It’s May 1, and that means it’s time for the Baseball Roundtable monthly Wrap Up for March/April – a look at the stories and statistics that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as the standings, Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month, the Trot Index and more.
As usual, there a few things unusual over the past thirty days. We saw:
- The Astros’ Ronel Blanco tossing MLB’s first 2024 no-hitter (in his first MLB complete game);
- Brothers Josh and Bo Naylor homering in the same inning for the same team (Guardians) on National Siblings Day;
- The Red Sox’ Tyler O’Neill homering for a record fifth consecutive Opening Day;
- The Phillies’ Bryce Harper‘s 1,000th run scored and the Astros’ Alex Bregman’s 1,000th base hit;
- TWO “Madduxes” – one-pitcher shutouts of less than 100 pitches;
- A beekeeper leaving a T-Ball game to “save” a Diamondbacks” game;
- Tigers’ rookie Wenceel Perez homering from both sides of the plate in the same game; and
- Much more.
Read on for these highlights – and the more. As usual, we’ll start with Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.
—BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH—
National League
Player of the Month – Tie: Mookie Betts, SS, LA Dodgers & Marcell Ozuna, DH, Braves
Mookie Betts: Talk about a team player (and superior athlete) Mookie Betts came to the Dodgers (from the Red Sox) in 2020 with four All Star selections, four Gold Gloves as an OF, one batting title and one MVP Award. In his first season in Dodger blue, he added another outfield Gold Glove. In 2021-22, Betts was an All Star (in RF and CF). Then, in 2023, when the Dodgers had a need at second base, he started 77 games in RF, 62 at 2B and 12 at SS. As the 2024 season opened, the Dodgers asked Betts to take a larger role at SS. Thus far, he has started 22 games at SS and 10 at second base. How has all this moving around the field to help the team affected Betts?
In March/ April, Betts led MLB in hits with 46, batting average (among qualifiers) at .368, walks (26), on-base percentage (among qualifiers) at .477; and runs scored with 29, while also hitting six home runs, and driving in 23 (third-highest in the NL) and stealing eight bases in eight attempts., In March/April, he had a eleven multi-hit games (including a five-for-five on April 16); hit in 25 of 32 gams and never went more than two consecutive gams without a hit.
Marcell Ozuna: Braves’ LF Marcell Ozuna hit an NL- leading nine home runs and drove in an MLB-topping 31 runs in 28 games, while putting up a .327 average. His month included nine multi-RBI games. Ozuna also enjoyed a 17-game hitting streak March 30-April 19 during which he went .377-8-24.
Oh, if you don’t like ties, go with Betts. since he also plays defense.
Honorable Mentions: Reds’ SS Elly De La Cruz delivered power and speed, with a .279 average, eight homers (19 RBI) and an MLB-leading 18 steals (21 attempts); and the Brewers’ C William Contreras provided exceptional production from the catcher’s spot, with a .345-5-23 line (and tossed in a pair of stolen bases).
Pitcher of the month: Ranger Suarez, LHP, Phillies
Photo: Ian D’Andrea on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
I could have gone with Phillies’ southpaw Ranger Suarez or Dodgers’ righty Tyler Glasnow. Both won an MLB-high five games. Suarez was 5-0 to Glasnow’s 5-1. Suarez also had a nifty 1.32 earned run average and 0.63 WHIP – to Glasnow’s 2.72 and 0.93. Glasnow had the edge in innings pitched (43 to 41, but with one more start) and strikeouts (an MLB-high 53 to Suarez’ 40). Overall, I just felt Suarez has a slight edge – plus you gotta like the name “Ranger.”
Suarez got off to a bit of a slow start, giving up five earned run in his first two starts (11 innings) – a win and a no-decision. He then reeled off four more straight wins giving up just one earned run (30 innings), including a shutout versus Colorado on April 16. At one point in March/April, Suarez had thrown 32 consecutive scoreless innings.
Honorable Mentions: As noted above, Tyler Glasnow; also the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga, who went 4-0, with a 0.98 earned run average, also deserves a shoutout. Although he logged only 27 2/3 innings in five starts and The Roundtable likes a little more length.
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American League
Player of the Month – Salvador Perez, C, Royals
Photo: Arturo Pardavila III on Flickr, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Salvador Perez had the third-highest batting average among AL players with at least 75 March/April at bats at .355, his seven home runs tied for sixth in the league and his 26 RBI topped the junior circuit. After going zero-for-seven in the season’s first two games, he never went hitless in consecutive games again. He had eleven multi-hit games (four three-hit contests). His 38 hits were fourth in the AL. Not bad for a Gold Glove-caliber catcher.
Honorable Mentions: Orioles’ SS Gunnar Henderson put together a nice 291-10-24 March/April – tying for the MLB lead in homers. He also scored 25 runs (second in the AL) and stole six bases. Another SS, the Royals’ Bobby Witt, Jr. hit .315 for March/April with four home runs and 167 RBI. He tied Henderson for second in the AL in runs scored with 25 and also shared the league lead with nine steals. Finally, Guardians’ LF Steven Kwan led the AL with 42 hits and 27 runs scored, while hitting .350-3-9.
Pitcher of the Month – Tyler Skubal, LHP, Tigers
Tarik Skubal went 4-0 in six starts (tying for the AL lead in victories) and put up a 1.72 earned run average, minuscule 0.74 WHIP (lowest among AL pitchers with at least 20 March/April innings). He held hitters to a .162 average (third-best in the AL among pitchers with at least 20 innings) and fanned 41 (just six walks) in 36 2/3 innings.
Honorable Mentions: Jose Berrios (he’s been around so long, it’s hard to believe he’s just 29) went 4-2, with a 1.44 earned run average for the Blue Jays. He fanned 31 batters in 43 2/3 innings. The Royals’ Seth Lugo went 4-1, with a tidy 1.66 ERA. Like Berrios, he did not rely on the strikeouts, fanning 23 in 38 innings.
