The Dog Days of August are behind us and we’ve moved into September. That means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s August Wrap Up – a look at the stories and statistics the caught Baseball Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as the standings, The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, the Trot Index and more.
And, there was plenty to see around MLB in August:
- Two no-hitters;
- A cycle;
- A pitcher surrendering home runs on each of his first two MLB pitches;
- A player getting married and hitting a Grand Slam on the same day;
- A player stroking a record 17 hits in a four-game stretch;
- A player becoming the first member of the 30-60 Club (HR-SB), with a month to go;
- A team winning a game despite giving up a Grand Slam with the game tied and later hitting into a triple play with the game tied;
- A team stealing 39 bases in 28 games and another stealing just one base (in just one attempt) over the entire month;
- One team playing .800+ ball and one under ,300 for the month;
- Two qualifying hitters hitting over .400 for the month; and
- More.
For these tales – and the more – read on. As usual, we’ll start with a look at Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH
AUGUST 2023
NATIONAL LEAGUE
PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Mookie Betts, RF, Dodgers
Easy choice here, The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hit (literally) a whopping .455, leading all MLB players with at least 75 August at bats (he had 112). He also led MLB with 50 August safeties and, for the month, was first in runs scored (35), first in home runs (11); and second in RBI (30). He also led all MLB players (with at least 75 August at bats) in on-base percentage (.516) and slugging percentage (.839). His month included a 15-game hitting steak (August 10-27), during which he hit .542 (32-for-59), with four home runs, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored. In the course of the month, he raised his average from .277 to .317. Betts, who was the AL MVP (with the Red Sox) in 2018, put himself into the race for NL MVP in 2023. He finished August at .317-36-98, with 116 runs scored on the season.
Honorable Mentions: Cubs’ CF Cody Bellinger led MLB in August RBI with 31, while hitting .324 with five home runs and six steals in seven attempts. Braves’ DH Marcell Ozuna put up similar numbers with a .358-9-25 month – tied for fifth in NL HRs and was fourth in RBI. The Phillies’ Bryce Harper rapped an MLB second-best (tied) ten August home runs, while hitting .361, with 24 RBI. The fact is, there were plenty of outstanding Augusts in the NL – Ronald Acuna, Jr.; Trea Turner; Freddie Freeman and more – but Betts .400+ month clearly rates the top spot.
PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers
This was a close call. Freddy Peralta and the Braves’ Spencer Strider were the only MLB pitchers to record five wins this August and they also tied for the NL lead in August strikeouts (46). Peralta got his wins in five starts (5-0), which edged Strider’s six starts and 5-1 record. Peralta also put up a 2.10 earned run average (second-lowest in the NL among pitchers with at least 25 August innings) to Strider’s 2.97. Peralta had a stingy 0.90 WHIP (third among NL pitchers with at least 25 innings) and held hitters to a .162 average (tied for first). After giving up three runs in six innings in his first start of the month (a 6-4 win over the Nationals), Peralta gave up just four runs over his next four starts (24 innings).
Honorable Mentions: The Braves’ Spencer Strider (5-1, 2.97) and Charlie Morton ( 4-1, 1.91 in five August starts) were both solid. The Nationals’ righty Kyle Finnegan pitched in 14 August games and went 2-0, 2.63 with ten saves in ten opportunities.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Julio Rodriguez, CF, Mariners
Another easy choice – another .400+ hitter. Mariners’ 22-year-old CF (and 2022 AL Rookie of the Year) Julio Rodriguez hit .429 for the month (highest among AL players with at least 75 at bats). His 45 hits led the American League, as did his 30 RBI (in 23 games). He also popped seven round trippers and led the AL with 11 stolen bases (in 15 tries) in August. He also led the AL (minimum 75 at bats) in on-base percentage (.474) and slugging percentage (.724). From August 17 through August 28, he put together a 13-game hitting streak – during which he hit .516 (32-for-62), with five home runs and 21 RBI. The streak included a five-for-five, five RBI day on August 17. Rodriguez finished August at .286-24-87, with 35 steals on the season.
Honorable Mentions: Rangers’ SS Corey Seager led the AL with ten August home runs, to go with a .337 average, 22 RBI and 21 runs scored. Royals’ SS Bobby Witt, Jr. combined speed and power, hitting .324 for the month, with nine homers, 22 RBI, 20 runs scored and nine steals (in ten attempts). Finally, Mariners’ RF Teoscar Hernandez went .365-7-22 in 26 games.
PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Cole Ragans, LHP, Royals
Royals’ southpaw Cole Ragans could also have qualified as the MLB surprise of the month, but it made more sense to slot him here. Ragans, pitching for the last-place Royals, went 3-1, 1.72 in six starts. That ERA was the lowest among major leaguers with at least 25 August innings (he had 36 2/3). Ragan also led MLB with 53 August strikeouts, gave up just one home run and walked only nine. Ragans fanned nine or more batters in four of his six August starts and only once walked more than two. So why did I also think Ragans could have qualified for the Surprise of the Month? He came into August with a 2-3, 5.22 record on the season (after a 0-3, 4.95 record in his MLB debut 2022 season). The Royals acquired the 2016 First Round Draft pick (by the Rangers, out of North Florida Christian High School) in the June trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Rangers. Looks like it’s working out for both squads.
Honorable Mentions: Orioles’ RHP Kyle Bradish went 3-0, 2.12 in five August starts (with the Orioles winning all five games), fanning 35 batters in 29 1/3 innings. Sonny Gray of the Twins only went 3-2 for the month, but he put up a 2.04 ERA (second in the AL among pitchers with at least 25 August innings) and fanned 41 batters (third in the AL) in 39 2/3 innings (second). He put up a 0.86 WHIP (second among AL pitchers with 25 August innings) and held hitters to a .189 average.
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SURPRISE OF THE MONTHN …. Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Angels
Okay, the fact the Nolan Schanuel is in the major leagues should be no surprise. He was, after all, a First Round Draft choice (Angels, out of Florida Atlantic University) and he did hit .386-46-176 over three college seasons (172 games). What is surprising is how fast he made to the majors. Schanuel was a first rounder THIS JUNE and made his MLB debut August 18 – after just 22 minor-league games,
How has he done? Well, ten games into his MLB career, he has yet to be held hitless in any contest. In August, he was 12-for-37 (.324), with two home runs, seven RBI and 11 runs scored. Further, his walks (7) outnumbered his whiffs (6) – a .457 on-base percentage. That’s a pretty surprising start. And, of course, that start-of-career hitting streak is still alive.
Honorable Mention: Tigers’ outfielder Kerry Carpenter had a booming August – going .347-9-20, with 21 runs scored in 27 games. He came into the month hitting .258-11-35 on the season (53 games played), after going .242-6-10 in 31 games for the Tigers in 2022. Why the surprise? After all, the 25-year old outfielder did hit .313-30-75 at Double-A and Triple-A a year ago. The surprise comes because Carpenter (a .272 hitter in his only college season) was a rather unheralded and unnoticed 19th Round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE
Through August, 35.6 percent of the MLB season’s 151,954 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.7%); walks (8.5%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 3,4519 – 33,761.
The 35.6 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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A few observations, The Dodgers, Braves and Mariners were the teams to watch in August – all winning 20+ games.
The Dodgers pretty much blew up the NL West race – playing .800+ ball and expanding their Divisi0n lead from 2 1/2 games to 13 1/2. They were led by the bats of Mookie Betts (.455-11-30) and Freddie Freeman (.374-4-16), but a balanced lineup saw nine players contribute 12 or more RBI during the month (and nine scoring ten or more runs). On the mound, they got four wins each out of starters Lance Lynn and Julio Urias, but just as important, solid work out of the bullpen: Evan Phillips (2.89 ERA and eight saves in eight opportunities); Brusdar Graterol (0.00 ERA in 11 appearances); Ryan Brassier (0.79 ERA in 11 appearances); Ryan Yarbrough (1.86 ERA and three wins in six appearances).
The AL West Mariners played .777 ball, but they were catching up not running away. Thanks to a 21-6 month, they moved from fourth place (five games out ) at the end of July to a tie for the Division lead with the Astros. It looks like a good race (Mariners, Astros, Rangers) to the finish. Key contributors to the Mariners’ surge were CF Julio Rodriguez (.429-7-30) and RF Teoscar Hernandez (.365-7-22). They also got nine homers and 21 RBI out of catcher Cal Raleigh, despite a .221 average for the month. Starters Luis Castillo (4-0, 3.55) and Logan Gilbert (3-0, 2.97) led the mound staff – which also got contributions from Justin Topa (3-1, 0.73 in 14 relief appearances); Isaiah Campbell (3-0, 2.31 in ten relief stints): and Andres Munoz (nine saves and a 1.93 ERA).
