Currently in his third year, Witt is solidifying his position as one of the top hitters in baseball. He has started off the season extremely well, boasting a .300 average and .928 OPS in the first 97 times he’s come up to bat. His impressive combination of power and speed, including four home runs and three triples (leading the American League in both categories) is a major factor in the Royals’ unexpected success in the AL Central. Witt’s hard-hit rate of 61.4 percent is just one example of why his Baseball Savant page is filled with red, similar to a fleet of fire trucks.
Additionally, Witt boasts nine instances of recording multiple hits in a single game, putting him in a tie for the second-highest number in all of baseball. He demonstrated his impressive hitting abilities with a 4-for-5 game, hitting two home runs and bringing in five RBIs against the Astros on April 11. Not only that, but he also consistently excels in his defensive skills, reflected by his 0.7 defensive wins above replacement (dWAR) ranking third in the American League.
The beginning of the 2024 MLB season has witnessed outstanding performances from several players, making them strong contenders for the MVP award. Additionally, there are some unexpected players who have made a mark with game-changing performances and crucial moments in the early stages of the season.
The undisputed 2023 AL Rookie of the Year is positioning himself to potentially acquire another highly sought-after accolade for his collection.
In the last 12 games, he has hit six home runs and maintained an impressive 1.011 OPS. In total, he has recorded hits in 15 of the Orioles’ 21 games. Henderson’s performance has played a significant role in the Orioles’ rise as one of the most powerful offenses in MLB and one of the top teams in baseball.
Acuna is on track to surpass his impressive 73 steals from last year, making him a top contender in MLB. With nine steals so far this season, he currently holds the second-highest amount in the league.
Trout currently has a .599 slugging percentage, which ranks in the top 5% of all players in the league. This is his highest slugging percentage since 2020. Additionally, he has significantly reduced his strikeout rate compared to previous seasons (19.8% this season) and has shown a resurgence in his ability to steal bases, with five stolen bases so far this year – the most he has had at this point in the season since 2015.
The following players also received votes: Elly De La Cruz (Reds), William Contreras (Brewers; received one vote for first place), Ketel Marte (D-backs), Michael Busch (Cubs), Bryce Harper (Phillies), Trea Turner (Phillies), Orlando Arcia (Braves), Pete Alonso (Mets), CJ Abrams (Nationals), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (D-backs), Matt Olson (Braves), Spencer Steer (Reds), Corbin Carroll (D-backs), Dansby Swanson (Cubs), Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Logan Webb (Giants), Zac Gallen (D-backs), Christian Yelich (Brewers).
These statistics are accurate as of Sunday.
The following players also received votes for the award: Adolis García (Rangers), Salvador Perez (Royals), Yordan Alvarez (Astros), Aaron Judge (Yankees), Marcus Semien (Rangers), Kyle Tucker (Astros), Corey Seager (Rangers), Adley Rutschman (Orioles), Josh Naylor (Guardians), Jordan Westburg (Orioles), Taylor Ward (Angels), Julio Rodríguez (Mariners), Anthony Volpe (Yankees), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Tyler O’Neill (Red Sox), José Berríos (Blue Jays), José Ramírez (Guardians), Kutter Crawford (Red Sox), Rafael Devers (Red Sox)
Do not underestimate Ohtani’s chances for MVP. Despite focusing on only one aspect of his game in 2024 due to his recovery from elbow surgery last season, that one aspect is still incredibly impressive.
As an additional point, it should be noted that Ohtani has achieved five home runs, with one hit on Sunday that broke the record for most home runs by a Japanese-born MLB player. The reason he may not be the clear front-runner for MVP is due to the fact that he will not be pitching this season. However, had he been able to have a decent season on the mound, it is likely that he would have easily secured his third MVP Award in the last four seasons, regardless of any other impressive efforts by Mr. Betts.
In 2024, Betts has been a standout in the Dodgers lineup, which is already filled with MVP recipients. He is making a compelling argument to become a two-time MVP like his teammate Shohei Ohtani.
Betts is at or near the top of not just the National League, but all of baseball, in a slew of key categories: bWAR (2.2), on-base percentage (.469), OPS (1.103), batting average (.355), runs (24), walks (20) and total bases (59). He also has an MLB-best 204 wRC+, which seems almost unfathomable. For comparison, Acuña’s wRC+ in his historic MVP season was 170.
Discussing meeting expectations, the Soto-Yankees collaboration sparked chatter of MVP potential once he was acquired by the Bronx Bombers from the Padres in December. It didn’t take him much time to prove his worth.
