2024-2025 MLB Wraparound Season

 

Every MLB All Star break, an idea runs through my head ... who has had the best last 12 months in baseball?  ESPN used to calculate this full season of stats from All Star Break to All Star Break back when they cared about baseball.  I used to calculate all these stats for a few years and write about them, last doing it in 2018.  I stopped doing it because I didn't have time to do all the calculating, but now there's websites that can do all that calculating for me.  Add on top of that a certain amount of boredom during this All Star Break, and I've decided to resurrect this yearly article.

We all just saw the All Star Game celebrate who has had the best start to the 2025 MLB season, but if you add in the end of last season, who has had the best last 12 months of baseball.  Let's find out!

Thanks to FanGraphs for having the tools to calculate these stats for me.

Hitting

Batting Average

(minimum 500 plate appearances)

1.  Aaron Judge - NYY - .352

2.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - TOR - .318

3.  Bobby Witt Jr. - KC - .314

4.  Xavier Edwards - MIA - .301

5.  Luis Arraez - SD - .296

6.  Jose Ramirez - CLE - .293

7.  Kyle Tucker - HOU / CHC - .293

8.  Jeremy Pena - HOU - .292

9.  Alejandro Kirk - TOR - .290

10.  Brendan Donovan - STL - .290

Home Runs

1.  Aaron Judge - NYY - 59

2.  Shoehi Ohtani - LAD - 57

3.  Cal Raleigh - SEA - 52

4.  Eugenio Suarez - ARZ - 51

5.  Kyle Schwarber - PHI - 49

6.  Juan Soto - NYY / NYM - 41

7.  Brent Rooker - ATH - 38

8.  Corbin Carroll - ARZ - 38

9.  Ketel Marte - ARZ - 36

10.  Pete Alonso - NYM - 36

RBI's

1.  Aaron Judge - NYY - 140

2.  Eugenio Suarez - ARZ - 131

3.  Shohei Ohtani - LAD - 121

4.  Cal Raleigh - SEA - 121

5.  Kyle Schwarber - PHI - 119

6.  Matt Olson - ATL - 115

7.  Pete Alonso - NYM - 114

8.  Manny Machado - SD - 109

9.  Jackson Chourio - MIL - 106

10.  Seiya Suzuki - CHC - 105

OPS (On Base + Slugging)

(500 Plate Appearance Minimum)

1.  Aaron Judge - NYY - 1.209

2.  Shohei Ohtani - LAD - 1.008

3.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - TOR - .944

4.  Juan Soto - NYY / NYM - .941

5.  Bobby Witt Jr. - KC - .931

6.  Cal Raleigh - SEA - .913

7.  Eugenio Suarez - ARZ - .911

8.  Kyle Tucker - HOU / CHC - .906

9.  Kyle Schwarber - PHI - .904

10.  Corbin Carroll - ARZ - .893

wRC+

(500 Plate Appearance Minimum ... League Average - 100)

1.  Aaron Judge - NYY - 226

2.  Shohei Ohtani - LAD - 172

3.  Juan Soto - NYY / NYM - 165

4.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - TOR - 162

5.  Cal Raleigh - SEA - 157

6.  Kyle Tucker - HOU / CHC - 153

7.  Bobby Witt Jr. - KC - 153

8.  Kyle Schwarber - PHI - 147

9.  Eugenio Suarez - ARZ - 146

t-10.  Pete Alonso - NYM - 145

t-10.  Brent Rooker - ATH - 145

As if Aaron Judge's 2025 season wasn't impressive enough, if you add in how he finished 2024, somehow his stat line gets even more impressive.  He leads every category here ... and by a significant margin.  Strong starts to 2025 have led to impressive wraparound resumes for Eugenio Suarez and Cal Raleigh.  Two impressive resumes that fall just below the plate appearance minimum are Ketel Marte and Byron Buxton.  None of that really matters though.  We're all just living in Aaron Judge's world right now.