Then there are the Braves (21-8 in August), padding a comfortable lead in the NL East. What can you say about a team with Spencer Strider (5-1, 2.92 in August); Charlie Morton (4-1, 1.91); Max Fried (3-0 3.58); and Raisel Iglesias (7-for-7 in save opportunities and a 0.00 ERA in 13 appearances)? Then there’s that offense: DH Marcell Ozuna (.358-9-25 for the month); 1B Matt Olson (.290-7-23); RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. (.352-6-22) and more;. The Braves had five players with six or more homers in August; eight with 16 or more RBI; five with 20+ runs scored; and six players who played 15 or more games and.310 or better.
Other notes:
- The Twins were the only AL Central above .500 for the month (but the Guardians made some interesting waiver moves);
- The Cardinals and Yankees continue to flounder;
- The Brewers/Cubs race has gotten interesting; and
- The Orioles continue to surprise, leading the AL East.
——-Team Statistical Leaders for August 2023 ———-
RUNS SCORED
National League – Braves (194); Philllies (176); Dodgers (176)
American League – Astros (170); Mariners (159); Rays (152)
The fewest runs in August were scored by the Marlins and A’s (96). The only other team under 100 was the Cardinals (98).
AVERAGE
National League – Braves (.299); Dodgers (.292); Phillies (.285)
American League – Astros (.286); Mariners (.285); Rays (.281)
The lowest team average for August belonged to the Yankees at .220. The lowest in the NL was the Reds (.225).
HOME RUNS
National League – Phillies (59); Braves (53); Dodgers (44)
American League – Twins (46); Mariners (46); Yankees (44)
The Guardians had the fewest home runs in August at 21. The Giants were at the bottom of the NL at 22.
The Phillies led MLB in slugging percentage for August at .547. The Mariners led the AL at .493.
STOLEN BASES
National League – Reds (35); D-backs (29); Braves (27)
American League – Royals (39); Mariners (31); Guardians (25)
The Giants stole the fewest sacks in August – just one in one attempt. The Rangers were at the bottom of the AL, with 11 in 14 attempts.
WALKS DRAWN
National League – Pirates (113); Dodgers (107); Braves (105)
American League Astros (118); Yankees (108); Mariners (107)
The Mariners led MLB in on-base percentage for August at .371. The Braves led the NL at .368. The Angels had MLB’s lowest OBP for August at .279. The Marlins were at the bottom of the NL at .288.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Rockies (286); Reds (285); Pirates (271)
American League – Tigers (275); Yankees (275); Twins (275)
Brewers’ batters fanned the fewest times in August (192). The only other team under 200 was the Nationals at 195.
Bonus Stats
- Braves’ batters racked up the most total bases in July at 533. The Giants were at the bottom of MLB at 311.
- Four teams (Rays, Yankees, Twins and Brewers) recorded zero sacrifice bunts in August. The Braves have recorded an MLB-lowest two sacrifice bunts all season. Five teams have fewer than five.
- The Mariners had 26 hit batters in August to lead MLB. The Phillies led the NL with 20. The Mariners have had an MLB-high 94 hit batters this season. The Tigers have the lowest total at 36.
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Earned Run Average
National League – Dodgers (3.00); Brewers (3.36); Braves (3.60)
American League – Mariners (3.03); Blue Jays (3.43); Rangers (3.53)
The Angels had the highest August ERA at 6.14. Eight teams were over 5.00 including the Angels and: White Sox (5.95); Rockies (5.87): Red Sox (5.33); A’s (5.30); Cardinals (5.28); Royals (5.23); Reds (5.03).
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Braves (279); Pirates (256); Brewers (252)
American League – Ranges (264); Yankees (259); Angels (250)
The Braves averaged an MLB-best 9.85 strikeouts per nine innings in August. The Rangers averaged an AL-best 9.70. Ten teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better (down from 12 in July).
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED
National League – Dodgers (67); Giants (68); Cardinals (69)
American League – Rays (47); Mariners (50); Blue Jays (63)
The Mariners walked an MLB-lowest 1.83 batters per nine innings in August. The Angels walked an MLB-worst 4.88 batters per nine frames.
SAVES
National League – Dodgers (14); Cubs (11); Nationals (11)
American League – Mariners (14); Blue Jays (10); Red Sox (9); Tigers (9)
Bonus Stats:
- The Nationals gave up an MLB-high 51 home runs in August – The Braves gave up an MLB-low 25. On the season, the Nationals have given up an MLB-high 204 long balls, the Cardinals an MLB-low (136).
- The Brewers held opponents to an MLB-low .206 average in August; the Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .300 during the month.
