It's been a while since Miguel Cabrera reigned in the American League from 2011 to 2013. However, the possibility of a hat trick is on the horizon this year.
In 2022, Luis Arraez captured the American League batting title with the Twins, followed by a repeat of the feat with the Marlins in 2023. This remarkable achievement made him the first player in Major League history to secure a batting title in each league in consecutive seasons.
As anticipation grows, the question arises: who are the favorites to lead the American and National League in batting this season? Also, which obscure candidates should we keep a close eye on? The experts have given their opinions.
Top of the List
In the realm of batting prowess, the Marlins' Luis Arraez takes center stage. Concluding the 2023 season with a remarkable .354 batting average, he not only secured the top spot in MLBbut also approached the elusive .400 mark well into June.
This performance marked the highest batting average in MLB since Josh Hamilton's .359 in 2010. Notably, Arraez's 17-point lead over second place (Ronald Acuña Jr.'s .337) being a significant difference.
With the lowest strikeout and error rates in baseball over the past two seasons, Arraez is ready to expand his hit producing prowess in his 27th season.
Ronald Acuña Jr., the Braves' dynamic outfielder, boasts an impressive .337 batting average in 2023, securing the second spot behind Arraez.
Amid the attention surrounding Acuna's quest for the first 40-70 season in MLB history, his remarkable improvement in reducing his strikeout rate to 11.4% last year (from 25.3% from 2018-22) deserves recognition.
Renowned for his ability to hit the ball hard, Acuna not only exhibited elite quality contact, but also led the league with an expected .357 batting average, suggesting possible improvements in the upcoming 2024 season.
Those who think Luis Arráez only excels with the bat are wrong 😉 pic.twitter.com/PAXxjygJSK
- MLB Venezuela (@MLBVenezuela) February 11, 2024
The Rest of the Count
Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers' experienced starter, enters the conversation with a .331 batting average in 2023, securing third place in MLB. Despite never winning a batting title, Freeman's consistent excellence stands out.
Freeman has maintained a .300 or better batting average in each of the last four seasons and seven of the last eight, making him the only player with four consecutive .300 seasons entering 2024.
With seven .300 seasons in the last eight, Freeman has out-hit everyone else since 2016. A master in all aspects of hitting, Freeman appears poised to finally secure his well-deserved first batting average crown.
Bo Bichette, the dynamic Blue Jays shortstop, joins the conversation with a .306 batting average in 2023, securing eighth place in MLB. What sets Bichette apart is his remarkable ability to rack up hits, leading the entire American League with an impressive 555 hits over the past three seasons.
Despite facing limitations, playing only 135 games due to knee and quadriceps injuries last year, he showed resilience by racking up 175 hits, culminating in a career-high batting average.
Notably, Statcast data suggests that Bichette was a bit unlucky, as his expected batting average was .312, placing him fifth among qualified hitters.
The prospect of a season with 200 hits or more seems inevitable for Bichette as he enters his 26th campaign, hinting at the possibility of not just one, but possibly several batting titles in his future.
Yordan Alvarez, the Astros' versatile left fielder and designated hitter, suffered a setback in 2023 with an oblique injury that limited him to 114 games.
However, the left-handed power hitter continued to be a formidable force at the plate. With a .293/.407/.583 line and 31 homers, Alvarez showed his prowess, ranking 17th in batting average among players with at least 400 plate appearances.
With a career batting average of .295, Alvarez has consistently been a threat to compete for a batting title.
