Baseball Roundtable August Wrap Up – Hiura and Santana, Just a Couple of the Surprises

It’s August 1,  and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s traditional previous month wrap up – touching on the statistics, standings and stories that caught BBRT’s eye over the previous month, along with the BBRT Players and Pitchers of the Month and the BBRT Trot index.  And, this month, BBRT is adding a new designation: The Surprise Player of the Month, recognizing one player whose performance was both outstanding and (at least somewhat) unexpected. Here’s a brief sampler of the kind of things you’ll read about – as always, if you last to the end of the post.  Among the things we saw in July:

• One team (Red Sox) hitting over .300 for the month.
• One team (Indians) recording an earned run average under 3.00 for the month.
• A record streak of four consecutive days when a batter launched three home runs in a game (Robinson Cano, Paul DeJong, Nelson Cruz, Mookie Betts).
• A team (Twins) finishing July with 209 home runs on the season – on a pace to hit a record 316 home runs, which would shatter the old record of 267.  (By old, I mean from 2018.)

Shout out to “I Love Baseball” for Posting This … 

• On April 27th, 2010 Justin Smoak (in his fifth MLB game) drove in Vlad Guerrero, Sr. to post his first MLB RBI.
• On May 4, 2019, Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (in his seventh MLB game) drove in Justin Smoak for his first MLB RBI. 

• 2019’s fifth”Immaculate Inning (Stephen Strasburg).
• Six players (Mariano Rivera, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay, Lee Smith, Harold Baines) inducted into the Hall of Fame.
• A last-place team record (Orioles) record a record ten straight multi-home games.

How Fair is That?

The Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks went 1-3 in July, despite a 2.25 earned run average for the month. Meanwhile, the Red Sox; Rick Porcello went 4-1, despite a 7.54 ERA for the month.

• A dozen pitchers who logged 20 or more innings putting up earned run averages under 2.00; and nine pitcher who logged 20 or more innings putting up ERAs over 7.00 for the month.
• One player (Max Kepler) going yard against another player (Trevor Bauer) in five consecutive at bats.
• 31 first-time All Stars.
• A line-up that included three rookies whose fathers’ made a combined 20 MLB All Star teams.

—–PLAYERS & PITCHERS OF THE MONTH … (plus a surprise)—–

Players of the Month

American League – Yuli Gurriel, First Base, Astros

Houston’s 35-year-old first baseman has been a solid hitter since finally winning a full-time job in 2017 (at the age of 33). In 412 career MLB games, he has hit .293 with 54 round trippers.  Gurriel went above and beyond expectations in July, hitting an MLB-best (among those with at least 75 at bats) .398, launching 12 home runs (second only to Mike Trout’s 13) and driving in 31 runs (second in MLB to Rafael Devers’ 34). Gurriel played in 24 games in July and got at least one hit in 23 of them (12 multi-hit games).

Other AL contenders: Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers finished a close second after going .358 with nine home runs and an MLB-best 34 RBI in July; CF Ramon Laureano of the A’s put up a solid .392 average (only 74 at bats) and added eight home runs, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored in 22 games; Rangers’ 2B Danny Santana hit .391-7-21 for July; and, of course, always a finalist, the Angels’ Mike Trout topped all of MLB with 13 July homers, with a .286 average, 29 RBI and 20 runs scored.

National League – Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals

This was a tough one, as any of the contenders (listed later) could make a case.  However, BBRT is “Going with Goldy,” whose bat came alive in July. Goldschmidt hit .308, was second in the NL in July home runs with 11 and tied for the league tops in RBI with 27.  He also scored 20 runs (tied for second-best in the NL).  From July 22 through July 27, he homered in six straight games.

Other Contenders:  Christian Yelich, RF, Brewers.  What can you say about Yelich? He does it all. In July, he raked at a .352 pace (second-best among National Leaguers with at least 75 at bats), popped seven home runs, drove in 18, scored 14 and swiped five bases in six tries; Pirates’ CF Starling Marte, who hit .305 for the month, with 6 long balls, 22 RBI and an NL-best 24 runs scored, deserved consideration; another finalist was Reds’ 3B Eugenio Suarez, who hit .289 in July, with an NL-best 12 home runs and 23 RBI.

SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers

I did say (write) that there would be a surprise.  The surprise is that, going forward, BBRT will select a Surprise Player for each month.  This month, it’s 22-year-old Brewers’ rookie 2B Keston Hiura. 

All this youngster did in July was hit .355, with six home runs, 18 RBI, 17 runs scored and six stolen bases. Of course, it shouldn’t be too big a surprise. The 2017 first-round draft choice has pretty much hit wherever he played.  He hit .375 over three seasons at the University of California Ervine (.442 in his final year) and .317 over three minor league seasons (222 games).

Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Oh yes, a second surprise.  This first Surprise Player of the Month was a tie.  Joining Hiura in the sidebar of honor is the Rangers’ Danny Santana (former Twin, for you Minnesota readers).  Santana came into the season with a career average of .256, with 13 home runs and 100 RBI over five MLB seasons.  He was hitting .297 with nine homers and five RBI through June – but that’s not the surprise.  In July, Santana hit .391, with seven long balls and 21 RBI (bringing his season totals to .326-16-46).  The frosting on the cake?  This season, Santana has seen time in at 1B, 2B, SS, as well as in all three outfield positions. 

PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

American League – Gerrit Cole, RHP, Astros

Plenty of deserving candidates here (like Justin Verlander, Eduardo Rodriguez and Mike Clevinger), but BBRT could not pass on the Astros’ Gerrit Cole.  Cole went 4-0 in five July starts, led (tied) MLB with 51 whiffs (34 innings) and put up a nifty 1.85 earned run average. Cole went seven innings in four of his five starts and reached double-digits in strikeouts in three of five starts. He gave up more than one run in only one of his July outings.

Other Contenders: Indians’ RHP Mike Clevinger went 4-0, 1.74 in July, fanning 41 hitters in 31 innings, as the Indians gained ground in the AL Central (his performance also may have made the Indians more willing to part with Trevor Bauer);  Red Sox’ lefty Eduardo Rodriguez helped the Red Sox get back in the race with a 5-0, 2.03 month.

National League – Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals

Strasburg was one of just two five-game winners in July (5-0) and put up a minuscule 1.14 earned run average. He fanned 44 batters in 31 2/3 innings, while walking just seven. Strasburg picked up important wins against the Dodgers and Braves – likely post-season teams – in July.

Other Contenders. The Marlins’ Caleb Smith went 4-0 (for the Marlins, who went 9-15), with a 3.48 ERA and 37 punch outs in 31 innings. The southpaw logged victories over the Braves, Mets, Diamondbacks and White Sox; Diamondbacks’ lefty Robbie Ray continued to miss bats, fanning 44 hitters in 30 1/3 innings, to go with a 4-1, 3.26 stat line; and, finally, a pair of pitchers who continued to baffle hitters, even if they didn’t pick up a lot of wins.  Each had five July starts: Jacob deGrom went 2-0, 1.09 for the Mets in July, with 46 whiffs in 33 innings, while the Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu, went 2-0, 1.10.

TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through July,  36.0 percent of all MLB’s 124,438 2019 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 (22.8%); walks (8.5%); home runs (3.6%); HBP (1.0%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

For the 2018 season, 34.8 percent of all MLB’s 185,139 plate appearances ended in a trot.  

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 —–A LOOK AT JULY’S WON-LOST RECORDS—–

First, before we get into July performance, let me note that, if the season ended with the games on July 31, your post-seasons  teams would be:

American League: Yankees; Astros, Twins.  Wild Cards: Indians; Rays

National League: Braves; Dodgers; Cubs or Cardinals.  Wild Cards: Cubs or Cardinals; Nationals.

You’ll find the full standings (through July) later in this post. 

July’s Best and Worst of Teams …

The top two teams in terms of July performance were the Giants (19-6) in the National League League and the Indians (18-6) in the American League.

The Indians, who shrunk the Twins’ lead in the AL Central from eight games to three (and built a 2 1/2-game Wild Card advantage) did it primarily with pitching – logging an MLB-lowest 2.77 earned run average for the month (the only MLB team under 3.00).  I should add that they were pretty good at the plate as well, scoring the AL’s third-most July runs.

The Cleveland surge was led by Mike Clevinger (4-0, 1.74/five starts); Shane Bieber (3-1,  3.00/five starts); Zach Plesac (3-0, 3.04/five starts); and the now-departed Trevor Bauer (3-2, 4.54 with a league-topping 51 strikeouts/five starts.  The Tribe also got solid bullpen performance from the likes of closer Brad Hand (four saves, 3.12 ERA); Adam Cimber (1.84 ERA in 12 appearances); Nick Goody (0.00 ERA in 10 appearances); and Oliver Perez (2.08 ERA in nine appearances).  Key to the offense were: Jose Ramirez (.320-9-25 for July) and  Francisco Lindor (.330-6-16).

The Giants, climbed from last in the NL West at the end of June to second at the end of July.  Still, they trail the Dodgers by 15 games. However, they are now just two games out of a Wild Card spot. The Giants led the NL in scoring with 144 July runs and put up the third-best NL July ERA (3.58). While the Giants got important hits from up and down the lineup, key contributors to their’ turnaround were young Mike Yastrzemski (.316-4-16); Brandon Crawford (.263-4-17); Donovan Salano (.373-2-10); and Buster Posey (.280-3-11). On the mound, Jeff Samardzija went 4-1, 2.09 in six starts; Madison Bumgarner, while going just 1-0, pitched well, with a 2.70 ERA in five starts (the Giants won four of those games); Will Smith picked up  two wins and five saves (3.86 ERA); Trevor Gott went 3-0, 3.72 in five appearances; and Sam Dyson produced a save, five holds and a 2.25 ERA in 12 trips to the bump.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Tigers (5-20) and Rockies (6-19) put up the worst records in their respective leagues. Detroit recorded MLB’s third-worst team earned run average and seventh-worst runs scored.  They were outscored 157-102 for the month. The Rockies had MLB’s worst July ERA at 6.63  and eighth fewest runs scored. They were outscored 167 – 107 for the month.