- The Mariners’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for August topped MLB at 4.82. The White Sox had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.79.
——AUGUST 2023 HIGHLIGHTS——
Another No-Hitter
Astros’ southpaw Framber Valdez got August off to a good start, tossing a no-hitter on August 1, as the Astros topped the Guardians 2-0. It was the third no-hitter of the 20232 MLB season. Valdez threw 93 pitches (65 strikes), while walking one and fanning seven. He actually faced the minimum 27 batters, the only baserunner (walk) was erased on a double play. The first (and only batter) to reach a three-ball count was SS Gabriel Arias (leading off the ninth). Arias grounded out on a 3-2 pitch. Valdez ended August with a 10-9, 3.38 record on the season,
We Really Do Count Everything
On August 4, Bobby Witt, Jr. went two-for-five with one run scored, two RBI, a stolen base and a home run (his 20th ). MLB later reported that the home run made Witt the first AL/NL player to have at least 20 home runs and at least 30 stolen bases in each of his first two seasons. (The Royals, by the way, bested the Phillies 7-5. ) Witt ended August at .276-27-82, with 38 steals on the season. (Headed for the 30-30 club.)
A Great Start
Davis Schneider made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays on August 4 – being called up after going .275-21-64 in 87 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. The 24-year-old 2017 28th-Round Draft pick (out of Eastern High School in Voorhees, NJ) did not disappoint. Starting at 2B versus the Red Sox (in Boston), he homered off James Paxton in his first MLB plate appearance, joining a host of players to accomplish that feat.
What he did after that, however, set Schneider apart. In his first three MLB games, Schneider went 9-for-13 (.692), with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI – becoming the first player to collect nine hits and two home runs in his first three MLB games. (Yes, #InBaseballWeCountEverything.) He’s cooled off a bit, but at the end of August he was still hitting .426, with six homers and 14 RBI in 14 games.
Side note: In six minor-league seasons, Schneider hit .253-59-218. Apparently, he likes major-league pitching.
Bring Those Ducks On Home
On August 5, Mariners’ 3B Eugenio Suarez went zero-for-three as Seattle bested the Angels 3-2. The O-Fer was notable because it marked the first time since July 24 that Suarez went without an RBI. In the ten games from July 25 through August 4, Suarez went 13-for-42 (.310), with tw0 home runs and 13 RBI (at least one RBI in each game), setting a new franchise record for consecutive games with an RBI. I wanted to note this achievement because gives me a chance to give a shout out to Cubs’ 1B Ray Grimes, who holds the MLB record for consecutive games with an RBI at 17. From June 27 through July 23, 1922, Grimes played in 17 games, going 29-for-66 (.439), with three home runs and 27 RBI (at least one ribby in 17-straight contests. Grimes finished the season with 99 RBI (his highest single-season total). In an injury-interrupted six-season MLB career, Grimes hit .329-27-263 in 433 games.
A Nice Round Number
On August 5, Orioles’ righty Kyle Gibson picked up is 100th career win, as the O’s topped the Mets 7-3 in Baltimore. Gibson went seven innings, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk, while fanning nine. Gibson picked up two more wins in August, running his record to 13-8, 5.15 and his 11-season MLB career record to 102-99, 4.58. The 13 wins leads the AL and also ties Gibson’s single-season career high.
A Not So Great Start
On August 6. Reds’23-year-old righty Lyon Richardson made his MLB debut – starting against the Nationals in Cincinnati. His performance, while not what he had hoped for, did attract the attention of baseball trivia buffs. Richardson started his MLB career by giving up home runs on each of his first two MLB pitches – to Nationals’ shortstop CJ Abrams (his 11th HR of the year) on a 95.5-mph fastball and to RF Lane Thomas (his 19th) on a 96.7-mph heater. Ultimately, Richardson went three innings and gave up four hits, three walks and four runs, while fanning two, in the Reds’ 6-3 loss.
According to STATS, Richardson is the only pitcher in the past fifty years to give up homers on his first two MLB pitchers. Baseball Roundtable took another step and searched box scores of the for the 79 pitchers listed by Baseball-Almanac.com as having allowed a home run to the first MLB batter they ever faced and found only one other pitcher who allowed home runs to the first two batters he faced – the Yankees’ Danny Rios on May 30, 1997 – and he did it in a span of nine pitches. For more on Richardson, Rios and a few pitchers who gave up dingers to the first MLB batter they faced, click here.
