however, a feel-good tribute to determination. When Sterner graduated from Dana Hills (CA) High School he he went undrafted by MLB and had no college offers. He was then away from the diamond for two years, completing a Mormon mission in Samoa. Upon his return, Sterner enrolled in Brigham Young University and “walked on” to the baseball squad. Over three seasons, he went 8-4, 2.86 (27 games, 17 starts), with 103 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings. He remained undrafted and, in 2020, signed with the Marlins as an undrafted free agent. Then, of course, Covid led to the cancellation of his first minor-league season.
Sterner played for four teams, in two organizations in four leagues in 2021. He suited up for the Marlins’ Class-A Jupiter Hammerheads and High-A Beloit Snappers and then, after a trade to the Rays, for the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods and Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. He continued in the Rays’ minor-league system, rising to Triple-A, until being called up to Tampa Bay to relieve an overworked bullpen. The 27-year-old made his first MLB appearance May 31 and pitched two scoreless innings (two hits, one walk, two strikeouts). For those who like to know such things, his first two strikeout victims were Anthony Santander (on a 2-2 pitch) and Gunnar Henderson (on 0-2 offering.
More Than Defense
Okay, you gotta like a player with two double consonants in his first name and three a’s in his last name. That would be the Red Sox’ rookie CF/SS Ceddanne Rafaela (he did get in 28 games for the BoSox last season). Rafaela is known for his sparkling defense, but the 23-year-old has also shown some sparkle with his bat. In May, he hit .239-5-16 – and he leads the Red Sox with 33 RBI on the season. He makes these highlight for his May 31 game: two-for-four with two home runs and five RBI in a 7-3 Red Sox win over Detroit. It was his first MLB multi-homer game. The five RBI were not a career high for him, however. On April 27, he logged a four-hit, seven-RBI game against the Cubs. In both games he delivered that production out of the nine-hole. This season, Rafaela has taken the field at CF,SS, 2B and 3B for the Red Sox.
Rafaela’s growing offensive output should no be a surprise In 2023 he hit .302-20-79, with 36 steals at Double-A and Triple-A.
–INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR MAY—
BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 at bats)
American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (.371); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., (.357); Brent Rooker, A’s (.330)
National League: Luis Arreaz, Marlins/Padres (.389); Jurickson Profar, Padres .(344); Christian Yelich, Brewers (.321)
The lowest average among players with at least 75 at bats belonged to the Diamondbacks’ Jo Adell at .144 (13-for-90.) The Angels’ Niko Goodrum and Yankees Trent Grisham had the most May at bats without a hit (17).
HITS
American League: Abraham Toro, A’s (39); Maikel Garcia, Royals (36); Aaron Judge, Yankees (36)
National League: Luis Arreaz, Marlins/Padres (44); Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies (36); William Contreras, Brewers (34)
The Yankees’ Aaron Judge led all MLBers in May extra-base hits with 26 – 12 doubles and 14 home runs (he had ten singles).
HOME RUNS
American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (14); Jose Ramirez, Guardians (11); Corey Seager, Rangers (11); Kyle Tucker, Astros (11)
National League: Bryce Harper, Phillies (7); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (7); Marcell Ozuna, Braves (7)
RUNS BATTED IN
American League: Jose Ramirez, Guardians (33); Aaron Judge, Yankees (27); Bobby Witt, Jr. Royals (25)
National League: Bryce Harper, Phillies (24); Willy Adames, Brewers (22); William Contreras, Brewers (21); Christopher Morel, Cubs (21)
RUNS SCORED
American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (28); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (26); Jose Ramirez, Guardians (23)
National League: Matt Chapman, Giants (23); Thairo Estrada, Giants (20): three with 19
DOUBLES
American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (12); Max Kepler, Twins (11); three with ten
National League: Alec Bohm, Phillies (10): Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies (10); Willy Adames, Brewers (10); Pete Alonso, Mets (10)
TRIPLES
American League: Jarren Duran, Red sox (5); Wenceel Perez, Tigers (3); Matt Vierling, Tigers (3); Anthony Volpe, Yankees (3); Willi Castro, Twins (3)
National League: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (4); Edmundo Sosa, Phillies (4); Jazz Chisholm, Marlins (3)
The leader in slugging percentage, among players with at least 75 May at bats, was the Yankees’ Aaron Judge at .928). The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani led the NL at .591.