Now, let’s move on to July’s team statistics.

—-LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS – JULY 2019—-

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 121

AL: Red Sox (173); Yankees (143); Indians (142)

NL: Giants (144); Dodgers (136); Pirates (128)

The White Sox scored the fewest July runs at 82, wile the Marlins were at the bottom of the NL with 84 July tallies. 

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .257

AL: Red Sox (.303); Indians (.284); Astros (.278)

NL: Reds (.280); Pirates (.273); Nationals (.273)

Only three teams hit under .240 for the month – and one was a real surprise. The Marlins hit just .230 and the Tigers just .237.  No surprises there.  But the Dodgers hit only .237 for the month – and still scored the second-most runs in the National League.  Of course, they did lead the senior circuit in home runs.

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 35

AL:  Twins (52); Red Sox (45); Astros (44)

NL: Dodgers (44); Cardinals (40); Giants (38)

The Royals were the only team with fewer than 24 home runs in July – at 19.

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE – MLB Team Average – .444

AL:  Red Sox (.535); Twins (.518); Indians (.500)

NL: Reds (.473); Giants (.464); Cardinals (.453)

Boston collected an MLB-highest 119 extra-base hits in July. Four other teams collected at least 100 extra-base knocks: Twins (104); Yankees (102); Giants (102); Angels (101). 

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 11

AL:  Mariners (20); Rays (17); Indians (17); Rangers (17)

NL: Brewers (22);  Braves (22); Nationals (21)

The Giants, Mets and Twins were are the bottom of the stolen base list for July with four steals each. The Mets had the lowest success rate (36.4%), with four steals in eleven attempts.  The Angels were at the other end of the spectrum (93.3%), at 14-for-15.

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 218

AL: Tigers (253); Rays (252); Rangers (248)

NL: Giants (238); Rockies (232); Braves (231)

Old School baseball?  The Rockies and Giants led MLB in July sacrifice bunts with nine. There were five teams without a single sacrifice bunt during the month: Angels; A’s; Rangers; Blue Jays; and Rays.

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 76

AL: Angels (94); Astros (93); Rays (91)

NL: Nationals (107); Dodgers (96); Brewers (90)

Either the Reds crowd the plate or they’ve made some enemies. The Reds led all of MLB in July hit-by-pitch with 20 batters plunked – more than twice the  MLB average for the month (9).

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – 4.57

AL:  Indians (2.77); Astros (3.38); A’s (4.10)

NL:  Mets (3.29); Dodgers (3.39); Giants (3.58)

Two teams posted earned run averages north of 6 in July: Rockies (6.63); Rangers (6.18).

BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST … MLB Team Average – .257

AL: Indians (.218); Astros (.226); Rays (.249)

NL: Dodgers (.226); Marlins (.229); D-backs (.231)

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 218

AL:  Rays (273); Astros (257); Red Sox (254)

NL: Giants (243); Reds (240); Nationals (237)

SAVES … MLB Team Average – 6

AL: Royals (10); Rays (9); four with seven

NL: Cardinals (11); Reds (9); Mets (8)

MLB’s best save percentage in July belonged to the Cardinals at 100 percent – 11 saves in 11 opportunities. Detroit was REALLY at the opposite end of the spectrum at 0 percent – five blown saves in five July opportunities.

Now a few “stories” from July.

—- JULY HIGHLIGHTS … STATS AND STORIES —–

A True Walk(s)-Off Win

On July 2, the Dodgers went into the bottom of the ninth inning trailing the Diamondbacks 4-3 – and things immediately looked even more desperate, as reliever Greg Holland got Edwin Rios on a ground out (short to first) and Austin Barnes on a fly out to center.  Bases empty, two-out, down a run.  Then the wheels came off for the Diamondbacks.

It went like this.

• LF Chris Taylor walks on a 3-2 pitch.
• PH Russell Martin walks on a 3-2 pitch.
• CF Alex Verdugo walks on a 3-1 pitch.
• 1B Matt Beaty walks on four pitches. Taylor scores the tying run.
• T.J. McFarland replaces Greg Holland on the mound.
• RF Cody Bellinger walks on a 3-2 pitch. Martin scored the winning run.

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On July 3, the Phillies’ Bryce Harper (that still sounds strange to me) hit his 200^th career MLB home run – a solo shot to left field at Atlanta’s Sun Trust Park.  The blast was also Harper’s 1,000^th career hit and made Harper the first player in MLB history to record two milestone hits in the same at bat.

It’s Not Always About Dingers

On July 2, Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus stole home for the third time this season (as the Rangers lost 9-4 to the Angels).  It was Andrus’ seventh career steal of home.  He may be reviving a lost art. Andrus closed July with 22 steals in 26 attempts on the season.

