Thursday (May 4, 2023), the Minnesota Twins tied a franchise record by issuing five intentional walks (IBB) in a single game. – a 12-inning 7-3 win over the White Sox in Chicago. Each of those free passes came in the eighth inning or later. Ultimately, those intentional walks proved an effective strategic weapon.  In the case of three of those IBB innings (8,9 and 11), the very next batter made an out to end the inning.  The other two free passes came in the tenth and all three of the  batters the Twins actually pitched to struck out.

Well as usual, when Baseball Roundtable looks at a baseball occurrence, one thing leads to another (and to the record books).   So, this post will take a look at a few intentional walk records.  Note:  Intentional walks have only been an officially tracked MLB statistic since  1955.  However, some earlier totals have been garnered from box scores. 

Most Intentional Walks by a Team in a Game

The Twins’ issuing of five IBB yesterday fell three short of the MLB record for a single game.  On August 25, 2021 the Dodgers issued a record eight intentional walks in a 16-inning, 5-3 win over the Padres.  The Dodgers/Padres game provides a solid indication of the impact of the new rule placing a runner at second base at the start of each extra inning.  All the free passes occurred in extra innings:  It went like this:

• Bottom of tenth (1-1 score) – Alex Vesla intentionally walked pinch-hitter Tommy Pham with one out and a runner on third (the extra-inning placed runner). Vesla retired the next two batters (2B Adam Frazier and PH Victor Caratini).
• Bottom of the 11^th – With two out and the placed runner at second, Phil Bickford intentionally walked the number-three and number-four hitters –  3B Manny Machado and SS Jake Cronenworth (loading the bases) – then got PH Joe Musgrove on a strikeout looking. (Yes, the Padres used pitcher Musgrove as a pinch hitter.)
• Bottom of the twelfth – With one out and the placed runner at second, Justin Bruihl intentionally walked Pham (who had stayed he game in LF) and then retired the next two batters (Frazier and Caratini).
• Bottom of 13^th – With two out and the placed runner having advanced to third, Brusdar Graterol intentionally walked Machado and Cronenworth, then got pinch hitter Ryan Weathers on a ground out.  Yes, another pitcher used as a pinch hitter.
• Bottom of the 15^th – with two runs in (scored tied 3-3), two out and no runners on, Corey Knebel intentionally walked Cronenworth and got the next batter, P Daniel Camarena, on a strikeout.

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Distraction  Number One – 22 Innings Without a Walk

While looking into the topic of Intentional Walks, I was distracted by an August 23, 1989 game in which the Expos set an MLB record by going 22 innings without issuing a single walk (intentional or non-intentional).  The Dodgers, who had 20 hits in the game (the Expos had 13) won the contest on a Rick Dempsey home run  (off Dennis Martinez) in the top of the 22^nd frame. In the game, Montreal starter Pascual Perez went the first eight innings and only went to a three-ball count on one batter (3-2 before fanning Dodgers’ LF Lenny Harris in the first frame). In fact, over the first 18 innings, Expos’ hurlers – they used six in the game –  reached three balls on only three batters.  (Unfortunately, the Baseball-Reference.com pitch-by-pitch only goes through the first 18 innings, so I’m planning a bit more research on this one.) For those who like to know such things, the sextet of Expos broke the record of 21 walk-free innings in a single game which was held by Babe Adams of the Pirates. On July 17, 1914.  Adams went the distance in a 21-inning 3-1 loss to the New York Giants  (in Pittsburgh.)  In 1914, Adams walked just 1.2 batters per nine innings – just about on his career average (19 seasons) of 1.3. Overall, Adams led his league in fewest walks per nine innings four times and was among the top-three another five times.  His  1.29 BB/nine innings career average is 19^th all-time,  He finished his carer 194-90, 2.76.

Distraction within  a distraction:  In this game, Youppi – the Expos’ mascot –  was ejected in the 11th inning.

Now back to our originally scheduled posting.

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Most Intentional Walks by a Team in a Nine-Inning Game

The record for intentional walks by a team in a nine-inning game is six, set by the Cardinals, in a July 19, 1975 5-2 win over the Giants. In that game:

• Giants’ C Dave Radar (batting in the eight-hole – with the pitcher up next) was intentionally walked by Cardinals’ starter Lynn McGlothen with one out and a runner on second in the bottom of the second (Giants up 2-0); was given a free pass again with two outs and runners on second and third in the third (game tied at 2-2); and was put on for a third time with two outs and a runner on second (Giants up 4-2) in the fifth. In his only other plate appearance, Radar drew an unintentional walk in the seventh.
• Giants’ RF Bobby Murcer was intentionally walked by McGlothen in the sixth – with one out, a runner on second and the Giants up 4-2.
• 1B Willie Montanez was intentionally passed by McGlothen with two out and a runner on third in the sixth. He was again given a free pass with two out and a runner on third in the eighth; this time with the Giants sill up 4-2 and Mike Garman on the mound for the Cardinals.

A few other Intentional Walk records:

• The most IBB received by an MLB team in a season is 153 by the 2004 Giants. (Of course, 120 of those  belonged to Barry Bonds.)
• The most intentional walks issued by any team in a single season is 116 by the 1974 Padres.
• The most intentional passes received  by a player in a game is five, by the Cubs’ Andre Dawson in a 16-inning contest on May 22, 1990 (Cubs beat the Reds 2-1).

Andre Dawson’s Day at the Plate … A Gifted Experience

Photo: derivative work: Amineshaker (talk)Andre_dawson.jpg: User Sacoo on en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

On May 22, 1990, RF and cleanup hitter Andre Dawson of the Cubs came to the plate eight times in a 16-inning, 2-1 Cubs win over the Reds. His day went like this:

Bottom of the first – runner on second and one out – intentional walk.

Bottom of the fourth – leading off – ground out to SS.

Bottom of the sixth – two outs and a runner on first – fly out to left.

Bottom of the eighth – score still 0-0, runner on third, two out – intentional walk.

Bottom of the 11th – runner on first, no outs – single.

Bottom of 12th – still 0-0, runners on first and second, two outs – intentional walk.

Bottom of 14th – score now 1-1, runner on second, two out – intentional walk.

Bottom of 16th – runners on first and third, one out – intentional walk, loading the bases. LF Dave Clark followed with a walk-off single to win the game.

Dawson, who hit .310-27-100, drew a career-high 21 intentional free passes in 1990.

 

• The record for intentional walks received in a nine-inning game is four, shared by Barry Bonds (Giants – May 1 &  September 22, 2004), Bill Baker (Pirates – September 28, 1943), and Jeff Heath (Indians- July 14, 1941).

