We’re roughly three weeks into the season and the most important statistical pattern in fantasy is that there is much more of … properly, all the things. Run scoring, batting common, on-base share, slugging and homers are all up. Base-stealing is massively up, as if from one other period. Meanwhile, common game-time is a pleasant 2 hours and 39 minutes. These are growth instances for followers and fantasy managers, pals. Here’s a six-pack of stats to assist us make sense of the sport…
92.0: Jarred Kelenic‘s common exit velocity is 92.0 miles per hour over his 56 plate appearances, rating No. 35 amongst certified hitters — simply behind Bo Bichette and dead-even with Shohei Ohtani. So he is retaining fairly respectable firm. His barrel fee has jumped to 19.4 p.c and his line-drive fee is now at 25.0. He’s been stinging the ball at any time when he sees a left-handed pitcher, too.
When you think about Kelenic’s stellar spring (1.095 OPS), it is robust to conclude that his early manufacturing is fluky. We seem to have an enormous post-hype breakout on our fingers. Feel free to victory lap for those who by no means stopped believing.
82.6: Stolen base success fee throughout MLB was at 82.6 p.c by way of Sunday’s video games, a dramatic bounce from final yr’s 74.9 p.c. This is in keeping with the outcomes from the minor leagues final season below the brand new disengagement guidelines. Total steals thus far are up an astonishing 49 p.c, which needs to be on the outer reaches of what anybody may need fairly anticipated. Also: It’s superior. Base-stealing is enjoyable. Action is enjoyable.
And but by some means, the notoriously un-fun Minnesota Twins entered the week having stolen just one base — ONE! — on three makes an attempt by way of 16 video games. The Twins ranked final in baseball in steals final season as properly, swiping simply 38 luggage. A base-stealing renaissance is underway nearly in every single place, however not up north.
16 Rays pitching prospect Taj Bradley has struck out 16 batters in his 12.0 innings this season, splitting his time between Durham and the majors. He punched out eight over 5 frames in opposition to the Red Sox final week, showcasing a energetic fastball and evil curve:
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The 22-year-old deserves pickup consideration forward of his Tuesday begin at Cincinnati. Bradley struck out 141 batters over 133.1 innings within the excessive minors final season, producing an ERA of two.57. We could make no guarantees with pitching prospects (or Rays) usually, however the damage to Jeffrey Springs clearly creates a chance.
7: Fernando Tatis Jr. wanted solely eight video games and 33 at-bats for Triple-A El Paso to succeed in seven homers, which after all is simply foolish. He went 14-for-20 over his final 4 video games with the Chihuahuas, hitting six bombs and driving in 13. It would appear he’ll be able to go when first eligible on Thursday. Let’s hope his return can reanimate Juan Soto and the remainder of San Diego’s lineup. As a group, the Padres are hitting simply .231/.316/.404 they usually’ve been shut out in consecutive video games.
1.041: Let the document present that Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis presently has a 1.041 OPS for Triple-A Iowa, taking part in at a degree he dominated final season. Mervis is 25 years previous and coming off a yr through which he cleared the fence 36 instances at three completely different stops, slashing .309/.379/.605 alongside the way in which. He has extra walks (13) than Ks (9) within the early weeks, too. If you are searching for an influence bat to stash, there aren’t many higher choices than Mervis. Cubs first basemen are usually not precisely off to a scorching begin, so it is simple to make the case for a call-up.
0.1: That’s what number of innings Bryce Harper has performed at first base in his 11-year profession, however he is getting ready to see time on the place upon coming back from his UCL damage. In current days, we have additionally discovered that Harper could not want a rehab project earlier than rejoining the Phillies lineup — he is been hitting for weeks — and the one factor he hasn’t but been cleared to do in a recreation is slide. He positive appears to be weirdly near returning. The group apparently already has a date circled on the calendar. If he is again in May, he’d beat the unique ETA by practically two full months. Harper, merely put, is trying like he could have been a dirty steal in fantasy drafts.
