It’s August 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s June Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more. Just a few of July’s highlights that you will find in this post:
- Clayton Kershaw‘s 3,000th strikeout;
- Aroldis Chapman‘s 350th save and the 350th home runs of Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper;
- The Red Sox‘ 10,000th franchise win;
- Kyle Schwarber‘s 1,000th MLB hit and Mike Trout‘s 1,000th RBI;
- Manny Machado’s 2000th hit;
- A lead-off (Lawrence Butler) and walk-off (Patrick Bailey) inside-the-park home run on the same day;
- A rookie (Brandon Young) tossing an Immaculate Inning;
- A rookie (Nick Kurtz) delivering a four-homer game;
- Byron Buxton’s “Byron Buxton Bobblehead Day” cycle;
- and much more.
For all of the “stories,” see the “Highlights” section.
–—Players and Pitchers of the Month – July 2025—-
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Player of the Month – Kyle Schwarber, LF Phillies
Photo: D. Benjamin Miller, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
It was a big month for Kyle Schwarber, not only was he the All Star Game MVP, but (despite a .264 July average) he also led MLB in July home runs (12) and RBI (29) and scored 17 runs. Over the course of the month, Schwarber had nine multi-RBI games. Of his 24 July hits, 18 went for extra basses (six doubles, 12 home runs.)
Honorable Mention(s); Marlins’ LF Kyle Stowers had a stellar month (.364-10-20). His .364 July average was fifth in the NL among hitters with at least 50 at bats; his ten home runs tied for second; his 20 RBI were fifth; and his 16 runs scored tied for eighth. Giants’ SS Willy Adames also had a solid month at .337-7-21 – finishing in the NL’s top five in home runs, RBI, runs scored (tied for the league lead) and hits.
Pitcher of the Month – Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins
Eury Perez went 3-1, with 1.29 ERA in five July starts. The 22-year-old’s 0.64 WHIP was the best among all MLB pitchers with at least 25 July innings, as was his .135 average against. Perez fanned 32 batters in 28 innings and walked just five. He gave up just one home run in his 28 July innings.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Lodolo, who went 3-1 in five starts, put up a 1.89 earned run average and fanned an MLB- best (tied) 38 batters (with just four walks) in 33 1/3 innings. Lodolo’s month included a four-hit shutout (July 23 versus the Nationals) in which he walked none and fanned eight. Paul Skenes of the Pirates gets an honorable mention for putting up the NL’s lowest earned run average among pitchers with at least 25 July innings. He went 2-1, 0.67 in five starts. He also fanned 36 batters, while walking just three. Phillies’ southpaw Christopher Sanchez also went 3-1 in five July starts, pitched a complete game (a 4-1 win over Boston – four hits with 12 whiffs), put up a 1.95 ERA and fanned 36 batters (37 innings) with five walks.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Player of the Month – Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
No contest here. Nick Kurtz’ .395 July average was second among MLB players with at least 50 July at bats. He led the AL with 11 July homers (tied) and 27 RBI (all alone); his 24 runs scored tied for second in the league; his 34 July hits trailed only Bo Bichette (35) in MLB; and his 25 extra-base hits led MLB by a wide margin. Kurtz’ .953 slugging percentage was tops among MLB players with at least 50 July at bats. The 22-year-old rookie’s month also included a (July 15) six-for-six, four -homer, eight-RBI game in which he tied the MLB records for both homers (four) and total bases in a game (19) and became the 20th player and first rookie to collect four homes in a contest. Not bad for a young man who was playing college ball (Wake Forest) in 2024. What does he do for an encore?
Honorable Mention: Royal’s C Salvador Perez put up a .337-9-21 line in July. His nine homers were third in the AL and his 21 RBI tied for third. Perez collected 30 hits in 24 games (16 for extra bases). Astros’ LF Jose Altuve went .363-5-21, with 20 runs scored and Yankees’ LF Cody Bellinger had a .323-8-20 line, with 21 runs scored.
Pitcher of the Month – Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers
Nathan Eovaldi, like Nick Kurtz, was a no-brainer. Eovaldi went 5-0, 0.59 in five July starts. He was the only pitcher to win five games during the month and his 0.59 ERA was the lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 July innings. In fact, he gave up just three runs (two earned) over 30 2/3 innings. Eovaldi fanned 30, walked eight, put up a 0.85 WHIP and held hitters to a .198 average.
Honorable Mention: Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox went 4-0, with a 1.73 ERA in four starts – fanning 31 and walking just six in 26 innings. His July included his first MLB shutout, which was also his first MLB complete game. And, he needed every pitch. It was a 1-0, three-hit, no-walk, nine-whiff victory over the Division rival Rays.
Surprise of the M0nth – Kyle Stowers, LF, Marlins
Clearly, Eury Perez and Nick Kurtz would qualify here – if they hadn’t already grabbed Player and Pitcher of the Month honors.
