The Redbirds’ offense, not their pitching, has decelerated.
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St. Louis focused on improving their pitching staff during the offseason by adding three starters, including Sonny Gray, and strengthening the bullpen. Despite these successful moves, the Cardinals’ offense has been underwhelming. As of Wednesday, they ranked near the bottom in home runs, runs scored, batting average, and OPS. Even NL MVP from 2022, Paul Goldschmidt, has been struggling with a low .195 batting average and only two home runs along with 47 strikeouts. Other players like Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, and Brendan Donovan have also faced challenges. Additionally, their most dependable hitter, Willson Contreras, suffered a broken forearm and will be out for the next six to eight weeks.
There have been many unexpected occurrences in the 2024 season. These changes, whether positive or negative, have affected players and teams and altered the course of the season.
The New York Yankees are currently experiencing a rough start to the season as their star player, Aaron Judge, is struggling at the plate.
It may come as a surprise that the highly acclaimed player for the New York Yankees has been struggling to perform up to expectations, with his batting average well below acceptable. In fact, as recently as May 2, Judge was only batting .197, which is considered below par even for him. This has been his worst start to a season compared to previous years. In the past, Judge has consistently started strong with an impressive career batting average of .296, a slugging percentage of .586, and an OPS of .978 in the month of April. However, this year, his performance has dipped significantly with a batting average of .207, slugging percentage of .414, and OPS of .754. Despite this, the Yankees still hold the top spot in the American League, thanks to their strong overall performance.
the MLB
The Miami Marlins have a historically low winning percentage in Major League Baseball.
Seven months after Miami made it to the playoffs, the president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, traded two-time batting champion Luis Arraez for three prospects and a relief pitcher. He hasn’t used the term “rebuild,” but it’s expected that the team will continue to make moves as sellers. The players on the field have not met expectations and the pitching staff has been affected by injuries, with Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Edward Cabrera, and A.J. Puk all unavailable. — Christina De Nicola
Wenceel Pérez replaces the center fielder for the Tigers.
The Tigers initially planned to have a newcomer, Parker Meadows, take on the role of center fielder for the season. However, it was instead Pérez, who started the year at Triple-A Toledo and didn’t become a full-time outfielder until Spring Training, that became a standout player for the team. Despite earning a call up to Detroit in April due to injuries, Pérez’s strong batting and enthusiastic attitude made him a perfect fit for a struggling offense. As a result, the Tigers have decided to send Meadows back to Toledo for now, with Pérez as their main center fielder.
The numbers listed are for Wednesday’s games.
Stone began the 2023 season as the most promising pitching prospect for the Dodgers, instilling confidence in the organization that he would excel at the Major League level. Despite a less-than-ideal start to his career and some shaky performances in the beginning of this season, Stone has managed to progress in his development. Due to injuries to Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Clayton Kershaw, and Walker Buehler, Stone has become a crucial member of the Dodgers’ starting rotation, maintaining a 3.55 earned run average in seven starting appearances. – Juan Toribio
Astros: An unstable pitching staff.
It has been some time since we’ve seen the Astros sitting at the bottom of the AL West standings. The team’s pitching staff is a major concern, ranking poorly in key categories compared to other teams in the league. Injuries to the rotation are partly responsible, but some starting pitchers have also struggled while the highly regarded bullpen has not performed as well as anticipated. The offense, which has been average rather than exceptional, has only highlighted the issues with the pitching. – Brent Maguire
Bryan Hudson: Ace Reliever for the Brewers.
“The Brewers have been skilled at finding hidden bullpen talents in recent times, and more often than not, 6-foot-8 pitcher Hudson has been one of their top picks. His long frame proves beneficial, as he ranks in the top 98th percentile for extension and the top 93rd percentile for fastball effectiveness despite having lower velocity in the 18th percentile. Additionally, he has the ability to pitch multiple innings, making him a dependable and versatile choice for the bullpen in the absence of All-Star closer Devin Williams.” – Adam McCalvy
The Red Sox’ strongest asset is their rotation.
