Welcome to Week 18 in our ongoing series highlighting the best hitters and pitchers from the previous week. This week we feature a World Series hero and a forgotten man. We also spotlight a monumental feat for a team that’s fallen short of expectations. Finally we acknowledge a pair of sluggers leading their team into playoff contention.
BEST HITTER: Jackie Bradley Jr, OF, Red Sox
When JBJ made his major league debut with the Red Sox there was quite a lot of hype surrounding him. He had a stellar minor league career and it was hoped that would translate to the majors. It did not. He struggled with his promotion in 2013 and had a terrible season in AAA and MLB last year. Since then he’s become something of a forgotten man in the Red Sox system.
He’s been a good deal better this year at each level. In 100 PA at the MLB level, he’s hitting .247/.340/.494 with a 124 wOBA. That’s thanks in large part to an offensive freak show this past Saturday that saw him go 5/6 with two home runs and three doubles! In total last week, he hit .500/.520/1.042.
Honorable Mention: The Orioles have propelled themselves in the second wild card spot and have a legitimate chance at keeping that position. They have to thank Adam Jones and Chris Davis for this past week. Each led the lead in both fWAR and home runs. Davis hit .440/.481/1.040 and Jones hit .400/.407/1.040.
MLB Leader:
AVG – David Ortiz (.556)
OBP – Ben Zobrist (.600)
SLG – Jackie Bradley Jr. (1.042)
wOBA – Jackie Bradley Jr. (.651)
wRC+ – Jackie Bradley Jr. (330)
HR – Chris Davis/Adam Jones (5)
SB – AJ Pollock/Gregor Blanco (4)
fWAR -Chris Davis/Adam Jones(0.8)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 16: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Washington Nationals in the third inning at AT&T Park on August 16, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BEST PITCHER: Madison Bumgarner, Giants
Last week Madison Bumgarner faced 2 of the best teams in baseball and beat them both. But he didn’t just beat them. He tossed complete games against each of them. First, he faced the Astros, allowing one run on five hits while striking out 12 and walking none. Then he took on the Nationals. He held them scoreless on three hits and a walk. He struck out 14 batters.
Honorable Mention: Hisashi Iwakuma tossed just the 5th no-hitter in Mariners history and the first since Felix Hernandez’s from 2012. He was facing the Orioles, who were able to draw three walks. Iwakuma also punched out seven Baltimore hitters.
MLB Leaders:
K% – Carlos Rodon (42.3%)
BB% – 11 players tied (0.0%)
AVG – Hisashi Iwakuma (.000)
WHIP – Corey Kluber (0.22)
ERA – 13 players tied (0.00)
FIP – Madison Bumgarner/Carlos Rodon (0.39)
xFIP – Carlos Rodon (0.80)
fWAR – Madison Bumgarner (1.3 fWAR)
Statistics courtesy of FanGraphs
