Baseball Roundtable – March/April Wrap UP – Triple Play(s), a Four-Homer Game, a Cycle a .400 Hitter and more

It’s May 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s March/April Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month (in this case a bit more than a month), as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more.  As usual, the March/April Wrap Up includes a lot of the season’s “firsts.”  Just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• Tyler O’Neill (Orioles) going deep in his record sixth consecutive Opening Day game;
• MacKenzie Gore (Nationals) joining Bob Gibson as the only MLB pitcher to record as many as 13 strikeouts with no walks on Opening Day;
• The Yankees becoming the first team with two games in a season in which their first three batters of the game homered;
• 2025’s first “Cycle” – and MLB’s first March Cycle – (Carson Kelly, Cubs);
• 2025’s first two triple plays (Rockies, Nationals);
• Two homers in an inning in which the hitter saw just two pitches – Angels’ Jo Adell;
• The Reds get 11 hits, five runs and 13 RBI in one game – from their number-eight and number-nine hitters;
• A four-homer game (Eugenio Suarez);
• A .400+ hitter (Aaron Judge);
• A pitcher who fanned 46 hitters and walked just three (Nathan Eovaldi); and
• Much more.

Go the highlights and statistics sections section for all the stories.

—–2025 Baseball Roundtable March/April Players & Pitchers of the Month—–

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of The Month:  Pete Alonso, 1B,Mets

Alonso put up a .343 average (second-best among National Leaguers with at least 75 at bats) and a .474 on-base percentage (best).  His 28 RBI were tied for second in the NL. He scored 22 runs (tied for ninth) and had 23 walks and 20 strikeouts. His 19 extra-base hits (11 doubles, one triple, seven home runs) were second in the NL and his 71 total base third. Alonso got off to a slow start, and then turned on the afterburners. Alonso was hitting just .176-1-4 after the season’s first five games – and from then on went .374-6-24.

Alonso Launches

It wasn’t that long ago, but do you remember Pete Alonso’s spectacular rookie season (2019), when he hit a rookie-records 53 home runs and drove in 120, while batting .260? Over his first six MLB seasons (2019-24), Alonso was an All Star four times and averaged 38 home runs per campaign.

 

Honorable Mentions:Diamondbacks’ RF Corbin Carroll hit .289, with nine home runs (second in the NL), 23 RBI (eleventh) and 25 runs scored (fourth), as well as five steals in five attempts.. His 37 hits tied for fourth in the league and  his 21 extra base hits led the MLB and his 80 total bases led the NL (and were second only to Aaron Judge in MLB).  His .645 slugging percentage was second among National Leaguers with at least 75 at bats.  He also had five steals in five attempts.  His 34 strikeouts versus 10 walks was a bit concerning. Carroll’s month included a 12-game hitting streak (April 6-19), when he hit .407-4-13, with 13 runs and four steals. That helped make up for a slow start. Carroll was just 2-for-16 over his first four 2025 games.  Cubs’ RF Kyle Tucker combined power (seven home runs) with speed (eight steals in eight attempts).  He was also near the top in both RBI (27, fourth in the NL) and runs scored (26, third in the NL) and was selective at the plate (22 walks/18 strikeouts). Dodgers’ RF Teoscar Hernandez delivered nine homers (tied for second in the NL) and a league-topping 32 RBI (plus a .310 average).  He was hurt by 22 strikeouts versus just three walks.

Pitcher of the Month: NIck Pivetta, RHP, Padres

Pivetta went 5-1, (tying for the MLB lead in wins) in six starts, with a 1.78 ERA (fifth among NL pitchers with at last 25 innings pitched) a WHIP of 0.82 (second in the NL among pitchers with at least 25 March/April innings) and a .169 average against (first). Pivetta walked eight and fanned 39 in 35 1/3 innings. Pivetta is a bit of a surprise here He came into the season with a 56-71, 4.76 record over eight MLB campaigns.

Honorable Mentions: The Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while only going 3-2, put up the lowest ERA (1.06) among NL pitchers with at least 25 March/April innings – and fanned 43 batters (seventh in the NL) in 34 innings. He had two double-digit strikeout games and, in his two losses, the Dodgers scored a total of two runs. In six starts, Yamamoto gave up just four earned runs. His WHIP (1.00) and average against (.190) are a little higher than some other candidates, but he got the job done. You also have to like Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt’s five wins (tied for the MLB lead) against one loss. His 2.78 ERA was also solid. Pfaadt gave up seven runs over 12 innings in his first two starts of the season (1-1, 5.24 ERA), but then turned it up a notch (4-0, 1.52 over his next four stats). Like Yamamoto, his WHIP (1.12) and average against (.254) are a bit high  to earn Pitcher of the Month. Then, there’s the Pirates’ Paul Skenes (3-2, 2.39, with just four walks versus 39 strikeouts in 37 2/3 frames – a WHIP of 0.80 (best among NL pitchers with at least 25 innings) and a .190 average against (fifth). The National’s MacKenzie Gore gets a shoutout for his MLB-leading 59 strikeouts (and just nine walks) in 41 innings (2-3, 3.51).

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month:  Aaron Judge, RF, Yankees

No contest here. Judges’ 50 hits, .427 average, .521 on-base percentage,  .761 slugging percentage and 32 RBI each led (or tied for the lead) among major leaguers with at least 75 March/April at bats.  His 29 runs scored led the junior circuit (second in MLB).  Judge collected base hits in 27 of 31 games, had two four-hit games and four three-hit contests and, on March 29, went four-for-six, with four runs scored, eight RBI and three homers.

Honorable Mentions:  Mariners’ DH  Jorge Polanco hit .384, with nine homers (tied for third in the AL) and 25 RBI (tied for sixth).   Polanco had a .418 on-base percentage and .808 slugging percentage.  If he had recorded 75 at bats (he had 73 in March/April), he would – like Judge – be all over The Roundtable leaderboards. Athletics’ 1B Tyer Soderstrom hit .284, with nine home runs (tied for third in the AL) and 24 RBI (also tied for third).