The B&B Boys – Baker and Bonds 

Bill Baker is the only MLB player with four or more intentional walks in a game to be intentionally passed in every plate appearance in that contest. It happened the second game of a doubleheader on September 28, 1943.  Baker’s Pirates were facing the Dodgers in Pittsburgh.  Baker was catching and batting eighth. He was intentionally walked in the first with runners on second and third and two out (game tied 0-0); in the fourth with runners on second and third, one out and the Pirates up 1-0; in the sixth with one out, a runner on second and the Pirates up 2-0; and in the eighth with one out and a runner on second (Pirates up 3-2).  The Pirates won the game 4-2. Baker  came into the game hitting .273-1-24 in 62 games on the season. In  seven MLB seasons (263 games, Baker hit .247-2-68) – but  you’ll find him in the record books sharing the mark for intentional walks in a nine-inning game with Barry Bonds.

• The most intentional passes surrendered by a pitcher in a single game (per Baseball-Reference.com) is seven, by the Yankees’ Herb Pennock on August 21, 1933 – in an 18-inning 3-3 tie with the White Sox. Pennock pitched the final 10 innings.  Those free passes were, of course, awarded at the direction of Yankee Manager Joe McCarthy.
• The record for IBB by a single pitcher in a nine-inning game is five: shared by Nate Andrews (Braves– April 18, 1945); Sam McDowell (Indians – September 2, 1970); Lynn McGlothen (Cardinals- July 19, 1975); and Warren Spahn.(Braves – June 9, 1954). Keep in mind, this record really belongs to the managers who ordered those free passes – Bob Coleman, Al Dark, Red Schoendienst. Charlie Grimm, respectively.

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Distraction Two – No “True Outcomes”

As I was working on this post, I was again distracted (Let’s face it, how compelling are intentional walks?).  This time by the somewhat recently coined “Three True Outcomes” – Walks, Strikeouts and Home Runs – and how they have become an increasingly frequent part of the national pastime.

I decide to go on a search (Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org) for games in which there were no “True Outcomes.” Focusing on the Modern Era – post 1900 – I was only able to confirm two games of at least nine innings in which neither team recorded a walk, a strikeout or a home run.

On August 28, 1924 – as the Indians topped the White Sox  7-0 in the first game of a double header – the two teams combined for 21 hits, seven runs and four errors – but not a single walk, whiff or long ball.  The White Sox had eight hits (seven singles and a double), while the Indians knocked 13 hits, including two doubles and a triple. The winning pitcher was Sherry Smith (nine innings pitched, eight hits and, of course, no walks or strikeouts), while the losing hurler was Hollis Thurston (eight innings pitched, 13 hits, seven runs/five earned). The second game of that twin bill, by the way, also saw no round trippers, but did include a combined total of 16 walks and ten strikeouts. That season, American League teams averaged a combined 0.6 home runs, 6.8 walks and 5.4 strikeouts per game.

On June 20, 1922, as the Braves topped the Robins (Dodgers)in Boston 3-2, the two squads put up a combined 16 hits and three errors, but no walks, strikeouts or home runs. All five runs in the contest were unearned. The winning pitcher in this one was Dana Fillingim, who gave up seven hits and two unearned runs in nine innings.  The loser was Leon Cadore (eight innings, nine hits, three unearned runs.) Each team had just one extra base hint – a double. In 1922, National League teams recorded a combined per game average of 0.8 home runs, 5.6 walks and 5.4 strikeouts. The day after their no true outcome contest, the two teams combined for just one run (Robins 1 – Braves 0) on 14 hits, no home runs, four Walks and six whiffs.

Distraction within a distraction:  Leon Cadore is most noted for a May 1, 1920 game in which he (pitching for the Brooklyn Robins) and the Braves’ Joe Oeschger  each went the distance in a 26-inning . 1-1 tie (MLB’s longest-ever game by innings).

Now, once again,  back to our regular scheduled posting.

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• The most times walked intentionally in a season is 120, by Barry Bonds of the Giants in 2004. The next highest total that season was 26 (Jim Thome, Philllies).
• The record for most intentional walks received in a career belongs to Barry Bonds (688 in 22 seasons). Second place: Albert Pujols with 316.
• Barry Bonds led his league in IBB a record 12 times – including his age 41 and age 42 season.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; Retrosheet.org; Baseball-Almanac.com.

 

Primary Resources:  Baseball-References.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; MLB.com.

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It’s May 1 and April is now in the MLB’s rear view mirror. That means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s first  2023 monthly Wrap Up (for March/April)  – a look at The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the month, the Trot Index, March/April’s leaderboards and the stats and stories that caught Baseball Roundtable’s eye during March/April. And, there was plenty going on this past month. (Side note:  Going forward, when I refer to month, I’ll be referencing March 30-April 30).  Here are just a few attention-grabbers (at least for me):

• One qualifying player hitting raking at a .400+ pace for the month;
• Four pitchers each notching five wins for the month;
• Two players tying the MLB record for  hits in an Opening Day game;
• Seven complete games, with five  pitchers tossing complete-game shutouts;
• The first-ever “cycle” by a Marlins’ batter;
• One player tying an MLB record by launching two home runs in an inning;
• A  career- and season-opening 12-game hitting streak (by a player who was sent down to Triple-A before the month was over);
• A player with an MLB record-tying five extra base hits in a game;
• A game that featured home runs by ten different players;
• Nolan Arenado’s 300th career home run and Clayton Kershaw’s 200th career victory; and
• A minor-league no-hitter that was lost – by the team tossing the no-hitter – by a 7-5 score

Not all the baseball highlights came at the MLB, or even professional, level.  So, this month, I’ll break with tradition (The Wrap Up usually opens with The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month) and start off  with a Baseball Roundtable (College) Highlight of the Month – an event The Roundtable deems as so dramatic that it belongs at the top of this post.

Note:  Some of the MLB records referenced may change as Negro Leagues’ stats from 1920-48 are fully documented and incorporated into the MLB record books. 

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Highlight of the Month … A No-Hitter and a Cycle Not Just in the Same Game, but by the Same Player

On April 7, Brady Ware of the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds threw a no-hitter – fanning 11 –  in the second game of a doubleheader against Drury University.  (As part of the doubleheader, it was a seven-inning game.)  Ware also served as DH in the game, and went four-for-four, with two runs and five RBI – and, just as important, hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run). Indianapolis, by the way, won by the lucky score of 13-0.

Now, that Wares Well – a Cycle and a No-Hitter.

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS

OF THE MONTH

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Baseball Roundtable Player 0f the Month – Ronald Acuna , RF, Braves

Braves’ leadoff hitter, Ronald Acuna Jr., was a driving force behind the Braves’ hold on the number-one spot in the NL East.  He was fourth in the  NL  in base hits (38 – the three co-leaders had 39) and led the league runs scored (23), while hitting .352 (second-best in the NL), with four home runs, 14 RBI and a league-topping 13 stolen bases (in 15 attempts). Acuna’s month included 123 multi-hit games (five three-hit contests).

