One month doesn’t make a season—but it sure can be a sign of what’s to come in the future. We took a look at a few players and teams that started the 2016 season on a most positive note, and also those that are already slumping.
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4. Aledmys Diaz
It took two straight hitless games to drive Diaz’ batting average down to .423 — still good enough to be the surprising leader as the calendar turns to May. And he’s also topping the charts in slugging percentage (.732) and OPS (1.186). However, an even greater honor for this newcomer is joining Albert Pujols as the only other rookie in the rich history of the Cardinals to accumulate 30 or more hits in April. Five of those came in an April 23 contest at San Diego, in which he had two doubles and a pair of RBIs.
3. Colorado power duo
Yes, the Rockies are tied for first in the NL West. Mediocre play from the Dodgers and Giants contribute to this, but credit should also be given to the production of two hitters. One, a player who rose to prominence the year prior. The other, a rookie who debuted in spectacular fashion. Nolan Arenado’s league-best 10 home runs and 22 RBIs is evidence that the 42 and 130 he produced in 2015 was no fluke. Matching him with 10 dingers is Trevor Story. Most were expecting him to fade away after knocking seven out in his first seven games. He hasn’t yet.
2. Jordan Zimmermann
The transition from the National League and Washington to the American League and Detroit has very much agreed with the Wisconsin native. In five starts for the Tigers, Zimmermann has gone 5-0 with an ERA of 0.55. It took him until last week for him to give up his first earned run and until Saturday for him to relinquish his first homer. More importantly, he’s steadied a rotation that has been erratic at best so far this season.
1. Chicago teams
Hopes for a Windy City World Series are still very distant. For now, Chicago can boast the best records in each league. The Cubs began 2016 on the verge of greatness — and they haven’t shied away from the heavy pressure placed on them. From the superhuman mound talents of Jake Arrieta to the hitting prowess of Anthony Rizzo, Joe Maddon’s club is looking to run away with the NL Central. The White Sox started this regular season on the verge of complete combustion. A 17-8 start can quickly erase any bad feelings.
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4. Houston Astros
Following a renaissance in which the franchise reached the postseason for the first time in a decade, expectations had the Astros taking another major step in 2016 — perhaps all the way to the World Series. Instead, they’ve started off by taking a step backwards. By dropping nine of their last 11 games, Houston is a dreadful 7-17. Pitching has been the obvious flaw. The rotation ERA is 5.10 (27th in MLB), with AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel not nearly as effective as he was last year. The bullpen, meanwhile, is not much better (4.75 ERA).
3. Justin Upton
At six years and $132.75 million, the Tigers have yet to get their money’s worth. Even after a home run on Saturday against Minnesota, his numbers still don’t equate to a middle-of-the-order presence the franchise was expecting. Not only has Upton been failing to get on base (a .242 percentage), he’s rarely making contact — tagged with a league-high 38 Ks. And when he does connect, his two HRs and eight RBIs show there isn’t much production to show for it.
2. Jorge De La Rosa
As favorable as the Colorado air is to a hitter, it’s that much of a disadvantage to a pitcher. But De La Rosa’s woes don’t just reside in Denver. He opened 2016 in less-than-stellar fashion at Arizona: five earned runs over 4.2 innings. Over his last two starts (at Cincinnati and home against Pittsburgh): eight runs and four walks in just five combined innings. That destruction rose his ERA to 10.18. Adding injury to insult, the southpaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to left groin strain.
1. Braves’ home run hitting
Turner Field won’t be closing its doors for Major League Baseball until October 2. Its tenants, though, already turned the power out. The Braves have scored 75 runs so far (next-to-last in the league). If you’re looking for Atlanta to rely on the long ball to score more, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Atlanta totaled just five home runs for the month — 12 dingers fewer than the 31st-ranked club. Freddie Freeman has three of those five. The Braves are making every stadium they enter into a pitcher’s park.