We’ve enjoying almost-October (post-season) baseball and and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s September 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. I’m a bit behind schedule on this one, as usual the final month of the season has a lot of highlights and historic moments.
Here are just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:
- Aroldis Chapman‘s 400th career save;
- Two more Immaculate Innings (Justin Martinez and Payton Tolle);
- Jose Altuve‘s 2,500th MLB hit;
- A new rccord for batter’s strikeouts in a season (Colson Montgomery);
- A new member of the 40-40 Club (Pete Crow-Armstrong);
- A pitcher surpassing 1,000 100 MPH+ pitches in a season (Jacob Misiorowski);
- A player with 56 career MLB homers … each off a different pitcher (Jordan Walker);
- and much, much more.
Read on for the stories, as well The Roundtable’s usual Players and Pitchers of the Month, stat leaders, Trot Index (and, of course, as always, trivia(l) tidbits).
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THER MONTH
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pitcher of the Month … Jared Jones, RHP, Pirates
Two bright and shiny things about Jared Jones caught my eye. One: His 0.93 September earned run average (five starts/29 innings), lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 September innings. Two: His forty September strikeouts, which led the NL and was second only to the Guardians’ Gavin Williams’ 44 in MLB. The case was made further by his 3-0 record; the fact that Jones walked only four batters; a microscopic 0.59 WHIP (lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 September innings) and .133 average against (second only to the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler in MLB). Jones gave up just three runs in his five September starts and they all came in a five-inning, September 16 outing versus the Brewers. Jones was a bit of a surprise. He came into September with a 2-6, 4.83 record on the season and a career MLB line (two seasons) of 8-14, 4.45. This season, he was coming off May 2025 arm surgery.
Honorable Mentions: Dodgers’ southpaw Tarik Skubal was tough down the stretch, one of just two NL pitchers (and the only NL starter) with four September victories (no losses in five starts). He put up a solid 2.25 ERA; tied for the MLB lead with 32 September innings; and fanned 33, while walking just six. Phillies’ righthander Zack Wheeler went 3-0, 1.71 in five starts, fanned 39 (just six walks) in 31 2/3 innings.
Player of the Month – Jackson Chourio, LF, Brewers
Photo: Sewageboy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Brewers’ LF Jackson Chourio, was second in the NL in hits (33) and led the league in September runs scored with 25 (in 24 games). Chourio also had five September homers and 18 RBI. He hit .337 for the month, which included three four-hit games. He was a sparkplug in the Brewer’s offense.
Honorable Mentions: Brewers’ 2B Brice Turang led NL batters (with at least 70 September at bats) with a .361 average, hit four homers and tied for second in the NL in September RBI (22 in 24 games). His 30 September hits tied for sixth in the NL. Reds’ SS Elly De La Cruz hit .348 for the month, tied for the league lead in September home runs (9), drove in 19 and stole six bags. His 31 hits tied for fourth in the NL.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Pitcher of the Month – Cade Smith, RHP, Guardians
Wow! This was a tough one. You had the likes of the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, with a miniscule 0.63 WHIP, who gave up just 12 hits in 30 September innings (but had just two wins); the Rays’ 
Freddy Peralta with four wins and a 0.96 September ERA; Reid Detmers of the Angels, who went 3-0, 2.40 and fanned 37, while walking just four. The Roundtable, however, will go with Guardians’ reliever Cade Smith, who (with Cleveland fighting for a post-season positioning) delivered the goods. Smith appeared in 11 games in September; went more than one inning in five; and picked up three wins and six saves (in six opportunities). He gave up just three hits, two walks and one HBP in 13 innings (a 0.73 average against and 0.38 WHIP) and fanned 21 batters. At one point in the month, he appeared in three of Cleveland’s games in a row, collecting two saves and a win (facing 12 batters without allowing a baserunner – and fanning five.)
Honorable Mentions: The Yankees’ Cam Schlittler went 2-0m with a 1.20 earned run average, His 0.63 WHIP was the AL’s best (among pitchers with at least 20 September innings), as was his .119 average against. Freddy Peralta, Rays, went 4-0, 0.96 in five starts. Reid Detmers, pitching for an Angels’ team that went 9-15 in September, went 3-0, 2.40 and fanned 37 batters, while walking just four, in 30 innings.
Player of the Month – Carter Jensen, C, Royals
Carter Jensen, the 23-year-old Royals’ C, may not be one of the flashier names, but his moniker is high across the September AL leader board. In the AL, his .338 average was third among AL players with at least 70 September at bats; his eight home runs tied for second; his 20 RBI fifth; his 19 runs scored fifth. His 19 September extra-base hits led MLB, as did his 63 total bases. All-around, a performance worthy of recognition.
Honorable Mentions: Orioles’ 1B Pete Alonso led MLB with 11 September homers and tied for the RBI lead with 22, but that .262 average placed him a bit behind Jensen. Astros’ C Yainer Diaz led the AL in hits (30) and September average at .357 (minimum 70 at bats), but lagged in runs and RBI (and just two walks versus 14 strikeouts bothered me).