Despite only hitting one home run this season, Acuña has rebounded from a slower start than usual to maintain a 134 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) in his first 20 games, which is still considered strong. He currently has a team-leading .419 on-base percentage and is tied for the second-highest number of runs scored in MLB.
Altuve’s career-high on-base percentage of .419 not only places him among the top players in the league, but is also his highest since 2019’s .410 mark.
Despite Houston starting off poorly, Altuve is still performing at his usual high level with a .351 batting average and a 1.015 OPS in the team’s first 23 games. He has already had five games with three hits this season, three of which were in a row from April 13-16. Altuve leads the American League in doubles and total bases with eight doubles and 56 total bases respectively, and is tied for the lead on his team with five home runs.
Voters submitted their top five choices in each league using a 5-4-3-2-1 rating system – awarding five points for a vote in first place, four points for a vote in second place, and so on. Here are the outcome rankings.
After playing 20 games so far this season, Ozuna is at the top of the baseball league with nine home runs, 27 runs batted in, a .713 slugging percentage, and a 1.117 OPS. This is a continuation of his performance in 2023, where he finished with 40 home runs and 100 RBIs despite a slow start. This can be attributed to Ozuna’s consistent ability to hit the ball hard.
He ranks among the top 1% of MLB players in expected batting average (.389) and expected slugging percentage (.810). Additionally, his average exit velocity of 92.2 mph is the highest it has been in the last four seasons. His career-high barrel rate of 19.7% has solidified Ozuna as a key player in the Braves’ MLB-leading team OPS of .828.
The Trout resembling the older version has been a pleasant surprise for the Angels, helping them stay close to first place in the AL West.
MLB.com’s initial MVP poll of the year includes contributions from a variety of sources. While only two individuals garnered the most votes, a grand total of 24 players from the American League and 23 from the National League received recognition from 45 experts who submitted their choices. In summary, similar to our initial Cy Young poll, the MVP races continue to offer excitement and possibilities for multiple contenders.
While his conventional statistics may be decent (.261 batting average, 6 home runs, .821 OPS), a deeper analysis reveals potential for the Padres and their supporters to be excited about.
In his first four games with the Yankees, Soto had three games where he achieved multiple hits, including two games with three hits. He has maintained a strong performance, leading the AL with a .456 on-base percentage and a 1.035 OPS in 22 games. Soto has also hit five home runs, driven in 20 runs, and drawn 19 walks. Interestingly, he has a 203 wRC+ which, surprisingly, is not even the highest in all of baseball (we’ll discuss the top performer later).
Since 2021, Tatis has been hitting the ball with greater force, resulting in him ranking high among MLB players in expected average (.312) and slugging percentage (.556). Additionally, his strikeout rate has reached its lowest point at 16.2 percent. This combination of making more contact with well-hit balls usually leads to a significant number of hits and runs, making a strong case for MVP consideration.
After his remarkable performance of 40-70 in the previous season, it’s not difficult to consider Acuña as a potential MVP candidate, despite his slow start in the current season.
Tatis is once again displaying his talents as a top-performing player, earning an impressive 7.3 bWAR and leading the MLB in 2021 with 42 home runs. This season looks promising for the Padres, possibly making for an exciting summer in San Diego.
Ohtani continues to be must-see entertainment whenever he’s on the field. Just consider this rundown: Ohtani is the MLB leader in hits (35), doubles (11), batting average (.368) and total bases (63). He’s also in the 99th
The predicted batting average (.370), slugging percentage (.701), and barrel rate (20.8%) all fall in the top 10% of all players.
Soto once again showcased his skillset, providing the Yankees with the much-needed powerful left-handed hitter.
Henderson’s performance in the 2023 season was exceptional, and he is currently demonstrating advancements in his ability to get on base and hit with power. He is quickly solidifying his position as one of Baltimore’s strongest offensive players.
It’s not uncommon for Altuve to be considered for MVP. However, it is remarkable that he stands out on an Astros team that has not achieved a winning record this season.
In 2023, Betts came in second place for the MVP award, losing to Ronald Acuña Jr. However, this year he has consistently led the NL race since the beginning.
Since last May, Ozuna has experienced a surge in his performance. Despite a rough start to the 2023 season, with a wRC+ of only 10 by May 1, Ozuna has now established himself as one of the most intimidating batters in baseball.
