Baseball’s Hottest Players of the Week – June 20-26th, 2016

Baseball’s Hottest Players of the Week – June 20-26th, 2016

Matt Wieters – Baltimore Orioles – Catcher

The first place Orioles catcher had 3 multi-hit games this week, raising his batting average 27 points over his last 7 contests. Matt went 10 for 20, belting 3 homers and driving in 9 runs. The 30 year old Wieters is putting up numbers that are matching those from the best stretch of his career. From the 2010 through the 2013 season, he averaged almost 20 HR’s and 71 RBI’s per year, and if he remains healthy, he should easily match those numbers this year.

Charlie Blackmon – Colorado Rockies – Outfield

The Rockies Charlie Blackmon had a power surge this week, belting 4 homers and driving in 8 runs while batting .375. However, Colorado’s leadoff hitter seems to have sacrificed stolen bases for power this year. While he is on pace to hit over 20 home runs, his stolen base production has fallen off dramatically. After swiping 43 bases in 2015, Charlie is on pace to nab only 13 bases this season. The center fielder had a stint on the DL earlier this season with a turf toe injury, and this is surely the reason for the fall-off in stolen bases.

Cory Kluber/Trevor Bauer/Carlos Carrasco – Cleveland Indians – Starting Pitchers

With the Indians rolling along on a 9 game winning streak, it’s no surprise that the starting rotation has pushed this team to a 5 game lead in the American League Central Division. With 3 wins in 3 starts this week, this trio of pitchers dominated their opponents.

Against the Tampa Bay Rays at home, Cory Kluber allowed a meager 3 hits over 9 innings of work, fanning 9, and not allowing an earned run.

In his win over the Rays, Trevor Bauer also tossed 9 innings, allowing only 1 run, while striking outing 10 batters.

Carlos Carrasco’s complete game win this week came at Detroit against the Tigers. He struck out 7, and allowed only 4 hits.

Cleveland has emerged as one of the best teams in the American League, and if the rotation can remain strong, the Indians might be able to hold off the rest of the American Central Division.

Jeurys Familia – NY Mets – Closer

Following a terrific year in 2015 that saw the Mets Jeurys Familia record 43 saves with a 1.85 ERA, he is off to an incredible start in 2016. Sporting a 2-1 record with 26 saves, Familia is currently leading the majors in saves for the second place Mets. In 4 1/3 innings this week, he has gone 4 for 4 in save opportunities, allowing only 3 hits while striking out 4 batters. Jeurys is also riding a 43 game save streak, and has established himself as one of the best closers in the game today.