Honorable Mentions: You can’t leave out the Marlins’ new 2B Luis Arraez, who hit an MLB-best (among qualifiers) .438 for the month and on April 11 became the first Marlin to hit for the Cycle. The Dodgers’  rookie CF James Outman also deserves some props, staring the season at .292-7-20. I also took a long look at Dodgers’ 3B Matt Muncy, who led MLB with 11 home runs, while hitting .238, with 22 RBI. There were a number of other strong RBI men (nine NL-ers with 20 or more RBI), but Muncy’s 22 walks (second in the NL) and .408 on-base percentage gave him an edge.

Baseball Roundtable Pitcher of the Month – Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers & Zac Gallen, RHP Diamondbacks

The Dodgers’ veteran southpaw Clayton Kershaw tied for the MLB lead in wins for the month – going 5-1, with a tidy 1.89 ERA. He also threw an ML-best 38 innings, fanning 41 batters (fifth in the league) versus just five walks. Kershaw held hitters to a .175 average  and his 0.76 WHIP was the lowest among NL qualifiers.

The Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen went 4-1, 2.15 for the month, led the NL with 51 strikeouts (just five walks) and put up a  0.77 WHIP (second – by 0.01 to Kershaw –  among NL qualifiers). He also pitched just 1/3 inning less than Kershaw and held hitters to a .178 average, as compared to Kershaw’s .175. Yes, Kershaw had a slight statistical edge, but Gallen get extra credit for ending the month with a still-active streak of 28 scoreless innings (over four starts). From April 10 through April 26, he gave up just 11 hits in 27 innings, while fanning 41 and walking just one.

Honorable Mentions:  Braves’ 24-year-old RHP Spencer Strider went 3-0, 1.80 in five starts, and fanned 49 (versus 11 walks) in 30 innings.  Cubs’ southpaw Justin Steele also deserves a mention, after going 4-0, 1.49 in five starts.

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AMERICAN LEAGUE

Baseball Roundtable Player of the Month – Randy Arozarena, LF, Rays

Given their dominance, you had to know a Ray would be in this spot.  For March/April, it’s Randy Arozarena, who batted right in the middle of that powerful lineup. Arozarena hit .327 for the month (second among AL qualifiers), with seven home runs and 28 RBI (second in the AL).  His 36 hits were third in the league and  his 21 runs fifth.

Honorable Mentions: Have to give a shout out to Rangers’ RF Adolis Garcia, who led all of MLB with 30 March/April RBI (.267 average, eight home runs).  I also liked Orioles’ SS Jorge Mateo, who hit .347-6-17, with 21 runs scored and 10 steals in 22 games – and struck out just 12 times. (Mateo did not have enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting average leader board.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baseball Roundtable Pitcher of the Month – Gerrit Cole, RHP, Yankees

No surprise here,  Cole always seems to be near the top of the list.  In March/April, Cole went 5-0 (one of just four MLB pitchers with five wins), with a 1.11 ERA (second among AL qualifiers).  He also led the AL in innings pitched (40 2/3) and was fifth in strikeouts with 44. On April 15, Cole threw a complete-game shutout, as the Yankees topped the Twins 4-0.

Honorable Mentions: Wow?  Several to mention here.  Like Cole, Rays’ lefty Shane McClanahan went 5-0 in six starts. He put up a 2.12 ERA and fanned 42 in 34 innings.  You also can’t go without giving a nod to Angels’ RHP Shohei Ohtani. The P/DH tied for second in the league in whiffs with 46, while going 4-0, 1.85.  His 0.82 WHIP was fourth among AL qualifiers. And, finally, there is a  pair of Twins: RHP Sonny Gray, with the lowest ERA among qualifiers (0.77) and a 4-0 record in six starts; and RHP Joe Ryan, who went 5-0, 2.81 in five starts (with a 0.81 WHIP).

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE SURPRISE OF THE MONTH – BRYSON STOTT

Here, I am going to go with 25-year-old Phillies’ SS Bryson Stott, who set a new Phillies’ franchise record with a 17-game, season-opening hitting streak.  During his streak, Stott hit .382 (29-for-76).  Stott closed out April with a .317 average, leading MLB in hits (tied) with 39. It’s not a total surprise, Stott was a .340 hitter in three college seasons (University of Nevada-Las Vegas) and hit an even .300 in 169 minor-league games.  In 2022, he hit .234-10-49 in 127 MLB games.  It looks like, in 2023, he’s delivering on the promise the Philllies saw in  the 2019 first-round draft pick,  More on the streak in the Highlights Section.

Honorable Mentions:  Luis Arreaz, Marlins.  Yes, he’s the 2022 AL batting  champ, but .438 and the Marlins’ first-ever Cycle – didn’t expect that.  I was also surprised by Cubs’ southpaw Justin Steele, who came into the 2023 season with an 8-11, 3.53 MLB record (two seasons) and a 18-23, 3.44 record in seven minor-league campaigns. In March/April, he was 4-0, 1.49 for the Cubs. Steele was a fifth-round draft choice in 2019, out of George County High School. He did show a bit of what he was capable of in 2022, putting up a 3.18 ERA  in 119 innings for the Cubs (despite a 4-7 record).  Looks like he’s doubled down in 2023.  And, of course, there’s Dodgers’ rookie James Outman (already noted in the NL Player of the Month Honorable Mentions) at .292-7-20.

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through April 30  36.1 percent of the MLB season’s 32,143 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 (23.0%); walks (8.8%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 7,403 – 7,057.

The 36.1 percent figure is up from 2022’s full season 34.6 percent.  Other recent seasons: 2021 – 36.3 percent; 2020 –  37.3 percent;  2019 – 36.2 percent; and 2018 – 34.8 percent.  By further comparison, in 1990, the Trot Index was 26.1 percent.  

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The Long and Short of It … The Saga of the Pitch Clock, Batter Time Oit Limit and Pick-Off Limits

Through April 30, the average length of a 2023 MLB game was 2:36.  The last season in which the average MLB game ran under three hours was 2015 (2:56). 

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If the season ended April 30, your playoff teams would be:

American Leagues:  Rays, Twins, Rangers:  Wild Cards: Orioles; Blue Jays, Astros.

National League:  Pirates; Braves; Diamondbacks or Dodgers (Diamondbacks and Dodgers tied for West Division lead) . Wild Cards: Diamondbacks or Dodgers, Brewers, Cubs, Mets.

The stars of March/April  were the Tampa Bays Rays, who came out of the gate with by winning their first 14 games of the season (tying the MLB record for a season-opening streak).  For more on the streak, click here.  The Rays also homered in each of their first 22 games – another season-opening MLB record. The Rays, in short, were dominant as they ran out to a 23-6 record. On offense, they led MLB in average (.281), home runs (61), runs scored (195) – as well as in on-base percentage (.351) and slugging percentage (.528). If that wasn’t enough, they had MLB’s lowest Earned Run Average (3.10) and WHIP (1.11) – and gave up the fewest runs (92).  The Rays had seven players with at least 15 RBI in March April – in an offense led by LF Randy Arozarena (.327-7-28), RF Josh Lowe (.342-5-18), 1B Yandy Diaz (.319-7-16) and SS Wander Franco (.300-5-17). The mound staff was led by Shane McLanahan (5-0, 2.12 in five starts) and Zac Elfin (3-0, 3.00).