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Surprise Player of the Month: Tie: Ronel Blanco, RHP, Astros & Mason Miller, RHP, A’s
You can read more about Ronel Blanco in the “Highlights” section, however, you should know that he came into the 2024 MLB season as a 30-year-old, in his eighth professional season, with just 24 MLB appearances (seven starts) and a 2-1, 4.78 stat line on his MLB resume. However, in his first 2024 start (versus the Blue Jays) for the Astros, he twirled the first no-hitter of 2024. Now that was a surprise. Then, in his second start, he went 5 2/3 frames before giving up his first hit of the season. He now stands at 3-0, 1.65, and that no-no (his only MLB complete game) remains a surprise.
Mason Miller signed with the A’s (third round of 2021 MLB Draft) out of Gardner-Webb University, where he was 8-1, 3.30 in 14 starts (121 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings) in his senior year. By 2023, the 100-mph+ flamethrower was in the A’s rotation, with the promise of “ace” status down the road. Then, elbow issues put him on the shelf for about four months, (He missed most of May and all of June, July and August.) When, Miller returned in September, he was handled with extreme caution, never pitching more than three innings. He was moved into a new role in 2024, closer – and he adapted surprisingly well. In eleven March/April appearances, he picked up eight saves and put up a 1.35 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and just four walks in 13 1/3 innings. He closed out the period with ten consecutive scoreless appearances.
Honorable Mentions: The Red Sox’ Kutter Crawford only went 1-1, but he put up a 1.35 ERA – giving up just five earned runs in 33 1/3 innings, with 34 strikeouts. A big part of the surprise was his ability to avoid the gopher ball. Coming into this season, the 28-year-old had given up 30 home runs in 208 2/3 MLB innings. He has yet to give up a homer this season. Crawford was signed in the 16th Round of the 2017 MLB draft (out of Florida Gulf Coast University – where he had gone 7-1, 1.71 in three seasons). Coming into this season, he was 9-15, 4.74 in 53 games (36 starts) for the Red Sox between 2021 and 2023.
The Roundtable also should shine a light on rookie SS Blaze Alexander, who won a spot on the Diamondbacks roster after posting a .400 batting average in Spring Training (two homers, eight RBI and five steals in 24 games). An 11th round draft choice out of high school, Alexander had gone .276-52-244 in five minor-league seasons. He was .290-10-58 primarily at Triple-A in 2023. In March/April, the hit .311-3-13 in 22 games. (I had to find a place to mention these two: Kutter and Blaze, great baseball names.
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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE
Through April 30, 35.1 percent of the MLB season’s 34,079 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 (22.5%); walks (8.7%); home runs (2.7%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 7,656 to 7,294.
The 35.1 percent figure is down from 36.1% through April in 2023. I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: in 2023; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.
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If the season ended April 30, the playoff teams would have been:
National League: Braves, Brewers, Dodgers Wild Cards: Phillies, Cubs, Reds
American League: Guardians, Orioles, Mariners Wild Cards: Yankees, Royals and Red Sox or Tigers
A few observations on the March/April results:
National League
Braves: No team has a higher wining percentage March/April than the Braves at 19-9, .679. The Guardians, Orioles, Yankees, and Dodgers also all won 19 games, but each had more losses than the Braves. And, the Bravos did it: 1) Without Cy Young Award favorite Stephen Strider (2o23’s only 20-game winner and the 2923MLB strikeout leader) due to season ending elbow surgery); and 2) With a slumping Ronald Acuna, Jr. (an expected MVP candidate who went .337-41-106, with 73 steals a year ago), who hit .255, with just one home run and six RBI in March/April). If I had to name a couple of players who were key to picking up the slack. They would be DH Marcell Ozuna, who led the NL in home runs (9) and RBI (31) through April and Chris Sale, who was 3-1, 3.69 in five starts. Thirty-year-old veteran RHP Reynaldo Lopez (who started just one game, in 129 appearances, over the 2022-23 seasons) also went 2-0, 0.72 in four starts for the Braves. In addition, reliever A.J. Minter picked up five wins out of the pen (5-2, 2.63 in 15 appearances). Ozuna did get help on offense, with three additional Braves picking up 15 or more March/April RBI.
Marlins: On the other end of the spectrum, the Miami Marlins (84-78 a year ago and a Wild Card team, finished March/April at an NL-worst 6-24. If you look at the Marlins who played in at least 20 March/April games, only two hit at least .250. Overall, the Marlins scored the second-fewest runs in the NL (111), ahead of only the Cardinals (108) and gave up the second-most runs (174), with only the Rockies, at 183, allowing more).
The Dodgers, as expected, are out in front in the NL West, the Phillies are hot on the Braves tail in the East and it looks like a scramble in the Central.
Hmmm?
The Diamondbacks had a +26 run differential in March/April – third-best in the NL – but were three games below .500 (14-17).
American League
Guardians: The Guardians surprised a lot of people with their 19-10 start. Like the Braves above, they are missing their staff ace Shane Bieber (60-day Injured list). What should be scary for the rest of the Division is that only one player in their starting lineup has celebrated his 28th birthday (3B Jose Ramirez – 31 – who is hitting .252-5-24). The offensive leaders are a pair of 27-year-olds: 1B Josh Naylor at .282-7-24; and LF Steven Kwan at .350, with 27 runs scored. On the mound, a pair of 25-year-old starters (Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee) have gone a combined 5-1, 4.45 in 12 starts. Then, of course, there is lights out closer 26-year-old Emmanuel Clase (1-1, 0.63 with eight saves).
