Going to extremes
4 min read
Getting three hits in a single big-league sport is a powerful accomplishment. Repeating that feat a number of instances in a single season is nothing in need of superb.
The latter adjective positively applies to Freddie Freeman. The primary baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers not solely topped the majors with 199 hits in 2022, however he additionally led the way in which with 20 video games of three or extra hits.
I waded by means of final season’s stats in the hunt for excessive performances like Freeman’s. As we speak’s story focuses on the 2022 leaders within the American and Nationwide Leagues in three classes for hitters and one other three for pitchers.
Further particulars — together with every membership’s leaders in all six classes — could be discovered within the 418-page Baseball’s Best (and Worst) 2023 Yearbook.
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American League batters
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Three or extra hits in a sport: Amed Rosario, a shortstop for the Cleveland Guardians, and Luis Arraez, an infielder for the Minnesota Twins, tied for first place on this class. Every rapped not less than three hits in 17 completely different video games in 2022. Arraez additionally gained the AL batting title with a .316 common.
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Two or extra homers in a sport: Who else however baseball’s home-run king? Aaron Judge, an outfielder for the New York Yankees, completed the 12 months with 62 homers. He went over the fence not less than twice on 11 separate events.
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5 or extra RBIs in a sport: You is likely to be anticipating Choose as soon as once more, however you’d be incorrect. Jose Ramirez, a 3rd baseman for the Cleveland Guardians, was the league chief right here. He drove residence not less than 5 runs in three video games.
Nationwide League batters
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Three or extra hits in a sport: Freddie Freeman, as famous above, rapped not less than three hits in 20 completely different video games, the very best complete within the Nationwide League and certainly in each leagues. Jeff McNeil, the NL’s batting-average champ (.326), was second with 16 video games. McNeil performed second base for the New York Mets.
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Two or extra homers in a sport: Kyle Schwarber, a left fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, topped the league with 46 residence runs. He additionally led in multi-homer video games with eight.
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5 or extra RBIs in a sport: First baseman Pete Alonso set the tempo by driving residence not less than 5 runs for the Mets in 4 video games.
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American League pitchers
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Two or fewer earned runs in seven or extra innings: A pitcher is credited with a high quality begin when he works not less than six innings and permits not more than three earned runs. However that may translate to an ERA as excessive as 4.50, significantly worse than the big-league common of three.96. This class measures what might be referred to as true high quality begins, requiring not less than seven innings with not more than two earned runs. Shane Bieber of the Guardians met that commonplace 12 instances in 2022, main the league.
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Ten or extra strikeouts in a sport: Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels was the one American League pitcher to register double-digit strikeouts in double-digit video games, 10 in all.
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No baserunners in a save: This class may additionally be generally known as clear saves. It counts the variety of instances a reliever didn’t enable a single baserunner whereas being credited with a save. Emmanuel Clase of the Guardians topped the AL with 22.
Nationwide League pitchers
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Two or fewer earned runs in seven or extra innings: Sandy Alcantara proved his Cy Younger Award worthiness on this class. The ace for the Miami Marlins collected 20 true high quality begins, outlined as two or fewer earned runs in not less than seven innings. No different NL pitcher had greater than 11.
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Ten or extra strikeouts in a sport: Carlos Rodon of the San Francisco Giants piled up not less than 10 strikeouts on 11 events final season. The 2 runners-up labored for the Milwaukee Brewers: Corbin Burnes (9 video games of double-digit strikeouts) and Brandon Woodruff (seven).
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No baserunners in a save: Kenley Jansen of the Atlanta Braves earned 21 clear saves, permitting no runners whereas closing the door on the opposition. It was the NL’s highest complete in 2022.