Yandy is Dandy On His Birthday
On August 8, Rays’ first baseman Yandy Diaz celebrated his 32nd birthday in style – going four-for-four (tying his career high for hits in a game) with a run scored and an RBI as the Rays beat the Cardinals 4-2 in Tampa Bay. Diaz finished August with a .327-17-66 stat line on the season.
Another Feel-Good Debut
Phillies’ left fielder Westin Wilson made his MLB debut on August 9 – after seven minor-league seasons (713 games, 2,866 trips to the plate). The 17th-round 2916 Draft pick (out of Clemson University) had an enjoyable first MLB outing. In his first MLB plate appearance – leading off the bottom of the second inning, Wilson hit a 1-1 pitch off McKenzie Gore for a home run to left-center. Two innings later he drew a walk off Gore and picked up his first MLB stolen base four pitches later. For the game, Wilson was one-for-three, with two walks, three runs scored and one RBI. Oh yes, and his two outfield putouts, were part of Mike Lorenzen’s no-hitter. (Over his seven minor-league seasons, Wilson hit .255-97-372, with 80 steals.)
Welcome Home, Mike
On August 9, Mike Lorenzen picked up by the Phillies (from the Tigers) in an August 1 trade, made his first home start in a Phillies’ uniform. (He had picked up a road win as a Phillie on August 3.) In that first start in front of Philadelphia fans, Lorenzen pitched the fourth no-hitter of the 2023 season (the third single-pitcher no-no). He threw 124 pitches (76 strikes), walking four and fanning five as the Phillies won 7-0. It was, by the way, the first complete game of Lorenzen’s nine MLB seasons (335 games/66 starts). As August came to a close, Lorenzen was 8-8, 3.73 on the season and 3-1, 4.22 with the Phillies.
Obligatory Ohtani News
On August 9, the Angels’ Shohie Ohtani picked up his tenth mound win of the season – going six innings and giving up just one run (unearned), as the Angels topped the Giants 4-1 in Los Angeles. In the process, Ohtani recorded another first – becoming the first MLB player to get ten pitching victories and slug 40 or more home runs in the same season. Side note: A elbow injury (August 23) will keep Ohtani off the mound for the remainder of this season, but he’ll still be in the lineup at DH.
More #InBaseballWeCountEverything
Photo: D. Benjamin Miller, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In the sixth inning of the Padres August 14 4-1 loss to the Orioles, Padres starter Yu Darvish fanned Orioles’ 3B Ramon Urias for his sixth strikeout of the game, 131st of the season and 1,919th of his career. That final number made Darvish the All-Time MLB Strikeout Leader among players born in Japan (surpassing Hideo Nomo). Darvish, now in his 11th MLB season, ended August with a career record of 103-85, 3.59 – with 1,929 strikeouts in 1,624 1/3 innings pitched. He took the loss in that August 14 game, giving up four runs over seven innings.
Oops, My Bad!
Cardinals’ top prospect, 21-year-old SS Masyn Winn, made his MLB debut on August 18, as the Redbirds faced the Mets in St. Louis. Winn connected for his first MLB hit (an infield single) in the fifth frame. Unfortunately, the Cardinals lost the game 7-1. Fortunately, Winn did not lose the ball he tagged for his first hit – but he almost did. Apparently not knowing it was Winn’s first MLB hit, Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso threw the ball (which the umpire indicated would be taken out of play) into the stands. (As Alonso often does with scuffed balls taken out of play.) Goodbye first hit memento. All turned out well, as Cardinals’ security traded the lucky fan an autographed ball, jersey and hat for Winn base-hit horsehide.
The One That Didn’t Get Away
There are a lot of ways to blow the opportunity to win a ball game. If you have a flair for the dramatic, you might give up a Grand Slam with the game tied or muff a scoring opportunity (with the game tied) by hitting into a triple play. On August 18, the Rays did both – and still came away with a 9-6 win (over the Angels).
In the bottom of the second, with the game tied at one apiece, Rays’ starter Erasmo Ramirez gave up a two-out Grand Slam to Angels’ DH Shohei Ohtani (who else?).The Rays fought back and finally retied the game at five apiece in the fifth frame – and even took the lead 6-5 in the top of the seventh. The Angels retied it at six in the bottom of the inning. Then, the Rays opened the ninth with a pair of singles (1B Yandy Diaz and LF Randy Arozarena) and seemed poised to move back into the lead (runners on first and second and no outs). A triple play ended the threat. DH Harold Ramirez grounded to SS Luis Rengifo, who tossed to second (Brandon Drury) to force Arozarena, the relay to first retired Ramirez and Diaz, who tried to score from second on the play, was tossed out 1B Nolan Schanuel to C Logan O’Hoppe. Boom – inning and rally over. The Rays, however, held the Angels scoreless in the bottom of the ninth and then scored three in the top of the tenth, earning a 9-6 win.