White Sox: On the downside of the standings, you’ll find the White Sox, with a league-worst 6-24 record. Like the Marlins in the NL, the White Sox offense has had trouble finding its way. Of the eight White Sox players with at least 20 games played, only two are hitting at least .250 and the overall team average .212. Only two White Sox have ten or more RBI – LF Andrew Benintendi (13) and utility player Gavin Sheets (11). The pitching hasn’t fared any better. On the starting staff, after Erick Fedde’s 2-0, 2.60, you have earned run averages that read: Garrett Crochet – 5.97 in seven starts; Michael Soroka – 6.48 in seven starts; Chris Flexen – 6.38 in four starts; Jonathan Cannon – 7.24 in three starts; Nick Nastrini – 7.88 in two starts; and Tanner Banks – 4.50 in one start. To date, the White Sox have an MLB-worst negative-79 run differential.
Now, I didn’t expect that: The biggest surprise in the AL may the Astros at 10-19 and in last place in the AL West – particularly given the strong starts of RF Kyle Tucker (.300-7-20); DH Yordan Alvarez (.263-7-18); 2B Jose Altuve (.345-7-9); and C Yainer Diaz (.871-3-13). If you had to pinpoint the issue, you can look to injuries to the pitching staff (on the IL at the end of April were Cristian Javier; Kendall Graveman; Jose Urquidy; Luis Garcia; Lance McCullers, Jr. And, there are some issues in the bullpen. Usually reliable Josh Hader and Ryan Pressley have earned run averages of 76.39 and 6.17, respectively,
In March/April, the Astro had the AL’s highest batting average (.265) and third–highest earned run average (5.01).
As expected the Orioles and Yankees are battling it out in the East and the Central is developing into a scramble. In the West, at least for now, the the Mariners and Rangers are taking advantage of the Astros fall from grace.
A few bullets. In March/April:
- The teams with the six lowest earned run averages were all in the AL: Red Sox, Mariners; Yankees; Tigers; Royals, Guardians.
- The Astros were the only team to strikeout fewer than 200 times (187).
- The top three run-scoring teams were in in the NL West: Dodgers (169); Diamondbacks (162); Padres (157 – tied with the Orioles).
- The Twins were the only team to average ten or more strikeouts (by their pitchers) per nine innings.
- Nine of the top 11 teams in walks drawn were in the NL.
- The Red Sox were the only team with an ERA under 3.00 (2.59)
——-Team Statistical Leaders for March/April 2024 ———-
RUNS SCORED
National League – Dodgers (169); Diamondbacks (162); Padres (157)
American League – Orioles (157); Guardians (152); Yankees (150);
The fewest runs in March/April were scored by the White Sox (84). In the National League it was the Cardinals at 108. Beside the White Sox, the A’s were also under 100 runs at 94.
AVERAGE
National League – Dodgers (.271); Braves (.269); Brewers (.257)
American League – Astros (.265); Orioles (.254); Rangers (.250); Red Sox (.250)
The lowest team average for March/April belonged to the A’s at .207. The lowest in the NL was the Cardinals (.220).
HOME RUNS
National League – Phillies (40); Dodgers (36); Brewers (35)
American League – Orioles (45); Yankees (39); Red Sox (36)
The White Sox and Cardinals had the fewest home runs in March/April at 20.
The Orioles led MLB in slugging percentage for at .450. The Dodgers led the AL at .437.
TOTAL BASES
National League – Dodgers (484); Padres (437); Phillies (435)
American League – Orioles (453) ; Red Sox (427); Astros (427)
STOLEN BASES
National League – Reds (54); Nationals (53); Brewers (40)
American League – Guardians (32); Rays (31); Royals (31); Angels (31)
The Cubs stole the fewest sacks in March/April – nine in 16 attempts. The Rangers were at the bottom of the AL, with 13 in 17 attempts.
WALKS DRAWN
National League – Dodgers (135); Pirates (126); Diamondbacks (116)
American League – Yankees (135); Blue Jays (110); Mariners (101); Red Sox (101)
The Dodgers led MLB in March/April on-base percentage at .351. The Yankees led the AL at .337. The Marlins and White sox anchored their leagues at .278.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Pirates (295); Reds (294); Rockies (290)
American League – Mariners (311); A’s (303); Red Sox (296)
Astros’ batters fanned the fewest times in March/April (187). The Mets fanned the fewest times in the NL at 212.
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Bonus Stats
- The Tigers were successful on 15 of their 16 March/April steal attempts. The only team with only one caught stealing.
- Three teams (Braves, Mariners, Tigers) recorded zero sacrifice bunts in March/April. No team recorded more than eight (White Sox & Cardinals).
- Guardians batters were hit by a pitch an MLB-leading 27 times. The only other team with at least 20 HBP was the Twins at 26. The Phillies suffered the fewest HBP – six.
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EARNED RUN AVERAGE
National League – Phillies (3.44); Mets (3.48); Braves (.357)
American League – Red Sox (2.59); Mariners (3.03); Yankees (3.06)
The Rockies had the highest March/April ERA at 6.05. Also over 5.00 were the Angels (5.08) and White Sox (5.05)
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Phillies (292); Dodges (269); Mets (265)
American League – Twins (287); Mariners (284); Guardians (283)
The Twins averaged an MLB-best 10.04 strikeouts per nine innings in March/April. The Phillies averaged an NL-best 9.49. Five teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED
National League – Braves (80); Giants (81); Cardinals (85); four with 92
American League – Mariners (69); Red Sox (75); Orioles (74)
The Mariners walked an MLB-lowest 2.32 batters per nine innings in March/April. The Mets walked an MLB-worst 4.34 batters per nine frames.
SAVES
National League – Dodgers (11) ; Cardinals (11); Brewers (10); Padres (10)
American League – Yankees (13); Guardians (10); Tigers (10)
The Pirates, Marlines, Rays, and White Sox blew the most saves in March/April – eight each in in 17, 12, 17 and 12 opportunities, respectively. The Cardinals blew the fewest saves, just two in 13 opportunities.
Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)
National League – Phillies (1.15); Dodgers (1.18); Braves (1.18)
American League: Mariners (1.02); Tigers (1.10); Red Sox (1.12)
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Bonus Stats:
- The White Sox gave up an MLB-high 42 home runs in March/April. (The Mets gave up an MLB-low 17 home runs.