Pitcher of the Month: Tie:  Max Fried, Yankees & Hunter Brown, Astros 

Hunter Brown, RHP, Astros. The Astros’ Hunter Brown was lights out. He went 4-1 in six starts, had a 1.22 ERA (third  among AL pitchers with at least 25 March/April innings) and fanned 40 batters in 37 innings, while walking just seven. His 0.84 WHIP was third in the AL (at least 25 IP) and his .189 average against was sixth.  Brown’s only loss came in his first start, when he gave up six runs (two earned) in six innings (in a 3-1 loss to the Mets). He gave up three walks in six frames in that game – and then only four walks over his next five starts (31 innings).

Max Fried, LHP, Yankees. The Yankees’ Max Fried tied for the MLB lead in March/April wins (5-0 in six starts) and put up a 1.19 ERA (second-best in the AL among pitchers with at least 25 March/April innings). His 37 2/3 innings were sixth in the AL and he fanned 33 batters, while walking nine. After a rocky first start on the season (4 2/3 innings, seven hits, six runs/two earned), Fried went 5-0, 1.09 over his next five starts, giving up a total of just four runs (three earned)  in 33 innings.  His 1.04 WHIP and .207 average against lagged Brown, but I couldn’t ignore the five wins and 1.19 earned run average.

Honorable Mentions: Andres Munoz of the Mariners was 1-0 and  11-for-11 in save opportunities, put up a 0.00 ERA in 15 innings and fanned 19, while walking six. (He had a .073 WHIP and .106 average against). The Ranger’s Nathan Eovaldi only went 2-2, but he put up a 2.11 ERA, a 0.77 WHIP and .195 average against. He also fanned 46 batters (36 2/3 innings) and walked just three.

 

Surprise of the Month:  Tyler Soderstrom, 1B/LF , Athletics

Soderstrom came into the season with a .204-12-33 MLB stat line over two seasons (106 games in 2023-24). Still, he was a first-round pick (2020) right out of high school and, as a 20-year-old (in 2022), had a .267-29-105 season (134) games, while moving from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A).   Even with that potential, I expect the  A’s (and others) are surprised that that  the 23-year-old  closed out April with a .284 average, nine home runs (tied for third in the AL), 24 RBI (tied for third) and 20 runs scored  (tied for seventh).

Honorable Mention: Jorge Polanco, DH, Mariners.  Did anyone expect that, at the end of April, Jorge Polanco would be hitting .389, have an on-base percentage of .418 or be slugging .808?  Or that, despite playing eight or nine games fewer than most of those on the leaderboards, he would be tied for fourth in MLB  in home runs (9) and sixth RBI (25).  All this while continuing to deal with soreness related to October knee surgery.  Yes, he’s had a .33-homer season in his past (.269-33-98 for the Twins in 2021), but over the past three seasons, he’s averaged 101 games and .232- 15-50 per season.  Last season, his first in Seattle, he hit .134-16-45 in 118 games).

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through April 30,  35.0% of the MLB season’s 34,394 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 (22.1%); walks (9.0%); home runs (2.78%); HBP (1.0%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 7,611 to 7,391.   

The 35.0% basically mirrors  the 35.1% through April in 2024 (perhaps we’ve plateaued and the Index no longer serves a purpose). I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 34.9% in 2024; 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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A few “Standings Within The Standings”

The Dodgers, Mets and Tigers  had MLB’s best home records 15-3, 13-2 and 13-3, respectively.  On the road, the trio was a more mundane 6-7, 8-8 and 6-9.

• The teams with winning road records in March/April were the A’s (10-6), Giants (10-8); Cubs (9-6), Reds (9-7); and Diamondbacks (8-6).
• In the AL Central, The Twins had a plus-5 run differential, but trailed the Guardians (minus-25) and Royals (minus-11).
• The Mets had the most positive run differential (+52), the Rockies the worst (-77).
• The Guardians had the best record in one-run games at 6-1. The Giants (7-3), Mets (7-5) and Nationals (7-5) won the most one-run games. The White Sox lost the most one-run contests (1-8).
• Three teams won three extra-inning games: Rays (3-0); Red Sox (3-2); Blue Jays (3-2).The Cardinals lost the most extra-inning games (0-4).

Okay, Maybe This Only Interested Me

 Nobody won more games the Mets over March/April.  (The Mets and Dodgers were both were 21-10.) What I noticed was that the Mets put up this record while scoring the sixth-most runs in the NL. Looking further, they gave up the second- fewest tallies at 94. Their +54 run differential was the best in MLB.  Looking further, it became clear the Mets’ starting pitchers led the way. Mets starters went 15-6, 2.24 in March/April – and no one else was close.  (Ranger’s started led the AL at 2.99 and second-best in the NL was the Phillies at 3.40. ) Further, the 15 wins logged by Mets’ starters led MLB.

Here’s how that rotation shaped up: Kodai Senga (3-1, 1.14); Tyler Megill (3-2, 1.74); Griffin Canning (4-1, 2.61); Clay Holmes (3-1, 2.64) and David Peterson (2.1, 3.06).  In addition, reliever Huascar Brazoban started a pair of games (three innings pitched, 0-0, 0.00). The bullpen was less spectacular, but still solid. The 3.17 bullpen ERA through March/April was third in the NL. (The Padres led at 1.77).

The Mets clearly managed the rotation carefully. The 156 2/3 innings pitched by starters ranked tenth in the NL.   

——-Team Statistical Leaders for March/April  2025 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Cubs (184); Dodgers (167); Brewers (159)

American League – Yankees (177); Red Sox (164); Mariners (152)

The fewest runs in March/April were scored by the Rockies (96). In the American League, it was the Royals at 97.  They were the only teams under 100 runs. Note:  Despite the lack of scoring the Royals finished April one game over .500 (16-15).  The Rockies were 5-25.

AVERAGE

National League – Cubs (.263); Cardinals (.260); Padres (.259)

American League – Yankees (.267); A’s (.254); Red Sox (.251)

The lowest team average for March/April belonged to the Rockies and White Sox, each at .211.

HOME RUNS

National League – Dodgers (50); Cubs (42); Diamondbacks (40)

American League – Yankees (53); Mariners (45); A’s (41); Angels (41)

The Royals had the fewest home runs in March/April at 14.  The only other team under 20 was the Blue Jays at 19.