Location – Location – Location

Every team in  the AL East was over  .500, while the AL Central had just one team over .500. 

There were a couple of surprises in the AL.  The Orioles (83-79, in fourth place, a year ago), got off to a 17-8 start, led by the likes of SS Jorge Mateo (.347-6-17, with ten steals); C Andy Rutschman (.291-4-17); CF Cedric Mullins (.255-3-21, with 11 steals); and 1B Ryan Mountcastle (.244-6-21). On the mound, they looked to Kyle Gibson (4-0, 3.93) and a bullpen that contributed ten wins and nine  saves. (and MLB’s lowest bullpen ERA for the month at 2.86). The Orioles were fifth in the AL in run scored and  and gave up the eighth-fewest runs.

Texas also surprised quite a few folks, with an offense that trailed only the Rays in runs scored (174 to the Rays 188).  RF Adolis Garcia and 2B Marcus Semien finished first and fifth in the AL, respectively, in RBI for the month (30 and 23).. The team ERA was 3.43 – good for third in the AL.  They got solid work out of the bullpen, particularly from closer Will Smith (1.93 ERA in ten games) and Jose Leclerc (0.93 ERA in ten games). Martin Perez led the starters at 4-1, 2.41.The Rangers, 68-94 in 20-22, stood at 17-11 at the close of April action.

Then, of course, there are the  Oakland A’s, with a hard-to-imagine 7.72 ERA. Right now, the only bright spot for the A’s may be DH Brent Rooker,  who came into the season with a .200-10-23 line over 81 MLB games and finished April at  .353-9-22.  And, we can’t forget the White Sox, who suffered through a ten-game losing streak (April 21-29), when they were outscored 70-25.

Over in the National League, as expected, the Braves were at the top of the East – with RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. on an MVP pace (.352-4-14, with 23 runs and 13 steals), 1B Matt Olson and 2B Ozzie Albies each driving in 20+  runs, and Spencer Strider and Max Fried combining for five wins and a 1.26 ERA.

The Pirates (62-100 a year ago) were a surprise atop the Central at 20-9. The Pirates were number-one in the NL in runs scored (156) and had given up he fourth-fewest tallies. Pittsburgh’s offense was led by LF Bryan Reynolds (.302-5-23). Veteran Andrew McCutchen, back in a Pirates’ uniform, contributed .256-5-14). The pitching staff was led by Mitch Keller (3-0, 3.53 in six starts) and closer David Bednar was lights out (2-0, 1.75 with nine  saves in 13 appearances).   Equally surprising was the fact that the favored Cardinals were at the bottom of the Division.

The Marlins closed out April with a 16-13 record. N0tably, they were 10-0 in one-run games.  

The NL West also surprised, with the Diamondbacks and Dodgers tied for the lead at 16-13.  Arizona boasts a balanced offense, with six players posting between 11 and 19 RBI for the month and seven scoring between 11 and 19  runs.  One player to watch is 22-year-old outfielder Corbin Carroll, who went .309-4-9, with 19 runs scored and 10 steals in March/April. On the mound, Zac Gallen (4-1, 2.15) leads the way.  The Diamondbacks are doing it more with offense, however.  They were fifth in the NL in runs scored, but and gave up the third-most runs.  The Dodgers were  second in runs scored in the NL,  but a surprising (especially for the Dodgers) eighth in ERA at the close of April.  LA was also dead last in the NL in batting average for March/April at .224; but first in home runs at 47.

——-Team  Statistical Leaders for March/April 2023 ———-

 

RUNS SCORED … MLB Average 130

National League – Pirates (156); Cubs (146);  Dodgers (146)

American League – Rays (195); Rangers (178); Red Sox (163)

The fewest  runs (through April 30) were scored by the Tigers – 88. The Marlins tallied the fewest runs in the NL at 99. The only other team under 100 was the Royals at 96. 

AVERAGE  …  Average .247

National League – Cubs (.276); Phillies (.272); Diamondbacks (.265)

American League – Rays (.281); Rangers (.259); Blue Jays (.258)

The lowest team average through April belonged to the Mariners at .219. The Dodgers were the lowest in the NL at .224.

HOME RUNS …  Average 32

National League – Dodgers (47); Giants (46); Braves (41)

American League –  Rays (61); Angels (39); Rangers (38); Twins (38)

The Nationals had the fewest home runs through April at 15. The Guardians were at the bottom of the AL at 17.

The Rays  led MLB in slugging percentage through April  at .528.  The Pirates led the NL at .449.  The average team slugging percentage was .405.

STOLEN BASES … Average 20

National League – Pirates (41); Marlins (27); Cubs (25); Diamondbacks (25)

American League – Guardians (35); Orioles (30); Athletics (29)

The Twins stole the fewest sacks through April – just four in seven attempts..   The Rockies were at the bottom of the NL with six in eight attempts. 

WALKS DRAWN … Average 94

National League –   Dodgers (130); Pirates (113); Padres (113)

American League  Orioles (109); Guardians (103); Red Sox (103)

The Rays led MLB  in on-base percentage through April  at .351. The Cubs led the NL  at .347.  The Royals had MLB’s lowest  OBP through April  at .279.  

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS … Average 247

National League – Giants (289); Dodgers (275); Phillies (265); Brewers (265)

American League – Mariners (279); Twins (275); Athletics (271)

Nationals’ batters fanned the fewest times through April  (189) – the only team under 200.

Earned Run Average … Average 4.35

National League – Braves (3.37); Brewers (3.41); Pirates (3.55)

American League – Rays (3.10); Astros (3.22); Rangers (3.43)

The Athletics  had an ERA through April of 7.72.  Ouch.  Others over 5.00 were: White Sox (5.96); Royals (5.49); and Rockies (5.36).

STRIKEOUTS … Average 247 

National League – Reds (2655); Phillies (264); Cardinals (264)

American League –  Twins (285); White Sox (285); Yankees (277)

The White Sox averaged  an MLB-best 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings through April. The Reds averaged an AL-best 9.8.  The MLB team average was 8.9.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED… Average 94

National League  – Giants (74); Dodgers (74); Braves (83)

American League – Twins (76); Rangers (77); Astros (79)

The Twins and Dodgers walked an MLB-lowest 2.6 batters per nine innings through April.  The Athletics walked walked an MLB-worst 5.1 batters per nine frames.

SAVES … Average 7

National League – Pirates (13); Padres (11); Brewers (9)

American League – Guardians (11); Angels (11); Blue Jays (11)

Bonus Stat:

The Athletics gave up an MLB-high 50 home runs through April – The Rays gave up an MLB-low 19. .

