Now that we’re a couple weeks in to the season, besides the amazing start by rookie Trevor Story, let’s take a look at some other players from the NL East that are hot starts and some that aren’t to this point.
Atlanta Braves
Hot
Nick Markakis, OF – Leading the team in hitting (.333), RBI (12), Runs (7), and OPS (.956)
Not
Freddie Freeman, 1B – Hitting just .167, with 6 hits in 36 at bats, 1 homer, 4 RBI, and 11 K’s
Julio Teheran, SP – The teams “ace” is 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in 3 starts, giving up 4 homers, walking 8, and with hitters batting .250 against
Bud Norris, SP – Norris is right up there with Teheran with a 6.23 ERA in 3 starts (1-2), with a .310 average against and 1.67 WHIP
Miami Marlins
Hot
Christian Yelich, OF – A popular breakout candidate is doing a good job following up on that, with a .353 average early in the season and collecting 11 walks, to help push his OPS to 1.040. Now if we can just get some power!
Not
Giancarlo Stanton, OF – Although he has 2 homers, that’s about it for Stanton as he’s hitting just .205 early with 15 strike outs in 39 at bats
Marcel Ozuna, OF – Everyone keeps waiting on Ozuna to follow up on his 2014 season where he hit 23 homers and at age 25, there is still time. It’s too early to say not this year, but the .190 average with a homer, 2 RBI, and 12 strikeouts is not the best start to a breakout season
Jose Fernandez, SP – He makes the list due to ERA (.506), however the rest of the numbers tell a different story…4 BB, 18 K, .211 avg, and 1.13 WHIP. He sounded masterful against the Tigers and just seemingly lost it. His next will be interesting to see what we get
New York Mets
Hot
Michael Conforto, 1B/OF – Conforto has done a great job following-up a strong rookie campaign by hitting .313 to start the season with 5 doubles and a home run to go with 6 RBI and a .984 OPS
Yoenis Cespedes, OF – Although he can be a circus in the outfield, his bat remains solid with a .286 average, and 3 homers to go with 9 RBI and a .909 OPS.
Noah Syndergaard, SP – Improving on an amazing rookie season, Syndergaard is 1-0 in 2 starts with a 0.69 ERA, 2 BB’s, 21 K’s, and a 0.92 WHIP
Not
Travis D’Arnaud, C – D’Arnaud has collected just 3 hits in 25 at bats this season (.120 avg)
Curtis Granderson, OF – Grandy is hitting .156 with 4 extra base hits and 10 K’s
Steven Matz, SP – Our 16th ranked player in the Top 100 Prospects for 2016 is struggling mightily with a 1-1 record, 7.27 ERA , .273 average against, and 1.50 WHIP
Matt Harvey, SP – The Dark Knight is 0-3 with a 5.71 ERA, giving up 11 earned runs, walking 7, striking out 9, and allowing hitters to bat .309 against
Philadelphia Phillies
Hot
Vincent Velasquez, SP – No longer considered a rookie but with just 55 innings under his belt, Velasquez is off to a great start, as he is 2-0, not allowing an earned run in 15 innings, giving up 3 walks, striking out 25 (16 in his last start vs. SD), giving up 6 hits (.118 avg against), and a 0.92 WHIP
Not
Cedric Hunter, OF – The rookie isn’t necessarily over matched (6 K’s in 34 AB’s), but when making contact, Hunter is not finding very much grass while putting balls in play (.088 avg)
Aaron Nola, SP – Nola has a big arm (23 K’s), but has given 12 earned in 19 innings, along with 17 hits and walking 3. Similar to Jose Fernandez, there are runs being scored, but average against is decent (.239) and WHIP has been excellent at 1.04
Washington Nationals
Hot
Daniel Murphy, 2B – Off to hot start in leading the league in average at .432, with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 8 RBI, and a 1.307 OPS
Wilson Ramos, C – Hitting .389, with 3 doubles, a homer, and .944 OPS in 9 games
Bryce Harper, OF – Harper is on fire, hitting a home run on Opening Day, and now homering in 4 straight including a grand slam (his first) for his 100th career home run. It’s not just power either, as last year’s MVP is hitting .359 with 15 RBI, has stolen 3 bases, and has a 1.356 OPS
Gio Gonzalez, SP – Gonzalez has struggled the last couple of seasons, however he’s currently 2-0, with a 0.69 ERA with 3 walks, 12 K’s, .156 average against, and a 0.77 WHIP
Not
Michael Taylor, OF – Given a chance to start with the injury to Ben Revere, Taylor has struggled in 41 at bats with a .146 average and 12 K’s
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Steven Matz would beg to do differ after his last outing. Ha,,
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Oh Voss, you troll!!
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