Really, It’s Not All Always About Dingers

On July 3, the National’s Stephen Strasburg had his good stuff workin’ against the Marlins in Washington D.C., going 7 1/3 shutout innings and giving up just two hits and two walks, while fanning 14.  He picked up his 10^th win (versus four losses).

In the fourth inning of that game, Strasburg also threw the first “Immaculate Inning” (three strikeouts on nine pitches) of his career. His victims were Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro – the number 3-4-5 hitters in the Marlins’ lineup.  It was, by the way, the fifth immaculate inning this season. There has been one each month of the 2019 campaign.

Move Over Bombers, Here Comes the Bomba-squad

In 2018, the New York Yankees set a new MLB mark for home runs before the All Star break at 161. The Minnesota Twins tied that mark on July 3, as Jorge Polanco (DH) homered in a 4-3 win at Oakland.  The A’s held the Twins without a homer in a 7-2 Oakland win the next day. Then, on July 5, the Twins shattered the Yankee record in style and, fortunately for the fans, at home.

They broke the record with home run number 162 – a second-inning shot to right by rookie infielder Luis Arraez (at 3B and hitting seventh).  The Twins weren’t done yet. Shortstop Jorge Polanco added a two-run homer later in the second inning; 2B Jonathan Schoop went deep (for two runs) in the fifth; and C Mitch Garver popped a solo shot in the seventh. The Twins went into the break with a new-record 166  pre-All Star break round trippers.

The Twins ended July with 209 round trippers on a pace for 316 on the seasons – far ahead of the existing record of 267.

Ah, Youth Sweet Youth

On July 7, 20-year-old Padres rookie Fernando Tatis, Jr. became the youngest Padres’ player to record a multi-homer game and also the youngest player to have a multi-homer game in Dodger Stadium (which does have some significance for the Tatis baseball family). As of July 31, the rookie was hitting .329, with 19 home runs, 45 RBI, 54 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.

Fernando Tatis, Sr. set an MLB record by popping two Grand Slam home runs in the same inning (both against Chan Ho Park) – versus the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 23, 1999.

An Appropriate Send-Off

On July 1, the Angels’ 27-year-old left-handed starter Tyler Skaggs passed away unexpectedly. The Angels honored the well-liked and respected teammate in their first home game after his death (July 12). The day included: a video tribute; Skaggs’ mother throw out the first pitch; the presentation of a framed Skaggs’ jersey to his family; and the entire team wearing Skaggs’ number-45 jerseys. Oh yes, and to top it off, Angels’ pitchers Taylor Cole and Felix Pena combined to throw a no-hitter as the Halos topped the Mariners 13-0.

Tulowitzki Retires

Late in July, 34-year-old Yankee SS Troy Tulowitzki  – slowed by injuries in recent seasons – announced his retirement from MLB (indicating he will be joining the University of Texas coaching staff). Tulowitzki, who spent most of his 13 MLB seasons with the Rockies, was a five-time All Star and two-time Gold Glover.  He retires with a .290 career average (1,391 hits), 225 home runs and 780 RBI. Tulo topped 20 home runs in seven seasons.  His best year was 2011, when he went .302-30-105 and won a Gold Glove.

All Star Game

Plenty has already been said or written about this year’s 4-3 American League All Star Game win (July 9), so here are just a few BBRT observations.

Despite being a “born in 1947″ old schooler, who – in my formative baseball-fan years – saw the debuts and witnessed the development of such players as Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Sandy Koufax, Robert0 Clemente, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Don Drysdale and more, I have maintained in this blog that we have seen the emergence of young talent in recent years that can compare with the 1950’s.  That contention was further enforced as the fans elected the youngest starting lineup (for the NL) ever in an All Star game.

• The NL starting lineup averaged just 25.9 years of age and included not a single player who had reached 30.
• 24-year-old Indians’ righty Shane Bieber, who struck out the side in the fifth inning, was the AS Game MVP. (AL pitchers, by the way, fanned 16 NL hitters; a record for a nine-inning All Star Game).
• 24-year-old Pete Alonso of the Mets won the home run derby, with 22-year old Vlad Guererro, Jr. of the Blue Jays as runner up (despite hitting a 91 long balls in three rounds).
• There were 31 first-time All Stars.
• The NL skewed slightly younger than the AL and pitchers skewed older than position players.
  • Of the 20 position players on each squad, the AL had five age 25 and younger and six age 30 and older; while the NL had six age 25 and younger and just three age 30 and older.
  • Of the twelve pitchers on each squad, the AL had three age 25 and younger and six age 30 and older; while the NL had three age 25 and younger and five age 30 and older.

The American League is on a hot streak, having won 19 or the past 23 All Star Games, including the past seven in a row.  Historically, the squads are pretty well balanced.  The American League has won 45 games and the National League 43 (two ties). Overall, the AL has scored 373 runs in All Star Games, the National League 370.

SEVEN-ELEVEN?