The Elias Sport Bureau reported that the Rays were only the second team in AL/NL history to allow a Grand Slam and hit into a triple play in the same game and still win the contest. (The other was the Indians on September 7, 1979.)
Trea Turner Tees (off) for Two
On August 19, as the Phillies topped the Nationals 4-3 in Washington, Phillies’ SS Trea Turner hit his 13th and 14th home runs of the season. The two blasts were especially memorable since they both came in the eighth inning and made Turner just the third Phillie ever to homer twice in one frame. Turner led off the eighth inning by raking a 2-0 from Cory Abbott for a home run to left field. By Turner’s second at bat of the inning (with Abbott still on the mound), the Phillies had added six more runs and had a 10-3 lead. This time, Turner took knocked a 1-1 pitch from Abbott for another left field round tripper. (The Phillies eventually won 12-3.) For those who like to know such things, the other Phillies with two-homer innings are: Von Hayes (June 11, 1985) and Andy Seminick (June 2, 1949).
Two-for-Two
Andre Dawson, Edwin Encarnacion, Jeff King, Willie McCovey and Alex Rodriguez are the only AL/NL players to homer twice in one innings twice in their careers – and only Encarnacion accomplished the feat for two different teams (Blue Jays – 2013 & Mariners – 2019). The others: Rodriguez (Yankees (2007 & 2009); Dawson (Expos 1978 & 1985); King (Pirates 1995 & 1996); and McCovey (Giants 1973 & 1977).
When You’re Hot, You’re Hot
On August 19, the Mariners’ 22-year-old CF Julio Rodriguez went four-for-six with a stolen base and two runs scored as Seattle topped the Astros 10-3 in Houston. It marked Rodriguez’ fourth straight game with at least four hits and gave him a new (#InBaseballWeCountEverything) MLB record for hits in four consecutive games (17). Rodriguez’s stat line for the four games? He was 17-for-22 (.773) with two doubles, two home runs, five runs scored, eight RBI and five steals (in six attempts). Surprisingly, at least to The Roundtable, he did not draw a single free pass over the four contests.
The four games were part of a 10-game hitting streak (August 13-25), during which Rodriguez hit .500 (25-for-50), with eight runs scored, 14 RBI ands eight steals.
Little League Classic … An Annual Highlight
Okay, the highlights of the August 20 Sixth Annual Little League Classic took place more off the field than on … as players from the Phillies and Nationals were greeted at the Williamsport Regional Airport on arrival Sunday morning (and rode buses to the Little League World Series Fields with the Little Leaguers); mingled with Little Leaguers and fans (playing catch, signing autographs, taking selfies and more); took to the stands to watch the youngsters play; and took part in the traditional slide down the hill beyond the outfield fences on cardboard boxes. When big leaguers and Little Leaguers get together, it’s always a joy to behold.
During the big-league game itself, played that evening at Muncy Bank Ball Park at Historic Bowman Field; several players used custom-decorated bats (allowed just for this event) to commemorate the occasion. Among the more popular models: Phillies Bryson Stott and Weston Wilson used bats painted to look like a number-two pencil (right down to a red eraser at the top of the bat and a black handle to represent the pencil lead); the Nationals’ Joey Meneses had a bat designed to look like a blue Crayon; and Phillie Bryce Harper used a unique green Phillie Phanatic bat. Among the nearly 20 custom bats, you could also find aliens, liberty bells, stars and stripes and more.
The Nationals prevailed in the actual MLB game (played in front of a crowd of about 2,500 Little leagues and their families) by a 4-3 score.
A Shoutout to the California Little League Squad
Congrats to the Little League squad from El Segundo, California, which defeated Curacao 6-5 in the Little League World Series Final.
Minor-League Extra – More Grand Clam News
On August 27th, Tai Peete – the Mariners 2023 first-round draft pick – hit his first two home professional home runs as his Single-A Modesto Nuts topped the San Jose Giants 12-11. Why are they mentioned in this wrap up.? Those long balls came in consecutive innings (seventh and eighth) and were both Grand Slams. As of August 31, Peete’s minor-league record was .339-2-18 in 16 games. Not a bad start for the young man.
