The MLB season is moving through its first month of action and there have been some captivating players who have stolen the spotlight early in the season.
Colorado Rockies rookie sensation Trevor Story and Mets hurler Noah Syndergaard have caught wreck this season and given us a sample of what we can expect from them moving forward.
It’s nothing but pure dopeness.
Story is the 23-year-old rookie shortstop who hit the MLB scene like an unforeseen hurricane and last night, blasted his eighth home run of the season against Cincinnati, giving him the most home runs in the first 13 games of a season since 1900. Yes, its been 116 years since any MLB batter has gone yard that often.
Story grabbed the headlines as soon as he hit the field. The power-packing rookie started his career with a pair of homers on Opening Day, becoming the first rookie to hit two dingers in his major league debut since J.P. Arencibia with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010.
People dont expect Storys torrid power streak to continue, but Colorado is ecstatic about the prospect of putting a shortstop on the field that can make them forget about legendary Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who is now a struggling middle infielder in the twilight of a super solid career with the Toronto Blue Jays.
In addition to Story’s rapid development, the Rockies, who have averaged a dismal 69 wins a season over the past five years, are 8-5 and tied with the LA Dodgers for first place in the NL West, having won five of their last six games.
Story has dominated the hitter headlines and Syndergaard is the latest golden-arm to dominate the hill.
After a dazzling rookie season in which he won NL Rookie of the Year honors and struck out 166 batters in 150 innings, Syndergaard, also just 23 years of age, has elevated his game to the next level in 2016 and should now be considered a Top 5 NL pitcher.
His stats definitely support it.
Syndergaard beat the Phillies 5-2 on Monday night. He struck out eight, walked two, and gave up just one run in seven innings to build on his blazing start for the 6-6 Mets, who returned to the .500 mark for the first time since the second series of the season. His ERA is now a miniscule 0.90.
Syndergaard became the seventh pitcher in Mets history to allow one run or fewer and toss at least six innings in each of his first three appearances in a season. Matt Harvey (2013), Rick Reed (2000), Frank Viola (1991), Hall of Famers Tom Seaver (1972 and 73) and Nolan Ryan (1970) and Jerry Koosman (1968) are the others.
Syndergaard has also produced at least eight strikeouts while allowing no more than one run in each his first three games this season.
The only player in the past 100 years with more such games to start a season is Randy Johnson, who had four straight to open his 1995 killer hill season, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
This is not just a hot streak. Syndergaard has the most lethal stuff among MLB pitchers to match his winning. He ranks first among MLB pitchers this season in average velocity on his fastball (98.3), slider (92.2) and curveball (82.8).
Mets veteran leader David Wright hit two homers to help Syndergaard get the win on Monday night. After the game he described Syndergaard as possessing every skill imaginable and …the guy that you would build in your own video game…and give him Max 10 for every category.
With the recent struggles suffered by Mets ace Matt Harvey, who has stumbled to an 0-3 start, Syndergaard will play an increasing role in the Mets fortunes this season and he is quickly asserting himself as the true Top Dawg of the staff.