- The Mariners held opponents to an MLB-low .208 average in March/April. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .296 average.
- The Mariners strikeouts-to-walks ratio for March/April topped MLB at 4.12. The Rockies had MLB’s worse ratio at 1.64.
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–March April Highlights—
Too Early for Me
The Dodgers and Padres opened the 2024 season on March 20 in the Gocheck Skydome in Seoul South Korea. The two teams split a two-game series a two-game series (May 20-21), with the Dodgers winning Game One 5-2 and the Padres taking Game Two 15-11. It was a tale of two different games, with zero extra-base hits in Game One and six doubles, a triple and two home runs in Game Two. I f there were standout performances, I’d point to Mookie Betts playing shortstop for the Dodgers and going four-for-five with a double, a home run, two runs scored and six RBI in Game Two and the Padres’ Jake Cronenworth’s four-for-four, with a triple, two runs scored four RBI in the same game. The biggest surprise? Dodgers’ signee Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-year, $325-million contract) lasting just one inning (five earned runs) in his first Dodger start. That’s all I’ll say about these games – largely because I am not a fan of the “overseas” openers, particularly when they occur so many days before a full slate of games. It just doesn’t seem like Opening Day to me.
Like to Get Off to A Good Start
On March 28, with the Red Sox facing the Mariners in Seattle, Boston RF Tyler O’Neill went one-for-three, with a walk – scoring two runs and driving in one as the Crimson Hose prevailed 6-4. O’Neill’s one hit was a home run, marking the fifth consecutive Opening Day on which he homered. The Elias Sports Bureau reported that his March 28 long ball made O’Neill the first player to homer on five consecutive (2020-24) MLB Opening Days – breaking a tie with (three catchers) Yogi Berra, Gary Carter and Todd Hundley. Notably, the 2020-to-2024 Openers are the only five Opening Day games that O’Neill has been in the starting lineup up for during his seven-season MLB career. (He did get into the Cardinal’s 2019 Opening Day game as a pinch hitter.)
Let’s Try Something Different
In case, you missed it, Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSport) reported on March 28th that the Giants have used a different left fielder on Opening Day in each of the past eighteen seasons – an MLB record (per the Elias Sports Bureau) for consecutive years starting a different player, on Opening Day, at any specific position, with no repeaters. Is this more #InBaseballWeCountEverything? Langs gave us the names, the chart below adds a bit of detail (trivia?).
It was by, the way, the final MLB season for six of those leftfielders; 12 of the group were in their age-30 or later season; and, of those, six were in their age-35 or later campaign.
Ouch!
On Thursday, March 28, the Rockies opened their 2024 season on the road against the Diamondbacks. By the end of the third inning, I am sure they were yearning for home. The Diamondbacks scored twice in the first and then, in the bottom of the third inning, plated 14 more runs (without the aid of a home run). The Elias Sports Bureau reported that the 14 tallies were the most (in the Modern Era) in a single inning for any team on an Opening Day. In the inning:
- eight of the nine players in the Diamondbacks’ lineup collected hits (Corbin Carroll, who did not get a hit collected two walks) and five had two safeties;
- eight of the nine eight of the nine Diamondbacks scored and six scored twice;
- eight of the nine recorded an RBI, with two notching three RBI;
- Rockies’ pitchers threw 62 pitches, 42 strikes (of, course plenty of those strikes were struck for base hits.
It went like this:
SS Geraldo Perdomo … single off Kyle Freeland;
2B Ketel Marte … single;
RF Corbin Carroll … walk, loading the bases;
LF Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. … RBI single ;
1B Christian Walker … two-run double;
C Gabriel Moreno … RBI single;
3B Eugenio Suarez … RBI single;
DH Blaze Alexander … fly out;
CF Alek Thomas … RBI double;
Anthony Molina replaced Freeland on the mound.
Perdomo … RBI single;
Marte … RBI single;
Carroll … walk, loading the bases;
Gurriel, Jr. … two-run single;
Walker … single, loading the bases;
Moreno … two-run double;
Suarez … sac fly;
Alexander … RBI single;
Jalen Beeks replaced Molina on the mound.
Thomas … groundout, pitcher -to-first;
It might have bene a sign of things to come, The Rockies finished April with a 7-22 record.
#InBaseballWeCountEverything
This event makes the highlights section simply because it provides another solid example of #InBaseballWeCountEverything. On March 31, the Reds’ DH Jonathan India was at the plate in the bottom of the ninth – with two outs, no one on base and the Reds trailing 5-2. India logged a tough 10-pitch at bat against Nationals’ closer Kyle Finnegan (who closed April with nine saves) delivering a double to left. Next up was CF Wil Benson, who hit the first pitch he saw from Finnegan to deep left-center for a game-tying home run. Then 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand tagged an 0-1 pitch from Finnegan to deep left for a walk0off game winning homer.
Now here’s that “counting” example. Elias Sports Bureau noted that the homer came in Encarnacion-Strand’s 66th MLB game and that in those 66 games, Encarnacion-Strand has three walk-off hits – a walk-off in 4.5 percent of his games played, That, at the time, was the highest walk-off percentage of any player who debuted in the Expansion Era and had played at least 50 games. Are we getting a little deep into the weeds here?
Blanco Blanks the Blue Jays – No April Foolin’
On April 1, Astros’ righthander Ronel Blanco threw the first no-hitter of the 2024 season – blanking the Blue Jays 10-0 in Houston. The 30-year-old Blanco – in just his third MLB season – gave up two walks and fanned seven in the no-no. A few trivia tidbits:
- The no-hitter was Blanco’s first-ever MLB complete game;
- It came in just his eighth career MLB start (25th appearance);
- It was his first appearance of more than six innings;
- It was the first time he struck out more than four batters in a game;
- Measured by date, it was the earliest no-hitter in an MLB season (remember, the season starts earlier these days);
- Blanco and his catcher that day (Yainer Diaz) became just the first all-Dominican-born battery to deliver a no-hitter.
