As we approach July, the midway point of the year, hot starts and perceived short-lived league leaders, begin to solidify themselves as the real deal. Averages that were written off as unsustainable have now lasted over three months. It is time to look and see what records or leader’s baseball currently has, and who it is that has them.
Stolen Bases: Elly De La Cruz (37) and Brice Turang (26)
De la Cruz has shown his incredible speed, stealing what has become a season’s worth of steals in recent years for some of the game’s best. At just 22 years old, and in his second season, De La Cruz has already surpassed his total from last season of 36, in 24 less games. His lead is pretty significant, with 11 steals over his division rival in Brice Turang. Turang’s has him beat in stolen base percentage, 93% to De La Cruz’s 86%. This could potentially show Turang is showing more restraint, and picking his opportunities more carefully, so if he decides to start letting it fly, maybe this could be a closer race come September.
Strikeouts: Tyler Glasnow (125) and Garrett Crochet (124)
Glasnow has seamlessly fit in as top-of-the-line starter for the Dodgers, and currently has 125 strikeouts to just 25 walks. He has been a strikeout threat during the duration of his career and if he can stay healthy, could reach new heights for himself during his age-30 season. Right on his heels, is a young pitcher who is one of the few bright spots for the worst team in baseball. Garrett Crochet, a 24-year-old, flamethrowing lefty, currently has 124 strikeouts in less than 90 innings. Crochet, in prior seasons, was previously an option for the White Sox out of the bullpen. He now has solidified himself as their ace and has no reason to slow down as he tries to give the fans on Chicago’s South Side something to get excited about.
The Triple Crown: Aaron Judge, Marcell Ozuna and Juan Soto
How often can you say you have three potential triple crown threats? Judge is currently the most likely, if any of them, to pull it off, currently hitting .306 (.17 behind the leader), 27 home runs and 67 RBIs (which both lead the league). He started off the season in a slump but has since been on fire. His teammate, Juan Soto, has also been fantastic in his first season in pinstripes. He is currently batting .309, with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs. He has a long way to go to catch Judge in the counting stats, but he is among the leaders in all three categories. Flipping to the National League, Ozuna has built on his 40-home run, 100 RBI season in 2023. He currently is batting .316, with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs. He is Judge’s biggest threat, but chasing down Judge’s home run count may be a challenge as the season goes on.
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