$\"\"$ <\/a>
Photo: Casey Aguinaldo, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n
Padres’ SS Xander Bogaert<\/strong>s delivered that \u201cshiny thing\u201d that gets Baseball Roundtable’s attention \u2013 a .400+ average. Bogaerts hit .416 in September, leading all MLBers with at least 50 at bats. \u00a0His 42 base hits also led MLB and he delivered ten doubles (also leading MLB), two triples, four home runs, 13 RBI and 25 runs scored (third in MLB). In addition, he swiped six bases in six attempts. Bogaerts collected hits in all but three of his 24 September games and had 12 multi-hit games. From September 15-20, he had six consecutive multi-hit games, going 14-for-27 (.519).\u00a0 Bogaerts finished September with a .285-19-58 line on the season (19 steals). (Side note: Marlins’ SS Jon Berti hit .417 in September, but his 48 at bats fell just short of The Roundtable’s 50 at bat cutoff.<\/em>)<\/p>\n
Honorable Mentions:<\/em>\u00a0 Lot of deserving players here. Another Padre, LF Juan Soto<\/strong> hit .340 and led MLB with 29 September RBI (26 games). His ten home runs were third in MLB and his 26 runs scored were second. In addition, he swiped six bags. He gets extra credit for walking more times (18) than he fanned (15). Soto had five three-hit games in September.<\/p>\n
_____<\/p>\n
Juan Soto had a 36-plate appearance streak \u2013 from September 13 to his fifth at bat September 23 \u2013 when he did not strikeout.<\/strong><\/p>\n
_____<\/p>\n
The Braves\u2019 Ronald Acuna Jr.<\/strong> averaged .343 for the month, scored 29 runs (leading MLB) and delivered 23 RBI.\u00a0 His 11 September homers tied teammate Matt Olson<\/strong> for the MLB high. He also stole 11 bags in 14 tries. \u00a0\u00a0A shout out also goes to to Reds’ CF TJ Freidl<\/strong>, who had a .333-7-18 month, and had three September triples as well.<\/p>\n
______________________________________<\/p>\n
Pitcher of the Month: Blake Snell, LHP, Padres<\/strong><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>An easy choice. Blake Snell<\/strong> was masterful in September, putting up an MLB-best (among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched during the month) 0.58 earned run average in 31 innings (and topping the NL in strikeouts with 41). That earned him a 3-0 record in five starts. Snell gave up just 13 hits in his 31 innings (a .123 opponents\u2019 batting average), although he did walk 14.\u00a0 He gave up a run (two actually) in just one of his five September starts. Snell closed out September at 14-9, 2.25 on the season.<\/p>\n
Honorable Mentions:\u00a0<\/em> Braves\u2019 southpaw Max Fried<\/strong> went 3-0, 1.88 in four starts, fanning 27 batters in 24 innings; Marlins\u2019 lefty closer Tanner Scott<\/strong> went 3-1, 1,65, with nine saves in 13 appearances and struck out 20 batters, with just one walk, over 16 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
_______________________________________________________<\/p>\n
AMERICAN LEAGUE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Player of the Month \u2013 Tie: Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros & Marcus Semien, 2B, Rangers<\/strong><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>
Photo: Jeffrey Hayes, CC BY 2.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n
Jose Altuve\u2019s 32 September hits were just one off the American League lead \u2013 as \u00a0he put up a .308-7-17 stat line, with 18 runs scored, in 25 September games. Altuve had ten multi-hit games in September. As September came to a close, Altuve was .312-17-51, with 14 steals in 89 games this season.<\/p>\n
On September 5, Altuve went three-for-five, with three home runs (out of the leadoff spot), as his Astros topped Texas 14-1.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>Rangers\u2019 2B Marcus Semien<\/strong> was an offensive force with\u00a0 .292 average with a league-topping (tied) nine homers, 19 RBI and an AL-highest (tied) September 23 runs scored. Semien had a pair of two-homer games in September. He finished September at .278-29-100, with 14 steals on the season.<\/p>\n
Honorable Mention:\u00a0<\/em> Twins\u2019 rookie infielder Royce Lewis<\/strong> went .313-6-23 in an injury-shortened month.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
_______<\/p>\n
Pitcher of the Month \u2013 Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers<\/strong><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>Tarik Skubal<\/strong> went 4-0, 0.90 in five September starts (and, remember, he was pitching for the Tigers). His ERA was second only to Blake Snell<\/strong> among pitchers with at least 20 September innings. He also fanned 43 batters (second only to the Rays’ Tyler Glasnow<\/strong>‘s 48) and walked just four in 30 innings. His 0.60 WHIP was the lowest among pitchers with at least 20 September innings, and he held hitter to a .135 average. In his lone September no-decision, Skubal went four innings, giving up just two hits (no runs), while walking none and fanning eight.\u00a0 He finished September at 7-3, 2.80 (with 15 starts this season).<\/p>\n