In his first outing after the no-no (April 7 versus Texas), Bianco went 5 2/3 innings before giving up his first hit (of the season). He got the win in that one after tossing six innings of one-hit (four walks, four whiffs) ball.
Blanco signed with the Astros, out of the Dominican, as an international free agent, in 2016 and made his MLB debut as a 28-year-old on April 8, 2022. He ended this April 3-0, 1.65 on the season and with a career MLB record at the end of April stood at 5-1, 3.66.
More #InBaseballWeCountEverything
The Elias Sports Bureau reports that Ronel Blanco’s no-hitter made new Astro’s manager Joe Espada the first major-league manager to have his first MLB victory marked by a no-hitter.
Harper Bats a Thousand – Kind of
Harper Photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On April 2, Bryce Harper came into the Phillies game against the Reds looking for his first hit of the 2024 season (he was 0-for-13, with two walks and five whiffs). He got it – and then some. Harper went three-for-four with three home runs and six RBI. Harper’s second homer of the game was a significant one, as he drove himself in for his 1,000th career run scored. The third round tripper, in the seventh, was a Grand Slam. It was Harpers’ second career three-homer game and seventh Grand Slam. The Phillies won the game 9-4.
Three is Not Necessarily a Crowd
On April 2, the Phillies’ 1B Bryce Harper recorded the 2024 season’s first three-homer game. He was later joined by The A’s C Shea Langeliers (April 9) and Braves’ C Travis d’Arnaud (April 19). On April 12, Astros’ RF Kyle Tucker became the first player to have two multi-homer games in 2024 (April 1 & April 12). He was later joined by the Twin’s 2B Edouard Julien and Astro’s OF/DH Yordan Alvarez. Overall, the month saw 42 players record at least one multi-homer game in March/April.
A True Walk-off Win
On April 5, the Brewers came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, tied 5-5 with the Mariners. On the mound was righty Andres Munoz. Brewers’ CF Sal Frelick opened the inning by drawing a five-pitch walk. PH Jake Bauers followed with a six-pitch walk. Next up was 2B Brice Turang. You guessed it, five-pitch walk. Munoz then fanned RF Jackson Chourio on five pitches, before C William Contreras walked on five offerings, plating the winning run. Yes, a Walk-Off – without ever putting a ball in play.
The Naylors Nail National Siblings Day
April 10 was National Siblings Day – and, in Cleveland, the Guardians starting lineup included brothers Josh and Bo Naylor, at 1B and C, respectively. The siblings did not disappoint. In the fourth inning – for the second time in their MLB careers – they went deep in the same frame. Josh with a solo shot and, three batters later, Bo with a two-run blast (both off Erick Fedde). The pair continued their celebration of Siblings Day in the bottom of the tenth (and final) inning. With the Guardians trailing the White Sox 6-5, Josh drove in the tying run with an RBI double and Bo later rapped a walk-off single to win the contest.
30-30 Vision
On April 10, as the Yankees lost to the Marlins 2-5 in New York, Giancarlo Stanton contributed a solo home run (sixth inning) off Bryan Hoeing. It was Stanton’s fourth home run of the season and a bit of a history maker. It was Stanton’s first-ever home run off against the Marlins and made him the 78th MLB player to homer against all 30 MLB franchises. (Stanton played his first eight seasons … 2010-17 … for the Marlins.)
Now, this used to be more of a “feat” before the advent of interleague play in 1997 – and we can expect more players to join this list given MLB’s 2022 decision to have each team play all 29 other teams during the season beginning in 2023.
For Those Who Like to Know Such Things
Orlando Hudson has the fewest career home runs of any player to homer against all 30 MLB franchises – with just 93. (He notched the 30th franchise with a homer versus the Toronto Blue Jays on July 7, 2010 – just his 83rd career homer, coming in his 1,083rd MLB game. Hudson hit just one career homer each against the Twins, Cardinals, Yankees, Phillies and Blue Jays. By contrast, Giancarlo Stanton marked going deep against all thirty teams with his 406th homer, in his 1,543rd game and, by that time, he had multiple home runs against each the other 29 franchises.
Over his career, Hudson hit .273-93-542 in 1,345 games. He played for the Blue Jays (2002-05); Diamondbacks (2006-08); Dodgers (2009); Twins (2010); Padres (2011-12); and White Sox (2012).
Milestone Homer for Perez
On April 13, Royals’ catcher Salvador Perez hit his fourth home run of the 2024 season, as the Royals swamped the Mets 11-7. The long ball came in the fourth inning, a two-run shot off Sean Manaea. It was the 250th career home for the eight-time All Star and five-time Gold Glover.
Gift of the Maddi?
What is the plural of Maddux? Madduxes? Maddi?
Subhead: Houck Hobbles Guardians – Fried Fries Marlins
On April 17, Red Sox righty Tanner Houck took the mound against the Guardians (n Boston) at 7:10 p.m. Just one hour-and-49 minutes later, he had a shutout 2-0 win under his belt – producing what has become popularly known as a Maddux, a nine-inning shutout of fewer than 100 pitches (named after Hall of Famer Greg “The Professor” Maddux).
Houck gave up just three hits in the gem, walked none and fanned nine. He threw 94 pitches over nine innings – 69 (73.4 percent) strikes. Houck faced a total of 29 batters in the game, and only eight saw more than one pitch out of the strike zone. It was Houck’s first MLB complete game (coming in his fifth MLB season). He ended April with a 3-2, 1.60 record on the season.
Less than one week later, on April 23, the Braves’ Max Fried used just 92 pitches to complete a 5-0 shutout versus the Marlins in Atlanta. Fried gave up three hits and no walks, while fanning six in the one-hour and 54-minute contest. In Fried’s outing – his third career “Maddux” – only one runner got as far as second base. Fried ended April with a 2-0, 4.02 stat line.