In 1972, the National League began an 11-game All Star Game winning streak.  Within that streak, from 1973 through 1979, the NL scored SEVEN runs in six of SEVEN All Star Games (they scored six runs in 1975). Here were the NL’s winning scores in those years:

1973 … 7-1

1974 … 7-2

1975 … 6-3

1976 … 7-1

1977 … 7-5

1978 … 7-3

1979 … 7-6

Who’s Got Your Number?

On July 13, the Twins were facing the Central Division rival Indians in Cleveland, with the Indians’ Trevor Bauer on the mound and RF Max Kepler leading off for the Twins.  Kepler opened the game with a long home run to right-center off Bauer – and then homered off the Indians’ starter again in the second inning. Now, that might not seem so significant.  However, the last time Kepler and the Twins faced Bauer (June 6), Kepler went three-for-three off him – with three home runs (and a walk).  That gave Kepler five home runs in five consecutive at bats off Bauer.

Bauer, by the way, broke the string by fanning Kepler on a 3-2 pitch in the fourth inning of the July 13 game. As you might expect, the Twins won both games: 5-4 on June 6 and 6-2 on July 13.

In another edition of “In baseball we count everything,” the Elias SportS Bureau indicated that  Kepler had matched the longest streak of home runs in consecutive at bats versus the same pitcher since 1961 – and that  his was the only such streak since 1961 that occurred in the same season. (Carlos Delgado had dingers in five straight at bats off Jorge Sosa of the White Sox in 2003 and 2004 and Frank Howard accomplished the feat off Bob Hendley in 1963 and 1964).

Three is (Good) Company

On July 15, Giants’ SS Brandon Crawford tied a pair of Giants’ legends (and Hall of Famers) – Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda – for the club record for RBIs in a game, driving in eight runs as San Francisco topped the Rockies 19-2 in the first game of a double header at Coors Field.  In the process, he became the first MLB shortstop to have five hits and eight RBI in a single game.  Crawford, batting in the five-hole, hit a three-run homer in the first inning; had a single in the third; added an RBI single in the fourth; launched a two-run home in the sixth; grounded out in the eighth; and hit a two-run single in the ninth.

Something to Cheer About in Baltimore

From July 12 through July 17, the Baltimore Orioles (with one of the worst 2019 records in MLB) recorded ten consecutive multi-homer games – a new MLB record.  During that span the O’s went 7-3, hitting .308, with 22 home runs and 70 runs scored (their opponents scored 52 times in the ten contests). The most significant contributors to the streak were RF Trey Mancini and 1B Renato Nunez, who each homered in five of the ten games.

More #WhyIHateTheDH

On July 18, Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals faced off against the Braves in Atlanta. Strasburg lasted just 5 1/3 innings (eight hits, three runs, seven strikeouts), but got the win (as Washington prevailed by a score of 13-4) – thanks in great part to his bat.  Strasburg rapped a single and a three-run home run IN THE THIRD INNING ALONE. He also drove in a pair of runs with a fifth-inning single.  On the day, the Nationals’ pitcher was three-for-three with two runs scored and five RBI.

Welcome to the Hall!

On July 21, the Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed new inductees Mariano Rivera, Edgar Martinez, Roy Halladay, Mike Mussina, Lee Smith (finally) and Harold Baines.  For BBRT’s take, click here.

Come On!  I’m in a Hurry!

On July 22, Astros’ righty Gerrit Cole fanned eleven batters in seven innings (two-hits, one run), as the Astros topped Oakland 11-1 in Houston. His sixth whiff of the game (Matt Olson in the fourth inning) gave Cole 200 on the season – in 133 1/3 innings.  That is the second-fewest innings needed to reach 200 K’s in any MLB season.  Randy Johnson reached 200 strikeouts in 130 2/3 innings in 2001.

Cole ended July with a 12-5 record, 2.94 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 143 2/3 innings pitched.

A Three-by-Five Card

On July 22, as the Twins took on the dreaded Yankees, Minnesota made a couple of statements in the very first inning (one with their gloves and one with their bats).  In the top of the inning, with D.J. LeMahieu on first and Aaron Judge on second (both on walks from  Martin Perez ), the Twins turned a nifty 5-4-3 triple play on an Edwin Encarnacion grounder to third.  Then in the bottom of the inning, after Mitch Garver flied out to start the frame, Twins Jorge Polanco and Nelson Cruz hit back-to-back jacks. It was the start of an 8-6 win that saw Minnesota deposit five baseballs into the outfield stands.

The Twins remain the only MLB team to turn two triple plays in one game. Both were 5-4-3 (Gary Gaetti to Al Newman to Kent Hrbek), started on ground balls to third.  That was the good news.  The bad news is that the Twins lost to the Red Sox 1-0 that day (July 7, 1990 at Fenway Park).

Three’s a Crowd

In the four days from July 23–26, MLB saw four different players (one each day) hit three home runs in a game.

• July 23, Robinson Cano Mets
• July 24, Paul DeJong, Cardinals
• July 25, Nelson Cruz, Twins
• July 26, Mookie Betts, Red Sox

Betts’ July 26 outburst was his fifth career three-homer game.  For more on that story click here.