Surprise Player of the Month- Tie: Javier Sanoja, 3B, Marlins
Marlins’ 24-year-old 3B Javier Sanoja led MLB with 34 September base hits and had the fifth-highest average (.351) among hitters with at least 70 September at bats. He also had five home runs, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored. Sanoja had 12 multi-hit games in his 24 September games and was held hitless only three times. He did all this while appearing at SS, 2B and 3B. Sanoja signed with the Marlins in 2019, as an international free agent. He was a solid hitter in the minor leagues (.277 over four seasons). Coming into the 2026 season, he had a .241 average in two major-league seasons (133 games) – and had earned a 2025 Gold Glove (utility player). Sanoja was not a total surprise. He did come into September hitting .280 on the season. The final month hot streak raised his season average to .295. More to come, for sure.
Honorable Mentions: Cardinals’ 22-year-old rookie catcher Leo Bernal, made is MLB debut September 1 (with six minor-league seasons – 485 games and a .278-16-77 2026 Triple-A season – already under his belt). He didn’t disappoint. In fact, he surprised, going .284-5-21 in 24 games. A good case could be made for Bernal over Sanja for this spot. If Pirates’ P Jared Jones hadn’t been my NL Pitcher of the Month (see that section above), he would have been in the running here.
____________________________________
THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE
For the 2026 season, 35.13% of MLB’s 183,849 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). (This compares to 34.8% for the 2025 season). 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 (22.1%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). These numbers, notably, have been relatively stable over the past few seasons.
I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 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.
_________________________________________
——-Team Statistical Leaders September 2026 ———-
RUNS SCORED
National League – Brewers (146); Mets (134); Padres (134)
American League – Tigers (126); Mariners (126); White Sox (121); Guardians (121)
The fewest runs in September were scored by the Red Sox (71). In the National League, it was the Phillies (89).
2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Cubs (850); AL-White Sox (776)
AVERAGE
National League – Padres (.281); Brewers (.276)’ Rockies (.261)
American League – Mariners (.264); Tigers (.258); Blue Jays (.256)
The lowest team average for September belonged to the Red Sox at .219. Bringing up the bottom in the NL were the Phillies (.226).
2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Brewers (.258); AL-Rays (.258)
HOME RUNS
National League – Mets (38); Dodgers (35); Padres (33)
American League – Astros (43); Guardians (35); Athletics (34)
The fewest home runs in September were hit by the Phillies (17). In the American League, it was the Blue Jays at 21.
2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Cubs (220); AL-Astros (226)
TOTAL BASES
National League – Padres (387); Dodgers (365); Rockies (363)
American League – Astros (376); Guardians (352); Tigers (361)
The Padres led MLB in September Slugging Percentage at .469. The Astros led the AL (.461)
DOUBLES
National League – Phillies (47); Dodgers (44); Nationals (43)
American League – Red Sox (56); Blue Jays (50); White Sox (48)
TRIPLES
National League – Rockies (13); Padres (11); Marlins (9)
American League – Twins (7); Tigers (6); White Sox (50; Astros (5)
For the full season, the Diamondbacks led MLB with 42 triples. The Blue Jays were at the bottom with 8.
STOLEN BASES
National League – Nationals (30); Padres (29); Brewers (27)
American League – Rays (27); Royals (21); Mariners (21)
The Blue Jays stole the fewest sacks in September at six – in nine attempts. The Diamondbacks stole the fewest bags in the NL – seven in nine attempts.
2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Nationals (178 in 218 attempts); AL-Rays (164 in 218 attempts)
WALKS DRAWN
National League – Dodgers (119); Brewers (100); Mets (93)
American League – Tigers (107); White Sox (98); Mariners (95)
The Dodgers led MLB in September on-base percentage at .355. The Tigers led the AL at .348. The Reds had MLB’s lowest September OBP at .293. The Red Sox anchored the AL at .295.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Giants (240); Brewers (231); Reds (229)
American League – Angels (249); White Sox (247); Orioles (246)
Blue Jays’ batters fanned the fewest times in September (159). The Phillies fanned the fewest times in the NL at 172.
On the season, no team fanned fewer times than the Rays (1,145). The Angels struck out the most times (1,550).
__________________________________________________
EARNED RUN AVERAGE
National League – Dodgers (3.13); Brewers (3.76); Braves (3.95)
American League – Yankees (3.15); Red Sox (3.17); Rays (3.37)
The Rockies had the highest September ERA at 6.30. The Athletics had the highest ERA in the AL at 5.81. The other teams at 5.00 or worse were the Reds (5.80); Royals (5.26); and Marlins (5.03).
2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Brewers (3.50); A:-Yankees (3.24)
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Dodgers (272); Pirates (226); Brewers (221)
American League – Guardians (256); Twins (239); Mariners (229)
The Dodgers averaged an MLB-best 10.93 strikeouts per nine innings in September. The Guardians averaged an AL-best 10/38. Twelve teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.
2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Phillies (1,577); AL-Guardians (1,530)
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED
National League – Dodgers (55); Mets (61); Phillies (62)
American League – Rays (68); Yankees (68); Red Sox (72)
The Dodgers walked an MLB-lowest 2.21 batters per nine innings in September. The Reds walked an MLB-worst 4.69 batters per nine frames.