STOLEN BASES
American League: José Caballero, Rays (11); Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (7); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (7); David Hamilton, Red sox (7)
National League: Elly De La Cruz, Reds (14); Brenton Doyle, Rockies (10); Bryson Stott, Phillies (9)
The Phillies’ Bryson Stott stoles the most May bases without getting caught (9).
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
American League: Tyler O’Neill, Red Sox (36); Cal Raleigh, Mariners (36); Joe Adell, Angels (33)
National League: Elly De La Cruz, Reds (40); Andy Pages, Dodgers (37) ; Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies (35)
The Red Sox’ Tyler O’Neill fanned 36 times in just 73 May at bats.
WALKS
American League: Kyle Tucker, Astros (23); Aaron Judge, Yankees (22); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (21)
National League: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (22); LaMonte Wade, Giants (19); Christopher Morel, Cubs (17); Brenton Doyle, Rockies (17)
PITCHING VICTORIES
American League: Luis Gil, Yankees (6-0); Seth Lugo, Royals (5-0); Carlos Rodon, Yankees (5-1)
National League: Chris Sale, Braves (5-0); Mitch Keller, Pirates (4-0); Hector Neris, Cubs (4-0); Cal Quantrill, Rockies (4-0); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (4-0); Sonny Gray, Cardinals (4-1); Ranger Suarez, Phillies (4-1)
Four players lost four games in May: Patrick Sandoval, Angels (1-4, 4.54 in six starts); Ross Stripling, A’s (1-4, 7.17 in five starts); Richard Lovelady, Rays (1-4, 9.90 in 12 appearances); and Fernando Cruz, Reds (1-4, 5.65 in 14 appearances.
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 May innings)
American League: Reese Olson, Tigers (o.64); Luis Gil, Yankees (0.70); Garrett Crochet, White Sox (0.93)
National League: Chris Sale, Braves (0.56); Austin Gomber, Rockies (0.68); Mitch Keller, Pirates (1.30)
The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 May innings or four May starts was 9.49 by the Angels’ Reid Detmers (0-3, 4.49 in five starts, 24 2/3 innings.
STRIKEOUTS
American League: Luis Gil, Yankees (44 in 38 2/3 IP); Seth Lugo, Royals (43 in 40 1/3 IP); Jack Flaherty, Tigers (40 in 31 2/3 IP)
National League: Dylan Cease, Padres (47 in 35 1/3 IP); Chris sale, Braves (45 in 32 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers (42 in 31 IP);
Among pitchers who faced at least 100 batters in May, Chris Sale of the Braves had the highest strikeouts-per nine innings ratio at 12.66, as well as the highest strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 22.50.
WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 25 May innings)
American League: Bryan Woo, Mariners (0.78); Luis Gil, Yankees (0.67); Garrett Crochet, White Sox (0.72)
National League: Ryan Weathers, Marlins (0.73); Chris Sale, Braves (0.78); Austin Gomber, Rockies (0.83)
SAVES
American League: Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (10); Clay Holmes, Yankees (9); Jhoan Duran, Twins (8)
National League: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals (8); Trevor McGill, Brewers (7); Raisel Iglesias, Braves (7)
Jhoan Duran of the Twins and Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals tied for the most May games saved without a blown save with eight.
If the season ended May 31, your post-season team would be:
National League: Phillies; Dodgers; Brewers Wild Cards: Braves; Padres; Giants
American League: Yankees; Guardians; Mariners Wild Cards: Orioles; Royals, Twins
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; MLB.com
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