TOTAL BASES

National League – Cubs (492); Dodgers (479); Diamondbacks (440)

American League – Yankees (506); Red Sox (470); A’s (447)

The Yankees led MLB in Slugging Percentage at .478.  The Dodgers led the NL (.462)

DOUBLES

National League – Cardinals (63); Diamondbacks (62); Cubs (61)

American League – Red Sox (63); Yankees (56); Twins (55)

TRIPLES

National League – Cubs (9); Mets (8); four with six

American League – Tigers (6); A’s (5): five with four

STOLEN BASES

National League – Cubs (44); Brewers (40); Pirates (35)

American League – Mariners (37); Red Sox (36): Rays (33)

The A’s stole the fewest sacks in March/April   – ten in 15 attempts.   The Rockies were at the bottom of the NL, with 14 in 19 attempts.

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Diamondbacks (124); Cubs (124); Phillies (124)

American League – Mariners (134); Red Sox (127); Yankees (124)

The Yankees led MLB in March/April on-base percentage at .351. The Cubs led the NL at .341. The Angels had MLB’s lowest March April OBP at (.271).  The Rockies anchored the NL at .282.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Rockies (312); Giants (274): Pirates (274)

American League – Yankees (296); Red Sox (293); Tigers (283)

Padres’ batters fanned the fewest times in March/April (202). The Blue Jays fanned the fewest times in the AL at 216.

How important are strikeouts? The two leaders in strikeouts in March/April were the Rockies at 300 and the Yankees at 296. The Yankees sent 18-13, the Rockies 5-25.

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Bonus Stats

• The Cubs were successful on 44 of their 50 March/April steal attempts.
• Six teams recorded zero sacrifice bunts in March/April. The Brewers led MLB with nine.
• Twins’ batters were hit by a pitch an MLB-leading 20 times. The fewest HBP for any team was three – a 13-team tie.

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Mets (2.63); Padres (2.86); Giants (3.56)

American League – Tigers (3.01); Royals (3.02); Astros (3.23)

The Marlins had the highest March/April ERA at 5.89.  Also over 5.00 were the Orioles (5.47); Rockies (5.19); Rockies (5.30); Nationals (5.27).All these teams were under .500, with a combined 42-79 record.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Phillies (297); Dodges (293); Mets (292)

American League –  Yankees (283): Red Sox (276); Astros (275); Blue Jays (275)

The Phillies averaged an MLB-best 9.99 strikeouts per nine innings in March/April. The Yankees averaged an NL-best 9.40.  Nine teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better. By comparison, the Mets led MLB in K/9 in 1990 at 7.61; The Indians led in 1970 at 6.67; and the Dodgers ed in 1950 at 5.00.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League –   Phillies (89); Cardinals (91); Reds (92); Padres (92)

American League – Twins (77); Rangers (79); Astros (82); Rays (82)

The Twins walked an MLB-lowest 2.60 batters per nine innings in March/April.  The Marlins walked an MLB-worst 4.61 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Padres (13); Dodgers (12); Giants (10); Reds (10); Mets (10)

American League – Rangers (11); Mariners (11); Royals

The Phillies blew the most saves in March/April – eight in 16 opportunities. The Padres and Orioles blew the fewest saves, just one each – The Padres in 14 opportunities, the Orioles in six opportunities.

The White Sox had just one save in March/April (four opportunities).

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Reds (1.10); Padres (1.12) ; Mets (1.21)

American League:  Astros (1.08); Rangers (1.13); Rays (1.15)

 

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Bonus Stats:

• The Blue Jays gave up an MLB-high 44 home runs in March/April. The Mets gave up an MLB-low 14 home runs.
• Yankee’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .202 average in March/April. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .292 average.

• The Twins’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for March/April topped MLB at 3.47. The Marlins had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.72.

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—-MARCH/APRIL HIGHLIGHTS—–

The Opener Before “Opening Day.”

On March 18, the Dodgers and Cubs “opened” the 2025 MLB season in front of an enthusiastic packed house at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. By way of history (and/or MLB unicorns), the Dodgers’ starting pitcher was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while the Cubs went with Shota Imanaga – marking the first MLB Opening Day game to feature two Japanese-born pitchers. (I do understand there have been other Opening Day games at the Tokyo Dome that met that criterion. Think smiley face here.)

The Dodgers prevailed 4-1 and the game was a smashing success – with a Tokyo Dome full house and a TV audience of more than 25 million in Japan (the largest TV audience ever for a baseball game in Japan). MLB.com also reported that the 2025 Tokyo Series delivered the highest merchandise sales of any international MLB event, with the most popular item being (What else?) the Shohei Ohtani jersey.

All in all, a great success story for MLB and Japan. Still, I am not a big fan of these overseas “openers,” which see teams playing games that count in the midst of Spring Training (and returning to the states to resume Spring Training competition). Just old school, I guess, but they still seem more like exhibitions to me. However, there is no doubt, they are good for baseball, so play on.

Side note: After the two-game Tokyo Series, your MLB leaders were: Average – Jon Berti, Cubs and Will Smith, Dodgers (.500); Home Runs – Tim Edman, Dodgers, Enrique HernanDez, Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (1); RBI – Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers (3); Victories – Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers and Landon Knack, Dodgers (1); ERA – Shota Imanaga, Cubs and Landon Knack, Dodgers (0.00). But really, it’s early, who’s counting.

Back to Spring Training

Okay, this highlight doesn’t count – it’s from a Spring Training game – but it caught my eye.  And, it may be an omen (I picked the Orioles to win the AL East).

On March 22, Zach Elfin started for the Orioles versus the Pirates in Bradenton – and he was SHARP. In three innings of work, Elfin faced just ten batters, walking one and fanning four.  Next up was southpaw Gregory Soto, who was a touch wild, two walks, but struck out one and did not surrender a hit in an inning of “work.”  In the fifth inning, Yennier Cano was called to the mound and pitched a 1-2-3 frame, followed by Cionel Perez, who walked a pair, but did not give up a hit in the sixth. Bryan Baker came out for the 1-2-3 seventh, followed Roansy Contreras for a 1-2-3 eighth (with one strikeout).  Eight innings in and still no Pirate safeties.