SAVES
National League – Pirates (13); Brewers (11); three with eight
American League – Red Sox (9); Orioles (7); Twins (7)
The Nationals blew the most saves in September – seven (in 15 opportunities).
Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)
National League – Dodgers (1.06); Brewers (1.19); Pirates (1.22)
American League: Rays (1.11); Yankees (1.14); Tigers (1.18)
_________________________________________
Bonus Stats:
- The Royals gave up an MLB-high 42 home runs in August. The Red Sox gave up an MLB-low 18 home runs. On the season, the Athletics gave up an MLB-high 247 homers; the Red Sox and MLB-low 153.
- The Nationals blew an MLB-high 42 saves on the seasons (84 opportunities).
—–SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS—–
#InBaseballWeCountEverything
On September 2, as the White Sox topped the Twins 4-1 in Chicago, ChiSox’ 38 Miguel Vargas and SS Colin Montgomery each hit their 30th home run of the season. STATS reported it was the first time two White Sox players hit their 30th homer of a season in the same game.
250, By Josh!
On September 4, Astros’ closer Josh Hader notched his 23rd save of the season, as the Astros beat the Diamondbacks 3-1 in Houston. In the process, he became just the 41st MLB pitcher (and just the sixth southpaw) to reach 250 career saves. At season’s end, Hader had 253 career saves.
That’s 30 … Finally!
On September fifth, in a 6-4 loss to the Twins (in Chicago), White Sox’ rookie 1B Munetaka Murakami popped a first-inning, two-run home run off Twins’ starter Taj Bradley. It was Murakami’s 30th dinger of the season (and his first long ball after 74 consecutive homer-less plate appearances, dating back to August 18). He joined ChiSox’ 3B Miguel Vargas and SS Colson Montgomery in the 30-homer club (they both reached the mark one day earlier (in a 4-1 win over the Twins). It marked just the fourth time the White Sox have had three thirty-homer players in the same season. Murakami joined the White Sox this season after hitting 256 home runs in eight seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball League … an NPB-record 56 long balls in 2022. Murakami ended the season at .207-35-77.
Another Bobblehead Long Ball
It seems like I’m always writing about players hitting homers on their Bobblehead Day. The Reds handed out Elly De La Cruz bobblers on September 5 – and Elly thanked them with a first-inning home run (number 22 on the season) that started the Reds on their way to a 5-3 win over the Brewers. De La Cruz finished 2026 at .283-30-79, with 30 stolen bases.
A Cole-d Start For Gerrit
On September 6, Yankee start Gerrit Cole got off to a cold start against the Padres (in San Diego). After facing three batters (RF Fernando Tatis, Jr.; 2B Jake Cronenworth; and 3B Manny Machado) and tossing just fifteen pitches, Cole was down 3-0 and had surrendered three home runs. It was just the twelfth time in MLB history a team had opened a game with its first three batters going yard. More uniquely, in the process, Cole became the first MLB pitcher to open record two games in which the opposing team’s first three batters went deep. Cole’s other such outing came on June 9, 2022, when Twins’ 1B Luis Arreaz, CF Byron Buxton and SS Carlos Correa opened the game with long balls (those came in just eight pitches). The Yankees came back to win that one 10-7 (despite Cole giving up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings).
Cole, by the way, went seven innings in a 4-3 loss in the September 6 game , giving up another homer (C Luis Campusano) to open the bottom of the seventh.
400 For Chapman
On September 6, the Red Sox brought Aroldis Chapman in from the pen to close out a 3-1 win over the Red Sox. It was a bit tense as, after retiring the first batter on a fly ball, he gave up a single to Orioles’ 1B Pete Alonso and then wild-pitched him to second. Now, Chapman had to face the Sox’ number-three and -four hitters, DH Colby Mayo and 3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The 38-year-old Chapman (in his 17th MLB season) fanned them both to record his 33rd save of the season – and to become just the ninth MLB pitcher to reach 400 career saves. In true Chapman form, the final pitch of the game was a 101-mph fastball. 2026 is Chapman’s tenth season with thirty or more saves.
Luzardo Shuts ‘Em Down
These days, a complete-game shutout is always a highlight. On September 7. Phillies’ southpaw Jesus Luzardo threw his first-ever MLB shutout … as the Phillies edged the Braves 1-0 (In Philadelphia). Luzardo threw a two-hitter, walking one and fanning a dozen. (The 109-pitch outing was also the first complete game of his eight-season MLB career. )
For Phillies’ readers, the only run in the game came on a Kyle Schwarber homer in the bottom of the eighth. Luzardo finished the 2026 season at 14-5, 2.87.
Power and Speed
It’s hard to say if he Athletics’ 23-year-old rookie CF Henry Bolte was channeling Ricky Henderson or Usain Bolt. On September 7, as the A’s edged the Blue Jays 6-5 in Sacramento, Bolte socked a home run and stole three bases – all in the first five innings. He walked, stole second and eventually scored in the first; walked, stole second and third and scored in the third; and homered to lead off the fifth. He came just the fifth A’s player to homer and steal three or more bases in a game (and the first since Ricky Henderson homered and stole four sacks in an October 1991 contest). A’s to go deep and steal at least three bases in a game: Henderson (three times); Bert Campaneris (two times); Jose Canseco; Billy Werber; and Bolte.