Starting Pitching

Innings Pitched

1.  Logan Webb - SF - 206.0

2.  Zack Wheeler - PHI - 205.1

3.  Framber Valdez - HOU - 199.0

4.  Tarik Skubal - DET - 197.0

5.  Christopher Sanchez - PHI - 193.1

6.  Bryan Woo - SEA - 192.0

7.  Spencer Schwellenbach - ATL - 189.2

8.  Jose Berrios - TOR - 188.2

9.  Max Fried - ATL / NYY - 188.1

t-10.  Carlos Rodon - NYY - 187.2

t-10.  Jake Irvin - WAS - 187.2

t-10.  Paul Skenes - PIT - 187.2

ERA

(162 inning minimum)

1.  Paul Skenes - PIT - 2.01

2.  Tarik Skubal - DET - 2.28

3.  Hunter Brown - HOU - 2.36

4.  Zack Wheeler - PHI - 2.37

5.  Framber Valdez - HOU - 2.44

6.  Freddy Peralta - MIL - 2.81

7.  Max Fried - ATL / NYY - 2.82

8.  Garrett Crochet - CWS / BOS - 2.89

9.  Bryan Woo - SEA - 2.91

10.  Spencer Schwellenbach - 2.94

Strikeouts Per 9 Innings

(162 inning minimum)

1.  Garrett Crochet - CWS / BOS - 11.7

2.  Zack Wheeler - PHI - 11.0

3.  Tarik Skubal - DET - 11.0

4.  Jack Flaherty - LAD / DET - 10.7

5.  Carlos Rodon - NYY - 10.5

6.  Dylan Cease - SD - 10.3

7.  Sonny Gray - STL - 10.3

8.  MacKenzie Gore - WAS - 10.3

9.  Hunter Brown - HOU - 10.2

t-10.  Paul Skenes - PIT - 10.2

t-10.  Nick Pivetta - BOS / SD - 10.2

WHIP

(162 inning minimum)

1.  Zack Wheeler - PHI - 0.88

2.  Tarik Skubal - DET - 0.89

3.  Bryan Woo - SEA - 0.92

4.  Paul Skenes - PIT - 0.94

5.  Spencer Schwellenbach - ATL - 0.97

6.  Nathan Eovaldi - TEX - 1.00

7.  Hunter Brown - HOU - 1.02

8.  Framber Valdez - HOU - 1.03

9.  Carlos Rodon - NYY - 1.05

10.  Zack Littell - TB - 1.06

There are some names at the top of these lists you expect to see like All Star Game starters Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.  Zack Wheeler has been a well-known workhorse the last few seasons.  Garrett Crochet has been everything he is supposed to be since the trade to Boston.  Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez lead continue to lead the Astros rotation.  However, names like Bryan Woo and Spencer Schwellenbach popping up multiple times was not something I was expecting.

Relief Pitching

Innings Pitched

1.  Tyler Alexander - TB / MIL / CWS - 84.0

2.  Jose A. Ferrer - WAS - 80.1

3.  Jason Adam - TB / SD - 78.1

4.  Brant Hurter - DET - 77.1

5.  Tanner Scott - MIA / SD / LAD - 75.2

6.  Bryan Abreu - HOU - 74.1

7.  Tim Hill - NYY - 74.0

8.  Dennis Santana - PIT - 73.1

9.  Emmanuel Clase - CLE - 73.1

10.  Spencer Bivens - SF - 73.1

ERA

(50 inning minimum)

1.  Dennis Santana - PIT - 1.47

2.  Mike Vasil - CWS - 1.59

3.  Daniel Lynch IV - KC - 1.71

4.  Emmanuel Clase - CLE - 1.84

5.  Jason Adam - TB / SD - 1.95

6.  Randy Rodriguez - SF - 2.03

7.  Manuel Rodriguez - TB - 2.05

8.  Aroldis Chapman - PIT / BOS - 2.08

9.  Tyler Rogers - SF - 2.14

10.  Andres Munoz - SEA - 2.21

Strikeouts Per 9 Innings

(50 inning minimum)

1.  Fernando Cruz - CIN / NYY - 14.3

2.  Edwin Diaz - NYM - 14.1

3.  Aroldis Chapman - PIT / BOS - 13.8

4.  Mason Miller - ATH - 13.4

5.  Devin Williams - MIL / NYY - 13.3

6.  Kirby Yates - TEX / LAD - 13.3

7.  Griffin Jax - MIN - 13.2

8.  Mark Leiter Jr. - CHC / NYY - 13.0

9.  Josh Hader - HOU - 12.9

t-10.  Cade Smith - CLE - 12.8

t-10.  Jeremiah Estrada - SD - 12.8

WHIP

(50 inning minimum)