At this point, Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde had used all six major-league pitchers on his travel roster. So, he told pitching coach Drew French to select one of the extra pitchers from the minor-league camp to toss the final frame. Ah, Grasshopper, you chose well. French picked 22-year-old Riley Cooper – a thirteenth-round pick (out of Louisiana State) in the 2013 MLB Draft. Thirteen would prove a lucky number, if you believe in such things.  Cooper, whose professional experience was a single season at Class-A (5-4, 3.07) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth – completing the seven-pitcher no-hitter and a 4-0 Orioles’ win.

Opening Day Hero

On March 27, new Orioles’ RF Tyler O’Neill went deep for a record (breaking his own mark) sixth consecutive Opening Day.  (Side note: O’Neill has been in the starting lineup of exactly six Opening Day lineups. (He also had one pinch hit appearance on an Opening Day before the start of his HR streak.) His overall, Opening Day stat line: nine-for-nineteen (.473), six home runs and 14 RBI. Oh yeah, the Orioles won the Opener 12-2 over the Blue Jays – getting two homers apiece from C Adley Rutschman and CF Cedric Mullins, as well as solo shots by 2B Jordan Westburg and O’Neill.

A few other Opening Day Tidbits

• In a 5-4 road loss to the Dodger (the Opener for the Tigers, but not the Dodgers), Spencer Torkelson became the first player in the Modern Era to have four walks and a home run on Opening Day (the 14^th player with a four-walk opener.)
• In the Brewers 4-2 Opening Day loss to the Yankees in New York, Jackson Chourio fanned five times, only the third player to fan five times on Opening Day (Ron Karkovice, 1996) and Max Muncy, 2023). Karkovice’s five whiffs came in a 12-inning Opener.)
• In 7-3 loss to the Phillies, Nationals’ starter MacKenzie Gore pitched six one-hit, zero-runs innings, with no walks and 13 strikeouts – a Nationals’ franchise Opening Day record for strikeouts. He also became just the second AL/NL pitcher to record at least 13 whiffs and no walks on Opening Day, joining Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in the club of two.  Gore finished April with an MLB-leading 59 strikeouts in 41 innings.

Well(s), That an Interesting Start

On March 27, Yankee C Austin Wells became the first Yankee backstop ever to bat leadoff. (Dang, I would have guessed Thurman Munson.)  Wells opened the bottom half of the first with a homer to right off a 2-0 pitch from the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta – the 21^st leadoff homer in MLB history by a catcher and the first-ever Opening Day leadoff homer by a backstop, The Yankees, by the way, prevailed 4-2.

Like Father Like Son … Only with a Long Way to Go

On April 30, 2002, Mets’ pitcher Al Leiter (in his 16^th MLB season) became the first MLB pitcher to earn a victory against all 30 MLB teams – going seven innings (one unearned run) in a 10-1 Mets win over the Diamondbacks.  On March 28, 2025, Leiter’s son Jack Leiter, started his MLB victory journey with his first win (going five innings – one run) in a 4-1 Rangers’ win over the Red Sox. As of April 30, Leiter the Younger was 2-0, 2.03 – with victories over the the two teams with “Red” in their names. Only 28 to go.   Al Leiter, by the way, pitched in 19 MLB seasons (1987-2005 … Yankees, Blue Jays, Marlins, Mets), going 162-132, 3.80 in 419 games (382 starts). Leiter had his most victories versus the Braves and Marlins (12 each) and his fewest versus the Tigers and A’s – one each.)

A Long(ball) Game at Yankee Stadium … and, Later, On The Road

On March 29, the Bronx Bombers truly bombed the Brewers in a 20-9 win.  And, the mayhem started early.  (Get ready for a bit of #InBaseballWeCountEverything). Consider:

• In the bottom of the first, the first three Yankee batters – 1B Paul Goldschmidt, LF Cody Bellinger and RF Aaron Judge (former MVPs all) – each homered on the first pitch they saw from Brewers’ starter Nestor Cortes – making them the first team to homer on the first three pitches in a game (since the tracking of pitch counts began). Cortes is, of course, the true unicorn – the only pitcher to give up three home runs just three pitches into a game.
• C Austin Wells homered two outs later – marking the first time the storied Yankee franchise had four long balls in the first frame of a game,
• Goldschmidt’s leadoff homer and Wells’ first-inning leadoff homer in the Yankees’ first game of the season made the Yankees just the second team with a leadoff homer in the first two games of a season (2011 Rangers). (Sidenote: Wells and Goldschmidt’s homers each came in their first-ever starts in the leadoff spot in the lineup.)
• In the March 29 game, the Yankees set new record for the most homers through two innings of a game (five) and three innings of a game (seven).
• The Yankees finished with nine homers in the game, one short of the MLB single-game record.

Exactly one month later, on April 29, the first three Yankee batters in a game against the Orioles (in Baltimore) – CF Trent Grisham, RF Aaron Judge and DH Ben Rice – went yard.  (This time, it took five pitches.) It marked the first time in AL/NL history that a team had multiple games in a season in which the first three batters went deep. Later in the first, LF Cody Bellinger also homered, marking the second time this season – and second time in Yankee history – that the team had four first-inning dingers.   The Yankees won the game 15-3 and hit six home runs in the process.

And, no, I will not get involved in the torpedo bat debate.

A Pitcher in a Pinch

On March 30, as the Diamondbacks faced the Cubs in Arizona, due to some lineup maneuverings, the Diamondbacks found themselves (late in the game) without a DH and having a pitcher (Justin Martinez) in the offensive lineup. Sure enough, in the eighth, with the Diamondbacks up 7-6, one out and runners on first and second, Martinez’ spot in the lineup came around. Diamondbacks’ manager Tony Lovullo brought in a pinch hitter – relief pitcher Ryne Nelson. After a double steal moved the runners up, Nelson hit a ground ball, RBI single through the pulled in infield.

2025’s First Cycle, Who Was that Masked Man?

On March 31, Cubs’ catcher Carson Kelly completed the first cycle (single, double, triple, homer in the same game) of 2025. In the 18-3 Cubs’ win over the Athletics, Kelly also drew two walks, scored three runs and drove in five. It was the first MLB cycle ever recorded in March. True to early season statistical swings, Kelly raised his batting average from .167 to .500.  For more on Kelly accomplishment, click here.