 _______________________________________

March/April Highlights

 

Adley Rutschman’s First Opener (march 30) Officials “On/In the Books” … Springer Springs into Action

Orioles’ C Adley Rutschman – who made his MLB debut last May – played in his first Opening Day game March 30, as the Orioles faced the Red Sox in Boston.  Batting in the number-two hole, Rutschman got his season off to a great start.  Not only did he record the Orioles’ first hit of 2023, he also was credited with the team’s first home run, first run scored and first RBI of the new season.

More notably, the 25-year-old went five-for-five (four singles and the homer), with a walk, in the game. He had one run scored and four RBI. His five hits tied the  MLB record for hits in an Opening Day game.  The Orioles, by the way, needed all of Rutschman’s production, as they squeaked by the Red Sox 10-9. Rutschman, who went .254-13-42 (113 games) in his rookie season, ended April at .291-4-17, with a league-leading 22 walks.

Veteran outfielder George Springer (tenth MLB season) also got off to a good start – tying the mark for most hits in an Opening Day game. Batting leadoff and playing RF, Springer went five-for-six (all singles), with four runs scored and one RBI.  As with the Orioles and Rutschman, the Blue Jays needed all of Springer’s production – as they won (over the Cardinals) by a 10-9 score.

Sweet 17 Party … Oh, I Mean Parties

The Rockies opened the season March 30, against the Padres in San Diego and (according to the Elias Sports Bureau) were the first team in the modern era (since 1900) to record at least 17 hits, while also fanning at least seventeen times in a nine-inning game. The Rockies, by the way, won the contest 7-2. RF Kris Bryant, batting second for Colorado, was the only starter not to fan. (Bryant went three-for-five, with a double, run scored and an RBI.)  1B C.J. Cron was the offensive hero for Colorado, going two-for-four, with two homers and five RBI (he fanned once). Six Rockies fanned two or more times, led by leadoff hitter CF Yonathan Diaz, with four whiffs (all swinging) in five plate appearances.

The strikeout artists were Padres’ starter Blake Snell (nine whiffs in 4 1/3 innings) and relievers Nabil Crismatt (2K / 1 2/3 IP), Domingo Tapia (4K / 2 IP) and Steven Wilson (2K/ 1IP).

***

There was a not-so-sweet seventeen party in Oakland on April 14, as A’s pitcher gave up 17 runs – on 11 hits and 17 walks – in a 17-6 loss to the Mets.  In the game, the Mets has two six-run innings that featured just one hit in each – each time by SS Francisco Lindor – who picked up seven RBI in the two frames.

In the second inning of the game, the Mets tallied six runs on just one hit off A’s starter James Kaprielian.  It went like this: DH Daniel Vogelbach, walk; 3B Eduardo Escobar (line out to right); 2B Luis Guillorme, walk; C Tomas Nido, walk; CF Brandon Nimmo, walk (forcing in a run); RF Starling Marte, walk (forcing in a run); SS Francisco Lindor, Grand Slam home run; 1B Pete Alonso, strikeout, LF Jeff McNeil, pop out to second.

Apparently wanting g to prove the inning wasn’t a fluke, the Mets tallied another six runs on one hit in the fifth inning (off A’s hurlers Hogan Harris and Chad Smith).  This one went: Vogelbach, ground out to second; Escobar walk; Guillorme, walk; Nido, walk; Nimmo, hit-by-pitch, forcing in a run; Marte walk, forcing in a run; Lindor, double, scoring three; Alonso, walk; McNeil, hit-by-pitch; Vogelbach, fielder’s  choice (force at second), bringing in a run; Escobar strikeout.

Another Sweet Seventeen

Seventeen was also pretty sweet for Phillies 25-year-old  2B  Bryson Stott, who opened the 2023 season with a seventeen-game hitting streak – the longest-ever seasoning-opening streak for a Philllies’ player.   During the streak, Stott went 29-for-76 (.382), with one home run, six RBI and five runs scored.  Stott had 11 multi-hit games over the course of the streak. Stott clearly was taking an aggressive approach.  During the streak, he walked just once and struck out 18 times. The streak ended in the second game of an April 18 doubleheader, with Stott going zero-for-four in a 3-0 loss to the White Sox (the Philllies has just one hit  against a quartet of White Sox pitchers). Stott was a first-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft (out of the University of Nevada). A .340 hitter in three college seasons, Stott hit .300 in 169 minor league games before making his MLB debut with the Phillies on April 8, 2022. He hit .234-10-49 in 127 games for the Phillies last season.  As of April 30, of this season, his stat line was .317-2-9.

George Sisler holds the modern ERA (post-1900) record for the longest season-opening hitting streak (34-games) for the 1925 St, Louis Browns. During his streak, Sisler went .399-1-18.He finished the 1925 season at .345-12-105. 

Effectively Wild?

On April 1, Cardinals’ starter Jack Flaherty pitched five no-hit, no-run innings versus the Blue Jays – as the Cardinals topped Toronto 4-1 in St. Louis. That does not mean there wasn’t a lot of traffic on the bases. His five innings of work included seven walks and one hit batter – as he threw 49 strikes and 46 balls. His only clean inning  (1-2-3) was his fifth and final frame.

Counting up, not Down

On April 3, as the Yankees topped the Phillies 8-1 in New York, Yankee 2B Gleyber Torres hit his 100^th career home run (in his 580^th game). In five plate appearances, he had a single, home run and three steals.

On April 11, Twins’ DH Byron Buxton joined the 100-home run club, with a second-inning, two-run shot off the White Sox’ Lance Lynn. It came in  his 595^th MLB game and helped the Twins to a 4-3 win.

On  April 28, Twins’ 2B Jorge Polanco joined the 100-HR Club, poking a three-run shot in  the fourth inning of a Twins’ 8-6 win over the Royals. The long ball came in Polanco’s 759th MLB game.

Lets’ NOT Turn the Lineup Over

On April 3,  The Padres came into the bottom of the ninth (against the Diamondbacks), trailing 4-3, with their numbers eight, nine and one batters slated to step to the plate.  David Dahl was called on to pinch hit for number-eight hitter RF Jose Azocar – and took reliever Scott McGough deep to left center for a game-tying blast.  Next up was number-nine hitter Ha-Seong Kim who blasted a walk-off winner into the left field corner.   More  #InBaseballWeCountEverything, it marked the first time a team got back-to-back, tying and walk-off homers out of the number-eight and number-nine holes in the order.    (A tip of the hat to AJ Cassavell, MLB.com for that tidbit.).

Now, That’s Old School

On April 4, Marlins’ starter (and 2022 Cy Young Award winner) Sandy Alcantara, in his second start of the season, went truly “Old School,”  throwing a 100-pitch, three-hit, one-walk- five-strikeout, complete-game shutout, as his Marlins topped the Twins 1-0 in Miami. Want more “Old School?”  The game was completed in 1:57.