Marlins’ OF Kyle Stowers (a second-round draft choice – Orioles – in 2019) came into the 2025 season with a .208-6-35 MLB stat line (over 117 games in three seasons). He also could look back on a .260-91-299 line in five minor-league seasons and a .279-20-85 stat line over 132 college games. Through June of this season, he was at .279-13-43. But his bat got hot, surprisingly hot, in July – to the tune of a .364-10-20 month that included six multi-hit games, two multi-homer games and three multi-RBI games. He bookended the All Star break with a five-hit, three-homer, six-RBI game immediately before the break and a three-hit, two-homer, five-RBI game immediately after the break. Now, that’s surprising performance.
Honorable Mention: The surprising Royals’ surprising rookie southpaw Noah Cameron was a seventh-round pick in the 2021 Draft (out of the University of Central Arkansas). He made his MLB debut on April 30 and went 6 1/3 scoreless innings (one hit, five walks, three strikeouts). Coming into July, he was 2-4, but with a respectable 2.79 ERA. He had fanned 38 batters (18 walks) in 51 2/3 innings (a 2.1 K/BB ratio). Cameron turned it up a notch in July … 3-0, 1.84, with 33 strikeouts and just five walks in 29 1/3 innings (a 6.6 K/BB ratio).
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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE
Through July 31, 34.4% of the MLB season’s 123,109 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 (21.9%); walks (8.5%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%).
The 34.4% is down slightly from the 34.6% through July of 2024 (perhaps we’ve plateaued and the Index no longer serves a purpose). I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 34.9% in 2024; 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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——-Team Statistical Leaders for July 2025 ———-
RUNS SCORED
National League – Brewers (120); Cubs (117); Braves (116)
American League – Blue Jays (150); Rangers (138); Yankees (138)
The fewest runs in July were scored by the Pirates (65). In the American League, it was the Twins at 95. NL teams held the bottom six spots in terms of July runs.
AVERAGE
National League – Brewers (.265); Padres (.264); Phillies (.254); Rockies (.254); Cubs (.254)
American League – Blue Jays (.291); Red Sox (.265); Astros (.265)
The lowest team average for July belonged to the Pirates at .214.
HOME RUNS
National League – Phillies (37); Cubs (34); Braves (33)
American League – Athletics (46); Yankees (46); Mariners (44)
The Pirates had the fewest home runs in July at 11.
TOTAL BASES
National League – Braves (364); Phillies (359); Cubs (354)
American League – Blue Jays (429): Athletics (413); Yankees (401)
The Athletics led MLB in July Slugging Percentage at .498. The Phillies led the NL (.452).
DOUBLES
National League – Cardinals (50); Braves (47); Diamondbacks (42); Padres (42)
American League – Red Sox (63); Blue Jays (56); Athletics (52); Orioles (52)
TRIPLES
National League – Diamondbacks (8); Giants (5); Braves (5); Marlins (5); Nationals (5)
American League – Red Sox (7); Athletics (5); Twins (4); Rangers (4)
The Cardinals and Dodgers had zero triples in June.
STOLEN BASES
National League – Mets (23); Brewers (22); Cubs (21); Nationals (21)
American League – Rays (34); Mariners (27); Rangers (24)
The Giants stole the fewest sacks in July – four in four attempts. The Astros stole the fewest July bags in the AL – nine in thirteen attempts.
WALKS DRAWN
National League – Braves (97); Reds (88); Cubs (84)
American League – Angels (98); Blue Jays (94); Guardians (93)
The Blue Jays led MLB in July on-base percentage at .363. The Padres led the NL at .332. The Pirates had MLB’s lowest July OBP (.274). The Tigers anchored the AL at .300.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Dodgers (226); Braves (223); Nationals (213)
American League – Angels (246); Athletics (238); Mariners (234)
Royals’ batters fanned the fewest times in July (162). The Marlins fanned the fewest times in the NL at 170.
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EARNED RUN AVERAGE
National League – Marlins (2.60); Brewers (3.13); Padres (3.19)
American League – Red Sox (2.86); Rangers (3.08); Guardians (3.50)
The Rockies had the highest July ERA at 6.17. Four other teams had July ERAs of 5.00 or higher: Cardinals (5.00); Nationals (5.57); Yankees (5.65); Braves (5.80). The five teams with ERAs of 5.00 or higher went a combined 46-76.
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Reds (227); Braves (220); Brewers (219)
American League – Mariners (239); Blue Jays (238); Astros (234)
The Reds averaged an MLB-best 9.51 strikeouts per nine innings in July. The Blue Jays averaged an AL-best 9.44.
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED
National League – Cardinals (52); Cubs (54); Marlins (55)
American League – Twins (59); Athletics (64); Red Sox (65)
The Marlins walked an MLB-lowest 2.24 batters per nine innings in July. The Braves walked an MLB-worst 4.03 batters per nine frames.
SAVES
National League – Mets (11); Marlins (9); Brewers (8); Padres (8)
American League – Red Sox (8); Astros (8); four with seven
The Rays blew the most saves in July– nine blown saves in 14 save opportunities.
Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)
National League – Marlins (1.04); Brewers (1.08); Pirates (1.16)
American League: Guardians (1.12); Athletics (1.12); Red Sox (1.18)
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Bonus Stats:
- The Yankees gave up an MLB-high 41 home runs in July. The Mariners gave up an MLB-low 19 home runs.
- Brewers’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .207 average in July. The Rockies’ staff was “rocked” for an MLB-high .313 average.
- The Marlins’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for July topped MLB at 3.69. The Rockies had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.81.
—- July Highlights —-
30 For Ohtani
On July,1, as the Dodgers topped the White Sox in LA, Dodgers’ DH Shohei Ohtani hit a fourth- inning solo home run. It made Ohani the first National Leaguer to reach 30 home runs this season – and guaranteed him his fifth straight season of 30+ dingers. (It was also the third time he banged out 30+ homer by the All Star break.) Ohtani’s next target? Perhaps surpassing his career-high 54 home runs (set last season).
3,000 for Clayton
Photo: SD Dirk on Flickr, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On July 2, the Dodgers topped the White Sox 5-4 in LA – a much-expected win. The 53,536 fans in attendance, however, were anticipating more than a Dodger victory. Dodger Clayton Kershaw – a three-time Cy Young Award winner in his 18th MLB season – came into the game with 2,997 career strikeouts and the crowd was amped to see number 3,000.
It came as Kershaw recorded the final out in the sixth inning and the victim was White Sox’ 3B Vinny Capra (the final batter Kershaw faced in the game). Kershaw, by the way, gave up nine hits and four runs over his six frames and got a no-decision.
A few things caught my eye: First, Kershaw became just the 20th MLB pitcher to reach the 3,000+ strikeout mark; the fifth MLB pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts for one team during his career; and just the third pitcher to record 3,000 or more strikeouts for one team and have those be the only strikeouts of his MLB career. (I’m betting he will retire a Dodger.)
Long awaited Save
On July 2, Aroldis Chapman picked up a long-awaited (well, 24 hours or so) save. The Reds/Red Sox tilt (at Fenway) that started on July 1 had been suspended (weather) and was resumed (top of the fourth) July 2. The Red Sox ultimately prevailed 5-3 and Chapman pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning (one strikeout) for his 15th save of 2025 and his 350th career save. The 37-year-old Chapman ended June with 19 saves and a 1.29 ERA on the season.
Plenty of Fireworks in Chicago
On July 4, the fireworks started early in Chicago – a 1:20 start versus the Cardinals at Wrigley. The Cubs pounded out an 11-3 win and in the process:
- The Cubbies hit a franchise record eight home runs (including a franchise record six by the third inning);
- DH Seiya Suzuki and CF Pete Crow-Armstrong hit solo shots in the first;
- 1B Michael Busch and C Carson Kelly added solo homers in the second;
- Crow-Armstrong added a second solo shot in the third, followed later that inning by a two-run homer by Busch (also his second of the game);
- SS Dansby Swanson hit a two-run shot in the seventh, followed by Busch’s third long ball of the game.
A Stick and Four Circles
On July 5, the Red Sox banged out 11 hits in a 10-3 win over the Nationals at Nationals Park. Those ten tallies were appropriate, as the victory marked the Red Sox franchise’s 10,000th win. The only other franchises to reach 10,000 wins (Modern Era) are the Dodgers, Yankees, Giants and Cardinals.
A Shohei Kind of Coincidence
On July 5, the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani celebrated his 31st birthday by starting on the mound for the Dodgers. Building up his arm strength after elbow surgery (Ohtani did not pitch in 2024), Ohtani (coincidentally) threw 31 pitches (21 strikes) on his 31st birthday, giving up one hit and fanning three (striking out the side in the second frame) over two innings. (As usual, more on Shohei coming up later in the highlights).
2,000 for Manny
On July 7, as the Padres lost to the Diamondbacks 6-3, Padres’ veteran 3B Manny Machado collected three hits (including a solo home run). The second of those hits – a fourth inning single off Zac Gallen – was Machado’s 2,000 career base knock.
July 8 Declared Inside-The-Park Day
On July 8, as the Athletics topped the Braves 10-1 in Sacramento, A’s RF and leadoff hitter Lawrence Butler went two-for-four, with three runs, two RBI and two homers. For this Highlights section, we are most interested in home run number-one – an inside-the-parker off Braves’ P Didier Fuentes’ first pitch. It was Butler’s 12th homer of the season and first career inside-the-parker.
Now, Butler’s dash around the bases didn’t qualify as a highlight until a bit later in the day, when Giants’ C Patrick Bailey hit a walk-off, three run, inside-the-park homer in the bottom of the ninth to send his Giants past the Phillies 4-3. It was Bailey’s second home run of 2025 and, like Butler, his first career inside-the-parker.