Pedal to the Metal

On July 23, Washington Nationals’’ SS and lead off hitter Trea Turner hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run in the same game) becoming just the 28^th MLB player with multiple cycles in his career.  (Turner also hit for the cycle on July 23, 2018.) Turners’  July 23 cycle produced two runs and two RBI, as the Nationals topped the Rockies 11-1.  For the record, three players recorded an MLB-best three cycles in their careers: Bob Meusel; Babe Herman; and Adrian Beltre.  Active players with two cycles include: Turner; Brock Holt; Christian Yelich; and Carlos Gomez.

Save the Last Dance (inning) for Me

On July 25, the Orioles faced off against the Angels in Anaheim.  The game went 16 innings before the Orioles prevailed 10-8.  A total of ten players took the mound for the O’s in the contest (ten for the Angels, as well).  It was the final Orioles’ hurler that made history.  That was outfielder Steve Wilkerson, who came in from center field to pitch a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixteenth.

According to MLB.com, Wilkerson became the first position player (since the save was introduced as a statistic in 1969) to record a save.   He did it on two fly outs and a ground out and without any of his lobs ever reaching 60 M.P.H. on the radar gun.  It was Wilkerson’s third trip to the mound this season. Overall, he has thrown four innings and given up just two hits and one run (2.25 earned run average).

Double Your Pleasure – Double Your Fun

On July 28, the Angels’ Albert Pujols added another line to his Hall of Fame resume. Pujols popped a two-run homer (off Orioles’ starter Dylan Bundy) as the Halos topped the O’s 5-4 in Anaheim.  That long ball made Pujols just the sixth player with 650 or more MLB home runs (Barry Bonds – 762; Hank Aaron – 755; Babe Ruth – 714; Alex Rodriguez – 696; and Willie Mays – 660).  By virtue of his 653 career doubles (as of the 28^th), it also made Pujols the first major leaguer with 650 or more homers and 650 or more doubles.  (Another example of “In baseball we count pretty much everything.”)

Like Father(s)/Like Son(s)

On July 29, the Toronto Blue Jays’ line up included rookies:  2B Cavan Biggio (son of Baseball Hall of Famer Craig Biggio); 3B Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vlad Guerrero, Sr.); and SS Bo Bichette (son of four-time All Star outfielder Dante Bichette). Together, the “fathers” made their way onto 20 MLB All Star squads.

—-INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR  JULY 2019—–

BATTING AVERAGE (75 or more at bats)

AL:  Yuli Gurriel, Astros (.398); Danny Santana, Rangers (.391); Jose Altuve (.388)

NL: Keston Hiura, Brewers (.355); Christian Yelich, Brewers (.352); Amed Rosario, Mets (.350)

The lowest average among players with at least 75 July at bats belonged to the Mariners J.P. Crawford at .167 (13-for-78).  

HITS

AL: Rafael Devers, Red Sox (39);  Yuli Gurriel, Astros (39); Jose Altuve, Astros (38); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (38)

NL: Keston Hiura, Brewers (33); Starling Marte, Pirates (32); Anthony Rendon, Nationals (32); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (32); Trea Turner, Nationals (32)

HOME RUNS

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (13); Yuli Gurriel, Astros (12); Nelson Cruz, Twins (10)

NL: Eugenio Suarez, Reds (12); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (11); Josh Donaldson, Braves (10)

The Red Sox Rafael Devers led MLB with 22 extra-base hits in July with 22 (he also had 16 singles). Devers had 12 doubles, one triple and nine home runs.

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Rafael Devers, Red Sox (34);  Yuli Gurriel, Astros (31;); Mike Trout, Angels (29)

NL: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (27); Josh Donaldson, Braves (27); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (23)

RUNS SCORED

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (33); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (27); Marcus Semien, A’s (23)

NL: Starling Marte, Pirates (24); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (20); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (20)

STOLEN BASES

AL:   Mallex Smith, Mariners (8); Jonathan Villar, Orioles (7); Elvis Andrus, Rangers (6)

NL: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (12); Victor Robles, Nationals (6); Keston Huira, Brewers (6)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees (38); James McCann, White Sox (35); Willy Adames, Rays (33)

NL: Scott Kingery, Phillies (39); Eugenio Suarez (35); Fernando Tatis,Jr. (34)

The White Sox’ James McCann had a difficult July, not only fanning 35 times in 81 at bats, but hitting for a .173 average. Notably, while Fernando Tatis, Jr. fanned 34 times, he hit .314 with eight home runs for the month.

WALKS

AL:  Alex Bregman, Astros (21); Jorge Soler, Royals (18);  Cavan Biggio, Blue Jays (18)

NL: Juan Soto, Nationals (21); Brian Dozier, Nationals (20);  Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (18)

July’s best ratio (among those with 75 or more at bats) of walks  versus strikeouts belonged to Wilson Ramos of the Mets who drew 1.6 walks per whiff in July (eight walks and five whiffs in 78 plate appearances).

