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MLB Standouts
With the playoff picture starting to take shape in several divisions, Andrew Benintendi and the Red Sox are pacing the way for all of baseball with 88 wins heading into Sunday’s games, 11 more wins than the next best team (Yankees). Benintendi has consistently contributed all season toward the top of the batting order, slashing .299/.380/.500 with 15 home runs, 33 doubles, 6 triples, 70 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.
Something else to keep an eye on as the season approaches the final stretch is the National League Rookie of the Year award. Brian Anderson is making a case for the award batting .277/.354/.400 with 26 doubles, 9 home runs, 54 RBI and 8 outfield assists for the Marlins.
On the mound, Dallas Kuechel has been doing Dallas Kuechel things, helping lead the Astros to their current spot tied atop the American League West. He is 9-10 with a 3.59 ERA, 119 strikeouts, and just 41 walks in 160.2 innings.
Ryne Stanek has moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation for the Rays and has 41 appearances (including 20 starts) this season, posting a 1-3 record, 2.74 ERA, and 62 strikeouts in 49.1 innings.
Blake Parker has been effective late in games for the Angles with a 2-1 record over 56 innings with a 3.21 ERA, 61 strikeouts, 18 walks, and 12 saves.
Farm Hogs
Chad Spanberger has been crushing the baseball in his first full season as a professional baseball player. At the A and A+ level for Colorado and Toronto this year, he has slashed .304/.360/.555 with 21 doubles, 26 home runs, 86 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 113 games. Spanberger is setting himself up for a series of quick promotions in the near future.
Also having success down on the farm is Zach Jackson. He has spent this season in AA Toronto and is 2-2 in 38 relief appearances with a 2.59 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 55.2 innings. Despite continuing his control issues he displayed at Arkansas (he has allowed 49 walks and only 25 hits this season), he is still pitching out of jams that he gets himself into.