More #InBaseballWeCount Everything
On August 27, Diamondbacks’ Rookie of the Year Candidate RF Corbin Carroll went two-for-three and scored a pair of runs as the D-backs topped the Reds 5-2 in Arizona. Notably, he also swiped his 40th base of the seasons (in 45 tries) – which made him just the fourth rookie with a 20-homerun, 40-steal season. (Corbin had 23 home runs and 41 steals to go with a .279 average at the end of August). Other rookies with 20-40 campaigns include: Mike Trout (2012); Mitchell Page (1977); and Tommy Agee (1966).
Now Isn’t That Grand?
The Minnesota Twins have had a host of home run hitters grace their lineup – Harmon Killebrew, Jim Thome, Nelson Cruz, Bob Allison and Jimmie Hall to name a few. But only one player has ever hit a Grand Slam in consecutive games while wearing a Twins’ uniform. Royce Lewis – Twins 24-year-old rookie infielder – hit his ninth and tenth career home runs in games on August 27th and 28th and both were Grand Slams (and crucial to Twins’ victories). In the process, Lewis, with just 50 MLB games under his belt, became the first MLB rookie and the first Twin to hit a four-run blast in consecutive games.
Another String of Zeros
On August 28, Pirates’ righty John Oviedo pitched his first MLB complete game – and it was a two-hit shutout, as Pittsburgh topped the Royals 5-0 in Kansas City. Oviedo now 8-13, 4.20 on the season and 12-24, 4.27 over four seasons, notched the the third MLB single-pitcher shutout this August and the 18th of the season. By comparison, there were a total of 16 complete game shutouts in all of the 2022 campaign.
Altuve Hits For The Cycle
Photo: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On August 28, as the Astros topped the Red Sox 13-5 in Boston, Houston second baseman Jose Altuve hit for the cycle – although it didn’t look that way as the game opened. Altuve led off the contest with a five-pitch strikeout against Chris Sale. But things got better. Altuve:
- Doubled to right (later scoring) on the first pitch he saw from Sale leading off the third frame;
- Singled to left on a 2-0 pitch from Sale leading off the fifth;
- Came up with two on and one out in the sixth and tripled to center (later scoring) off the first pitch from Kyle Barraclough;
- Popped out to first off Barraclough on an 0-1 pitch in the seventh;
- Completed the cycle in the ninth, with a one-out, two-run home run off a 1-1 offering form Barraclough.
Just as a reminder of how good Altuve has been. He is a three-time batting champion, four-times led the NL in hits and twice led in steals, is an eight-time All-star and was the NL MVP in 2017 (when he hit .346-24-81, with 32 steals and 112 runs scored).
Rolling a 300
On August 30, as his Phillies lost to the Angels 10-8, Phillies’ 1B Bryce Harper popped his 15th home run of the year – and the 300th of his career. (Harper finished August at .308-15-55 on the season.) In his 12th MLB season, the 30-year-old Harper has logged four seasons of 30+ home runs (a high of 42, when he was the NL MVP for the Nationals in 2025 – going .330-42-99).
Betts Hits Number 250
On August 31, as the Braves topped the Dodgers 8-7 in LA, Mookie Betts continued his drive toward the NL MVP Award, going two-for-four with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBI. They were Betts 37th and 38th long balls of the season. Of note is the fact the his first homer of the game – a three-run shot off Spencer Strider in the fifth inning – was the 250th of his 10-season MLB career. His 38 homers thus far in 2923 represent his career high.
Ronald Acuna Celebrates A Grand Day in Grand (Slam) Fashion
Ronald Acuna Jr. –
Photo by IDSportsPhoto 
Apparently, marriage agrees with Ronald Acuna, Jr. The Braves’ star got married early on the morning of August 31. Then, that evening, he hit a Grand Slam home run to help the Braves topple the Dodgers 8-7 in LA. Acuna was three-for-four in the contest, with a stolen base and a walk. The home run was Acuna’s 30th of the season. Coupled with his 62 stolen bases, it makes Acuna the first-ever member of the 30-60 club (At least 30 homers and 60 stolen bases in a season. )
–——Individual Statistical Leaders for August 2023———
AVERAGE (minimum 75 August at bats)
National League – Mookie Betts, Dodgers (.455); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (.374); Bryce Harper, Phillies (.361)
American League – Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (.429); Donovan Solano, Twins (.368); Teoscar Hernandez (Mariners (.365)
The lowest August average (among players with at least 50 at bats in the month) belonged to the Giants’ Paul DeJong at .086 (6-for-70).
