With 30ish games in the books (120ish at-bats), we have enough data to give us a leaderboard for various statistical categories.
HOME RUNS
Aaron Judge is the only player with double-digit homers. The Yankees’ superstar, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, has looked an MVP. Obviously, I won’t bang on about my preseason prediction.
Just behind Judge are Mike Trout, C.J. Cron and Anthony Rizzo, all with nine home runs.
RUNS
Padres’ Manny Machado leads the league with 27 runs. Despite ostracising half of his fanbase by wearing an LGB t-shirt, the third baseman has risen to the challenge of being “the man” in San Diego while Fernando Tatis Jr. is absent.
The leading run scorers list is a who’s who of superstar players. Just behind Machado is Mookie Betts (26), Mike Trout (25), Shohei Ohtani (24) and Bryce Harper (24).
RBI
I don’t think anyone expected the Cleveland Guardians to start the season with such a high level of production. Jose Ramirez, who signed a long-term extension before the season to stay in Ohio, leads the league with 30 RBI.
It is not too surprising that Mets’ slugger, Pete Alonso, is second with 28 RBI, but it is very surprising that Alonso is only just ahead of Brewers’ Rowdy Tellez with 26 RBI. The round-faced smiler is slugging .538 and is the first Brewer ever to have an 8-RBI game.
STOLEN BASES
Mariners rookie superstar, Julio Rodriguez, has not had the impact with the bat that was hoped. A sub-.300 wOBA shows that even the most talented 21 year olds have teething problems. J-Rod leads the league with 10 stolen bases, one ahead of Orioles shortstop (and my mancrush) Jorge Mateo.
WALKS
Another of my preseason predictions looks a little too optimistic.
Juan Soto is tied for the league lead with 25 walks, which puts him on pace for 125 walks for the season. The Nationals talisman shares the lead with Dodgers Max Muncy.
STRIKEOUTS (Hitter)
You don’t often get clear daylight after such a small sample, but Guardians Franmil Reyes already has 48 strikeouts – nearly 20% more than the second-place trio of Dansby Swanson, Patrick Wisdom and Geno Suarez.
STRIKEOUTS (Pitcher)
Rays’ starter Shane McClanahan leads the way with 58 strikeouts, ahead of Giants’ Carlos Rondon (53) and Brewers’ Corbin Burnes (50). Rodon’s 13.6 K/9 is the best rate among qualified pitchers.
Among pitchers with at least 20 innings, Shohei Ohtani tops the list with a strikeout rate of 14.01 K/9.
WINS/LOSSES
Despite some pitchers having already made seven starts, no one has racked up five wins yet. However, Patrick Corbin and Vladimir Gutierrez have both started the season 0-5.
SAVES
There is a three-way tie at the top with 12 saves between Josh Hader, Taylor Rogers and Jordan Romano. The Brewers closer has a 0.00 ERA after 12 appearances. That seems good.
Featured image photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
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