Yankee Doodle Dandies
On September 8, behind the seven-inning, three-hit, one-run, 10-strikeout performance of Cam Schlittler, the Yankees topped the Rockies 5-3 (in New York) to run their 2026 record to 82-62 … and clinch their 34th consecutive winning season. It was, by the way, Schlittler’s 13th win, versus six losses (2.01 ERA) and the twentieth time (in 30 starts this season) he allowed no more than one run.
Thar’ She Blows!
On September 8, the Nationals took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth at San Diego. In that eighth frame, a pair of Nats’ relievers, however, game up four runs on three hits, three walks and a wild pitch (there was also a passed ball in there). It makes the Highlights because it marked Washington’s 38th blown save of the season (breaking the previous all-time record of 37, held by the 2024 White Sox). The Nationals ended the season with 42 blown saves in 84 opportunities. Note: Saves have been an official statistic since 1960.
Three-For-Thirty … Yep, It Can Be A Positive
On September 8, Blue Jays’ rookie 3B Kazuma Okamoto hit his 30th home run of the 2026 season, as Toronto bested the A’s 4-2 in Sacramento. It made him the third rookie to reach 30 homers this season (a new MLB record for rookies with 30 homers in a season) … joining Reds’ 1B Sal Stewart and 1B White Sox’ Munetaka Murakami. Of course, we should take into considerations that both Okamoto and Murakami had considerable experience in Japan before signing MLB contracts.
2,500 For Altuve
On September 9, in an Astros’ 11-7 loss in Philadelphia, Houston star 2B Jose Altuve went one-for-four (a double). The two-bagger was the 2,500th hit of Altuve’s 16-season MLB career. Altuve is a nine-time All Star, three-time batting champion and 2017 AL MVP. He has topped 200 base hits in four seasons, hit 20 or more home runs in seven seasons and stole 30 or more bases in six.
De La Cruz Be Cruzin’
From September 5 through September 9, Red SS Elly De La Cruz went 9-for 19 (.474) with five home runs and nine RBI. (He was held hitless on September 11.) In that September 5-9 streak, he homered in five consecutive games, the longest such streak by a switch hitter in franchise history. Yes, #InBaseballWeCountEverything. De La Cruz finished the 2026 season at .283-30-79, with 30 stolen bases,
You Go, Junior
On September 11, as the Rays topped the Astros in Tampa, Rays’ 23-year-old 3B Junior Caminero smacked a two-run, bottom-of-the-ninth, walk-off homer to provide the margin of victory – and also make the Rays (88-59) the first team to clinch a post-season berth.
I would note that , while Caminero is in his fourth MLB season, he played just 50 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2025, his first full MLB season, he knocked 45 homers. Given his July 5, 2003 birth date, 2026 is considered his age-22 season. Therefore, Caminero has joined Eddie Mathews as the only players with 40-homer seasons in their age-21 and age-22 seasons (I never miss a chance to mention my all-time favorite player; Mathews.) Only one player has notched a 40-homer campaign in their age-20 season, Mel Ott of the 1929 Giants.
Another Immaculate Inning
On September 11, the Texas Rangers brought reliever Justin Martinez on in the sixth inning, trailing the Diamondbacks 4-1. Martinez threw just nine pitches, but he made them count, tossing 2026’s third Immaculate Inning (nine pitches, three outs, all strikeouts). It was Martinez’ only inning in the 9-1 loss. Others with an Immaculate Innings to that point in 2026: Taj Bradley, Twins and Michael Soroka, Diamondbacks.
That Didn’t Take Long … Tolle Joins the Immaculate Inning Club
On September 13, in a 4-1 win over the Royals (in Boston), Red Sox’ 23-year-old southpaw Payton Tolle pitched six scoreless frames (four hits, one walk, seven strikeouts, no decision.) He “announced his presence with authority” in the first frame … fanning the first three batters 3B Nick Loftin, SS Bobby Witt, Jr. and DH Jac Caglianone on nine pitches. He also fanned the first batter in the second inning (1B Salvador Perez), but needed five pitches for that one. Tolle finished the season at 9-6, 3.03 in 26 starts.
Game, Set, Match
On September 14, the Dodgers beat the Reds 4-1 in Cincinnati, behind the arm of Tarik Skubal (seven scoreless innings) and home runs by LF Teoscar Hernandez and RF Kyle Tucker. The win ran the Dodgers 2026 record to 91-59 and enabled them to clinch a record-tying 14th consecutive post-season berth (tying the Braves 1991-2005 streak) … keeping in mind that it is easier to reach the post-season these days (then in the times when only the first-place finisher from each league went directly to the World Series.)
Then, on September 16, the Dodger again topped the Reds – this time by an 8-2 score – to clinch the NL West Crown for the 13th time in the past 14 seasons. Among the heroes this time were RF Kyle Tucker (four-for-five, two runs scored, three RBI, two doubles, one home run) and reliever Landon Knack (got the win with four innings of scoreless relief.) For those who like to know such things, the only team to unseat the Dodgers as NL Division champs in the past 14 season is the 2021 Giants, who went 107-55 and edged the Dodgers by just one game. (The Giants had the best record in all of MLB that season).