HOME RUNS
National League – Mookie Betts , Dodgers (11); Bryce Harper, Phillies (10); Kyle Schwarber, Philllies (10); Jorge Soler, Marlins (10)
American League – Corey Seager, Rangers (10); six with nine
The Dodgers’ Mookie had the highest August slugging percentage (at least 75 at bats) at .839. The AL leader was the Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez at .724.
HITS
National League – Mookie Betts, Dodgers (51); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (43); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (43)
American League – Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (45); Jose Altuve, Astros (40); Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (38)
RUNS BATTED IN
National League – Cody Bellinger, Cubs (31); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (30); Trea Turner, Phillies (26)
American League – Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (30); Kyle Tucker, Astros (25); three with 22
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts led MLB (at least 75 August at bats) players in on-base percentage at .516. The AL leader was the Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez at .474.
DOUBLES
National League – Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (16); Spencer Steer, Reds (11); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (10); William Contreras, Brewers (10)
American League – Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (10); Alex Bregman, Astros (9); Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (9); Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers (9)
TRIPLES
National League – Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (3); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (3); eight with two
American League – Steven Kwan, Guardians (3); six with two
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts led MLB in August extra-base hits with 21. The Red Sox’ Adam Duvall and Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez led the AL in August with 17.
STOLEN BASES
National League – CJ Abrams, Nationals (13); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (11); Nico Hoerner, Cubs (9)
American League – Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (11); Esteury Ruiz, A’s (10); Dairon Blanco, Royals (9); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (9)
The Guardians’ Jose Ramirez stole the most August bases without being caught (8).
WALKS
National League – Kyle Schwarber, Philllies (25); Matt Olson, Braves (23): Pete Alonso, Mets (18)
American League – Aaron Judge, Yankees (20); Alex Bregman, Astros (18); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (18); Jorge Polanco, Twins (18)
The Nationals’ Ildemaro Vargas led in walks/strikeouts ratio (among batters with at least 75 August plate appearances) at 1.20 … 6 walks versus 5 whiffs in 26 games.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Elly De La Cruz, Reds (44); Brenton Doyle, Rockies (39); Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds (37); Nolan Jones, Rockies (37)
American League – Eugenio Suarez, Mariners (43); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (39); Mickey Moniak, Angels (38)
PITCHING VICTORIES
National League – Freddy Peralta, Brewers, (5-0); Spencer Strider, Braves (5-1); six with four
American League – Luis Castillo, Mariners (4-0); Pablo Lopez, Twins (4-1); Justin Verlander, Astros (4-1)
The Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright (0-5, 10.89) led MLB in August losses.
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 July innings pitched)
National League – Charlie Morton, Braves (1.91); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (2.10); Jake Irvin, Nationals (2.35)
American League – Cole Ragans, Royals (1.72); Sonny Gray, Twins (2.04); Kyle Bradish, Orioles (2.12)
The Braves’ Raisel Iglesias threw the most August innings without giving up an earned run (13). In 13 August appearances, he gave up 7 hits and no runs, while walking four and fanning 17.
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Freddy Peralta, Brewers (46K / 30 IP); Spencer Strider, Braves (46K / 36 1/3 IP); Justin Steele, Cubs (41K / 34 1/3 IP)
American League – Cole Ragan, Royals (53K / 36 2/3 IP); Dane Dunning, Rangers (43K / 33 2/3 IP); Sony Gray, Twins (41K / 39 2/3 IP)
SAVES
National League – Adbert Alzolay, Cubs (10); Kyle Finnegan, Nationals (10); David Bednar, Pirates (8); Evan Phillips, Dodgers (8)
American League – Andres Munoz, Mariners (9); Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (8); three with six
The Nationals’ Kyle Finnegan had the most saves without a blown save in August at ten.
WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched – minimum 25 August innings)
National League – Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (0.80), Julio Urias, Dodgers (0.87); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (0.90)
American League – George Kirby, Mariners (0.80); Sonny Gray, Twins (0.86); Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles (0.91)
Three pitchers with at least 25 August innings pitched held hitters to an MLB -low .162 average: Freddy Peralta, Brewers (30 IP); Charlie Morton, Braves (28 1/3 IP); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (28 2/3 IP).
________________________________________
If the season ended August 31, you playoff teams would be:
National League: Braves, Dodgers, Brewers. Wild Cards: Phillies, Cubs, Giants.
American League: Orioles, Mariners, Twins. Wild Cards: Rays Astros, Rangers.
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