One For the Birds

On April 2, as the Cardinals topped the Angels 12-5 in St, Louis, Redbirds’ 24-year-old C Ivan Herrera (in his 101^st MLB game) went three-for-four, with three home runs and six RBI. In the process he became the first Cardinal catcher ever to homer three times in a game, and the 41st MLB catcher to accomplish the feat. Only three catchers have had two three-homer games:  Johnny Bench; Gary Carter; Travis d’Arnaud.

Obligatory Shohei Highlight

Shohei Ohtani was seemingly featured multiple times in each of last year’s Wrap Ups. He’s at it again. On August 2, on Ohtani Bobblehead Night in Los Angeles, Ohtani hit a ninth-inning, one-out, walk-off home run (off Braves’ closer Raisel Iglesias) to give the Dodgers a 6-5 win over Atlanta – and give the bubblehead-clutching fans a thrill.  Timing isn’t everything, ut it’s something.

2025’s First Maddux – No Foolin’

On April 1, as Texas topped the Reds 1-0 (in Cincinnati), the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi threw a “Maddux” – a nine-inning shutout using of less than 100 pitches. It was the fifth complete game and third shutout of Eovaldi’s 14-season MLB career (2011-16, 2018-25 … Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, Rangers). For more on this game, click here.

Bombers Be Bombing … and Three-for-Three

In the first four games of the season, the Yankees launched 18 homers, becoming the first MLB team to reach that mark in the first four games of the season. They were also the first squad to have three players with three-homer games in a season’s first four contests (Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm, Jr.) and the first team to have nine players homer in its first four games of a season (Austin Wells, Volpe, Paul Goldschmidt, Chisholm, Jr., Oswaldo Peraza; Ben Rice; Jasson Dominguez).

Old Guys Rule – Kinda

On April 3, 42-year-old Orioles’ righthander Charlie Morton (in his first season with the O’s) got roughed up a bit – giving up five runs on six hits and two walks in an Orioles’ 8-4 loss to the Red Sox.  Morton did, however, fan ten batters over his five innings, making him the oldest Oriole ever to reach ten strikeouts in a game. I include this in the Wrap Up because it gives me a chance to mention the previous holder of this distinction.  That was Harvey Haddix, who, as a 38-year-old, fanned 11 batters (June 15, 1964) in an Orioles’ 9-1 loss to the White Sox.  In that one, Haddix came on in relief of Hall of Famer Robin Roberts, who started the game and gave up seven runs earned runs and recorded just one out.  Haddix pitched 8 2/3 innings of two-run ball.  Haddix was, like Morton, in his first season as an Oriole (his 13^th MLB season overall). He is best remembered as a Pirate and for a game (May 26, 1959, in Milwaukee), when he pitched 12 perfect innings before losing in the thirteenth.  For trivia buffs, the perfecto was broken up when Braves’ 2B Felix Mantilla reached base on an error by Pirates’ 3B Don Hoak. For more on that game, click here.

Give Us a Reason to Cheer – or Misery Loves Company

On April 3, with the Twins trailing 5-2 to the Astros with two outs in the top of the ninth (and about to lose their fifth of seven 2025 games and drop into last place in the AL Central), the fans in Minnesota’s Target Field found something to cheer about.  Darren McCaughan was on the mound and Jose Altuve was at the plate. Altuve had already struck out four times in the game – one shy of the record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game – a record shared by many). McCaughan got ahead of Altuve 0-2 and the crowd got behind him – erupting when he fanned Altuve on the seventh pitch of the at bat.  (It was Altuve’s first five-strikeout game.)   By way of coincidence, on July 26, 2001, McCaughan (a Mariners’ Rookie) recorded his first-ever MLB strikeout victim – Jose Altuve (who whiffed on three pitches to lead off the top of the first – an inning in which McCaughan gave up six runs on five hits – two homers – and a walk).

You Be the Judge

How good is Aaron Judge?  As of April 3, just six games into the season, judge was hitting .414, with five homers and 15 RBI – making him the first MLB player with at least five home runs and 15 RBI in the first six games of a season. Then, on April 4, Judge became the first MLB player with six home runs and 17 RBI in the first seven games of a season.

 It’s (almost) All or Nothing

On April 2, Diamondbacks’ 3B Eugenio Suarez hit a double to left (off Carlos Carrasco) in the second inning of a Diamondbacks 9-7 loss to the Yankees.  A lone double would not get a mention here, except for the fact that it was Suarez’ sixth hit of the season – and his first 2025 safety that was not a home run. The Elias Sports Bureau indicates only three players in the Modern Era have had their first five hits for the season go yard: Suarez; Rodolfo Castro (2012); and Rob Deer (1992).

 That’s one (to noting) For the Books

It all started on April Fool’s Day – and with a bit or irony.  On March 31, the Reds beat the Rangers 14-3, collecting 14 hits (including three home runs).  Then, from April 1 through April 3, they lost three consecutive 1-0 ball games (two to that same Texas squad and one to the Brewers), collecting 12 hits over the three contests. That made them just the second team in the Live Ball era (sine 1920) to lose three consecutive 1-0 games. The Phillies did it in 1960, when they finished 59-95, last in the National League. No team has ever lost four straight 1-0 contests. (The Reds broke their string with a 3-2 loss to the Brewers on April 4.)

Going Deep, Deep, Deep

On April 4, in a Guardians 8-6 win over the Angels, Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez went three-four-four with three home runs and four RBI.  (Geez, we saw a lot of three-homer games early this season.) It was Ramirez’ 26^th career multi-homer games, tying him with Albert Belle and Jim Thome for the franchise record.

#InBaseballWeCountyEverything …  Maybe Too Much So

On April 4, in the Giants’ Home Opener, SS Willy Adames (who signed with the Giants as a free agent in December) drove in the winning runs, with a two-out, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 11^th inning, as the Giants topped the Mariners 10-9.  The Elias Sports Bureau indicated Adames was the fourth Giants’ player (since 1900) to record a walk-off, game-winning hit in his first home game with the team,

First Triple Play of 2025 – Around the Horn

On April 5, in the top of the second inning, the Colorado Rockies turned the first triple play of the 2025 MLB season. With A’s C Shea Langeliers on second (walk), 1B Tyler Soderstrom on first (infield single) and German Marquez on the mound, SS Jacob Wilson smacked a one-hopper to Rockies’ 3B Ryan McMahon, who handled it cleanly and made a strong throw to second baseman Kyle Farmer, who relayed the ball to 1B Michael Toglia to complete the triple killing.  Despite the triple play, the Rox lost the contest 7-4.