Why the highlights? July 8 marked the first time in the Modern Era (post-1900) that MLB saw a lead-off and a walk-off inside-the-park homer on the same day (Elia Sports Bureau). I was also intrigued by the fact that the two dashes around the bases came from the bookends of the lineup – Butler hitting leadoff and Bailey hitting in the nine-hole.
An Immaculate Inning – For a Rookie
On July 8, Orioles rookie righty Brandon Young, making just his fifth MLB start, came into the bottom of the fifth inning with his Orioles leading the Mets 1-0. In that frame, Young pitched the 2025 season’s second Immaculate Inning– fanning Mets’ DH Jesse Winker, CF Jeff McNeil and C Luis Torrens on a total of nine pitches. Things went a little south the following inning, as the Mets’ knocked Young off the mound with a homer, two doubles and a fly out by the first four batters. The Orioles eventually lost 7-6 and Young got a no-decision.
In the Year 2525
On July 10, Cubs’ 23-year-old outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong popped a pair of home runs as Chicago topped Minnesota 8-1 at Target Field. The blasts were Crow-Armstrong’s 24th and 25th of the season and – coupled with his 27 stolen bases – made him the fastest Cub and fourth-fastest MLB player ever (a nod to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs here) to reach 25 or more home runs and 25 or more stolen bases in a season. Crow-Armstrong reached the mark in 92 games played. The players quicker to the 25-25 mark were Eric Davis (69 games in 1987); Alfonso Soriano (91 games in 2002); and Bobby Bonds (91 games in 1973).
Thanks For the Visit. It was really Good to See You Again.
On July 11, as the Cubs visited the Yankees, Yankee CF Cody Bellinger was facing the Cubbies for the first time since they traded him to New York last December. He said hello to his former teammates with his bat – going three-for-five, with three home runs and six RBI – in an 11-0 Yankee win. Bellinger came inches away from an MLB record-tying four-home run game. It took a seventh-inning leaping highlight-reel catch (glove extended a couple of feet of above the outfield wall), by Cubs’ CF Pete Crow-Armstrong to deny Bellinger a share of the record. The three long balls gave Bellinger 16 on the season.
A bit of #InBaseballWeCount Everything: The three-dinger outburst made Bellinger to the first player to launch three home runs in his first game against his former team.
The Cubs got a very small bit of revenge two games later (July 13), as they held Bellinger hitless in a 4-1 win over the Yankees. The Oh-For ended a 17-game Bellinger hitting streak, during which he went .397-6-16, with 17 runs scored.
Raleigh Continues to Punish Baseballs
On July 11, as Seattle trounced the Tigers 12-3, Mariners’ Catcher Cal Raleigh went two-for-five, with two home runs and five RBI. They were his MLB-leading 37th and 38th homers of the season. As a highlight, that 38th home run gave Raleigh the AL Record for the most home runs before the All Star Break (now in second place is Chris Davis with 37 in 2013). The 38 pre-All Star break Raleigh home runs trail only Barry Bonds’ 39 pre-break homers for the Giants in 2001. As 0f the break, Raleigh was .259-38-82, leading MLB in home runs and RBI.
Raleigh’s home run total over the past few seasons: 2022 – 27; 2023 – 30; 2024 – 34; and, of course, his already career-high output this year (42 at the end of June). He is certainly moving in the right direction.
Here Comes the Judge
On July 12, as the Yankees dropped a 5-2 decision to the Cubs, Aaron Judge slammed his 35th home run of the season – the 350th of his career – coming in his 1,088th MLB game. Although in a losing cause, the blast got Judge to 350 long balls faster than any player in MLB history. (Number-two is Mark McGwire at 1,280.)
Well Done, Lord Byron
Photo: Keith Allison on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop), CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On July 12, fans lined up early at Target Field for a chance at that game’s give-away – a Byron Buxton Bobblehead. Their timing – and Buxton’s – was spot on. In the contest, a 12-4 Twins’ win over the Pirates, Buston delivered a five-for-five performance – and the second cycle (single, double, triple, home run in the same game) of the 2025 season. The Cubs’ Carson Kelly hit for the cycle in a March 31 18-3 win over the Athletics.
Buxton’s day went like this:
First Inning – Leadoff infield single off Mike Burrows;
Second Inning -Triple (with one out and no one on) to deep center off Burrows;
Third Inning– Ground rule RBI double (with two on and no outs) off Genesis Cabrera;
Fifth Inning – Single (one out, none on) single off Yohan Ramirez;
Seventh Inning – Home run (two outs, none on) to center on an 0-2 pitch from Andrew Heaney.
Buxton’s line: Five-for-five, three runs, two RBI and a cycle plus an extra single.
For those who like to know such things: It was the first cycle ever at Target field (opened in 2010).