For Pete’s Sake
On September 14, as his Cubs bested the Braves 4-3, Cubs’ leadoff hitter and CF Pete Crow-Armstrong had quite a night, going four-for-five with a double, a home run, a stolen base, one run scored and four RBI. The home run, Alonso’s 42nd of the season, moved him into a tie with Billy Williams for the most home runs in a season by a left-handed hitter in Cubs’ (very long) history. Two days later, September 16, he broke the tie with a smacking two home runs in Cubs’ 8-4 win over the Braves. PCA ended the season with a .280-45-107 stat line.
For Another Pete’s Sake, Again & Again
On September 15, as his Orioles topped the Mets 7-5 in 11 innings (in New York), Orioles’ 1B Pete Alonso went one-for-five, with a solo home run in the ninth (tying the game at three apiece.) For Highlights purposes, the ninth-inning long ball, Alonso’s 36th of the season was his 300th career homer. Elias Sports Bureau reported that Alonso is now the 19th MLB player to reach 300 homers. In his eight MLB seasons 2019-26, Alonso has topped thirty home runs seven times (missing thirty only in the COVID-shortened 2020 season). His resume includes a rookie record 53 home runs in 2019. Alonso finished the 2026 season with a .263-47-113 stat line; leading the AL in homers and RBI.
More Pete Stuff
On September 16, the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong went three-for-for with 11 total bases (two homers and a triple). That gave him a tie with the Nelson Cruz (2019 Twins) for the Modern-Era record for most games with double-digit total bases in a single season. For those who like to know such things, the career record of 21 such games belongs to Babe Ruth.
It’s History-Making … You Can Look It Up
On September 18, as the Padres topped the Rockies (in Denver), Padres’ 20-year-old rookie catcher Ethan Salas made history. Salas, batting in the nine-hole, went two-for-four, with three RBI. What caught The Roundtable’s eye was that his two safeties were both home runs – a solo shot (off Mason Adams) leading off the second inning and a two-run homer in the fifth off Nick Frasso – and they were Salas’ first two MLB dingers (coming in his ninth MLB game). The history? At 20 years – 107 days old, Salas became the youngest catcher in MLB history to record a two-homer game (and the youngest Padre, any position, to do so). #InBaseballWeCount Everything.
Salas signed with the Padres (as a 16-year-old) as an International Fee Agent in 2023. In four minor-league seasons, he hit .246-23-160 in 285 games. At the time of his callup to San Diego, he was hitting .326-3-24 at Triple-A El Paso (24 games), after starting the seasons .286-7-37 in 72 games at Double-A San Antonio.
For Those Who Like To Know Such Things
The youngest MLB player to hit two homers in a game as Danny Murphy of the 1961 Cubs. At 19 years-35 days, Murphy (batting second and playing RF) hit a pair of long balls in a Cubs’ 5-2 win over the Cardinals in St. Louis. It was the 33 MLB game and second and third MLB homers for Murphy who made his MLB debut in 1960.
Forty for Yordy
On September 17, as the Astros bested the Royals 6-2 in Houston, Astros’ DH Yordan Alvarez went two-for-four, with a home run (a solo shot off Seth Lugo in the fifth inning). It was Alvarez’ fortieth homer of the 2026 season, his first 40-homer campaign. Alvarez has had four seasons of 30+ homers (2021-22-23-24) in his seven MLB seasons and never hit fewer than 31 homers in a season in which he played at least 100 games. Alvarez finished the season with a .316-42-106 stat line; leading the NL in: batting average; walks (109); on-base percentage (.432); slugging percentage (.601)and total bases (341).
A Grand Day For Jose
On September 18, as the Guardians beat the Athletics 5-3 in Cleveland, Guardians’ 3B Jose Ramirez went two-for-five with a home run and two RBI. The solo home run, in the fourth inning produced Ramirez’ 1,000th career MLB RBI.
A Record For The Rook
September 19, in the Royals’ 6-5 loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh, Royals’ 23-year-old rookie catcher Carter Jensen (leading off) popped a solo home run in the third inning. It was his 25th long ball of the season, setting a new Royals’ franchise record for homers in a season by a rookie. Jensen ended the season at .239-27-81.
20-20 (3x) Before 23
On September 20, in a 3-0 win over the Orioles, Brewers’ leadoff hitter and LF Jackson Chourio went one-for-three with a walk. He also stole second base after his sixth-inning walk. That gave him 20 steals on the season and, coupled with his 24 home runs, made him the first player in MLB history with three 20-20 seasons before turning 23-years-old. More #InBaseballWeCountEverytnhing.
Side note: It also made Chourio one of just three players (any age) to start their MLB career with three consecutive 20-20 campaigns (Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt, Jr.). Chourio ended the season at .291 (with 25 homers and 23 steals).
September Might Be MLB Pete Month
On September 21, Orioles’ 1B Pete Alonso (signed by the O’s this past December), went two-for-four, with two home runs and three RBI, as Baltimore bested Toronto in Baltimore. The long balls were Alonso’s 39th and 40th home runs of the season. In the process, Alonso – who hit 53 home runs in his first MLB season (as a Met) – became (according to Ellias Sports Bureau) just the fourth player to hit forty home runs in his first year with a franchise multiple times. He joined: Nelson Cruz (Orioles, Mariners; Twins); Juan Soto (Yankees, Mets); and Jim Thome (Phillies, White Sox). Not bad company.