1,500 and Counting

On April 7, as the Mets topped the Marlins 2-0 in New York, Mets’ SS Francisco Lindor collected three singles in four at bats. Notably, the third of those singles, Lindor’s’ eighth hit of the season, was also his 1,500^th MLB base hit.

Number 450

On April 8, Angels’ closer Kenley Jansen (in his 16^th MLB season) notched his third save of the year and 450^th career save, as the Angels edged the Rays 4-3. The save made Jansen just the fourth MLB pitcher to reach 450 saves (Mariano Rivera – 642, Trevor Hoffman – 601, Lee Smith – 478). Jansen finished April with a career total of 453 saves.

Remember High School ball?  Glad I didn’t have to face Harvard-Westlake

On April 9 , as the Tigers and Yankees faced off in Detroit, the starting hurlers were Max Fried (Yankees) and Jack Flaherty (Tigers). Fried got the win (Yankees prevailed 4-3), tossing seven shutout innings and fanning 11.  Flaherty threw 5 1/3 shutout frames and fanned nine. But something reported by Jason Beck (on MLB.com) caught the Roundtable’s eye. It turns out, Fried and Flaherty were teammates on the 2012 Harvard-Westlake (prep school) baseball team (Studio City, California). Not only that, a third future major leaguer – Lucas Giolito – was also on that squad. And their High School pitching coach, Ethan Katz, is also in the big leagues – coaching for the White Sox.

Boom-Boom. Didn’t Expect That

Angels’ CF Jo Adell came into the April 10 Road game against the Rays batting eighth and hitting just .185, with no homers and four RBI in eight games. He overcame that slow start on two pitches in the top of the fifth inning of the contest. With the Angels up 2-1, Adell led off the frame by hitting a home run to deep center on the first pitch he saw from Zack Littell. Four-runs later, he came to the plate again in the inning.  This time with two-on, two-out and the Angels up 7-1.  What happened on the first pitch he saw from reliever Mason Englert?  Boom. Homer to left (making Adell one of 61 MLB players to have two-homer in an inning.

30-30 Vision

On April 11, veteran southpaw Jose Quintana (in his 14^th MLB season) started on the mound for the Brewers (in Arizona). Quintana was a late (March 5) free-agent signee, so this was his first start of the 2025 campaign. The 36-year-old did not disappoint, tossing seven shutout innings (four hits, no walks and two strikeouts) in a 7-0 Brew Crew victory.  The win did two notable things for Quintana’s MLB resume. It evened his career record at 103-103 (3.73 ERA) and it made him just the 24th pitcher to log at least one victory versus each of the current 30 MLB teams.

A Grand Day to Come Out to The Ballpark

On April 12, as the Reds topped the Pirates, fans coming into the Great American Ballpark, got a special treat (promotions) – an Elly De La Cruz bobblehead. The Reds added to the day with a 5-2 victory and Reds’ dynamic, young (just 21) shortstop put the cherry on top of the sundae by opening the Reds’ scoring with a two-out, third-inning Grand Slam off a 3-2 pitch from Andrew Heaney.  A Grand Slam on your bobblehead night, swe-e-e-t.

A Sweet 5-4-5

On April 15, Red Sox’ 3B Alex Bregman, in his tenth MLB season (1,130^th career game), delivered his first-ever MLB five-hit game. Bregman went five-for-five, with two home runs, a double, two singles, two runs scored and five RBI.  (The Red Sox topped Tampa 7-4.)  Bregman has ten four-hit games over this first ten seasons and the two-homer contest was his seventh multi-homer game. The outburst was made all the sweeter by the fact that Bregman was about to leave the team (temporarily, for the birth of his second child) after the game.

Lucky 13

On April 13, Padres’ starter Michael King tossed a gem in a 6-0 win over the Rockies. King fashioned a two-hit shutout, with just one walk and eight strikeouts. It was King’s first complete game (and, of course, first shutout) in seven MLB seasons (53 starts).  As a side note, in the three-game series (April 11-13, the Rockies did not sore a single run off the Padres’ staff, losing by scores of 8-0, 2-0, 6-0.)

I Hate Tax Day

Taxes were due on April 15 and, it appears, the Padres were finally due for a home loss. The Padres came into their April 15 home game, versus the Cubs, in first place in the NL West (14-3 record) and 11-0 at home. The Cubs (11-8 and in first place in the NL Central) broke the Padres’ home streak by the narrowest of margins, prevailing 2-1 in ten innings.

The Wind Must Have Been Blowing Out

On April 18, the Cubs closed out the seventh innings at Wrigley Field with a comfortable 7-1 lead.  Then, the roof fell in (Well, if they had a roof, it would have fallen in). In the top of the eighth, the Diamondbacks plated ten runs on eight hits (five singles, two home runs, one double) and a walk.  Suddenly, the Cubs were down 11-7.  No problem, in the bottom of the inning, the Cubs plated six runs of their own (on seven hits (four singles and three home runs) a walk and a hit-by-pitch, taking a 13-11 lead (that was the final score). Turns out, it was the most run scored (both teams) in any inning at Wrigley ever. For those who like to know such things.  According to Baseball-Almanac.com, the most runs scored in an MLB inning (both teams) is 19. That also occurred in an eighth inning and at a revered, historic ballpark (Fenway). In that one, then Indians plated 13 runs in the top of the inning, while the Red Sox scored six times in then bottom of the frame.  (Cleveland won 19-9),

In an #InBaseballWeCountEveryning moment, The Elias Sports Bureau reported that: the Cubs were just the seventh team (Modern Era) to allow ten runs in an inning and still win the game and the Cubs were the fifth team to score at last six runs and give up at least ten in the same inning of a game.