A Today’s Game Highlight
It’s a sign of the times that one-pitcher shutouts are now always Highlights. On July 12, Red Sox’ southpaw Garret Crochet threw his first MLB shutout – in a 1-0 Fenway win over the Rays (and also the key to the Red Sox’ ninth straight victory). The shutout was also Crochet’s first-ever complete game and came in his 52nd MLB start. It ran his 2025 record to 10-4, 2.23.
Crochet gave up just three hits (singles), didn’t issue a walk and fanned nine. He threw an even 100 pitches (72 strikes).
More Sho(w)-Time
On July 12, Dodgers’ righty Shohei Ohtani – coming back from an elbow injury that kept in off the mound in 2024 – made his fifth mound start of the 2025 season. This time, he stretched out to three-innings and 36 pitches (25 strikes). He gave up just one-hit and one walk and no runs while fanning four in a 2-1 Dodgers’ win over the Giants in San Francisco. Of course, in 2024, while protecting that elbow, he didn’t really rest on past laurels. Last season, as a DH, he hit .310, with 54 homers, 130 RBI and 59 stolen bases (MLB’s first 50-50 player) and won his third MVP Award. Going forward, he may need a bigger trophy shelf.
It’s an International Game
On July 12, for the first-time ever in MLB, four Japanese-born pitchers were on the mound as starters. The Nationals’ Shinnosuke Ogasawara; Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani; Angels’ Yusei Kikuchi; and Padres’ Yu Darvish. Ogasawara gave up three runs in four innings (no-decision); Ohtani pitched three scoreless innings (no-decision); Kikuchi gave up three runs in 5 2/3 frames (win); Darvish gave up four runs in 4 /2.3 innings (no-decision).
Lucky Number 13
On July 13, the Reds, managed by Terry Francona, topped the Rockies 4-2 in Cincinnati. The victory marked Terry Francona 2,000th managerial win – making him just the 13th MLB manager with at least 2,000 victories. 921 of his wins came while leading the Indians/Guardians; 744 with the Red Sox; 285 with the Phillies; and 50 with the Reds.
I’m B-a-a-ack!
On July 30, of last season, the Orioles sent OF Kyle Stowers and INF Connor Norby to the Marlins for P Trevor Rogers. In limited action over three seasons (2022-24) with the Birds, Stowers had hit .229, with four home runs and 24 RBI. Stowers didn’t get a chance to play again in Camden Yards (nor against the O’s) until July 12 of this season – as his Marlins visited Baltimore. In just the second game against his old squad (on July 13), in his former home, Stowers had the game of his career. As the Marlins pounded the Orioles 11-1, Stowers went five-for-five, with three home runs and six RBI (sending him into the All Star break with a .293-19-54 line on the season). It was his first career multi-homer game, first career five-hit game. Oh yes, and let’s not forget, he was on his way to the All Star Game.
Break? What Break? I’m on roll.
On July 18, the Marlins’ Kyle Stowers – who hit three home runs on the last game before the All Star break (see above) – celebrated the first game after the break with three hits (including two home runs) and five RBI, as the Marlins topped the Royals 8-7 in ten innings. The second of his long balls was a walk-off, two-run shot in the bottom of the tenth inning. His five long balls in the two games were a Marlins’ franchise record and his 11 RBI tied Gary Sheffield’s 11 in two consecutive games in 1995.
I’m Here!
Photo: Drovetochicago, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On July 12, MLB announced that Brewers’ 23-year-old rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski was selected to the NL All Star squad (a replacement for Cub’s southpaw Matthew Boyd). That made “The Miz” the All Star with the fewest MLB games played ever (just five). While Misiorowski may have had just five starts, they were of All Star quality – 4-1, 2.81 with 33 strikeouts (11 walks) in 25 2/3 innings (and lots of triple-digit heat.)
Side note: Speed on Miz’ first two MLB pitches: 100.5 mph; 101.8 mph.
In his first start (five innings), he threw 14 triple-digit heaters; in his second start, he threw 29 triple-digit pitches over six-plus frames (he faced two batters in the seventh); he didn’t give up a hit over his first 11 MLB innings.
Misiorowski pitched the eighth inning of the All Star Game, facing four batters (one single and three flyouts, with no runs). He threw 18 pitches, nine of them at 100MPH+, the fastest at 103.3 MPH.
The All Star Break – Not Always a good Thing
On July 14, as MLB went into the All Star break, the Red Sox were red hot, with an active a ten-game winning streak. On July 18, in their first game after the break, the winning streak came to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Cubs. Why is that a highlight? The Red Sox were just the fourth team to go into the All Star break on a double-digit winning streak – joining the 1935 Tigers (10 games), 1975 Reds (10 games) and 2022 Mariners (14 games). Each of those team lost their first contest coming out of the break.