Rare, But Not a Unicorn
Since 2020, there have been just ten MLB ”Madduxes” – nine-inning, one-pitcher shutouts of less than 100 pitches. Max Fried has three of them. The others belong to Domingo German, Tanner Houck; German Marquez; Jordan Montgomery; Patrick Sandoval; Ranger Suarez; and Framber Valdez.
A Handful of Three-Homer contents
From April 13-17, the Baltimore Orioles enjoyed five consecutive three-homer games. During the streak, the Orioles outscored their opponents 33-24, and won four of the five games. The home runs were hit by:
Cedric Mullins – 3
Gunnar Henderson – 3
Ryan O’Hearn – 3
Colton Cowser -2
Jordan Westburg – 2
Adley Rutschman – 1
Ryan Mountcastle – 1
For those who like to know such things, the record for consecutive games with three or more home runs is six – Baltimore Orioles, May 8-13, 1987. The Orioles outscored their opponents 49-41 during the streak and actually lost two of those six contests.
The homers went to:
Eddie Murray – 7
Larry Sheets – 4
Fred Lynn – 3
Jim Dwyer – 2
Lee Lacy – 1
Terry Kennedy – 1
Cal Ripken, Jr. – 1
Dave Van Gorder – 1
Moving On Up
On April 20, as Boston topped Pittsburgh 4-2, closer Kenley Jansen picked up his fifth save of the season – and he did it in prime fashion, fanning SS Oneil Cruz, CF Michael A. Taylor and DH Edward Olivares in order on 14 pitches. It was an important moment, as its marked Jansen’s 425th career save, moving him past John Franco into sole position of fifth place on the All-time list behind Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478) and Francisco Rodriguez (437). Jansen is a four-time All Star, twice led his league in saves and, over 15 seasons, has put up a 2.52 ERA with 1,171 strikeouts in 821 1/3 innings.
Worth The Wait
On April 22, the Orioles’ Albert Suarez picked up his first MLB victory since June 23, 2016. The 34-year-old Suarez, in fact, came into the 2024 season having not made an MLB appearance since September 26, 2017 and having not made an MLB start since September 23, 2016. Suarez, a 6’3”, 235-pound righty, has had an interesting career. He signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in July of 2006 and between 2006 and 2017 was granted free agency by the Rays, Angels, Giants and Diamondbacks. During that time, He appeared in 40 MLB games (12 starts) for the Giants (2016-17) and went 3-8, 4.51, with one save.
Between 2008 and 2018, he went 28-37, 3.65 in the minor leagues (150 appearances, 117 starts). Then from 2018-23, he played in Japan and Korea, before signing with the Orioles in September 2023. After pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, Suarez started the 2024 season with the Triple-A Norfolk Tide. He was called up to the Orioles (who had three starters on the injured list) and started against the Twins on April 17.
At the time of his call up, Suarez was 1-1. 5.87 at Norfolk. He quickly, however, exceeded expectations. On April 17, he got a n0-decision, but held the Twins scoreless for 5 2/3 innings, as the Orioles won 4-2. Then on April 22, he got his first MLB win since 2017 (a span of seven years, nine months and 30 days), holding the Angels scoreless for 5 2/3 innings in another 4-2 Orioles’ win. Looks like he may be around for a while.
Shohei Ohtani … Move Over Matsui
On April 21st, Dodgers’ DH Shohei Ohtani hit his fifth home run of the 2024 season, as the Dodgers topped the Mets 10-0 in Los Angeles. It was a two-run, third-inning shot off Adrian Houser. It also happened to be Ohtani’s 176th MLB round tripper, enabling him to pass Hideki Matsui for the most MLB career home runs by a Japanese-born player. Matsui hit his 275 MLB round trippers over 10 seasons (2003-12 … Yankees, Rays, Angels, A’s), putting up a .282-175-760 line in 1,236 games. Ohtani reached 276 early in his seventh MLB season – in his 725th game. Ohtani finished April at .336-7-19 on the season.
Baseball Roundtable Extra – Move Over Ohtani … Another Two-Way Star
Photos: Courtesy University of Florida Athletic Association
On Friday, April 19, University of Florida two-way star (1B-P) Jac Caglianone smacked his 23rd home run of the season – at the same time, tying an NCAA record by going yard in his ninth consecutive game. (The home run came in a 5-2 loss to Vanderbilt.)
Caglianone’s home run streak stopped on April 20, when he went one-for-three, with two walks in a 6-2 Florida win over Vanderbilt. Caglianone started on the mound in that game, picking up the win – going five innings and giving up six hits and two runs, while walking three and fanning six. The mound appearance ran his 2024 record to at 5-0, 3.86, with 54 whiffs in 44 1/3 innings.
Caglianone closed out April 5-0, 4.10 the mound and .402-26-53 in 44 games at the plate. In 2023, his sophomore season, Caglianone went .323-33-90 in 71 games and 7-4, 4.34 in 18 starts on the mound.
For those who like to know such things. The NCAA record for home runs in a season belongs to Pete Incaviglia, who went .464-48-143 for Oklahoma State in 1985. Incaviglia went on to a 12-season MLB career, hitting .246-206-655 in 1,284 games.
Streak Stopped
On April 24, the Phillies’ Trea Turner was retired on a rundown between third base and home plate – ending a string of 41 consecutive successful steal attempts that stretched back to September 6, 2022. The MLB record of 50 consecutive successful steal attempts (at least since 1951, when CS records were first being kept by both the NL and AL) belongs to the Cardinals’ Vince Coleman (September 18, 1988-July 26, 1989).
Baseball Roundtable Extra
I wouldn’t’ want to be the broadcaster introducing Jurrangelo Cijntje (pronounced SAIN-ja) as he took the mound. Then there’s the issue of which arm he’s likely to throw with. As reported by Matt Monagan, Cijntje, a Mississippi State sophomore, pitches from both sides – topping out at 99 mph as a righty and 95 mph as a southpaw. As of April 24, Cijntje’s record on the year was 6-1, 3.50, with 69 strikeouts in 54 innings (ten starts).