1.  Dennis Santana - PIT - 0.75

2.  Tyler Rogers - SF - 0.84

3.  Josh Hader - HOU - 0.85

4.  Andres Munoz - SEA - 0.86

5.  Aroldis Chapman - PIT / BOS - 0.86

6.  Edwin Diaz - NYM - 0.89

7.  Ryan Walker - SF - 0.91

8.  Jesus Tinoco - CHC / MIA - 0.92

9.  Tyler Holton - DET - 0.93

10.  Nick Mears - COL / MIL - 0.93

Two things that stand out to me ... First, veteran closers like Emmanuel Clase and Josh Hader have their reputation for a reason.  They pitch a lot, and they dominate.  Second, Aroldis Chapman has still got it!  Popping up on most of these lists, Chapman is still one of the best relievers in the game.  Many of the other names I haven't heard much of, I can imagine a lot of teams are calling the Pirates about Dennis Santana.

So there you go!  Enjoy the stretch run and the Trade Deadline.  See you again next July!

2024 Pre-Season Profile: Pittsburgh Pirates

 #23

The Pittsburgh Pirates are quietly building one of the best young cores in baseball.  Is 2024 the year they break out and contend?

2023 Predictions

#24 - 4th in NL Central

MIH - Oneil Cruz

MIP - Roansy Contreras

PTW - Endy Rodriguez

FP - Bryan Reynolds sign a big extension with the Pirates.

2023 Results

#23 - 76-86, 4th in NL Central

Highest WAR (Position) - Ke'Bryan Hayes

Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Mitch Keller

The Pirates started the year out strong, but faded at the end.  Young players they are counting on like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Mitch Keller took huge steps forward, while their most talented player, Oneil Cruz, spent most of the season injured with a broken leg.  Overall, 2023 was a solid step forward, especially when you add in that they extended star outfielder Bryan Reynolds through 2031 instead of trading him (as I predicted).

Additions / Subtractions

The Pirates have become masters of the short term veteran contracts to compliment their young core.  So in comes veteran lefties Marco Gonzales and Martin Perez to stabilize the rotation.  Aroldis Chapman was brought in to strengthen the bullpen.  Michael A. Taylor is a sneaky good signing to man centerfield.  They didn't really have any significant subtractions outside of what they traded away at the deadline last season.

Most Important Hitter

Oneil Cruz

This was my answer last season as well, but after missing most of 2023 with his freak injury, it is even more the case this season.  Cruz is only entering his age 25 season and is probably still the most talented player on the roster.  He needs to pick his development up right where it left off if the Pirates are going to take any steps forward this season.  He got off to a pretty slow start in 2023 before the injury.  He needs to be 100% healthy and continuing to show that he can be the superstar shortstop Pittsburgh is expecting.

Most Important Pitcher

Marco Gonzales

The starting lineup for the Pirates can be lethal, but the rotation is not as secure.  Some veterans were brought in to help, and Marco might be the most important of the group.  He has spent the last 7 seasons as the ace of the Mariners' staff so he knows what it takes to be an innings eater and a veteran leader.  He was hurt most of last season, but even if his production is lackluster in 2024, his leadership and mentorship of the Pirates' young pitchers might be as important as anything else.

Prospect to Watch

Paul Skenes

The Pirates currently have the 9th best farm system in baseball with 5 players cracking the Top 100, all of which could debut in the next 18 months.  The most exciting of these is Paul Skenes.  The #1 overall pick in last year's draft, Skenes is a freak on the mound that could probably make the Opening Day start as the Pirates new ace and few would argue.  Instead he is starting this season in the minors, but his debut will be one of the most anticipated of 2024 whenever is does happen.

2024 Prediction

3rd in NL Central

I love what the Pirates are building.  It's only a matter of time before they are competing for the division title.  It helps that their division is possibly the worst in the league, but they should take another step forward in 2024 and be relevant for most of the season in the postseason talk.

Fearless Prediction

2024 will be the last season the Pirates finish under .500 this decade.

The strong core of talent the Pirates have at the big league level already, combined with the talent about to arrive, as well as the stars Bryan Reynolds and Mitch Keller signed for the foreseeable future, and the Pirates are one of the best positioned franchises in baseball.  They might not be ready to make a postseason run this season, but it will be the last season they are irrelevant for some time.