Honorable Mentions:\u00a0<\/em> Yankees\u2019 RHP Gerrit Cole<\/strong> went 3-0, 1.03 in five September starts , including a two-hit, complete-game shutout (versus the Blue Jays) in his last start.<\/p>\n
__________________<\/p>\n
Surprise Player of the Month \u2013 Reese Olson, RHP, Tigers<\/strong><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>A 24-year-old righty, Reese Olson<\/strong> made his MLB debut on June 2 \u2013 called up from Triple-A Toledo (where he was 2-3, 6.38 in ten starts). The 13^{th<\/sup> Round draft pick (out of North Hall High School in Gainesville, GA,) came into September with a 2-6, 5.10 record, but he turned on the after burners in the season’s final full month – going 3-1, 1.44 in five starts, including a six-inning one-run outing versus the powerful Dodgers. \u00a0In September, Olson putting up a 0.77 WHIP and held hitters to a .147 average.<\/p>\n}
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
________________________________________<\/p>\n
THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Through September,\u00a0 35.7 percent of the MLB season’s 182,977 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, ar<\/strong>ound the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher\u2019s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here\u2019s the breakout: strikeouts (22.7%); walks (8.6%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.1%); catcher\u2019s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 41,560 – 40,618.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
The 35.7 percent figure is up from 2022’s full season 34.6 percent.\u00a0 Other recent seasons: 2021 – 36.3 percent; 2020 –\u00a0 37.3 percent;\u00a0 2019 – 36.2 percent; and<\/strong><\/span> 2018 – 34.8 percent.\u00a0 By further comparison, in 1990, the Trot Index was 26.1 percent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
____________________________________<\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n
Observations:\u00a0 There were only a handful\u00a0 surprises in September.<\/p>\n
First, the AL Central – that nobody seemed to want to win<\/em> – suddenly came alive.\u00a0 The Twins took charge with an 18-9 month and seemed to be hitting on all four-, six- or eight-cylinders (depending on what kind of car you have).\u00a0 Offensively, they led MLB in runs scored for the month; were third in home runs (second in the AL); first in MLB in on-base percentage and walks drawn; third in total bases (first in the AL). On the mound, they were third in the AL in earned run average (seventh in MLB); second overall (and in the AL) in strikeouts; and gave up the fewest walks in the AL (second in MLB). They had MLB’s (and the AL’s) second-best September strikeouts-to-walks ratio and strikeouts per nine innings.\u00a0 Key contributors were: 3B Royce Lewis<\/strong> (.313-6-23 in just 18 games); RF Max Kepler<\/strong> (.287-3-16); OF\/3B Willi Castro<\/strong> (.312, with 18 runs scored) – and the list goes on.\u00a0 In fact, seven Twins had 10+ September RBI and nine scored 10+ runs. On the hill, nine Twins’ pitchers put up ERA’s under 3.00 and seven held hitters to an under .200 average.\u00a0 Don’t count them out in October.<\/p>\n
The Tigers surprised a lot of people with their 17-10 month – led by some sterling young pitching: Tarik Skubal\u00a0<\/strong> (4-0, 0.90 in five starts) and Reese Olson<\/strong> (3-1, 1.44 in five starts) – and an offense driven in part by\u00a0 24-year-old\u00a0 1B Spencer Torkelson<\/strong> (.255-7-25 in September) and 40-year-old DH Miguel Cabrera<\/strong> (.324-1-10 during the month).\u00a0 The Bengals also got a .297-5-11 month from C Jake Rogers<\/strong> and twenty runs scored from RF Matt Vierling.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The AL West was a surprise in that only the Rangers were above .500 for the month (15-13) – moving past the Mariners and Astros in a tight race.\u00a0 The Orioles, notching their 100th win are no longer a surprise.<\/p>\n
Over in the NL, the Padres had a solid 19-7 September, but their move was too late . Meanwhile the Braves, Brewers and Dodgers played well enough to hold off the competiti0n.<\/p>\n
\n
–——Team \u00a0Statistical Leaders for September \u00a02023 ———-<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n
RUNS SCORED<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0 Braves (160); Cubs (151); Dodgers (147); Padres (146)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Twins (173); Orioles (143); Rangers (143)<\/p>\n
The fewest runs in September were scored by the White Sox (82). In the National League, it was the Giants at 92. \u00a0Also under 100 runs were the Angels (94) and\u00a0 A\u2019s (99).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
AVERAGE <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Braves (.275); Marlins (.271); Padres (.269)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Astros (.265); Royals (.263); Guardians (.261)<\/p>\n
The lowest team average for September belonged to the Angels at .220. The lowest in the NL was the Cardinals (.221).\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