Another “Grand Day” at the Ballyard
On April 25, Astros’ 3B Alex Bregman popped a bloop single to right field in the sixth inning of a 3-1 loss to the Cubs – for his 1,000th MLB it. It came in the two-time All Star’s 989th career game, in his ninth MB season (all with the Astros).
Pete Alonso Rushed to 200
On April 27, Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso went one-for-four in a 7-4 Mets loss to the Cardinals. His lone hit was a fifth-inning, two-run home run off Sonny Gray. It was Alonso’s eighth home run of 2024 and the 200th round tripper of his career. It came in Alonso’s 710th MLB game, making him the fourth-fastest player to reach that milestone in MLB history (Ryan Howard – 658 games); Aaron Judge – 671 games; Ralph Kiner – 706 games).
Now that Could Be Embarrassing
The White Sox came into Tampa Bay on April 26, sporting a dismal 3-22 record. (The Rays were [playing .500 ball at 13-13). The ChiSox proceeded to sweep the Rays (three games) outscoring them 21-13.
A Big Day (bright future) for Rookies in Boston
On April 27, as the Red Sox trounced the Cubs 17-0 in Boston, a couple of rookies captured the limelight. Rookie defensive whiz Ceddanne Rafaela, (who has played CF, SS and 2B this season) went four-for-four with a home run, two doubles, a stolen base, three runs scored and seven RBI. Rafaela, who hit .241-2-5 in 28 games with the Red Sox in 2023, came into this contest with a .156-1-10 stat line in 27 2024 games. The Red Sox have expressed confidence in the future of the 23-year-old – who hit .302-20-69, with 36 steals at Double- and Triple-A in 2023. The Red Sox, in fact, signed Rafaela to an eight-year extension, at a rumored $50 million, early this season. Rafaela finished April at .186-2-17.
Almost lost in the excitement over Rafaela’s seven-RBI game was the fact that rookie RF Wilyer Abreu became the first Red Sox rookie to record an RBI in eight straight games. (Note: Abreu’s rookie status was intact for 2024 after going .316-2-14 in 28 games for the BoSox lasts season.) In the April 27 game, he went two-for-six, with two runs scored and one RBI. In the eight-game RBI streak, Abreu went ,441-2-9. A zero-for-four against the Cubs on April 28 ended the streak. He finished April at .316-2-12.
He’s Part of the “In” Crowd
Rangers’ 22-year-old rookie LF Wyatt Langford smacked his first MLB home run in a Ranges 4-3 win over the Reds. It came in the first inning (of his 27th MLB game) and it was an Inside-the-Parker off the center field wall. IN another ode to #InBaseballWeCountEverything. The Elias Sports Bureau noted that Wyatt’s first MLB hit, which came on March 28, in a 4-3 win over the Cubs also invoked a display of speed. It was an INfield single to short. Elias reported that the ITP homer made Langford the first MLB player in 30 years to have his first career hit be an infield single and his first career home run an inside-the-parker, Langford was signed out of the University of Florida, where he went .363-47-120, with 16 steals (over 134 games in three seasons). He made his MLB debut after just 44 minor-league games – playing at Rookie, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A in 2023 – going .360-10-30, with 12 steals. The Rangers expect him to bring speed and power to the lineup. Langford closed April at .238-1-11.
Mexico City Series
On April 27-28. The Astros and Rockies played a two-game set at Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium in Mexico City (7,349 feet above season level, as compared to Denver’s 5.280 fee. At this new all-time “High” for MLB, we expected to see the ball flying equally high. No surprise – a total of 26 runs were plated and seven home runs hit in the two games (Astros winning 12-4 and 8-2). The highlight came in Game One, when Astros DH Yordan Alvarez poked a pair of 461-foor home runs (per Statcast projections).
Had to Bee There to Bee-lieve it
On April 30, as the Dodgers and Diamondbacks prepared to face off in Phoenix, a huge swarm (reportedly thousands) of bees commandeered a vantage point at the top of netting behind home plate (they did not have tickets). For fan and player safety, the Diamondbacks delayed the start of the game, and a call was placed to Blue Sky Pest Control. Eventually, the request was relayed to bee-removal extraordinaire Matt Hilton, who was (appropriately) attending his son’s tee-ball game some 23 miles from Chase Field. Hilton hopped into his truck and headed for Chase Field, where he donned his protective gear and safely (and humanely) removed the bees (for later release). All in all, it was about a two-hour delay (or bee-lay); fans took up an” MVP-MVP” chant as Hilton removed the bees; and when the game was ready to begin, Hilton was asked to throw out the first pitch. (I am sure he “buzzed” it in there.) The Diamondbacks, prevailed, four-to-bee (er, three) in ten innings.
Lucky Number Seven
On April 30, Tigers starter Jack Flaherty tied an AL record by striking out out the first seven batters of the game (the first of a doubleheader against the Cardinals) in order. He accomplished the feat on 31 pitches, reaching a tw0-ball count on only one batter. It should not have been a great surprise, Flaherty has been a strike-throwing machine this season – through April, fanning 50 batter with just five walks. In this game, he went 6 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up two hits, fanning 14 and walking one. For his efforts, he go a no-decision. as the Tigers lost 2-1. That no-decision should also not be a surprise. In six starts this season, he is 0-1 (five no-decisions), 4.00.
From Both Sides Now
On April 30, in the second game of a doubleheader (versus the Cardinals), Tigers’ rookie OF Wenceel Perez went three-for-four with two homers, three runs scored and three RBI (the Tigers won 11-6). Perez makes it here because: he hit his second-inning home run (off Steven Matz), right-handed and hit his fifth-inning tater (off Ryan Fernandez) left-handed. They were Perez’ second and third MLB homers – and he finished April at .302-3-8. Perez, who signed out of the Dominican as a teenage, hit .273-34-245 in seven minor-league seasons (573 games). For those who like to know sch things: Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher share the record for most games with homers from both side of the plate at 14.