Rich Hill Takes the Hill for a Record-Tying 14th MLB Team
On July 22, 45-year-old southpaw Rich Hill took the mound for the Royals (versus the Cubs) in Chicago. – going six innings and giving up three runs (one earned). Notably, it was his first start since 2023 and it came at Wrigley Field, where he made his MLB debut wa-a-a-ay back on June 15, 2005. (Hill did make four relief appearances for the Red Sox in 2024.) Even more notably, it tied him (with Edwin Jackson) for the most franchises played for at the major-league level at 14. Over his career, Hill has taken the hill for the Cubs (2005-08); Orioles (2009); Red Sox (2010-12, 2005, 2022, 2024); Indians (2013); Angels (2014); Yankees (2014); A’s (2016); Dodgers (2016-19); Twins (2020); Rays (2021); Mets (2021) Pirates (2023); Padres (2023); Royals (2025).
Hill’s career record is 90-76, 4.02 in 388 games (250 starts). He has the most wins as a Dodger (30-16 over four seasons) and his best season was 2016, when he appropriately, pitched for two teams and in both leagues. That season he was 9-3, 2.25 for the A’s and 3-2, 1.83 for the Dodgers – a combined 12-5, 2.12 in 20 starts. Hill was Designated For Assignment by the Royals July 29. Could a 15th franchise be in his future?
350 for Harper
On July 23, as the Phillies lost to the Red Sox 9-8 in eleven innings, Bryce Harper popped a solo home run to RF in the bottom of the first inning. It followed a two-run shot by Kyle Schwarber and gave the Phillies an early 3-0 lead. While the lead didn’t hold up, Harper’s home run was notable. It was the 350th roundtripper of the 32-year-old Harper’s 14-season MLB career,
Ohtani Hits His Way into the Dodger Record Books
On July 23, as the Dodgers topped the Twins 4-3 in LA, Shohei Ohtani went one-for-four with a home run and two RBI. Now, an Ohtani home run is not a surprise (it was his 37th of the season). However, this smash marked the fifth straight game (July 19-23) in which Ohani went yard – tying the Dodgers’ franchise record for consecutive games with a home run. (Over the span of five games, Ohtani was .286-5-10 and the Dodgers went 2-3.) Other Dodgers to homer in five straight: Roy Campanella; Shawn Green; Matt Kemp; Adrian Gonzalez; Joc Pederson; Max Muncy. I was surprised that Duke Snider’s name wasn’t in the mix.
A Sign of The Times – Again
It’s a sign of the times that a shutout always seems worthy of the Highlights section. On July 25, Reds’ southpaw Nick Lodolo, in his third MLB season and 21st MLB start, threw his first MLB shutout in a 5-0 Reds’ win over the Nationals in Washington. Lodolo gave up four hits and no walks, while fanning eight in the 105-pitch outing. It was his second complete game of the season and his MLB career. It ran his 2025 record to 8-6, 3.08.
I LIKE IT!
Okay, I’m not a big fan of MLB rules changes – although I’ve learned to live with all of them except the placed runner in extra innings. I do need to say here that I am still not fond of the softball-style “wave-em-to-first” intentional walk, shift restrictions (learn to go the other way, boys), requirements that a reliever finish an inning or face at least three batters and restrictions on mound disengagements. However, I do like the ball/strike challenge rules (as we saw it in the All Star Game) and the deciding of All Star contests tied after nine innings with a mini–Home Run Derby. (Certainly, it helps managers plan how to get their players into the game and also should prevent team from running out of pitchers.)
Hey. Look At the New Guy Go!
On July 25, the Athletics’ 23-year-old rookie Nick Kurtz (at DH, batting second) powered up for the second four-homer game of 2025 (The Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suarez had a four-homer contest in April). While it was MLB’s 20th four-homer game, Kurtz earned unicorn status as the first MLB rookie to bash four dingers in a single game. Kurtz’ offensive explosion came in a 15-3 Athletics’ win in Houston. In addition to the four dingers, Kurtz had a double and a single for 19 total bases – tying the Dodgers’ Shawn Green (May 23, 2002) for the most total bases in a single game. Notably, Kurtz came into the ninth inning with three long balls – and scheduled to bat sixth. Luckily, the A’s extended the inning (fly ball out, single, double, groundout, single) to bring Kurtz to the plate in the top of the final inning with two on and two out – and he delivered his fourth home run of the game, as well as his sixth, seventh and eighth RBI. Kurtz finished the day at .305-23-59 in 66 games.
His day went like this:
First Inning – Single (off Ryan Gusto) with one out and no one on;
Second Inning – Two-out, two-run home run (Gusto);
Fourth Inning – One-out, RBI-double (Gusto);
Sixth Inning – One-out, solo homer (Off Nick Hernandez);
Eighth Inning – One-out, solo home run (off Kaleb Ort);
Ninth Inning – Two-out, three-run homer run (off Cooper Hummel).
They Call Him the Streak
From July 10 through July 25, Nick Kurtz enjoyed a 12-game hitting streak, during which he hit .553 (25-for-47), with nine home runs, one triple, ten doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored.
Kurtz made it to the big leagues in a hurry. He was drafted by the Athletics in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft (fourth overall) – after going .333-61-182 in three season at Wake Forest (164 games). In 33 minor-league games, he hit .344-12-40.