The starting pitchers for the Red Sox, which were heavily questioned by many outside the team during the offseason and Spring Training, have continued to perform exceptionally well. In the first 36 games, the rotation has maintained a 2.13 ERA, which is the best in the entire MLB by a significant margin. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey has effectively changed the mindset of the young pitchers to focus on consistently throwing strikes early in the count. Kutter Crawford (1.75 ERA) and Tanner Houck (1.99 ERA) have presented as the most successful members of the rotation so far. Despite injuries to key players such as Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, and Garrett Whitlock occurring simultaneously, the rotation has managed to thrive. Pivetta has recently returned and Bello and Whitlock are expected to return soon.
“The Giants were anticipating a much stronger offensive presence in their lineup with the signings of Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman, and Jorge Soler, however, the trio has not lived up to expectations. As of Wednesday, Lee is at a .642 OPS, Chapman at .595 OPS, and Soler at .655 OPS, all below the league average. This has been a significant factor in San Francisco’s difficulties in generating powerful comeback opportunities and consistently scoring in the first six weeks of the regular season.” – Maria Guardado
The Nationals are currently the top team in the Majors for stolen bases.
In their first 35 games, the Nationals have recorded 61 stolen bases, making them the highest-ranking team in this area. They were successful in stealing 25 bases without being caught, thanks to rookie Jacob Young’s perfect record. Team member Lane Thomas also contributed with 11 stolen bases in 22 games before being placed on the injured list. Even rookie CJ Abrams has shown promise in baserunning, ranking third on the team with eight steals. The team’s manager, Dave Martinez, and new first-base coach Gerardo Parra, are motivating the players to be bold and take chances on the base paths. — Jessica Camerato
Mason Miller’s flawless adjustment to being a closer in athletics.
Although the A’s were aware of Miller’s powerful pitching abilities from last season, there was some hesitation in appointing him as their closer due to the pressure of the role. However, Miller has excelled in the bullpen and was recognized as the American League’s top reliever for the months of March and April. As of Wednesday, he leads all rookie pitchers in saves (8) and has the second-highest number of strikeouts (29) among all Major League relievers. – Martín Gallegos
The Rockies displayed a complete absence of offensive plays.
The previous year concluded with a poor performance, but there were a few positive aspects – an impressive finish from experienced player Charlie Blackmon and a remarkable ending from newcomer Nolan Jones. Anticipating Blackmon’s continued presence and Jones’ ongoing growth, they were expected to play crucial roles in an improved offense. However, Blackmon is currently struggling and only playing part-time, Jones had a rough start and is currently unable to play due to a back injury. Apart from Ryan McMahon, catcher Elias Díaz, and Jacob Stallings on a limited schedule, there has been a lack of productivity and consistency throughout the team’s lineup. Brendan Rodgers was brought in as a key hitter, and although he has shown improvement recently, it hasn’t made much of an impact.
“Outstanding performance from the pitching staff of the Royals.”
After the Royals revamped their rotation and bullpen during the offseason, it’s not surprising that their performance has greatly improved this year. The team’s efforts to build a stronger team have paid off, as they currently have a 3.32 ERA, placing them in fourth place among all teams in the majors, and have already recorded 18 quality starts compared to just 32 last season. These impressive statistics highlight the significant difference in results from last year. In fact, the bullpen’s ERA has improved to 3.76 and the overall staff’s ERA now ranks eighth in the league at 3.39. To put things into perspective, the team’s ERA last year was the third-worst in the league at 5.17. While there is still a long season ahead, the Royals’ pitching has shown significant improvement and has led to more victories.
Aside from Jordan Hicks leaving, the relief team for Toronto is mostly unchanged from the one that finished the 2023 season with the eighth-best ERA (3.68) in MLB. However, as of Wednesday, they now have the worst ERA in the league at 5.27. Erik Swanson, who was activated on April 16, has been struggling with 11 earned runs in only 6 1/3 innings, while other pitchers like Tim Mayza and Jordan Romano have not shown dominant performances. One positive aspect has been Yimi García, with a low ERA of 0.68 and 16 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings, but he has not played since April 28 due to a lower-back injury.
Using pitchers in relief roles has been a challenge for the Angels team.