Hot Wheels
On September 22. Phillies’ righty Zack Wheeler fanned 11 Brewers in 5 2/3 innings (three hits, three runs, one walk, no decision), as the Phillies beat Milwaukee 6-4. In the process, he set a new Phillies’ franchise record by fanning the first seven batters of the game. His third strikeout, closing out the first inning was also the 2,000th strikeout of Wheeler’s 12-season MLB career. The 36-year-old finished 2026 at 13-5, 3.06, in 27 starts.
Strikeouts For Sale
On September 23 , Braves’ 37-year-old southpaw Chris Sale (while getting a no-decision in the Braves’ 3-2, ten-inning win over the Reds) pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, giving up four hits and one walk, while fanning ten. Sale’s tenth strikeout of the game (Reds’ 1B Sal Stewart in the sixth inning) was Sale’s 200th strikeout of the 2026 season. Side note: Sale faced Stewart three times in the game and fanned him all three. Sale has now recorded nine seasons of 200 or more strikeouts and is one of just nine pitchers with at least nine 200-strikeout seasons (Nolan Ryan leads the way with 15 such seasons.) The Dreaded Pitch Count: Sale, having thrown 97 pitches, was replaced on the mound by Victor Maderos (with two out and no one on base.)
Sale finished the 2026 season (his sixteenth MLB campaign) at 14-9, 2.16, with one complete game in 27 starts and 200 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings pitched.
First Season of the Women’s Pro Baseball League
The Batting Leaders:
Average (minimum 50 plate appearances): Denae Benites, NY ( .552 … 32-for-58)
Home Runs: Home Runs: Denae Benites, NY (11); Kelsie Whitmore, SF (11)
RBI: Denae Benites, NY (37)
Runs Scored: Denae Benites, NY (25)
Stolen Bases: Denae Benites, NY (15)
Pitching Wins: Michelle Roche, LA (3-1) ; Kelsie Whitmore, SF (3-1); Jaida Lee, NY (3-1); Claire O’Sullivan, NY (3-1); Liz Gilder, SF (3-2)
ERA (mínimum 15 IP); Meggie Meidlinger, LA (1.83)
Strikeouts: Jaida Lee, NY (23 K/ 17 1/3 IP)
The post-season finals – an all-California Affair – saw the San Francisco Firebells and Los Angeles Queens battling it out. LA looked to be in charge winning the first two, but San Francisco staved off elimination, winning the next two and setting up a winner-take-all final game.
In that game, the Queens Ayami Soto (who owns three Women’s Baseball World Cup MVP Awards, started on the bump for LA. She earned the first-ever WPBL Championship MVP Award – tossing the league’s first-ever complete- game shutout, as the Queens prevailed 2-0. Exciting end to an exciting season. Congratulations to the WPBL.
Not The Record He Was Looking For
On September 24, White Sox SS Colson Montgomery went zero-for-four, with one strikeout as the ChiSox beat the Royals 9-1 in Kansas City, giving him 223 whiffs on the season and “besting” the American League record of 222 (Adam Dunn 2012), while tying the MLB mark of 223 (Mark Reynolds, 2009). The tie didn’t last long; Montgomery topped the overall marker with his 224th strike out of the season the very next game (a White Sox’ 6-1 win over the Rockies in Chicago). It came in the fifth inning on a 3-2 pitch from Tomoyuki Sugano (a called third strike).
September proved a tough month for Montgomery. After .214-29-77 in 129 games through August (fanning 185 times in 545 plate appearances … 33.9%), he put up a .099-2-10 line in 24 September games (fanning 42 times in 93 plate appearances, 45.2 percent). He ended the season at .197-31-87, with 227 strikeouts.
On the brighter side, only one player has driven in more runs in a sub-.200 season than Montgomery’s 87, that is the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, who went .197-47-104 in 2023 (Schwarber’s 47 long balls are the most in a sub-.200 season). Montgomery’s 31 homers are third in a sub-.200 season behind Schwarber, Joey Gallo (38 for the Yankees/Rangers in 2013) and Mark Reynolds (32, 2010 Diamondbacks).
Does It Seem Like Everything Is About A Pete?
On September 24, as the Cubs edged the Marlins 2-1, Chicago’s Pete Crow-Armstrong walked and stole second in the bottom of the first. It was PCA’s 40th steal of the 2026 season and, when coupled with his 45 homers at the time, made him just the seventh MLB player to notch at least 40 homers and steal at least 40 bases in a season. The others are: Jose Canseco; Barry Bonds; Alex Rodriguez; Ronald Acuna, Jr; and Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is the only MLB player with a 50-50 season (54 homers and 59 steals in 2024).
Lucas Laucnhes A Few
On September 24, Astros’ 23-years-old rookie CF Lucas Spence hit his first MLB home run (in his 16th MLB game). He also hit his second and third MLB homers in the same game – going three-for-four with five RBI. He became just the third MLB player to hit their first three MLB homers in the same game, joining Cardinal’s LF Joshua Baez, who went deep three times in his MLB debut game this August 15 (the first MLBer to homer thrice in his debut game) and White Sox’ C Seby Zavala, who homered three times in his 18th MLB games (July 31, 2021).