ON BASE PERCENTAGE (minimum 75 at bats)

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (.438); Jose Altuve, Astros (.434); Yuli Gurriel, Astros (.427)

NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (.441): Brian Dozier, Nationals (.435); Kolton Wong, Cardinals (.432)

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL: Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox (5-0); six with four

NL: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (5-0); four with four

July saw three four-game losers:  Zach Elfin, Phillies (0-4, 11.88); Kenta Maeda, Dodgers (0-4, 5.11) and Glenn Sparkman, Royals (1-4, 7.53).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings)

AL: Mike Clevinger, Indians (1.74); Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays (1.80);  Gerrit Cole, Astros (1.85)

NL: Jacob deGrom, Mets (1.09); Hun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (1.10); Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (1.14)

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Gerrit Cole, Astros (51 in 34 innings); Trevor Bauer, Indians (51/37 2/3 IP); Mathew Boyd, Tigers (49 30 2/3 IP); Justin Verlander, Astros (49/32 IP)

NL: Patrick Corbin, Nationals (48/37 IP); Jacob deGrom, Mets (46/33 IP); Robbie Ray, Diamondbacks (44/30 1/3 IP); Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (44/31 2/3 IP)

SAVES

AL:  Ian Kennedy, Royals (9); Liam Hendriks, A’s (7); Roberto Osuna, Astros (7)

NL: Carlos Martinez, Cardinals (9); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (7); Edwin Diaz, Mets (7)

How About a Shout Out for Holds?

 Yoan Lopez of the Diamondbacks recorded the most “holds” in July (8).

___________________________________________________

Now, a look at the Year-to-Date …

—-INDIVIDUAL LEADERS THROUGH JULY 2019—–

BATTING AVERAGE (QUALIFIERS)

AL:  DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (.332); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (.331); Michael Brantley, Astros (.321)

NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (.333); Jeff McNeil, Mets (.331);   Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (.328);

 The lowest average among qualifying players through July belonged to the Rangers Rougned Odor at .208 (70-for-337).

HITS

AL: Rafael Devers, Red Sox (142);  Whit Merrifield, Royals (138); DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (130); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (130)

NL: Ketel Marte, D-backs (132); Freddie Freeman, Braves (128); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (127)

When it comes to on-base percentage, your leaders through July were Mike Trout of the Angels (.438) and Christian Yelich of the Brewers and Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers (both at .429).  The only others at .400 or better were Anthony Rendon, Nationals (.404) and Juan Soto, Nationals (.400).

HOME RUNS

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (35); Edwin Encarnacion, Yankees (30); Max Kepler, Twins (29)

NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (36); Pete Alonso, Mets (34); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (34)

The player with the most 2019 at bats without going yard is the Royals’ Billy Hamilton, who stands at .211-0-12 after 261 at bats.

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (86); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (84);  Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (81)

NL: Josh Bell, Pirates (88); Freddie Freeman, Braves (82); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (81)

WAR, GOOD GOD, Y’ALL!  WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?

Not a big fan of WAR (Wins Above Replacement).  However, for those who are, Mike Trout is number-one among position players at 6.9, followed closely by the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger at 6.8.  Only two other players have a WAR of at least 5.0: the Brewers’ Christian Yelich at 5.8 and Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte at 5.0.

RUNS SCORED

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (99); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (89); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (85)

NL: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (86); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (84); Freddie Freeman, Braves (82)

STOLEN BASES

AL:   Adalberto Mondesi, Royals (31); Mallex Smith, Mariners (29); Jonathan Villar, Orioles (23)

NL: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (25); Jarrod Dyson, D-backs (24); Christian Yelich, Brewers (23)

 Whit Merrifield of the Royals leads in times caught stealing (eight in 23 attempts).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Domingo Santana, Mariners (139); Jorge Soler, Royals (123);  Niko Goodrum, Tigers (117)

NL: Javier Baez, Cubs (129); Bryce Harper, Phillies (126);  Eugenio Suarez, Reds (121)

WALKS

AL:  Mike Trout, Angels (84); Alex Bregman, Astros (82); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (77)

NL: Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (79); Bryce Harper, Phillies (73); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (67); Juan Soto, Nationals (67)

Fear Factor

Nobody had drawn more intentional passes through July than the Phillies’ Maikel Franco (17).  Franco is hitting .233-15-47 on the season. 

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (.656); Nelson Cruz, Twins (.603); George Springer, Nationals (.586)

NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (.696); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (.667); Anthony Rendon, Nationals (.609)

Take One More

The Pirates’ Josh Bell leads the majors in extra-base hits with 64 (versus 49 singles).  Bell has 34 doubles, three triples and 27 home runs – and a stat line of .283-27-88 through July.

