The baseball season is nearing its close and playoff races are heating up. Standout performers, including American League MVP candidates Bobby Witt Jr. and Aaron Judge and National League MVP contender Shohei Ohtani, are making their cases heard. However, there are also unsung heroes in each team whose key contributions, though not as conspicuous, are nonetheless vital.
In the case of the Los Angeles Dodgers, right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone has been crucial. Effective starting pitchers for the Dodgers have unfortunately been thin on the ground; Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler have had lacklustre seasons, and with several players on injury leave, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and River Ryan, Stone has filled a gap in the team’s rotation, providing key stability in a trying season.
Right-handed pitcher Michael Tonkin’s first month with the New York Yankees was shaky at best, but he’s since proved his mettle with an impressive 2.73 ERA (earned run average). In the Philadelphia Phillies, rookie Orion Kerkering is having a strong season, boasting a 2.51 ERA in addition to maintaining a low hard-hit rate; on the Baltimore Orioles, part-time player Ryan O’Hearn has managed to rack up 12 home runs and an .818 on-base plus slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers.
The Milwaukee Brewers have seen staunch performances from Joey Ortiz, who arrived in a trade last offseason; despite doubts about his hitting power, Ortiz has made significant contributions as a defender and disciplined batter. For the Cleveland Guardians, right-handed pitcher Hunter Gaddis has let in only four earned runs since May, showing that determination can turn a dubious track record into a solid performance.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres’ Kyle Higashioka has hit a notable 14 home runs in just 189 plate appearances of this season. At the same time, first baseman Carlos Santana, playing for the Minnesota Twins at 38 years of age, has gifted the team a skillful defense and commendable switch-hitting ability. Finally, Justin Martínez of the Arizona Diamondbacks is also demonstrating his prowess through an average fastball speed of 100 mph.