The Angels have faced many challenges this year, with little success so far. However, their bullpen was predicted to be a strong point, given the addition of experienced players during the offseason. Unfortunately, their key addition, Robert Stephenson, had to undergo Tommy John surgery before even making a single pitch with the team. Furthermore, Angels relievers have collectively achieved the second-lowest ERA in the Major Leagues. Coupled with difficulties in offense and an unstable rotation, the Angels are not having a smooth start to the season. — Rhett Bollinger
“He’s like an ace,” said Shota Imanaga about the Cubs.
There was uncertainty about how Imanaga would fare in his transition to the MLB with the Cubs. However, they were confident in his strong foundation and experience to adapt quickly. No one could have anticipated the impressive performance the 30-year-old lefty has had. In his first seven starts, Imanaga has a 5-0 record with a 1.08 ERA and has struck out 43 batters while only walking five in 41 2/3 innings. His fastball has been deceptive and his signature splitter has been difficult for batters to handle, solidifying him as one of the top steals from last winter’s free-agent market. – Jordan Bastian
The Reds are struggling with Candelario’s lack of hitting.
“Despite being signed as a veteran presence for a young Cincinnati infield, Jeimer Candelario has surprisingly not been performing well at the plate this season. After a successful year with the Nationals and Cubs in 2023, he is now batting near the bottom of the order with a low batting average and OPS+. The Reds, who were not expected to have the worst team batting in MLB, must be disappointed by Candelario’s recent struggles.” – Mark Sheldon
The Padres’ Jurickson Profar has significant power.
Could a trade for Luis Arraez be the big move of the month for May? We can never be caught off guard by GM A.J. Preller’s decisions. Instead, let’s focus on Profar, who currently ranks fifth in the NL with a .950 OPS as of Wednesday. This is especially impressive considering his release from Colorado last season and his subsequent re-signing with the Padres for a mere million this year. While intended as a backup player, he has exceeded expectations and become the team’s top performing hitter. — Shaun O’Neill
Is Ryan Jeffers considered one of the top hitters in baseball?
When Jeffers emerged with a 138 wRC+ while sharing catching duties for the Twins last season, it may have gone unnoticed in the wider league due to his team’s location and his lack of name recognition as a prospect in the minor leagues. However, he had to prove himself again in the following season. Not only has he successfully replicated his previous performance, but he has also improved upon it. Jeffers has been the Twins’ most reliable and productive hitter throughout the year, with a 176 wRC+ as of Wednesday, and has also managed to significantly decrease his strikeout rate by implementing a two-strike strategy. This has also earned him designated hitter at-bats in addition to his role as a catcher. – Do-Hyoung Park
Last year, Ronald Acuña Jr. proved himself to be the most exciting player in the game with a remarkable 40-70 season in MLB. However, in the first 33 games of this year, the current NL MVP has only hit two home runs and has a .359 slugging percentage. His ground ball and strikeout rates have gone up, and his expected slugging percentage is only .399. In comparison to his impressive .660 xSLG from last year, his performance has not been as strong. — Mark Bowman
The Rangers’ quiet signings for their bullpen during the offseason have resulted in significant success.
Last season, the Rangers struggled with their bullpen’s performance in closing games. During the 2023 regular season, they were only successful in 30 out of 63 save opportunities, which is a 47.6% success rate. In response, the front office made some key additions to the bullpen this offseason by signing veteran pitchers David Robertson (0.96 ERA) and Kirby Yates (0.00 ERA). With their strong performances, they have formed a formidable duo at the end of games.
The Guardians have been renowned for their strong starting pitchers over the years. However, there has been a shift in the lineup. Shane Bieber is currently unavailable for the remainder of the year, Gavin Williams won’t be back until June at the earliest, and both Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen are struggling to find their rhythm. Triston McKenzie is also still recovering after being out for most of last season. In the first 29 games, the Guardians only had five starts lasting at least six innings. As of Wednesday, Cleveland’s rotation has thrown the eighth lowest number of innings compared to all other teams. — Mandy Bell
At the start of the year, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Seattle team, particularly the position that has been occupied by Kyle Seager and Eugenio Suárez for ten years. However, the duo of Josh Rojas and Luis Urías has been consistently performing well. In fact, manager Scott Servais has even started to use Rojas in left field to ensure that they can both be in the lineup for favorable matchups against right-handed pitchers. According to FanGraphs, they have a combined Wins Above Replacement of 1.6, which ranks as the fourth best in the league for their position as of Wednesday.