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL: Justin Verlander, Astros (14-4); Domingo German, Yankees (13-2); Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox (13- 4); Lance Lynn, Rangers (13-6)

NL: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (14-4);  Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (11-2); Brian Woodruff, Brewers (11-3); Max Fried, Braves (11-4)

No one lost more games through July than the Blue Jays’ Aaron Sanchez (3-14, 6.07 in 23 starts). What is a bit surprising is that Sanchez got off to a good start. He was 3-1, 2.32 at the end of April. 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying)

AL: Justin Verlander, Astros (2.73);  Charlie Morton, Rays (2.78); Jose Berrios, Twins (2.80)

NL: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (1.66); Mike Soroka, Braves (2.37); Max Scherzer, Nationals (2.41)

Wins Above Replacement leaders among pitchers (through July) are: Mike Minor, Rangers (6.0) and Max Scherzer, Nationals (5.4).  Others at 5.0 or better include: Lance Lynn, Rangers (5.1); Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (5.1); and Justin Verlander, Astros (5.0).

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Gerrit Cole, Astros (212); Justin Verlander, Astros (196); Chris Sale, Red Sox (189)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (189); Jacob deGrom, Mets (174); Robbie Ray, D-backs (173)

Only five qualifying pitchers average 12 or more strikeouts per nine innings through July: Gerrit Cole, Astros (13.28); Chris Sale, Red Sox (13.19); Max Scherzer, Nationals (12.66); Mathew Boyd, Tigers (12.11); and Robbie Ray, Diamondbacks (12.07).   

If you look at pitchers with at least 20 inning pitched (let’s get those relievers in there), your leader is Josh Hader of the Brewers at 16.62 K’s per nine. Over in the AL, it’s the Red Sox’ Matt Barnes at 16.24.

SAVES

AL:  Brad Hand, Indians (27); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (27); Roberto Osuna, Astros (24)

NL: Kirby Yates, Padres (31); Will Smith, Giants (26); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (25)

—–THROUGH JULY  — TEAM LEAGUE LEADERS—–

(As of August  1, 2019)

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 522

AL: Red Sox (636); Yankees (619); Twins (613)

NL: Dodgers (595); Braves (585); Rockies (582)

Only two teams scored fewer than 400 runs through July: Tigers (376) and Marlins (383).

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .252

AL: Red Sox (.277); Twins (.270); Astros (.270)

NL: Pirates (.266); Rockies (.265); Braves (.263)

The Tigers had the lowest team batting mark through July at .231.

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 149

AL:  Twins (209);  Yankees (180); Mariners (178)

NL: Dodgers (183); Brewers (178); Braves (169)

The Marlins and Tigers are the only teams with less than 100 round trippers through July, at 88 and 98, respectively.

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE – MLB Team Average – .430

AL: Twins (.501); Red Sox (.475); Astros (.475)

NL: Dodgers (.467); Braves (.458); Rockies (.452)

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 51

AL:  Royals (91); Rangers (82); Mariners (78)

NL: Brewers (73);  Nationals (71); Cardinals (71)

The Twins do not play the speed game.  While they lead MLB in home runs, they are last in stolen bases (through July) with just 24 (in 42 attempts).  The Twins 57.1 percent success rate through July is also MLB’s worst; while the Diamondbacks have the best stolen base success rate at 89.6 percent (60 steals in 67 attempts.)

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 719

AL: Mariners (1,082); Rangers (1,076); Rays (1,051)

NL: Padres (1,036); Brewers (1,028); Rockies (1,027)

The Angels have fanned the fewest times at 783. The only other team under 800 is the Astros  (785)

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Team Average – 272

AL: Astros (413); Red Sox (407); Mariners (400); Angels (400)

NL: Dodgers (428); Brewers (414); Cubs (396)

_______________________________________

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – 4.48

AL:  Rays (3.56); Indians (3.74); Astros (3.79)

NL:  Dodgers (3.39); Cubs (3.98); Reds (4.02)

The best starters’ ERA through July belonged to the Dodgers at 3.03, while the Rays had the best starting ERA in the AL at 3.32.

Bullpen ERA’s saw the Indians best in the AL at 3.19 and the Giants lowest in the NL at 3.75.

The worst?  Nationals’ bullpen at 5.90 and Rockies’ starters at 5.67. The Orioles also had the worst overall ERA through July at 5.55.

BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST … MLB Team Average – .252

AL: Astros (.220); Rays (.229); Indians (.235)

NL: Dodgers (.226); Marlins (.240); Reds (.240)

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 719

AL:  Red Sox (1,112); Astros (1,105);  Rays (1,065)

NL: Nationals (1,023); Brewers (1,017); Reds (1,013)

The Red Sox and Astros are the only teams averaging at least ten strikeouts per nine innings – both at 10.14. The Reds’ staff leads the NL in this category, averaging 9.70 whiffs per nine frames through July. 

SAVES … MLB Team Average – 26

AL: Yankees (36); Indians (30); Twins (30)

NL: Padres (36); Cardinals (34); Brewers (31)

My, how the game has changed. The Indians lead all of MLB with four complete games through July. Eleven MLB teams have yet to record a complete game this season.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED … MLB Team Average – 272

AL: Indians (298); Twins (300); Astros (305)

NL: Dodgers (254); Padres (291); Giants (330)

No teams have shut out the opposition more often (through July) than the Dodgers and Cleveland (11 shutouts each).  The next best is seven (four teams). 

 

Primary Resources:  ESPN.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com

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