Wait Until Next Year
On September 25, Cardinals’ 24-year-old RF Jordan Walker, in his 435th career MLB game, hit his 56th career home run (and 29th and final homer of the 2026 season), as the Cardinals topped the Dodgers 8-6 in ten innings (in LA). The highlight? Each of his 56 MLC career home runs has been hit off a different pitcher. Elias Sports Bureau reported that is the second-longest, MLB career-opening home run streak off different pitchers (since at least 1900). Number-one? Willy Adames, whose first 57 MLB homers came off 57 different hurlers.
Three For Thirty/Thirty
On September 25, as the Reds lost 6-5 to the Blue Jays in Toronto, Red SS Elly De La Cruz, went one-for-four (a double) with one run scored and one RBI. Notably, after doubling in the third inning, De La Cruz stole third. It was his 30th double of the season and, more notably for the Highlights Sections, his 30th 2026 stolen base.
It made De La Cruz just the fourth Reds’ player with a 30-30 (HR/SB) season (Brandon Phillips, Barry Larkin, Eric Davis) and the third MLB player to reach the mark in 2026 (Pete Crow-Armstrong and CJ Abrams). For those who like to know such things:
- 42 MLB players have reached the 30-30 mark (82 times), led by Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds (five each);
- 2025 saw the most 30-30 seasons, with seven (Corbin Carroll, Jazz Chisholm, Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto);
- 42 players have reached the 30-30-30 (doubles, HRs, steals) mark, led by Afonso Soriano (four times).
Going Up In Flames
On September 27, Brewers’ flamethrower (24-year-old) Jacob Misiorowski made his final start of the 2026 regular season. It was a fairly mundane outing for The Miz … 5 1/3 innings, two hits, no runs, five strikeouts in his 16th win (versus five losses). Notably, Misiorowski ended the season with MLB’s lowest qualifying ERA (1.80) and most strikeouts (252 in 178 2/3 innings). The highlight for The Roundtable? Misiorowski threw a record (since the pitch-tracking era began in 2008) 1,115 pitches of 100-mph or faster; breaking the old record (Jordan Hicks, 2018) by a whopping 442 pitches. In 2026, Misiorowski not only led all MLB pitchers in triple-digit offerings, he threw more pitches at 100-mph or more than any other MLB team.
They’re All In!
As the 2026 closed on September 27, the following players had appeared in all 162 games: Ozzie Albies, Braves; Junior Caminero, Rays; Pete Crowe-Armstrong, Cubs; Bryce Harper, Phillies; Matt Olson, Braves; Bryan Reynolds, Pirates; Sal Stewart, Reds.
A Bit More “Pete” Highlight History
Surprisingly, since RBIs became an official stat in 1920, no player captured both an American and National League RBI title. Until, 2026, when the Orioles’ Pete Alonso added an American League RBI title (113 RBI) to his 2002 NL RBI Crown (131 RBI with the Mets).
Lindor Rolls A 300
On the final day of the regular season, Mets SS Francisco Lindor went two-for-four with a walk, two runs scored and one RBI. One of his two hits was a second-inning solo home run … his 21st of the season and, more important for these highlights, the 300th dinger in his 12-season MLB career. With his 219 career stolen bases, Lindor is now just the second MLB switch-hitter with at least 300 homers and 200 stolen bases, joining Carlos Beltran (435 homers and 312 stolen bases).
—INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR SEPTEMBER—
BATTING AVERAGE (at least 70 at bats)
American League: Yainer Diaz, Astros (.357); Víctor Mesa, Rays (.355); Carter Jensen Royals (.338)
National League: Brice Turang, Brewers (.361); TJ Rumfield, Rockies (.359); Javier Sanoja, Marlins (.351)
The AL 2026 Batting Champion was the Astros’ Yandy Diaz (.316). In the NL, it was The Diamondbacks Gabriel Moreno (.311)
HITS
American League: Yanier Diaz, Astros (30); Randy Arozarena, Mariners (29); Dominic Canzone, Mariners (29)
National League: Javier Sanoja, Marlins (34); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (33); Cole Carrigg, Rockies (32)
The Royals’ Carter Jensen led all MLBers in September extra-base hits with 19 – ten doubles, one triple and eight home runs.
HOME RUNS
American League: Pete Alonso, Orioles (11); Zac Gelof, A’s (8); Carter Jensen, Royals (8); Isaac Paredes, Astros (8); Vinnie Pasquatino, Royals (8)
National League: Nolan Arenado, D-backs (9); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (9); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (8)
The Royals’ Carter Jensen led all hitters with at least 70 at bats in September slugging percentage at .788. The D-backs; Nolan Arenado the NL at .723.
RUNS BATTED IN
American League: Pete Alonso, Orioles (22); Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals (22); Riley Greene, Tigers (21); Isaac Parades, Astros (21)
National League: William Contreras, Brewers (24); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (22); Bruce Turang, Brewers (22)
The full-season RBI leaders were: NL-Alec Burleson, Cardinals (116) AL-Pete Alonso, Orioles (113). Also in triple-digits in RBI were: Sal Stewart, Reds (111); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (107); CJ Abrams, Nationals (106); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (106); Jordan Walker, Cardinals (102); Junior Caminero, Rays (101); and Brice Turang Brewers (100).
