By Scott Barancik, Editor
Here are your MLB highlights for the three weeks beginning June 24, 2019 and ending July 14, 2019:
Mazel tov
- The 2019 Home Run Derby was 25% Jewish, with Joc Pederson (Dodgers) and Alex Bregman (Astros) filling 2 of 8 slots. After beating Bregman 21-14 in the first round, Pederson faced Vlad Guerrero Jr. in the semi-finals. In one of the greatest battles in Derby history, Pederson and Guerrero each hit 29 HRs in regulation, although Guerrero went on to win in a tie-breaker.
Stats to share
- Through July 14’s games, Ian Kinsler was just 5 hits shy of his 2,000th, and just 8 hits short of Shawn Green’s Jewish record (2,003). Thanks to David Spaner for the tip.
- Alex Bregman is an All-Star and a Home Run Derby competitor who ranks among A.L. leaders in several offensive categories. And his salary’s about to show it: after earning a bargain $640,500 this season, his paycheck will jump to $13-million in 2020 and $30.5-million in 2023.
At the plate
- CF Kevin Pillar (Giants) hit .266 (17-for-64) over the last three weeks, tallying 2 HRs, 4 doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs, and a .299 on-base percentage. Pillar was particularly hot during a three-game stint that began June 30, driving in 9 runs overall and twice going 4-for-5.
- 1B Rowdy Tellez (Blue Jays) hit .238 (10-for-42) with 3 doubles, 5 RBIs, and a .256 OBP.
- LF Joc Pederson (Dodgers) hit .261 (12-for-46) with 3 doubles, 6 RBIs, and a .333 OBP. Despite his Home Run Derby prowess, Pederson hasn’t hit a regular-season home run since June 20.
- LF Ryan Braun (Brewers) hit .310 (13-for-42) with 5 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and a .326 OBP. He also made an acrobatic catch in foul territory.
- 3B Alex Bregman (Astros) hit .313 (15-for-48) with 3 HRs, 4 doubles, a triple, 1 stolen base, and a .459 OBP. He also made a heads-up play on an infield hit.
- 2B Ian Kinsler (Padres) hit .192 (5-for-26) with a home run, double, 3 RBIS, and a .276 OBP.
On the mound
- Max Fried (Braves) went 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA across 3 starts. Opposing batters hit .323 against him, along with a .384 OBP.
- Richard Bleier (Orioles) went 1-0 with one hold and a 7.11 ERA across 7 relief appearances. Opposing batters hit .357 against him, along with a .400 OBP.
Get your Jewish Baseball News updates via E-mail, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
