Baseball is a game of streaks. A hot start doesn’t necessarily mean things will stay that way, but all the same, blistering early season form could be a sign of great things to come. As we move into June, almost 2 months since the season began and less than 50 days from its midpoint, it’s time to take a look at which players are the early favourites to take home gold and glory in October.
Masters of the Moonshot
Home runs are arguably the most exciting part of baseball. Watching MLB’s best players perform the superhuman feat of launching a ball up into the sky, over the fence, and out into the stands never gets old, and that’s why the race to become Home Run King is almost always filled with some of the game’s most popular, must-see superstars. As of the first day in June, the colossal (both in terms of standing and stature) figure of Aaron Judge looms atop the pile of power hitters, having amassed a massive 18 home runs so far for his New York Yankees.
Close on Judge’s tail, with 15 homers, is Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts – a man for whom success goes hand in hand with style. Just outside the top 5 list, which also includes multi-time MVP Mike Trout, is New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso who will, once again, defend his crown at the Home Run Derby on 18 July. With 13 home runs so far, Alonso might have his work cut out to catch Judge at the top, but just as he has done at the last 2 Home Run Derbies, “The Polar Bear” may well ice the competition by the end of the year.
Pitch Perfect
While hitting might be the flashiest part of the game, great pitching is vital to any baseball team looking for success. Part-magician, part-workhorse, the best pitchers in MLB are enigmatic, mercurial creatures whose talents should never be overlooked. In 2022, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman and the Texas Rangers’ Martin Perez lead the pack in terms of their all-round performance, but hard-throwing Yankee Nestor Cortes and young Detroit Tigers phenom Tarik Skubal are not far behind.
At the end of the season, MLB’s best pitcher will be awarded the coveted Cy Young Award, but before that, a number of the league’s top hurlers will be looking to earn a place in the
All-Star Game on 19 July. The Midsummer Classic is set to take place just outside Hollywood this year. What's for sure is that whoever is cast in the role of Starting Pitcher at Dodger Stadium, they will have earned it.
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