HOME RUNS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Braves (52); Phillies (46); Reds (43)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> –\u00a0 Rangers (49); Twins (46); Astros (43)<\/p>\n
The Guardians had the fewest home runs in September at 20.\u00a0 The Diamondbacks were at the bottom of the NL at 21.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
The Braves led MLB in slugging percentage for at .502.\u00a0 The Astros led the AL at .475.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
STOLEN BASES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Phillies (39); Reds (32); Padres (32)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Guardians (38); Royals (31); A\u2019s (25)<\/p>\n
The White Sox stole the fewest sacks in Septembers\u00a0 \u2013 six \u00a0in eleven \u00a0attempts. \u00a0\u00a0The Giants were at the bottom of the NL, with 10 \u00a0in 13\u00a0 attempts.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
WALKS DRAWN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0Cardinals (113); Brewers (109); Phillies (107)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u00a0Twins (125); Rangers (124); Blue Jays (109)<\/p>\n
The Twins\u00a0 led MLB in on-base percentage for September at .355. The Reds led the NL \u00a0at .349. \u00a0The White Sox \u00a0had MLB\u2019s lowest\u00a0 OBP for September at .269. \u00a0The Nationals were at the bottom of the NL at .294. Six of the bottom seven in OBP were from the American League: White Sox; Angels; A\u2019s; Red Sox; Mariners; Yankees. <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National Leagu<\/strong>e \u2013 Phillies (281); Rockies (264); Pirates (264)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Mariners (274); Yankees (273); Red Sox (272)<\/p>\n
Astros\u2019 batters fanned the fewest times in September (181). The Nationals fanned the fewest times in the NL at 195. While the Phillies led MLB in September whiffs, the next five teams were from the AL: Mariners; Yankees; Red Sox; A’s; Angels.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>Bonus Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
Braves\u2019 batters racked up the most total bases in July at 499.\u00a0 The White Sox were at the bottom of MLB at 310.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
The Marlins were successful on all 20 of their September steal attempts. The only team with a 100% success rate. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
_______________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n
EARNED RUN AVERAGE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Brewers (2.77); Padres (3.36); Mets (.347)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0 Tigers (3.00); Orioles (3.30); Twins (3.64)<\/p>\n
The Rockies had the highest September ERA at 6.52.\u00a0 Nine \u00a0teams were at 5.00+ including the Rockies and the Nationals (5.51); Reds (5.49); Braves (5.45); Rangers (5.31); Cardinals (5.23); Pirates (5.14); White Sox (5.08); Royals (5.00). <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
STRIKEOUTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Braves (266); Phillies (264); Dodgers (260)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Rays (304); Twins (279); Blue Jays (267)<\/p>\n
The Rays averaged an MLB-best 11.15 strikeouts per nine innings in September. The Braves averaged an NL-best 9.54. \u00a0Fourteen teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u00a0– Giants (56); Dodgers (71); Diamondbacks (82)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Rays (66); Twins (66); Orioles (67)<\/p>\n
The Giants walked an MLB-lowest 2.16 batters per nine innings in September.\u00a0 The A\u2019s walked an MLB-worst 4.73 batters per nine frames. <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
SAVES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Pirates (10); Braves (10); Marlins (10)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Yankees (11); Guardians (8); Tigers (8); Royals (8); Rays (8)<\/p>\n
The Cubs blew the most saves in August\u00a0 – recoding just six saves in 16 opportunities.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Bonus Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
The Braves gave up an MLB-high 47 home runs in September. (Interestingly, the Braves gave up an MLB-low 25 in August). \u00a0\u00a0The Mets gave up an MLB-low 42 home runs in September. <\/strong><\/li>\n
The Brewers held opponents to an MLB-low .202 average in September \u2013 after holding opponents to an MLB-low .206 average in August. The Rockies\u2019 staff was touched for an MLB-high .306 average in September. <\/strong><\/li>\n
The Rays strikeouts-to-walks ratio for September topped MLB at 4.61. The A\u2019s had MLB\u2019s worse ratio at 1.65.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
–—-SEPTEMBER 2023 HIGHLIGHTS —–<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