A Nice Round Number – And Growing
On July 25, as the Phillies trounced the Yankees 12-5 in New York, Kyle Schwarber went three-for-five, with three runs scored and four RBI. His first hit of the night, coming in the fifth innings, was his 1,000th career safety and – in true Schwarber fashion – was a (two-run) home run. It was his 35th dinger of the season.
More Bobblehead Night Timing
On July 25, the Angels held a bobblehead night, featuring shortstop Zach Neto. The 24-year-old leadoff hitter responded well, hitting a two-run, game-winning, walk-off single in the bottom of tenth to give the Angels as 3-2 win over the Mariners.
1,000 and Counting
On July 27, as his Angels topped the Mariners 4-1 in LA, Angels’ DH Mike Trout popped a two-run home run – picking up career RBIs 1,000 and 1,001. It came in the three-time MVP’s 15th MLB season and 1,598th MLB game.
Man, #InBaseballWeCounctEverything
In the Braves’ July 28 10-7 win over the Royals (in KC), Braves’ RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. hit is 14th home run of the season – a 469-footer. Yes, we not only count everything, we now also seem to track everything. But getting back to that tracking, reports on the game noted that Acuna has hit the most home runs of 450-feet or more since 2018 – 26 – outpacing Shohei Ohtani (22) and Aaron Judge (22), the only other players with more than 20 450-footers in that time span. If I’m right, they all count the same no matter the distance, don’t they?
Traded? A Little Birdie Told Me. Still, I can Walk, Not Fly, to My New Team.
On July 29, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays were facing each other in a doubleheader in Camden Yards. The Orioles prevailed in Game One by a 16-4 score. In between games, the Orioles and Blue Jays completed a trade – Orioles’ reliever Seranthony Dominguez to Toronto for Blue Jays’ pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown and cash. Dominguez didn’t have to wait long – after changing locker rooms and uniforms – to face his old team. In the second game of the twin bill, Dominguez pitched a scoreless seventh inning, in a 3-2 Blue Jays loss. In his first game as a Blue Jay, he struck out his “first-game-of-the-doubleheader” teammates PH Colton Cowser to open the inning and 2B Jackson Holliday to close the frame.
In the kind of coincidence Baseball Roundtable likes, it so happens that the Orioles’ minor-league affiliate Chesapeake Baysox was playing the Blue Jays-affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats. So, Watts-Brown also found himself making a very short trip to his new club. (Props to Keegan Matheson, MLB.coom, for this highlight.)
Bonus HIghlight: For those who like a little bit of history. On Memorial Day May 30, 1922, the Cardinals and Cubs famously swapped outfielders between games of a doubleheader. (The two squads were facing off in Chicago.) The Cubs won Game One 4-2 – and batting fifth in their lineup (collecting one RBI, despite going 0-for-4) was RF Max Flack. The CF for the Cardinals that game (batting seventh) was Cliff Heathcote – who went 0-for-3. Flack was in his ninth season for the Cubs, while Heathcote was in his fifth season for the Cardinals.
In between games of the twin bill, Flack and Heathcote were traded for each other. The two outfielders each crossed over to their new team’s clubhouse and suited up against their previous team for Game Two – becoming the first two players to take the field for two major-league teams in a single day. Both collected hits for their new teams in the second game (Flack a single in four at bats, Heathcote a pair of singles in four trips to the plate). It’s remains the only time two players were traded between games of a doubleheader and each played for their new club in game two.
Century Club for Eovaldi
On July 30, Nathan Eovaldi picked up his fifth July win, going seven innings (six hits, one run, two walks, four strikeouts) in a 6-3 victory over the Angels in Anaheim. It ran his record for 2025 to 9-3, 1.49 and, just as important for highlight purposes, marked his 100th MLB victory. The 35-year-old righty is in his 14th MLB season (Dodgers, Marlins, Rays, Red Sox, Rangers) and has a career mark of 100-84-3.91. Thirty-three of his 100 wins have come in the past 2 ½ season with the Rangers.
Statistics, Sweet Statistics
American novelist Pat Conroy once observed, “Baseball fans love numbers. They love to swirl them around in their mouths like Bordeaux wine.” True, but can you be overserved? I saw this report as July came to a close. On July 31, Mariners C Cal Raleigh hit his 42nd home run of the season as Seattle topped Texas 6-0 in Seattle. The statistic that emerged? It gave Raleigh the record for most home runs in a season by a switch-hitting catcher – topping the Mets’ Todd Hundley’s 41 in 1996.
—INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR JULY—
BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 at bats)
American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (.395); George Springer, Blue Jays (.371); Jose Altuve, Astros (.363)
National League: Jackson Chourio, Brewers (.367); Kyle Stowers, Marlins (.364); J.T. Realmuto, Phillies (.354)
The lowest July average among players with at least 75 at bats belonged to Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso at .141 (12-for-85).