Eight Is Enough, But One More Would Have Been Great

On April 20, Paxton Schultz got his first taste of the major leagues – making his debut in The Show for the Blue Jays. Although he didn’t expect to see any action on the day of his arrival (he drove from Buffalo to Toronto that morning), it didn’t take long for Schultz to make his first trip to an MLB mound.  He came on, in relief of Blue Jays’ starter Easton Lucas, with two outs, two runners on and the Blue Jays trailing the mariners 6-0.  Schultz fanned the first MLB batter he faced (1B Donovan Solano) on five pitches.  Schultz pitched 4 1/3 innings in the game, giving up just two hits (no runs) while fanning eight and walking none.

Why a highlight? Schultz’ eight strikeouts tied the MLB record for strikeouts in an MLB debut game by a reliever. (Yes, more of #InBaseballWeCountEverythning). The others to accomplish this debut feat:

• Barry Jones, Pirates (4-20-1986) … four innings, two hits, three walks, eight strikeouts, no runs and credit for the win;
• Joe Musgrove, Astros (8-2-2016) … 4 1/3 innings, one hit, one walk, eight strikeouts, no runs, no decision;
• Patrick Sandoval, Angels (8-5, 2019) … five innings, three hits, two runs, two walks, eight strikeouts, no decision;
• Hayden Wesneski, Cubs (9-6-2022) … five innings, two hits, no walks, no runs, eight strikeouts and credit for a win.

Look Out for the Bottom of the Order

On April 20, as the Reds faced the Orioles in Baltimore the number eight and nine hitters in the Reds’ lineup were 3B Noelvi Marte (.083-0-0 coming into the game) and C Austin Wynn (.267-1-3). The pair padded their stats significantly, combining for 11 hits (two doubles and two home runs), five runs scored and 13 RBI. Oh, The Reds won 24-2.

Run, Forrest, Run

On April 20, the Milwaukee Brewers (in a 14-1 win over the Athletics) truly ran wild on the baes.  In fact, by the fourth inning, they had swiped a franchise-record nine bags. (That ended up their game total.)  And, they were running from the get-go, with six steals in the bottom of the first.  It went like this:

• 2B Bruce Turang singles (off Jeffrey Springs);
• RF Jackson Chourio strikes out;
• On the second pitch to LF Christian Yelich, Turang steals second;
• Yelich walks;
• On the first pitch to DH William Contreras, Turang steals third, Yelich steals second and both runners take another base on a throwing error by C Shea Langeliers;
• Contreras walks;
• 1B Rhys Hoskins singles (Springs still pitching), Yelich scores and Contreras goes to second;
• On a 3-1 pitch to CF Sal Frelick, Contreras steals third and Hoskins steals second;
• On the next pitch to Frelick, Springs commits a balk, bringing Contreras home and sending Hoskins to third;
• Frelick walks;
• On an 0-1 pitch to SS Joey Ortiz, (still Springs), Frelick steals second and Hoskins comes home from third on another throwing error. On the play, Frelick is tossed out (CF-3B) attempting to advance on the error;
• Ortiz pops out to end the carnage.

Passing By the Speaker

On April 21, the Guardians topped the Yankees 6-4 in front of 20,896 fans in Cleveland. In the four-run third inning, Guardians’ third baseman Jose Ramirez crushed a three-run home run off an 0-1 pitch from Yankee starter Clarke Schmidt. It was Ramirez’ fifth long ball of the year – and his 669th extra-base hit as an Indian/Guardian, moving him past Hall of Famer Tris Speaker into second place in extra-base hits for the franchise. Next up?  Earl Averill (724).

That Kid Was a Steal

On April 23, Twins’ 2023 Second-Round Draft Pick Luke Keaschall, played his fifth MLB game – going one-for-three, with a double, a walk and two steals.  Why a highlight?  Well, the five steals tied for the most-ever (Modern Era) in a player’s first five MLB games. (After five contests, Keaschall was hitting .353-0-2, with four runs scored and those five swiped bags) Keaschall, by the way, hit .327 with 59 steals over three college seasons (165 games). On April 25, Keaschall suffered a right forearm fracture when hit by a pitch.  He was hitting .368 (seen-for-nineteen), with a .538 on-base percentage (five walks, two strikeouts) at the time.

Another Triple Killing

On April 25, MLB saw its second triple play of the 2025 season. It came in the top of the fourth inning of a 5-4 Nationals’ win over the Mets at Nationals Park. At the time, the Nationals led 2-0, with Jake Irvin on the mound. Mets’ LF Brandon Nimmo and 3B Mark Vientos on second and first, respectively (no outs, of course). Mets’ DH Jesse Winker hit a 1-0 pitch off Irvin on a low line to Nationals’ 1B Nathaniel Lowe, who snagged it near the ground for out number one. Lowe then threw to SS CJ Abrams (covering second). Both runners had been on the move (it wasn’t clear if Lowe had caught or trapped the ball), so Nimmo was between second and third and Vientos was at second. Abrams stepped on the bag to retire Nimmo (for out number two) and tagged Vientos (for out number three). There was a bit of confusion on the field (regarding whether Lowe had caught the liner before it hit the ground) and Abrams actually made a return throw to Lowe.  The play however, ultimately was ruled a 3-6 triple play.

Really Something to Cheer “Four” … But I Could Have Suarez They Would Win That Game

On April 26, Diamondbacks’ 3B Eugenio Suarez gave 43,000+ fans at Arizona ‘s Chase Field something to cheer “Four.” He became just the 19^th player to hit an MLB-record four home runs in a game.  It went like this:

Second Inning – Diamondbacks trailing 2-0, Suarez hits a two-out, solo home run on the first pitch from the Braves’ Grant Holmes;

Fourth Inning – Diamondbacks up 3-2, Suarez hits a one-out, two-run home run off a 3-2 pitch from Holmes.

Sixth Inning – Diamondbacks up 5-2, Suarez hits a two-out, solo shot on the first pitch from Holmes;

Ninth Inning – Suarez leading off the frame with the Diamondbacks trailing 7-6, hits a solo homer off a 3-2 pitch from Braves’ closer Raisel Iglesias.

Sadly, the Braves won 8-7 in ten innings, making the Diamondbacks just the third team to have a player launch four homers in a game – and still lose the contest.