A First (homer) on the First (swing) of the First (at bat) . which happened to be on the\u00a0 on the First (of the month)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Twenty-year-old switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez<\/strong> made his MLB debut on September 1, playing CF and batting fifth for the Yankees (playing in Houston). His first MLB at bat came against none other than three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander<\/strong>.\u00a0 After letting a\u00a0 first pitch curve go by for a strike, he took is first MLB swing at Verlander\u2019s next offering \u2013 a 94 mph fastball \u2013 and smacked his first MLB home run.<\/p>\n
Dominguez, by the way, was heralded as a five-tool player \u00a0ranked as the Yankees’ second-best prospect.\u00a0 In his first eight games with the Yankees he hit .258, with four home runs and seven RBI. However, a scan on September 10 revealed an arm injury that required Tommy John surgery and he is now out for nine-to-ten months.<\/p>\n
It Took Two Days, but it Was Worth It<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>
Photo by Keith Allison<\/a> <\/a><\/small><\/p><\/div>\n
This highlight started in the ninth inning of the Astros’ September fifth 13-6 win over the Rangers in Texas.\u00a0 Astros’ 2B Jose Altuve<\/strong>, who had already gone deep in the sixth inning, finished off the Astros\u2019 scoring with a solo home run off Martin Perez<\/strong> in the top of the ninth.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to the very next day \u2013 Astros at Rangers again. Altuve led off the first inning with a home run off Nathan Eovaldi.<\/strong> He homered again the second inning (a solo shot with one out) off Eovaldi. Then, he added a homer in the third inning, this time a two-run shot off Dane Dunning<\/strong>.\u00a0 According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that made Altuve the first player in the \u201cExpansion Era\u201d (since 1961) to homer in four consecutive innings.\u00a0 More \u201cInBaseballWeCountEverything.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Altuve also tied the MLB record with five homers in a two-game span.<\/p>\n
A Nice Round Number<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>
Photo: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n
On September 5, as the Yankees topped the Tigers 5-1, in New York, Yankee DH Giancarlo Stanton<\/strong> broke up 1-1 tie with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.\u00a0 It was the 22nd long ball of the season for Stanton and the 400^{th<\/sup> of his\u00a0 14-season MLB career<\/strong><\/em>. Stanton is a five-time All Star, the 2017 National League MVP (Marlins).\u00a0 He has hit 30+ homers in seven seasons (a high of 59 in 2017), led the league in homers twice and drove in 100 or more runs in three campaigns.<\/p>\n}
Let\u2019s Get This Party Started<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Angels 1b\/1B Nolan Schanuel<\/strong> was the 11^{th<\/sup> overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft (after putting up a .386-46-176 stat line in three college seasons at Florida Atlantic). Forty days and 22 minor-league games later, he was in the big leagues – and he\u2019s not slowing down a bit.\u00a0 He made his debut August 18 and quickly ran off a ten-game hitting streak to start his MLB career. His first hitless game came on September 1, but he got on base via a walk in that contest,\u00a0 In fact, as of September 29, he had appeared in 29 MLB gams and been on base via hit or walk in every one.\u00a0 His 2023 stat line as of September 30 – 29 games,\u00a0 .275-1-6, with 19 runs, 20 walks and 19 strikeouts.<\/p>\n}
Happy Birthday, Joey!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
On Sunday, September 10, Reds 1B Joey Votto<\/strong> celebrated his fortieth birthday in style \u2013 leading off the eighth inning with a home run off the Cardinals’ Andrew Suarez<\/strong> (part of a 7-1 Reds Win in in St. Louis).\u00a0 It was Votto\u2019s 14^{th<\/sup> long ball of the season and the 356^{th<\/sup> homer of his 17-season MLB career. Votto is a six-time All Star and was the 2010 National League MVP.<\/p>\n}}
A Tough Way To Lose<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
On September 10, three Brewers hurlers (Corbin Burnes<\/strong>, Devin Williams<\/strong>, Abner Uribe<\/strong>) held the Yankees not just scoreless \u2013 but hitless<\/strong><\/em> – over the first ten innings at Yankee Stadium. The Brewers, however, had managed just three hits and no runs.<\/p>\n
The Brewers scored in the top of the eleventh \u2013 a single plating that \u201cplaced\u201d runner. (Don\u2019t even get me started on that.) The Yankees also plated their gift runner in the bottom of the inning.<\/p>\n
Each team scored twice in the twelfth, before the Yankees finally won it 4-3 in the thirteenth \u2013 with five of the seven total runs scored being\u00a0 \u2018gifted\u201d baserunners.\u201d (Okay, that got me started.)<\/p>\n
And a Happy Birthday to you, too, Freddie!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Dodgers\u2019 1B Freddie Freeman<\/strong> turned 34 on September 12th, but he didn\u2019t show his age. In an 11-2 Dodgers win against the Padres (in LA), Freeman went four-for-five, with a homer, a double, four runs scored and two RBI. It was the fourth time Freeman has gone yard on his birthday \u2013 one shy of the MB record (more #InBaseballWeCountEverything).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
