Unexpected Stats from the First Half
One great thing about baseball is that, more than in any other sport, people you have never heard of will lead statistical categories as late as the All-Star Break (and possibly for the entire season). And, even if you have heard of them, no one would have categorized them as solid players before the season.
NL Batting Leader...Freddy Sanchez: .358
So, I actually don't know if I've ever heard of this guy. This is his second full season, and, after 86 games, he is a batting leader. He has no power or speed, and his OBP still isn't above .400. However, hitting that well for the Pirates, where he gets absolutely no support, 49 RBIs at the break is pretty impressive.
AL Batting Leader...Joe Mauer: .377
.377! As a catcher! We all knew he'd be good, but threatening to hit .400 in his second full season? That's a bit absurd. His OBP is .447, and he's even got 7 steals. I can't wait to see if he can keep it up in the second half.
NL Home Runs (tie-2nd Place)...Ryan Howard: 28
So he's not leading, but still, his first full season, and he will probably hit 50 homers. I read those stories pre-season about how powerful he was and how far he could hit a baseball, and figured he'd probably eventually be a 45-homer guy. But 28 in the first half, and a Home Run Derby Championship. He has 52 home runs in his first 191 career games.
NL Wins Leaders...Jason Marquis and Tom Glavine: 11
This is bizarre because Marquis' ERA is 5.34 and Glavine was supposed to have retired a few years ago. Both benefit from strong offenses. But also...Brad Penny, Chris Capuano and Brandon Webb rounding out the top 5? Definitely unexpected.
NL Triples Leader (tie-2nd Place)...Steve Finley: 9
I suppose playing at AT&T helps, but a washed-up 41 year-old hitting 9 triples in 81 games? I just had to mention that.
Also, Francisco Liriano and Jon Papelbon's success is definitely surprising, I think they've gotten enough press.
NL Batting Leader...Freddy Sanchez: .358
So, I actually don't know if I've ever heard of this guy. This is his second full season, and, after 86 games, he is a batting leader. He has no power or speed, and his OBP still isn't above .400. However, hitting that well for the Pirates, where he gets absolutely no support, 49 RBIs at the break is pretty impressive.
AL Batting Leader...Joe Mauer: .377
.377! As a catcher! We all knew he'd be good, but threatening to hit .400 in his second full season? That's a bit absurd. His OBP is .447, and he's even got 7 steals. I can't wait to see if he can keep it up in the second half.
NL Home Runs (tie-2nd Place)...Ryan Howard: 28
So he's not leading, but still, his first full season, and he will probably hit 50 homers. I read those stories pre-season about how powerful he was and how far he could hit a baseball, and figured he'd probably eventually be a 45-homer guy. But 28 in the first half, and a Home Run Derby Championship. He has 52 home runs in his first 191 career games.
NL Wins Leaders...Jason Marquis and Tom Glavine: 11
This is bizarre because Marquis' ERA is 5.34 and Glavine was supposed to have retired a few years ago. Both benefit from strong offenses. But also...Brad Penny, Chris Capuano and Brandon Webb rounding out the top 5? Definitely unexpected.
NL Triples Leader (tie-2nd Place)...Steve Finley: 9
I suppose playing at AT&T helps, but a washed-up 41 year-old hitting 9 triples in 81 games? I just had to mention that.
Also, Francisco Liriano and Jon Papelbon's success is definitely surprising, I think they've gotten enough press.
posted by Daniel @ 1:39 PM
2 Comments:
At 2:35 PM,
C-Lew said…
I must say, it is absolutely shocking that Joe Mauer is leading the NL in average, considering he plays in the AL Central...
At 2:03 AM,
Anonymous said…
Dude,
The reason I signed onto this blog was because after looking at the league leaders on espn.com I figured I'd post some comment about how these guys herald a new generation of baseball. Just think about the names that are absent: Bonds, Sheffield, A-Rod, Sosa, Helton, Walker etc. I know they've all been on a slow decline or long gone, but Mauer/Sanchez/Liriano/Howard may be the face of baseball for the next 5 years or so. Kind of funny to see an entire new generation. I guess you could say Manny, Big Papi and Pujols are the transition players, but we are looking at an entirely new MLB. Kind of weird...
Matt
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