Okay, I’m a Homer
Being from Minnesota, I have to get this one in. The Twins went into May with an active nine-game winnings streak – the longest in MLB this season. During the streak, they have outscored opponents 60-28. Being a realist, I also must note, the wins came against the Angels and White Sox – with a combined won-lost record of 17-43 through April.
–INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR MARCH/APRIL—
BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 at bats)
American League: Salvador Perez, Royals (.355); Steven Kwan, Guardians (.350); Jose Altuve, Astros (345)
National League: Mookie Betts, Dodgers (.368); Alec Bohm, Phillies (.366); Will smith, Dodgers (.362)
The lowest average among players with at least 75 March/April at bats belonged to the A’s Ryan Noda at .133 (11-for-83.)
HITS
American League: Steven Kwan, Guardians (42); Jose Altuve, Astros (41); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (39)
National League: Mookie Betts, Dodgers (46); Trea Turner, Phillies (45); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (44)
When it came to extra-base hits, your March/April leader was the Dodgers; Shohei Ohtani with 22.
HOME RUNS
American League: Mike Trout, Angels (10); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (10); Tyler O’Neill, Red sox (9)
National League: Marcell Ozuna, Braves (9); Pete Alonso, Mets (8); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (8); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (8)
Luis Arreaz of he Marines has the most at bats this season without a home run (127), but the two-time batting champions does carry a .299 average.
RUNS BATTED IN
American League: Salvador Perez, Royals (26); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (25); Juan Soto, Yankees (25)
National League: Marcell Ozuna, Braves (31); Alec Bohm, Phillies (30); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (23)
RUNS SCORED
American League: Steven Kwan, Guardians (27); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (25); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (25;)
National League: Mookie Betts, Dodgers (29); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (27); William Contreras, Brewers, (27); Elly De La Cruz (27); Trea Turner, Phillies (27)
DOUBLES
American League: Jose Altuve, Astros (9); Anthony Santander, Orioles (9); Josh Smith;, Rangers (9); Spencer Torkelson, Tigers (9); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (8)
National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (14); Alec Bohm, Phillies (12); four with 10
TRIPLES
American League: Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (4); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (3); Alex Kirilloff, Twins (3); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (3)
National League: CJ Abrams, Nationals (4); six with two
The leader in slugging percentage, among players with at least 75 March April at bats, was the Guardians’ Tyler O’Neill at .693.
STOLEN BASES
American League: José Caballero, Rays (9); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (9); Luis Rengifo, Angels (9)
National League: Elly De La Cruz, Reds (18); Brice Turang, Brewers (14); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (13)
The Brewers’ Brice Turang stole the most March/April bases without getting caught (14).
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
American League: Jose Siri, Rays (41); Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (40); Aaron Judge, Yankees (38)
National League: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies, (46); Will Benson, Reds (45); Oneill Cruz, Pirates (45)
Joey Gallo fanned 43 times in just 74 March/April at bats.
WALKS
American League: Juan Soto, Yankees (25); Riley Greene, Tigers (23); Aaron Judge, Yankees (23)
National League: Mookie Betts, Dodges (26); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (23); Brandon Nimmo, Mets (21); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (21)
Only five batters with at least 75 at bats had more walks than strikeouts in March/April – led by the Dodgers Mookie Betts with 26 walks and 16 whiffs (1.63 BB/K.)
PITCHING VICTORIES
American League: Tarik Skubal, Tigers (4-0); Seth Lugo, Royals (4-1); Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles (4-1); Jose Berrios, Blue Jays (4-2);
National League: Reed Garrett, Mets (5-0); Ranger Suarez, Phillies (5-0); Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers (5-1); A.J. Minter, Braves (5-2)
Ross Stripling of the A’s lost the most games in March/April (0-5, 4.98)
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 March/April innings)
American League: Kutter Crawford, Red sox (1.35 in 33 1/3 innings); Jose Berrios, Blue Jays (1.44 in 43 2/3 P); Cristian Javier, Astros (1.54 in 23 1/3 IP)
National League: Shota Imanaga, Cubs (0.98 in 27 2/3 IP); Sonny Gray, Cardinals (1.16 in 23 1/3 IP) Ranger Suarez, Phillies (1.32 in 41 IP)
The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 20 March/April innings was 12.00 by the Cubs Kyle Hendriks (0-3, 12.00 in five starts, 21 innings.
STRIKEOUTS
American League: Jack Flaherty, Tigers (50 in 36 IP); Luis Castillo, Mariners (49 in 41 2/3 IP); Garrett Crochet, White Sox (47 in 34 2/3 IP)
National League: Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers (53 in 43 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (46 in 37 1/3 IP); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (45 in 33 2/3 IP)
Among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched in March/April, the highest strikeouts-per nine innings ratio belonged to the Yankees Luis Gil at 12.8 (35 whiffs in 24 2/3 IP)and the highest strikeouts-to-walks ratio belonged to Jack Flaherty at 10.0 (50K/5BB)
WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 20 March/April innings)
American League: Tarik Skubal, Tigers (0.74); Logan Gilbert, Mariners (0.80); Ryan Pepiot, Rays (0.87)
National League: Ranger Suarez, Phillies (0.62); Ryan Yarbrough, Dodgers (0.74); Shota Imanaga, Cubs (0.80)
SAVES
American League: Jason Foley, Tigers (9) Clay Holmes, Yankees (9); Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (8); Mason Miller (8)
National League: Ryan Helsley (Cardinals (10); Robert Suarez, Padres (10); Kyle Finnegan, Nationals (9)
Robert Suarez of the Padres saved the most games without a blown save with nine.
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac. com; MLB.com
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