It\u2019s A Grand Old Game<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a>On September 15, Twins\u2019 24-year-oold rookie infielder Royce Lewis<\/strong> laced a second-inning Grand Slam off of The White Sox\u2019 Jesse Scholtens<\/strong> \u2013 breaking a 0-0 tie and starting the Twins toward a 10-2 victory in Chicago. And the Grand Slam was one of the record books.<\/p>\n
\n
It was Lewis fourth grand slam in 18 games \u2013 shortest span of games for four Grand Slams in MLB history;<\/li>\n
It gave Lewis a share of the record for most Grand Slams by a rookie in a season;<\/li>\n
It gave Lewis the Twins’ franchise record for Grand Slams in a season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Here a list of Lewis 2023 Grand Slams:<\/p>\n
August 27, sixth inning<\/em>\u00a0 – off the Rangers\u2019 Chris Stratton<\/strong>;<\/p>\n
August 28, second inning<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 off the Guardians\u2019 Xzavion Curry <\/strong>(gotta be the only MLBer whose first name starts XZ);<\/p>\n
September 4, second inning<\/em> \u2013 off the Guardians\u2019 Lucas Giolito;<\/strong><\/p>\n
September 15, second inning<\/em> \u2013 off the White Sox’ Jesse Scholtens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Side Note; Lewis also had a Grand slam in 2022, when he played only 12 games (keeping his rookie status intact), giving him five Grand Slams in his first 66 MLB games,<\/em><\/p>\n
Lewis, hampered by injury concerns, finished the 2023 season with a .309-15-52 stat line in just 58 games.<\/p>\n
Sometimes It’s Not So Grand\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
When Twins’ C Ryan Jeffers<\/strong> watched a called third strike from Angels’ righthander Andrew Wantz<\/strong> – in the second inning of a Twins 9-3 win over the Angels on September 24, it marked a not so grand MLB moment.\u00a0 It was the Twins hitters’ 1,597th strikeout of the season – setting a new MLB single-season record. Notably, the Twins winning record this season is the exception, rather than the rule, among MLB’s top swing-and-miss teams.<\/p>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n
A Braves New World<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
On September 16, as the Braves lost to the Marlins 11-5 in Miami, Braves’1B Matt Olson<\/strong>\u00a0 went two-for-three with a home run .\u00a0 It was his 52nd long ball of the season and gave him the Braves franchise single-season record for home runs (topping Andruw Jones … 51 in 2005). Olson, finished September with a .282-54-137 stat line (all career highs).\u00a0 In fact, with one game left to play, Olson had reached career highs in hits, runs scored, triples, homers, total bases, RBI and average.\u00a0 Note: On September 28, Olson drove in his 135^{th<\/sup> and 136^{th<\/sup> runs of the season, setting a modern-era (post 1900) franchise record for RBI (topping Eddie Mathews 135 in 1953).<\/p>\n}}
The Time is WainwRIGHT<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
On September 18, Cardinals\u2019 righthander Adam Wainwright<\/strong> \u2013 in his 18^{th<\/sup> MLB season \u2013 came into his start against the Brewers with a sore right shoulder and a back impacted by the wear and tear of more than 2,500 MLB innings.\u00a0 He had 199 MLB wins and a career 3.54 earned run average on his resume \u2013 but a 4-11, 7.95 record on the 2023 season.\u00a0 On this day, Wainwright captured some of the old magic. He pitched seven strong innings (his longest start of the season), gave up just four hits (two walks) and held the Brewers scoreless (his first scoreless outing of the season) \u2013 as his Cardinals won 1-0.<\/p>\n}
The win, Wainwright\u2019s 200^{th<\/sup> MLB victory \u2013 proved to be his final MLB win. A few days later, Wainwright, who had already given notice that this would be his last season in uniform \u2013 confirmed that his back and shoulder issues would prevent him from taking the mound again begore retirement. (For trivia buffs, his last pitch was a 2-2 curveball to Brewers’ 3B Josh Donaldson<\/strong> (that Donaldson it for a flyout to center).<\/p>\n}
In the five seasons from 2009-214, Adam Wainwright went 92-50, 2.83 in 165 starts. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Wainwright will retire with a 200-128, 3.53 record. A three-time All Star, he twice led the NL in victories, owns a pair of Gold Gloves and three times finished in the top three in Cy Young Award voting. As a hitter, he homered on the very first pitch he ever saw (from the batter\u2019s box) off the Giants’ Noah Lowry<\/strong> on May 24, 2006). \u00a0He went on to hit\u00a0 .193, with ten homers and 75 RBI in 742 career at bats. For trivia buffs, what appears to be Adam Wainwright’s last MLB appearance was as a pinch hitter (in front of a Cardinals home crowd) in the sixth inning of a September 29 game against the Reds.\u00a0 He hit for DH Luken Baker<\/strong> (in the cleanup spot) and grounded out against Brandon Williamson<\/strong>. (At the time, the Cardinals trailed 14-2.)<\/p>\n