Of course, this should be no surprise,  In 2022, Alcantara led all of MLB in complete games with six,

Seven  Innings – No Hits – Seven Runs

On April 8, the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds) faced off against the Rock City Trash Pandas (Angels). Trash Pandas’ starter Coleman Crow was pitching a gem in the first game of a doubleheader (scheduled for seven innings). After six frames, the Trash Pandas (I like typing that name), were up 3-0 and Crow had not given up a hit (just two walks), while fanning six. Trash Panda reliever Ben Joyce was called on to finish off the no-no. Joyce walked three of the first five batters he faced, while also recording two outs.  So, the Trash Pandas were one out away from a no-hit, no-run victory. Oops! Another walk led to a run and that was followed by a three-run error on a fly ball to center.  Next to the mound was Eric Torres, who who hit four batters and walked one before recording the final out of the inning.  So, the score was now 7-3 in favor of Chattanooga, which still did not have a hit. The Trash Pandas got a couple of runs in the bottom of the frame, but still ended up with a 7-5 loss, despite the completed no-hitter.

Nolan Rolls a 300

Cardinals’ 3B Nolan Arenado in his 11th season and in possession  of ten Gold Gloves and five Silver Slugger Awards poked his 300^th career home run on April 8, as the Redbirds topped the Brewers 6-0 in Milwaukee. It was a third inning, two-run shot off Eric Lauer.

Ever See a  Fish on a Cycle?  That Would be Louis Arraez

Going into the 2023 season, the Marlins were the only major-league franchise that had never seen a player in their uniform hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run in one game).  Then, on April 11 – in the franchise’s 4,700^th game – newcomer Luis Arreaz (acquired in a trade with the Twins) broke the ice – completing a Cycle as the Marlins topped the Phillies 8-4.  Arreaz did it in usual Arreaz’ fashion, as the 2022 AL batting champ used pretty much the whole field.   He doubled to right-center in the first inning, lined out to center in the third, tripled to right in the sixth, homered to left in the seventh and singled to left in the eighth.

Arreaz ended the game with a .537 average (22-for-41) on the season – and closed the month of April with a .438 average.

I’ll Have a Dozen of Those 

Cardinals’ rookie RF Jordan Walker made his MLB debut on Opening Day of this season (jumping from Double-A Springfield, where he hit .306-19-68 in 2022) – and proceeded to start his career in The Show with a 12-game hitting streak (March 30-April 12). During the streak, he hit .319 (15-for-47), with two home runs and eight RBI. Thirteen proved an unlucky number for Walker, as he was finally held hitless in his 13^th game – on April 13 – as the Pirates topped the Cardinals 5-0. Walker went zero-for-four with two strikeouts.

David Dahl (2016 Rockies) and Chuck Aleno (1941 Reds) share the record for career-opening hitting streaks at 17 games.)

More of #InBaseballWeCountEverything.  Walker’s 12-game streak matched Eddie Murphy’s (1912 Athletics) record for hitting streaks to begin a career by NL/AL players under 21.

The baseball gods can be a bit fickle, however, between April 13 and April 23, Walker hit just .192 in 28 plate appearances and on April 24, he was sent down to Triple-A Memphis.

200 – A Nice Round Number

On April 18, Dodgers’ nine-time All Star and and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw picked up his 200^th MLB victory (versus just 88 losses). In a 5-0 win over the Mets, Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings, with three hits, no walks and nine whiffs. It brought his record on the season to 3-1, 2.52.

Clayton Kershaw is now one of  just four pitchers (since 1900) to reach 200 wins before accumulating 100 losses (the others are Whitey  Ford, Lefty Grove and Pedro Martínez).

Where’s Waldo? Er, I mean where’s Mookie

After  nine+ major-league seasons, 1,130 games (not to mentions six Gold Gloves as an outfielder), Mookie Betts found himself in the field at shortstop (after pinch-hitting). Betts, who was drafted as a shortstop in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Draft, had not played the position since 2013 (Arizona Fall League). After taking the field at SS in the bottom of the seventh (versus the Cubs at Wrigley), Betts turned a nifty short-to-first double play in the eighth to help preserve a 2-2 tie.  (The Dodgers eventually scored four in the ninth to win it.)

So, why “Where’s Mookie?” In the very next game (April 21), again versus the Cubs, Mookie started the game back at his familiar right field spot. In the seventh inning, he moved to second base and in the eighth he moved to shortstop. On April 22, he started at second base (versus the Cubs), and later moved to RF and, on April 23 (still at Wrigley), Betts  got his first MLB start at SS and played the whole game there. Since April 21, Betts has started four games in RF, three games at ss and two game at 2B.

An Imperfect Way to Lose a Perfecto

On April 21, Cubs’ southpaw Drew Smyly, as he took the mound in the eighth inning,  was cruising along with a 13-0 lead and a  Perfect Game (with nine strikeouts) against the Dodgers. The first batter was Dodgers’ LF Dave Peralta, who had entered the game as part of group of Dodger defensive changes in the bottom of the seventh. Peralta dribbled a pitch weakly to the left side of the infield (weakly enough that both Smyly and Cubs’ C Yan Gomes went after the ball).  As Smyly picked up the ball and prepared to make a throw to first, Gomes collided with him, upending the hurler – and Peralta was safe at first.  The official scorer ruled it a base hit – albeit one that traveled only a about 20 feet – and the perfect game and no-hitter were gone.  Smyly got the next two batters (pop up, strikeout) before being relieved by Jeremiah Estrada, who finished up the one-hit shutout.

A Big Day for Garcia

On April 22, Rangers’ RF Adolis Garcia had a five-for-five day, as the Rangers beat the Athletics 18-3 in Texas.  Garcia:

• Laced a two-run homer in the first;
• Was hit by a pitch in the second;
• Bopped a second two-run homer in the third;
• Rapped a third two-run homer in the fifth (running out of verbs here);
• Eased up a bit, with a two-run double in the seventh;
• Added a double in the ninth.

According to MLB.com, Garcia’s night tied an MLB single-game record for extra base hits in a game (five) and, in  true #InBaseballWeCountEverything form, he became the first American Leaguer with three homers and two doubles in a game,

Two Blasts in One Inning

On April 23, Red Sox LF Masataka Yoshida, became just the 60^th MLB player to launch two homers in a single inning. It came in a nine-run top of the eighth (versus the Brewers in Milwaukee) and included a solo shot to right off Matt Bush and a Grand Slam to right off Javy Guerra.  For the complete story, click here.  The Red Sox, by the way, won the contest 12-5.  Yoshida finished April at .276-4-16.