After being absent for half of the 2023 season due to health reasons, Trout has shown improved performance in the 2024 season, resembling his previous self. He currently leads the AL in home runs and has the highest OPS of .904 since almost a year ago on May 9, with his last recorded OPS being .908.
The post The initial MVP poll for 2024 showcases two obvious leaders in the race. appeared first on Americano Sports.
Tennis: Zeppieri misses qualification for Madrid – Tennis
No Italian has passed the qualifications for the Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid. Even Giulio Zeppieri, number 141 ATP and the only Italian to reach the decisive round, lost 6-4, 6-4 against the Argentine Facundo Bagnis (n.136). Stefano Napolitano, Matteo Gigante and Andrea Vavassori had previously left. However, there are five Italians in the main […]
The post Tennis: Zeppieri misses qualification for Madrid – Tennis appeared first on Archysport.
Currently in his third year, Witt is solidifying his position as one of the top hitters in baseball. He has started off the season extremely well, boasting a .300 average and .928 OPS in the first 97 times he’s come up to bat. His impressive combination of power and speed, including four home runs and three triples (leading the American League in both categories) is a major factor in the Royals’ unexpected success in the AL Central. Witt’s hard-hit rate of 61.4 percent is just one example of why his Baseball Savant page is filled with red, similar to a fleet of fire trucks.
Additionally, Witt boasts nine instances of recording multiple hits in a single game, putting him in a tie for the second-highest number in all of baseball. He demonstrated his impressive hitting abilities with a 4-for-5 game, hitting two home runs and bringing in five RBIs against the Astros on April 11. Not only that, but he also consistently excels in his defensive skills, reflected by his 0.7 defensive wins above replacement (dWAR) ranking third in the American League.
The beginning of the 2024 MLB season has witnessed outstanding performances from several players, making them strong contenders for the MVP award. Additionally, there are some unexpected players who have made a mark with game-changing performances and crucial moments in the early stages of the season.
The undisputed 2023 AL Rookie of the Year is positioning himself to potentially acquire another highly sought-after accolade for his collection.
In the last 12 games, he has hit six home runs and maintained an impressive 1.011 OPS. In total, he has recorded hits in 15 of the Orioles’ 21 games. Henderson’s performance has played a significant role in the Orioles’ rise as one of the most powerful offenses in MLB and one of the top teams in baseball.
Acuna is on track to surpass his impressive 73 steals from last year, making him a top contender in MLB. With nine steals so far this season, he currently holds the second-highest amount in the league.
Trout currently has a .599 slugging percentage, which ranks in the top 5% of all players in the league. This is his highest slugging percentage since 2020. Additionally, he has significantly reduced his strikeout rate compared to previous seasons (19.8% this season) and has shown a resurgence in his ability to steal bases, with five stolen bases so far this year – the most he has had at this point in the season since 2015.
These statistics are accurate as of Sunday.
The following players also received votes for the award: Adolis García (Rangers), Salvador Perez (Royals), Yordan Alvarez (Astros), Aaron Judge (Yankees), Marcus Semien (Rangers), Kyle Tucker (Astros), Corey Seager (Rangers), Adley Rutschman (Orioles), Josh Naylor (Guardians), Jordan Westburg (Orioles), Taylor Ward (Angels), Julio Rodríguez (Mariners), Anthony Volpe (Yankees), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Tyler O’Neill (Red Sox), José Berríos (Blue Jays), José Ramírez (Guardians), Kutter Crawford (Red Sox), Rafael Devers (Red Sox)
As an additional point, it should be noted that Ohtani has achieved five home runs, with one hit on Sunday that broke the record for most home runs by a Japanese-born MLB player. The reason he may not be the clear front-runner for MVP is due to the fact that he will not be pitching this season. However, had he been able to have a decent season on the mound, it is likely that he would have easily secured his third MVP Award in the last four seasons, regardless of any other impressive efforts by Mr. Betts.
In 2024, Betts has been a standout in the Dodgers lineup, which is already filled with MVP recipients. He is making a compelling argument to become a two-time MVP like his teammate Shohei Ohtani.
Discussing meeting expectations, the Soto-Yankees collaboration sparked chatter of MVP potential once he was acquired by the Bronx Bombers from the Padres in December. It didn’t take him much time to prove his worth.
Despite only hitting one home run this season, Acuña has rebounded from a slower start than usual to maintain a 134 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) in his first 20 games, which is still considered strong. He currently has a team-leading .419 on-base percentage and is tied for the second-highest number of runs scored in MLB.