The Zero Heroes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
September saw three complete-game shutouts.<\/p>\n
September 8 \u2013 Zac Gallen<\/strong>, Diamondbacks, in a 1-0 win over the Cubs in Chicago. Gallen used 107 pitches, giving up three hits, walking one and fanning nine.<\/p>\n
September 11 – Brian Woodruff,<\/strong> Brewers, in a 12-0 win over the Marlins in Milwaukee. Woodruff used 106 pitches to toss a seven-hitter, with one walk and seven whiffs.<\/p>\n
September 27 \u2013 Gerrit Cole<\/strong>, Yankees, in a 6-0 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto.\u00a0 Cole used 105 pitches, gave up two hits, walked none and fanned five.<\/p>\n
Through September there were 21 single-pitcher shutouts in MLB. In 2022, there were 16.<\/p>\n
Taking This Twins Thing Seriously<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
On September 17^{th<\/sup> Twins manager Rocco Baldelli<\/strong> and his wife Allie added to their family with the birth of \u2013 of course – twins (both boys).<\/p>\n}
A Rookie First<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
On September 20, as the Diamondbacks topped the Giants\u00a0 7-1 in Arizona, D-back\u2019s rookie Corbin Carroll<\/strong> \u2013 starting in RF and leading off \u2013 had a big day. He went four-for-five, with a home run, three runs scored and two stolen baes. Not only did he lead the D-backs to a win, but he also hit his 25^{th<\/sup> homer\u00a0 of the season and stole his 49^{th<\/sup> and 50^{th<\/sup> bases – making him the first AL\/NL rookie ever with a 25-50 season.<\/p>\n}}}
Another National Leaguer Goes \u201cClubbing\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Comm<\/p><\/div>\n
On September 22, as the Braves topped the Nationals 9-6 in Washington D.C., Braves’ RF Ronald Acuna Jr.<\/strong> clubbed his 40th home run of the 2023 season. (He went two-for four, with a homer, double, hit-by-pitch, three runs scored and one RBI in the game). At the time, Acuna also had 68 stolen bases (in 81 attempts).\u00a0 In the process, he became just the fifth member of the unique 40-40 club (forty homers and at least forty steals in the same season \u2013 joining Joe Canseco,<\/strong> A\u2019s (42\/40 in \u00a01988); Barry Bonds<\/strong>, Giants (42\/40 1996); Alex Rodriguez<\/strong>, Mariners (42\/46 in 1998); Alfonso Soriano<\/strong>, Nationals (46\/41 in \u00a02006).<\/p>\n
With that homer, Acuna also established a new exclusive club \u2013 the 40- homer\/sixty-steal club. As September closed, they had to rename Acuna\u2019s club the 40-70\u00a0 Club (41 homers and 73 steals to go with a .338 average).<\/p>\n
A Good Year to Lead Off<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Ronald Acuna, Jr<\/strong>.\u2019s September 22, home run gave him the record for home runs hit out of the leadoff spot in the\u00a0 lineup in a single season at 40. In September 26, he extended that record to 41. As September closed, the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts<\/strong> had 39 home runs out of the leadoff spot this season, tying for second on the list.<\/p>\n
Ditto the Above Headline<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
On September 23, Dodgers; 2B\/OF Mookie Betts<\/strong> smacked a pair of doubles and drove in two runs, as the Dodgers topped the Giants 7-0 in LA.\u00a0 Betts\u2019 two RBI were his 104^{th<\/sup> and 105^{th<\/sup> of the season, giving him the single-season MLB record for RBI out of the leadoff spot. Charlie Blackman had held the record at 103 (2017). By September’s end Betts had extended his record to 107 RBI (.306-39-107).<\/p>\n}}
Well, That\u2019s Kind Of Surprising<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
On September 23, Aaron Judge had a big day versus the Diamondbacks (in New York).\u00a0 Batting second and starting in RF for the Yankees, Judge:<\/p>\n
\n
Doubled off Brandon<\/strong> Pfaadt<\/strong> in the bottom of the first inning;<\/li>\n
Hit a three-run homer to right-center off Pfaadt in the third;<\/li>\n
Hit a two-run homer off Pfaadt in the fifth;<\/li>\n
Hit a solo shot off Slade Cecconi<\/strong> in the seventh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It was Judge’s second three-homer game of the 2023 season \u2013 which is why it is mentioned here.\u00a0 Given a history that includes such sluggers as Babe Ruth<\/strong>, Lou Gehrig<\/strong> and Mickey Mantle,<\/strong> it is surprising that Judge is the first Yankee with two three-homer games in a season. The Yankees, by the way, prevailed 7-1, with Judge collecting six RBI<\/p>\n
More #InBaseballWeCountEverything<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