Alec Bohm’s impressive performance during the Phillies’ season
The Phillies chose Bohm as their third overall pick in the 2018 Draft. He placed second in the NL Rookie of the Year race in 2020. However, he struggled to find consistency in his offense and defense. But during the month of April, Bohm emerged as one of the most successful hitters in baseball, boasting a high batting average and a reliable run-producing ability. Manager Rob Thomson even moved Bohm to the fourth spot in the lineup due to his impressive performance. It is likely that he will remain in that position for the time being, as he is playing at an All-Star level. — Todd Zolecki
There should be no surprise that Fedde has seen success as a pitcher in the early part of May. This can be attributed to his reinvention during the 2023 season for the NC Dinos in the KBO, where he had a record of 20-6, an ERA of 2.00, and 209 strikeouts in 180 1/3 innings, making him the league’s top pitcher. Fedde himself was curious about how his new pitching methods would translate in the Major Leagues. As he prepares to start against the Guardians on Thursday, he has been the most dependable pitcher on the White Sox team. With 41 strikeouts in 36 innings and a 3.46 ERA, he also achieved a career first by pitching into the ninth inning against Tampa Bay on April 28. He appears to be a key piece for the White Sox in their rebuilding process, or potentially a valuable trade asset. -Scott Merkin
Jared Jones, the pirate, moves forward
The Pirates’ starting pitchers have exceeded expectations and are currently the main strength of the team, with Jones playing a significant role. Despite being overshadowed by Paul Skenes during Spring Training, Jones is now making a strong case for Rookie of the Year, boasting a 2.63 ERA and 52 strikeouts in his first seven starts. He has proven himself to be a valuable addition to the team, but the concern now is how many innings he will be able to pitch.
The MLB.com beat writers from each club have assisted in identifying the most unexpected changes for every team.
This winter, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and vice president of pitching Eric Jagers spoke highly of Garrett and urged Mets decision makers to keep the 31-year-old on the roster. However, even they may have been surprised by Garrett’s impressive start to the season. He has been excelling as both a multi-inning reliever and a closer, earning a reputation as one of the most difficult pitchers to hit in the league with a high swinging-strike rate. By making adjustments to his pitching style and improving his control, Garrett has emerged as a top reliever. The team believes this success is sustainable. — Anthony DiComo
Who has kept the rays afloat?
In the first month of the season, the Rays persevered despite several injured key players such as Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe, and Jonathan Aranda. Even though their All-Stars, Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena, struggled with poor performance, and their bullpen unexpectedly underperformed, the team has managed to maintain a .500 record due in large part to their strong starting pitching. Additionally, the consistent production from Isaac Paredes and surprisingly strong offensive contributions from newcomers Ben Rortvedt (.813 OPS), Richie Palacios (.846), José Caballero (.694, 14 steals), Amed Rosario (.758), and Jonny DeLuca (1.172) have helped boost the team. Adam Berry reports.
The Diamondbacks are not excelling in the minor details.
Torey Lovullo, the manager, takes pride in his team’s attention to detail. During their unexpected journey to the World Series last year, the D-backs displayed a combination of boldness and intelligence on the base paths and executed fundamental plays in the field. However, this year, there has been an increase in errors, leading to opponents receiving additional opportunities and uncharacteristic blunders on the bases.
The Orioles’ pitching rotation has continued to excel despite facing multiple significant injuries.
Both Kyle Bradish and John Means suffered injuries in the form of a right UCL sprain and left forearm strain respectively, causing them to begin the current season on the injured list. However, they were able to make their debuts last week in 2024. Grayson Rodriguez (right shoulder inflammation) and Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation) are now also on the injured list. Despite these setbacks, the pitching rotation has been a strong point for the team, boasting a 3.21 ERA in their first 35 games of the season. This ranks them fifth in all of Major League Baseball and third in the American League. Baltimore was aware of the consistent performances they would receive from their newly acquired top starter, Corbin Burnes. However, Cole Irvin has surpassed expectations with a 2.86 ERA in his first six starts and is currently on a career-long 20 2/3-inning scoreless streak.
