Welcome to Week 20 in our ongoing series highlighting the best hitters and pitchers from the previous week. This week features two offensive performances by players that we’re almost certainly going to see in the playoffs. One of them you’d expect to see here. The other is something of a surprise. Our pitchers are also playoff bound and neither is surprising to see featured here.
BEST HITTER: Michael Cuddyer, OF, Mets
The Mets made a strange decision in the offseason. They decided it was worth it to forfeit a draft pick to sign Michael Cuddyer. Predictably that has not worked out very well for them, as he is having a poor season. Things looked absolutely disastrous earlier in the season, but he has worked his way to a somewhat respectable .268/.320/.409 slash line which is good for a 106 wRC+. It’s still not what you want from a guy you gave up a draft pick for.
However, this past week he earned his keep. He hit .579/.636/1.053. He led baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, weighted on-base percentage, and weighted runs created plus. He’s actually been a huge part of how the Mets have led all of baseball in offense (wRC+) over the last 30 days, tied with the offensive juggernaut that are the Blue Jays.
Honorable Mention: Speaking of the Blue Jays, it seems like we’re always including one of their hitters in recent weeks and this time around is no different. Edwin Encarnacion led baseball this past week in home runs, slugging percentage, and wins above replacement. He had one heck of a game against the Tigers in which he hit three home runs. That’s a feat he’s only accomplished one other time, back in 2010 against the Diamondbacks.
MLB Leader:
AVG – Michael Cuddyer (.579)
OBP – Michael Cuddyer (.636)
SLG – Edwin Encarnacion (1.261)
wOBA – Michael Cuddyer (.694)
wRC+ – Michael Cuddyer (362)
HR – Edwin Encarnacion (6)
SB – Dee Gordon (4)
fWAR – Edwin Encarnacion (0.9)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 30: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after getting the fianl out of a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Cubs won 2-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
BEST PITCHER: Jake Arrieta, Cubs
I often lament our obsession with no-hitters. I did it just last week. But it’s not because I don’t think they are impressive. A no-hitter, generally speaking, is still an impressive pitching performance and I can appreciate that. And Jake Arrieta was indeed impressive as he no-hit the Dodgers. He struck out 12 batters in that game. In fact, his only blemish that night was a solitary walk.
Honorable Mention: I remember watching Madison Bumgarner’s postseason performance last year and thinking they were going to burn out his arm. Thankfully that has not been the case. Instead he’s remained an excellent pitcher all season and this past week was no different. He made just the one start against the Cubs allowing one run in 6 innings but he struck out 12 batters in doing so. He led baseball in strikeout rate and fielding independent pitching too.
MLB Leaders:
K% – Madison Bumgarner (54.6%)
BB% – 10 players tied (0.0%)
AVG – Justin Verlander (.038)
WHIP – Matt Shoemaker (0.27)
ERA – 14 players tied (0.00)
FIP – Madison Bumgarner (0.12)
xFIP – Madison Bumgarner (0.37)
fWAR – Jake Arrieta (0.9)
Statistics courtesy of FanGraphs
