Each MLB team’s top performer this season
Every baseball team needs a star — someone who can pace the team either offensively or defensively — or perhaps both. On the pitching side, a star can be the ace of a staff or the stopper in the bullpen.Here’s a list of each MLB team’s top performer so far in 2017.
One of the league’s most complete first basemen, Goldschmidt remains Arizona’s biggest star. Beyond playing quality defense, he has hit .319 with 29 home runs while also stealing 16 bases.
Freeman has been limited to just 72 games by injury in 2017, but he’s still been Atlanta’s best player. Not only has he been his usual productive self offensively, hitting .321 with 21 home runs, he hastaken a shot at a new position, stepping away from his usual first base and helping the team by playing some at third.
Suddenly hitting for a higher average and more power than ever, Schoop has provided the Orioles with offensive punch at a position that is typically more defensive-minded. Schoop is hitting over .300 in a year where Baltimore’s star players haven’t produced as much as they would have hoped — and he’s added 26 home runs to the mix as well.
Perhaps someday the Red Sox may regret parting with top prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech to acquire Sale, but it won’t be anytime soon. Sale has been the best pitcher in the American League, putting up eye-popping numbers in a year where offense is up.
No, the reigning National League MVP hasn’t quite reached the same heights as he did in 2016, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been very good. He’s hitting a healthy .291 with 22 home runs and has been the same steady, reliable presence at third base and in the heart of Chicago’s lineup.
Once a highly-thought of prospect, Garcia’s career looked like it had stalled for good before 2017. He’s changed that narrative with a very good year, lifting his average to .307 and adding 13 home runs while also playing a solid right field.
Those who felt that Votto was overpaid and no longer elite are much quieter these days now that the first baseman is putting up numbers much more in line with the ones he posted during his glorious prime. Votto’s hit 31 home runs — topping 30 for the first time since 2010.
The former American League Cy Young winner is back to his best. Kluber has been dominant for the Tribe after dealing with some injuries.
You can talk about the Coors Field effect all you want, but Arenado is hitting for average and power away from home, too. Overall, he’s a .300 hitter well on his way to another 30 homer season.
Upton looked like a major free agent bust for much of 2016, but he kicked on in the second half and has not let up since. The left fielder is hitting a healthy .278 with 23 home runs.
What doesn’t Altuve do? He’s hitting .364, he’s hit 18 homers, he’s swiped 26 bases, he’s played solid defense up the middle.
A solid defensive third baseman, Moustakas has also had a quietly great season offensively. His .284 average is solid, and while he doesn’t walk much, he’s made up for that with a career-best 35 home runs.
We’re not going to punish Trout for the injury that cost him about a month and a half of action in June and July. He’s still played in 74 games and has been remarkable in those games, even by his lofty standards.
Controversial? Of course.
One of the league’s finest power hitters has taken it to a new level. An incredible run of home run hitting has put Stanton up to 44 home runs, a career best already with a month and a half of the season to go.
On a team with few superstar players and performances, Knebel has been elite in the closer’s role. Striking out batters at a remarkable pace of 15.6 per nine innings, he has saved 22 games with an ERA of 1.46.
The Twins ultimately didn’t flip Santana at the trade deadline, although they certainly could have done so if they’d opted to. The starting pitcher has been very valuable to a surprising Twins team, posting a 3.28 ERA and very easily being Minnesota’s most reliable starter.
After a shaky 2016, Conforto has firmly established himself as one of the National League’s finest outfielders. He’s become an on base machine to the tune of a .388 OBP, and his .282 average is solid as well.
Judge has taken baseball by storm, and with good reason. While his second half hasn’t quite been as good as his first, he’s hitting just under .300, has tallied 37 home runs, and has been key in the turnaround of the Yankees.
Oakland traded many of their top performers at the trade deadline, but Davis is still with the team slugging home runs. He’s a solid outfielder who also has 40 home run power, having already hit 33 of them in 2017.
The Phillies are really struggling to stock themselves with talent right now, but Nola is one of their few bright spots. The pitcher has all the makings of a future ace, with a 3.02 ERA and the ability to strike out over a batter an inning.
There’s a case to be made for Andrew McCutchen, but once again, Rivero has completely dominated in the closer role. Cutting his walks significa