It’s Been a Long Time Coming

After 13 minor-league seasons (including six stints at Triple-A), 1,154  minor-league games and 4,494 minor-league plate appearances, thirty-three-year-old infielder Drew Maggi finally made his first MLB appearance – as a pinch hitter (for the Pirates) in the eighth inning of the Pirates’ April 26 8-1 win over the Dodgers. He did fan on four pitches, but it was a major-league strikeout (what most of us wouldn’t give for one trip to the plate in The Show) and Maggi did come to the plate to a standing ovation.   (I should add that, for Maggi, the best was yet to come.) For trivia buffs, Maggi pinch hit for former MVP and 15-year veteran Andrew McCutchen.

Maggi got his first MLB start (at 3B), the following night, but went zero-for-three in a Pirates’ 6-2 win over the Dodgers. Then, in the second game of an April 29 doubleheader (versus the Nationals), Maggi was called in to pinch hit (for 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes), with a runner on third, no outs and the Pirates up 12-0. He delivered his first MLB hit (a single to center off Hobie Harris) and drove in his first MLB run. Maggi stayed in the game at 3B and picked up a second hit (a double) in the top of the ninth – eventually scoring his first MLB run on a Miguel Andujar home run.  After the momentous game, it was back to the Double-A Altoona curve – with a .333 MLB average.

During his professional odyssey, Maggi has played in the Pirates, Dodgers, Indians, Twins and Phillies systems –  for the State College Spikes, Bradenton Marauders, West Virginia Power, Altoona Curve, Arkansas Travelers, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Tulsa Drillers, Columbus Clippers, Rochester Red Wings, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, St. Paul Saints, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, and Indianapolis Indians.

This, by the way, was not Maggi’s first call-up to The Show. He also spent a couple of days on the Twins’ roster in September of 2021, but did not get into a game.

High Times in Mexico City – Aided by the Altitude

A sellout crowd for the first MLB game ever played in Mexico City – and the first MLB game played at 7,300 feet above sea level – enjoyed plenty of action. Aided by the altitude, the two teams launched 11 home runs in Padres 16-11 win over the Giants.  While the home run total was two short of the record for an MLB game (13 by the Diamondbacks and Phillies on June 10, 2019), they did tie the record for the most players going deep in a game (10).  Homering in the game were: The Padres’ Nelson Cruz, Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts, Fernando Tatis, Jr., and Manny Machado (2); and the Giants’ Brandon Crawford, LaMonte Wade, Jr., Mitch Haniger, Blake Sabol and David Villar.

The forty-two-year-old Cruz had a big day: five-for-six, with four RBI, one run scored, a double, a homer and a stolen base. He became the second-oldest MLB player to record a five-hit game (Pete Rose did at age 45.)

The second game in the Mexico Series was  a bit more normal.  The Padres prevailed 6-4 and only three homers were hit.  (That may have something to do with the 24 combined strikeouts.

Quite A Turn-Around

On April 29, the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays seemed to be finally “cooled off.”  White Sox starter Lance Lynn carried a no-hitter (and a 3-0 lead) into the seventh inning against the Rays – having allowed just one baserunner (walk) and notched eight strikeouts, The Rays broke up the no-no with a ten-run seventh inning – nine hits (three home runs) and two walks off three ChiSox’ pitchers).  Lynn saw his no-hitter disappear with a home run by SS Wander Franco (on an 0-2 pitch) to lead off the inning. Lynn was gone after four more batters  (strikeout, single, run-scoring double, walk) and the carnage was on. Final score: Rays 12, White Sox 3.

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for March April   2023——-—

AVERAGE (qualifiers) 

National League – Luis Arreaz, Marlins (.438); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (.352); Thairo Estrada, Giants (.346_

American League –  Matt Chapman, Blue Jays (.384); Randy Arozarena, Rays (.327); Yandy Diaz, Rays (.319)

The lowest March/April  average (among players with at least 50 at bats in the month)  belonged to the Braves’ Marcell Ozuna at .085 (5-for-59)

HOME RUNS

National League – Matt Muncy, Dodgers (11); Pete Alonso, Mets (10); Patrick Wisdom, Cubs (10)

American League – Rafael Devers, Red Sox (10); Brent Rooker, A’s (9); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (8)

The Blue Jays’ Matt Chapman had the highest March/April  slugging percentage (among qualifiers) at .687.  The NL leader was the Dodgers’ Max Muncy at .663.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Pete Alonso, Mets (25); Ozzie Albies, Braves (23); Nolan Gorman, Cardinals (22); Matt Olson, Braves (22)

American League –  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (30); Randy Arozarena, Rays (28); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (27); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (27)

HITS

National League – Luis Arraez, Marlins (39); Nico Hoerner, Cubs (39); Bryson Stott, Phillies (39)

American League –  Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (38); Matt Chapman Blue Jays (38); Alex Verdugo, Red Sox (36); Randy Arozarena, Rays (36)

The Marlins’ Luis Arreaz led MLB (qualifying) players in on-base percentage at .500. The AL  leader was the Blue Jays’ Matt Chapman at .465.

DOUBLES

National League –  Francisco Lindor, Mets (11); Nick Castellanos, Phillies (10); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (10)

American League – Matt Chapman, Blue Jays (15); Wander Franco, Rays (12); Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers (10); Andrew Vaughn, White Sox (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Brandon Marsh, Phillies (4); James Outman, Dodgers (3); seven with two

American League – Riley Greene, Tigers (2); Bobby Witt, Royals (2); Kevin Kiermaier, Blue Jays (2); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (2); Amed Rosario, Guardians (2)

The Blue Jays’ Matt Chapman,  had an MLB-high 120 extra-base hits in March/April. 

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (13) Ji Hwan Bae, Pirates (11); Jazz Chisholm, Marlins (11)

American League – Cedric Mullins, Orioles (11); Esteury Ruiz, A’s (11;Jorge Mateo, Orioles (10))

The Orioles’ Cedric Mullins had the most March/April steals without getting caught (11).

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Padres (27); Max Muncy, Dodgers (22); Dansby Swanson, Cubs (21)

American League –  Adley Rutschman, Orioles (22); Alex Bregman, Astros (21); three with 18

The Marlins’  Luis Arreaz led MLB in walks/strikeouts ratio (among qualifying batters  at 2.20 … 11 walks versus five  whiffs in 25 games.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Matt Olson, Braves (43); Jazz Chisholm, Marlins (41); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (39)

American League – Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (38); Riley Greene, Tigers (37); MJ Melendez, Royals (37)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (5-1); Justin Steele, Cubs (4-0); Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (4-1); Vince Valasquez, Pirates (4-2)

American League – Gerrit Cole, Yankees (5-0); Shane McClanahan, Rays (5-0); Joe Ryan, Twins (5-0)

Bailey Falter, Phillies (0-5, 5.01) and Logan Webb, Giants (1-5, 4.19)  led MLB in September losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (among qualifies)

National League –  Justin Steele, Cubs (1.49); Spencer Strider, Braves (1.80); Wade Miley, Brewers (1.86)

American League – Sonny Gray, Twins (0.77); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (1.11); Luis Castillo, Mariners (1.82)

Location-Location-Location

In March/April, Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays,  went 3-2, with a 5.18 ERA, while  Josiah Gray, Nationals – with a 2.67 ERA – went 2-4. 

