MLB
MLB Stock Report: July Edition
Identifying the biggest changes in how players performed in July compared to the rest of the season
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The month of July is typically when people begin to realize the level of production they’ve put forth so far this year, is what it will likely be at season’s end. However, like any month, July had some up and down performances that increased the stock of some, and decreased the stock of others. Let’s take a look at which players boosted their stock the most in July, and those who saw their stock falter.
Devers torched opposing pitching in July, giving him 31 RBI’s on the month, a career-high in only 20 games! He’s now batting an impressive .323/.376/.569 on the season, leading the AL in total bases (231) and headlining a ferocious Red Sox lineup. He’s also striking out less (season-low 16 Ks) and getting on base more (season-high .408 OBP) this month. Devers’ elite July production has asserted him into the MVP discussion this season.
After a rough June, Strasburg rebounded significantly this month, right in time to help Washington make a run at the playoffs. Strasburg dominated his opponents in July and if his strong production continues, he could opt out of the remaining 4y/$100M left on his deal after this season. He was also named the NL Pitcher of the Month for July.
There’s a reason the Nationals have found themselves back in the playoff race after falling to 19-31 in late May…dominant starting pitching. Corbin has contributed significantly to the teams success during their MLB-best record since May 24, and that continued in July at an even higher rate: 1.95 ERA, allowing only 1 HR and 8 BB.
After two months of some serious slumping, in which Goldschmidt only hit 5 HR and 12 RBI, he has finally appeared to turned the corner in July. Goldy has been aiming for the fences all month, launching 11 HR in total, including some clutch ones. Goldy was named NL Player of the Month for his success in July.
Despite some recent controversy in Queens regarding their trade deadline approach, Steven Matz has quietly been keeping the Mets alive. Matz was in the midst of a very down year, until a July turnaround has gotten him back on track to post above-average production by season’s end. He still has frontline starter stuff, and all it takes is a month like July to re-spark the success that once made him viewed as a future ace.
Zimmermann had a tough start to the season, posting a 5.40 ERA through the first three months, but things completely fell off the rails in the month of July. There were times where it seemed like he couldn’t even get an out. Zimmermann ended up allowing 26 runs through 20.2 innings, resulting in a disastrous 11.32 ERA and 2.177 WHIP that has evaluators wondering if Zimmermann still has what it takes to pitch at the Major League level.
After putting up signature Hader performances through May and June with ERA’s of 0.71 and 0.68, Hader has struggled to help his team over the last 30 days. His ERA spiked up to an uncharacteristic 3.97 this month, allowing a season high 7 runs through 10 appearances. He’ll look to get back on track down the stretch as the Brewers fight for a playoff spot in an insanely close NL Central race.
Despite having a breakout rookie year and winning the HR Derby, Alonso was not the same this month. Although he hit some absolute bombs this month in the Derby, he’s hit a season low 6 HR in July and batted just .177. Additionally he only had 14 H compared to 31/23/31 in March/April, May, and June respectively. This could be a sign the ‘Polar Bear’ is hitting the infamous “rookie wall.”
Charlie Blackmon was having an outstanding All-Star season in the 1st half, posting a .330/.378/.632 slash line over the 1st half. His average fell to .256 in July with only 21 hits (compared to 34/26/40 his first three months) and only 1 HR. Colorado will need the 33-year-old to get back on track to make a true run for the NL Wild Card.
Going into July, Story was playing like his usual self, batting .294 with 87 H and 17 HR, yet his production fell off significantly this past month. He batted only .227 with an OBP of .279. To make matters worse, he’s been batting just .200 in the last 14 days and .090 in the last 7! He needs to get out of this slump ASAP!
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