HITS
American League: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (35); Nick Kurtz, Athletics (34); Jose Altuve, Astros (33); George Springer, Blue Jays (33)
National League: Jackson Chourio, Brewers (33); Xavier Edwards, Marlins (33); Manny Machado, Padres (33)
The Athletics Nick Kurtz led all MLBers in July extra-base hits with 25 – 13 doubles, one triple and 11 home runs.
HOME RUNS
American League: NIck, Kurtz, Mariners (11); Randy Arozarena, Mariners (11); Salvador Perez, Royals (9); Cal Raleigh, Mariners (9)
National League: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (12); Kyle Stowers, Marlins (10); Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks (10)
The Athletics Nick Kurtz led all hitters with at least 75 at bats in July slugging percentage at .953. The Marlins’ Kyle Stowers led the NL at .818.
RUNS BATTED IN
American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (27); Addison Barger, Blue Jays (24); five with 21
National League: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (29); Manny Machado, Padres (24); Willy Adames, Giants (21); Andrew Vaughn, Brewers (21)
RUNS SCORED
American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (24); George Springer, Blue Jays (24); Jordan Westburg, Orioles (24)
National League: Willy Adames, Giants (19); Xavier Edwards, Marlins (19); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (18); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (18)
DOUBLES
American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (13); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (12); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (10)
National League: Bryce Harper, Phillies (11); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (10); Willson Contreras, Cardinals (9); August Ramirez, Marlines (9)
TRIPLES
American League: Jarren Duran, Red Sox (3); six with two
National League: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (5); Michael Harris II, Braves (4); seven with two
STOLEN BASES
American League: Jose Ramirez, Guardians (10); Chandler Simpson, Rays (10); Zach Neto, Angels (8)
National League: CJ Abrams, Nationals (9); Oneil Cruz, Pirates (7); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (7) ; Victor Scott, Cardinals (7)
The Reds’ Elly De La Cruz and Victor Scott of the Cardinals tied for the most July bases stolen without getting caught (7).
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
American League: Riley Greene, Tigers (40); Mike Trout, Angels (38); three with 34
National League: James Wood, Nationals (39); Dansby, Cubs (32); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (32); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (32)
WALKS
American League: Mike Trout, Angels (22); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (19); Corey Seager, Rangers (17)
National League: Kyle Tucker, Cubs (21); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (20); three with 16
The highest on-base percentage among players with at least 75 July at bats was .480, by the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz. The NL leader was the Marlins’ Kyle Stowers at .451.
PITCHING VICTORIES
American League: Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (5-0); Garret Crochet, Red Sox (4-0); Bennett Sousa, Astros (4-0); Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays (4-1); Luis Castillo, Mariners (4-1); George Kirby, Mariners (4-1); Brayan Bello, Red Sox (4-2)
National League: Quinn Priester, Brewers (4-0); Matthew Boyd, Cubs (4-1); Nick Martinez, Reds (4-1); Adrian Morejon, Padres (4-1); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (4-1); Shota Imanaga, Cubs (4-2)
The Rockies’ Austin Gomber (0-4, 6.38 in five starts) and Rays’ Shane Baz (0-4, 5.40 in five starts) tied for the MLB lead in July losses.
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 July innings)
American League: Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (0.59); Trevor Rogers, Orioles (1.03); Garrett Crochet, Red Sox (1.73)
National League: Paul Skenes, Pirates (0.67); David Peterson, Mets (1.05); Nick Pivetta, Padres 1.17
The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 20 July innings or four July starts was 6.38 by the Orioles’ Brandon Young (0-3, 6.38 in five starts, 24 innings).
STRIKEOUTS
American League: Logan Gilbert, Mariners (38); Jack Flaherty, Tigers (37); Jacob deGrom, Rangers (36); Ryan Pepiot, Rays (36)
National League: Nick Lodolo, Reds (38); Chase Burns, Reds 37; five with 36
WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 20 July innings)
American League: Trevor Rogers, Orioles (0.72); Eric Lauer, Blue Jays (0.76); Brandon Walter, Astros (0.79)
National League: Eury Perez, Marlins (0.64) ; Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (0.72); Mick Lodolo, Reds (0.75)
Among pitches with at least 20 July innings, the Marlins’ Eury Perez held batters to the lowest average at .135.
SAVES
American League: Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (6); Carlos Estevez, Royals (6); Jeff Hoffman Blue Jays (6); Andres Munoz, Mariners (6); Devin Williams, Yankees (6)
National League: Edwin Diaz, Mets (7); Robert Suarez, Padres (7) ; three with six
Bonus:
Among pitchers who faced at least 50 batters in July :
- The Reds Chase Burns fanned the most batters per nine innings at 15.14 (37 strikeouts in 22 innings);
- The Pirates’ Carmen Mlodzinski had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 16.0 (He walked one batter and fanned 16 in 13 innings.)
Primary Resources: Stathead.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almanac.com
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