Despite Houston starting off poorly, Altuve is still performing at his usual high level with a .351 batting average and a 1.015 OPS in the team’s first 23 games. He has already had five games with three hits this season, three of which were in a row from April 13-16. Altuve leads the American League in doubles and total bases with eight doubles and 56 total bases respectively, and is tied for the lead on his team with five home runs.
Voters submitted their top five choices in each league using a 5-4-3-2-1 rating system – awarding five points for a vote in first place, four points for a vote in second place, and so on. Here are the outcome rankings.
After playing 20 games so far this season, Ozuna is at the top of the baseball league with nine home runs, 27 runs batted in, a .713 slugging percentage, and a 1.117 OPS. This is a continuation of his performance in 2023, where he finished with 40 home runs and 100 RBIs despite a slow start. This can be attributed to Ozuna’s consistent ability to hit the ball hard.
He ranks among the top 1% of MLB players in expected batting average (.389) and expected slugging percentage (.810). Additionally, his average exit velocity of 92.2 mph is the highest it has been in the last four seasons. His career-high barrel rate of 19.7% has solidified Ozuna as a key player in the Braves’ MLB-leading team OPS of .828.
The Trout resembling the older version has been a pleasant surprise for the Angels, helping them stay close to first place in the AL West.
MLB.com’s initial MVP poll of the year includes contributions from a variety of sources. While only two individuals garnered the most votes, a grand total of 24 players from the American League and 23 from the National League received recognition from 45 experts who submitted their choices. In summary, similar to our initial Cy Young poll, the MVP races continue to offer excitement and possibilities for multiple contenders.
While his conventional statistics may be decent (.261 batting average, 6 home runs, .821 OPS), a deeper analysis reveals potential for the Padres and their supporters to be excited about.
In his first four games with the Yankees, Soto had three games where he achieved multiple hits, including two games with three hits. He has maintained a strong performance, leading the AL with a .456 on-base percentage and a 1.035 OPS in 22 games. Soto has also hit five home runs, driven in 20 runs, and drawn 19 walks. Interestingly, he has a 203 wRC+ which, surprisingly, is not even the highest in all of baseball (we’ll discuss the top performer later).
Since 2021, Tatis has been hitting the ball with greater force, resulting in him ranking high among MLB players in expected average (.312) and slugging percentage (.556). Additionally, his strikeout rate has reached its lowest point at 16.2 percent. This combination of making more contact with well-hit balls usually leads to a significant number of hits and runs, making a strong case for MVP consideration.
Tatis is once again displaying his talents as a top-performing player, earning an impressive 7.3 bWAR and leading the MLB in 2021 with 42 home runs. This season looks promising for the Padres, possibly making for an exciting summer in San Diego.
The predicted batting average (.370), slugging percentage (.701), and barrel rate (20.8%) all fall in the top 10% of all players.
Soto once again showcased his skillset, providing the Yankees with the much-needed powerful left-handed hitter.
Henderson’s performance in the 2023 season was exceptional, and he is currently demonstrating advancements in his ability to get on base and hit with power. He is quickly solidifying his position as one of Baltimore’s strongest offensive players.
It’s not uncommon for Altuve to be considered for MVP. However, it is remarkable that he stands out on an Astros team that has not achieved a winning record this season.
In 2023, Betts came in second place for the MVP award, losing to Ronald Acuña Jr. However, this year he has consistently led the NL race since the beginning.
Since last May, Ozuna has experienced a surge in his performance. Despite a rough start to the 2023 season, with a wRC+ of only 10 by May 1, Ozuna has now established himself as one of the most intimidating batters in baseball.
After being absent for half of the 2023 season due to health reasons, Trout has shown improved performance in the 2024 season, resembling his previous self. He currently leads the AL in home runs and has the highest OPS of .904 since almost a year ago on May 9, with his last recorded OPS being .908.
The post The initial MVP poll for 2024 showcases two obvious leaders in the race. appeared first on Americano Sports.
Tennis: Zeppieri misses qualification for Madrid – Tennis
No Italian has passed the qualifications for the Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid. Even Giulio Zeppieri, number 141 ATP and the only Italian to reach the decisive round, lost 6-4, 6-4 against the Argentine Facundo Bagnis (n.136). Stefano Napolitano, Matteo Gigante and Andrea Vavassori had previously left. However, there are five Italians in the main […]
The post Tennis: Zeppieri misses qualification for Madrid – Tennis appeared first on Archysport.