RUNS SCORED
American League: Randy Arozarena, Mariners (25); Zack Gelof, A’s (22); Luke Keaschall, Twins (20); Ben Rice, Yankees (20)
National League: Jackson Chourio, Brewers (25); Brice Turang, Brewers (25); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (20)
The Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong led MLB in runs scored for the season at 119. Seattle’s Randy Arozarena led the AL with 113.
DOUBLES
American League: Carter Jensen, Royals (10); eight with seven
National League: Mookie Betts, Dodgers (9); Bryson Stott, Phillies (9); three with eight
TRIPLES
American League: Luke Keaschall, Twins (3); Dominic Canzone, Mariners (2); Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (2)
National League: Jake McCarthy, Rockies (6); Dustin Harris, Padres (3); Geraldo Perdomo, D-backs (3); Javier Sanoja, Marlins (3)
Corbin Carroll led MLB in 2026 triples with 17. Carroll and Jake McCarthy (13) were the only players in double figures in three baggers. Carroll has now led the NL in triples four consecutive seasons.
STOLEN BASES
American League: Miguel Vargas, White Sox (9); Bobby Witt, jr., Royals (9); Chandler Simpson, Rays (8)
National League: Jackson Chourio, Brewers (9); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (9); CJ Abrams, Nationals (8); Jonah Cox, Giants (8)
The Nationals’ Nasim Nunez led MLB in 2026 steals with 49 (59 attempts). The Phillies’ Bryson Stott stole the most bases without getting caught in 2026, with 27.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
American League: Munetaka Murakami, White Sox (46); Colson Montgomery, White Sox (42); Spencer Jones, Yankees (34)
National League: Jordan Walker, Cardinals (35); Jonah Cox, Giants (34); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (30); Austin Riley, Braves (30)
Five players fanned at least 200 times in 2026: Colson Montgomery, White Sox (227, a new MLB single-season record); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (220); Zach Neto, Angels (215); Austin Riley Braves (201).
WALKS
American League: Wyatt Langford, Rangers (19); Mike Trout, Angels (18); Ben Rice Yankees (17)
National League: Jake Bauers, Brewers (19); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (19); Brice Turang, Brewers (17)
The highest on-base percentage among players with at least 70 September at bats was .475, by the Brewers’ Brice Turang. The AL leader was the Yankees’ Ben Rice at .450.
PITCHING VICTORIES
American League: Freddy Peralta, Rays (4-0); Hunter Gaddis, Guardians (4-0); Sean Burke, White Sox (4-1)
National League: Tarik Skubal, Dodgers (4-0); Cade Gibson, Marlins (4-1); five with three wins
The 2026 season leaders in wins were the Red Sox’ Sonny Gray (18-5, 2.72) and Phillies’ Christopher Sanchez (18-7, 2.91)
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 September innings)
American League: Freddy Peralta, Rays (0.96); Drew Rasmussen, Rays (1.05); Ranger Suarez, Red Sox (1.09)
National League: Jared Jones, Pirates (0.93); Robert Gasser, Brewers (1.67); Zack Wheeler Phillies (1.71)
The 2026 season ERA leaders were: AL-Cam Schlittler, Yankees (1.95). NL-Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (1.80)
STRIKEOUTS
American League: Gavin Williams, Guardians (44K / 28 1/3IP); Logan Gibson, Mariners (39K / 25 2/3IP); Hunter Brown, Astros 38K / 26 1/3IP); Cam Schlittler, Yankees (38K / 30IP)
National League: Jared Jones, Pirates (40K / 29 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (39K / 31 2/3IP); Tyler Glasnow, 36K / 22 1/3 IP); Tarik Skubal, Dodgers (33K / 32IP)
The Brewers Jacob Misiorowski led MLB in 2026 strikeouts (252 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings). The AL leader was Gavin Williams (248 strikeouts in 184 1/3 innings)
WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 20 August innings)
American League: Cam Schlittler, Yankees (0.63); Cal Quantrill, Rangers (0.74); Carlos Rodon, Yankees (0.75)
National League: Jared Jones, Pirates (0.59); Michael Soroka, D-backs (0.73); Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers (0.74
Among pitchers with at least 20 September innings, the Yankees Cam Schlittler’ held batters to the lowest average at .119.
SAVES
American League: Cade Smith, Guardians (6); Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox (5); Josh Hader, Astros (5); Kenley Jansen, Tigers (5)
National League: Mason Montgomery, Pirates (11); Mason Miller, Padres (6); Emilio Pagan, Reds (6)
Bryan Baker of the Rays and the Guardians’ Cade Smith tied for the 2026 full-season lead in saves with 41 each. The Padres Mason Miller led the NL with 38.
Primary Resource: Stathead.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almanac.com
Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.
Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here.
I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT
Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary and blog post notifications.
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.
P 1189
Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception. On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it. My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding) a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting, Just click on the image to go to the site.
Speak Your Mind