On September 24, with the Phillies leading the Mets 5-2 (in Philadelphia), the Phils called Mike Lorenzen<\/strong> in from the bullpen in the top of the ninth inning. Two groundouts and a strikeout later, Lorenzen had his first save of 2023. It came in just his second 2023 relief appearance \u2013 following 25 starts.\u00a0 Why is it a highlight?\u00a0 On August ninth, Lorenzen pitched a complete-game, no-hitter.\u00a0 The save made him just the tenth\u00a0 pitcher (since saves became an official stat in 1969) to toss a no-hitter and pick up a save in the same season.\u00a0 Other names on the list Bob Moose<\/strong> (1969). Jim Bibby<\/strong> (1973); Nolan Ryan<\/strong> (1973); John Candelario<\/strong> (1973); Jerry Reuss<\/strong> (1976); Chris Bosio<\/strong> (1980); Matt Garza<\/strong> (1993); Tim Lincecum<\/strong> (2010).<\/p>\n
They call Him the Streak<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Photo: Soto:\u00a0 Ryan Casey Aguinaldo, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0>, via Wikimedia<\/p><\/div>\n
Between August 26 and September 27, the Padres’ Juan Soto<\/strong> ran off a streak of 30-games getting on base. During that streak her hit .349 (38-for-109), with 11 home runs, 32 RBI and 27 runs scored.,\u00a0 He also drew 23 walks and was hit by a pitch (.463 on-base percentage).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
–——Individual Statistical Leaders for September 2023——–<\/strong><\/span>–<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
AVERAGE (minimum 75 September at \u00a0bats)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Xander Bogaerts, Padres (.416); Noelvi Marte, Reds (.387); Seiya Suzuki, Cubs (.370)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> –\u00a0 Yandy Diaz, Rays (.345); Andres Gimenez, Guardians (.333); Josh Lowe, Rays (.318)<\/p>\n
The lowest September average (among players with at least 50 at bats in the month) \u00a0belonged to Giants’ C Patrick Bailey \u00a0at .121 (7-for-58). <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
HOME RUNS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (11); Matt Olson, Braves (11); Juan Soto, Padres (10); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (10)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Marcus Semien, Rangers (9); Nelson Valazquez, Royals (9); Logan O’Hoppe, Angels (9)<\/p>\n
The Dodgers J.D. Martinez had the highest September slugging percentage (at least 75 at bats) at .724.\u00a0 The AL leader was the Astros\u2019 Yordan Alvarez at .629.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
HITS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Xander Bogaerts, Padres (42); Seiya Suzuki, Cubs (40); Ozzie Albies, Braves (38)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0 Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (33); Marcus Semien, Rangers (33); Jose Ramirez, Guardians (33)<\/p>\n
The top seven hitters \u2013 in terms of base hits \u2013 for September were from the National League. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
RUNS BATTED IN <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Juan Soto, Padres (29); Seiya Suzuki, Cubs (26); J.D. Martinez, Dodgers (25); Matt Olson, Braves (25)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Jose Abreu, Astros (26); Spencer Torkelson, Tigers (25); Royce Lewis, Twins (23)<\/p>\n
The Rockies Nolan Jones led MLB (at least 75 September at bats) players in on-base percentage at .460. The AL \u00a0leader was the Yankees Aaron Judge at .452. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
DOUBLES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> –\u00a0 \u00a0Willy Adames, Brewers (10); Xander Bogaerts, Padres (10); Michael Harris II, Braves (10); Marcell Ozuna, Braves (10)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Adley Rutschman, Orioles (9); Anthony Santander, Orioles (9); six with eight<\/p>\n
TRIPLES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Brenton Doyle, Rockies (4); TJ Freidl, Reds (3); Nolan Jones, Rockies (3)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Kyle Tucker, Astros (4); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (3); five with two<\/p>\n
The Cubs\u2019 Seiya Suzuki\u00a0 and Braves’ Marcel Ozuna led MLB in September extra-base hits with 18. The \u00a0Orioles\u2019 Gunnar Henderson and Rangers\u2019’\u00a0 Marcus Semien led the AL with 17. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
STOLEN BASES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League <\/strong>–\u00a0 Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (13); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (12); three with 11<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Esteury Ruiz, A\u2019s (13); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (11); Andres Gimenez, Guardians (8)<\/p>\n
The Diamondbacks\u2019 Corbin Carroll \u00a0stole his MLB-leading 13 bases in September\u00a0 without ever getting caught. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
WALKS <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Bryce Harper, Phillies (24); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (24); Nolan Jones, Rockies (20)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Aaron Judge, Yankees (27); Edouard Julien, Twins (24); Andy Rutschman, Orioles (19)<\/p>\n