Suarez came into the game hitting just .167 (15-for-90), but six of his 15 hits were homers.  He left the contest hitting .202, with more than half his 2025 hits top that point (10-of-19) going yard.

Side Note: The first three of Suarez long balls were all 400-feet or more – 418, 411 and 443, in that order.  Home run number-four was a mere 383 feet. Could he have been getting tired?

Move Over Carlos, Make Room for Brandon

On April 28, Mets’ LF Brandon Nimmo came into the Mets road game against the Nationals  hitting just .192 on the season (20-for-104, with four home runs and 12 RBI), but all that was about to change, in a big way.

• Nimmo singled (and later scored) in the top of the second;
• Popped out to short in the fourth;

(Wa-a-ait for it.)

• Hit a three-run home run to right-center in the sixth;
• Hit a Grand Slam in the seventh;
• Rapped a two-run double (and later scored) in the eighth;
• Grounded out to second in the ninth.

It all added up to a sump-busting four-for-six, 11 total bases, four runs scored and nine RBI (in a 19-5 Mets’ win).  The nine RBI tied Nimmo with Carlos Delgado for the Mets’ franchise record for RBI in a game.

 

–INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR March/April —

 

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 at bats)

American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (.427); Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees (.356); Alex Bregman, Red Sox (.328)

National League: Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (.345); Pete Alonso, Mets (.343); Brendan Donovan, Cardinals (.333)

The lowest March/April average among players with at least 75 at bats belonged to the Reds’ Jeimer Candelario at .113 (9-for-80.)

HITS

American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (50); Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees (42); Alex Bregman, Red Sox (41)

National League: Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (39); Brendan Donovan, Cardinals (38); Brice Turang, Brewers (38)

The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll led all MLBers in March/April extra-base hits with 21 – eight doubles, four triples and nine home runs.  

HOME RUNS

American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (10); Cal Raleigh, Mariners (10); Jorge Polanco, Mariners (9); Tyler Soderstrom, A’s (9); Mike Trout, Angels (9)

National League:  Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks (10); Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (9); Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers (9); Kye Schwarber, Phillies (9); James Wood, Nationals (9)

The Yankees’ Aaron Judge led all players with at least 75 September at bats in slugging percentage at .761. The Mets’ Pete Alonso led the NL at .657.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (32); Jorge Polanco, Mariners (25); Alex Bregman, Red Sox (24)

National League: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers (32); Pete Alonso, Mets (28); Wilmer Flores, Giants (28)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Aaron Judge, Yankees (29); Alex Bregman, Red Sox (23); Byron Buxton, Twins (23)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (32); Brice Turang, Brewers (28); Kyle Tucker, Cubs (26)

DOUBLES

American League: Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (11); Alex Bregman, Red Sox (11); three with ten

National League: Pete Alonso, Mets (11); Jung Hoo lee. Giants (11); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (11)

TRIPLES

American League:  Jarren Duran, Red Sox (3); Zach McKinstry, Tigers (3); five with two

National League: Corbin, Carroll, Diamondbacks (4); Mickey Moniak, Rockies (3); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (3)

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Luis Robert, Jr., White Sox (12); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (10); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (9)

National League: Elly De La Cruz, Red (13); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (12); Oneill Cruz, Pirates (12);

The Pirates’ Oneill Cruz stole the most March/April bases without getting caught (12).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Byron Buxton, Twins (36); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (36); Riley Greene, Tigers (36)

National League: Ryan McMahon, Rockies (43); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (41); Austin Riley, Braves (41); Michael Toglia, Rockies (41)

WALKS

American League:  Rafael Devers, Red Sox (24); Randy Arozarena, Mariners (21); Aaron Judge, Yankees (21)

National League: Marcell Ozuna, Braves (26)l; Matt Chapman, Giants (26); Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals (25)

The Highest on-base percentage among players with at least 75 March/April at bats was .521 by the Yankees’ Aaron Judge. The NL leader was Pete Alonso, Mets, at .474.

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:   Max Fried, Yankees (5-0): Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (4-0); Hunter Brown, Astros (4-1); Walker Buehler, Red Sox (4-1); JP Sears, A’s (4-2); Carlos Rodon, Yankees (4-3)

National League:  Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks (5-1); Nick Pivetta, Padres (5-1); Jose Quintana, Brewers (4-0); Griffin Canning, Mets (4-1); Michael King, Padres (4-1); Brady Singer, Reds (4-1)

The Orioles’ Charlie Morton led MLB in March/April losses (0-6, 9.45).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 March/April innings)

American League: Tyler Mahle, Rangers (1.14); Max Fried, Yankees (1.19); Hunter Brown, Astros (1.22)

National League: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodges (1.06); Kodai Senga, Mets (1.26); Jesus Lazardo, Phillies (1.73)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 March/April innings or four March/April starts was 9.45 by the Orioles’ Charlie Morton (0-6, 9.45 in seven appearances, five starts, 26 2/3 innings).

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Carlos Rodon, Yankees (52K / 42IP); Garrett Crochet, Red Sox (50K / 44IP); Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (46K / 42 2/3IP): Cole Ragans, Royals (46K / 30 2/3IP)

National League: MacKenzie Gore, Nationals (59K / 41IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (57K / 44IP); Logan Webb, Giants (50K / 41 1/3IP)

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 25 March/April innings)

American League: Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (0.77); Logan Gilbert, Mariners (0.79); Hunter Brown, Astros (0.44)

National League: Andrew Heaney, Pirates (0.77); Nick Pivetta, Padres (0.77); Paul Skenes, Pirates (0.80)

Among pitches with at least 25 innings, the Yankees’ Carlos Rodon held batters to the lowest March/April average at .154.

SAVES

American League:  Andres Munoz, Mariners (11); Carlos Estevez, Royals (9); Mason Miller, A’s (9)

National League:  Robert Suarez, Padres (12); Kyle Finnegan, Nationals (9); Tanner Scott, Dodgers (8); Emilio Pagan, Reds (8))

Robert Suarez of the Padres saved the most games without a blown save in March/April (12).  

Bonus Stats:

Among pitchers who faced at least 75 batters in March/April:

• Royals’ Cole Ragans fanned the most batters per nine innings at 13.50;
• The Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 15.33.

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

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