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Zac Gallen, D-backs (51 K / 37 2/3 IP); Spencer Striker, Braves (49 K / 30 IP);’ Nick Lodolo (44 K / 30 2/3 IP)

American League – Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays (54 k / 38 2/3 IP); Pablo Lopez, Twins (46 K / 36 IP); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (46 K / 34 IP)

Among qualifying players, the Braves’ Spencer Strider has the highest Strikeouts/Nine Innings ratio at 14.70. The Rangers’ Jacob deGrom led the AL at 13.35.

FEWEST WALKS ALLOWED PER NINE INNINGS (Among Qualifiers)

National League: Anthony DeSclafani, Giants (0.90); Alex Cobb,Giants (1.08); Noah Syndergaard, Dodgers (1.15)

American League: George Kirby, Mariners (0.59); Tyler Wells, Orioles (0.93); Joe Ryan, Twins (1.13)

Among qualifiers, Brad Keller of the Royals had the highest BB/9 rate at 7.12 (24 walks in 30 1/3 innings).

SAVES

National League – Josh Hader, Padres (10); David Bednar, Pirates (9);  six with five

American League – Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (9); Jordan Romero, Blue Jays (9); Paul Sewald, Mariners (7); Felix Bautista, Orioles (7)

A Walk on the Wild Side

Shohei Ohtani  led MLB in Wild Pitches (tied at five) and hit batters (six).  Of course, he was also 4-0, 1.85 and second in the AL in strikeouts with 46 – and then there’s his .294-7-18 batting line. 

WHIP (Walks +  Hits per Inning Pitched – among qualifiers)

National League – Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers, (0.76); Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (0.77); Spencer Strider, Braves (0.83);

American League – Tyler  Wells, Orioles (0.72); Jacob deGrom, Rangers (0.76); Joe Ryan, Twins (0.81)

BONUS STAT

The A’s Ken Waldichuk  gave up an MLB-high ten  home runs in March/April (over 31 innings).

 

Primary Resources:  Baseball-References.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; MLB.com.

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On this date (April 27) in 1981, a 20-year-old rookie southpaw for the Dodgers named Fernando Valenzuela threw his third consecutive shutout (and fourth in five starts), as his Dodgers topped the Giants 5-0 in LA before a raucous crowd of 49,478.

With that event in mind, I’d like to use this post to allow “geezers” like me to look back with nostalgia on the phenomenon that was Fernandomania and to let a new generation of fans get a better idea of the “wonder” that was Fernando Valenzuela’s  screwball.

Fernando Valenzuela is the only MLB player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season.

In July of 1979, Valenzuela, then 18-years-old, was purchased by the Dodgers from the Yucatan Leones of the Mexican League.  Early on, teammate Bobby Castillo taught the youngster (who did not have an overpowering fastball) how to throw a screwball. It was a stroke of good fortune for Valenzuela and the Dodgers. Valenzuela quickly perfected the pitch and took it to new heights.  That screwball, in fact,  would earn Valenzuela a call up to the Dodgers by September of 1980.  As the 1980 MLB season closed out, Valenzuela made ten relief appearances for the Dodgers –  pitching  17 2/3 innings without giving up an earned run (walking five and fanning 16).

In 1981, as a 20-year-old with his rookie status still intact, Valenzuela not only made the season-opening Dodgers’ roster, but when the slated Opening Day starting pitcher Jerry Reuss suffered an injury warming up, manager Tommy Lasorda chose Valenzuela to start the opener.   He didn’t disappoint.  In his first MLB start, the Dodger rookie pitched a complete-game shutout (topping the Astros 2-0), with five hits, two walks and five strikeouts – and thus the foundation of Fernandomania was born.

Over his first five MLB starts, using his devastating screwball and unorthodox lineup, the likable youngster pitched  five complete games, four of them shutouts, while  walking 11 and fanning 43 in 45 innings. In his only non-shutout, Valenzuela gave up one run on four hits and two walks, while fanning ten. After five games, the 20-year-old was 5-0, with a 0.20 ERA and 43 whiffs in 45 innings.  In the process, Valenzuela captured not only the hearts and passion of the California Latino community, but the attention of fans across baseball.

At home, Valenzuela’s 1981 starts drew 48,431 fans, as compared to 40,912 for games he didn’t start  – an 18 percent increase.  Valenzuela’s road starts drew an average of 33,273 fans, while Dodger road games he did not start drew 19,456.  I’ll do the math again.  That’s a 71 percent jump.

Eleven of Valenzuela’s 12 Dodger Stadium 1981 starts were sellouts.

Valenzuela brokered his devastating screwball into a 13-7, 2.48 record (in a strike-shortened 100-game season), finishing second in the NL in wins (13), first in innings pitched (192 1/3); first in strikeouts (180); first in games started (25); first in complete games (11); and first in shutouts (eight).  Valenzuela also won a Silver Slugger Award in 1981 (hitting .250 over 64 at bats).

Not only did the 20-year-old rookie make the 1981 NL All Star team, he was chosen to start the game.  Then he topped off the season by winning not only the NL Rookie of the Year Award, but also the league’s Cy Young Award.  He helped lead the Dodgers to the World Series and won Game Three, as the Dodger stopped the Yankees four games-to-two.

From 1981 through 1987, Valenzuela went 111-82, 3.11 for the Dodgers in the regular season and 5-1, 2.00 in the post season,  His career marks  (1980-91, 1993-97 … Dodgers, Angels, Orioles, Phillies, Padres, Cardinals) were: 173-153, 3.54 in the regular season and 5-1, 1.98 in the post season.

A few other Valenzuela tidbits:

• On June 29, 1990, Valenzuela threw a no-hitter, as the Dodgers topped the Cardinals 6-0 in LA;
• He won two Silver Slugger Awards and one Gold Glove.
• He was a career .200 hitter, with ten home runs and 84 RBI in 936 at bats.
• In 1990, he hit .304-1-11 in 69 at bats.
• In 19 place appearances as a pinch hitter, Valenzuela hit .368.
• He led the NL in wins once (21 in 1986).
• He also led the league in complete games three times, and shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts once each.
• He was a six time All Star – consecutive years 1981-1986.

In the 1986 All Star Game, Fernando Valenzuela tied the record (set by Carl Hubbell) for consecutive strikeouts with five. Valenzuela’s victims were: Don Mattingly; Cal Ripken, Jr.; Jesse Barfield; Lou Whitaker; and Teddy Higuera.

 

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; How Fernando Drew Thousands of Extra Fans, by Mike Petriello, MLB.com, August 15, 2012; When 20-year-old Rookie Fernando Valenzuela Captivated LA and Major League Baseball, by Phil Sheridan, History Channel, September 8, 2021.

 

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