The Astros’ Alex Bregman \u00a0led in walks\/strikeouts ratio (among batters with at least 75 September plate appearances)\u00a0 at 2.00 \u2026 16 walks versus 8 whiffs in 26 games. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (43); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (33); Nick Castellanos, Phillies (33)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Ryan Noda, A\u2019s (45); Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (40); Eugenio Suarez, Mariners (40)<\/p>\n
PITCHING VICTORIES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Spencer Strider, Braves (4-1); Michael Wacha, Padres (4-2); 13 with three<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Tarik Skubal, Tigers (4-0); Brito, Yankees (4-1); 20 with three<\/p>\n
Leading MLB with four September losses were: John Brebbia, Giants (1-4, 4.82); Hunter Brown, Astros (1-4, 9.14); Griffin Canning, Angels (0-4, 4.13); Carlos Rodon, Yankees (2-4, 8.10)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Right Place Right Time & Vice Versa<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
The Rangers\u2019 Dane Dunning went 3-0, in five September games (four starts) with a 5.02 ERA. The Yankees Michael King went 1-2 in five starts, with a 1.30 ERA.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 September innings pitched)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Blake Snell, Padres (0.58); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.67); Logan Webb, Giants (2.02)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Tarik Skubal, Tigers (0.90); Michael King, Yankees (1.30): Reese Olson, Tigers (1.44)<\/p>\n
The Royals’ James McArthur \u00a0threw the most September \u00a0innings without giving\u00a0 up an earned run (14 1\/3). In 11 September \u00a0appearances, he gave up just \u00a0hits and no runs, while fanning 15 and not walking a single batter. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>INNINGS PITCHED<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League: <\/strong>Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (36 2\/3); Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (36 1\/3); Logan Webb, Giants (35 2\/3)<\/p>\n
American League:\u00a0 <\/strong>Justin Verlander (39); Jordan Montgomery, Rangers (36 1\/3); Logan Gilbert (35 2\/3)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>STRIKEOUTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Blake Snell, Padres (41K \/ 31 IP); Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (40K \/ 36 1\/3 IP); Zac Gallen (38K \/ 36 2\/3 IP)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Tyler Glasnow, Rays (48K \/ 33 1\/3 IP); Nick Pivetta, Red Sox (43K \/ 33 1\/3 IP); Tarik Skubal, Tigers (43K \/ 30 IP)<\/p>\n
SAVES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 David Bednar, Pirates (9); Tanner Scott, Marlins (8); three with six<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (8); Clay Holmes, Yankees (8); Pete Fairbanks, Rays (7)<\/p>\n
The Pirates\u2019 \u00a0David \u00a0had the most saves without a blown saves in September at nine.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
WHIP (Walks +\u00a0 Hits per Inning Pitched \u2013 minimum 25 August innings)<\/strong><\/p>\n
National League<\/strong> \u2013 Ryan Pepiot, Dodgers (0.76); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (0.81); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (0.83)<\/p>\n
American League<\/strong> \u2013 Tarik Skubal, Tigers (0.60); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (0.69);\u00a0 Reese Olson, Tigers (0.77)<\/p>\n
The Padres\u2019 Blake Snell (among pitchers with at least 25 September inning) held hitter to the lowest average (.123). In the AL, that honor went to Tarik Skubal of the Tigers at .135. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>Random\u00a0 Bonus Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
Lucas Giolito of the White Sox gave up the most September homers (10 in 25 2\/3 IP), He went 1-3, 6.66.<\/strong><\/li>\n
The Yankees\u2019 Gerrit Cole pitched the most September innings without giving up home run – 35.<\/strong><\/li>\n
The Pirate\u2019s Johan Oviedo walked the most batters in September (19 in 23 1\/3 innings). <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
$\"\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n
Primary Resources:<\/em>\u00a0 Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almnac.com<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.<\/strong><\/p>\n
$\"100\"$ <\/a> $\"\"$ <\/a>Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot<\/em> list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.\u00a0 To see the full list, click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply<\/em> Top 66 Baseball Sites list.\u00a0 For the full list, click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT<\/h3>\n
Follow\/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0 Find More baseball commentary; <\/strong><\/span>blog post notifications; PRIZES.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.<\/strong><\/p>\n
P1005<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It’s October 1, and that means it’s time for the Baseball Roundtable monthly Wrap Up for September – 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. Keep in mind, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n